Burnt Hickory | Sermons

Great God, Glad People, Global Purpose | Summer of Psalms In this episode, we explore Psalm 67 and what it means to receive God's blessing with purpose. You'll learn how worship connects to missions, why global outreach matters, and how to begin each day with a simple prayer that aligns your heart with God's mission. Whether you're new to faith or seeking deeper purpose, this message will inspire...

Courage that Endures | Summer of Psalms This message explores Psalm 46 as a blueprint for enduring courage. We’re reminded that our strength doesn’t come from circumstances—it comes from the God who is unshakable. Whether you're in a season of chaos or calm, this sermon points you to the source of true peace and resilience: God’s faithful presence. You'll hear how: God’s presence is what makes us...

Life Lessons from Hitting Rock Bottom | Summer of Psalms This message from Psalm 51 takes us through David’s rock bottom moment and shows how God responds to confession, honesty, and a heart ready for change. We explore five lessons from David’s life that point us toward hope, healing, and renewed purpose. If you’ve ever wondered whether God still wants to use you after failure, the answer is yes....

Hope Reminders | Summer of Psalms This sermon from Psalm 121 invites us to shift our gaze from the chaos of the world to the presence of God. He’s not distant or detached. He lifts us up, protects us, and walks with us, now and forever. Key Insights: Hope begins when we stop looking around for help and start looking up to God. God is not distant—He is present, active, and personal through every st...

The Blessing Process | Summer of Psalms In this message from Psalm 128, we’re reminded that God wants to bless us—but His blessings are tied to a life aligned with Him. From personal peace to family flourishing to community impact, this sermon explores how walking in God’s ways creates ripple effects far beyond our own lives. Key Insights: God’s blessings are rooted in both reverence and action. F...

There is Joy in the SECOND CHANCES | Summer of Psalms Psalm 32 shows us that the path to joy isn’t found in perfection but in confession. Through David’s story, we learn how guilt can be a gift, honesty leads to healing, and grace is always available. Key Insights Guilt can be a gift when it leads us back to the heart of God. Joy returns when we stop covering sin and start confessing it honestly....

Can I Really Be Happy | Summer of Psalms This message from Psalm 1 explores what it means to live a truly blessed and joyful life. We’re reminded that happiness isn’t something we chase—it’s something we grow when we’re rooted in truth. Learn how meditating on God's Word and anchoring your life in His presence creates a foundation for joy in every season. Key Insights: Happiness isn’t circumstanti...

Peace in the Pieces: Finding True Peace in Every Area of Our Lives In this sermon, we look at the story of Peter walking on water and what it teaches us about anxiety, surrender, and spiritual peace. Even in the chaos of the storm, Jesus invites us to trust Him. Walk away with a better understanding of: Obedience doesn’t exempt us from storms—sometimes it leads us straight into them. Peace isn’t f...

Breakfast on the Beach ...Oh Peter | Restored & Sent This week’s sermon closes out our journey through the Gospel of John with a look at one of the most meaningful conversations in the New Testament. After publicly denying Jesus three times, Peter is met not with condemnation, but restoration. Jesus meets him on the shore, invites him into honest reflection, and reaffirms his calling. Key Insi...

Breakfast on the Beach: Finding Our Way Back | Restored and Sent In this message from John 21, we witness Jesus appear to His disciples on the shores of Galilee after His resurrection. Rather than rebuking them for going back to fishing, He prepares them breakfast—a powerful invitation to return, be restored, and walk forward in faith. This sermon explores how spiritual failure often pushes us bac...

Don't Let Doubt Define or Defeat You | Restored & Sent Have you ever felt like your questions and doubts disqualify you from faith? You're not alone. The reality is that doubt is something virtually all Christians experience at some point in their faith journey. We’ll challenge the one-dimensional view of "Doubting Thomas" by revealing six dimensions of his faith journey that are often overloo...

Jesus Changes Everything | Restored & Sent After the resurrection, Jesus didn’t wait for the disciples to figure things out — He met them in the middle of their fear, behind locked doors, and changed everything. In John 20:19–23, we see the risen Jesus offer four things we all desperately need: His presence, His peace, His power, and His purpose. Because of His victory over the grave, we don’t...

