Matt Ayars Podcast

What did Jesus mean when he said, “Judge not”? How can we correct harmful behavior without condemning people?

In this sermon on Matthew 7:1–12, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the difference between condemnation, correction, evaluation, and discernment. Jesus calls us to examine our own hearts, love others without manipulating them, and trust our heavenly Father to provide what we need.

Discover how “pearls before swine,” “ask, seek, knock,” and the Golden Rule fit together as Jesus teaches us how to live well with one another.

This message explores:
• The difference between condemning someone and correcting them in love
• Removing the log from your own eye before helping someone else
• Sharing the gospel with wisdom rather than pressure
• Turning to God instead of trying to control others
• Extending grace to yourself as well as to others

Scripture: Matthew 7:1–12; Romans 8:1
Series: The Jesus Way: Life in the Kingdom
Speaker: Pastor Matt Ayars
Wellspring Church | Gluckstadt, Mississippi

What does Jesus teach about money, possessions, and worry? In this sermon on Matthew 6:19–34, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the spiritual discipline of simplicity—and the freedom that comes from seeking first the kingdom of God.

Continuing Wellspring Church’s Sermon on the Mount series, this message challenges us to examine where we place our treasure, how we spend our time, and what might be keeping us from responding to God’s call. Through personal stories from missionary life, teaching, and ministry, Pastor Matt invites us to trust our heavenly Father, live simply, and give generously.

Explore three commands from Jesus:
• Store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
• Release worry and trust God’s care.
• Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness.

Where is your treasure—and what would it look like to put God’s kingdom first this week?

Scripture: Matthew 6:19–34
Speaker: Pastor Matt Ayars
Church: Wellspring Church, Madison, Mississippi
Series: Sermon on the Mount

#SermonOnTheMount #SeekFirstTheKingdom #Matthew6

What does Paul’s storm-tossed voyage reveal about the Christian life? In this Acts 27 Bible study, we explore how the detailed account of travel, danger, and shipwreck invites us into the struggle of following Jesus.Being a Christian means belonging to the church militant—the church still engaged in spiritual struggle in this world. Faith does not spare us hardship or loss. As the ship’s cargo is thrown overboard, the story brings that cost into focus. Yet God’s promise holds through the storm.Join us as we consider how Paul’s rescue points toward our ultimate hope: freedom in Christ and deliverance from final judgment.

How do we grow spiritually and experience God’s transforming grace? In this sermon on Matthew 6:1–18, Pastor Matt Ayars explores Jesus’ teaching on prayer, fasting, and giving—and how practicing righteousness helps us live out the life of Christ.Continuing our Sermon on the Mount series at Wellspring Church, this message describes spiritual disciplines as “spiritual therapy”: practices through which God strengthens our faith, heals our hearts, and shapes us in holiness. We also explore how seeking approval—or fearing what others think—can hold us back from obedience.Discover why spiritual growth involves both time with God and service to others, and why you don’t have to perform perfectly to begin faithfully.#SpiritualGrowth #SermonOnTheMount #Matthew6

What do you do when God feels distant? In this sermon on Matthew 6:1–18, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the means of grace—the spiritual practices through which we encounter God’s presence and grow in faith.Continuing our Sermon on the Mount series at Wellspring Church, this message explains how prayer, fasting, Bible study, communion, and serving others open our lives to God’s transforming grace. Spiritual growth involves both drawing close to God and pouring out His love in service to the world.Discover why Jesus says “when” you pray, give, and fast; why our motives matter; and how communion calls us to forgiveness and unity. God’s promise to be with us remains true even when we don’t feel His presence.#GodsPresence #MeansOfGrace #SermonOnTheMount

Standing before King Agrippa, Paul recounts his encounter with the risen Jesus and the calling that transformed him from persecutor to witness. Join us as we explore Acts 26 and consider how the hope of the resurrection gives us courage to share our faith, even when others respond with skepticism.

What if following Jesus isn’t about trying harder to become a better person? In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus goes beyond outward obedience and addresses the deeper places where anger, lust, bitterness, retaliation, and manipulation begin. The problem isn’t simply our behavior. Jesus wants to bring healing and transformation to the heart.In this message from The Jesus Way series, we discover that Jesus offers more than strategies for managing sin. He offers freedom and healing at the source. Instead of constantly trying harder to produce good fruit, we are called to abide in Jesus and allow Him to heal the places within us that are broken. A healthy tree naturally produces good fruit, and Jesus desires to make us whole from the inside out. Christianity is not about trying harder. It’s about getting healed.Relevant Bible Passages:

• Matthew 5:17-48 - Jesus fulfills the Law and addresses anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, loving your enemies, and the call to be perfect.
• Romans 8:1 - “There is therefore now no condemnation.”
• John 3:16 - Eternal life through Jesus.
• Psalm 1 - The healthy tree planted by streams of water that bears fruit.
• James 5:14-16 - Prayer, confession, and healing.
• Romans 2 - Paul addresses hypocrisy and the condition of the heart.

Jesus came not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus takes us beyond outward obedience and confronts the deeper problem: the condition of the human heart. Anger, lust, resentment, retaliation, and manipulation are not simply behaviors we need to control. They reveal places within us that need to be transformed. In this message from The Jesus Way series, we see that following Jesus is about more than trying harder to be good. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt and then worked to get Egypt out of them, Jesus wants to heal and transform us from the inside out. As we abide in Christ, He changes the heart so that a transformed life naturally produces good fruit. Pasted text Jesus doesn't just want to treat the symptoms of sin. He wants to heal the heart.Relevant Bible Passages:

• Matthew 5:17-48 - Primary passage
• Exodus - Israel's deliverance from Egypt and journey through the wilderness
• Psalm 1 - A tree planted by streams of water that naturally bears fruit
• Luke 24 - Jesus shows how the Scriptures point to Him
• Revelation 22 - God's ultimate purpose of dwelling with His people

Explore Acts 25 as Paul appeals to Caesar, faces unproven accusations before Festus, and prepares to appear before King Agrippa. This Bible study examines justice, faith under pressure, and the resurrection of Jesus at the heart of Paul’s witness.

What does it look like to trust God when your circumstances remain unresolved? Paul’s example shows how believers can speak truthfully, respond to injustice with integrity, and use available protections while trusting Christ.

In this study, we explore:

• Why Paul appealed to Caesar and how it advanced his journey toward Rome
• How political pressure threatened the fair handling of Paul’s case
• Why faith and the responsible use of legal protection are compatible
• How Jesus’ resurrection remains central to Christian witness
• How God opens opportunities for the gospel through opposition and delay

Read Acts 25:1–27 and join us as we consider how to remain faithful when the path forward is uncertain.

How has God given you opportunities to witness during a difficult season? Share your reflections in the comments.

#Acts25 #BibleStudy #BookOfActs

What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? In this sermon on Matthew 5:13–16, Pastor Matt explores Jesus’ call to serve others, live courageously, and make God’s goodness visible in everyday life.Continuing our Sermon on the Mount series at Wellspring Church, this message challenges us to move beyond comfort and embrace our God-given purpose. Through the examples of Jesus and the apostle Paul, we discover how love for others and clarity of calling help us persevere through adversity.In this message:• Discover your spiritual gifts and calling.• Understand what Jesus means by “salt and light.”• Find courage to live differently and speak truth with love.• Put faith into action by serving others and defending the vulnerable.• See how reconciliation with God through Jesus transforms lives.Where is God calling you to serve—and what step can you take today?Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16Series: The Sermon on the MountChurch: Wellspring Church