Main Text: Matthew 20:1–16 (ESV) 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Preaching Point: God’s kids must recognize God’s sovereign right to dispense grace as he chooses, while celebrating his generosity toward others rather than resenting those who receive his favor.

Teaching Points:

1. Recognize God’s Willingness to Give Grace (vv. 1-16)
2. Kill the Attitude of Entitlement (vv. 10-16)
3. Celebrate God’s Grace Toward Others (vv. 1-16)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Titus 3:4-7, Romans 5:20-21, and Psalm 103:8-12. What does God’s readiness to show grace teach you about the character of God?
3. Read Philippians 2:3-4 and Luke 14:8-11. In what ways can you be guilty of an attitude of entitlement, especially regarding what God chooses to do or not to do with his grace?
4. How does an entitlement mindset reveal a misunderstanding of God’s grace? How can you practically kill this unbiblical attitude?
5. Read Luke 15:11-32. In what ways can you be more like the older brother than the father or the servants in this parable?
6. How can you grow in celebrating God’s grace toward others while guarding against resentment?

Main Text: Galatians 5:16–26 (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. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Preaching Point: Spirit-empowered gentleness should produce a lifestyle of strength under restraint in every arena of your life.

Teaching Points:

1. Consider God’s Gentleness Toward You
2. Exercise Strength Under Restraint
3. Toward Christians
4. Toward Non-Christians

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.
2. Read Isaiah 40:10-11 and Matthew 11:28-30. How does God’s gentleness help you see the necessity of gentleness, especially when it comes to his dealings with you?
3. How does the world’s views of gentleness contrast the biblical understanding of gentleness?
4. How has the Bible helped correct or refine your understanding of gentleness?
5. Read 2 Timothy 1:7 and Galatians 6:1. How can a distorted view of gentleness excuse and promote fear, passivity, or inaction? According to these passages, what does exercising strength under restraint entail, i.e., gentleness?
6. Read Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:12. How can you practically show gentleness in your interactions with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
7. Read Titus 3:2. What challenges do you face in responding with gentleness toward non-Christians who reject your beliefs, and how does Paul’s instruction to Titus shape the way you should practically engage unbelievers?

Main Text: Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Preaching Point: Christ expects each of us to take the corporate pursuit of spiritual growth seriously through training that equips us to use the giftings he provides, under the leaders he appoints, to build up his church.

Teaching Points:

1. Train for Your Spiritual Duties (vv. 11-12)
2. Honestly Evaluate Your Continued Need for Training (v. 13)
3. Train for Ongoing Protection (v. 14)
4. Train for Progressive Christlikeness (vv. 15-16a)
5. Train for Church Growth (v. 16b)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.
2. Read Ephesians 4:11-12 and Matthew 28:19-20. How are you doing at training for the work of ministry and building up the body of Christ?
3. Where do you need to step it up in your training and participation to more effectively partner with your church family to make disciples?
4. Read Ephesians 4:12-14 and Ephesians 6:10-18. According to these verses what is at stake if you lack or neglect training for spiritual maturity?
5. On the other hand, how can you envision yourself advancing and persevering in your faith through ongoing training in your spiritual life?
6. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 4:7-10 and Philippians 1:6. How does understanding the synergistic relationship between you and the Holy Spirit empower you to train hard for progressive Christlikeness?
7. Read 2 Timothy 2:2 and Acts 9:31. God expects his church to grow and multiply. How are you partnering with your church to grow and multiply the ministry of Christ?
8. Our 8th distinctive is, “We are always working to plant new churches.” Multiplying leaders is essential to this mission. Where are you currently serving, and how can you take your next step in leadership, so we can equip someone to replace you, as you replace those we prepare to plant new churches?

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Preaching Point: As a church and as individual believers, we must continually and actively look to teach others to be like Christ.

Teaching Points:

1. Take Your Charge to Teach Seriously (vv. 1-2)
2. Take the Threats to Sound Teaching Seriously (vv. 3-4)
3. Take the Lifestyle of Teaching Seriously (vv. 5)

Application Questions

1. What is one observation or application you found helpful from Sunday’s sermon?
2. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-2. Paul roots his charge in four eternal realities (God’s presence, judgment, Christ’s return, His kingdom). How should those realities affect the way we approach teaching others?
3. What does it look like to be “ready in season and out of season” in your current stage of life?
4. Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4 and Psalm 37:4. How are these verses related and what do they tell us about the root cause of people following false teaching?
5. Read Acts 17:10-12. What safeguards help you stay anchored in truth when culture, media, or even so-called Christian voices pull you elsewhere?
6. Read 2 Timothy 4:5. What does “fulfilling your ministry” look like in your life right now—at home, work, school, or church?
7. Is there someone God may be calling you to intentionally teach or disciple right now? What might obedience look like this week?

Preaching Point: The Wise Men’s gift of gold should remind us to revere Jesus as the unrivaled King of the universe.

