Sermon (video): "Does Prayer Actually Work?" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Many Christians do not pray because they do not really believe that prayer accomplishes anything. This sermon seeks to show from Scripture that prayer works and then shows that God can personally answer our prayers. It ends with a "homework assignment" intended to help make the most of one's prayer life.

Habits of a Mom Who Finishes Well

This sermon uses the Old Testament mom, Rebekah, to illustrate a couple of habits that present day moms need so that they can be successful in raising children who will be adult Jesus-followers.

One note of correction: I wrongfully mentioned in this sermon that the Bible never records a prayer by Rebekah. A couple of folks caught my mistake and referenced Genesis 25:22. (I'm sure there were many others who also caught it but just didn't bring it to my attention.) It doesn't change the point I was making about prayer but I'm so proud to pastor a people who are engaged and know their Bibles!

"And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth." (Acts 17:11 - NLT)

To view the sermon on Youtube, click here.

Sermon (audio): "The Four Points"

In 1904-1905, God used a man named Evan Roberts in an incredible way to preach a sermon (that came to be called "The Four Points) to spread the fires of revival. Within 6 months, over 100,000 people were saved!

 

This sermon does not seek to 're-preach' that sermon. It does, however, highlight the 4 main points that Evan Roberts addressed with a desire that the sparks of revival could once again be fanned into a fiery flame that would draw people to God once again.

 

Sermon was preached at Westside Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 29, 2015.

Sermon (video): "The Four Points"

In 1904-1905, God used a man named Evan Roberts in an incredible way to preach a sermon (that came to be called "The Four Points) to spread the fires of revival. Within 6 months, over 100,000 people were saved!

This sermon does not seek to 're-preach' that sermon. It does, however, highlight the 4 main points that Evan Roberts addressed with a desire that the sparks of revival could once again be fanned into a fiery flame that would draw people to God once again.

Sermon (video): "How to Defeat Sexual Temptation" (Genesis 39:1-21)

The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife is a well-known story among Christian's and non-Christians alike. However, God did not simply put that story into the Bible to satisfy our desire for narrative. If we look closely enough, we can see at least 5 action steps that we can take to defeat sexual temptation.

Sermon (video): "Forgiveness: Lift Your Anchor and Set Sail" (Colossians 3:12-13)

Nancy Leigh DeMoss has said that forgiveness is the gift that everyone wants to receive but finds hard to give. As a pastor who has counseled many individuals and families in crisis, I believe that she is right. I further believer that our inability to forgive is at the root of much if not most of our problems.

This sermon elaborates on some of the truths embedded in Colossians 3:13 and seeks to point out the following:

1) most of us struggle with forgiving,
2) refusing to forgive is serious and has undesirable, personal consequences, and
3) some helpful principles that can enable us to forgive.

Sermon (video): "How Holy Must I Be?" (Matthew 7:24-27)

So, what does it mean to be saved? Can I trust in Jesus to save me and then just try to be as good as my Christian friends and peers? Or, can I get "saved" and then just live like I want?

In the Bible, we are told that someone who is truly saved will pursue holiness. While everyone will progress toward Christlikeness at a different pace and all are on varied points on the journey, each of those folks who are headed to Heaven will progressively become more like Jesus.

So, this sermon is a serious call to pursue holiness. It was preached at the Westside Baptist Church of Murray, Kentucky on Sunday morning, March 1, 2015.

To view this sermon click here.

Sermon (video): "The Insanity of Pride" (Psalm 8)

This sermon seeks to define pride, show that each of us struggles with it, and show that while it is natural it also is bizarre that we would tolerate such a thing in our life.

It was preached at the Westside Baptist Church of Murray, Kentucky on Sunday morning, January 25, 2015.

Sermon (video): "Armed and Dangerous" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

When God saves us from His judgment by wiping away our sin debt, we become His child. But, we should never expect that as we begin our journey toward holiness that it will be easy. In fact, it will often be anything but easy!

Why? Because when we join the Lord's army, we declare Satan to be our enemy. He will fight against us any way that he can to render us useless on the battlefield of life.

Fortunately, our God has not left us helpless. He has made Christ's strength available to us and given us armor to wear so that we cannot simply survive but thrive in our pursuit of holiness.

To view this sermon as it elaborates upon how a Christian can be victorious, click here.

Sermon (video): "The Incredible Spirit-Filled Life" (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Ephesians 5:18 commands every follower of Jesus to be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:22 and following provide instruction for how to behave in our relationships regarding husbands and wives, parents and children, employees and employers, (and, by extension, virtually ever other relationship).

In between those two sections, God's Word tells us how being filled with the Holy Spirit helps us to glorify God in our relationships. It provides three character traits that are evident in every Spirit-filled person.

To view the sermon, simply click here.

Sermon (video): "Knowing God - An Introduction"

St. Augustine once said of God, "You have formed us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You."

That is so true. The greatest joy the human heart can know comes from encountering its God.

But, to enjoy God, we must first know Him. Unfortunately, too many Christians don't study their Bibles and so their knowledge of God is sadly incomplete.

This sermon points out the disparity of the knowledge of God among Jesus-followers. It further notes that God is worth the struggle and then ends with some ways that we can come to know and enjoy Him. 

