The Test of True Christianity, Part 3 (Matthew 7:21-29)

This week is Vision Sunday! It's the one Sunday per year when we acknowledge God's faithfulness in and through our church since our founding in 1870. And this year marks our 150th year of gospel ministry in Boston! We will celebrate our past and focus on our present and future mission to invite Boston and beyond into a life-changing relationship with Christ and his church. We'll open the final words of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and see Jesus' test of a true Christian.

The Test of True Christianity, Part 2 (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with a powerful invitation into his true kingdom in contrast to counterfeit Christianity. In Part 2 this week, we'll look at the importance and value of teachers--those who guide us along the path of discipleship. Jesus warns us about "false prophets" and gives us some advice for discerning whether a teacher is true or false.

The Test of True Christianity, Part 1 (Matthew 7:13-20)

Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with a powerful invitation into his true kingdom in contrast to counterfeit Christianity. In Part 1 this week, we'll see the first two invitations to walk the narrow way and to follow the right teachers.

The Prayer-Empowered Kingdom Life (Matthew 7:7-12)

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is chock full of blunt, challenging teaching that can leave even the best of us feeling discouraged at our lack of righteousness. If you've ever felt like a failure, this week's passage is for you. Jesus concludes the main body of his sermon with one of the most encouraging--and empowering--passages in all of Scripture.

How (Not) to Judge (Matthew 7:1-6)

In this Sunday's passage, Jesus has a stark warning for us about a self-righteous and overly critical spirit. How easy is it to see the faults of others and yet overlook our own flaws! The answer, however, isn't to avoid all judgments, but to exercise judgment with humility and care.

In the Kingdom, God Preserves and Provides Abundantly (Matthew 6:19-24)

This Sunday we have the privilege to hear from Ron Wagogo, member of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown. Ron will continue our series in the Gospel of Matthew.

Not So Fast (Matthew 6:16-18)

We have the privilege to hear from Pastor Erik Raymond, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown. Pastor Erik will preach to us on fasting as we continue our series in the Gospel of Matthew.

The Disciple's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)

It's easy to feel insecure or even guilty about your prayer life. But what is Jesus' vision for our communication with the Father? We have the privilege to welcome Pastor Jonathan Moseley from King's Hill Church on Mission Hill, who will preach to us from Jesus' most famous teaching on prayer.

The Danger of Doing Good (Matthew 6:1-4)

"Humble-bragging" and "virtue-signaling" are 21st Century phrases, but the concept is as old as, well, sin. Our hearts are so corrupt that we can turn even a righteous deed into an opportunity for unrighteous pride. As we continue to the learn the character of Christ's kingdom in his Sermon the the Mount, Jesus teaches us that we need to repent not only for our sinful deeds but for our righteous ones, too.

Extraordinary Kingdom Love (Matthew 5:38-48)

This week we’ll consider one of the most challenging, yet transformative, passages in all of Scripture. In the polarized environment of our day, this is a message we all need to be reminded of, and grow in: Love your enemies.

Honest to God (Matthew 5:33-37)

We're continuing in the Gospel of Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount this Sunday as Jesus teaches us the importance of integrity--that is, telling the truth.

Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With? (Matthew 5:27-32)

We come to one of Jesus' most famous teachings about sex. You'll see why God cares so much about this--both in your heart and body. And Jesus will give us some very practical (albeit challenging) ways that you can fight sexual sin in your own heart and life.

*The sermon title is taken from a book by Pastor Sam Allberry.

Click here to view the sermon on Facebook.

No Small Anger Problem (Matthew 5:21-26)

We all get angry sometimes. But what about those times when it sticks with us, when we're tempted to hold onto anger and resentment against someone who has hurt us? Jesus has some challenging words about the serious reality of this kind of anger. But he also gives us tangible steps to overcome it as he teaches about his kingdom of heaven that has come to earth.

Seasoning and Shining for the King (Matthew 5:13-16)

Christianity is not a spectator sport. From the start, we’re called to make an impact. Specifically, Jesus gives us two pictures (salt and light), two warnings, and one goal. Last week, we saw Jesus’ vision for a new kingdom community in his famous Beatitudes poem. And this Sunday, we’ll see that we’re called to bring the blessing of Christ to the world around us.

Blessings of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:1-12)

Has God blessed you? Do you have some savings in the bank, educational opportunities, a loving family? Is this what it means to be blessed? This week, we arrive at perhaps the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus introduces his sermon with a poem about the blessing of God, though it is perhaps not quite what we would expect when we think of being “blessed.” Jesus shows us here where God’s blessing is found: in his kingdom.

How the Kingdom Advances (Matthew 4:12-25)

The Gospel of Matthew is all about Christ’s kingdom coming, but how is his kingdom expanding today? In the midst of the chaos of our world and the anxieties of our lives, how can we see God making progress? And how can we join him in bringing light to the darkness around us? This Sunday’s passage is about how Jesus’ ministry starts and spreads. We’ll see the surprising power of where he begins, who he recruits, and how he works to inaugurate heaven’s reign on earth.

The King's Test, and Ours (Matthew 4:1-11)

What is the hardest test you’ve ever taken? In our passage this week, Jesus goes from being declared beloved by his Father and empowered by the Spirit, to being led into the wilderness to be tested (or tempted) by the devil. We’ll see in this rich text the reality and strategy of our adversary and the power we have to pass the spiritual tests we encounter in our lives through the victory of Christ. 

A Different Kind of King (Matthew 3:13-17)

What do you think God is like? In this week’s passage, we’re finally introduced to Jesus himself. We hear Jesus’ first words and see his first actions. What is the first thing he does? He insists on being baptized by John. But if baptism is only for sinners to repent, why does the sinless Son of God enter the waters? This simple, humble action shows us what kind of King Jesus is and how he will bring his heavenly kingdom to earth.

Are You Ready for the King? (Matthew 3:1-12)

Whether it's a birthday party, a vacation, a dissertation defense, or a new baby, significant events in our life require preparation. In fact, the more significant the event, the greater the preparation needed. This week we jump back into the Gospel of Matthew. During Advent we covered the Introduction: The Promised King. Now we'll begin the body of the Gospel with Part 1: The Announcement of Christ's Kingdom. Now that Jesus the King has arrived, his new kingdom is proclaimed and the people are called to prepare for his rule. How do we make sure we're ready to receive him?

The Expected and Unexpected King Jesus (Matthew 2:19-23)

We just celebrated Christmas with the birth of King Jesus in the town of David, Bethlehem. Surely, he is to be raised there and rule with strength as any king would. But instead, he is sent away from Bethlehem to a town of nowhere called Nazareth. Was this God’s plan gone wrong?! This week our passage tells us that this is the expected plan and that Jesus of Nazareth (not Bethlehem!) is the Messiah who has come to redeem the world. We hear how Jesus saves thru weakness and humility, with implications of what it means to live as a Nazarene in our Christian lives.