Jacob Gerber | Blog about Discipleship, Church, Leadership

When Jesus tells us that we cannot put new wine in old wineskins, he sweeps away the old religious formalism. Jesus has authority to command worship in spirit and truth. (Exposition of Matthew 9:14–17)

So far, Matthew has portrayed the authority of Jesus in human matters. In Matthew 9, we see that Jesus possesses authority even over matters that belong to God. Namely, Jesus has the authority to forgive sinners. (Exposition of Matthew 9:1–13)

Jesus’ cost is high, his call is dangerous, and his command is powerful. Nevertheless, the authority of Jesus withstands all objections. (Exposition of Matthew 8:18–34)

After the crowds began to recognize Jesus’ authority as a teacher (Matt. 7:29), Jesus demonstrated his authority as a healer. Ultimately, Jesus has authority to cleanse us from sin. (Exposition of Matthew 8:1–17)

As Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount, his absolute faithfulness and authority comes to the forefront. Jesus is faithful under and over God’s house. (Exposition of Matthew 7:24–29)

Jesus, the Lord and Judge of all the earth, imparts to us a solemn warning: neither words nor works can atone for your lawlessness. (Exposition of Matthew 7:21–23)

Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets who would lead us through the wide gate and down the easy way. Your leaders’ roots will determine your fruits. (Exposition of Matthew 7:15–20)

As Jesus closes out the ethical section of the Sermon the Mount and transitions into application and exhortation, he lays down a narrow and hard teaching: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (Exposition of Matthew 7:12–14)

Despite God’s endless faithfulness to us, we still struggle to pray because we ultimately struggle to trust God. Jesus seeks to correct this by insisting that, when we pray, God only gives us good gifts. (Exposition of Matthew 7:7–11)

While the Church must be faithful to declare the judgment of God’s word clearly, we must avoid pronouncing final judgment upon people. Judge your sin, lest you be judged by God. (Exposition of Matthew 7:1–6)

In a world where everyone must ultimately die, how should we deal with the daily anxieties of living? To pacify earthly anxieties, pursue heavenly treasures. (Exposition of Matthew 6:25–34)

While we feel that we are in control of our sideways glances, Jesus teaches that what we gaze upon controls us. Our eyes shape our hearts to serve a master. (Exposition of Matthew 6:19–24)