Christ is Risen - What Now? | A Sermon for Easter

Introduction
We are celebrating the risen Lord! Our Easter cantata tells the whole story—beginning with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem. The crowds were excited, but they misunderstood His mission. They thought He came as a conquering king to overthrow the Romans and reward the “good” people of Jerusalem.

But as the week unfolded, they realized something deeper—there are no “good” people. We are all dead in our sins and in need of rescue. Jesus came not just to fix a political problem, but to lift us out of our spiritual grave. He died on the cross to save us, and on Sunday, He rose again—defeating sin and death once and for all.

The Resurrection Makes a Difference
Let’s look at Romans 6:4 - “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

The resurrection isn’t just something that happened to Jesus—it’s something that happens in us. When we follow Christ, we die to our old self and are raised to new life.  That new life doesn’t begin after death—it begins now. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Jesus takes off our old grave clothes—the sin, the shame, the brokenness—and clothes us in righteousness, purpose, and hope. Just like many of us put on new clothes on Easter, we put on a new life in Christ.

A New Heart and a New Way
In the Old Testament, God promised to take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh—hearts that want to follow Him. That’s what happens when we walk with Jesus. He begins to change our desires, our values, and our relationships.

And the kingdom of heaven? It’s not far off in the future. It’s not just for after we die. It’s here and now. Every time we love what Jesus loves, every time we show compassion, we get a glimpse of heaven on earth.

And it’s for everyone—not just the people of Jerusalem or Israel, but the Gentiles, the Romans, and even the people we struggle with today. When Jesus changes our hearts, we begin to see others the way He sees them.

We Need Each Other
Hebrews 10:25 reminds us: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

Jesus didn’t do ministry alone. He gathered a group of twelve very different people—some of whom would’ve hated each other before they met Him—and He made them a family.

That’s what the church is: a family of faith. We don’t always agree. We’re not always alike. But we’re meant to grow together, encourage one another, and live as a resurrection people together.

An Invitation to New Life
If you’re visiting today, I’m so glad you’re here. You are always welcome at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church. Every Sunday is a little Easter, a chance to worship the risen Lord and grow together.

If you’ve been attending for a while, maybe today is the day to go deeper—join a small group, get involved in a Bible study, or find a way to serve. We grow best when we grow together.

And if you’ve never been baptized or joined a church, maybe today is your day to say yes to that next step of faith. Jesus is calling us out of the grave and into a living, breathing relationship with Him.

Wherever God is calling you, don’t walk alone. The church is where we live out the power of the resurrection together. And if Pleasant Grove is where God is planting you, we would be honored to walk that journey with you.

Jesus or Barabbas | A Palm Sunday Sermon

Introduction
The Palm Sunday story is important to remember. Not just because it’s fun to have our kids enter the sanctuary singing and waving palm branches. There is a critical message in this story we need to hear, but often miss.

It’s a story that goes right down to the core of what it means for us to live as Christ’s followers. So, I encourage you to listen closely and think deeply today. Hear the Palm Sunday message with fresh ears.

Matthew 21:6-11
⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna^[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c]

“Hosanna^[d] in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Hosanna!
There are several important symbols in this story that reveal what’s really going on. The first clue is the word the people shouted.  What did they shout?
They shouted “Hosanna!”  The word sounds like a praise, but it has a specific meaning. It’s a quote of Psalm 118:25, “Please, Lord, please save us.  Please, Lord, please give us success.” Hosanna means:  Lord Save us!

Now, when the Israelites shouted Hosanna to Jesus, they had a specific salvation in mind. They were NOT demanding He save them from their sins so they could go to heaven.  No. They meant, “Save us from these Romans who rule over us and oppress us!” The Israelites wanted to be rid of the Romans. They wanted Israel to be an independent Kingdom again.  They wanted prosperity. They wanted Israel to be great again like it was back in its glory days.

