Journey Church Gillette

This powerful message from Matthew 16 confronts us with a sobering reality: when our hearts grow hard, no amount of evidence will convince us of God's truth. We explore the dangerous intersection of spiritual blindness and cultural influence, examining how the Pharisees and Sadducees—two groups normally opposed to each other—united in their hostility toward Jesus. Despite witnessing countless miracles, they demanded yet another sign, revealing that their problem wasn't insufficient evidence but rather resistant hearts. The message warns us about the subtle leaven of false teaching that can permeate our lives through social media, entertainment, and cultural voices. We're challenged to examine what we're allowing into our minds and hearts—the podcasts we consume, the shows we stream, the influencers we follow. The ultimate invitation is to stop demanding God prove himself on our terms and instead surrender to the greatest sign already given: the cross and empty tomb.

This sermon explores Jesus' compassionate ministry to the broken and needy as depicted in Matthew 15. The message emphasizes that genuine healing begins when we lay our burdens at Jesus' feet and surrender what we have into His hands. Jesus doesn't just manage symptoms—He completely heals. The sermon challenges believers to remember past miracles during present crises and trust that God knows our needs before we even ask. This compassionate ministry extends to all people, Jew and Gentile alike, demonstrating that Jesus is the Savior of the world who satisfies the deepest longings of the soul.

This sermon explores the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, examining what genuine, persistent faith looks like. The message challenges the common "Sunday school" perception of Jesus as only gentle and mild, revealing Him as also confrontational when addressing hypocrisy. Through the Canaanite woman's story, the sermon demonstrates that authentic faith is bold, humble, desperate, and unrelenting. It addresses the difficult reality that God is sometimes silent, but His silence is never absence—rather, it's an invitation to deeper trust. The woman's persistent pursuit of Jesus despite cultural barriers, silence, and seemingly harsh words reveals that great faith doesn't demand entitlement but cries out for mercy. The sermon emphasizes that faith isn't fragile but fierce, refusing to quit when obstacles arise, and that even a crumb of God's grace is sufficient to change everything.

This sermon examines the critical difference between external religious performance and internal heart transformation. Drawing from Matthew 14:34-15:20, the message contrasts Jesus' compassionate healing ministry with the Pharisees' obsession with ritual purity and man-made traditions. The central truth is that God cares far less about the cleanliness of our hands than the condition of our hearts. Religion focuses on external behaviors and rule-keeping, while Jesus focuses on internal transformation and authentic relationship. The sermon challenges believers to examine whether they are merely defending traditions or genuinely reaching for Jesus, emphasizing that God wants humble, sincere, receptive, and transformed hearts that authentically worship Him rather than perform empty rituals.

This sermon explores the account of Jesus walking on water to meet His disciples during a storm, emphasizing that obedience to God does not exempt believers from life's storms. Through Matthew 14:22-33, the message reveals that storms are not always signs of disobedience but can be part of God's design to deepen our faith. The sermon teaches that God's timing may seem delayed but is never late, and that Jesus often allows us to reach the end of our own strength so we learn to fully depend on Him. The central truth is that peace is not found in stormless seas but in a steadfast Savior. Like Peter, we are called to step out in faith, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus rather than our circumstances. When we begin to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out to rescue us, and every storm we survive becomes a platform for deeper worship.

This sermon explores the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, demonstrating how God transforms our inadequacy into abundance. The message emphasizes that Jesus doesn't require us to have everything figured out or possess abundant resources—He simply asks for our availability and willingness to place what little we have into His hands. Through the account in Matthew 14, the sermon reveals that compassion is the heartbeat of God's kingdom, and that our perceived "not enough" becomes more than enough when surrendered to Christ. The sermon challenges believers to stop underestimating God while overestimating their problems, and to trust that God's provision is never stingy but always abundant.

The story of Jericho isn't just an ancient tale of walls falling down—it's a powerful mirror reflecting the seemingly impossible obstacles we face today. When we examine Joshua 6, we discover that the Israelites stood before the most fortified city of their time, a military stronghold that defied every conventional strategy. Yet God's plan was radically different: march, blow trumpets, shout, and watch the walls collapse. This wasn't random or theatrical—it was purposeful. God chose Jericho specifically because it required complete dependence on Him. Archaeological evidence confirms the walls fell outward, not inward as would happen in a typical siege, validating the miraculous nature of this conquest. What makes this relevant to us is recognizing our own Jerichos—fear, addiction, broken relationships, the constant pull of technology, unhealthy patterns we can't seem to break. The message challenges us to ask: Are we approaching our strongholds with God's wisdom or the world's methods? Are we truly listening when we pray, or just presenting our wish list? The Israelites' obedience, even when the plan seemed absurd, became the key to their victory. When we surrender our need for control and trust God's purposeful plan over our own logic, we position ourselves to witness the impossible become possible in our lives.

