Journey Church Gillette

This sermon from Matthew 12:22-37 explores the spiritual battle for control of every human heart. Through Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed, blind, and mute man, Pastor Erin demonstrates that humanity faces a critical choice: surrender to the liberating power of Christ or remain under the destructive influence of Satan. The message emphasizes that spiritual neutrality is impossible—we are either actively following Jesus or passively aligned with the enemy by default. The healing miracle serves as a metaphor for our spiritual condition: without Christ, we are spiritually blind, deaf, and mute to God's truth.

This sermon explores Jesus' approach to the Sabbath through three controversies in Matthew 12:1-21, contrasting the Pharisees' legalistic burden with Christ's offer of true rest. The message emphasizes that Jesus values people over rules, relationships over rituals, and mercy over sacrifice. Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord of the Sabbath by providing for the hungry, healing the broken, and offering genuine rest to the weary.

This sermon addresses the exhaustion and weariness that comes from carrying burdens we were never meant to bear alone. Through Matthew 11, Pastor Erin explores Jesus' rebuke of cities that witnessed miracles yet refused to repent, followed by His tender invitation to find rest in Him. The message emphasizes that true rest is not found in a place, philosophy, or performance, but in the person of Jesus Christ. Before we can experience this rest, we must first repent—not merely feel sorry, but completely turn from our way to God's way. The sermon reveals that Jesus offers not an escape from life's difficulties, but peace and companionship in the midst of them. Through genuine repentance, we receive grace, and through grace, we're invited to lay our burdens at His feet and find the soul-rest that only comes from walking in His yoke.

This sermon addresses the universal human struggle of unmet expectations with God, using John the Baptist's doubt while imprisoned as the central narrative. The message emphasizes that doubt is not disbelief but rather an internal struggle between belief and uncertainty. Through Matthew 11, Pastor Erin explores how John—the bold prophet who introduced Jesus—found himself questioning whether Jesus was truly the Messiah when his circumstances didn't change despite his obedience. Jesus' response teaches that God's work often doesn't align with our expectations, but His faithfulness remains constant. The sermon encourages believers to focus on what God is doing rather than what He hasn't done, to bring their doubts directly to Jesus, and to trust His goodness even when His methods don't match our preferences.

This sermon explores Jesus' commissioning of His disciples and the calling He places on all believers to make a difference in a hostile world. The message emphasizes that God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things, starting in their own communities before reaching the world. The sermon addresses three main themes: the courage needed to face a world hostile to God, the cost of true discipleship, and the eternal compensation God provides for faithful service. Pastor Erin reminds us that while following Christ may bring division and difficulty, God's presence, power, and promises sustain believers. The call is not to produce results but to obediently serve where God has planted us, knowing that even the smallest acts done in Jesus' name carry eternal significance.

This sermon examines Jesus' commissioning of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10, presenting it as the "Master's Mission Manual" for all believers. The message emphasizes that God calls ordinary, imperfect people for extraordinary purposes, not based on their qualifications but on their willingness to be used. The sermon challenges believers to recognize that they are conduits of God's power, dependent on His provision rather than their own resources. The core message is that our mission field begins not across the ocean but across the street—in our families, workplaces, and communities.

This sermon explores the nature of faith and its practical application in the Christian life. It emphasizes that true faith is not just intellectual belief but involves action and trust in Jesus. Pastor Erin illustrates how faith approaches Jesus with desperation, anticipates His power with determination, and aligns with His purpose through devotion. The sermon also highlights Jesus' compassion for the lost and weary, calling believers to have the same heart for others.

This sermon explores the reality of spiritual warfare in the Christian life. Pastor Grant emphasizes that while the battle is real, Jesus is greater than any enemy we face. He discusses the importance of understanding spiritual warfare without becoming overly focused on it, and encourages believers to use "sanctified common sense" in navigating spiritual challenges. The sermon concludes by comparing two different responses to Jesus' miracles, challenging listeners to welcome Jesus into their lives rather than pushing Him away.

This sermon explores the contrast between old religious systems and the new covenant Jesus brings, emphasizing the power of faith in accessing God's healing and grace. Pastor Erin illustrates how Jesus introduces a new paradigm of relating to God through faith, rather than through ritualistic practices like fasting. The message culminates in a powerful example of faith demonstrated by a woman who was healed by touching Jesus' garment, highlighting the importance of recognizing our need for Christ, overcoming obstacles, and actively reaching out to Him in faith.

This sermon explores Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and how it demonstrates God's transformative power and grace. Pastor Erin emphasizes that Jesus sees people not for who they were, but for who they can become. He highlights the contrast between the Pharisees' judgmental attitude and Jesus' compassionate approach to sinners, illustrating God's desire for mercy over sacrifice. The sermon encourages listeners to embrace their new identity in Christ and respond to His call to follow, regardless of their past.