Faith Church Indy

The way of the cross leads inexorably to the cross, and this week we watch as Jesus is mockingly declared the “King of the Jews!” and forced to carry his own cross to the hill of execution. And yet every step along the way resounds with echoes of the Old Testament. Could the one mocked as king be in fact the real king of the Jews? But who would want to serve a crucified king? Join us this weekend for “Jesus Crucified” from Matthew 27:27-37 as the way of the cross leads us to Calvary.

Pastor Joey answers a bunch of questions from the text Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26! What was Barabbas' actual name? Did Pilot give up his power or establish his power by handing Jesus over? What about verse 19?

Caught between a riot and the religious rulers, Pilate has been outmaneuvered. Jesus must be condemned, if only to save his own job. Even if substituting an innocent Jesus for a guilty Barabbas offends his sense of justice, something strangely divine is taking place. Join us for “Jesus Judged” from Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26, as we walk the way of the cross with Jesus.

Pastor Jeff answers a few questions about Peter's denial. Why was it essential for Peter to be told what would happen when it seems it was inevitable and he couldn't do anything about it? Why did Matthew (and all Gospel authors) include this event in his narrative?

Last week, we saw Jesus’ courage under trial by the highest authorities. In contrast, Peter fears when he’s confronted by a servant girl. What do we learn from Peter’s failure and Jesus’ faithfulness that helps us in our trials? Join us as we look at “Jesus Denied” from Matthew 26:69-75.

Pastor Jeff chats about application for his sermon - what does it look like and what doesn't it look like?

In this season of Lent, we're journeying through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus's life as he walked the way of the cross. After his betrayal, Jesus is arrested and put on trial where he’s falsely accused and horribly mistreated. Why does he endure these things? And what hope or encouragement is there for us in Jesus’ response to injustice? Join us for "Jesus Condemned" from Matthew 26:57-68.

Pastor Joey answers a few questions around the application of his sermon from Sunday.

In this season of Lent, we're going to walk through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus's life as he walked the way of the cross. It begins with a betrayal, when everything seems to spin out of control. And yet, if Jesus were not betrayed, how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled? Join us for "Jesus Betrayed" from Matthew 26:47-56 as we walk the way of the cross with Jesus.

Pastor Jeff answers a question that was submitted and sets the intention for the Lenten season.

Jesus finishes this section of teaching saying that God’s kingdom is of ultimate value. Knowing Jesus is the reality that shapes your life, makes you a blessing to others, and determines your eternal outcome. Miss Jesus and you’ve missed everything; find him and you have everything. Join us as we look at “The Treasure” from Matthew 13:44-58.

In a special episode of Cut for Time, we get to hear from Pastor Tom who preached on Sunday. The last time he preached was 18 months ago and the last time he preached this sermon back in 2012, he stretched the passage over 2 Sundays - that means there was a lot that was cut for time!

And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow.’ The first parable of Jesus actually called a parable is also one of the most familiar; and one of only a few that Jesus explains, and that only to his disciples, not the multitudes. Why? It’s often called The Parable of the Soils, yet Jesus calls it the parable of the sower. Hmm?? Join us for Spreading the Word as we take a fresh look at this farming illustration in Matthew 13:1-23.

Joey chats about evil, the Accuser, and unpacks a loaded verse: Matthew 12:22!

At the end of their rope, unable to stop Jesus from upsetting their authority with his claims to be God himself, the Pharisees resort to the worst of all accusations against Jesus: his work has nothing to do with the Spirit of God, and everything to do with the spirit of the Accuser, the Satan. Even on the face of it, it’s a ridiculous accusation. Why would the Accuser impede his own subjects in their work? But the accusation, far from landing on Jesus, instead reveals the heart of the Pharisees themselves: they are so opposed to Jesus that they ascribe the very acts of God to Satan. What could be worse? Join us for “The Accusation” in Matthew 12:22-32.

Pastor Joey gives more historical context to his sermon on Sunday.

Why would the religious leaders of Jesus’s day conspire to kill him over something as insignificant as a healing on the Sabbath, or over some minor foraging? Are they that committed to keeping the Sabbath? Or is something more going on here, something that strikes deeper at the claims Jesus is making, that he is The One who is more than they can possibly realize? Join us for “Something Greater” from Matthew 12:1-14 as dig into these radical claims that are bound to get Jesus killed.

Pastor Joey shares more from his study and sermon prep that he couldn't share during the sermon. He says that these five verses could have been three sermons and he had the challenge of distilling it down to one.

We feel it, even if we don't want to admit it: we're all "burdened" by something. Whether it's concern for our futures, our children, our jobs, our performances, our grades, or our health, there's something weighing each of us down. Jesus invites us to come to him with our burdens and trade them for light burden and easy yoke of resting in him. Learn how in "Jesus is the Good Master" from Matthew 11:25-30!

Pastor Jeff explains more into his study of Matthew 11:12, a verse that he didn't get to do a deep dive on in the sermon.