MATTHEW | THE KING THAT WENT TO THE CROSS (AUDIO ONLY)

Matthew 12:9-21 | Finding Rest in Jesus

This sermon explores the dangerous divide between life-giving faith and crushing legalism through Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. You will see how the Pharisees' self-righteousness blinded them to their own need for restoration, leading them to plot against the very One who came to save them. Pastor Michael reminds us that Jesus didn't come to burden us with religious obligation, but to restore what sin has broken. Our salvation rests entirely on Christ's righteousness, not our own efforts, and this truth should transform how we view both our own struggles and the struggles of others.

Sermon No. 29

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 1-4-2025

MATTHEW | THE KING THAT WENT TO THE CROSS (AUDIO ONLY)

Matthew 12:1-8 | The Lord of the Sabbath

This sermon explores the first major confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees over Sabbath observance, revealing how religious legalism enslaves us while the gospel sets us free. When the Pharisees accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath by picking grain, Jesus responded by declaring Himself greater than the temple and Lord of the Sabbath. This passage confronts our tendency to earn God's favor through rule-keeping rather than resting in Christ's finished work. The implications for our spiritual life are profound: we must continually examine whether we're trusting in our performance or in Jesus' righteousness, recognizing that true spiritual growth comes not from trying harder but from abiding in Christ.

Sermon No. 28

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 12-28-2025

Advent | The Promise, Announcement, and Fulfillment (AUDIO ONLY)

This sermon explores how God's promise of justice and peace comes through His Messiah, Jesus Christ, who brings salvation to individuals one by one. Pastor Michael walks us through Isaiah's prophecy of the coming servant, Simeon's recognition of baby Jesus as the light of salvation, and ultimately how the gospel message must move from general knowledge to personal reality.

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 12-21-2025

Advent | The Promise, Announcement, and Fulfillment (AUDIO ONLY)

This sermon we explores how God's wisdom far surpasses our own, as demonstrated through the birth of the Messiah in the small town of Bethlehem. Pastor Michael traces the promise from Micah 5, through the angelic announcement to the shepherds, culminating in the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus' kingship.

The central truth from this sermon is this: lasting joy is only found in submitting to Christ's rule in every area of our lives. When we try to be king of our own kingdoms, we rob ourselves of the very joy we're desperately seeking.

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 12-14-2025

Advent | The Promise, Announcement, and Fulfillment (AUDIO ONLY)

The sermon explores the promise, announcement, and fulfillment of Emmanuel, God with us. Beginning with Isaiah's prophecy to King Ahaz in a moment of national crisis, we trace how God's ultimate answer to humanity's deepest need wasn't just temporary deliverance from earthly enemies, but eternal salvation from sin itself. Through the incarnation, God stepped down from heaven's throne to become flesh, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross.

This Christmas season reminds us that Jesus came not merely to be with us, but to save us from our sins. The implications for our spiritual life are transformative: when we behold the glory of Christ and remember what He accomplished, we find the power to fight against the sin that still seeks to pull us away from God's grace and truth.

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 12-7-2025

Advent | The Promise, Announcement, and Fulfillment(AUDIO ONLY)

In week one of our Advent series, we begin by examining the true meaning of Christ's arrival. It's not just as a sentimental holiday tradition, but as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Pastor Michael explores three movements: God's Promise in Isaiah 9 of a coming King, the Announcement to Mary in Luke 1 that this promise was being fulfilled, and the Purpose of redemption revealed in Galatians 4. this sermon will show you that Jesus came as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace and He is not just to be celebrated once a year, but to rescue us from slavery to sin and adopt us as beloved children of God.

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 11-30-2025

MATTHEW | THE KING THAT WENT TO THE CROSS (AUDIO ONLY)

Matthew 11:20-30 | Finding Rest in the Yoke of Jesus

This sermon explores Jesus' warning to cities that witnessed His mighty works yet refused to repent, His unique authority as the Son who reveals the Father, and His gracious invitation to find rest in Him. You will see that neutrality toward Jesus is impossible - we either worship Him or worship something else. Pastor Michael reminds us that Jesus doesn't fit into boxes we create; rather, He calls us to die to ourselves and submit to Him. Yet this submission isn't harsh task-mastering, it's the pathway to the deepest rest our souls can experience. Like a loving parent warning a child of danger, Jesus warns us because He loves us and knows that life apart from Him leads to destruction.

Sermon No. 27

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 11-23-2025

MATTHEW | THE KING THAT WENT TO THE CROSS (AUDIO ONLY)

Matthew 10:34-42 | The Divisive Gospel: Finding Life in Losing Everything for Christ

This sermon explores Jesus' radical call to discipleship in Matthew 10:34-42, where He declares that He came not to bring peace, but a sword. This difficult passage reveals that the gospel is inherently divisive because it demands supreme allegiance to Christ—even above our closest family relationships. Jesus isn't diminishing the importance of family; rather, He's using our strongest earthly bonds to illustrate that He must be our greatest treasure. The call to "take up your cross" means dying to self and all lesser loves, replacing our natural desires with wholehearted devotion to Jesus. While this path involves sacrifice and potential persecution, it leads to discovering that when Jesus is all we have, He truly is all we need.

Sermon No. 26

Pastor Michael Johnson

Preached on 11-2-2025