Every Christian must be prepared to address the polarizing responses associated with Jesus Christ.Main Text: Matthew 9:32–34 (ESV) 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Preaching Point: Clearly perceiving our desperate plight, we must trust in Jesus Christ as the central figure of our salvation while anticipating his return to rule on the throne of David forever. Main Text: Matthew 9:27–31 (ESV) 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Micah 7:18-20

God’s holiness means he is righteous, and his righteousness demands that he is just!

Holding fast to the biblical gospel requires a clear understanding of what the gospel is and a steadfast confidence in its ability to save you and sustain you.1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (ESV) 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Good Friday is a time to reflect on the suffering of Jesus on the cross, whose blood justifies the sinner and whose death reconciles us to God.Romans 5:6–11 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Preaching Point: Make it your mission to showcase supreme confidence in the authority of Christ, even in the most challenging seasons of life.Main Text: Matthew 9:18–26 (ESV) 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Preaching Point: The arrival of Christ requires you to assess the value of every spiritual practice in light of how it relates to the person and work of Christ.Main Text: Matthew 9:14–17 (ESV) 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Preaching Point: God desires a contrite heart that will follow Him, not a heart full of pride based on its outward religious formalities.Main Text: Matthew 9:9–13 (ESV) 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus’ authority over the symptoms of sin should serve as a powerful confirmation of his divine mission to remove your sin and cause you to respond in penitent faith.

Jesus’ dominion over demonic forces ought to give you extreme confidence in his identity and mission to save you from sin.

Jesus calls you to exercise faith in his supreme authority, even in the most fearful circumstances.

A genuine relationship with Jesus includes a readiness to forsake worldly comforts and even close family relationships to follow Him.

Jesus's miraculous healings should serve as a poignant reminder of God's promise to permanently deliver us through Christ's substitutionary death on the cross.

Our lives should serve as shining examples of unlikely people whose faith in Christ's authority proved sufficient to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Humbly responding to the authority of Jesus is necessary for anyone who desires to obtain the mercy of God.

Knowledge of God’s holiness should cause you to confess your need for God to cleanse you from your sin.

Beginning your year with a renewed commitment to focus on eternal priorities is crucial for a fruitful and fulfilling 2024.

Ensure that you are joyously preparing to dwell with God in His perfect eternal kingdom.

We must venerate Christmas as the day commemorating God's self-revelation through His one and only Son from whom we receive God's unmerited favor.