Matt Ayars Podcast

What does the Bible teach about life after death? In this Wellspring Church Bible study, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the distinctions between Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, and the lake of fire—and explains how heaven relates to the future resurrection and new creation.The discussion examines the historic teaching of Christ’s descent to the dead, the hope of being with Jesus after death, and the promise of glorified bodies when Christ returns. Questions from the group address soul sleep, purgatory, final judgment, and God’s justice.Discover why Jesus’ resurrection stands at the center of Christian hope and what His victory over death means for how we live today.

What if the life Jesus offers begins with admitting, “I need help”?

In this opening message of our Sermon on the Mount series, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the Beatitudes as a portrait of Jesus’ life lived through us. Focusing on “blessed are the poor in spirit” and “blessed are those who mourn,” we discover a kingdom open to ordinary people—regardless of religious background—and a hope that holds even in grief.

Eternal life begins now as we learn to depend on Jesus, receive support from his family, and trust his resurrection power with our deepest hurts. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to face it alone.

Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12

What happens when someone hears the truth, feels convicted—and still refuses to respond? In this Wellspring Bible Study on Acts 24, Paul stands before Governor Felix to answer false accusations.

Rather than flattering, exaggerating, or retaliating, Paul speaks honestly, maintains a clear conscience, and boldly proclaims the resurrection of Jesus.

The discussion explores:

• The bodily return of Christ, resurrection, and final judgment
• Christianity as “the Way”—a life lived under the lordship of Jesus
• Paul’s integrity in the face of false accusations • The difference between conviction and genuine repentance
• Felix’s decision to delay when confronted by the gospel
• How God produces lasting fruit even during seasons of confinement and waiting Acts 24 reminds us that we cannot remain neutral toward Jesus or wait indefinitely for a more convenient time.

It also assures us that no season is wasted in God’s hands: even when Paul was confined, God continued advancing the gospel through him.

If Jesus reigns, why is there still so much suffering, injustice, and evil in the world?In this message from Daniel 12, Pastor Matt explains why the return of Christ is not a secondary issue but an essential part of the gospel. The kingdom of God has begun, but Christ’s work will be brought to completion when he returns, raises the dead, judges the world, defeats every enemy, and makes all things right.Until then, Christians are called to live with hope, share the gospel with urgency, remain ready for Christ’s return, and pursue holiness of heart and life.Scripture: Daniel 12:1–3

How does God accomplish His purposes when circumstances appear chaotic?This AI-generated Pocket summary recaps our Wellspring Bible Study on Acts 23, where Paul faces religious hypocrisy, political maneuvering, persecution, and a 40-man assassination plot.Key themes include:• God’s providence working through ordinary people and imperfect circumstances • The resurrection of Jesus as the non-negotiable center of the Gospel • Living with integrity and a clear conscience under pressure • The danger of outward religion without inward transformation • How God used Paul’s unnamed nephew and an overwhelming Roman escort to protect His mission Even when God’s work is not dramatic or obvious, Acts 23 reminds us that His purposes are still moving forward.

The kingdoms and powers of this world can seem overwhelming, but Daniel 7 reminds us that none of them will last forever.In this message from Daniel 7, we explore Daniel's vision of the four beasts, the Ancient of Days, and the Son of Man. Behind the chaos of earthly kingdoms and human power is a greater reality: God is still on the throne. Leaders come and go, governments rise and fall, but Jesus remains King. No amount of power, influence, technology, or human striving can change what God has already established.When the world feels uncertain and life becomes difficult to understand, Daniel 7 gives us a reason to have faith instead of fear. We may not see or understand everything God is doing, but we can trust that He is in control and that the Kingdom of Jesus will endure forever.

