July 21, 2013Passage:  Matthew 17:14-27Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Unbelief leads to defeat, but faith trusts even in the impossible. I. Unbelief leads to defeat.            A. The disciples failed to heal the boy.            B. The Lord points directly to unbelief.            C. Even little faith is better than unbelief. II. Faith sustains us through difficult times.           …

July 14, 2013Passage:  Matthew 16:24 – 17:13Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Life today depends of a clear view of what is to come. I. The true measure of a well-lived life is in eternity.            A. Following Christ requires denying self.            B. Living for self leads to loss.            C. Living for Christ leads to real reward.…

June 30, 2013Passage:  Matthew 16:1-23Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  God speaks to our hearts, but we must be willing to hear. I. Some people simply refuse to believe.  (1-4)            A. The Pharisees were testing Jesus.            B. Jesus rebukes them and leaves. II. Some people are just slow to understand.  (5-12)            A. The disciples worry about…

June 23, 2013Passage:  Matthew 15:21-39Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  God’s grace is for all, the Jew first and then the gentile. I. Salvation comes from the Jews.            A. God has used one race to save a world.            B. God has grace for all who believe. II. God’s blessings are for all people.            A. The Lord…

June 16, 2013Passage:  Matthew 15:1-20Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Pride blinds but humility heals. I. Pride blinds.            A. Pride blinded the Pharisees.            B. Pride is the point of legalism.            C. Pride replaces obedience to God. II. Humility heals.            A. Food is amoral.            B. Words reveal our true heart. III. Choose humility.            A. Pride seeks to…

June 9, 2013Passage:  Matthew 14:1-36Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Trusting Christ daily leads to a life lived courageously. I. Some live in cowardice.            A. Herod’s ego was large but his fear was larger.            B. Many live with fear of others. II. We must grow in confidence.            A. Jesus multiplies food to feed the crowd.            B.…

April 28, 2013Passage:  Matthew 13:44-58Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Don’t miss the most important thing of all. I. The kingdom of heaven has great value.  (44-46)            A. It has value for the one who stumbles onto it.            B. It has value for the one who seeks it. II. The kingdom of heaven is a great…

April 14, 2013Passage:  Matthew 13:24-43Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Jesus warns of the dangers ahead. I. The church will grow despite evil in the world.            A. The weeds are enemies of God.            B. God will judge all in the end. II. The church will be a force in the world.            A. The church’s growth is…

March 31, 2013Passage:  Matthew 13:1-23Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  You must decide what to do about Jesus. I. Spiritual truth is not shallow.  (1-9)            A. Spiritual truth is never secret.            B. But spiritual truth can be complex. II. Spiritual truth is learned by seeking.  (10-17)            A. Some people just don’t get it.            B. But the…

March 24, 2013Passage:  Matthew 12:38-50Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  The resurrection is a call to the world. I. God has spoken to a needy world.  (38-42)            A. People want God to do what they want.            B. But God has spoken through the resurrection. II. Resisting God’s call leads to a hard heart.  (43-45)            A. Israel…