Ambassador Presbyterian

The Christian’s Warfare

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12

Date: March 1, 2026

In this sermon, I explore Ephesians 6:10-12, emphasizing the divine support available to us as we confront spiritual battles. I teach on the necessity of tapping into God’s strength and the protective armor He provides, which reflects His character and equips us against the schemes of the devil. Sharing personal stories, including a friend's spiritual confrontation, I highlight our inherent weaknesses and the importance of relying on Christ amid chaos. This message underscores the reality of our struggle against unseen forces, urging listeners to recognize the true enemies of faith. Practical applications focus on prayer, communal support, and scripture engagement, empowering believers to navigate spiritual challenges with confidence and divine strength.

Topics: Ephesians 6:10-12, divine support, spiritual battles, God's strength, protective armor, character, schemes of the devil, personal stories, relying on Christ, unseen forces, enemies of faith, prayer, communal support, scripture engagement, spiritual challenges

Chapters

• 00:00:04 — Ephesians 6, verses 10 through 12
• 00:35:23 — Extraordinary Experiences and Ordinary Life

We Have Seen His Glory

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13

Date: January 11, 2026

This sermon highlights the significance of Jesus' transfiguration as a revelation of His divine glory and identity. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus embodies God's glory, supported by Peter’s authentic testimony. The disciples' fear contrasts with Jesus' reassurance, symbolizing the transition from the old to the new covenant. The message points to the vital connection between suffering and glory, asserting that true glory is understood through trials. Ultimately, listeners are invited to respond to Jesus' glory by worshiping and reflecting it in their lives, seeking strength to recognize Christ in both Scripture and daily experiences.

Topics: Jesus, transfiguration, divine glory, identity, Peter, testimony, disciples, reassurance, covenant, suffering, worship, Scripture

Chapters

• 00:00:21 — The Glory of Jesus
• 00:01:56 — Understanding Christ's Mission
• 00:04:33 — The Revelation of Suffering
• 00:08:36 — Unity in Christ's Glory
• 00:10:34 — The Hope of Future Glory
• 00:16:56 — The Call to Worship
• 00:18:26 — Hope Amidst Brokenness

The Kingdom Belongs to Such as These

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Date: March 8, 2026

This sermon examines Matthew 19:13-15, where Jesus interacts with children during his journey to Jerusalem. The pastor highlights the essential message that the kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike qualities, such as dependency and trust. Emphasizing Jesus's love and acceptance, the message challenges the dismissive attitudes of his disciples and underscores the vital role children play within the faith community. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their responsibilities in nurturing children's faith, creating an inclusive church environment, and modeling a childlike approach to their relationship with God. The sermon ultimately calls for greater commitment to welcoming and supporting children in their spiritual journeys.

Topics: Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus, children, kingdom of God, childlike qualities, dependency, trust, love, acceptance, faith community, nurturing, inclusive church, spiritual journeys

Chapters

• 00:00:08 — Introduction to Jesus and Children
• 00:02:09 — Family Night Joy
• 00:04:44 — The Challenge of Parenting
• 00:06:05 — Jesus's Love for Children
• 00:08:34 — Disciples Rebuke the Parents
• 00:11:33 — Let the Children Come
• 00:14:06 — The Value of Children in God’s Kingdom
• 00:15:48 — Jesus’s Identification with Children
• 00:20:04 — Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
• 00:25:56 — Jesus’s Invitation to All
• 00:28:39 — The Role of Parents in Faith
• 00:31:43 — Conclusion: Embracing Jesus’s Blessings

Forgiving from a Forgiven Heart

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Date: February 16, 2026

This sermon examines Matthew Chapter 18, focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation. It begins with Peter's inquiry about the limits of forgiveness, asserting that forgiveness is essential in the Christian faith. The pastor uses the parable of the unforgiving servant to illustrate the obligation to extend grace to others. Key questions about the necessity and process of forgiveness are addressed, with practical steps highlighted, such as cultivating compassion and letting go of debts. The message concludes by emphasizing that true forgiveness reflects God's grace and encourages self-reflection on one’s own willingness to forgive.

