The Truth with Matt Bedwell

Where do you turn when life is difficult, the future is uncertain, and you feel like you don't belong in this world?

In 1 Peter 1:1–12, Peter writes to believers living as exiles—Christians scattered throughout the world who are facing trials but have been given something this world cannot take away: a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus is alive, our hope is alive. Our inheritance is secure. Our faith can endure trials. And even when we cannot see Him, we can love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in the salvation He has promised.

In this opening message from our series Living as Exiles, we'll discover that our hope isn't determined by our circumstances. It is grounded in God's mercy, secured through Christ's resurrection, and guarded by God's power.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to be committed to God?

In Nehemiah 10:1–39, the people of Israel put their names on a covenant, committing themselves to live according to God's Word. But their commitment wasn't merely a signature on a document. It affected their worship, their homes, their priorities, their resources, and their everyday lives.

In this message from our series Rebuilding for God's Glory, we explore what it looks like to move beyond good intentions and live with genuine commitment to the Lord.

A rebuilt wall was not enough. A renewed people needed to live for God's glory.

But there's an important gospel truth we must remember: our obedience does not earn God's grace. We respond to the grace God has already shown us. We don't obey to make God love us; we obey because He has loved us.

Ultimately, the Christian life isn't about making promises that we can keep ourselves. It's about belonging to the Savior who gave Himself for us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Malachi 3–4 brings us to the closing words of the Old Testament. Israel has struggled with sin, spiritual apathy, empty worship, and unbelief. Yet God does not leave His people without hope.

He promises that a messenger is coming. He promises that the Lord Himself will come. He promises judgment for the wicked, healing for those who fear His name, and the coming of “the sun of righteousness” with healing in His wings.

Then the Old Testament goes silent.

For hundreds of years, there would be no prophet. No new Scripture. No recorded prophetic voice.

But God was not absent.

He was preparing the way for the Savior.

In this message from Malachi 3–4, we will see how the final words of the Old Testament point us forward to Jesus Christ—and why the silence before Bethlehem was actually preparing us for the Savior.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you see when you look back at your life?

Your failures?

Your regrets?

Your mistakes?

Your missed opportunities?

In Nehemiah 9, God's people stop and look back over their entire history. And what they see is not a perfect people.

They see rebellion.

They see disobedience.

They see complaining.

They see unbelief.

They see repeated failure.

But they also see something far greater: God's grace.

Nehemiah 9 is one of the great prayers of the Old Testament because it tells the story of Israel's history through the lens of God's faithfulness.

God created.

God called.

God rescued.

God provided.

God promised.

God warned.

God forgave.

And again and again, when His people turned away, God remained faithful.

This is the heart of “Remembering Grace.”

We don't remember our past so that we can live in shame.

We remember it so that we can see how faithful God has been.

Our sin is real.

Our failures matter.

But God's grace is greater.

In this message from Nehemiah 9:1–38 in the series Rebuilding for God's Glory, we'll look at what happens when God's people remember their history and discover that God's faithfulness has been present through every chapter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every earthly kingdom eventually falls.

Kings die. Governments change. Empires disappear. Nations that once seemed invincible eventually become chapters in history books.

But in Daniel 7:13–14, Daniel sees a King whose kingdom is different.

He sees “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven and approaching the Ancient of Days. To Him is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom so that peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

And unlike every earthly kingdom:

His dominion is everlasting.

His kingdom will never pass away.

His rule will never be destroyed.

Hundreds of years later, Jesus repeatedly called Himself “the Son of Man.”

That wasn't an accidental title.

Jesus was identifying Himself with the King Daniel saw—the promised ruler whose kingdom would never end.

In this message from our Jesus Before Bethlehem series, we'll see how Daniel's vision points forward to Jesus Christ and why His eternal reign gives believers confidence when the kingdoms of this world seem uncertain.

Our hope isn't ultimately in an earthly kingdom.

Our hope is in the King who reigns forever.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens after we hear God's Word?

In Nehemiah 8:1–12, God's people gathered together and listened as Ezra read and explained the Scriptures. They worshiped. They wept. They rejoiced.

But the story doesn't end there.

The next day, the leaders return to God's Word. As they study, they discover God's command concerning the Feast of Booths—and when they realize what Scripture says, they don't merely discuss it.

They obey it.

