Burnt Hickory | Sermons

We begin a new sermon series where we explore tiny books in the bible that carry big truths. Take Philemon, where seemingly the bible is condoning slavery, and it may seem like a weird book to include in the New Testament. Well, the term bondservant in this instance of the Bible is not what we in America things of as a slave. Rather than proclaiming a seemingly powerless political mandate, Jesus u...

As we continue our sermon series called Ignite, where we look at instances of fire in scripture, we look into Exodus Chapter 13, where we see the Israelites being led through the desert by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. What we can take away from this bible study is that God is the sole maker of our way, and the holder of our salvation. Even when we don’t see the end in sight, even...

We often try to shape God into our image of what we think He should be instead of understanding that we are created in His image. This gives us a distorted comprehension of how sin effects our lives every day, and we rebel against the only thing that can truly satisfy our soul – God Himself. This week during our Ignite Sermon Series, Pastor Matt brings us to Exodus chapter 32, where we see the Isr...

Today we explore Isaiah Chapter 6 as we continue to look for examples of fire throughout the bible and we study the passage where Isaiah is brought before the Lord, and his lips are cleansed by a hot coal. We see that God’s holiness affects us in that we are to be separated and set apart as a reflection of Him. We also learn that holiness magnifies our corruption and mandates our purification. Whe...

As we explore places in scripture that contain fire, we come across the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery furnace. God never asks us to put faith in our ability, and it’s not focused on our desires or outcome when dealing with difficulties in life. He reminds us in Philippians and James that our faith is placed in His ability and His promises. We too often try...

We begin our new sermon series called Ignite by exploring places where we see fire in scripture. Fire can represent many things, and this week, we are looking in Exodus 3 where Moses encountered the burning bush, a tree literally engulfed in flames, but not ever burning up. Just as God physically spoke to Moses through that burning bush, we can learn that while God's presence is personal, His holi...

This week as we conclude the sermon on the mount, we reflect on Jesus’ closing to his sermon delivered in Matthew 7:13-29. We see that we have an ultimate decision to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of our life, or to reject him. Either the path that is straight and narrow, or the wide one that leads to destruction and to a very real eternity in hell. As we look that the fork in the road, we see in scri...

The golden rule might seem like a great command to follow, but its not actually in the bible. As we study further in the sermon on the mount in Matthew, we see that Jesus does give us reminders, challenges, and encouragements to follow that will help us actually live according to Him. Jesus encourages us to pray persistently, and to knock, and the door will be open. Pastor Matt shows us that our p...

Judge not, lest you be judged. Maybe you’ve seen this passage in Matthew 7, but do you really understand what Jesus is telling us here in the sermon on the mount? We as Christians are called to judge rightly, but there are some clear reminders in scripture that there is order and reasoning behind why. A majority of non-Christians see us as “judgmental” because we have not focused on restoration, w...

As Christians, Jesus calls us in Matthew 6:25 to not worry about life. This at first, might seem like a platitude, but there are some spiritual implications involved when we worry. Pastor Chip explores Jesus’ words in the sermon on the mount regarding our circumstances and how we should control our thoughts, actions, and feelings. Concern is when we are in control of our thoughts and worrying is w...

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus instructs us not to store up treasures on earth, but to store them in heaven, where they can’t be destroyed or stolen. What does this passage mean, and how do we store treasures in heaven? Pastor Matt takes us further in the sermon on the mount, where we explore Jesus’ words about what we value and our foundational choices as we live kingdom lives. The things that we ad...

In the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6, Jesus gives his disciples a model prayer to follow because they asked him. Jesus shares that we aren’t to pray like hypocrites as others see or hear, but that it’s a personal time between us and God the Father. What we learn through this passage is that prayer is not a way for us to use God to get what we want, or a way to impress God through our faith and...

The purpose of the sermon on the mount was Jesus challenging us as believers to fully live pursuing the Kingdom of Heaven, and not the temporary kingdom of this world. He did this by showing us in scripture, that it’s a heart matter, not about checking lists or following the law and commandments perfectly. Pastor Marty takes us further into the sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter 5, verses 17-2...