A Second Symbol: The Palm Branches
The second symbol that reveals what the Palm Sunday story is really about is the palm branches.
Palm branches were the national symbol of Israel.  They became the national symbol of Israel in 167 BC when the Maccabees, a family of Jewish priest, led a successful military revolt against the Seleucid Empire and gained Jewish independence.  The Israelites celebrates their victory by waving palm branches.  Afterwards, Israel was independent for about 80 years before the Romans took over Israel.

So as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palms Sunday, the Jews waved palm branches the same way Americans might wave American flags at a fourth of July parade.  They waved their palm branches, remembering how the Maccabees revolted and gained Jewish independence, and they shouted to Jesus, “Hosanna! Lord, please save us from these Romans!”

…to the son of David!
A third symbol is how they addressed Jesus. The called Him: the son of David. The Jews in Jerusalem wanted to go back to what they considered the glory days of Israel. In their minds, David’s kingdom was the greatest time in Israelite history. He conquered all their enemies.  He untied Israel as one nation. He established peace and prosperity.  And Israel was respected by all the nation around them. (Of course, they conveniently forgot that David levied tremendously high taxes.  God said there was so much blood on his hands he couldn’t build God a temple.  David is also known for an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and for murdering her husband, Uriah, to cover it up. And David’s son, Absolom, led a rebellion and tried to steal David’s Kingdom.) But the Jews of Jesus’ day wanted Israel to be great again, like it was back when David was king. And so they waved their Palm branches, shouted: “Hosanna! Lord, save us now (like the Macabbees)!  And make us great again (like we were when David was king)!”

Donkey/Warhorse
There’s one more symbol—the donkey.  Jesus rode in on a donkey.  Actually, it was a donkey’s colt (a baby donkey).  This was the fulfilment of prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. But it was also sent a powerful message that did NOT align with the hopes of the crowds cheering for Jesus.  They wanted a military king who would bring a sword and ride in on a warhorse to defeat the Romans.  But Jesus came in on a humble little baby donkey talking about peace and forgiveness, and telling everyone they needed to “love their enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This was not the image or words of a conquering king.  They were not the words most Jewish people in Israel expected or wanted to hear.

Pilate and his Roman military also came to Jerusalem that day.  (It is well documented that Roman governors like Pilate rode into Jerusalem to maintain order on major Jewish festivals like Passover, which drew large crowds and carried the potential for unrest.  And when the Romans arrived, they rode in on Warhorse with banners flying and swords and armor flashing.  They wanted to make sure everyone in Jerusalem could see their military power so as to deter any thought of rebellion.

So we have this contrast—Jesus on a humble donkey and Pilate and the Romans on warhorses. It’s clear what the people wanted.  They wanted Jesus to be their military king who would save them by kicking out the Romans and make Israel great again like it was when David was king. It’s clear they were excited, but it’s also sad that they missed the whole point of why Jesus came. And we can see this sadness bring Jesus to tears in Luke’s version of the Palm Sunday story.  In Luke, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, because He knows hey won’t listen to Him. 

Nevertheless, Jesus spent a week preaching and teaching in Jerusalem. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and invited them to receive it. But Jesus wasn’t offering the kind of Kingdom they wanted.  Instead of peace, they wanted war. Instead of forgiveness, they wanted revenge.  Instead of love, they wanted to hate the Romans.  Instead of serving, they wanted power. And instead of the King of Heaven, they wanted Barabbas.

Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested on Thursday night. He was tried and sentenced to death. On Friday, Pilate sought to have him released.

Luke 23:18-20
¹⁸ Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) ²⁰ Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Jesus or Barabbas?
People haven’t changed much in 2,000 years.  We still struggle to pick Jesus over Barrabas.
“What?!” You say, “I would never choose Barrabas over Jesus!”  Is that so?
Whenever we choose the ways of the world over the ways of Jesus, we’re choosing Barabbas.
When we demand immediate results instead of trusting God’s timing, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we prioritize safety and comfort over obedience and sacrifice, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we follow the crowd instead of standing for truth, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we elevate charisma or influence over character, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we choose temporary gain over eternal reward, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we define success by winning instead of by faithfulness, we’re choosing Barrabas.
When we choose the kingdoms of this world over God’s Kingdom, we are choosing Barrabas.

