Series: The Unexpected King: Meeting the Real Jesus
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 18, 2026
1. Legalism Claims God's Authority for Ourselves (vv. 1-6)
2. Legalism Condemns the Guiltless and Pardons the Guilty (vv. 7-8)
3. Legalism Robs Us of Compassion (vv. 9-14)
4. Legalism is Defeated by Humility and Grace (vv. 15-21)
Legalism happens when rules matter more than people and man-made traditions replace the heart of God. In Matthew 12, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for using their own invented standards to condemn His disciples and withhold healing from a suffering man. Jesus reminds them, and us, that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He does not break bruised reeds or snuff out smoldering wicks. Instead, He comes to people in their brokenness and lifts them up. The church is meant to be a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. We are called to lead with the same humility, grace, and compassion that Jesus modeled. When we do, we reflect the true heart of the Gospel.
11 Oct 2026
How to Find Rest: Matt. 11:20-30
Series: The Unexpected King
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 11, 2026
How do we find real rest for our souls?
1. Come to Jesus (vv. 20-24, 28)
2. Take His Yoke Upon You and Learn from Him (vv. 25-26, 29)
3. Experience His Gentleness and Lowliness (vv. 27, 29)
So many people today have access to physical rest but still feel restless deep in their souls. In Matthew 11, Jesus extends a direct invitation to anyone who is weary and burdened, promising rest that goes far beyond comfort or convenience. Two of the biggest things that keep people from accepting that invitation are distraction and pride, assuming we already know enough to stop learning. Jesus calls us to take His yoke, not a crushing burden, but a light one rooted in the grace of what He has already accomplished on the cross. True soul rest is not found in religious performance or personal achievement. It is found in trusting a King who is gentle, lowly in heart, and who gave everything for us.
4 Oct 2026
Not What We Expected: Matt. 11:1-19
Series: The Unexpected King: Meeting the Real Jesus
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 4, 2026
1. We Have Wrong Expectations About Jesus (vv. 1-6)
2. Jesus is Far Better Than We Expect (vv. 7-11)
3. But We Oppose Jesus' Expectations on Us (vv. 12-15)
4. We Foolishly Expect Salvation on our Own Merit (vv. 16-19)
John the Baptist, one of the boldest figures in all of Scripture, found himself doubting Jesus from inside a prison cell because Jesus was not meeting his expectations of what the Messiah would do. This is a struggle many people face today. When our assumptions about God go unchecked, they produce expectations, and when those expectations are not met, the result can be doubt, bitterness, or walking away from faith. The answer is not to measure Jesus by our assumptions but to return to what God has actually revealed about Himself in Scripture. Grace requires surrender, and that is deeply uncomfortable for people who are wired to prove their worth. Yet the unexpected good news is that Jesus is not what we expect. He is better, and the life He offers is greater than anything we could have planned for ourselves.
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