Sermons by Matt Williams

Biblically Oriented

As a church, we have chosen six Core Values that help us determine the “how” behind our mission to make mature followers of Jesus. One …

Courageously Generous

Courageous generosity requires a heart that is oriented around managing, not owning, the resources God has given us. It is a discipleship issue; it is …

Culturally Engaged

Engaging the culture to share the message of salvation includes both doing good deeds and having a voice—for our church and for us personally. Motivated …

Hearts of Generosity

Where's Your Treasure

Intimacy

Singleness

Redemption

Identity | Matt Williams

Death Swallowed Up

Understanding God’s sovereignty over death means that we can trust him with the difficult questions. The pain of loss is hardly removed, but there is …

Death's Sting: Grief & Mourning

Grief and mourning bring a fresh look at the gospel for us. Walking the line of despair is a journey to know God in a …

Drawing Near: Aging & Suffering

The ideas of aging, suffering, and dying are a work in and of themselves—something that God has called us to embrace. With the decay inherited …

The Cause of Death

Death is a paradox. The way out of death is through death. We cannot be fully redeemed until we pass through the veil of physical …

Developing Responsibility

Establishing Authority

Living in Light of Eternity

Homecoming

Choosing Judgment

Imprint of Eternity

Herod

Eli's Wicked Sons & God's Rebuke

Eli’s sons, priests who have been charged with the responsibility to stand in the gap between people and God, are living dishonorably by abusing their …

Glory Departed

After suffering a great loss in battle, Israel’s army decides to take things into their own hands and put hope in what God provided rather …

The Fierce King

God delivered the king that the Israelites asked for as they neglected the kingship of our Creator and instead demanded the physical comforts of a …

The Faith of Jonathan

Saul and Jonathan are left to fight the incoming army with 600 fragile men, two swords, an armor bearer, and a cursed priest. While Saul …

Saul Rejected, David Anointed

Saul has been rejected as king by God, so God instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint the next king that God has chosen. …

Saul's Jealousy and David's Success

Saul is on the decline, and David is on the rise. While it is obvious that God is with David in whatever he does, Saul …

David Flees from Saul

In 1 Samuel 21, David, who has shown that he is not afraid of those who oppose God, is now fearful and on the run …

David & Abigail

In 1 Samuel 25, we see David in a time of weakness. When he is rejected and demeaned by Nabal, he acts rashly and takes …

The Resurrection: Our Living Hope

The resurrection of Jesus gives us freedom—its victory gives us new life, hope, and an eternal inheritance that reaches far beyond our life here on …

Rahab

This week, we meet Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho who says “yes” to God in an extraordinary way. When Joshua sends spies into Jericho, Rahab …

Naaman

During a tense period of Israel’s history, a powerful pagan commander—Naaman—finds himself in a place of need. Stricken by leprosy, Naaman is led by a …

The God of All Comfort

The leaders of the Corinthian church have rejected Paul in part because of his suffering, believing that God has abandoned him. In order to correct …

Ministers of the New Covenant

As Paul continues the defense of his ministry to the church at Corinth, he explains what it means to be a minister of the New …

Jars of Clay

In this passage, Paul unpacks the counter-intuitive nature of the gospel. Following Jesus does not promise ease and prosperity. Instead, we must be willing to …

A True Minister

Marked by humility, Paul defends the credibility of his ministry and encourages the Corinthians to renounce false teachers who are challenging his leadership and creating …

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

At this point in 2 Corinthians, Paul acknowledges a previous “severe” letter he sent the Corinthian church to correct some sinful patterns. Although this letter …

The God of Provision

As Paul encourages the Corinthians to fulfill their commitment to give to the persecuted believers in Jerusalem, he unpacks the gospel core of generosity. Just …

A Suffering Servant

Paul is deeply concerned that the believers at Corinth are being deceived and taken advantage of by false teachers. As he refutes their arguments, he …

