Matt Ayars Podcast
The podcast of Matt Ayars, Ph.D., a pastor and biblical scholar. It discusses seminary-level topics such as biblical studies, theology, church history, and spiritual formation, making them accessible to everyday believers, pastors, and seekers. Each episode invites listeners to think deeply, live faithfully, and love well, bridging the gap between the classroom and the church, home, and heart.
Episodes
How Christians Should Live in Babylon | Jeremiah 29 Sermon by Stan Key
How should Christians live faithfully in a culture that does not share their beliefs?In this timely sermon from Jeremiah 29, Stan Key explains what it means to be a citizen of Jerusalem while living in Babylon. Christians are strangers, pilgrims, and exiles whose true citizenship is in the City of God—but God has strategically placed us in the world to represent Jesus and love our neighbors.Jeremi
Jesus Is Lord: Psalm 2 and the King Who Turns the World Right Side Up | Stan Key
What happens when the gospel of Jesus Christ enters an upside-down world? It turns that world right side up.Preaching from Acts 17 and Psalm 2, Stan Key explains why the early Christians were accused of turning the world upside down. Their message was both simple and revolutionary: Jesus came, died, rose, reigns, and is coming again. Jesus—not Caesar or any earthly ruler—is Lord.This sermon explor
Acts 21 Bible Study: Paul's Journey to Jerusalem, Arrest, and Unshakable Faith
Join us for an in-depth Bible study of Acts 21 as Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem despite repeated warnings about the suffering awaiting him. We’ll explore his submission to God’s will, his meeting with the Jerusalem church, his arrest in the temple, and the opposition he faced for faithfully proclaiming the gospel.What can Paul’s courage teach us about following Christ when obedience is c
The Ten Commandments: More Than Rules for a Good Life
Are the Ten Commandments simply instructions for living a happy and healthy life? They certainly give us wisdom—but their purpose goes much deeper.In this message, Pastor Matt explains how Jesus intensifies the commandments by addressing not only outward behavior but also the hidden attitudes of the heart. God’s law reveals our sin, humbles us, and shows us why we cannot achieve righteousness on o
Faith in the Fire: Standing Firm Against Idolatry | Daniel 3
What does it take to remain faithful when the world pressures you to bow?In this sermon from Daniel 3, we revisit the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three men who refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, even when their faithfulness led them into a fiery furnace.Discover why the world’s idols can be so attractive, how misplaced priorities create spiritual instability, and what i
Success Is Obedience: Paul’s Final Charge to Church Leaders | Acts 20 Bible Study
What does faithful Christian leadership look like—and how should believers measure success?In this study of Acts 20:17–38, Paul gives his farewell address to the elders of Ephesus. His words reveal a life shaped by humility, courage, sacrifice, and complete obedience to Christ. We explore what it means to proclaim the gospel in both word and deed, teach the whole counsel of God, care faithfully fo
The Power of Deciding Who You Are | Daniel 1 Explained
Launching a new series on holiness through Daniel 1, this sermon explores what it means to remain faithful to God in a culture that pressures us to compromise. Daniel’s resolve not to defile himself becomes a call to wholehearted consecration, a tender heart that responds quickly to God’s correction, and a life of practical compassion for those in need. Listeners are challenged to identify where t
Why Christians Need the Church | Acts 20:1–12 Bible Study
Why is gathering with other believers so important? In this study of Acts 20:1–12, we follow Paul as he travels through Macedonia and Greece, strengthens discouraged believers, worships with the church at Troas, and restores Eutychus after his fatal fall.Along the way, we consider several vital lessons for the church today:• Why encouragement is essential to Christian growth and ministry• How to a
What Does the Holy Spirit Do in Salvation? The Order of Salvation | Sermon Companion Part 1
In this sermon companion, Pastor Matt explains the order of salvation from a Wesleyan perspective and shows how every part of the Holy Spirit’s work points us to Jesus. From the grace that first softens our hearts to the future resurrection of our bodies, salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.Topics include:• Prevenient grace and the softening of the heart • Conviction and repentance • Jus
Why Does God Allow Suffering? The Holy Spirit, Glorification & Christian Hope | Romans 8:18–30
Why doesn’t God simply take away our pain, weakness, or struggle?In this final message on the Holy Spirit’s work in redemption, we turn to Romans 8:18–30 and the promise of glorification. Although creation groans, our bodies groan, and we sometimes cannot even find the words to pray, God’s work is not finished. The Holy Spirit meets us in our weakness, intercedes for us, and assures us that presen
Why Is Creation Groaning? Predestination, Free Will & Romans 8:18–30 | Sermon Companion Part 2
What does Paul mean when he says that creation is “groaning” and waiting for the children of God to be revealed?In Part 2 of this sermon companion, Pastor Matt takes a closer look at Romans 8:18–30 and fills in two important gaps from Sunday’s message. First, he explains how creation’s suffering points forward—like the pains of childbirth—to the restoration God has promised. The world is broken be
Acts 19 Bible Study: The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Warfare, and Revival in Ephesus
In Acts 19, the gospel enters Ephesus—and the whole city feels its impact. Paul encounters disciples with an incomplete understanding of the faith, teaches boldly in the synagogue and the hall of Tyrannus, and witnesses extraordinary works of God. But as the name of Jesus is magnified, counterfeit spirituality is exposed, costly repentance follows, and opposition erupts around the worship of Artem
Born Again & Baptized in the Holy Spirit | John 3:1–8
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
Acts 19, Holy Spirit Baptism, and Regeneration
Bible and doctrinal study on regeneration.
