Main Text: Matthew 13:10–17 (ESV) 10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Preaching Point: Sincerely commit to following Jesus, knowing that His truths are revealed to those who seek Him and hidden from those who reject Him.

Teaching Points:

1. Grasp the Purpose of Jesus’ Parables vv11-13
2. See the Urgency of Repentance vv14-15
3. Rejoice in Your Privileged Position vv16-17

Textual Summary: The disciples ask Jesus why he teaches in parables, and Jesus responds by revealing that they have been given the gift to know the secrets of the Kingdom, but others have not. He tells them that those who possess this wisdom will receive more, while those who do not, even what they do have, will be taken away. As a result, even though they hear and see, they will never understand. This fulfills Isaiah 6:8–13, where God tells Isaiah to preach to Israel, but God will close their ears and shut their eyes so they will not repent and will receive His judgment. Jesus then tells the disciples how fortunate they are to have eyes that see and ears that hear because many throughout history wished to see what the disciples were seeing and hearing but never had the opportunity.

Textual Point: Jesus used parables to convey the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who truly desired to follow Him while concealing the truth from those who rejected Him.

Preaching Point: Staying connected to Jesus is the only way to experience the meaningful, fruitful, and joy-filled year you hope for in 2025.

Main Text: John 15:1–11 (ESV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Teaching Points:

1. Expect God to Get His Hands Dirty vv1-3
2. Anticipate Your Full Participation in the Work vv4-6
3. Reap the Benefits of Faithful Cooperation with God vv7-11

Preaching Point: God's promise of a “Conquering Seed”, initiated in Eden and echoed throughout Israel's history, assures us that His plan for salvation is unfailing and ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Main Texts: Genesis 3:1–19, Genesis 4:25, Genesis 6:9–10, Genesis 9:20–29, Genesis 12:1–3, Genesis 17:1–21, Genesis 21:12, Genesis 28:10–14, Genesis 49:8–10

Teaching Points:

1. God’s Justice Demands Judgment, But His Mercy Provides Hope.
2. God’s Judgment is Also the Means of His Salvation.
3. God Doesn’t Need Help Fulfilling His Promises.
4. God’s Promises Are Not Impacted by Human Limitations.
5. God is Looking for Faithfulness to His Promises.
6. God’s Promises Are Still True in Captivity.

Preaching Point: Your relationship with Christ is defined by how you respond to His identity, which should be evident through your obedience to the Father’s will.

Main Text: Matthew 12:46–50 (ESV) 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Teaching Points:

1. Redefine How Someone Rightly Relates to Jesus vv46-48
2. Does Jesus call you family? V49
3. Identify if You Posses the Family Trait v50

We also look at chapter three of our Small Group Book, Keeping the Church Small: Small Group Strategies for Growing Churches.

This episode examines the first two chapters of Keeping the Church Small: Small Group Strategies for Growing Churches. We also review important announcements as we look ahead to this holiday season!

Preaching Point: Salvation is given exclusively through the revelation of Jesus Christ to those who are open to truth and burdened by what this world has to offer.

Main Text: Matthew 11:25–30 (ESV) 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Teaching Points:

1. Acknowledge God’s Rejection of Human Wisdom vv25-26
2. Affirm God’s Elective Choice in Salvation v27
3. Find Rest in the Work of Christ vv28-30

Preaching Point: Announcing God's coming judgment to our generation is an unpopular but necessary task with eternal implications.

Main Text: Matthew 11:20–24 (ESV) 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Teaching Point:

1. Articulate the Purpose of Jesus’ Miracles vv20-21,23
2. Make Repentance a Requirement vv20-21
3. Expect Varying Degrees of Judgment vv22-24

Preaching Point: Anyone proclaiming Jesus as the Christ should anticipate rejection from those who do not want to accept him and doubt from those who do not understand him.

Main Text: Matthew 11:1-19 (ESV) 1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Teaching Points:

1. Adjust Your Expectations vv1-6
2. Prepare for Increased Hostility vv7-14
3. Expect Unfair Criticism vv16-19