Spiritual Discipline

As Paul explains the redemptive nature of corrective discipline, he urges the believers at Corinth to humble themselves. Sin is powerful, destructive, and has far-reaching …

Joy, Peace, and Maturity

Throughout this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul has exposed and corrected their sin. As he concludes, he exhorts the believers to be joyful, …

Creation

The core of our identity is that we are created by God, in his image, and for his glory. However, our sinful nature—reinforced by our …

Reborn

To be a believer in Christ is to be reborn and recreated by God. This miraculous rebirth not only saves our souls from sin, it …

Sent

In his great kindness, God created and recreated us with a purpose—to be a light that points people towards Christ. As disciple-makers, we must go, …

Strangers

When God recreates us and brings us into his family, we become strangers in our present world. As we live in a culture and space …

Rebels or Rebuilders?

As Nehemiah prepares himself and the people of Jerusalem for the work ahead, he knows they will face conflict. However, they remain dedicated to the …

Facing Opposition

As Nehemiah and his followers continue the work of building the wall around Jerusalem, they encounter harsh and threatening opposition. While they take action to …

Defending the Oppressed

Nehemiah and his followers have weathered outside opposition and worked towards completing the wall. However, they must now deal with division and tension within their …

Creating Division

Now that the wall around Jerusalem is complete, Nehemiah creates a record of who is present and committed to the work at hand. This is …

Corporate Confession

As the Israelites gather to confess both their own sin and that of their ancestors, they model genuine repentance. Through the act of remembering God …

Celebrating What God Has Done

In this passage, the Israelites celebrate the completion of the wall and dedicate it to God through a joyous parade of worship culminating at the …

Son of the Most High: Jesus Rebukes the Legion

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates his power over the spirit world. Ironically, the demons recognize his position and power while those who witness this act …

We Choose Update Year 2

At the beginning of 2019, we introduced our two-year ministry plan, We Choose, across all of our campuses. Using our Core Values as a framework, …

Natural Burial

This passage in 1 Thessalonians captures our hope in the resurrection—because Jesus conquered death, we have faith that those who die in him will be …

God's Covenant Justice

In this passage, Paul reinforces the sinful nature of all humanity. However, he also pivots to the hope we have in Jesus. In his mercy, …

Reconciled by His Death, Saved by His Life

In this passage, Paul unpacks the hope we have in Jesus. While we were his enemies, God made a way for us to be reconciled …

From Death to Life

In this passage, Paul addresses one of the great tensions for the believer. While we are dead to sin’s power and alive in Christ, we …

In Christ: No Condemnation

One of the great themes in Romans is the choice we all must make—will we be controlled by sin or righteousness? In this passage, Paul …

In Christ: United

In this passage, Paul reminds us of the assurance of our salvation and sanctification. No matter the depth of our pain and suffering, we are …

The Mercy of God

The relationship between sovereignty and responsibility often creates tension in our convictions about humanity and fairness. Instead of inviting us to understand, God simply asks …

Gifts and Service

In this passage, Paul urges believers to respond in worship with self-sacrificing obedience to the mercy shown to us through Jesus Christ. Romans 12 calls …

Submission and Love

​​In this passage, Paul encourages believers to live in submission to God by yielding to human authorities, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, and …

A Gospel Ambition

In this passage, Paul reflects on what he has shared with the Roman believers and on his future plans. He encourages them to be strong …

Birth of the Church

In this passage, we see the birth of the Church, which from its inception is an international movement. As God sends his Spirit to dwell …

Obeying God Rather than Men

In this passage, Peter and John face persecution for healing and preaching in Jesus’ name. Even in the face of resistance, they calmly speak God’s …

Stephen

When faced with persecution from Jewish leaders, Stephen seizes the opportunity to share the gospel. While his fearless love results in death, his sacrifice ignites …

Saul's Conversion

In this passage, we see Jesus pursue and invade the very man who has been violently persecuting the Church. After Saul encounters Christ and is …

