The Tree Church Sermon Podcast

In this sermon from our Following Jesus series, we explore one of the most foundational questions in all of Christianity: “Who do you say Jesus is?” Through Matthew 16, we unpack Peter’s bold confession and Jesus’ call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This message highlights the personal and transformational implications of recognizing Jesus as both Lord and Savior. With real-...

In this powerful message, Pastor Matthew Johnson challenges us to reflect on how we truly view the authority of God’s Word in our lives. Are Scripture and God’s commands rules to obey or merely suggestions to consider? Using the story of the Pharisees and scribes from Matthew 15, Pastor Matthew exposes the danger of letting man-made traditions and personal desires override the clear teachings of S...

In this powerful exploration of the Kingdom of God, we're challenged to consider the true value of our faith. Through Jesus' parables of the mustard seed and leaven in Matthew 13, we see how something small can grow into something magnificent when empowered by God. 

The sermon explored Jesus' response to those demanding a sign, emphasizing the importance of having an open heart towards God. We delved into the contrast between the hardened hearts of the Pharisees and the receptive attitudes of unlikely believers like the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba. Most importantly, we discussed Jesus' ultimate sign - His resurrection - and its profound implications for...

In this powerful exploration of Matthew 13, we delve into the Parable of the Sower and its profound implications for our spiritual lives. Jesus uses this story to illustrate how differently people receive and respond to God's truth. The four types of soil represent various states of our hearts: the hard path, rocky ground, thorny soil, and good soil. This parable challenges us to examine the condi...

What if the words you speak and the way you act, especially when life gets hard, are actually the clearest indicators of your heart’s condition? In this message, Pastor Matthew Johnson unpacks Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12, where He says, “A tree is known by its fruit.” This isn’t just a metaphor, it’s a direct challenge to evaluate your life through your choices, reactions, and relationships. If...

In this powerful message, we explore the sobering reality of spiritual complacency and the dangers of gradual disobedience. The core of the teaching revolves around Matthew 12, where Jesus confronts the Pharisees who accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. This extreme accusation serves as a stark warning for us all - how can those who once followed God end up so far from Him? We'r...

In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves exhausted and running on empty. But what if there's a divine gift we've been overlooking? This message delves into the concept of Sabbath, not as a restrictive rule, but as God's loving provision for our well-being. Drawing from Genesis 2 and the Ten Commandments, we're reminded that God himself modeled rest, making it a sacred part of creation. The...

In this powerful message, we explore the profound invitation Jesus extends to all who are weary and burdened. Focusing on Matthew 11:28-30, we delve into the concept of Jesus' yoke being easy and his burden light. This teaching challenges us to consider the unnecessary yokes we carry - whether from the world, religion, or our own lives. We're reminded that some burdens we simply can't bear, like t...

In this powerful exploration of faith, we delve into the story of John the Baptist, a man of unwavering conviction who faced a crisis of faith. The central message revolves around dealing with unmet expectations in our spiritual journey. We're reminded that even the greatest prophets had moments of doubt, as John questioned Jesus from prison, asking, 'Are you the one who is to come?' This narrativ...

In this powerful exploration of God's love, we delve into the heart of Luke 15, focusing on the parable of the Prodigal Son. This timeless story reveals the depths of God's compassion and His relentless pursuit of the lost. We're challenged to reconsider our understanding of God's nature, seeing Him not as a distant judge, but as a loving Father who eagerly awaits our return.

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine our trust in God through the lens of financial giving. The core of this teaching revolves around the biblical story of the Israelites facing Jericho in the book of Joshua. This narrative serves as a profound metaphor for our own faith journey. Just as God led the Israelites to an seemingly impossible situation, He often calls us to steps of fai...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to confront the pervasive issue of covetousness in our lives. The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 serves as a stark reminder that our worth isn't measured by our possessions, but by our relationship with God. We're urged to examine our hearts: are we building bigger barns for ourselves, or investing in God's kingdom? This teaching invites us to shift...

In this powerful exploration of faith and obedience, we delve into the transformative story of Moses from Exodus. The central message reminds us that God invites us to experience 'mountaintop moments' - pivotal encounters with His presence that shape our spiritual journey. These moments, both literal and figurative, prepare us for the challenges ahead and strengthen our faith. The key lesson is th...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine our faith through the lens of God's calling and purpose. The central theme revolves around the disciples' journey, from being called away from their fishing boats to being sent out into the world. This progression beautifully illustrates how God prepares us for His greater plan, even when we can't see the full picture. The story of Peter, Andre...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to consider the true nature of following Jesus - is it safe or risky? The answer, we learn, is both. Drawing from Matthew 10, we explore Jesus' instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to spread the Gospel. This passage reveals four profound truths about why Jesus puts us in risky positions: to advance His kingdom against the world's, to grow Hi...

In this powerful exploration of God's view on women in leadership, we're challenged to reconsider long-held beliefs through a fresh examination of Scripture. The message takes us on a journey from Creation to the early Church, highlighting how God has consistently empowered women for leadership roles.

In this powerful message, we're challenged to reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus and share His love with the world. Drawing from Matthew 9:35-38, we see Jesus' compassionate response to the crowds - harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This imagery invites us to view others through Christ's eyes of love and compassion, regardless of their background or beliefs. The key...

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound truth that God desires a deep, personal relationship with each of us. The central theme revolves around God's covenant promise, beautifully illustrated in Exodus 6: 'I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.' This promise, echoed throughout Scripture, reveals God's unwavering commitment to care for us, listen to our nee...

Have you ever felt unworthy or disqualified from God's love? This powerful message reminds us that Jesus came not for the righteous, but for sinners. Through the story of Matthew's calling in Matthew 9, we see how Jesus redeems our past, empowers our present, and promises our future. The truth is, our past is not greater than the cross if we surrender it to Jesus. He doesn't just forgive us; He em...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine our relationship with money and its impact on our spiritual lives. The central theme revolves around Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6, where He warns that we cannot serve both God and money. We're asked to consider: if Jesus Himself were speaking to us, would we believe Him enough to change our behavior? This question strikes at the heart of what t...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine the habits that can truly transform our lives. The central focus is on Philippians 3, where Paul's journey from persecutor to apostle illustrates a profound spiritual truth: we must release our past to pursue God's ultimate prize. This isn't about simply forgetting our history, but rather reframing it through the lens of Christ's redemptive wor...

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine our priorities and how we define success in light of God's Word. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 serves as a pivotal example, reminding us that sitting at Jesus' feet - prioritizing our relationship with Him - is the 'one thing necessary.' We're encouraged to reflect on how our culture's obsession with busyness and consumption often lea...

In our journey of faith, we often underestimate the profound impact our relationships have on our spiritual growth. This message delves into the timeless wisdom of Proverbs, reminding us that 'whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm' (Proverbs 13:20). It's a powerful call to evaluate our closest relationships and their influence on our faith. Are we su...