Main Text: Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV) 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Teaching Points:

1. Affirm Jesus’ Divine Kingship
2. Offer Jesus Your Best, Not Just What’s Left
3. Anticipate Jesus’ Eternal Kingship

Application Questions:

1. What is one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon?
2. Read John 18:36-37, Matthew 2:1-2, and Micah 5:2. How does affirming the Divine Kingship of Jesus reshape your priorities and ambitions?
3. What practical steps should you take this Christmas season to orient your life fully around the Divine Kingship of Jesus?
4. Read 2 Samuel 24:18-25 and Matthew 10:37-39. Where are you tempted, and even guilty, of giving Jesus less than your best and settling to give him whatever is left over?
5. What are the most common culprits that lead you into this pattern, and what steps can you take to eradicate them moving forward?
6. How do these passages, along with the Wise Men and their gifts in Matthew 2:11, challenge you to be intentional about giving Jesus what he truly deserves?
7. Read Luke 1:30-33 and Isaiah 9:6-7. How can you use this Christmas season to better prepare yourself and your family for Jesus’ eternal reign as King?

Main Text: Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Preaching Point: You must act in accordance with your faith in Jesus and glorify Him as you continually experience the goodness of His grace in salvation.

Teaching Points:

1. Put Your Faith in Jesus Into Action (VV. 11-14)
2. Respond to God’s Grace with Praise and Gratitude (VV. 15-16)
3. Recognize that God Has Met Your Greatest Need Through Christ (VV. 17-19)

Application Questions:

1. What is one observation or application that you found helpful from this week’s sermon?
2. Read Luke 17:11-14. Identify one area where you need to put your faith into action this week. What concrete step will you take to do so?
3. Read Luke 6:46, 1 Peter 1:14-16. Where in your life is Jesus calling you to obey without full clarity or comfort?
4. When you take an honest look at your prayer life, is it dominated more by requests or by thanksgiving?
5. Read Psalm 100:1-5. What daily or weekly practices could you add to better cultivate gratitude to God?
6. How does remembering what Christ has done for you (Eph. 2:1–7; 2 Cor. 5:17) fuel gratitude and worship?
7. Who in your life needs to hear about how Jesus has met your greatest need? Who will you share with this week?

Title: House Rules: God’s Kids and Their Kids

Main Text: Matthew 19:13-15 (ESV) 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Preaching Point: God’s kids must value and welcome children, in part, because their humility and trust display the very qualities God expects from everyone who belongs to His Kingdom.

Teaching Points:

1. Parents: Make Jesus Your Kids’ Number One Priority (V. 13a)
2. Church: Seize Every Opportunity to Teach Our Kids More About Jesus (VV. 13b-15)
3. Grasp The Childlike Nature of Saving Faith (VV. 13b-15)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.
2. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. If you are a parent with kids at home, what practical steps can you take to ensure that, as far as it depends on you, Jesus truly becomes your children’s number-one priority?
3. In what situations might you say that Jesus is your top priority, while your daily decisions and habits reveal that He is not?
4. Read Psalm 78:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; and Proverbs 22:6. Why must we as a church seize every opportunity to teach our kids more about Jesus?
5. What wrong attitudes could you adopt toward children that resemble the disciples in Matthew 19:13 rather than Jesus’ attitude in 19:14-15?
6. Read Matthew 18:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 3:18-19. How does thinking about the nature of children help clarify your understanding of the humility and dependence involved in saving faith?
7. How does being part of a church filled with children help you see aspects of the gospel and saving faith that might be harder to grasp in a congregation without many kids?

Main Text: Matthew 19:1–12 (ESV) 1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

Preaching Point: God’s kids must align their thinking with God’s Word by honoring marriage as a lifelong covenant and confronting the hardheartedness that leads to divorce, while embracing singleness as a valid calling for those who are uniquely gifted for it.

Teaching Points:

1. Focus on Marriage not Divorce (VV. 1-6)
2. Deal with the Hard Heart Surrounding Divorce Talk (VV. 7-9)
3. Value Singleness as a Valid Biblical Option (VV. 10-12)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful in this week’s sermon.
2. Read Matthew 19:3-6 What should you take away from Jesus’ tactic to focus on marriage and define it biblically when the Pharisees bring up the topic of “any cause” divorce?
3. What does your commitment toward biblical marriage look like practically in a world that inundates you with the convenience of divorce when marriage gets hard?
4. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Matthew 19:7-9. How can you guard yourself against cultivating a hard heart against your spouse? If you’re not married, how can you guard yourself against cultivating a hard heart against your family?
5. Why should recognizing that hard hearts are at the bottom of every divorce give genuine hope that as the heart is redeemed so the marriage can be redeemed?
6. Read Ephesians 5:22-33 and 2 Corinthians 11:2-3. What changes in your commitment to the marriage covenant once you recognize that our earthly marriage is designed to reflect Jesus’ permanent love for the church and the church’s eternal commitment and obedience to Jesus?
7. Read Genesis 2:18-25 and Hebrews 13:4. What are some priority shifts you can make to better guard and honor your marriage? If you are single, what are some priority shifts you can make to better guard and honor your future marriage?
8. Read Matthew 19:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. How do Jesus and Paul’s word show you the validity and even the benefit of singleness for the sake of gospel advancement?