Who Will You Choose?
So here we are—just like the crowd in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
Jesus enters humbly, offering peace, forgiveness, and the way of the cross.
Barabbas stands as the symbol of worldly strength, quick fixes, and the kind of power that dominates.  The people had a choice then. You have a choice now.

Every day, with every decision—how you treat your neighbor, how you lead your family, how you handle conflict, how you vote, how you speak, how you spend, how you love—you are choosing:  Jesus… or Barabbas.

Will you submit to Jesus—even when it means patience, humility, and sacrifice?
Or will you go with the crowd, shouting "Save us!" but only on your terms?

Will you lay down your life and follow the servant King on the donkey?
Or will you cling to the world's ways, hoping for glory, comfort, prosperity, and control?

So today, I challenge you to look honestly at your life. 
Not just what you say you believe—but your choices. 
Actions speak louder than words.

And ask yourself:
Whose Kingdom am I really choosing?

 

Crowds Follow Jesus | A Sermon on Matthew 4:23-25

Introduction
Today, we conclude our study of the first 4 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.  You'll find an outline of what we studied at the end of this message.

Have you ever noticed how quickly a crowd can form when something exciting happens?  A firetruck with its sirens blaring, a celebrity athlete preaching at church—we’re drawn to the excitement, the mystery, the promise of something extraordinary.

In Matthew 4:23–25, Jesus becomes the center of attention. People are coming from everywhere to see Him—all the towns around Galilee, Judea, and even as far as Jerusalem. Why?  Because something powerful is happening. The sick are being healed. Hope is spreading.  And word is getting out: something amazing is happening. 

But here’s the question we’ll wrestle with today: Were they following Jesus? Or just the miracles? And what about us? What are we really seeking?

Matthew 4:23-25
²³ Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ²⁴ News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. ²⁵ Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,^[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

The Good News about the Kingdom
As Jesus traveled around the region of Galilee, what did He announce?  He announced the Good News about the Kingdom.  The Kingdom was good news because it meant that God’s rule was breaking into a broken world—bringing healing, hope, and restoration. It offered freedom from sin, peace in place of chaos, and the promise of eternal life with God. 

People in Israel were used to Kingdom talk.  For 500 years, they’d been ruled by various different foreign kingdoms who invaded their homeland and ruled over them—the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and then the Romans.  All along the way, generations of Jews had longed for the day God would send a Savior to restore the Kingdom of Israel (which was supposed to be God’s Kingdom on Earth). 

Jesus preached the Good News of the Kingdom and it was Good News because it meant that God’s rule was breaking into a broken world—bringing healing, hope, and restoration.  It offered freedom from sin, peace in place of chaos, and the promise of eternal life with God.

The Kingdom of God (AKA the Kingdom of Heaven) is what we pray for everytime we pray the Lord’s Prayer ands say “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Why Healing?
As Jesus shared the Good News about God’s Kingdom, people were healed in amazing ways. That makes total sense—because in God’s Kingdom, there is no sickness.  Sickness and all kinds of suffering are part of our world because of sin. We don’t fully live in God’s Kingdom yet. But when God’s Kingdom comes in all its power, there won’t be any more pain, sickness, or death. Just like darkness disappears when the light shines, all brokenness will be gone when God’s Kingdom is fully here.

So as Jesus announced the Good News: “The Kingdom of God is close at hand,” sickness and all kind of suffering were driven away.

The Crowds
With all the excitement, crowds of people started following Jesus.  And that sounds like a good thing.  Maybe it is.  I’m sure it felt good for the Disciples to see their Master succeeding and gathering such large crowds.  But the idea of "Crowds" in the Gospels is always a tricky thing.

