Main Text: Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV) 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Preaching Point: Trust in Christ's supreme authority, knowing He graciously extends His compassionate care – from your deepest spiritual needs to your daily provisions.

Teaching Points:

1. Grasp Christ’s Genuine Compassion vv13-14
2. Fight the Temptation to Doubt vv15-18
3. Bank on Christ’s Sufficiency vv19-21

Main Text: Matthew 14:1-12 (ESV) 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Preaching Point: Standing firm against worldly opposition may cost us greatly in this life, but as Christ’s representatives, we are expected to boldly call people to repentance, regardless of the consequences.

Teaching Points:

1. Be Courageous in the Face of Worldly Opposition vv3-4
2. Give a Clear Biblical Response v4
3. Be Prepared for the Consequences vv3,10

Main Text: Galatians 5:16-23 (ESV) 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Preaching Point: Reminding ourselves of God’s immense patience toward us should counteract any impulse to be impatient toward God or others.

Teaching Points:

1. Recount God’s Patience

• Toward Your Sinfulness
• In Your Salvation
• In Your Sanctification

2. Excel in Displaying Patience

• When Mistreated
• When Frustrated
• When Offended
• When Waiting

Main Text: Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV) 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Preaching Point: Jesus is returning in a vastly different manner than He did the first time, and this reality should compel us to acquaint ourselves with the identity of the coming King of Kings.

Teaching Points:

1. Accurately Grasp His Identity vv11-16
2. Understand His Kingly Mission vv11,14-16
3. Get on the Right Side of History vv14-15

Preaching Point: Tombs vividly illustrate the unavoidable fate of our lives and should serve to direct our attention to the solution that Christ's tomb reveals.

Teaching Points:

1. Prepare for Your Tomb
2. Trust in Christ’s Substitutionary Death
3. Always Keep the Empty Tomb in View

Main Verse: Various

Preaching Point: The cross promises forgiveness through God's sacrificial love in Christ, which should compel us to know the exact nature of God’s divine forgiveness.

Teaching Points:

1. Justification: Jesus’ Death Legally Cleared All Charges Against You.
2. Substitution: Jesus Took Your Place Under God’s Judgment.
3. Propitiation: Jesus Removed God’s Wrath, Granting His Favor.
4. Redemption: Jesus Paid the Price to Purchase You from Sin’s Penalty.
5. Reconciliation: Jesus Transferred You Into Right Relationship with God.

Main Text: Galatians 5:16–23 (ESV) 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Preaching Point: God provides abundant peace to those who deliberately seek Him and follow Him.

Teaching Points:

1. Secure Vertical Peace
2. Strive for Horizontal Peace
3. Stay Focused on Christ for Inner Peace

Main Text: Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Preaching Point: A sufficient understanding of God's grace should motivate Christians to strive for godly lives as we eagerly await Christ's return.

Teaching Points:

1. Behold God’s Grace v11
2. Behave by God’s Grace v12
3. Boast in God’s Future Grace v13
4. Bask in the Abundance of God’s Grace v14