Main Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV) 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Preaching Point: Fulfill your life's purpose by fearing God and obeying His commandments, while keeping the final judgment in view.

Teaching Points:

1. Make Fearing God a Non-Negotiable (v. 13a)
2. Make Obedience a Non-Negotiable (v. 13b)
3. Live in light of Your Final Evaluation (v. 14)

Main Text: Matthew 16:24–28 (ESV) 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Preaching Point: Every Christian must willingly accept the costs associated with following Jesus, knowing that the sacrifices made in this life pale in comparison to the benefits of eternity in God’s Kingdom.

Teaching Points:

1. Ask: Am I Really Following Jesus? V24
2. Soberly Evaluate the High Price of Living for Yourself vv25-26
3. Live with Your Final Recompense in Mind vv27-28

Title: The King’s Authority and World Opposition: The King of the Unstoppable Kingdom

Text: Matthew 16:13–20 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Main Point: To make a real difference for God’s Kingdom, deepen your love for Him first.

Teaching Points:

1. Love God for Who He is (vv. 13-17)
2. Love God as You Serve Him (vv. 18-19)
3. Love God as You Wait (v. 20)