September 29, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Matthew 21:23-46

This week we begin to close in on the end of our sermon series “The Great Storyteller” with a look at Matthew 21:23-46.

In this passage, Jesus responds to the pharisees questioning of His authority with two different stories: the parable of the two sons and the parable of the tenants. He then explains these parables to them by quoting Psalm 118:22 and making it quite clear to the pharisees who it is He claims to be!

Matthew 21:33-42

“There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

September 22, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Matthew 18:23-35

This week we look at the parable of the unforgiving servant as we continue our sermon series, “The Great Storyteller.” In this passage Jesus answers Peter’s question, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” This is a fair question and one we have all likely asked at some point. How many times should we forgive those who continue to wrong us? 

Often when we ask this question it is through the lens of pain and brokenness, having been hurt by someone else. While other times we may ask this question through the lens of pride or entitlement. 

In telling this parable, Jesus turns the table on Peter calling him instead to ask this question through the lens of his own forgiveness. He reminds us to consider our own debt that has been erased, not to hold on to the MUCH SMALLER debt that others might owe us. Part of following Jesus more closely is realizing the extent of that which we have been forgiven!  

Matthew 18:23-35

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

September 15, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Matthew 22:1-14

This week we continue in our study of the parables of Jesus with week 7 of our sermon series “The Great Storyteller.”

Matthew 22:1-14
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

September 8, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Luke 7:36-50

The degree to which we are willing to submit ourselves to Christ is a strong statement of the love we have for Him.
Often our love for Christ is hindered by our inability and perhaps unwillingness to recognize just how desperately we are in need of grace… and how sufficient His sacrifice was for our forgiveness.

Luke 7:41-48
“A certain money lender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This week we continue in our sermon series “The Great Storyteller” as we look at Luke chapter 7 and the parable of two debtors.