Radiant Church Visalia

Scripture References: Matthew 16:24-27; John 15:5-11; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:35-39 Intro: Good morning. Life often feels like our plans get constantly disrupted ("Stop messing with my stuff!"). Whether it's travel plans derailed or daily frustrations, we crave control and certainty, especially in the last couple of years. We say we want Jesus and His Kingdom, but often default t...

Scripture References: Matthew 12:15-21; Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 53; Revelation 11:17-18 Intro: (Includes brief intro from missionary Jeff Dixon). Welcome to this sermon focusing on Matthew 12:15-21. After Jesus faces opposition, He withdraws and commands silence—puzzling actions for a Messiah. Matthew inserts a long quote from Isaiah 42 to explain the unexpected nature of Jesus' ministry. Key P...

Scripture References: Matthew 12:1-14; Genesis 2:1-3; Hosea 6:6; Mark 2:27 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-14. While acknowledging Father's Day, we focus today on the precious gift of time and how Jesus reframes the Sabbath—not as a burden, but as God's profound gift of mercy and rest for His people. Key Points: Sabbath: God&apo...

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30 Intro: Good morning! Today we explore Jesus' profound invitation in Matthew 11. Facing rejection and weariness after intense ministry, Jesus turns to the Father. He thanks God for revealing truth not to the "wise," but to the childlike. This sets the stage for one of scripture's most comforting invitations: come to Him for rest. We'll see how Je...

Scripture References: Matthew 11:1-24; Isaiah 29, 35, 61; Malachi 4:5 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Matthew 11:1-24. Even John the Baptist, Jesus' own cousin and forerunner, faced doubts when Jesus' ministry didn't align with his expectations. This passage offers profound insight into navigating our own doubts and trusting God's plan. Key Points: John's Doubt fro...

Scripture References: Matthew 10:34-42; Micah 7:6-12; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:19-21 Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: The Cost & Reward of Following Jesus) Context: This sermon combines insights from two messages by Gap Year students (Jack and Ethan) on Matthew 10:34-42. Theme: Exploring Jesus' challenging call to radical loyalty, which involves embracing apparent defeat (the cros...

Scripture References: Matthew 10:34-39; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:41-52 Intro: Welcome to this sermon featuring Gap Year students Jonathan and Sabrina, exploring Jesus' challenging words in Matthew 10:34-39. Though known as the Prince of Peace, Jesus states He brings a "sword," signaling the division that inevitably arises when allegiance to Him confronts other loyalties. Key Points: Peace...

Scripture References: Matthew 10:5-31; Psalm 34; 1 Samuel 21 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Jesus' intense "halftime speech" in Matthew 10, where He sends His disciples into ministry. He commissions them with great power but also warns of severe persecution, giving the seemingly paradoxical command to both "fear not" and "fear Him." Key Points: The Missi...

Scripture References: Matthew 9:18-26 Intro: Good morning! In this sermon, we revisit Matthew 9, focusing on the intertwined stories of Jairus' daughter and the woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years. While part of a series demonstrating Jesus' kingdom authority, why did Matthew specifically choose these miracles? We explore how they reveal Jesus' heart, especially for women, on...

radiantvisalia.com Easter: Jesus & Lazarus (John 11:1-53) Scripture References: John 14:2-3, Ephesians 2:19-22, Acts 2:1-4, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13, Revelation 7:9-10 Intro: Acknowledgment of the joy of gathering as the church. Emphasis on the global and historical nature of the church. The church is more than just a local community. Key Points: Jesus's Promis...

Scripture References: Matthew 9:27-38; Matthew 21:12-14; Isaiah 35:5-6 Intro: Welcome to this sermon focusing on Matthew 9:27-38. Though it's Palm Sunday, we examine this passage highlighting Jesus' profound compassion—a quality vividly seen even amidst His righteous anger during the Temple Cleansing (Matt 21), where He immediately turned to heal the blind and lame. Key Points: Persisten...

Scripture References: Matthew 9:1-8 (Main) Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 21:23; John 9:1-3 Intro: Today's sermon from Matthew 9:1-8 centers on the theme of authority . Matthew consistently shows Jesus operating with unique authority – in teaching, over nature, demons, and sickness. Here, Jesus exercises the ultimate authority, one belonging to God alone: the authority to forgive sins. Key Points: The...

