Focal Passage: Matthew 7:15-29

Authority isn’t proven by how convincing someone sounds; it’s proven by what holds up over time. Most of us have learned the hard way that not every confident voice is a trustworthy one. Maybe you’ve been to that smooth talking mechanic who promised an easy fix, but it turned out to be an expensive band-aid. Or maybe you tried that financial “expert” who promises quicker and bigger returns. Whatever the scenario, we have all learned to be careful who we trust. 

As Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to a close, He turns our attention to the question of authority. He begins with a warning: “Be on your guard against false prophets… You’ll recognize them by their fruit” (vv. 15-16). Words alone are not the test, fruit is. A tree reveals its health and worth by what it produces. In the same way, a life shaped by true authority will show evidence of transformation. Character always tells the truth eventually. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 6:19-34

At our house we have a small safe for very important items and documents. We have those items in the safe to make sure they are secure and not misplaced, destroyed, or taken. Those are usually items that are difficult or impossible to replace. Maybe you have some things you value in a safe place. You can usually tell what someone values by what they protect. 

A prized possession gets special care. What we treasure, we guard. Going beyond our stuff, Jesus says the same is true of our hearts. In this passage, we see that the things or people we treasure captures our heart, shapes our vision, commands our allegiance, and controls our peace.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 5:13-20, 43-48

You can tell a lot about something by the influence it leaves behind. Have you ever been around a campfire and then walked in somewhere around someone who wasn’t? It won’t be long before they say something about the smell you are putting off. 

Recently, we had some concrete laid at our house and overnight, before it fully cured, a racoon left several footprints on the concrete indicating it had been there. There may be no greater examples of influence in our world than salt and light. Salt changes the flavor of whatever it touches. Light changes the atmosphere of a room the moment it’s switched on. Both make a tremendous impact. In the same way, Jesus teaches that a life truly shaped by Him doesn’t stay hidden. It leaves a mark. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 2:1-12

Have you ever seen pictures or videos of people lining up at a store or event to be one of the first ones in? I think of the students who camp for days leading up to games outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the Duke Blue Devils play basketball, for a chance to get one of the limited number of student seats. Or the people who line up early at every new Chick-fil-a opening in order to get free chicken for a year. 

Some moments reveal what we truly value. We instinctively pursue what matters most to us. The same is true when we think about who, or what, we worship. Worship isn’t just about what we sing on Sunday, it’s about who or what our hearts chase throughout the week. Matthew 2 shows us that what we do with Jesus reveals who sits on the throne of our hearts. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 4:12-25

Some invitations change everything. A manager with your dream career calls with a job offer. A coach asks you to join the team. A person you love asks you to marry them and share life together. With one invitation, the direction of your future can shift. Matthew 4 shows us the greatest invitation ever extended. That is the invitation to follow Jesus.

When Jesus enters the scene in Galilee, the region is described as sitting “in darkness” and “in the shadow of death.” Into that setting, Jesus begins to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near” (v. 17). Before anyone ever takes a step toward Him, Jesus takes the first step toward them. That’s the beginning of discipleship. Jesus meets people where they are. He comes to the forgotten places, the weary places, the routine places. He doesn’t wait for people to climb their way into the light; He brings the light to them. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Matthew 3:13-4:11

Before Jesus ever preached a sermon, healed a disease, or called a disciple, the Father affirmed who He was. Matthew shows us that salvation doesn’t begin with human effort, rather it begins with the Son whom the Father sent. In this section of Scripture, we see three powerful affirmations that set the tone for Jesus’ life and mission. 

First, we see that the Father affirms Jesus’ identity (3:13-17). Jesus steps into the Jordan not because He needed cleansing from sin, but because He came to identify with sinners. In this humble act, heaven breaks open, the Spirit descends, and the Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 33:1-5, 26-29

As Moses prepared to leave this world, he didn’t gather Israel to draw attention to himself. He gathered them to lift their eyes to the greatness of their God. After a lifetime of leading, interceding, teaching, and shepherding, Moses wanted Israel to know one truth above all: God is enough. His presence is enough. His power is enough. His protection is enough. And because He is enough, His people can live without fear.

Deuteronomy 33 is Moses’ final blessing over Israel. It is filled with warmth, hope, and confidence — not because Israel was perfect, but because their God was faithful. These verses remind us that the same God who sustained Israel is the God who sustains us today. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

There are often times in my life (too many to count) when I can’t find something in the refrigerator. I’ll get frustrated, tell my wife we’re out, and start adding it to the grocery list — only for her to walk over, open the door, and grab the item that was sitting right there in plain sight. Any other guys with me? My mom used to say, “If it were a snake, it would’ve bitten you.” In our passage this week, Moses says something similar.

When Moses stood before the people of Israel for the final time, he didn’t deliver new commands or reveal a hidden secret. He reminded them of something simple but essential: God’s way isn’t mysterious—it’s right in front of them. The question wasn’t whether they could understand it, but whether they would choose to live by it. The same is true for us. God calls His people to be fully committed. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 15-19

A covenant is not a term used often today. We’ve replaced it with agreements or contracts. Contracts are legal agreements between two parties that can be broken if one side doesn’t hold up their side. Agreements are mutual understandings based on a shared benefit. 

These are both transactional and built on performance. Basically, these say, “you do your part and I’ll do mine.” Our world prefers contracts and agreements because they feel safe and controllable. But God offers us something deeper: a covenant, where faithfulness replaces convenience and relationship outweighs rights.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 12:1-11, 29-32

In today’s culture, everything is vying for our attention. We have highlights, clips, pictures, advertisements in our face all the time. Every time we turn on a TV, open our computer, or look at our phone we are giving our attention to something. God is also vying for our attention and he is a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5). 

Our world is striving for our devotion, our minds, and our hearts. But God wants it more. This is why he tells the Israelites to not have any other gods in front of Him. He alone is to be worshiped. In our passage this week, God calls His people to worship Him exclusively, purely, and joyfully — in His way, not ours.  [Read more…]