Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Matthew 8-12 | Introduction

KINGDOM POWER | Courage & Compassion | Matthew 8-12 | Introduction & Matthew Series Recap

Part I | A King is Born | Matthew Chapter 1-2
Advent Series focusing on the birth of Jesus as the promised messiah and the incarnation of God into human history. Generations longed and waited for one who would come to defeat evil and bring restoration. Jesus is born of a virgin fulfilling centuries of prophecies. Light had dawned, yet evil is still present. Wise Men come to worship the one born King of the Jews, while King Herod plots death to maintain his kingdom. Death comes to Bethlehem, but Jesus is spared as this young royal family is warned by an angel and flees to refuge in Egypt. When Herod dies, they return to Israel setting in the obscurity and relative safety of Galilee where Jesus continues to grow in favor with God and men.

Sermons for this series are found HERE

PART II | Upside Down Kingdom: Mission & Message | Matthew 3-7
In the beginning of his ministry as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and succeeded where the first man Adam failed. Jesus called His first disciples, literally those who would follow him and assist in spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. As Jesus was preaching and teaching, He was also healing the sick, and His fame grew beginning in the poor region of Galilee, spreading throughout Judea and even into Jerusalem. As a great crowd formed around him, Jesus went up a hill and began to preach what we know as the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gives the seemingly simple yet incredibly deep command to love God and love people. There is no value in hearing Jesus’ instructions without actively living them out. Citizens in God’s kingdom, adopted into the King’s family, are to be hearers AND doers of the king’s commands.

Kingdom Message + Kingdom Power = Kingdom Advance

Sermons for this series are available HERE

PART III | Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Matthew 8-12
The Sermon on the Mount concludes but Jesus’ mission continues. There are so many people hurting physically and spiritually. Jesus has a message of repentance and forgiveness to proclaim and the power to bring holistic healing to the suffering. Jesus’ power is displayed in the lives of individuals who seek and receive healing, with even some being brought back from death. Jesus shows His power over nature, bringing calm to even the most chaotic storm, and He demonstrates He is THE greatest spiritual authority by casting out demons who have possessed hurting people. His power causes some to marvel, some to worship, and others to reject Him as a threat to their own authority. When challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus lets them know the greatest sign of His identity and power is yet to come. When the world’s rejection sends Jesus to the cross, where our sin will be paid for, Jesus will show His power over even death itself with His glorious resurrection.

Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart, but we should not confuse gentleness with weakness. True gentleness is power under control for a purpose. Jesus’ Kingdom Power is not driven by ego or pride and when we are following Him it should not lead us fear or terror. Jesus’ power is motived by His great compassion for us. This should lead us to great courage as we live our new lives on mission for Him.