On one hand, it’s exciting to see a big crowd of people who seem to love and support you. But how can you tell if they’re all there for the right reasons? Some people in the crowd truly wanted to hear Jesus’ message and follow His teachings—like loving God and loving others. But others were only there because they hoped Jesus would get rid of the Romans so they could do whatever they wanted. Some just wanted free food or to watch Him do cool miracles. A lot of people were more interested in what Jesus could give them than in actually following Him and living the way God wants.

And don’t forget—at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus was on trial, Pilate actually wanted to let Him go. But the crowd shouted for Barabbas, a known criminal, to be set free instead. Then they yelled for Jesus to be crucified. This shows how quickly a crowd can change and how people sometimes choose what’s easier or more familiar instead of what’s right and true.

But for now in the story, Matthew tells us that crowds of people gathered to follow Jesus whereever he went.  Jesus had a platform to share His wonderful Good News about the Kingdom so people could decided for themselves how to respond.

And now, I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to bring this message home—to you and your life.  The same Spirit that led Jesus to preach the Good News of the Kingdom is speaking to you today.

So let me ask: Are you just one more person in the crowd, following Jesus around because you want something from Him—maybe a blessing, a miracle, or some help with your problems?
Or are you truly hearing His message and realizing something deeper?

The Kingdom of God is here. It’s not just about getting what you want—it’s about recognizing that Jesus is the King, and He calls us to follow Him with our whole heart.

Have you been living for His Kingdom, or just for yourself?
Have you made Jesus your King—or just someone you call on when you're in trouble?

Now is the time to respond. Will you keep standing in the crowd, watching from a distance?
Or will you step forward, follow Jesus, and be part of the real Kingdom He came to bring?

He’s calling you. How will you respond?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outline Review of Matthew's Beginning Chapters 1-4
Chapters 1:
The genealogy of Jesus, His conception, and Mary and Joseph’s reaction

Chapter 2:
Jesus’ Birth, the visit of the Wisemen, Herod’s reaction, the holy family’s Escape to Egypt, and their eventual return to Nazareth

Chapter 3:
John the Baptist prepares the way and baptizes Jesus

Chapter 4:
Jesus’ Temptation in the wilderness, His ministry begins, the first disciples, and the crowds start following Jesus

 

Jesus' First Disciples | A Sermon on Matthew 4:18-22

The First Disciples – Introduction
Today, we continue our study of the first few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.  Here’s a quick outline of what we’ve studied so far in Matthew:
Chapters 1-2: Jesus’ Birth & Escape to Egypt
Chapter 3: Jesus & John the Baptist
Chapter 4: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Today, we read the story of Jesus calling the first disciples.

Matthew 4:18-22
¹⁸ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed him.

²¹ A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. ²² They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Along the Shores of the Sea of Galilee
In Jesus’ time, the Sea of Galilee was a bustling center of life, work, and trade in northern Israel. The large freshwater lake was a vital hub for fishing, with towns like Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Tiberias lining its shores.  It’s about 33 miles to walk all the way around the lake, which would take several days of hard walking.  But one could use a boat to cross the 8-mile-wide lake in about 3 hours. 

It was along the shores of the Sea of Galilee that Jesus would do the majority of His ministry.  And it was along these shores that Jesus called His first Disciples.  First, He found two brothers, Peter and Andrew, who fished for a living.  “Come follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

“And they left their nets at once and followed him.”
Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets to follow Jesus.  Leaving their nets means they left behind their careers and livelihoods.  Fishing wasn’t a fun weekend hobby for them—this was how they put bread on the table so their families could survive.  Jesus asked them to walk away from their nets and come follow Him.  And they did.

I want to point out that Peter and Andrew (and James and John) probably already knew Jesus (or knew of Him).  Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which is only about a day’s journey from Capernaum.  And before He began His ministry, Jesus was a carpenter (actually a better translation is craftsman or construction worker).  And Jesus likely worked in Capernaum and probably knew the fishermen.  At the very least, they knew something about the rising fame of this new teacher.

