HIDDEN IN HIM The teaching centers on the profound truth that God is our hiding place, light, strength, and deliverance, drawing from Psalm 27, Zephaniah, and the lineage of Christ in Matthew to emphasize divine refuge amid life's trials. It highlights the necessity of abiding in God's presence, not merely in physical places but in the eternal, spiritual reality of His dwelling, where discernment, deliverance, and victory are found through faith in Christ. The message underscores that while the world, flesh, and enemy cannot be annihilated, they can be resisted by standing with God through reliance on His Word, the example of Jesus, and the power of His substitutionary sacrifice. The structure of Matthew's genealogy—divided into three sets of fourteen—reveals God's sovereign design, pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of covenants with Abraham and David, and the ultimate answer to human brokenness. Ultimately, the call is to seek God's face with a heart after His own, trusting in His grace to restore, guide, and deliver, even in the midst of suffering, because He is the eternal refuge and the source of all righteousness. Psalm 27 • Matthew 4 • Zephaniah 2–3 "THE LORD IS MY LIGHT" If you brought your Bible — and I know you did — turn with me to Psalm 27, and keep your thumb over in Matthew 4 as well, because we're walking with Jesus, we're learning from Jesus, and we're leaning on Jesus! Somebody say amen! We've been reading through the first chapters of Matthew, and you can't walk far with Matthew without being carried all over the Scriptures. That's the beauty of the Word — one revelation opens the door to another. You step in Matthew and suddenly you're standing i

Everybody's Taking a Stand The sermon centers on the contrasting responses to the birth of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 2, highlighting four distinct groups: the Magi who journeyed from afar in faith, symbolizing those who actively seek and surrender to Christ; King Herod, who opposed Jesus out of fear and self-preservation; the people of Jerusalem, who were disturbed not by spiritual awakening but by the threat to their comfortable lifestyle; and the religious leaders, who knew the prophecy yet scorned it, refusing even a five-mile journey to verify the truth. Through this narrative, the preacher emphasizes that every person must examine where they stand—whether in pursuit, opposition, complacency, or apathy—and calls the audience to emulate the Magi by surrendering all aspects of life to Christ, regardless of cost or comfort. The message underscores that true faith involves action, sacrifice, and a willingness to be transformed, while warning against the dangers of spiritual indifference, resistance to divine purpose, and the idolatry of personal ease. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that Jesus is the Redeemer who came to save from sin, not to change political systems, and invites all to respond in worship and obedience. Everybody's Taking a Stand Where Will You Stand When the King Comes? Truth: Matthew 2:1–6 (and Matthew 1:21) Everybody's Taking a Stand Take your Bible and turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2. Isn't it something, y'all, how fast time moves? We blink and we're already rolling toward the close of another year. And as we get close to this season, there's a lot of talk about the birth of Jesus. A lot of decorations, a lot of songs, a lot

Rest — In the Work The message emphasizes that true rest isn't found in inactivity, but in a deep intimacy with God, learning from Him, and participating in His agenda. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Matthew 11:28 and Psalm 3, it explores the concept of a yoke, illustrating that partnering with Jesus transforms burdens into blessings and provides a peace that transcends circumstances. The message underscores that this rest is not transferable, but rather a result of trusting in the Lord's work and aligning one's own efforts with His purpose, ultimately leading to a sweet sleep and a life free from fear, sustained by His grace and power. Rest in the Work, Not From the Work Matthew 11:28–30 | Psalm 3 | Psalm 127 | Proverbs 3:21–26 The Great Invitation Jesus extends an invitation unlike any other: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… and you will find rest for your souls." — Matthew 11:28–29 This rest is not simply physical downtime — it's rest for your soul. It's the inward peace that comes from: • Taking His agenda • Learning from Him • Walking with Him • Doing what He's doing Physical rest has its place — even God gave the Sabbath for man's good — but the Sabbath itself pointed to a greater reality: true rest is found in the finished work of God. A Yoke That Brings Rest A yoke is for a burden. You place it on a beast of burden for work. Jesus does have a burden — but it is a blessed burden when you're yoked with Him. • You can't carry it alone. • You must be yoked to Him in it. • He is the lead burden-bearer. When He leads, His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and H

