Wesley Church Sermons

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In Matthew 16, Jesus makes it clear that discipleship isn't about fitting him into the life we've already chosen—it's about denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following wherever he leads. Jesus doesn't come to live life on our terms; he invites us to place our lives on his.

Peter thought he knew Jesus—but he only knew what he wanted to know about him. In Matthew 16, Jesus challenges Peter and the disciples to see beyond their expectations of a conquering king and recognize the Savior who would choose the way of the cross. As followers of Christ, we are invited to let go of the Jesus we imagine and discover the fullness of who Jesus truly is, trusting him enough to follow wherever he leads—even when the path is difficult.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks his disciples a question that every person of faith must eventually answer: "Who do you say that I am?" Our faith cannot rest simply on what we want God to do for us, but must be rooted in knowing Jesus as the Christ, the source of our salvation and the center of our lives. When we know who Jesus is, we discover who we are called to be—people claimed by Christ, living as citizens of God's kingdom and offering our lives in faithful service to him.

In Matthew 16, Jesus takes his disciples to Caesarea Philippi—a place surrounded by competing gods, religious traditions, and the power of Rome—and asks them one essential question: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's answer reminds us that Christianity is more than knowing about Jesus; it is personally knowing and confessing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

The encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman challenges us to wrestle with what happens when the boundaries we create—between insiders and outsiders, right and wrong, worthy and unworthy—collide with God's mercy. Scripture is not simply a collection of rules to follow, but an itinerary that leads us toward greater alignment with God, where the law ultimately illuminates a deeper call to love God and our neighbor. In the end, mercy triumphs, reminding us that the highest expression of our faith is not simply what we believe or how we follow the rules, but how we respond to the cries of those who need God's love.

A Canaanite woman refuses to walk away from Jesus, trusting that even the crumbs from His table are enough. Her story reminds us that great faith doesn't always look spectacular—sometimes it simply looks like showing up, trusting again, and refusing to leave the table.

Most of us remember this story because Peter sank. But Matthew wants us to remember that Peter actually walked on water because he trusted the One who said, "Come." This message reminds us that following Jesus isn't about becoming fearless—it's about staying close to the One whose hand is always within reach.

Peter's story of walking on water reminds us that faith isn't measured by how perfectly we walk, but by our willingness to step out of the boat and follow Jesus. Too often, we define ourselves—and others—by the moment we fall, forgetting to celebrate the courage it took to step out in the first place. Even when our faith falters, Christ reaches out to catch us, inviting us to get back up and faithfully become the people God is calling us to be.

In the feeding of the 5,000, nearly everyone is asking the same question: "What can I get?" But Jesus turns the question around, showing us a life of compassion, generosity, and grace. When we stop asking, "God, what did You bring me?" we discover His answer has been there all along: "I brought you Me."

In the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus demonstrates the importance of retreating—not as an act of giving up, but as a way of gaining perspective and preparing for what lies ahead. As a new school year begins and life quickly fills with schedules, responsibilities, and expectations, we are invited to follow Jesus' example by making space to pray, remember God's presence, and regain perspective. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what prepares us to faithfully step forward.

It's easy to assume the Kingdom of God should look impressive, successful, and impossible to miss. Yet Jesus points to a mustard seed and yeast—ordinary, hidden things that are full of life. This week's message explores how Christ retrains us to recognize His Kingdom and challenges us to trade the world's scoreboard for His.

Sometimes having faith requires waiting. Faith as small as a mustard seed can take time to grow, but just because we can't always see it, doesn't mean it is not growing. 

This week we explore Jesus' Parable of the Weeds from Matthew 13 and discover that the story isn't primarily about identifying weeds—it's about learning to trust the Farmer. Through a surprising look at the Greek words behind the passage and the patience of the landowner, we discover that God sees the whole field while we often see only one corner of it. When life feels messy and we're tempted to fix everything immediately, Jesus invites us to trust the God who has never abandoned His field.

We live in a world where wheat and weeds grow side by side, and our first instinct is often to pull the weeds. In this message, Jesus' parable challenges us to trust God's judgment instead of our own and to focus less on rooting out evil and more on cultivating what is good.