This sermon examines the martyrdom of John the Baptist as a powerful example of faithfulness in a hostile world. Through Matthew 14:1-12, the message emphasizes that the kingdom of God is glorious but not safe—wherever truth advances, resistance rises. John the Baptist's willingness to confront sin, even at the cost of his life, demonstrates that true courage means speaking God's truth boldly while trusting in His authority above human approval. Pastor Erin challenges believers to make 2026 a year of courage and boldness, speaking truth in love despite potential consequences. The message concludes with the promise of a crown of faithfulness for those who remain committed to Christ regardless of cost.

This sermon explores three kingdom parables from Matthew 13 that reveal the incomparable value of God's kingdom. Building on previous teachings about the four types of hearts (soils) and the wheat and tares, this message focuses on what happens when genuine faith takes root—it transforms our entire value system. The sermon challenges two common errors believers make: not taking God seriously enough, and attempting to rewrite His kingdom according to personal preferences. The message concludes with a sobering reminder that while the net is still in the water and the door remains open, there will come a final separation between those who treasured Christ and those who rejected Him due to familiarity and unbelief.

This sermon explores Jesus' parable of the wheat and tares from Matthew 13, examining the reality that God's kingdom grows in a world where genuine believers and false converts exist side by side. The message emphasizes three critical truths: God's purposeful patience in waiting until the final harvest to separate believers from unbelievers, the sobering reality of hell as eternal conscious suffering for those who reject Christ, and the glorious hope of heaven for those who trust in Jesus. Pastor Erin challenges listeners to examine their hearts and ensure they are truly part of God's kingdom, not merely religious in appearance but lacking genuine faith. The sermon concludes with a clear gospel invitation, urging people to make a decision to follow Christ before it's too late, as the opportunity for salvation ends at death.

This sermon examines Jesus' Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13, emphasizing that understanding this parable is the key to understanding all other kingdom parables. The message focuses on the condition of the human heart and its receptiveness to God's word. Jesus uses the imagery of seed, sower, and soil to illustrate four different heart conditions: the hardened heart (wayside), the shallow heart (stony ground), the divided heart (thorny ground), and the responsive heart (good soil). The sermon challenges listeners to examine their own hearts and recognize that God's grace reaches out first, scattering seed generously, but the condition of our hearts determines whether that seed takes root and bears fruit.

This powerful exploration of Matthew 12:38-50 challenges us to examine a dangerous spiritual condition: the hardened heart that demands signs yet refuses to surrender. We discover that the Pharisees, despite witnessing Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and perform countless miracles, still demanded more proof before they would believe. The message confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: our problem is rarely a lack of evidence, but rather a lack of surrender. The sermon emphasizes that hardened hearts are not softened by miracles alone but require genuine surrender and repentance. Jesus warns that an empty soul, even when cleaned of evil, will fall into worse condition if not filled with God's presence.

This sermon from Matthew 12:22-37 explores the spiritual battle for control of every human heart. Through Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed, blind, and mute man, Pastor Erin demonstrates that humanity faces a critical choice: surrender to the liberating power of Christ or remain under the destructive influence of Satan. The message emphasizes that spiritual neutrality is impossible—we are either actively following Jesus or passively aligned with the enemy by default. The healing miracle serves as a metaphor for our spiritual condition: without Christ, we are spiritually blind, deaf, and mute to God's truth.

This sermon explores Jesus' approach to the Sabbath through three controversies in Matthew 12:1-21, contrasting the Pharisees' legalistic burden with Christ's offer of true rest. The message emphasizes that Jesus values people over rules, relationships over rituals, and mercy over sacrifice. Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord of the Sabbath by providing for the hungry, healing the broken, and offering genuine rest to the weary.

This sermon addresses the exhaustion and weariness that comes from carrying burdens we were never meant to bear alone. Through Matthew 11, Pastor Erin explores Jesus' rebuke of cities that witnessed miracles yet refused to repent, followed by His tender invitation to find rest in Him. The message emphasizes that true rest is not found in a place, philosophy, or performance, but in the person of Jesus Christ. Before we can experience this rest, we must first repent—not merely feel sorry, but completely turn from our way to God's way. The sermon reveals that Jesus offers not an escape from life's difficulties, but peace and companionship in the midst of them. Through genuine repentance, we receive grace, and through grace, we're invited to lay our burdens at His feet and find the soul-rest that only comes from walking in His yoke.

This sermon addresses the universal human struggle of unmet expectations with God, using John the Baptist's doubt while imprisoned as the central narrative. The message emphasizes that doubt is not disbelief but rather an internal struggle between belief and uncertainty. Through Matthew 11, Pastor Erin explores how John—the bold prophet who introduced Jesus—found himself questioning whether Jesus was truly the Messiah when his circumstances didn't change despite his obedience. Jesus' response teaches that God's work often doesn't align with our expectations, but His faithfulness remains constant. The sermon encourages believers to focus on what God is doing rather than what He hasn't done, to bring their doubts directly to Jesus, and to trust His goodness even when His methods don't match our preferences.