Learn and Love This message centers around Jesus' command in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7 — "Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice." We will emphasizes that God values long-lasting, loyal love and mercy over ritualistic religious acts. This mercy is not only beneficial to others but also glorifies God. It's a "useful goodness" that reveals the heart of the gospel. Using Hosea 6:6 as a reference point, we unpack the difference between external sacrifice and internal transformation. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for failing to understand what true mercy looks like, urging them (and us) to "go and learn" and, later, lamenting that "if you had known" this truth, it would have changed how they treated others. We also connects this to Matthew 11 and Luke 7, where Jesus reassures John the Baptist through the evidence of His works — the blind see, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached. Reversing this list illustrates the transformational progression of salvation: 1. The gospel is preached 2. The dead are raised 3. The deaf hear 4. The unclean are cleansed 5. The lame walk 6. The blind see This mirrors how the gospel works in the human heart: first, a sinner hears the Word, is made alive, and is then transformed in mind, heart, and life. The gospel isn't just about its effects (like changed behavior or blessing) but its essence — the entire life, from the promise, conception, birth, testing, faith life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We emphasizes the difference between having information about God versus having a transformational relationship with Him. To help learners apply Scripture deeply, pastor

"Out of Season, Maybe" "Out of Season, Maybe — But We're Not in The Dark" He wants us to know, but what we know doesn't always have to make sense — until it does. He is into the details... and we find it all, just as He said, when we show up to the right place, looking for the right things, among the right people for the right reasons. The God of details... glory! And He rode an unbroken donkey like it was nothing... because for Him it was nothing. He breaks our unbrokenness and rides our submission very well, too. Matthew 21; Mark 11:1-4,5-7 The weak link of every mistake and the distortion of every misunderstanding can be traced back to not knowing, not trusting, and not obeying the truth. The root and seedling of every error, falsehood, mistake, misunderstanding, deception, and sin can always be traced back to a disconnect to the message of God. Matthew 22:29 When it Doesn't make sense: When the out-of-season moments and guidance of God, become opportunities and open doors to magnify the trustworthiness of God and the simple workings of redeeming faith. Like a cursed fig tree... An Out-of-Season Word When we surrender our rights to the Lord, there will be times when we are told to do things by Him that seem to be "out of season." He will have us say and do things that just don't make sense to us or to those whom we are ministering to. Joshua was instructed by God to march around a city and shout, and the walls would fall. Gideon was told to reduce his fighting force down to three hundred men to fight several nations who were numerous as locusts. He was not only to fight with three hundred men but he was also commanded to use a strange "weapon" of clay pottery

"He Wants YOU To Know…" What He said… Who He said it to… Why He said it… How He said it… When He said it… The way He said it… What He meant when He said what He said… Who, what, how, when, and why to look for Him, this, that, them, and everything else in life. He wants us to know… more than you or I can truly fathom, for several eternal reasons. "See, I have told you beforehand…" Matthew 24:25 Knowing, trusting, honoring, and helping others — know, trust, and honor what He said — could be exactly what you need in your situation tonight. Jesus had been telling us about the deception and deceivers that will mislead so many. So, He says… Look, I warned you it would come, I said it will be strong and hard to overcome, but you can see through the lies and their error, you'll just need to know what I have said. Do you know? Remember this… The weak link of every mistake and the distortion of every misunderstanding can be traced back to not knowing, not trusting, and not obeying the truth. The root and seedling to every error, falsehood, mistake, misunderstanding, deception, and sin can always be traced back to a disconnect to the message of God. Matthew 22:29 I'm learning and have much more to learn. But I know He wants to lovingly teach me so I'll keep seeking Him for help. Yes, I've given my life to Him and to know what He's said. #nestingwithjesus #matthew #matthew24and25 #Jesustoldus #skiesoverthechapel