Topics: Matthew Chapter 18, forgiveness, reconciliation, Peter, parable, unforgiving servant, grace, compassion, self-reflection, Christian faith

Chapters

• 00:00:06 — Introduction to Forgiveness
• 00:04:46 — The Unforgiving Servant
• 00:10:25 — Questions of Forgiveness
• 00:18:06 — Understanding Our Debt
• 00:20:59 — The King's Compassion
• 00:27:24 — The Call to Forgive
• 00:30:22 — How to Forgive
• 00:37:47 — The Cost of Forgiveness
• 00:42:44 — Embracing God's Grace

Go To Them: Steps to Reconciliation

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Date: February 8, 2026

This sermon examines Matthew 18:15-20, focusing on Jesus' guidance for addressing conflicts within the church. It emphasizes the importance of reconciliation among believers while acknowledging the presence of sin. The pastor outlines the principles of church discipline rooted in love, aimed at restoring broken relationships rather than punishment. Key steps for addressing sin include private confrontation, followed by the inclusion of witnesses if necessary, and, as a final resort, bringing the matter to the church. The discussion highlights that these actions serve the greater goal of community integrity and spiritual restoration. The sermon concludes with an exhortation for individuals to reflect on their relationships and engage in the pursuit of reconciliation, reinforcing a culture of love and accountability within the church.

Topics: Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus, conflicts, church, reconciliation, believers, church discipline, love, restoration, accountability

Chapters

• 00:00:07 — Introduction to Matthew 18
• 00:00:55 — The Importance of Church Discipline
• 00:02:39 — Understanding Discipline and Reconciliation
• 00:04:14 — The Need for Ongoing Reconciliation
• 00:07:28 — Jesus's Instructions on Sin
• 00:14:22 — Goals of Confronting Sin
• 00:17:31 — Pursuing Reconciliation Steps
• 00:18:55 — Steps to Address Sin in the Church
• 00:29:31 — Church Discipline in Practice
• 00:31:28 — Limits of Church Discipline
• 00:35:18 — The Pursuit of Reconciliation Continues
• 00:36:21 — Conclusion and Call to Action

A Failure of Faith

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-27

Date: January 18, 2026

This sermon explores Matthew chapter 17, focusing on the Transfiguration and its implications for Jesus and His disciples. The pastor discusses the disciples' encounter with a father's plea for healing, highlighting the limitations of human power without divine authority. Key themes include the struggle between faith and doubt, exemplified by the father's admission, “I believe; help my unbelief.” The pastor emphasizes that genuine faith, however small, should be anchored in Jesus’ power, urging listeners to trust in God for transformation amid life's challenges.

Topics: Matthew chapter 17, Transfiguration, Jesus, disciples, healing, human power, divine authority, faith, doubt, transformation

Chapters

• 00:00:05 — Introduction to Matthew 17
• 00:01:22 — The Challenge of Mountaintop Experiences
• 00:03:51 — A Crisis of Faith
• 00:06:43 — The Reality of Sin and Satan
• 00:13:41 — Unbelief and Its Consequences
• 00:18:00 — The Power of Small Faith
• 00:25:29 — Dependence on God Through Prayer
• 00:29:01 — The Cross and Our Faith
• 00:33:49 — The Call to Bring Our Burdens to Jesus
• 00:36:18 — Longing for the Final Glory

Hard Words, Humble Heart

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Date: November 2, 2025

This sermon examines Matthew 15, focusing on the interaction between Jesus and a Canaanite woman seeking help for her demon-possessed daughter. It begins with Jesus’ seemingly harsh response to her plea, which serves to test faith and reveal spiritual truths. The message breaks down the encounter into four segments: the woman's heartfelt request, Jesus’ hard response, her humble reply, and the ensuing healing result. As the narrative unfolds, we see the woman's profound humility and understanding of Jesus, contrasting with the Pharisees’ rigid attitudes. Her unwavering faith is highlighted as she accepts her lowly status but still seeks His mercy, providing the insight that even a fraction of Jesus' grace suffices. Ultimately, the healing of her daughter underscores the message of faith transcending societal barriers. The sermon encourages us to reflect on our own faith, urging us to approach Jesus with humility and persistence, trusting in His grace to fulfill our deepest needs.

