What if the heaviest thing in your life isn’t what happened to you—but your refusal to let it go?

In this Christ the King / Thanksgiving message from Isaiah 65, Pastor Matt Ayars explores God’s promise of “new heavens and a new earth” and what that means for our past, our pain, and our future. Starting with a lighthearted Thanksgiving reflection (yes, including Adam and Eve, Louisiana, and a cast iron bathtub!), he moves into a deeply pastoral call to stop reliving “the crud” and start living in the joy of new creation.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt talks about:

• Why we can’t change other people or our circumstances—but we can change

• How God doesn’t just redeem parts of our lives, but all of it

• The danger of building our identity around our wounds and grievances

• What it means to “let it go” at the cross—really

• How Christians can resist an angry culture with the weapon of joy

• The hope that our pain is real, but not final or forever

If you’re carrying something heavy—old church hurt, family wounds, fear, anger, or grief—this message invites you to bring it to Jesus, trust His strength to lift what you can’t, and step into the gladness and joy of the new creation He is already bringing to life in you.

🙌 If this sermon encourages you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who needs hope heading into the holidays.