First Orlando - Horizon West Podcast

What do you do when you want clear direction from God but the path ahead feels uncertain? In this message from Proverbs 3, we explore what it really means to trust God with our lives, even when His plans do not look like our plans. This sermon unpacks how wisdom is formed not by having all the answers, but by leaning into God’s character, letting go of self-reliance, and choosing trust one step at a time. You will be encouraged to see how a growing relationship with God shapes better decisions, brings peace in seasons of confusion, and leads us down a path that is good, meaningful, and ultimately filled with joy.

(05/24/2026)

In Part 4 of, “Living and Giving the Gospel,” Matt Heard encourages us to embrace the Story of the Gospel summarized by Jesus in John 10:10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” We all love stories because of an underlying reason: all compelling stories reflect the great, cosmic Story of God rescuing His creation through Christ. The Gospel is about a Plot — a plot to redeem and restore a fallen planet, including us. As a result, the Gospel is an Invitation to be a part of the Story of Jesus by responding to His yearning for us, as His image-bearers, to be lovingly restored to the Life He originally intended when He created us.

(05/17/2026)

Mother’s Day is a beautiful celebration, but it can also be a day filled with complicated emotions. In this Mother’s Day message, we are reminded that hope is not found in doing everything right, but in trusting the God who gives it freely. Through Romans 15:13, this sermon speaks honestly to moms carrying guilt, exhaustion, and worry, and offers a renewed vision of joy, peace, and strength that comes from believing. When hope feels lost and the future feels heavy, God meets us with more than enough, filling us beyond what we think we need and reminding every mom that she is not alone, not finished, and not without hope.

(05/10/2026)

In Part 3 of Living and Giving the Gospel, Matt Heard continues the journey through John 4 and Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well, exploring the deep thirst that drives every human heart. This message looks at why our longings matter, how we often try to satisfy them in temporary ways, and how Jesus offers something far deeper and lasting than anything else we pursue. Through vivid stories and everyday language, we are invited to see eternal life not just as a future promise but as a present, life giving relationship with God that reshapes how we live and how we share hope with others.

(05/03/2026)

What do we do with the deep longings that shape our lives? In Part 2 of Living and Giving the Gospel, Matt Heard returns to John 4 and the story of Jesus and the woman at the well to explore the ache, thirst, and yearning we all carry. From everyday pursuits to misplaced hopes, this message invites us to honestly acknowledge our longings and discern how we try to satisfy them. Jesus does not dismiss our desires. He reveals that they point to something deeper and better than anything we can manufacture on our own. Discover how recognizing what you truly thirst for opens the door to experiencing real life and prepares you to share that life with others.

(04/26/2026)

What are we really thirsty for in life, and are we asking for the right thing? Pastor Matt Heard walks through Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well in John 4 and shows how what we want is often different from what we truly need. Jesus offers more than temporary fixes or surface level satisfaction. He offers real life, the kind that fills us from the inside out and never runs dry. This sermon invites us to experience that life personally and then share it with others, learning how to live out the good news daily and pass it on with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

(04/19/2026)

In this message, we are invited into one of the most personal moments of Jesus’ life, when He chose a towel and a basin instead of a throne. From John 13, we see that following Jesus is not just about what we believe, but how we live. As Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, He shows us a powerful picture of humility, love, and service in action. This sermon challenges us to move beyond inspiration into obedience by knowing the example Jesus set, trusting Him even when we do not fully understand, and putting His way of life into practice at home, at work, and in our community. When we choose to serve others with humility, we begin to reflect the heart of Jesus and experience the blessing that comes from living out what we know.

(04/12/2026)

What does Easter really mean for everyday life? Pastor Matt Heard invites us to look beyond traditions and into the powerful reality of Jesus rising from the dead. Through the story of the empty tomb and Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world, we explore why the resurrection is not just something to believe but something that changes how we live. This message highlights how the resurrection brings real life, restored relationship with God, and lasting hope even in dark seasons. Discover how the light of Jesus still breaks through doubt, fear, and disappointment and how you are personally invited to step into that light today.

(04/05/2026)

What do you do when what you hoped for and what you are living do not line up? Pastor Jarian Felton walks through Matthew 21 and invites us to look at the tension between expectation and experience. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd expects power, victory, and immediate change, but what unfolds looks nothing like what they imagined. This message helps us see how often we approach God with our own picture of how things should go and how disappointment can grow when reality does not match that picture. Through the story of the triumphal entry and the road to the cross, we are reminded that Jesus may not always meet our expectations, but He is always working for our good, leading us toward hope, restoration, and new life even when the path looks unexpected.

(03/29/26)

What do we do when life breaks open and trouble finds us? Pastor Matt Heard explores how pain and crisis are unavoidable parts of life, but they do not have to be wasted. Jesus reminds us that trouble will come, yet peace is still possible, and Scripture shows that our response matters. We can try to escape discomfort or we can engage it with an open and willing posture. Drawing from passages like 2 Corinthians 4 and James 1, this sermon invites us to see hardship as a turning point that can deepen character, strengthen trust, and shape a more resilient faith. Discover how choosing engagement over avoidance allows God to bring healing, purpose, and new life even through our most difficult seasons.

(03/22/2026)