Journey Church SC

This past Sunday at Journey Church, Pastor Chris continued our deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 6:19-24.

In this passage, Jesus presents a pivotal moment in His teaching—a ‘hinge’ that connects His previous lessons on generosity, prayer, and fasting to His upcoming words on trust and provision.

We are reminded that at the heart of this passage is a powerful truth: it’s all about having a pure heart. What we treasure reveals where our hearts truly are, and our actions should flow from a heart aligned with God—not from a desire for outward recognition.

We unpack the contrast Jesus makes between earthly and heavenly treasures. One is fleeting, vulnerable to moth and rust, while the other is eternal and secure in God’s Kingdom. Pastor Chris challenges us with the sobering reality that what we value is who we are. When we focus on material wealth and worldly pursuits, our hearts drift into spiritual darkness; but when we invest in God’s Kingdom, we experience a life filled with light and purpose.

Drawing from Jesus’ metaphor of the eye as the ‘lamp of the body,’ we see that our perspective determines the life we live. A healthy spiritual focus brings clarity and light, while a fixation on earthly gain leads us into darkness.

As we wrap up, Pastor Chris leaves us with a crucial question: Where is our heart this morning? We are called to examine what we truly value and to fix our eyes on eternal treasures rather than the temporary things of this world.

Together, we lean into this challenge and seek first the Kingdom of God!

In this message, Pastor Chris shifts our focus to the spiritual discipline of fasting, explaining how this practice is deeply relevant in our walk with Christ. He reminds us that “Fasting reveals the thing that controls us,” challenging us to examine what we rely on most and to refocus our hearts on God.

We break fasting down into three key themes:

• The Practice of Fasting – We abstain from food as a way to seek God’s presence and recognize that He alone sustains us.

• The Posture of Fasting – We approach it with humility, not as a performance but as an act of genuine devotion. As Jesus taught, “Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites… but when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.”

• The Promise of Fasting – God sees what we do in secret and rewards us—not with material gain, but with a deeper relationship with Him. “Your Father who sees you in secret will reward you.”

Pastor Chris reminds us that fasting is more than a personal challenge; it’s a way to reset our focus, surrender our desires, and draw closer to God. Whether in times of suffering, confession, or seeking direction, fasting is a biblical practice that strengthens our faith and dependence on Him.

As we step into this season of renewal, we commit ourselves fully—through partnership, prayer, and fasting—to the work God is doing at Journey Church!

Does your life reflect forgiveness as one who's been forgiven?

God-honoring prayer is about God and His Glory. It's not about us.

Our prayers aren’t to impress God…they’re to worship Him.

For the Jesus-follower, generosity isn't optional.

The gospel produces a life of thankfulness, growth, and endurance.

Jesus brings joy to all who seek Him.

We have abundant peace, hope, love, & joy in Christ.

Jesus is the only One to bring true peace.