Click here to view the sermon. 

This is the first in a series of sermons on "Knowing God" and was preached at Westside Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky on Sunday evening, September 15, 2014.

Sermon (video): "Living a Life that Counts" (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Isn't there more to life than simply being born, going to school, getting a job, getting married, having kids, retiring and dying? The Biblical answer to that is a resounding "Yes!" We can live the moments of each of our days on purpose so that at the end of our life, we hear our Lord say, "Well done!"

Yet, a purposeful life doesn't just happen. It takes intentionality. It takes prioritizing. It takes discovering what matters to Jesus. But, it's possible for those who will dig into God's Word and put it into practice. Listen to this sermon as Pastor Matt unpacks some of the truths in Ephesians 5:15-17.

To view the sermon, click here.

To access the sermon notes, click here.

Sermon (video): "Loving Others and Avoiding the Counterfeits" (Ephesians 5:1-7)

We are called to be imitators of God. That sounds incredible but the Apostle Paul goes on to tell us what it looks like - we will love the way Jesus loves. 

But unfortunately, we often settle for counterfeits to God's love for us.

This sermon articulates what Christlike love looks like and what the counterfeits look like. As the two are discussed, the much better choice will be obvious.

To access the sermon video, click here.

To access the online notes, click here.

Sermon (video): New-Life Relationships 101 (Ephesians 4:25-32)

The Bible is filled with instruction regarding how we are to live. Yet, as I illustrated in the Introduction to this sermon, a true follower of Jesus desires to follow these instructions. God's Word is not perceived as a boring book filled with senseless rules intended to make our lives miserable. No! It is seen as a manual to help us live the way that God desires and that we can enjoy.

In Ephesians 4:25-32, it specifically tells us how we are to behave if we are to enjoy wonderful relationships within the life of a church. And even more specifically, it tells us what habits we need to get rid of and what habits we need to develop in order to replace the old ones.

To access the sermon video, click here. To access online notes for this sermon, click here.

This sermon was preached at Westside Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky on August 10, 2014.

Sermon (video): The Secret of Power-Filled Living (Ephesians 1:19-23)

Did you know that praying for God to give you the strength to make it through a trying time is wrong and unbiblical? I've prayed that way before and I'm sure you have, too. But, for a follower of Jesus, such words shouldn't come out of our mouths.

Truth be told, we already have all of God's power that we will ever need at our fingertips. We simply fail, all too often, to experience it.

This sermon unpacks Ephesians 1:19-23. It describes the kind of power that we already have as followers of Jesus and explains how we can tap into it.

To view the sermon, simply click here.

Sermon (video): "You'll Never Guess What God Gave to Me!" (Ephesians 1:11-12)

There's more to being a child of God than simply going to Heaven when we die. From the moment we get saved, we are "in Christ." Because our identity becomes tied up in Jesus, we are free to inherit and enjoy unspeakable blessings both now and in eternity.

The only natural and appropriate response to all that God has done for us is to praise Him.

(This sermon was preached on February 16, 2014 and can be accessed by clicking here.)

For previous sermons in this series, simply click on the titles/texts below:

"God Redeemed Me" (Ephesians 1:7-10)

"God Chose Me" (Ephesians 1:3-6)

"Who I Am in Christ" (Ephesians 1:1-2)

Sermon (video): "How to Make the Most of 2014" (Joshua 14:6-15)

One of the many fascinating characters in the Old Testament is a man named Caleb. He was one of the 12 spies sent by Moses to report about the Promised Land and only one of 2 who gave a good report. Against his wishes, the people of Israel ...rejected God's plan for them and they had to roam the wilderness for 40 years.

This sermon takes a look at Caleb's conversation with Israel's new leader, Joshua. As we listen to Caleb, we pick up on 5 specific qualities that enabled him to be the man that God used in big ways.

The great news is that these 5 qualities are transferrable. You can emulate them, too! Maybe God's been waiting on you to do just that so He can use you!

 

To view the sermon, click here.

Sermon (video): In Pursuit of Holiness (Romans 12:1-2)

Becoming a child of God is not simply a one time event. It's the adventure of a lifetime. This sermon unpacks the exciting truths of Romans 12:1-2 where we are encouraged to live our lives for Jesus since He gave His life for us.

To view this sermon, click here.

Sermon (video): Why does Westside Baptist Church exist?

I've been the pastor at Westside Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for a little more than 4 months. They are a busy, energetic people who want to live in a way that counts.

So, I have been in much prayer and am beginning to chart the course. But, I made it clear that as a church we must agree upon who God has called us to BE before we can agree upon what He has called us to DO.

This sermon is the first in a series of 5 sermons that will unpack why we as a church exist.

To view the sermon, click here.

Sermon (video): Preparing for the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:14-30)

To view the sermon, click here.

As Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, He told a parable about a master who entrusted a large sum of money to his servants. After doing so, he went away into a far country. The bulk of this parable has to do with when the master came back and called his servants to give an account for how they had managed and increased his wealth.

This parable speaks volumes about the Judgment Day each of us will experience as we stand for Jesus and have to give an account for how we spent our short life here on planet Earth.