Journey Church Amarillo

True satisfaction comes from doing God's will, not pursuing temporary pleasures. Through Jesus' example of healing on the Sabbath and calling disciples to be with Him first, we see that God's primary desire is relationship before service. While some people resist God's will - even Jesus' family thought He was crazy - those who obey discover they become part of God's family. Walking in God's will p...

Jesus revolutionized religious expectations by demonstrating His authority to forgive sins when He healed a paralyzed man, telling him his sins were forgiven before addressing his physical condition. He then called Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him and shared meals with sinners, shocking the religious leaders. Jesus explained that He came for the spiritually sick, not the self-righteou...

The Gospel of Mark opens with a revolutionary declaration that the kingdom of God has finally arrived through Jesus Christ. When Jesus called His first disciples with the simple command Follow me, this wasn't a casual invitation but kingdom language from a King to His subjects. The disciples didn't fully understand who Jesus was when they first followed Him, yet they chose obedience before underst...

Friendship is one of life's greatest gifts, but choosing the right friends is crucial for your future. Not all friends deserve the same level of access to your heart and life. There are different levels of friendship, from surface-level connections to soul-level intimacy, and understanding these distinctions can save you significant heartache. The people you surround yourself with will shape who y...

Marriage is God's sacred design where two people become one flesh, creating a covenant relationship that reflects His love for His people. True intimacy in marriage is built through three key elements: investing time to deeply know each other, maintaining sexual faithfulness within the marriage covenant, and sharing life's struggles together through vulnerability. This oneness means spouses can no...

Life constantly presents us with choices between two opposing kingdoms: the earthly kingdom focused on immediate gratification and self-interest, and God's eternal kingdom centered on future hope and caring for others. The earthly kingdom operates on flexible rules and temporary pleasures, while God's kingdom stands on unchanging principles and lasting values. When we align with God's kingdom, our...

Pastor Mike Farley examines James 4:1-10, addressing why James uses harsh language like calling his audience 'adulterous people.' He explains that James is condemning religion that operates as if God is optional while showing how to live rightly with God. The sermon focuses on the choice between pride (doing life on our own) and humility (admitting we need Jesus). When we humble ourselves before G...

Words possess incredible power to either build up or tear down the people around us. James teaches that controlling our speech represents the highest level of maturity we can achieve. Three key dynamics determine how our words impact others: not all words carry equal weight, the source of words matters significantly, and our intent is often irrelevant to the damage caused. When we hurt someone wit...

Many people believe the right things but struggle to see real change in their lives. The problem isn't lack of knowledge but the gap between belief and action. James challenges us to understand that genuine faith naturally produces good works, not as a requirement for salvation but as evidence of transformation. There's a difference between divine faith that changes lives and demonic faith that me...

James Chapter 1 presents four powerful combinations that transform passive faith into active discipleship. First, trials produce endurance which leads to spiritual maturity, teaching us to find joy in difficulties rather than avoiding them. Second, asking God for wisdom in faith brings clarity, while doubting creates instability and double-mindedness. Third, understanding that desire leads to sin...

Being a shepherd, or pastor, is far more than a job title—it's a divine calling that compels someone to care for God's people. This calling requires genuine character traits including being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, and able to manage one's own household well. The work involves protecting the flock from spiritual dangers, providing spiritual nourishment through Scripture, and ma...

In a world of chaos and uncertainty, lasting peace can only be found in Jesus Christ, who is THE Prince of Peace. Unlike temporary sources of comfort that fade away, Jesus offers eternal peace that doesn't depend on our circumstances. This biblical peace serves as an anchor during life's storms and can coexist with sorrow and difficulty. True peace comes through a personal relationship with Jesus,...

Biblical prophecies surrounding Jesus' birth reveal God's perfect timing and unwavering faithfulness. From the first promise in Genesis to Isaiah's virgin birth prophecy, God demonstrates He is never caught off guard or distracted. The virgin birth shows God can work outside natural limitations, while Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem proves God uses small and insignificant things for extraordinary...

The title "Eternal Father" given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 doesn't contradict the Trinity but reveals His role as the founder and eternal ruler of God's kingdom. Just as ancient kings were called "fathers" to their people as protectors and providers, Jesus serves as the eternal King whose government rests entirely on His shoulders. While everyone is under His universal rule, citizenship in His kingdo...

Jesus as the Mighty God reveals His power through both meekness and glory. His first coming demonstrated strength through voluntary weakness - choosing to become a helpless baby, learning and growing as a human, and appearing ordinary despite His divine nature. This incarnation wasn't weakness but the ultimate display of confidence in His mission. His second coming will reveal His full glory and p...

Jesus is far more than just a good moral teacher - He is our Wonderful Counselor as prophesied in Isaiah 9:6. While many reduce Jesus to a moral instructor, this severely limits His true identity and purpose. We already have moral teaching through the Law, but what we need is someone who can make us right with God. Jesus uniquely serves as the perfect mediator between God and humanity because He p...

Pastor Mike and the team share about the Africa 2025 trip. 

This sermon explores the story of Joseph from Genesis 37, focusing on the destructive power of favoritism and jealousy within families. Joseph was his father Jacob's favorite son, receiving a special ornate robe that symbolized this favoritism. This preferential treatment bred hatred and jealousy among his brothers, who eventually sold him into slavery. The pastor emphasizes that all families are...

Life's challenges aren't always what they seem - some may be spiritual warfare while others are natural consequences of our choices. The key is discerning whether situations move us toward Jesus or away from Him. Christians must daily put on the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6, including truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God's Word. This isn't about fighting for victory...

In our busy, distraction-filled world, it's easy to push God down our priority list. When we make good things like family, career, or hobbies into ultimate things, they become idols that leave us constantly striving but never satisfied. The prophet Haggai warned about this pattern - working hard but never getting ahead, accumulating more but never feeling fulfilled. To put God back in His rightful...

Church hurt is one of the most painful experiences believers face, occurring when religious communities become sources of wounds rather than healing. While church leaders and members are flawed humans who will inevitably disappoint us, it's crucial to separate their failures from God's unchanging character. Healing requires honestly acknowledging our pain, practicing discernment with grace, and fo...

Have you ever found yourself saying, "I'm good like I am" when someone invites you to church or suggests getting more involved in a faith community? This seemingly innocent phrase might actually be preventing you from experiencing the fullness of what God has planned for your life.

In times when God seems silent to our prayers, we often feel disappointed and confused. The story of Elijah teaches us that God often speaks not in dramatic displays of power, but in a gentle whisper that requires closeness and intimacy. Faith isn't about having all the answers or certainty; it's about wrestling with doubt while continuing to trust. When facing disappointment with God, we should a...

Baptism is a profound act of faith that represents a transformation in a believer's life. It serves as a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, an act of obedience to His commands, and connects us spiritually to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Additionally, baptism functions as a spiritual marker that believers can look back on during times of doubt or temptation. Just as Jesus Hims...

The Great Commission calls us to reach the 3.1 billion people worldwide who have never heard of Jesus. This mission begins in our daily lives, not just in foreign lands. Most unreached people live in the 10/40 Window spanning North Africa through Asia, where entire villages have no gospel witness. Through simple acts like offering prayer, we can open doors to share Christ's love. As we deepen our...