The Bible is more than an ancient book—it is God's living Word, revealing His love, His plan, and His invitation into a relationship with Him. This message explores where the Bible came from, why it matters, and how hiding God's Word in our hearts prepares us to stand firm when life's storms come.

July 5th Combined Worship 

Why would Jesus end an entire teaching on mission with something as ordinary as a cup of cold water? In this message from Matthew 10:40–42, we explore how Jesus invites us to see him in the people he sends and reminds us that the kingdom often grows through ordinary faithfulness. The world measures significance by impact, but Jesus measures significance by faithfulness.

In this message, Bishop Beard reflects on Matthew 10:37-38. The biggest lie we often tell ourselves is that being a Christian is easy. Although we know that discipleship is free, it isn't cheap! 

Matthew 10:34-39

In this message, Bishop Beard reflects on Matthew 9:35-38. 

Jesus interrupts the life of Matthew, a tax collector everyone had written off, and invites him to follow. He then interrupts the assumptions of the Pharisees by sitting down at a table with sinners and reminding them that God's mercy is greater than their rules. In the same way, Christ still interrupts our old scripts and invites us to leave behind who we think we are and take our place at his table.

On Trinity Sunday, we explore Jesus' final words to his disciples in Matthew 28:16-20. Standing before a small group that included some who still doubted, Jesus entrusted them with the impossible mission of making disciples of all nations—and promised that he would be with them always. This sermon reminds us that the Great Commission was never meant to be accomplished by our strength alone, but through the power and presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Though you are different every day, the work of God is the same every day. The work of God is not finished until we go to every person and every place to declare God's glory and bring all to him. Matthew 28

On this Pentecost & Aldersgate Sunday, Bishop Beard preaches on Acts 2. 

There's something about "that name." In this message, Bishop Beard talks about John 17. We should reclaim "the name," name "the name," and share "the name."

The glory of God is not something you can hang on a wall and describe. But once you experience the fullness of God, you've experienced His glory. It is our responsibility to share it with others. 

This message explores Jesus' promise in John 14 that we are never left alone. In this message, we reflect on the gift of the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Comforter, and Advocate—God's presence with us in every season of life. Through personal stories, the power of Pentecost, and Jesus' call to love God and love others, this sermon reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not distant or mysterious, but active, personal, and available today. If you've ever wondered where God is in difficult moments, this message offers hope: you are not abandoned, and you are not alone.

On this Mother's Day message, we reflect on Jesus' powerful promise in John 14: "I will not leave you as orphans." In a world where loneliness, grief, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming, Christ reminds us that God is not distant, neutral, or merely observing—God is our Advocate, always for us and always present with us. Through stories of mothers, loss, belonging, and faith, this sermon explores what it means to be truly known, deeply loved, and never alone. Whether you are celebrating, grieving, or searching for purpose, this message offers comfort and hope for every heart.

A place isn't an address - it's an experience. And when you're with God, anywhere feels like home. 

We all want to know where our lives are going—but faith doesn't come with a roadmap. In John 14, Jesus meets anxious disciples (and us) with a powerful reminder: we don't have to know the way, because He is the way. As we step into uncertain futures, we're invited to trust the One who goes ahead of us, makes a place for us, and sends us out to make space for others.

On Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus is not only the Shepherd who knows, protects, and loves His flock—He is also the Gate through which abundant life is found. Reflecting on Psalm 23 and John 10, this message explores how we often try to climb over the fence and find our own way, only to discover that Christ has already made the path clear. Through the lens of Wesleyan theology, we see God's prevenient grace drawing us near, justifying grace welcoming us in, and sanctifying grace sending us out to serve. Wherever you are on the journey, the Good Shepherd is calling you by name.

In Gospel of John 10, Jesus contrasts the voices that steal, kill, and destroy with His own voice that leads to abundant life. Like sheep who learn to recognize their shepherd, we are invited to learn the voice of Jesus in a world full of competing voices. Because not every voice is life-giving—but when we listen to and follow His, we discover the full, abundant life He came to give.

