Journey Church SC

On this Resurrection Sunday, we're reminded of the profound significance of Jesus' victory over death.

The sermon takes us through Acts 2, where Peter boldly proclaims the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. We're challenged to consider: what does the resurrection mean for us today?

It's not just a historical event, but a declaration of Jesus' authority and lordship over all creation. This truth demands a response from each of us. Are we ready to repent, to turn from our self-centered ways and embrace the new life Christ offers?

The resurrection isn't about warm feelings or mere hope—it's about transformation. As we reflect on Peter's powerful words, we're invited to examine our hearts and ask, 'What shall we do?'

The answer is clear: repent, be baptized, and receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As we reflect on Easter, let's not just celebrate a miracle of the past, but accept the invitation to a transformed life in Christ today.

In this message, Pastor Chris brings a powerful and timely message as we look at the story of Palm Sunday. But instead of focusing only on the palm branches and celebration, we take a deeper look at what happened next—when Jesus walked into the temple and flipped the script.

We read from Matthew 21:12–17, where Jesus clears out the money changers, heals the blind and the lame, and reminds everyone who’s really in charge. In that moment, Jesus shows His authority—not just over the temple, but over sickness, brokenness, and even life and death itself.

This message challenges us to take a closer look at our own hearts. If our lives are temples, like Scripture says, then what might Jesus want to clear out? Are we letting sin, distraction, or the pressures of the world get in the way of real worship? Just like He cleared the temple back then, Jesus still wants to make space in us for what truly matters.

We also see a powerful contrast in this passage. The religious leaders were angry and offended, while the children were shouting praises with joy and boldness. It reminds us that real worship sometimes comes from the most unexpected places—and that God values humble, wholehearted faith over polished appearances.

As we head into Holy Week, this message invites us to be honest with ourselves. Are we holding back like the skeptical leaders, or are we running to Jesus like the kids in the crowd and the broken people who needed healing?

Let’s prepare our hearts, clear out anything that doesn’t belong, and come to Jesus with open hands and full trust.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to more than admiration—He calls us to transformation. This message invites us to examine whether we’re true followers or just fans of His teaching.

Jesus doesn’t speak with borrowed authority—He speaks as God, setting Himself apart from every other teacher. His words serve as a mirror, revealing whether we’ve truly surrendered to His lordship or are still holding onto control. We’re reminded of the Great Commission: to make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience to all Jesus commanded.

It’s a clear challenge to live out our faith boldly—in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond—by sharing the gospel and embodying it in action.

Are we building our lives on solid ground or shifting sands? In this powerful message, Pastor Chris Fowler delves into Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders from Matthew 7:24-27. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our lives and faith.

Merely hearing God's word isn't enough - we must be both hearers and doers. This parable draws a stark contrast between wisdom and foolishness, urging us to apply God's teachings practically. The imagery of storms beating against our life's house reminds us that trials are inevitable, but our response depends on our foundation. Interestingly, the message reframes suffering as potentially beneficial, helping us develop endurance, character, and hope. It's a call to shift from seeing Jesus solely as a comforter to embracing Him as our Lord who demands obedience.

This teaching has direct application for us, pushing us to identify the 'sandy soils' in our lives - be it career success, finances, or self-righteousness - and instead build our lives firmly on Christ, the unshakeable rock.

Nathan walks us through the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you want done to you.” It’s more than a familiar phrase—it’s the law and prophets in action. We’re shown that God’s love fills us first, so we can love others well, but it’s tied to wanting what Jesus wants for us, not our own twisted wishes. We’re faced with a question: Are our hearts shaped by His Word or by the world? It’s a call to live out love consistently, even when it’s tough, trusting God as our source.

Then we turn to the Golden Road—the narrow path Jesus describes. Nathan makes it clear: it’s not the wide, easy way most take; it’s hard, and it leads to life. We’re confronted with how our culture loves the simple route, but Jesus warns that only the narrow road brings true life. It’s sobering to realize many miss it, even sincere folks, because it’s about following Him, not just feeling good. We’re urged to see Jesus as Lord, obeying Him fully on this path.

This narrow road demands something from us, and Nathan doesn’t hold back. It costs our focus—time with God over endless distractions—and our freedom to live however we want. We’re challenged to say no to selfish habits, like hoarding when we could give, and yes to Jesus’ way, even when it’s unpopular. It’s not easy, but we’re lifted by the promise of eternal glory, a life worth every step, as Paul reminds us. We’re not promised comfort now, but we’re assured of something greater ahead.

Yet here’s our hope: we don’t walk this road alone. Nathan ties it to Jesus’ sacrifice—His body broken, His blood shed—to open this narrow gate for us. We’re invited to step onto this path, whether we’re exploring faith or need to realign with Him. As we share communion, we’re reminded Jesus has gone before us, and His Spirit guides us still. It’s a hard road, no question, but we’re strengthened knowing it leads to life, and we’re walking it together with Him.

