Carlton Landing Community Church Sermons

The Parable of the Sower: Matt. 13:1-23

To explain the nature of the kingdom, Jesus begins to speak in parables - earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. The first and paradigmatic parable of the sower and the soils. Like so many other parables, this story is a mirror for us to examine our ears and our hearts and evaluate the way we respond to God's Word. 

But Christ Has Been Raised: 1 Cor. 15:16-26

On Easter, we celebrate the fact that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and because of that, everything has changed. When Paul found out that some of the Corinthians were doubting the resurrection, he reminded them of the essential tenets of the faith; Christ has been raised, sin has been defeated, and eternal life has begun.

A Vision of the King: Rev. 1:4-6

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a triumphant King. Just a few days later, though, he was betrayed by the Jews and crucified by the Romans. What about the Kingdom? In Revelation 1, Jesus appears to John with a message to the churches. He is the King of kings, the firstborn from the dead, and the faithful witness. In this vision, he reminds John - and the church today - that he is building his church and his kingdom will never end. 

The Good Shepherd and the Kingdom of Love: John 10:7-18

The great empires of history have one thing in common; they were built through force. But in the New Testament, Jesus claims to be doing something fundamentally different. He is bringing in a kingdom of love. In this passage, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, the one who lays his life down for his sheep. Dr. Heath Thomas explains what Jesus meant with these words and how they still apply to our lives today. 

The Call of Matthew: Matt. 9:9-13

It must have shocked his disciples and followers when Jesus walked up to Matthew's tax booth and called him to be his disciple. These words, "Follow me," didn't just change Matthew's life. Soon, tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and learning to follow him. In Matthew's calling, we see the heart of God for those far from him. 

The Great Compassion of Christ: Matt 8:5-17

After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comes down into the real lives of the people around him. He heals diseases, casts out demons, and shows people the love of God through his compassionate ministry to the lost and broken. In these two stories, we encounter the great compassion of Christ and the radical new life of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

A House on the Rock: Matt. 7:24-29

When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the people were astonished at his teaching. In the parable of the two men and the two houses, there is a warning and a promise. There are two ways to live, two foundations, and two outcomes. In this simple story, Jesus shows us how to build our lives on an unshakeable rock.

Do Not Judge: Matt. 7:1-11

In the final section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turns to how we treat other people. If we are living righteously before him, it will change our relationships. In these passages, Jesus teaches us to have wisdom in the way we see others. Instead of harsh judgment, we see others generously. Instead of denial, we discern the ways we can live for the kingdom. In everything, we ask God to use us to draw people to him.

Do Not Worry: Matt. 6:25-34

Three times, Jesus says, "Do not worry." But what exactly is he prohibiting? In line with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to turn our hearts to him, to seek his kingdom and righteousness first, and then worry will be replaced in our lives with trust. The command not to worry is at its core a command to come to him. 

The Lord and His Prayer: Matt. 6:1-15

The Lord's Prayer is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. In the middle of a sermon on righteousness, all of a sudden, Jesus instructs us, "when you pray, pray like this." This prayer is a model of righteousness, a mold for our hearts, and a vision into the heart of God. When we pray this way, we orient our hearts toward God and tune our lives to his grace.