The John Knox Presbyterian Church Podcast

Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:10-12

What does Jesus mean when he says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake"? In this message from Matthew 5:10–12, we discover that persecution is not something Christians are called to seek, but one possible consequence of faithfully following the crucified Messiah. Looking at the witness of the prophets, the early church, and Jesus himself, this sermon invites us to consider a discipleship shaped less by comfort and more by Christlikeness — and the surprising joy found in sharing his life, his mission, and his promised reward.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:9

Jesus declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." But what kind of peace is he talking about? In a world that often defines peace through power, control, or victory, Jesus offers a radically different vision—one rooted in reconciliation, self-sacrifice, and the transforming love of God. Drawing from Scripture, the witness of the church, and voices both ancient and contemporary, this sermon explores what it means to become people who not only receive Christ's peace but embody it, bearing the family resemblance of the God of peace in a fractured world.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:8

In this message from Matthew 5:8, we explore one of Jesus' most profound promises by tracing it through the story of Scripture — from Psalm 24's question, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?" to Revelation's breathtaking promise that God's people "will see his face." What does it mean to be "pure in heart"? Is Jesus describing moral perfection or something deeper? Discover how Christ transforms divided hearts into wholehearted devotion, why integrity matters in the life of faith, and why the greatest gift God offers is not merely heaven, but God himself.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:7

What does it mean to be merciful? Drawing on Scripture and powerful stories of compassion, this sermon discovers that mercy is far more than kindness or pity — it is the very character of God revealed in Jesus Christ. As recipients of God's steadfast mercy, we are invited to become people who notice, move toward, and lovingly respond to the needs of others, bearing witness to the kingdom of God in a world where mercy is often in short supply.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Uli Chi - Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 61:1-11

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Zach Daoust - Matthew 5:5

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:4

What could Jesus possibly mean when he says, "Blessed are those who mourn"? In this message from Matthew 5:4, we explore one of the most surprising Beatitudes and discover that Jesus is not glorifying suffering but proclaiming God's presence and promise to those who grieve. Drawing on the biblical vision of God's coming restoration, this sermon considers how faithful mourning can become an expression of love, hope, and longing for God's kingdom. In a world marked by loss, injustice, and heartbreak, Jesus offers a surprising word of comfort: those who mourn are not abandoned—they are blessed, and they shall be comforted.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:1-3

In this opening message of the House Hunters series, we begin exploring Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by asking both who Jesus is and what kind of life he invites us to build. Drawing on Matthew 5:1–3, we discover Jesus as the new and greater Moses who ascends the mountain to reveal God's vision for human flourishing. Far from celebrating self-sufficiency, Jesus pronounces a blessing on the "poor in spirit"—those who recognize their need for God and receive the kingdom as a gift of grace. In a world that constantly urges us to secure ourselves through achievement, wealth, and control, Jesus offers a different foundation: the lasting security of belonging to God's kingdom.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

 

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Numbers 11:24-30

Moses’ remarkable declaration, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets,” is a vision of humility, shared leadership, and the wide outpouring of God’s Spirit. Moving from the wilderness of Moses to the church at Pentecost, this message confronts modern temptations toward prestige, control, and spiritual elitism, while calling the church instead toward humility, generosity, and a Spirit-filled community where gifts are shared and all are welcomed into God’s work. With reflections on leadership, reconciliation, and the surprising ways our words and witness shape others, this sermon invites listeners to imagine a church marked less by grasping for power and more by the grace of Christ that empowers the whole people of God.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Luke 19:1–10

This sermon explores the familiar story of Zacchaeus beyond the children’s song and into the deeper realities of grace, repentance, and communal transformation. Looking at the social stigma surrounding tax collectors, the symbolism of the sycamore tree, and Jesus’ intentional pursuit of the lost, this message reflects on how Christ’s costly grace not only changes individual hearts but begins healing entire communities. For “the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church.