Denton Lee continues our series on the Sermon on the Mount, diving into one of Jesus’ most well-known teachings—what some might call His “Greatest Hits.” While all the Gospels share pieces of these teachings, Matthew gives us the most complete version, laid out over a few chapters.

Jesus gives a powerful call: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” From there, He lays out a radical way of life—one where humility, mercy, righteousness, and a pure heart define those who belong to His Kingdom. He blesses the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He calls us to trust God instead of worrying and to seek Him in prayer.

In this message, we focused on Matthew 7:6-12. These verses remind us that God is a good Father who invites us to ask, seek, and knock. Denton pointed us to Jesus’ promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” God wants us to come to Him with boldness and trust, knowing that He gives good gifts to His children.

We are reminded that God is infinitely strong, righteous, good, wise, and loving. Because of who He is, we can count on Him to:

1. Keep His promises – God is faithful and never fails.

2. Provide what we need – Even when we don’t understand His timing or ways, He knows what’s best for us.

3. Prepare us for His Kingdom – Sometimes, that means He answers our prayers differently than we expect because He’s shaping us to be more like Christ.

Denton used the example of a good earthly father—how a loving dad provides for his kids, making sure they have what they need. If human fathers do that, how much more will our perfect Heavenly Father care for us? But God’s goodness isn’t just about giving us what we want; it’s about forming us into who we were made to be.

So, as we reflect on this passage, we’re challenged to think about how we approach God in prayer. Are we coming to Him with trust, knowing He is good? Are we aligning our hearts with His will? Even when we don’t get the answer we expect, we can be sure of this—God always gives us what we need most: Himself.

Let’s keep seeking, trusting, and leaning into our good Father.

Pastor Chris’s message focuses on Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 7, where Jesus talks about the difference between righteous judgment and hypocritical judgment.

We’ve all heard the phrase “do not judge” thrown around, but it’s often taken out of context. So, we take a step back to really understand what Jesus means. Pastor Chris reminds us that judging isn’t always wrong—“to judge is to analyze or evaluate.” The key is how we do it. It’s okay to form opinions, as long as we use them to help and build others up rather than tear them down. “There is a right way to judge and a hypocritical way to judge,” he says, challenging us to approach judgment with humility and self-awareness.

We walk through three important steps to judging righteously. First, we watch our measure—making sure we’re holding others to the same standards we hold ourselves. Second, we clear our own vision—dealing with our own issues before pointing out someone else’s. Third, we discern our audience—realizing that not everyone will be open to receiving the truth.

Jesus puts it plainly: “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own?” His words remind us to look at our own hearts first before calling out someone else’s mistakes.

As we reflect on this, we commit to sharing truth wisely. Not everyone will accept it, so we approach others with humility and grace. Our goal isn’t to condemn but to help each other grow closer to Christ with love, truth, and wisdom.

This week at Journey Church, Nathan Campbell (Pastor of Spiritual Formation) led us through Matthew 6:25–34, where Jesus directly addresses the weight of anxiety and the human tendency to worry about life’s necessities—what we eat, what we drink, and what we wear.

At the start of the message, Nathan reminded us why we stand for the reading of Scripture—not as a mere ritual, but as an act of honor, recognizing the power and truth of God’s Word.

Jesus’ words are clear: “Do not be anxious about your life…” He challenges us to look beyond material concerns, calling us to a life that is rooted in something deeper than our day-to-day needs. Yet, despite advances in technology and access to resources, anxiety remains at an all-time high, particularly among younger generations. Nathan pointed out this irony, highlighting how “we have more than ever, yet we are more anxious than ever.”

As a church, we were invited to confront our own anxieties and lay them before Jesus, who meets us with gentleness and compassion, not condemnation. Rather than being harsh with ourselves, we are encouraged to extend the same grace to ourselves that Jesus offers.

Nathan also unpacked the deeper roots of our worries, explaining how much of our anxiety ultimately stems from the fear of loss—especially the fear of death. This perspective shifts our focus to the bigger question: What are we truly seeking?

Jesus provides the answer: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Nathan emphasized that our worries lose their grip on us when we prioritize God's kingdom. The promise isn’t that we will never experience anxiety, but that by anchoring ourselves in God’s care, we won’t be controlled by it.

We were challenged to reflect: What are we seeking? Where are we placing our trust? Anxiety may be a shared human experience, but through faith, we can find peace by resting in the care of our Heavenly Father.

At Journey, we want to be a community that seeks first His kingdom—together, let’s trust in His provision and walk in His peace!