That's what genuine revival looks like.

Revival isn't merely an emotional moment.

It isn't simply being moved by a sermon.

It isn't just hearing God's Word, agreeing with God's Word, or even understanding God's Word.

Real revival leads to obedience.

In this message from Nehemiah 8:13–18, we'll see what happens when God's people continue seeking His Word, allow Scripture to correct what they've neglected, and respond with immediate obedience.

Because the real question isn't simply: “What did I hear?”

It's: “What am I going to do about it?”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is humanity's greatest problem?

Is it our circumstances? Our environment? Our lack of knowledge? Or do we need something much deeper?

In Jeremiah 31:31–34, God makes an extraordinary promise to His people:

“I will make a new covenant.”

Israel had God's Law, but possessing God's commands could not change the human heart. Something greater was needed. God promised a day when His Law would not merely be written on tablets—it would be written on the heart.

He promised a restored relationship with His people.

And He promised: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Centuries later, on the night before the cross, Jesus took the cup and declared: “This cup... is the new covenant in my blood.”

The promise of Jeremiah 31 ultimately leads us to Jesus. In this message from our Jesus Before Bethlehem series, we'll discover why we need more than outward religion, better behavior, or another chance.

We need God to change us from the inside out.

And through Jesus Christ, God offers what sinners desperately need: forgiveness, reconciliation, transformation, and a new relationship with Him.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the Bible truly takes center stage among the people of God?

In Nehemiah 8:1–12, Jerusalem's walls have been rebuilt. The gates are restored. The people have returned. But the greatest rebuilding project is just beginning.

God is rebuilding His people.

And it begins with His Word.

The people gather together and ask Ezra to bring out the Book of the Law. For hours, they stand and listen as God's Word is read and explained. They worship. They weep. They respond.

And eventually, their sorrow gives way to joy.

“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8 reminds us that God's people don't merely need better circumstances, stronger walls, or successful programs.

We need the Word of God.

When the Bible takes center stage, God's people hear His voice, understand His truth, see themselves clearly, respond in worship and repentance, and experience the joy that comes from His grace.

The wall has been rebuilt.

Now God begins rebuilding the people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nehemiah 7 contains more than 70 verses filled with gates, guards, leaders, genealogies, names, and numbers. It's the kind of chapter we're tempted to skim.

But God included every name for a reason.

The wall around Jerusalem was finally finished. After prayer, sacrifice, opposition, ridicule, threats, and exhaustion, Nehemiah could have said, “We're done.”

But he didn't.

The wall was finished—but the mission wasn't.

Nehemiah immediately began guarding what God had allowed them to build, appointing faithful leaders, organizing the people, and preparing Jerusalem for what God would do next.

And when we reach that long list of names, we discover something important:

Behind every number was a name.

Behind every name was a person.

Behind every person was a family.

And every person mattered to God.

In this message from Nehemiah 7:1–73, we'll discover what it means to Count What Counts.

We'll learn why we must:

Keep moving forward after accomplishment.

Guard what God has entrusted to us.

Value faithfulness more than talent.

Remember the people behind the numbers.

And make sure our own names are counted where it matters most.

Because one day, many of the things we're counting now won't matter.

The eternal question is:

Is your name written in heaven?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psalm 23 begins with one of the most beloved statements in all of Scripture:

“The Lord is my shepherd.”

But who is this Shepherd—and how does Psalm 23 ultimately point us to Jesus?

Israel's history was filled with failed shepherds. In Ezekiel 34, God confronted leaders who fed themselves instead of caring for His sheep. They neglected the weak, abandoned the wandering, and left God's people scattered.

Then God made an incredible promise:

“I, I myself will search for my sheep.”

He also promised that He would place over them “one shepherd, my servant David.”

Centuries later, Jesus came declaring:

“I am the good shepherd.”

In Jesus, both promises meet.

He is God the Son who came personally to seek His scattered sheep, and He is the promised Son of David—the Shepherd King.

In this message from our Jesus Before Bethlehem series, we'll see that Jesus is the Shepherd who:

Seeks and rescues the lost.

Provides, restores, and leads His sheep.

Walks with us through the valley.

Lays down His life for His sheep.

Rules as our Shepherd King.

And leads His people safely home forever.

The Christian life does not promise that we'll never enter the valley. It promises something better:

We will never enter the valley alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.