The Weekly Word from Burns

Is Your Love Loud or Quiet? You know the big, flashy stuff: speaking in tongues, moving mountains, making grand gestures. The Apostle Paul said those acts mean absolutely nothing without love. But if love is the most important thing, how can you truly tell if you have it? This week, we dive into the difference between love as a feeling and love as an action. Using the framework of the 5 Love Langu...

Do you struggle to pray consistently? Do you wonder if your prayers are truly powerful? We often think of prayer as a lever—something we have to push hard enough, long enough, or just right to get God to act. But what if we're focusing on the wrong thing? In this powerful episode, we use the simple machine of the lever and fulcrum to explore a completely fresh perspective on prayer, straight from...

Do you ever feel like your words don't matter? Think again. In this episode, we're diving into one of the most daunting leadership jobs in history—leading the cranky, rebellious Israelites—and the powerful three-word strategy God gave Moses to prepare his successor, Joshua: Charge, Encourage, and Strengthen. We often dismiss talk as cheap, but what if your voice has the power to create? We'll brea...

"He didn't leave home intending to slay a giant. He just showed up for his brothers, and God took care of the rest." What if the most impactful step you could take in life was also the simplest? Join us this week as we dive into a message inspired by the unforgettable faithfulness of Jim and Louise Dormer and the stories of David, Mary, and Zaccheus. It's a journey from the quiet presence at a fun...

Do you ever feel awkward talking about faith? We all know faithfulness matters, but what about the little things? This week, we tackle one specific, powerful action: Inviting Boldly. You might think people don't want to come to church—but the research says you're wrong. In fact, most unchurched people would visit if a friend simply asked. Yet, most of us never ask! Stop gatekeeping Jesus's love. L...

When God Stops Time (Joshua 9 & 10) Can your God stop a raging river? Yes. Can he collapse a fortified city? Yes. Can he stop the sun and moon? This week, we confront the most mind-bending miracle in the book of Joshua: the day God literally extended time to ensure Israel's victory. While the enemy kings believed in God's power from a distance, the Israelites themselves struggled to grasp the...

The Fatal Flaw (Joshua 7) How did the army that just toppled the mighty city of Jericho get routed by a tiny, forgotten town? This week, we confront the stunning defeat at Ai. It wasn't about superior strategy or bigger numbers—it was about a single, hidden sin that had a catastrophic impact on the entire nation. Dive into this crucial sermon as we explore the deadly concept of "breaking faith." D...

The Step After the Step (Joshua 4 & 5) You took the step of faith, the miracle happened, and you saw God move... Now what? We all experience "mountaintop moments" with God, only to quickly descend back into forgetfulness and fear. This week, as Israel stands triumphant on the other side of the Jordan, we look past the miracle itself to discover the vital, often-missed second step: Celebration....

How do you conquer an intimidating, giant-patrolled Promised Land? You start by walking straight into a raging, flooded river. In this powerful message, we dive into the incredible story of Israel crossing the Jordan—a journey that required them to take a physical step into the water before the miracle happened. If you're waiting to "see before you believe," this sermon is for you. Learn why God o...

Before the Promise, there was the preparation. Moses is gone, the wilderness wandering is over, and an entire generation stands on the edge of the Promised Land. The baton is passed to Joshua, but how did this "assistant" get ready for the biggest leadership role of his life? Dive into the first sermon of our "Stepping into Promise" series as we explore the surprising power of preparation and the...

What Do Jars, a Rock, and a Trumpet Have in Common?   If you were facing an army, a giant, or a walled city, what weapons would you choose? A missile? A tank? A machine gun? In this message, we dive into five crazy Biblical battles where God's people faced impossible odds armed with the most ridiculous weapons: jars, a rock, a farmer’s oxgoad, and even a pitch pipe! Stop believing the lie that you...

The Aroma of Life 🌸👃   We've walked through Holy Week, experiencing the sorrow, service, and sacrifice. Today, we stand at the empty tomb! Did you know the Bible is a smelly book? From the pleasing aroma of Noah's sacrifice to the holy incense God prescribed, smell is deeply connected to memory and emotion. But what does the Cross smell like? It should smell like blood, sweat, and death. But bec...