"They Didn't Take Him Serious" They didn't, and it cost them. Today, no doubt, they wish they had… Don't make the same mistake. They missed it! Have you? Has He blessed you? He was sent to bless… Who? How? When? What for? Who for? Don't miss Him. I encourage you to take a little time today and seek the face of Jesus — and surrender your ways to His — and thank Him for inviting you to entrust your life — and your understanding of it — to His care and purpose — before He closes the door of His grace and mercy offered to you. Blessings upon blessings and grace upon grace to you and your nest. #nestingwithjesus #matthew #matthew23 #matthew22and29 #matthew24 #acts3 #acts3and22thru26 #luke2and25thru35 #simeon #thewoesofJesus #warnings #luke19and44warning #jerusalem #judah #grace #mercy #layersuponlayers #layersofgrace #fairygardenlivingisforfairygardens #notforalifewithrealconsequences

Did Jesus Say That? That and more… Join me as we consider what Jesus said in Matthew 23 and Matthew 22:29. It's a dangerous life to make up your own rules… especially with very little accountability. The weak link of every mistake and the distortion of every misunderstanding can be traced back to not knowing, not trusting, and not obeying the truth. Matthew 22:29 Warnings and woes… Think with me for a moment. The leaders over Jerusalem and Judah treated the nation and its inhabitants like a "fairy garden" and neglected the reality that they would one day give an account for deviating from God's purpose and plan. They played with no real sense of the devastating consequences that would fall upon them and their little ones. And they became so comfortable with their control that they utterly despised and defied Jesus' commands to repent and believe. Jesus held no punches... and revealed that their terrible mistake and intentional misstep was beyond remedy. But the warning doesn't stop with them... not at all. It extends beyond them to even you and I. We can't make up the rules as we go, nor can we control how life will be or end... because there are real consequences to every decision we make. We've been given liberties to choose, but there is no choice in the consequences of our choices. That is left to the mercy or wrath of God. There's coming a day when we also will give an account of our lives. And if we haven't trusted Jesus and His redeeming grace, turning toward Him and His ways and turning from our "fairy garden" lifestyle before it's everlasting too late, we too will seal our fate and can only expect the "woes" of death and destruction. I encourage you to t

Who's Offended With Who? You and I need to know the real answers to this. Join us as we look at what Jesus says about the offended and their offending. We'll take a look at these thoughts in Matthew 13:36-43 (Matthew 13:24-30) and Matthew 15:10-13. For your further study check out these truths. They will help you see this: 1 John 3; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Revelation 21:5-8; Revelation 22:13-15; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-27; Romans 2:4-10; Luke 13:1-9; Luke 17:1-10; Matthew 12:50; Mark 8:34-38; Matthew 16:25; John 8; John 10; John 3; Colossians 1; Ephesians 2… Remember this: "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked." Proverbs 29:27 There's no need to try to rewrite the right… or fix what ain't broken. Right and wrong will always be divided. #nestingwithjesus #matthew #matthew15and13 #matthew13and24thru30 #matthew13and36thru43 #matthew16 #offensive #offenses #offender #offended #Jesus #grace #faith #salvaged #refocus #repurposed #repentance

They Will Push… Don't Let Them Don't let them or it push you. Don't let them or it diminish you. Don't let them or it fragment you. Don't let them push you away from His work. Don't let them or it take you to a place He's not leading. Who's our business? What's our business? Why is it our business? Being politically conservative and being biblically conservative are not the same. It's a daily struggle with Jesus — but impossible without Him — to not make patriotism, politics, work, family, church, sports, or anything else into an idol. Just a little note added: Patriotism is all about principles… and we can classify almost anyone, in any land, as patriots. And it's usually patriots who go to war with opposing patriots. Why? Patriotism is being loyal to what one believes more than to one's country or certain lands, but ideas and principles that one will love and fight for. The problem is that these ideas and principles can often become idols because one places them before their loyalty to Jesus or they reduce Jesus down to their loyalty — to their principled way of thinking. Either way it's idolatry. Ideas, apart from God's perspective and wisdom, are strongholds and vain imaginations that must be taken captive by the believers and pulled through power of God. Don't let them or it cause you to flicker, falter, or fragment. Fight the good fight or faith… His business is the same today as it was then — He's in His people fulfilling His work today with the same spirit He had then. #nestingwithjesus #matthew #matthew12 #Isaiah42 #theywillpush #theywilldull #theywillfragment #theywillfail #dontletthempushyou #dontletthempushoutofHiswork #idol #idolatry #until