Opposition and Deliverance

As the early church continues to grow, including people from all nations, persecution continues. Peter is imprisoned, fellow believers intercede on his behalf, and he …

Council at Jerusalem

As the church at Antioch grows, they face growing tension between Jews and Gentiles. Leaders meet at Jerusalem to work through the issue, and they …

Paul at Athens

In Athens, Paul preaches the gospel to a group of people from a radically different context. Yet even apart from the backdrop of Judaism, the …

Paul with the Ephesian Elders

As Paul bids farewell to the elders at Ephesus, he both charges them to continue the work of spreading the gospel and entrusts them with …

Paul's Story, Rejection, and the Plot to Kill Him

Paul’s experience continues to be rife with tension and suffering. However, he is committed to sharing his story and advancing the gospel. We also should …

Proclaiming the Gospel in Chains

Paul faces trials by various Roman officials and spends two years in jail. However, he remains determined to share the gospel and the story of …

Easter: Road to Emmaus

The days following Jesus' death are full of confusion for his followers. In this passage, we see two of his disciples grapple with unmet expectations, …

Futility of Pleasure

Solomon is conducting an experiment wherein he uses all the resources and time at his disposal to see if he can find meaning in pleasure …

Beauty in Season

In this beautiful passage, Solomon captures the dual nature of our world. Because of the fall, we live in the wake of God’s judgment, and …

Envy, Companionship, and Futility of Power

In this passage, Solomon addresses the emptiness of envy, our need for companionship, and the reality that status is unstable. While we are naturally bent …

Wisdom to Live By

This passage is full of practical wisdom that can give us a better understanding and experience of life. However, Solomon is clear that even this …

A Shared Fate

Continuing his warnings about the emptiness of placing our hope in the things of this world, Solomon expounds on the reality of death for everyone, …

Managing Uncertainties

Wisdom is helpful in many ways—we learn to take strategic risks, diversify our work, and understand the world around us. However, Jesus is the only …

Faith in Exile

The book of Daniel begins with loss and loyalty. As Daniel and his companions navigate the challenges of living in exile, they remain faithful to …

A Kingdom that Will Never End

When Daniel reveals and interprets the king’s dream, we learn that while Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is powerful, God’s Kingdom will prevail. In his mercy, God offers …

The Lions' Den

In this dramatic passage, Daniel is targeted and his life is at stake. Because Daniel has cultivated a heart of trust in the living God, …

The Vision of the Ram and the Goat

In the face of another prophetic vision, Daniel is troubled, confused, and terrified. Prophecy was challenging for Daniel, and it continues to be challenging for …

Hope in Hard Times

At the end of Daniel’s life, it becomes increasingly clear that there are hard times ahead for God’s people. However, God also promises hope and …

Messiah Proclaimed

As John the Baptist takes the stage, we are prepared for the reality that Jesus will not meet his people’s expectations of the Messiah. But …

The True Temple

When Jesus enters the Temple, he exerts his authority, driving out all distractions and corruption. As the true Temple, he is our access to God, …

The Samaritan Woman

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman is a beautiful picture of how he engages us in our brokenness. Although his exposure of her shame is …

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Jesus creates tension for the Jewish leaders when he heals a man on the Sabbath. As he exposes their desire for control and power, Jesus …

Bread from Heaven

On the heels of his miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus skillfully uncovers the crowd’s agenda and brings them to a point of decision. …

Are You Thirsty?