In this Bible study on Acts 22, we examine Paul’s defense before the crowd in Jerusalem and the testimony of his dramatic encounter with Jesus. Paul’s story reminds us that sincere passion does not necessarily equal truth—we must remain willing to let Jesus correct even our most deeply held beliefs.We also explore the relationship between conversion and calling, the public witness of baptism, the continuing work of the Holy Spirit, and the power of a transformed life. Paul does not merely present an argument for Christianity; he points to what Christ has done in him: “I was blind, and now I see.”Acts 22 also confronts us with difficult questions: Whom would we rather exclude from God’s family? Are we asking Jesus to bless our plans, or allowing him to choose our mission? And how might God be sending us beyond the boundaries of our comfort, culture, and expectations?Key themes:• Entire sanctification and the transformation of the heart • Why zeal must be tested by Scripture • Paul’s conversion and calling • Spiritual gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit • The meaning and sacramental significance of baptism • The power of personal testimony • Prejudice, tribalism, and welcoming outsiders • Using our legal rights in service of truth and mission CHAPTERS 00:00 Opening prayer 00:45 Methodism, holiness, and entire sanctification 09:52 Paul’s defense before the crowd 12:01 Paul recounts his former zeal 13:28 Sincerity, zeal, and the need for correction 16:24 Paul encounters Jesus on the Damascus road 17:25 How we treat others is how we treat Christ 18:02 Conversion, breakthrough, and calling 20:11 Ananias restores Paul’s sight 22:52 Spiritual gifts and cessationism 26:12 Baptism and regeneration 29:29 Paul is sent to bear witness 30:35 The power of a transformed testimony 34:38 Baptism as a public profession 35:33 The crowd rejects God’s mission to the Gentiles 37:32 Jesus sends us beyond our comfort zones 39:34 Questions about Judaism, Islam, and Christian faith 44:47 Paul appeals to his Roman citizenship 46:09 Faith, injustice, and the proper use of legal rights 48:39 Closing discussion and key takeaways Scripture: Acts 22Subscribe for more Bible studies, sermons, and teaching from Wellspring Church.#Acts22 #BibleStudy #ApostlePaul #BookOfActs #ChristianTestimony #Baptism #HolySpirit #WellspringChurch

When the world is panicking, God’s people can live with peace.In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by a mysterious dream and threatens Babylon’s wise men with death if they cannot reveal and interpret it. While everyone else panics, Daniel responds with prayer, worship, and confidence in the God who reveals mysteries, appoints rulers, and governs history.This sermon explores three powerful reasons Christians do not need to live in fear:- God can speak, intervene, and redirect lives at any moment.- Jesus has defeated Satan and the powers of darkness.- Every earthly kingdom will fall, but God’s kingdom will endure forever.Whether you are worried about your family, the future, political instability, spiritual warfare, or decisions you need to make, Daniel’s example offers a steady word of encouragement: remain faithful, seek God in prayer, and trust his wisdom. God is still on the throne.“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.” — Daniel 2:20–21CHAPTERS 00:00 Reflections from revival 01:23 The church needs faithful Bible preaching 02:50 A call to preach with greater boldness 04:31 Our wounds are our witness 05:45 Revival and Bible-study announcements 08:08 Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream 11:55 Don’t join the world’s fearful frenzy 16:06 Does God still speak through dreams? 16:44 How a dream led Pastor Matt to Wellspring 18:56 Biblical examples of God speaking through dreams 21:43 God can always get through to us 24:30 Trusting God with the people we love 26:02 Freedom from anxiety and fear 29:27 Don’t be afraid of Satan and demons 32:02 The powerlessness of Babylon’s spiritual advisers 36:15 Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness 37:32 Jesus and the demon-possessed man 39:26 Daniel’s prayer of praise 41:01 Nebuchadnezzar’s statue and successive kingdoms 42:13 The kingdom not made by human hands 43:54 The powers of this world are passing away 45:31 Jesus is coming—be encouraged 46:13 “Old Blue” and the enemy’s attempts to frighten us Key Scriptures: Daniel 2; Numbers 12:6; Job 33:14–18; Acts 2:16–18; Colossians 2:15; Mark 5:1–20.

How should Christians live faithfully in a culture that does not share their beliefs?

In this timely sermon from Jeremiah 29, Stan Key explains what it means to be a citizen of Jerusalem while living in Babylon. Christians are strangers, pilgrims, and exiles whose true citizenship is in the City of God—but God has strategically placed us in the world to represent Jesus and love our neighbors.

Jeremiah’s message to the exiles offers five practical instructions for believers:

1. Remember who you are.

2. Be content where God has placed you.

3. Love your Babylonian neighbors.

4. Choose your spiritual leaders carefully.

5. Trust the promises of God.

Instead of assimilating into the culture, attacking it, withdrawing from it, or surrendering to despair, followers of Jesus are called to seek the shalom of their communities. We build, plant, serve, pray, and love—because God loves the people of Babylon.

Our residence may be in Babylon, but our citizenship is in Jerusalem.

What happens when the gospel of Jesus Christ enters an upside-down world? It turns that world right side up.

Preaching from Acts 17 and Psalm 2, Stan Key explains why the early Christians were accused of turning the world upside down. Their message was both simple and revolutionary: Jesus came, died, rose, reigns, and is coming again. Jesus—not Caesar or any earthly ruler—is Lord.

This sermon explores why Psalm 2 was so important to the early church and what it reveals about Jesus: he is the sovereign, universal, divine, fearsome, and welcoming King. His kingdom challenges the world’s ideas about wealth, power, wisdom, strength, and life itself.

Christians live as representatives of King Jesus in “enemy-occupied territory.” We therefore face a defining question: Will we resist his reign, or will we “kiss the Son” and take refuge in him?