The Cross & Resurrection Change Everything | Easter at Burnt Hickory What if the final words of Jesus on the cross—"It is finished"—hold the key to your freedom today? This Easter message explores how these three words changed everything, not just for those who witnessed the crucifixion, but for everyone seeking hope, healing, and transformation in their lives now. Key Insights: The Meaning of...

Held in the Gardener's Hands | Power and Promise | John 15:1-8 Walking through the rich Holy Land context of John 15, this message unpacks Jesus' intimate teaching to His disciples after the Last Supper as they crossed the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives. Using the familiar metaphor of vineyards, Jesus reveals Himself as the true vine and God as the gardener who tends to believers in two...

"The Way, The Truth, and The Life" – Power and Promise In this message, Pastor Matt explores Jesus' declaration in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Set during Jesus' final moments with His disciples before His crucifixion, this sermon reveals how Jesus used Jewish wedding customs to illustrate His relationship with believers. Just...

"The Resurrection and Life" | Power and Promise In this message, we explore one of Jesus' most profound "I AM" statements through the dramatic story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. When Mary and Martha sent word that "the one you love is sick," Jesus made a surprising decision - He stayed where He was for two more days. This intentional delay reveals an important truth: God's timing, though...

"The Good Shepherd" - Power and Promise Series Journey into John 10 as we explore Jesus's powerful declaration "I AM the Good Shepherd." This message reveals three transformative truths about our relationship with the ultimate Shepherd: • He Dies for His Sheep - Jesus didn't just give up a temporary existence; He laid down His entire being (suah) - every emotion, every part of His soul, His comple...

"The Door" - Power and Promise Series Journey into the rich world of first-century shepherding to understand one of Jesus's most profound "I AM" statements. Through two distinct types of sheepfolds—city and country—discover how Jesus reveals His role as both our salvation and protection. Key Insights: • The City Sheepfold: Where true sheep recognize their shepherd's voice • The Country Sheepfold:...

"I AM the Light of the World" - Power and Promise Series Journey into the rich symbolism of the Festival of Tabernacles, where Jesus makes His bold declaration in the temple courts. Against the backdrop of 75-foot-tall candelabras and nights of celebration, discover how this powerful statement connects to Israel's history and God's presence in the wilderness. Key Insights: • The historical signifi...

“Bread of Life” – Power and Promise Series What happens when Jesus encounters physical hunger to reveal a deeper spiritual truth? Through the powerful story of feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish, discover why material abundance can never satisfy spiritual emptiness. Pastor Matt reveals how this miracle points to Jesus's greater identity as the Bread of Life. Key Insights: • Jesus do...

"No One is Too Far for the Messiah" - Come and See Series Through the remarkable encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, we discover six transformative characteristics of Jesus that shape our understanding of His mission and heart: °Jesus STEPS into places others avoid to reach those who need Him ° He FULLY feels what we feel and understands our struggles ° He purposefully...

"Born Again: A Life Changing Conversation" - Come and See Series Through the powerful nighttime encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus, we explore what it truly means to be "born again" and why religious knowledge alone isn't enough for salvation. This message reveals four critical insights about authentic faith: • Why intellectual understanding and religious status don't equal true salvation • The...

"Life Lessons From Flipping Tables" - Come and See Series What makes Jesus angry? Through the dramatic scene of Jesus clearing the temple courts, we uncover powerful truths about authentic worship and our relationship with God. This message from John 2:13-22 reveals four critical lessons: • Why nothing enrages Jesus more than irreverent, hypocritical worship • How Jesus responds when barriers stan...

"Jesus, the Ultimate Wedding Guest" - Come and See Series Join us as we explore Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding of Cana (John 2:1-11). This message reveals how Jesus transforms not just water into wine, but ordinary lives into extraordinary stories of God's abundance. Key Takeaways: • Jesus wants to be invited into every aspect of our lives • True discipleship means doing whatever Jesus tells...

"What's It Going to Take for You to Fully Follow Jesus?" In a world where "following" often means nothing more than clicking a button, this message challenges us to understand what true Biblical following means. Through powerful Scripture passages and practical application, we explore three major barriers that keep us from fully following Jesus: • The pursuit of personal gain over divine purpose •...