Matthew 27 and Psalm 89 end on the same note: It looks like God has not kept his promises.  In Psalm 89, Ethan the Ezrahite recounts the promises about the line of David and how there is now no Davidic King on the throne.  As Matthew 27 comes to an end, the distant descendant of David, the one who claimed to be the Anointed King, was dead and being sealed in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb, with Mary and Mary watching.  When hope is dashed, what do we do? 

The greatest sermon ever preached was not in words, but in signs.  As Jesus Christ is taking the sin of the world upon himself, creation responds.  Matthew 27:45-56 invites us to behold these signs.  The sky goes black, the Son cries out, the curtain is torn, the earth shakes, and some dead come alive.  Let us behold together. 

 Looking at Matthew 27:27-44, it becomes readily apparent that Matthew wanted his readers to focus more on the mockery aimed at Jesus than the physical torture he was experiencing.  And everyone mocks him: Roman soldiers, passersby, Jewish leaders, even the criminals hanging on crosses next to him!  What is behind our mockery?  And what need does our mockery reveal?  

Guest speaker and ministry partner Sean explores the worldwide human search for happiness and finds that at the heart of it is a longing to be involved in a story. Either we cling to stories that entertain us for a fleeting moment, or we join in on the greatest story in history. 

Romans 12:1-2 describes the action that results from the mercies of God: many bodies offer themselves as one sacrifice.  This is the Body of Christ! Verses 3-13 describe how that impacts our relationships with one another, and verses 14-21 describe how that impacts our relationship with the non-believing world.

In 12:2, Paul suggests that a result of our corporate "living sacrifice" is that we've been "transformed by the renewing of [our] minds."  But what does that mean?  Verses 3-13 give a very specific picture: it means we think as many members of one body.  

Lent is the season when believers prepare their hearts and minds to respond to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.  Romans 12 is a succinct illustration of our response: Love God, Love Each Other, and Love the World. Part 1 of 3. 

Historical Christianity claims that believers are justified before God because Jesus stood as our substitute in the cosmic trial dealing with our sin.  When Jesus takes Barabbas' place in the Roman court, he provides a real-life symbol of the great truth that sets us free.  But what does it mean for us? 

All of life - and even the end of our life, provides us a choice of whether we will attempt to judge ourselves and others, or allow God to be the judge.  

Jordan Hurst, Littleton Christian's new worship pastor, gives his first sermon on worshipping together and what worship means in the Bible and in our lives. 

Jesus challenged the priests because he subtly announced that a new priesthood, a new sacrificial system, had begun.  But do we need a priest?  What is priesthood like now?

The true explanation of humanity, the true religion, must account for both the wretchedness of and the greatness of human kind.  In the disciples' reaction to Jesus prediction of their betrayal, we see both.  Who will save us from this body of death?

There are few scenes in the Gospel of Matthew that more clearly show the life, teaching, and actions of Jesus fulfilling the hopes of Israel than the Last Supper.  But more than that happens here: we see a guide for the gathering up of Jesus' people for the rest of history. 

The responses of the disciples to Jesus prediction of his crucifixion invites us to consider out own response to it.  What does the cross of Christ evoke in you? 

From bird's eye view, the Epistles of the New Testament display a fascinating problem-solving technique: every issue is placed into the context of the Gospel.  What would it look like for us to do this as well?