It’s Good Friday—the pivotal moment of Holy Week. Today, we pause for a reflective "Sermon in Song" to sit with Jesus in His darkest hours. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was "sorrowful and troubled, even to death." His friends slept, and He begged His Father: "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." 👉 If you have ever been failed by a friend, begged God for another way, or felt such d...

Today, we pause on Maundy Thursday to reflect on Jesus' most radical act of service: washing the feet of His disciples (John 13). We often admire the symbol of foot washing, but Jesus' command was clear: "I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." We're called to do the reality, not just admire the symbol! From a 3 AM feeding to picking up trash that isn't yo...

A Year’s Wages Wasted? Love vs. Logic at the Dinner Table. It’s Holy Week Wednesday, and Jesus is at a dinner party in Bethany—a room packed with people who have literally been brought back from the brink of death: Simon the former leper, and Lazarus the man raised from the dead. Amid this atmosphere of life-changing gratitude, Mary pours out a flask of extremely expensive ointment on Jesus' feet....

Can You Stay Awake Forever? (Hint: No.) It's Holy Week Tuesday—the last day Jesus walked the earth before the events of the Passion began. Today, we slow down and listen to the longest, most challenging sermon Jesus ever preached: the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). The disciples were worried about a coming disaster, and Jesus' answer was simple: "Be Ready." But how do you prepare for the end of...

Have you heard the story of the Cleansing of the Temple? What was going on when Jesus made the whip and turned over the tables? How do we need to make room in our hearts for his message.

Spring cleaning for the soul starts NOW! 🌱 Today, we kick off our Holy Week series by transporting back to Palm Sunday. Forget what you expect from a king—Jesus rides in on a colt, not a war horse, and instead of calling for battle, He weeps. Why? Because He's the weirdest... and best... King the world has ever known. Join us for this first message as we challenge ourselves to stop being lukewarm...

Do you ever feel "malformed" by life? 🤔 The Bible is full of stories about people who let pride, comfort, or control warp their faith. We're diving into the powerful stories of Ananias & Sapphira, Peter, and Simon the Magician to see how spiritual malformation happens. But here's the good news: It doesn't have to be permanent. Listen and find out why your story is not over, because God is alw...

The term "Spiritual Formation" gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Simply put, it's submitting to the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus. In this message, we explore why this process is the church's ultimate mission. We look at key passages like 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 4:11, and Romans 12:2 to understand the stark choice before every person: you are either being transformed...

Take a listen to the stories of a few men at Burns and how God has worked to form them. What do you notice they have in common?

Ever heard the phrase "faith like a mustard seed?" Of course you have. It's one of Christianity's most ubiquitous, and often misunderstood, sayings. In this powerful message, we dive deep into the Bible to look at Two Tales of the Mustard Seed. You might be surprised to learn that Jesus uses this image in two very different contexts, leading to two distinct—yet absolutely essential—lessons for you...

What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus? Most people have it wrong. Following Jesus is more than going to church, trying to be good, or having a vague sense of "spirituality." We get honest about the three biggest challenges every single Christian faces: We can’t see Him, we constantly get distracted, and let's face it—Jesus was perfect, and we are not. If you struggle to keep up, you're in great...

Is the story of the widow's two coins a feel-good story, or a scathing critique? Most of us miss the crucial context. Just moments before watching the widow, Jesus condemns the religious leaders for "devouring widow's houses." In this episode, we explore how this story is a living example of that condemnation. It's the launchpad for a deep look at "human math" vs. "God's math"—the world's way of a...

New Year, New Focus: The 2025 Theme Is Here! Sermons can be terrible in all sorts of predictable ways—and the annual look-back/look-ahead message is often the worst offender! In this message, Matthew not only revisits 10 years of past themes (from "Simply Christian" to "Perspective"), but also casts a clear vision for where God is leading us next. Join us as we celebrate the amazing faithfulness o...