Scripture References: Matthew 9:9-17; Hosea 6:6; John 3:28-30; Psalm 63 Intro: Welcome to this sermon based on Matthew 9:9-17. We begin by looking at Jesus' analogies at the end of this passage: new patches tear old garments, and new wine bursts old wineskins. These images teach that the old ways of religious tradition couldn't contain the vibrant new reality of the Gospel Jesus brought....

Scripture References: Matthew 8:18-34; Mark 5:1-20; Ephesians 6:12; John 10:10 Intro: Welcome to this sermon by guest speaker Brian Mowry, focusing on Matthew 8:18-34. This passage reveals the reality of spiritual warfare – the unseen battle we face as followers of Christ. The enemy actively works to prevent us from reaching the "other side" and possessing the territory God intends for o...

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17 Intro: Following His authoritative Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comes down and begins to demonstrate the kingdom's power. This passage shows His authority in action, particularly over sickness and disease. As a church that believes in the ongoing power of the Spirit, we explore these encounters to understand Jesus' authority, His heart, and how we access His heali...

Travis Aicklen gets the amazing opportunity to interview the infinitely interesting and inspirational Mike Pilavachi, evangelist, author, and co-founder of Soul Survivor based in Watford, UK Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Acts of the Apostles, 2 Kings, Matthew 7. Intro: Introduction of Mike Pilavachi, leader of Soul Survivor Church and Soul Survivor Festival. Emph...

Scripture References: Matthew 7:21-29 (Main Text) Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 19:27-30; Jeremiah 9:23-24 Intro: (Podcast Sermon Title Suggestion: Solid Ground: Hearing AND Doing Jesus' Words) Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount series. Jesus ends His teaching not with easy comfort, but with a stark, authoritative warning. Theme: The critical difference between merely...

Scripture References: Matthew 7:13-20 (Main) Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 16 Intro: As we near the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-20), Jesus' words shift from tenderness to unqualified toughness. He presents stark choices: two roads, two kinds of prophets. This sermon explores the necessity of choosing the narrow, hard way that leads to life, while recognizing and rejecting the f...

Scripture References: Matthew 7:7-12; James 4:2-3; Isaiah 65:1; Mark 14:32-42 Intro: Welcome to this sermon. We explore the simple yet complex command from Jesus: "Ask." Using personal stories—one of an unexpectedly answered prayer for a guitar, another of a painfully unanswered prayer for a friend's healing—we confront the tension many feel. Why do some prayers seem answered while...

Scripture References: Matthew 7:1-6 (Main Text) John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1; John 8:2-11 Intro:   Focusing on the well-known but often misused passage, Matthew 7:1-6 ("Judge not..."). Acknowledging the cultural paradox: We live in an intensely judgmental society that simultaneously condemns judging. Goal: To bring biblical clarity, distinguishing betwee...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 1:3-6; Romans 8:32 Intro: (Includes greeting from missionary Jeff Dixon). Welcome to this sermon focusing on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 about anxiety. Speaker Tiffany Eklund shares her personal journey with worry and invites us to contend for the freedom Jesus offers from anxiety over daily needs. Key Points: The Command & Kingdom...

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Main) Matthew 6:19-21, 24 Intro: Following up on Jesus' teachings about treasure in Matthew 6, this sermon explores Paul's related instructions in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Discussions about money are ultimately about our heart's deepest affections, allegiances, and treasures. The world shouts that wealth is the goal, but like yelling "Wrong Wa...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:19-24; Matthew 19:16-22; Acts 2:42 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Jesus' challenging words in Matthew 6:19-24. As with other topics in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus goes beyond surface actions regarding money, revealing how it connects deeply to our heart's treasures, focus, and ultimate allegiance. Key Points: Treasure: Storing on Earth vs. Heav...

Scripture References: Matthew 6:1-18; Hebrews 11:6 Intro: Welcome to this sermon exploring Matthew 6:1-18. After calling us to a righteousness exceeding mere rule-following (Matt 5), Jesus now addresses how we practice key spiritual disciplines—giving, praying, and fasting. He warns against performing these acts for human applause, urging us instead towards secret devotion aimed at God's appr...

Scripture References: Matthew 5:43-48 (Main) Leviticus 19:17-18, 33; Ephesians 5:1; Acts 7 Intro: Welcome to today's sermon on one of Jesus' most radical teachings from Matthew 5: Love your enemies and be perfect as your Father is perfect. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us a whole new way to be human, like learning to drive on the opposite side of the road. It feels unnatural,...