Series Details
Iconic scenes fill Matthew 14–20, like Jesus miraculously feeding thousands of people from a basket of fish and bread, walking upon the stormy Sea of Galilee, and healing the blind men.
But as Jesus’ public ministry grew, so did those who opposed Him. The increasing hostility, however, only brought added clarity to the whole purpose of His ministry—to serve rather than be served.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll carefully explores these vital chapters to strengthen our faith in God’s Son, Jesus the Christ, a King like no other.
Speaker: Chuck Swindoll Series Description: The middle chapters of Matthew’s Gospel contain the most iconic scenes in the life of Christ—from the feeding of the thousands to the Transfiguration. In this series, Chuck Swindoll explores the deepening ministry of the King as He moves toward the cross. While Jesus’ power is displayed through miraculous healings and authority over nature, we also see a rising tide of hostility from religious leaders. These chapters emphasize the core mission of Jesus: a King who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Message 1: The Strangest of All Gifts: A Beheading
Overview: Matthew 14 opens with the shocking account of the execution of John the Baptist. This message addresses the grim reality of treachery, peer pressure, and the power of a guilty conscience. Chuck explores how the death of the King’s forerunner serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of truth in a hostile world.
Key Facts: Herod Antipas’ fear of John and his foolish oath at a birthday party illustrate the destructive nature of secular power when confronted with spiritual truth. John’s martyrdom serves as a dark foreshadowing of the rejection and death Jesus Himself would eventually face.
Scripture References: Matthew 14:1–13
Message 2: Eating a Miracle for Dinner
Overview: Faced with a massive, hungry crowd and meager resources, the disciples saw an impossibility; Jesus saw an opportunity. This message focuses on the feeding of the five thousand. We learn that when we bring our small offerings to the King, His compassion and power are more than enough to satisfy the deepest needs of the multitude.
Key Facts: Jesus’ requirement for the disciples to participate in the distribution shows how God uses human hands to deliver divine provision. This miracle is the only one recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its supreme importance in Christ’s ministry.
Scripture References: Matthew 14:13–21
Message 3: What Brings Us to Our Knees?
Overview: Life’s storms have a way of revealing our true dependence. This message explores Jesus walking on the water and Peter’s attempt to do the same. We learn that it is often the “waves” of life that bring us to a posture of worship, recognizing that Jesus is truly the Son of God who holds authority over the elements and our fears.
Key Facts: The miracle was intended to shift the disciples’ perspective from human limitations to divine reality. Peter’s sinking serves as a lesson that our stability is found in the object of our faith, not the strength of our own resolve.
Scripture References: Matthew 14:22–33
Message 4: Spiritual Blind Spots
Overview: Jesus confronts the Pharisees over their obsession with external traditions while their hearts remain distant from God. This message examines the “blind spots” that occur when religious ritual replaces internal transformation and authentic obedience to God’s Word.
Key Facts: Jesus teaches that defilement comes from within the heart, not from failing to follow man-made ceremonial washings. He highlights that tradition becomes dangerous when it is used to circumvent the actual commandments of God.
Scripture References: Matthew 15:1–20
Message 5: Feeding Scraps to a “Dog”
Overview: In a surprising encounter, a Gentile woman demonstrates extraordinary faith. This message focuses on the Canaanite woman who pleaded for her daughter’s healing. Despite being initially rebuffed, her persistence and humility reveal a heart that understands the King’s universal compassion.
Key Facts: This interaction foreshadows the expansion of the Gospel beyond the borders of Israel to the Gentile world. The “scraps” she requested represent the overflow of God’s grace that is available even to those considered outcasts.
Scripture References: Matthew 15:21–28
Message 6: Touches of Compassion on Tons of Needs
Overview: Returning to the Sea of Galilee, Jesus continues His ministry of healing and feeding. This message explores the feeding of the four thousand, emphasizing that Jesus’ compassion is not a one-time event but a consistent attribute of His character.
Key Facts: The variety of healings performed—the lame, the blind, and the mute—demonstrates Jesus’ absolute authority over all physical ailments. The feeding of the four thousand confirms that Jesus’ provision is available to all, regardless of location or background.
Scripture References: Matthew 15:29–39
Message 7: Testy Critics and Dull Disciples
Overview: While the religious leaders demand signs, the disciples struggle to understand Jesus’ warnings. This message addresses the “leaven” of the Pharisees—their legalism and hypocrisy—and the danger of spiritual dullness in the lives of those closest to Christ.
Key Facts: Jesus uses the metaphor of leaven to show how a small amount of false teaching can permeate and corrupt an entire community. He reproves the disciples for worrying about physical bread when they had recently witnessed two miraculous feedings.
Scripture References: Matthew 16:1–12
Message 8: Answering Life’s Ultimate Question
Overview: At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked the question that every person must eventually answer: “Who do you say that I am?” This message focuses on Peter’s confession of Christ and the foundation of the Church built upon the reality of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and Son of the Living God.
Key Facts: Peter’s confession was not a result of human logic but divine revelation from the Father. Jesus’ response establishes that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church founded on this truth.
Scripture References: Matthew 16:13–20
Message 9: Three Nevers We Must Never Forget
Overview: Following His identity reveal, Jesus discloses His impending death. This message explores Peter’s rebuke of Jesus and the subsequent lesson on the cost of discipleship: denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following the King.
Key Facts: To “save” one’s life in a worldly sense is to lose it eternally; to “lose” one’s life for Christ is to find it. This represents a fundamental shift from a “me-centered” life to a “Christ-centered” life.