What Is Justification? Atonement, Propitiation, Expiation & Penal Substitution Explained
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,
What Does “Justified by Faith” Mean? | Romans 5:1–5 Explained
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
Repentance: The Sins We Tolerate and the Freedom We're Missing
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 mea
Acts 17 Part 2: Paul Preaches at Mars Hill
Study of Acts 17 and Paul's sermon at Mars Hill.
The Holy Spirit Convicts
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
Acts 17: Paul in Athens
Bible study of Acts 17 and the importance of Christian apologetics
The Holy Spirit's First Work: Softening Hearts
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,
The Holy Spirit Glorifies Jesus
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.
The Sending Trinity
Sermon on the sending nature of the Trinity
Pentecost: The Birthday of the Church and the Symbols of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the Church and the Holy Spirit coming as fire and dove to make God’s home in the human heart.
Acts 14: Bold Witness and Difficult Places
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey and discover that the advance of the gospel brings both extraordinary breakthrough and intense opposition. From miracles in Lystra to persecution and stoning, this chapter reveals that faithful Christian mission often involves suffering, perseverance, and spiritual courage. Yet through every hardship, God continues strengthening
The Ascension of Jesus | Why It Matters for the Christian Faith
In this Ascension Day message from Acts Acts 1:6–11, we explore why the ascension of Jesus is not a forgotten doctrine or a minor detail in the gospel story, but an essential truth at the heart of the Christian faith.The ascension declares that Jesus is not only risen—He reigns. Seated at the right hand of the Father, Christ now rules over all creation, intercedes for His people, pours out the Hol
Acts 13 Bible Study | Paul’s First Missionary Journey and the Mission of the Church
Join us as we dive into Acts 13, a pivotal chapter in the Book of Acts that marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey and a major turning point in the spread of the gospel. In this study, we explore the church at Antioch, the calling and sending of Paul and Barnabas, the encounter with Elymas the magician, and Paul’s powerful sermon explaining how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Isra
Fully Alive in New Life
Discover how Colossians 3:1–11 calls believers to seek the things above, put off the old self, and be transformed into the image of Christ. In this message from the “Fully Alive” series, Pastor Matt Ayars explores how the goal of the Christian life is not merely experience, but true spiritual transformation through union with Jesus.
Is Speaking in Tongues Biblical?
A biblical teaching on praying in tongues from 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, with clarity on interpretation, spiritual gifts, worship, and transformation.
Fully Alive Rooted in Christ
Discover what it means to be rooted in Christ in Colossians 2:6–15—why Jesus is enough, and how to live fully alive in Him without adding anything else to the gospel.
