What is the “kingdom of heaven”? What characterizes its citizens in the age before it comes in its fullness? How do its citizens enlist other ones? Matthew 5:1-16 http://media.urclearning.org/audio/AMK_Matt_5_1_16.mp3

URC Learning: Rev. Adam Kaloostian

Salt & Light for the Kingdom of Heaven | Matthew 5:1-16

To side with baby Jesus was to side with God, to reject Him was to reject God. No matter, as Jesus was divinely protected in order to this time obediently re-live the history of the nation of Israel and its prominent leaders and bring glory to the universe. Hosea 11 Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23–Divinely Protected to Bring Glory

“King” Herod and the unbelieving Jewish rulers show us how and why people reject Christ. The mysterious eastern magi are surprisingly brought to Jesus as examples of His grace to us Gentiles, and of lives devoted to Him. Matthew 2: 1-12

Matthew 2:1-12–Rejecting or Receiving Jesus

On the glorious occasion of the baptism of two children in our church, we considered the basic law-and-gospel meaning of baptism. Acts 2:36-39

Acts 2:36-39 | Baptism- Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude

Jesus’ conception and birth was magnificent, unusual, miraculous, and extraordinary. It’s no wonder, since His birth is a destiny-of-the-universe-altering event. Isaiah 7:1-16; 8:1-10; 9:2, 6-7 Matthew 1:16-24

Matthew 1:16-24 | An Unusual, Miraculous Conception and Birth

Jesus’ temptation ordeal in the wilderness was His triumphant re-living of both Eve and Adam’s Garden of Eden failure, and the Israelites’ wilderness wandering failure. Jesus’ obedience here was His one summary act of obedience (Romans 5:18) by which He reversed the curse and earned righteousness for His elect. Matthew 4:1-11

Matthew 4:1-11 | Adam and Israel Failed, But Christ Prevailed

Matthew uses the sacred Old Testament genealogical list to introduce the monumental event of Jesus, the Great and Universal King, being born into the world. [please note: I meant to say “squelch our enthusiasm” instead of “quench our enthusiasm” right near the beginning of the sermon]. 2 Samuel 7:11-16 Matthew 1:1-17 http://media.urclearning.org/audio/AMK_Matt_1_1-17.mp3

Matthew 1:1-17 | A Monumental Birth

This closing bookend of Book 1 of the Psalms connects clearly to Psalms 1 and 2. We must align ourselves with Jesus in His weakness, because the Lord restores, sustains, and blesses both Jesus and all who are found in Him. Psalm 41 http://media.urclearning.org/audio/AMK_PS_41.mp3

Psalm 41 | You are blessed if you regard The Weak Man

Reformed Sermons, Discussion Programs & Lessons, with Audio

hubhopper

URC Learning: Rev. Adam Kaloostian

hubhopper