FRCP Sunday Morning Sermons

An Old Meal, A New Covenant

In Matthew 26:17-30, we see Jesus celebrating the Passover with his disciples. For us modern Gentiles, it can be hard to recognize the full meaning of Jesus' words and actions in the "Last Supper" because we weren't raised observing the Passover like Jesus and the disciples. We can easily think of it as a "Christian" tradition of a little bread and a little juice (or wine) to remind us of Jesus sacrifice on the cross. While it is this for sure, it is much more. This message dives into some of the Old Testament passages that help us understand how Jesus was both fulfilling God's covenant with his people and launching a new one.

A Beautiful Thing for God

In Matthew 26:1-16, a beautiful thing happens in the midst of an ugly situation. We begin hearing about the decision by the religious leaders to assasinate Jesus and the passage ends with Judas being paid to hand him over. Jesus is not naive, so he must be under a lot of stress, knowing that the cross is imminent. Then, in the middle of those two ugly happennings, is something good. While Jesus is reclining at the table, an unnamed woman enters the house and annoints him with a very expensive alabaster jar of perfume. The disciples criticize her, saying the jar should have been sold and the money given the poor, but Jesus defends her, saying she has done a beautiful thing for him. This sermon digs into that statement, asking what is beauty in the eyes of God, and how can we also do beautiful things for Jesus?

G.O.A.T. - Gone Out for All Time

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus culminates his final large section of teaching with a description of the final judgment. This is the end of our all our lives, as all nations stand before the throne of the King. Who will get in and who won't? Jesus answers this with a simile using goats and sheep. In our culture, we call people who are the best "The GOAT" or The Greatest of All Time. But here, being a goat is not good. Goats are those who did not serve the king while living. They didn't help him, heal him, care for him. And as a consequence, they will "Go Out for All Time". Instead, we want to be a sheep or those who did serve the King when he needed help. The question everyone has is, "But when did we actually see you in need, Jesus?" Listen to be reminded of the opportunity we have to serve Jesus by serving those in need.

Working for a "Well Done"

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares about a Master who goes away and gives several of his servants bags of gold. One gets five, another two and a third gets one. The assumption is that they will get to work investing and growing the resources for the master. The master returns and the first two get "Well done!" and invited into the Master's joy. The third guy, though, brings back the same amount he was given, explaining he buried it because he was worried about getting in trouble if he lost it. The Master calls him out, saying he could have at least put it in the bank. In reality, the servant is wicked and lazy; he never intended to do the work. What has God given you to work with? Are you investing it? Growing it? Producing for the Kingdom? If so, you'll enter into the Master's joy someday.

Sleepy Virgins

In Matthew 24:45-25:13, Jesus follows his warnings about his return and the judgement to come with several stories describing people unprepared to meet their Maker. He talks of a household manager whose pride and penchant for evil swells the longer his Master is away. But the Master eventually returns and due to his mismanagement and cruelty, he's cut to pieces. Then he tells of virgins participating in a wedding ceremony. Again they are waiting, but only half made preparations for the wait. When the bridegroom finally shows up in the middle of the night, the one's without oil for their lamps are caught off guard and in the time it takes to search for oil, miss the party and are locked outside. Even when they call to the bridegroom, he says he doesn't know them. They were lazy at best, disrespectful at worst, so he rejects them. Are we preparing for Jesus' return? Are we busy with his work and working in a way that will please him?