During the Festival of Tents, a significant week in the Jewish calendar, Jesus seizes the celebratory moment to preach in Jerusalem, offering himself as living …

Set Free

Jesus answers questions of his identity by clearly claiming equality with God, and because his audience feels entitled and privileged, they respond in anger. We …

The Good Shepherd

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus has an intimate connection with his sheep—they know his voice, follow him, and trust him. Trusting Jesus’ direction is not …

Anointed and Triumphant

The response to Jesus becomes increasingly polarized—some hail him as Messiah, while others plot his death. Those who worship him truly respond like Mary, with …

The Highest Love in the Lowest Act

In this moment, Jesus astonishes his disciples in an act that is both defining and transformative. By washing their feet, he paints a picture of …

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

As Jesus prepares his disciples for his death, he makes an extraordinary promise. While the disciples may not understand what lies ahead, they can rest …

Obey, Love, Abide

In this passage, Jesus uses the image of a fruitful vine to explain what it looks like to have a vibrant, intimate relationship with the …

Sorrow Turned to Joy

As Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for the future, he is clear that this world holds trials and sorrow. However, the reality of his …

A Bigger Battle

After encouraging his disciples, Jesus walks with them to the grove of olive trees, where he knows he will be betrayed. When Judas and the …

On Trial for Us

Because the Jewish leaders don’t want the responsibility of executing Jesus, they pressure Pilate to solve their problem. The entire situation is fraught and chaotic, …

Proclaiming Jesus' Death

John gives an eyewitness account of Jesus' death so that we might believe in the power of the risen Christ. And while the event is …

Love and Serve

In this passage, Jesus mirrors Peter’s three denials with three questions, three affirmations of love, and three affirmations of work to be done. We can …

Pentecost: Dependence on the Spirit

As believers, we have new life in Christ. However, we still live in a fallen world and retain an inner sinful nature. This results in …

Obadiah

For many years, the Edomites live in a position of power, gloating over the downfall of their adversary, the Israelites. But their time of judgment …

Money

Jesus is clear that we cannot worship both God and money. Being managers and not owners of our resources frees us to connect with God …

Hearing and Doing

In this passage, James calls us to move—to embrace the transformative power of the gospel by obeying God’s Word. This kind of action requires humility …

Faith and Works

James continues to unpack his central theme—faith and works are bound together as a vibrant expression of the Christian life. In a religious setting, it …

Boasting and Backbiting

James’ audience is dealing with division over issues rooted in envy and jealousy. While being judgmental is innate to the human condition, as believers, we …

Patience, Prayer, and Suffering

As we navigate the suffering inherent in a corrupt and broken world, James holds out the hope we can have through patience, courage, confession, and …

Easter

Jesus’ appearance to his followers causes fear, astonishment, confusion, and wonder. Just as Jesus carries his scars in a resurrected body and lets them tell …

Corrupt Offerings

Because he loves the Israelites, God has poured his heart and soul into making a way for them to be connected to him. Yet, they …

Corrupt Marriages

God sees the injustice of many Israelite men divorcing their wives for economic gain, and his response is fiercely protective. Being a child of God …

Robbing God

The Israelites are confused by the distance their sin has created between themselves and God. Their disregard for the sacrificial system God has put in …

A Blazing Righteousness

The book of Malachi ends by describing the great and terrible day of God’s judgment. While the wicked are brought low, those who trust in …

A Weaned Soul

In this psalm of ascent, we get a glimpse into David’s journey from pride to humility. He has learned what it means to carry a …

Shelter in Him

The psalmist recognizes the challenge of living in a broken world where evil and injustice seem to be winning at every turn. Instead of being …

Provision in the Fields

In this passage, we meet Boaz—a man of character, wealth, and status. Although he is vastly different from Ruth, God is weaving their stories together …

Exiles

In this series, we explore what Scripture says about being exiles and foreigners in a world that is not our permanent home. Even in the …

Citizens

Citizenship is an identity issue. If we primarily identify as citizens of our earthly nation, then we fall prey to fear and anger—our hopes rise …

Unlikely Rescue

In this passage, Jonah comes face to face with the reality that he cannot outrun God. Yet as he sinks towards death, his heart turns, …

Mercy for the Merciless

Jonah’s story ends with unresolved anger, frustration, and self-righteousness. As we consider the things competing for our worship, may we humble ourselves to lay aside …