Acts 12 Explained: Persecution, Prayer, and God’s Power
In this powerful Bible study on Acts 12, we explore a chapter filled with tension, prayer, persecution, and divine intervention. As the early church faces intense opposition under King Herod, we see both the martyrdom of James and the miraculous deliverance of Peter—reminding us that God is at work even when circumstances seem uncertain.This passage invites us to wrestle with difficult questions:
Fully Alive through Reconciliation
What does it really mean to be fully alive?In this episode, we dive into Colossians 1:21–23 and uncover the heart of the gospel: reconciliation. Once we were alienated from God—separated, broken, and distant—but through Jesus, we’ve been brought near and made whole.As the Holy Spirit continues to move in fresh and unexpected ways, one thing must never change: we are called to be a people who are r
Acts: Testing the New: Discernment in the Life of the Church
In Acts 11, the early church is confronted with something completely new—Gentiles receiving the gospel and the Holy Spirit. The question is unavoidable: Is this really from God?In this Bible study, we explore how the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem responded to unexpected change. Instead of reacting with fear or blind acceptance, they carefully evaluated what was happening in light of Scripture,
Jesus Is Enough: Why You Can’t Add to Christ
Explore Colossians 1:15–20 and discover the supremacy of Christ—why Jesus is fully God, head of the Church, and truly enough for salvation and new life.
Fully Alive in Christ above All
In this message from Epistle to the Colossians, Pastor Matt Ayars reminds us that Jesus—not us—is the head of the Church. Through powerful, real-life moments of ministry, this episode calls us to release control, trust the Holy Spirit, and follow wherever Jesus leads. When we’re weary or uncertain, we’re reminded: you can’t—but He can.
Fully Alive by the Gospel
Easter wasn’t about Jesus coming back halfway alive.He walked out of the tomb completely whole—and He didn’t die so you could live halfway either.Too many of us are settling for “partially alive” Christianity… stuck in the same struggles, the same patterns, the same spiritual limp.But what if Jesus is actually enough?Enough to save you.Enough to change you.Enough to make you fully alive.This Sunda
Acts 10: The Gospel is for All People
In Acts 10, everything changes.For the first time, the gospel breaks beyond its Jewish boundaries and is clearly extended to the Gentiles. Through the story of Cornelius and Peter, we see God dismantle long-standing barriers and reveal a powerful truth: He shows no partiality.In this Bible study, we walk through Acts 10 and explore:What Peter’s vision really meansWhy Cornelius’s story mattersHow t
By His Wounds We Are Healed
Good Friday sermon.
Join the Rebellion
Palm Sunday sermon on Matthew 21 exploring Jesus as the true King, the meaning of Hosanna, and Christ’s call to rebel against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Acts 9: From Enemy to Instrument
Bible study on Acts 9
Formed through Obedience
A sermon on Deuteronomy 8 about moving from the wilderness into God’s promises through wholehearted obedience, trust, and surrender to Christ.
Acts 8: The Gospel Cannot Be Contained
A Bible study on Acts 8.
The Invisible Work of the Holy Spirit
What do you do when you don’t feel God? In this message, Pastor Matt explores Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and what it teaches us about faith in difficult seasons. Even when we cannot see or feel God at work, the Holy Spirit is moving in ways we often cannot perceive. This sermon is a reminder that the Christian life is sustained not by feelings, but by tr
Acts 7: Stephen's Speech, the Church, Israel, and the Rejection of Truth
Bible study on Acts 7
Trusting God One Day at a Time | Exodus 16 Sermon on Manna, Grumbling, and Faith
A sermon on Exodus 16 about manna, grumbling, and learning to trust God daily. Discover how Jesus, the true bread from heaven, teaches us to depend on him.
Acts 6: Growing Pains in the Church
Bible study of Acts 6
Led Into the Wilderness: Lent, Detox, and the Healing Love of God
Jesus leads us into the wilderness not to punish us, but to form us. Explore Lent as spiritual detox, exposing idols and shame so God can heal us with holy love.
Acts 5, Corruption in the Church and the Holiness of God
A Bible study on the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.
Corporate Prayer and Holy Boldness
A sermon from Acts 4:23–31 on praying together, Spirit-filled boldness, and how God grows His church through prayer—not strategy.