Peter and Andrew answered the call to leave their fishing careers to follow Jesus.  James and John not only left behind their careers, they left their father’s family fishing business.  The fact they were mending the nets on their father’s boat seems to indicate Zebedee’s fishing business was a whole enterprise—not just a small business.  And they left it all behind to follow Jesus.

Jesus Doesn’t Need Our Help. We Need to Help Jesus
Now I want you to think about something.  This seems like a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice.  Jesus was asking a lot.  Leave behind your career, your ability to make a living, to provide food for you and your family and keep a roof over your head.  Leave your father to take care of his fishing business all by himself.

 And here, Jesus is supposed to be the Messiah, the Chosen One who will save the world.  Even more, the Bible tells us Jesus is the son of God.  That He is God. He was there when the universe was created.  Nothing was created except through Him. He gave life to everything.  He is the Light of the world!

But if Jesus is so great and so powerful, why did He want people to help Him save the world? 

Jesus didn’t need people to help Him.  But we need to participate in the salvation of the world in order to be saved ourselves.  Helping Jesus is part of our salvation. Jesus doesn’t need our help, but we need to help Jesus. Somehow, through helping Jesus, we find healing and restoration for our soul.

There’s a powerful principle in Alcoholics Anonymous that speaks directly to our life of faith: helping others is essential to healing. In AA, those who find freedom from addiction are taught that one of the best ways to stay sober is to help someone else on the same journey. It’s not just a good deed—it’s part of their own recovery.

In the same way, as followers of Jesus, we are not just saved from sin so we can sit back and enjoy the blessings. We are saved to serve. Our healing deepens when we help others find their healing in Christ. We grow stronger in our walk when we walk alongside someone else. Jesus doesn’t need our help in a cosmic sense—He’s the Lord of all. But in His mercy, He invites us to be part of His work in the world.

Helping others isn’t a bonus part of Christianity—it’s part of our transformation. When we serve, give, pray for, and walk with others, we’re reminded of what Jesus did for us. We live out our faith. And in that, we recover more fully from the grip of sin and step more deeply into the life of the Kingdom.

What “Nets” Do You Need to Leave Behind?
So Jesus comes and He calls each of us:  “Come follow me…” He chooses us before we choose Him.  And He chooses all of us.  No matter what you’ve done.  No matter who you are. You are never too good or too bad or too broken for Jesus to choose you. Jesus chose you to be His follower, His disciple, to fish for people.  But that leaves two questions for you:  Will you choose Him?  And What nets do you need to leave behind?

Some of the "nets" we may need to leave behind to follow Jesus aren't made of rope—they're the things that entangle our hearts. It could be the comfort of routine, the pursuit of success, unhealthy relationships, guilt from the past, or even our own pride and self-sufficiency. Like the disciples who dropped their fishing nets to follow Jesus, we’re called to let go of whatever keeps us from fully trusting Him. Leaving those nets behind can be scary, but it’s the first step toward a life of greater purpose, peace, and freedom in Christ.

Closing Ceremony – Leave Your Nets
When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, He didn’t just give them advice—He gave them a choice: Leave your nets and follow Me. Those nets weren’t bad in themselves, but they were holding them back from the life Jesus had for them.

Today, I want to invite you to do something simple, but powerful. Ask yourself:
What net is God calling me to leave behind?
Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s a habit, a distraction, or something good that’s just taken first place in your life instead of Jesus.

Write it down on a piece of paper—just between you and God—and when you’re ready, come forward and leave it at the altar as you kneel for a time of prayer.  Let that act be your way of saying, ‘Jesus, I’m ready to follow You more faithfully.’"

Addendum
I realized after preaching this sermon, I probably should have shared more supporting evidence about why I think Peter, Andrew, James, and John may have already known Jesus before He asked them to follow Him.  For example, in John’s Gospel (1:35–42), Andrew was with John the Baptist when Jesus passed by and John said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…” Later in the Gospel of John, Andrew went and told his brother Peter about Jesus.

