Matt Ayars Podcast

What does it really mean to be born again? In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are “born of water and the Spirit.” This message explores the biblical meaning of the new birth, Holy Spirit baptism, and the transforming work of God’s Spirit in the life of every believer.

Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us a new heart, new desires, and the power to live a transformed life. We’ll examine Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, the difference between intellectual belief and genuine surrender, and why being born again is the foundation of the Christian life. You’ll also discover how the Holy Spirit not only frees us from the guilt of sin but also from its power.

Whether you’re seeking a deeper understanding of your faith or longing for a fresh work of the Holy Spirit, this sermon will encourage you to trust Jesus fully and experience the new life He offers through the Spirit.

Bible and doctrinal study on regeneration.

What does it really mean to be justified by faith? What is atonement, and why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

In this companion Bible study to Sunday’s sermon, we take a deeper look at some of the most important doctrines in the Christian faith. We’ll unpack the biblical meaning of justification, explore the rich language of atonement, and explain key theological concepts such as propitiation, expiation, reconciliation with God, and the penal substitution theory of atonement.

Rather than treating these as abstract theological terms, we’ll see how they reveal the depth of God’s love, the seriousness of sin, and the incredible grace made available through Jesus Christ.

In this study, you’ll learn:

• What justification means in the Bible.
• The difference between propitiation and expiation.
• How Jesus’ death reconciles us to God.
• What penal substitution teaches—and why it matters.
• How these doctrines fit together to explain the gospel.

Whether you’re new to Christianity, studying theology, or preparing to teach others, this lesson will help you understand the biblical foundation of our salvation and deepen your appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross.

Topics Covered

• Justification
• Atonement
• Propitiation
• Expiation
• Reconciliation
• Penal Substitution
• Forgiveness of Sins
• The Cross of Christ
• Romans 5
• The Gospel

If this study encourages you, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who wants to grow in their understanding of Scripture.

What does it mean to be justified by faith? Is faith something we produce, or is it a gift from God?In this message from Romans 5:1–5, we explore the biblical doctrine of justification and the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. Scripture teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, but that faith itself is God’s gracious gift. The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ, gives us the faith of Christ, and brings us into peace with God through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.This sermon also explores how justification gives us confidence in both the future and the present. Because Christ has made atonement for our sins, we no longer fear God’s judgment. And because we have peace with God, we can trust Him even in suffering, knowing that He is using our trials to reveal sin, deepen our faith, and conform us to the image of Christ.If you’ve ever wondered:- What does “justified by faith” really mean?- How does the Holy Spirit work in our salvation?- Is faith a human decision or a gift from God?- Why can Christians rejoice even in suffering?…this message is for you.ScriptureRomans 5:1–5* Ephesians 2:8–9* John 16:13–15* Romans 8:28–30If this message encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the hope of the gospel.For more sermons, Bible studies, and discipleship resources, subscribe to the Wellspring Church channel and visit our website.

What does true repentance really look like? In this message, we explore how the Holy Spirit leads us from conviction to repentance—not through guilt or condemnation, but through God’s grace and love. Discover how repentance is an invitation to freedom, healing, and restored relationship with the Father. We also examine culturally accepted sins that often go unnoticed and consider what it truly means to turn away from sin and walk home to God.

Scripture: Acts 2:37–38; Psalm 51; Luke 15:11–32; Genesis 19:26; 1 John 1:8; 2 Peter 2:22; Philippians 4:6

Study of Acts 17 and Paul's sermon at Mars Hill.

What does it mean when Jesus says the Holy Spirit will “convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:8–11)? Is the Holy Spirit’s role simply to make us feel guilty, or is there something much deeper happening?

In this message, Pastor Matt Ayars explores the convicting work of the Holy Spirit through the lens of John 16, showing that biblical conviction is ultimately about revealing Jesus Christ. The Spirit exposes sin not to shame us, but to restore us. He illuminates what it truly means to be human, confronts our inward-curved nature, and calls us into the life of Christ.

Drawing from Scripture, the Hebrew understanding of sin, and the life and ministry of Jesus, this sermon explains how the Holy Spirit transforms hard hearts, renews relationships, and leads us into genuine repentance and freedom.

Whether you’re wrestling with conviction, seeking spiritual growth, or simply wanting to better understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit, this message offers a rich biblical vision of how God lovingly works in our lives.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• What Jesus meant by the Holy Spirit’s ministry of conviction
• Why conviction is an act of God’s grace—not condemnation
• The biblical meaning of sin and what it means to “miss the mark”
• How the Holy Spirit points us to Jesus as the true image of humanity
• Why repentance leads to freedom, healing, and restored relationships
• How the Spirit transforms us from being inward-focused to living lives of love and service

Scripture: John 16:8–11

Join us as we continue our series on the Holy Spirit and discover how His convicting work always leads us toward the life found in Jesus Christ.

Bible study of Acts 17 and the importance of Christian apologetics

What’s hardening your heart?

Most of us assume the first step of following Jesus is faith.

It’s not.

Before faith comes a softened heart.

In this week’s message, we explore one of the Holy Spirit’s first works in our lives: preparing our hearts to receive God’s grace. You’ll discover two surprising things that harden our hearts—and how the Holy Spirit points us to Jesus to restore trust, forgiveness, and freedom.

If you’ve been carrying bitterness, struggling to forgive, or wondering why it’s hard to trust God, this message is for you.

Listen and let the Holy Spirit do his transforming work.

The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to himself but to Jesus Christ. Discover how the Spirit transforms believers into Christ’s image and reveals himself through a life of humble surrender and obedience.