A Christ the King message from Isaiah 65 on new creation, letting go of past wounds, trusting Jesus to carry what we can’t, and living with joy instead of anger. A hopeful Thanksgiving-week sermon about healing, redemption, and God’s promise to make all things new.

This study considers the role of suffering in the life of the believer.

When we think about the cross, most of us picture Jesus taking on the penalty of our sin so we don’t have to—our guilt wiped away, the debt paid in full. That’s gloriously true. But in Isaiah 52–53, we see something even deeper: Jesus doesn’t just carry the penalty of sin, he enters into the consequences of sin—our shame, humiliation, betrayal, estrangement, and relational wreckage—and absorbs it into himself so that we can be healed.

In this message from Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant” passage, Pastor Matt explores how Christ steps under the rug instead of letting anything stay hidden. He doesn’t numb our pain; he goes into it. We talk about how sin is not merely a legal problem but a relational one, how broken relationships and deep wounds become “cursed ground” in our hearts, and how Jesus wants to heal that ground so real fruit can grow. This sermon presses into the hard question: will we let Jesus not only take our penalty, but also our humiliation—and will we join him in costly forgiveness so that others can be set free?

If you’ve carried deep relational hurt, resentment, or shame—and if you’re hungry for more than “I’m forgiven, but I’m still not healed”—this message is for you.

Subscribe for more sermons and teachings, and if this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded: he doesn’t just forgive us. He heals us.

In this session, we lay the groundwork for studying the book of Isaiah by asking a crucial question: what is a prophet, and what kind of book are we reading when we open Isaiah? After a brief opening prayer, we step back and look at how the Old Testament is structured in our English Bibles (Law, Historical Books, Wisdom/Poetry, and Prophets) and then compare that with the three-part structure of the Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets, Writings). From there, we zoom in on where Isaiah fits and why that matters for how we read it.

We then explore the biblical vision of a prophet: not just a “future predictor,” but a seer and visionary—someone given God’s perspective on the present as well as the future. We walk through key Hebrew terms, talk about foretelling versus forth-telling, and look closely at Isaiah 1 as a “covenant lawsuit” where God brings charges against his people. Along the way, we contrast true prophecy with things like divination, sorcery, and necromancy, and talk about why Scripture forbids them and what that means for Christians today.

Finally, we set Isaiah in its historical context: Judah and Jerusalem in the 8th century BC, under kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We outline the basic structure of the book (chapters 1–5, 6, 7–39, and beyond) and show how Isaiah wrestles with faith, judgment, hope, and the promise of a coming Messiah. All of this is meant to help us hear Isaiah not as a random collection of verses, but as God’s authoritative, life-giving word for his people—then and now.

If this helps you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who loves digging deeper into Scripture.

A sermon on Isaiah 9:2–8.

Week 1 of Isaiah Bible Study at Wellspring Church

A sermon on Isaiah 6, the holiness of God, and the hope for change.

A few days ago, I returned from a remarkable two-week trip to West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) in Lagos, Nigeria. I went at the invitation of Dr. Gary Maxey, the seminary’s founder and longtime faculty member. It was one of the most meaningful ministry experiences I’ve ever had—an opportunity to teach, consult, and learn alongside passionate Christian leaders serving on the frontlines of gospel ministry in one of the most dynamic and challenging regions in the world.

True joy isn’t found in pride, comfort, or control—it’s found in humility. In this message from Philippians 2:1–11, Pastor Matt Ayars unpacks how humility is the key to restoring joy in our lives. Joy flows from reconciled relationships, and reconciliation requires humility. Joy grows as we serve others, and service demands humility. Joy deepens as we obey God’s call, and obedience, too, begins with humility. At the center of it all stands Jesus—who humbled himself even to death on a cross. His example shows us that the way up in God’s kingdom is always down, and that lasting joy is born in a surrendered heart.

Revelation 22 brings the story of Scripture to its breathtaking conclusion—the curse is lifted, the river of life flows freely, and God’s people dwell forever in His presence. In this Bible study, we explore John’s final vision of the new creation, the return of Jesus, and the invitation to “come.” You’ll see how the end of the Bible echoes the beginning, completing God’s plan to restore what was lost in Eden.

Join us as we reflect on the hope of eternity, the promise of Christ’s coming, and what it means to live now in light of forever.