Luke 5 also gives more context to the calling of Peter. Jesus gets into Peter’s boat and asks him to put out a little from shore. That kind of request suggests some kind of prior relationship—most people wouldn’t let a stranger just borrow their boat. Plus, Peter calls Him “Master,” a term of respect for a known rabbi or spiritual teacher.

Add to that the closeness of Nazareth to towns along the Sea of Galilee and the nature of small, tight-knit Jewish communities of the time—it seems likely they at least knew of Jesus beforehand. It’s not certain, of course, but I think it’s a fair conclusion to consider.

Called to Love: A Christian’s Mission to Educate Children in Pakistan

Introduction
Recently, I had the privilege to host a native missionary from Pakistan in my church.  A native missionary is a person who serves as a missionary in their own homeland.  I visitied with the missionary for over a week and heard his testimony several times, learned about his culture and his ministry, and his calling from God.  Because life and ministry for Christians in Pakistan is very dangerous, I have concealed his identity.  I invite you to read his testimony, pray for him, and consider supporting his ministry in whatever ways God leads you.  You may follow and support his ministry through the 501c3 nonprofit Children's Development Mission at https://childrens-development-mission.startsites.org/ 

The following is this "Paul's" testimony: 

Greetings in Jesus’ name. I am from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a South Asian country with a population of over 241.5 million people. In my country, Christians make up less than 2% of the population, making them a small minority. Today, I want to share my journey of faith, ministry, and the calling that led me to serve through education.

My grandfather came to Christ through early Methodist missionaries who preached the Gospel during British rule in India. He embraced Christianity in 1942, and my family has remained devoted to our faith ever since. I grew up in a Christian home, where my father worked as a laboratory technician. In the early 1960s, a Methodist missionary nurse came to our region for medical evangelism and invited my father to assist her. When she returned to her country in 1972, my father took over the medical mission work. He served faithfully until he passed away six months before my grandfather’s death in 1999.

It was during my grandfather’s funeral that I first became aware of the discrimination Christian children faced in my native village. I was heartbroken to learn that they were mistreated by their Muslim peers simply because of their faith. Though we shared the same land and the same culture, we were still set apart. At the same time, I realized something important—Muslim children needed to experience the unconditional love of Jesus.

At that time, I was raising three small children, and my wife, a homemaker, and I were focused on providing for their education. However, when God calls, He asks us to leave behind personal interests to follow Him, just as Jesus called Simon Peter to leave his nets and follow Him. After returning to the city, I shared the burden on my heart with my wife. In Pakistan, women do not have the freedom to move alone, and even seeking medical care requires the accompaniment of a male relative. Despite these challenges, my wife—my life and ministry partner—supported my calling. My mother also joined me in this mission.

With my mother’s help, we started a small school under a tree in the village. We had no financial resources, but we bought a few candies to attract children to come and learn. With no cash in hand, I decided to sell small portions of the land I inherited from my father to fund the construction of a school for underprivileged children. As I worked with these children, I realized that girls, both Christian and Muslim, were the most vulnerable. In rural Pakistan, girls face many dangers—sexual harassment, poverty, and cultural restrictions that prevent them from receiving an education. Parents often cannot afford to educate their daughters, but I believed God had a divine plan for them.

Education became the tool through which we could demonstrate Christ’s love. The ministry began humbly in 2001 with only a kindergarten class. Slowly, we expanded grade by grade. My mother, a role model of faith, worked tirelessly to visit Muslim families and convince them to send their daughters for free education. She served until June 2013, when she passed away from cancer. Her legacy remains, as she showed that Jesus' love is free for all, without discrimination.

Despite the persecution we face as a Christian minority, our calling is to show Christ-like love. The Bible teaches us in Luke 6:27 to love our enemies. Jesus also commands us in Matthew 22:39 to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the foundation of interfaith harmony—we are called to be the salt and light in the darkness. While we cannot openly evangelize or distribute Bibles, we can demonstrate love through our actions.

Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:1), always watching over His flock. I am grateful that my grandfather found the Good Shepherd and brought our family into His fold. Jesus also taught in parables, such as the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33), reminding us that ordinary people can be used for extraordinary ministry. In Matthew 4:19, He says, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people." In the same way, Jesus called me to serve, making me a fisherman—not of fish, but of children.

Today, our school continues to welcome both Christian and Muslim students. When young Muslim girls enter our school, they form friendships with Christian students. As these friendships grow, barriers break down, and they experience Christ’s love in ways their families never taught them. Many of them share their meals with Christian classmates, demonstrating the very essence of Christ-like behavior. A Good Samaritan can be Christian or Muslim—what matters is love and compassion, which can transform hearts.

For the past 24 years, I have remained obedient to this call. My wife stays in the city to care for our children while I travel to the village every Monday morning, staying until Friday afternoon. Each weekend, I return home for a brief reunion with my family before heading back to serve the children of our school. Currently, we have 263 students, and I love each of them as my own, though I have three biological children.

This journey has not been easy, but God has been faithful. He provides, He transforms, and He calls us to serve. The Gospel is not just about words—it is about love and action. I am grateful to be part of this mission, and I trust that He will continue to work through us to bring His light into the darkness.

Thanks be to the Lord for this wonderful ministry.

Jesus' Ministry Begins | A Sermon on Matthew 4:12-17

Introduction
In the last few weeks, we’ve studied how Jesus went down to the Jordan River where His cousin John was preaching and teaching people to repent of their sins and be baptized.  Jesus asked John to baptize Him in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and God spoke from heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

 Immediately after that, Jesus went into the desolate region west of the Dead Sea where he fasted and prayed for 40 days and was tempted by the Devil.  After remaining faithful and without sin, it was time for Jesus to officially begin His ministry.

Matthew 4:12-17
¹² When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. ¹³ He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵ “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”^[a]

¹⁷ From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.^[b]”

Ministry Can Be Dangerous
First of all, I don’t want us to pass by verse 12 where it points out that John was arrested.  Ministry can be dangerous.  We often forget this in America, where we live sheltered lives.  There are Christians in our own Global Methodist Church denomination who live in Nigeria and Liberia who are facing arrests, beatings, and severe persecution as we speak—simply because they are trying to be faithful to the Word of God.  Next Sunday, in fact, we will host a missionary who has to be careful to protect his identity because it could be dangerous for him or his family if word got out about the work he does to serve Christ in his community.

John the Baptist was arrested and his work to baptize people and prepare the way for the Messiah came to an end.  Now it was time for the Messiah, Jesus, to begin His work.

Jesus Fulfills Prophecy
Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.”  The prophet Isaiah spoke these words 700 years before Jesus came.  Jesus’ move to Capernaum (in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali) is not random—it fulfills God’s long-planned mission to reach the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  And they are a reminder to us, when things are at there darkest, Jesus comes to call us out into the light. 

These are important words for us to hear right now.  There’s a lot of darkness in our world.  We see the darkness of war.  We see the darkness of injustice.  We see the darkness of hurtful words—of lies, betrayal, of the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer.  We see injustice.  And many here live in fear of what the future holds—whether it is for you personally or for someone you know and love.  And there may be some listening to this message today who are in a very dark place.  And the Gospel Matthew shout the Good News: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light!”

Jesus is the Great Light!  No matter what darkness you may be facing—whether it’s fear, uncertainty, grief, or the weight of the world’s troubles—know this: Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness. The same God who planned salvation for the world through Christ has not forgotten you. He sees you, He loves you, and He is calling you out of the shadows and into His marvelous light. Even when life feels overwhelming, His light still shines. Hold onto Him, because the darkness will not last—His hope, His truth, and His love will carry you through. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is Here
Before his arrest, John the Baptist prepared the way by calling people to repent.  Jesus continues John’s call to repentance, but His message is even greater—the Kingdom of Heaven is arriving now!  God’s reign is breaking into the world through Jesus’ ministry.