Topics: Matthew 15, Jesus, Canaanite woman, demon-possessed daughter, faith, humility, mercy, healing, societal barriers, grace

Chapters

• 00:00:04 — Introduction to Matthew 15
• 00:03:11 — The Heartfelt Request
• 00:09:18 — The Hard Response
• 00:15:01 — The Humble Reply
• 00:20:39 — The Healing Result
• 00:23:08 — The Abounding Grace of Jesus
• 00:26:57 — Invitation to Receive Grace

Why Does Jesus Tell Stories?

Passage: Matthew 13:10-17

A good story told by a good story teller has power to not only capture our imagination and engage our emotions, but to convey truth in a way that connects to what we know and experience in life. That is if we're open to perceiving and receiving that truth. Many people are familiar with the short stories, or parables, that Jesus told to convey the truths of the kingdom of heaven, but not all understand those truths. Indeed, Jesus' purpose in using parables in his teaching was to further reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to those open to receiving them, but also to further conceal those truths from those whose hearts were hardened to what Jesus had to say. As we move into Matthew 13 where Jesus' method of teaching shifts to using parables, his disciples want to know why he tells stories. Jesus' paradoxical answer is important for us to explore if we are to have eyes to see and ears to hear the kingdom truths made known through the parables of Jesus. As we prepare to look at Jesus' parables in Matthew 13 over the next several weeks, it will help us to hear from Jesus himself as to why he speaks in parables.

What is the Kingdom of God?

Passage: Matthew 12:28; Acts 1:6-11

As we've seen in our study of Matthews gospel up to this point, Jesus has come proclaiming "the good news of the kingdom of heaven" and demonstrating its arrival in his powerful miracles of healing and deliverance, clearly showing his authority over the physical, natural and spiritual realms. Ironically, this led to rising hostility and hatred towards his message and ministry from those who claimed to be most expectant and excited about the coming of God's kingdom and promised King. Obviously they were missing something when it comes to understanding the kingdom of God. Which leads Jesus to tell some familiar stories, known as parables, to teach about the nature of the kingdom. However, these parables were meant as much to conceal and they were to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Even after having the meaning of these stories explained to them by Jesus, the disciples still didn't fully grasp the nature of the kingdom. Right before his ascension they were still asking about when he would establish it. So before we head into Matthew 13 and look at Jesus' parables of the kingdom, we will take a look at just what Jesus was talking about when he said, "the kingdom of heaven has come upon you." (Matthew 12:28). What is exactly is the kingdom of heaven, and what did Jesus mean that it is here now in our midst, and yet not fully restored? Join us Sunday as we hear what God's word has to say about the kingdom of heaven, also called the kingdom of God.

Are You With or Against Jesus?

Passage: Matthew 12:21-50

As we've seen in our recent messages from Matthew's gospel, Jesus has shown himself, gentle and lowly, eager to bring true rest and restoration to any and all who come to him. But one thing he is clearly not is a negotiator or compromiser when it comes to those who oppose him. In fact, he says when it comes to our view of him and his claims, there is no middle ground, there are no fence sitters, you can't remain neutral. As the conflict with the religious leaders continues to heat up, Jesus is very clear, you are either with him, or against him. And he doesn't leave us guessing as to how we can know. Jesus doesn't come just to help us do some spiritual housecleaning and straightening up in our lives. He comes to occupy the house and take control of the household. So the question he poses not to just to the Pharisees, but to us is, "Are you with me, or against me? Join us Sunday as we look at what Jesus says about how you know whose side you're on when it comes to him.