pastor || writer || speaker
In my message at Eastbrook this past weekend, "Real Righteousness," I utilized a chart that helped show how Jesus' teaching on "righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law" (Matthew 5:20) is worked out in six examples. I'm including that chart here for those who asked to see it. Again, …
Continue reading "Jesus’ Six Examples of Surpassing Righteousness in Matthew 5"
While studying for my message at Eastbrook from this past weekend, "Real Righteousness," I came across these words by an anonymous church father from homily 11 of an incomplete work on Matthew. I found these insights helpful in understanding how Christ does not abolish the Law but fulfills it. The author is commenting on the …
Continue reading "Christ Contains the Law: insights from an early church leader on Matthew 5"
This past weekend in my message, "Real Righteousness," I focused on Jesus' striking statement in Matthew 5:20: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." While this statement has often plagued interpreters, I believe Jesus …
Sadao Watanabe, The Sermon on the Mount, 1963. As the Sermon on the Mount begins, Jesus offers a series of sayings that begin with a simple phrased "Blessed are the poor in spirit…Blessed are those who mourn...Blessed are the meek..." This pattern continues over the course of nine sayings as Jesus offers insights into what …
Continue reading "The Beatitudes and What it Means to be “Blessed”"
This coming weekend at Eastbrook Church we begin a ten-week preaching series entitled "Becoming Real," walking through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapters 5-7. This is the third part of our longer journey through the Gospel of Matthew, building upon "Family Tree" and "Power in Preparation." This series explores Jesus’ teaching in the …
Continue reading "Becoming Real: The Sermon on the Mount – a new series at Eastbrook"
Matthew Erickson 