In this reflection on the Gospel of Luke Emmaus story, the sermon explores why the disciples walked alongside Jesus without recognizing him. Was it grief, distraction, unmet expectations, or simply not being ready to see? Moving through these possibilities, the message shifts to a deeper truth: Christ is most clearly revealed not through dramatic proof, but through scripture and shared table. When we open God's Word and serve one another, our eyes—like theirs—are opened, and we begin to recognize that Jesus has been with us all along.

Rooted in the resurrection account from the Gospel of John and the outpouring in Acts of the Apostles, this message explores how Jesus prepares and empowers his followers through the Holy Spirit. From fearful disciples behind locked doors to bold witnesses in the streets, we see that the Spirit is not optional—it is essential. The Holy Spirit transforms hearts, produces Christlike character, and equips believers to live out God's mission in the world.

In this episode, we explore a powerful passage from the Gospel of John (John 20:19–31), where the risen Jesus meets His disciples in the midst of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Through the story of Thomas the Apostle, we're invited to reconsider what it really means to believe—and when Easter truly begins. What if Easter isn't just a date on the calendar or a moment in history, but something that unfolds within us? What if it's not just about the empty tomb, but about the ongoing effect of resurrection in our lives? This message challenges us to move beyond simply celebrating Easter to actually experiencing it—to discover a faith that meets us in our questions, sustains us through life's wilderness, and empowers us to live with hope, no matter what we face. Because Easter isn't just an event… it's an effect.

In Matthew 28, Easter doesn't arrive quietly—it shakes the ground. This message explores how the resurrection isn't something to explain, but something that disrupts everything we thought was settled. If Jesus is risen, then death isn't final—and neither is anything else you thought had the last word.

This episode invites us to see Easter as more than a story we revisit each year—it's an invitation into new life right now. Walking through John 20, we witness the confusion, grief, and wonder of the empty tomb, but more importantly, we're reminded that resurrection isn't just something Jesus experienced—it's something we're invited into. As we reflect on Mary's encounter with the risen Christ, we explore what it means to move from simply remembering Easter to actually living as people made new. 

Greg Porterfield, Greg Hatfield, & Aaron Talbott Scripture: Matthew 28:1–10 Resurrection celebration. Reflection Question: How does the resurrection shape the way we live today?

Aaron Talbott & Luke Amerson Matthew 27:57–66 The day between crucifixion and resurrection. Reflection Question: Where in life are you currently waiting on God?

Greg Porterfield & Jeff Wickell John 19, 11-18, 28-30 The sacrifice of Jesus. Reflection Question: What does the cross mean personally in your life?

Aaron Talbott & Greg Hatfield John 13:1-26 Communion and servant leadership. Reflection Question: Where might Jesus be inviting us to serve someone today?

Greg Hatfield & Hillary Williamson Matthew 26: 6-13 A quieter moment before events accelerate.  Reflection Question:  What is one way we can intentionally honor Jesus today? 

Greg Porterfield & Bishop Frank Beard Matthew 22 Jesus teaching and being questioned by religious leaders.  Reflection Question: How can we live out loving God and loving our neighbor today? 

Aaron Talbott & Greg Hatfield Matthew 21:12–17 Jesus driving out the money changers. Reflection Question: What might God want to "clear out" of our hearts this week?

Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus entered Jerusalem not with power and force, but with humility and peace. As the crowds shouted "Hosanna," they welcomed a king—just not the kind they expected. As we begin Holy Week, may we open our hearts to receive Jesus as he truly is.

Greg Porterfield & Aaron Talbott Jesus entering Jerusalem Matthew 21:1–11 Reflection Question: Where might we be expecting Jesus to act one way when he is inviting us to trust him in another?

Palm Sunday isn't just a celebration—it's a choice between two very different parades. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd cheers with expectation, hoping for power and control, but Jesus reveals a kingdom marked by humility, surrender, and the cross. This message invites us to consider not just if we'll praise Jesus—but which kind of King we're actually willing to follow.

Ezekiel 37