We often think of Heaven as a place we go to after we die.  But Jesus preached the Kingdom of Heaven starts now.  This isn’t just about a future heaven, but a present reality—God’s rule is being established on earth through Christ.

That means God’s Kingdom is not just something we wait for—it’s something we live in now. When we follow Jesus, we step into His reign, where love overcomes hate, truth defeats lies, and hope rises above despair. The way we live, work, love, and serve should reflect that we belong to His Kingdom, not the broken systems of this world. Where in your life is God calling you to live under His rule today? Maybe it’s in your family, your workplace, or in how you treat others. Jesus is not just offering you a future home in heaven—He is inviting you to experience His Kingdom right now. Will you step into it?

The Kingdom Is Just Beyond the Veil
Though the world may seem consumed by darkness, the Kingdom of Heaven is here, just beyond the veil. We may not always see it with our eyes, but it is breaking through in quiet, powerful ways—in acts of love, in moments of grace, in every heart that surrenders to Christ. While the world’s struggles feel overwhelming, God’s reign is already at work, transforming lives, restoring hope, and preparing the way for His ultimate victory. The Kingdom is not far off; it is near, it is now, and it is winning, even when we cannot yet see it in full.

It takes faith to believe in the Kingdom beyond the veil. The early Christians faced some of the darkest times in human history—they saw their Savior crucified, they endured relentless persecution, and many were put to death for their faith. And yet, they thrived. They didn’t cling to power or fight with fear; they lived with boldness, joy, and unshakable hope because they saw beyond the suffering of this world. They knew that God’s Kingdom was already here, breaking through, and that death itself had no power over them. That same faith can sustain us today. When life feels overwhelming, when evil seems to be winning, we can hold on to the truth that the Kingdom is real, that Christ is reigning, and that nothing—not even death—can separate us from His victory. This faith doesn’t just help us survive hardship—it transforms us, giving us the courage to shine His light in the darkest places.

Entering the Kingdom
Jesus came not just to show us the Kingdom, but to invite us in. We are welcome in Christ’s Kingdom, but we must make the choice to enter in. How do we enter the Kingdom? There are two key steps:

First, Repent – Turn Away from Sin and Turn to Jesus.  Jesus began His ministry with a simple but powerful message:  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!" (Matthew 4:17) 

 Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad for our sins—it’s about turning away from the darkness and stepping into the light. Sin blinds us from seeing the Kingdom. It chains us to the brokenness of this world. But when we repent—when we confess our sins, surrender our pride, and turn to Jesus—our eyes begin to open. We start to see beyond the veil, and the reality of God’s Kingdom becomes clear.

What is God calling you to leave behind today? What sins, distractions, or false securities are keeping you from stepping fully into His Kingdom?

Second, Die to Yourself to Find New Life in Christ.  Jesus didn’t come just to make our old life better—He came to give us an entirely new life. And that only happens when we die to ourselves.  "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

The world tells us to chase our dreams, follow our desires, and live for ourselves. But Jesus tells us the only way to find real life is to surrender everything to Him. When we die to our selfish ambitions, our need for control, our old way of thinking, we step into true life in Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t just waiting for us after death—it’s here now. But to enter, we must let go of our grip on this world. We must step through the veil and trust that what Jesus is offering is far greater than anything we leave behind.

The question is: Will you step in?

Closing
What’s keeping you from experiencing His Kingdom more fully? Is it a habit, a fear, a distraction, or an area where you need to surrender control? Over these next 40 days of Lent, I challenge you to seek God’s Kingdom more faithfully. Make space for Him in prayer, Scripture, acts of love, and obedience.

Remember, Jesus opened the door to the Kingdom through His sacrifice.
He invites you to repent, to die to ourselves, and to receive the new life He offers.

Will you step into His Kingdom?