As we dive deeper in the sermon on the mount, Pastor Eli takes us through Matthew 5:13-16. We learn that salt is both a preservative and seasoning, but it was also used as a medicinal purifier and was valuable as currency. As we live out our lives, we are to effect and affect people around us for Christ just as salt was a part of culture. Light dispels darkness and exposes hidden sin. Light also b...

What does it mean to be blessed, meek, merciful, or righteous? How are we supposed to be happy in life? We study in scripture as Jesus taught next to the Sea of Galilee, He laid out a set of a challenges that each come with a promise. These are known as the beatitudes. Happiness begins when we see our emptiness and receive God’s fullness. To be broken hearted and meek may seem like a disadvantage,...

It’s a special Sunday at Burnt Hickory where we get to celebrate our relationship with Peter, our mission partner from Kenya, as well as surprise him with a financial gift that will establish our footprint for generations in Kibera. Burnt Hickory has been generously giving towards the Kenya Ministry Center, and God has blessed that gift in the form of being able to purchase the land, build the cen...

As we celebrate our mothers and mother figures this Sunday, pastor Matt takes a few minutes to discuss the wonder and wisdom of motherhood with a few godly women of Burnt Hickory. We also can learn about faith practically lived out by studying Hannah in 1 Samuel 10. We see that our children are not our own, but they are God’s, and our job as parents is to unfold what He has made. Charm is deceptiv...

Pastor Chip picks up the story of Elijah after the great showdown on the mountain, when God showed His power. Elijah’s life is threatened by one of Jezebel’s messengers, and Elijah becomes afraid and runs away to hide and even asks God to end his life. We see how a strong faith can be shipwrecked by not relying on God. We learn today that we should hold on to the promises of God, the hope that He...

We are always worshiping something; you can’t turn it off. The real question to consider is “what” are you worshiping? As we dig into 1 Kings, we see that people where worshiping false gods and idols, and Pastor Matt shows us that in reality, we aren’t that different. Our idols look different than in the days of Elijah, but we are still trying to replace God’s rightful place in our hearts with obj...

You may never know how one small obedient act will impact eternity. The widow in 1 Kings is a perfect example of God’s plan in action as a part of a larger narrative. We learn today, that when we trust God and give Him our all, we grow personally, and it paves the way for others to come to faith also. Maybe you’ve never trusted God’s plan or are in a place where His timing doesn’t make sense to yo...

Baptism is the public symbol that you are believing in Jesus, receiving His saving work as your own, and publicly declaring to others that you are His follower. As we look at scripture today, Pastor Matt shows us a few misconceptions about baptism, and why it’s a crucial part of faith in Jesus. Maybe you want to be saved today and follow Jesus. Maybe you have been saved, and you want to continue i...

You might wonder why Christians talk so much about “the resurrection”. It might be confusing to understand the significance of Jesus’ death on our lives today. Why should we have hope today? If you’ve thought these things before, then you are in good company. Pastor Matt shows us the significance of the resurrection and what it can mean to you personally. What we want is for you to understand that...

DNOW was a powerful experience for our Radiate Students, and we get to hear from guest speaker Chris who led them over the weekend in bible studies. He talks to us about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and charges us to take our walk and relationship with Him deeper. We want to show and receive God’s love to those around us, and we live that out practically everyday. We strive to bring ho...

It’s a time for reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice and the implications of our redemption in view of history. Are you forgiven of your sins? Do you know that Jesus is Lord of your life? If you aren’t sure, then take the next step and reach out. We would love to help you explore a relationship with a heavenly father who has the power to forgive you and save you from eternal judgement. Burnthickory.com/...

Is there anything that would keep you from giving your heart to Jesus right now? Do you want to know more about what it means to have faith and be saved? Then take the next step with us and ask any question you’d like – burnthickory.com/next