October 7, 2012Passage:  Matthew 7:7-12Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Ask God for help the way you ask your best friend. I. God invites you to look to Him for answers.  (7-8)            A. We are encouraged to ask.            B. We are told to search.            C. We are invited to try the knob. II. God exhorts you…

September 30, 2012Passage:  Matthew 7:1-6Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Don’t judge, help. I. Jesus forbids a judgmental heart.  (1-2)            A. Those who judge find fault with others.            B. Others find fault with those who judge. II. Jesus commands a concerned heart.  (3-5)            A. Some don’t see well.            B. Some don’t speak well. III. Jesus warns…

September 23, 2012Passage:  Matthew 6:25-34Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Defeating worry depends on trusting God. I. God proves His care for His creation.  (25-30)            A. Don’t worry about life.            B. God cares for birds and flowers.            C. God cares for you. II. God calls you to seek Him first.  (31-33)            A. Idolaters are trying to…

September 16, 2012Passage:  Matthew 6:16-24Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Possess things, don’t be possessed by things. I. Spiritual living requires self-discipline.  (16-18)            A. Fasting is a spiritual discipline.            B. Disciplines help us live according to plan. II. Spiritual living requires a clear goal.  (19-21)            A. Gathering things for this world results in loss.            B. Gathering…

September 9, 2012Passage:  Matthew 6:5-15Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Prayer is conversation with a kind and loving God. I. Prayer is conversation with God.            A. Prayer is not posing for people.            B. Prayer is not babbling in boredom.            C. Prayer is hearing the heart. II. Jesus offers a model prayer.            A. Address your prayer to…

August 26, 2012Passage:  Matthew 6:1-4Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  God is the only One Who’s approval is worth having. I. Practice your righteousness before God.            A. We are called to do good works.            B. So help someone in need.                        1.  Watch a child for a parent suddenly called away.                        2.  Help in community service projects.                       …

July 29, 2012Passage:  Matthew 5:31-48Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  God’s children reflect God’s grace to a fallen world. I. God’s holiness is a high standard.  (31-37)            A. He has already addressed anger and lust.            B. Divorce violates God’s design and will.            C. Promises must be kept without deceit. II. God’s creatures fall short of His…

July 15, 2012Passage:  Matthew 5:17-30Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Righteousness depends on God’s standard, not ours. I. God has declared the standards of righteousness.            A. Jesus affirms the revelation of God.            B. Jesus reveals the righteousness of God. II. Examine your attitude toward those you don’t like.            A. Anger betrays an unrighteous heart.            B. Unrighteousness…

July 8, 2012Passage:  Matthew 5:1-16Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  The meek really will inherit the earth. I. The Lord’s sermon shows God’s perspective.            A. Many interpretations have been offered.                        1.  Soteriological – how to be saved.                        2.  Sociological – how to change culture.                        3.  Penitential – for convicting of sin.                        4.  Ecclesiastical – how the…

June 24, 2012Passage:  Matthew 4:12-25Speaker:  Pastor Bill KnepperMain Point:  Do not be distracted from the work of the Savior. I. The church advances in persecution.            A. The world is upside down.            B. The saints suffer. II. The church declares a life-changing message.            A. The message is a call to repent.            B. The message is a…