This sermon explores Jesus' commissioning of His disciples and the calling He places on all believers to make a difference in a hostile world. The message emphasizes that God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things, starting in their own communities before reaching the world. The sermon addresses three main themes: the courage needed to face a world hostile to God, the cost of true discipleship, and the eternal compensation God provides for faithful service. Pastor Erin reminds us that while following Christ may bring division and difficulty, God's presence, power, and promises sustain believers. The call is not to produce results but to obediently serve where God has planted us, knowing that even the smallest acts done in Jesus' name carry eternal significance.

This sermon examines Jesus' commissioning of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10, presenting it as the "Master's Mission Manual" for all believers. The message emphasizes that God calls ordinary, imperfect people for extraordinary purposes, not based on their qualifications but on their willingness to be used. The sermon challenges believers to recognize that they are conduits of God's power, dependent on His provision rather than their own resources. The core message is that our mission field begins not across the ocean but across the street—in our families, workplaces, and communities.

This sermon explores the nature of faith and its practical application in the Christian life. It emphasizes that true faith is not just intellectual belief but involves action and trust in Jesus. Pastor Erin illustrates how faith approaches Jesus with desperation, anticipates His power with determination, and aligns with His purpose through devotion. The sermon also highlights Jesus' compassion for the lost and weary, calling believers to have the same heart for others.

This sermon explores the reality of spiritual warfare in the Christian life. Pastor Grant emphasizes that while the battle is real, Jesus is greater than any enemy we face. He discusses the importance of understanding spiritual warfare without becoming overly focused on it, and encourages believers to use "sanctified common sense" in navigating spiritual challenges. The sermon concludes by comparing two different responses to Jesus' miracles, challenging listeners to welcome Jesus into their lives rather than pushing Him away.

This sermon explores the contrast between old religious systems and the new covenant Jesus brings, emphasizing the power of faith in accessing God's healing and grace. Pastor Erin illustrates how Jesus introduces a new paradigm of relating to God through faith, rather than through ritualistic practices like fasting. The message culminates in a powerful example of faith demonstrated by a woman who was healed by touching Jesus' garment, highlighting the importance of recognizing our need for Christ, overcoming obstacles, and actively reaching out to Him in faith.

This sermon explores Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, and how it demonstrates God's transformative power and grace. Pastor Erin emphasizes that Jesus sees people not for who they were, but for who they can become. He highlights the contrast between the Pharisees' judgmental attitude and Jesus' compassionate approach to sinners, illustrating God's desire for mercy over sacrifice. The sermon encourages listeners to embrace their new identity in Christ and respond to His call to follow, regardless of their past.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Today he finished up chapter 8

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew.

Today, Pastor Erin focused on verses 18-22 in Matthew chapter 8.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. This week we began chapter 8.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Today he went over the final verses in Chapter 7 finishing up The Sermon On The Mount.

Pastor Grant gives a sermon from the book of Galatians

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Today he began chapter 7.

Pastor Erin continues through Matthew chapter 6. Today he talked about seeking what truly matters in life.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew, focusing on what Jesus teaches us about fasting.

Today, Pastor Erin wrapped up the sub-series he's been doing on prayer in Matthew 6

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. We will be spending the next few Sundays focusing on verses 1-18 in Chapter 6, learning about giving, prayer, and fasting.

We are continuing through the series on Matthew. We will be spending the next few Sundays focusing on verses 1-18 in Chapter 6, learning about giving, prayer, and fasting.

We are continuing through the series on Matthew. We will be spending the next few Sundays focusing on verses 1-18 in Chapter 6, learning about giving, prayer, and fasting.

For graduation Sunday, our Youth Pastor gave a special sermon about God's purpose and God's plan for us

We are continuing through the series on Matthew, now in chapter 6. We will be spending the next few Sundays focusing on verses 1-18, learning about giving, prayer, and fasting.

Pastor Erin continues through the book of Matthew. This week he finished up Chapter 5.

Pastor Erin continues going through the book of Matthew. Today he took a deeper look into what Jesus teaches us about marriage and how to have a holy marriage.

This Sunday, we took a look at the story of the disciple, Thomas, and the events that took place after the resurrection.

Pastor Erin continues through the book of Matthew. As we take a deeper look into the law of God from the Old Testament, we learn about the plan of Jesus, the purpose of the law, and the problem of people.

Pastor Erin continues through the book of Matthew. As we take a deeper look into the law of God from the Old Testament, we learn about the plan of Jesus, the purpose of the law, and the problem of people.

Pastor Grant shared a sermon with us today talking about our human nature to try and run and hide form God.

Pastor Erin continues through the book of Matthew. As we take a deeper look into the law of God from the Old Testament, we learn about the plan of Jesus, the purpose of the law, and the problem of people.

Pastor Erin continues through the book of Matthew. Today he talked about what it means to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light in the darkness".

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Over the past few weeks, we've been going through and learning about the Beatitudes.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Over the past few weeks, we've been going through and learning about the Beatitudes.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Over the past few weeks, we've been going through and learning about the Beatitudes.

Pastor Erin continues through the series on Matthew. Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on the Beatitudes.