Working for a "Well Done"

The Noose of Regret

In Matthew 27:1-10, Judas's plan works flawlessly, so Jesus is arrested and condemned. And then the regret sinks in. As in many of our choices, we build up the reasons that suit our desires, but downplay the consequences. And sometimes, when the consequences hit, we realize we've made the wrong choice. How do we handle mistakes that lead to regret? For Judas, it was overwhelming despair that led him to take his own life. Though he attemted to "repent", what he really wanted was to undo his deed, which is impossible and faceing the reality of who he was and what he'd done led to suicide. In this message, we talk about how regret can lead us to grace or doom and we discuss a strategy for pausing before making a mistake.

Running Away From Surrender

In Matthew 26: 31-75, we have several scenes related to the arrest of Jesus. First, Jesus warns his disciples that they will all abandon him, then Judas arrives, then the trial and lastly, Peter's denial. One of the themes that runs through this portion of narrative is what it means to be a man, or better, how to be strong and keep your integrity under pressure. When we look at Peter, we see an immature man trying to be stronger than he really is. When we look at Jesus, we see a real man of God, surrendered to God's will, even to the point of suffering. Jesus had to go to the cross alone, and everyone will experience what it means to abandon Jesus, but God's grace is there to help us learn from our mistakes.

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.