Scripture References: Matthew 16:21–26
Message 10: A Terrifying Glimpse of Glory
Overview: On a high mountain, the “veil” of Jesus’ humanity was briefly pulled back to reveal His divine glory. This message explores the Transfiguration, where Jesus stands with Moses and Elijah, receiving the Father’s ultimate affirmation and command to “Listen to Him!”
Key Facts: The presence of Moses and Elijah signifies that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. This glimpse of glory was intended to sustain the disciples through the dark days of the crucifixion.
Scripture References: Matthew 16:27–17:13
Message 11: Micro-Faith and Mountainous Obstacles
Overview: After coming down the mountain, Jesus encounters a demon-possessed boy the disciples could not heal. This message teaches that even “mustard seed” faith, when placed in an omnipotent God, can move mountainous obstacles.
Key Facts: The disciples’ failure was due to a lack of prayer and total dependence on God’s power. Jesus emphasizes that it is not the size of the faith that matters, but the Object of the faith.
Scripture References: Matthew 17:14–21
Message 12: Death and Taxes
Overview: Jesus once again predicts His death, yet also performs a miracle to pay the temple tax. This message examines Jesus’ submission to earthly authority while maintaining His heavenly status as the Son of the King.
Key Facts: The coin found in the fish’s mouth demonstrates that even the smallest details of life are under Christ’s sovereign control. This miracle teaches believers how to navigate citizenship in both the earthly and heavenly kingdoms.
Scripture References: Matthew 17:22–27
Message 13: Life Lessons We Learn from Children
Overview: When the disciples argue about greatness, Jesus places a child in their midst. This message emphasizes that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles themselves like a child, characterized by trust and lack of social status.
Key Facts: Jesus warns that causing a “little one” to stumble is a grave offense with severe eternal consequences. He presents the “upside-down” nature of the Kingdom where humility is the path to greatness.
Scripture References: Matthew 18:1–14
Message 14: Caring Enough to Confront
Overview: Conflict is inevitable, but Christ provides a blueprint for resolution. This message outlines the biblical steps for church discipline and restoration, emphasizing the goal of winning back a brother or sister through grace and truth.
Key Facts: The presence of Christ is promised even in small gatherings of two or three who meet in His name for reconciliation. The process is designed for restoration, not retribution or public shaming.
Scripture References: Matthew 18:15–20
Message 15: How Often Should We Forgive?
Overview: Through the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus teaches that forgiveness should be limitless. Because we have been forgiven an unpayable debt by God, we are mandated to extend mercy to others, regardless of the frequency or magnitude of the offense.
Key Facts: Biblical forgiveness is based on the believer’s gratitude for God’s grace, not the offender’s worthiness. The parable warns that a heart that refuses to forgive proves it has not truly understood God’s forgiveness.
Scripture References: Matthew 18:21–35
Message 16: E-Harmony vs. Disharmony
Overview: Jesus addresses the difficult topics of divorce and remarriage. This message looks at God’s original design for marriage as a lifelong covenant and Jesus’ heart for the children who are often the most affected by relational brokenness.
Key Facts: Jesus points back to “the beginning” (Creation) to establish the permanence and sanctity of the marriage bond. He clarifies that Moses’ provision for divorce was a concession to human “hardness of heart,” not God’s ideal.
Scripture References: Matthew 19:1–15
Message 17: Who Has the Most Toys?
Overview: The encounter with the Rich Young Ruler reveals the heart’s true idols. This message examines the tragedy of choosing earthly wealth over eternal life and the “sadness” that follows when we hold too tightly to our possessions.
Key Facts: The young man’s refusal to sell his goods proved that his wealth was his actual master. His story serves as a warning that any “good” thing can become a “bad” thing if it keeps us from following Christ.
Scripture References: Matthew 19:16–22
Message 18: Lessons Learned from a Fat Camel
Overview: Elaborating on the rich man’s departure, Jesus teaches that it is nearly impossible for the self-sufficient to enter the kingdom. This message addresses the necessity of total surrender and the promise of eternal rewards for those who leave all to follow Him.
Key Facts: The “eye of a needle” illustrates that salvation is a miracle of God, not a feat of human effort. Jesus promises that those who sacrifice for the Kingdom will receive a hundredfold in return along with eternal life.
Scripture References: Matthew 19:23–30
Message 19: Let’s Let God Be God
Overview: The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard challenges our human sense of fairness. This message explores God’s sovereign grace, reminding us that His rewards are based on His generosity, not our merit or longevity of service.
Key Facts: The “last being first” is a reminder that grace is never earned; it is always a gift from a generous Landowner. This parable rebukes the spirit of comparison and envy among believers.
Scripture References: Matthew 20:1–16
Message 20: A Roadside Reminder and Reproof
Overview: As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, James and John ask for positions of power. This message focuses on Jesus’ definition of greatness: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
Key Facts: The King Himself came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom. This message redefines leadership as an act of service rather than an exercise of authority.
Scripture References: Matthew 20:17–28
Message 21: Seeing Ourselves through Blind Eyes
Overview: The healing of two blind men near Jericho serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual sight. This message explores how their persistence and recognition of Jesus as the “Son of David” led to their restoration and their decision to follow Him immediately.
Key Facts: These men had better “spiritual vision” than the religious elite who physically saw but remained spiritually dark. Their immediate following of Jesus models the proper response of a true disciple.
Scripture References: Matthew 20:29–34