What Only God Can Do
In this Ash Wednesday message, Pastor Matt walks us through Psalm 51 and the heart of Lent: coming face to face with our own brokenness and inviting God to do what only he can do—create a clean heart within us. Through a powerful testimony and David’s prayer of repentance, we’re reminded that Lent is not about fixing ourselves, but surrendering fully to God’s transforming grace. This teaching call
Acts 3 — The Lame Leaps and Many Called to Repentance
A Bible study of Acts 3
The Lord's Prayer, the Gospel, and Forgiveness
What if the Lord’s Prayer isn’t just something we recite… but something that reshapes our entire lives?This Sunday, we’re slowing down and walking line by line through the Our Father—discovering how Jesus teaches us to pray, reorder our priorities, forgive deeply, trust daily, and live for God’s kingdom instead of our own.It’s the gospel in a nutshell.It’s a template for real prayer.And it’s a wak
Acts 2: Pentecost, Peter’s Proclamation, and the Birth of the Church
Explore Acts 2 and the birth of the Church—Pentecost, Peter’s gospel proclamation, repentance, baptism, and Spirit-filled community. A deep Bible study on salvation, mission, and life in the Holy Spirit.
Why We Pray: Not to Perform, but to Be Changed
Discover why prayer isn’t about performance or persuasion, but about inner transformation. In this message from Matthew 6:5–8, learn how meeting God in secret reshapes our hearts, reorders our loves, and draws us into His presence.
Acts 2 - Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the Sanctified Life
A Bible study on Acts 2, but also a recap from last week's discussion on justification, regeneraiton, and sanctification.
Compassion Over Comfort: God's Heart for the Lost
A sermon from Jonah 4 on God’s mercy, Jonah’s anger, and the hard question of what we value most. Learn why sharing your faith is essential, how comfort can become an idol, and why compassion for the lost is a mark of spiritual maturity.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: What Does It Mean? (Acts 1)
In this episode we begin our study of Acts 1 and really focus on what it means to be "baptized in the Holy Spirit".
Reluctant Obedience, Real Power
A sermon on Jonah 3 exploring how God’s Word carries power even through reluctant obedience, calling sinners to repentance, transforming communities, and revealing a mercy generous enough to offend the religious and save the lost.
Introduction to Acts: Recovering a Biblical Vision of the Church
Week 1 introduces the book of Acts and its core themes, showing how the risen Jesus continues his mission through the Holy Spirit and the church—correcting modern misconceptions by recovering a biblical vision of the church as God’s Spirit-filled, worshiping, holy, and sent people.
God Hears You from the Belly of the Fish
What do you do when life feels too dark, too messy, and too far gone to fix?In this sermon from the book of Jonah, we journey into one of Scripture’s most powerful images: Jonah crying out to God from the belly of the fish—the darkest, messiest place imaginable. From that depth, Jonah prays… and God hears him.This message explores two profound truths. First, there is no situation too broken, no pl
Called to the Lost: God's Heart for the World
What if the book of Jonah isn’t a children’s story—but a mirror for the church?This message kicks off Wellspring’s 2026 focus on evangelism with a bold call to wake up, stop running, and start sharing our faith. Listen now and ask yourself: where is God calling you to go?
Renewing the Covenant for a New Year
As we look back on one year and step into another, it’s natural to think about resolutions—health, finances, habits, and goals. But in this message, we’re invited to consider something deeper: the intentional nature of the Christian life and the call to renew our covenant with God.Using everyday experiences—from crowded gyms in January to stalled Bible-reading plans—this sermon explores why spirit
The Light of the World and the Sacrifice of Christmas
A Christmas Eve reflection on the Incarnation, exploring how the light of Christ shines through sacrifice, love, and self-giving, drawn from John 1 and celebrated in candlelight and communion.
The Love of His Kingdom: Are You Ready?
Advent sermon on John 3:16–17 proclaiming God’s repeated message, “I love you,” and inviting us to look to Jesus, trust His saving love, and live as people formed by what’s worth repeating.
Magnify the Lord: Joy, New Birth, and Baptism
In this message from the Gospel of Luke, we explore the meaning of new birth, faith, and joy through the stories of Mary, Zechariah, and the promise of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Drawing connections between Advent, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, and the church’s celebration of baptism, this sermon reflects on what it truly means to be “born again.”At the heart of the message is Mary’s s
The Word Made Flesh: The Mystery of the Incarnation
In this Advent study, we pause our Isaiah series to dig into one of the most central and world-changing doctrines of the Christian faith: the incarnation. What does it mean to say Jesus is fully God and fully human—and why does it matter for salvation?We walk through the meaning of “incarnation” (God taking on flesh), the biblical foundations for Christ’s full divinity and true humanity (John 1, P
Session 3
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Good News for Shepherds: The Lamb of God Is Here
An advent sermon on why the good news of Jesus' birth was first proclaimed to shepherds.
Good News for the Shepherds: The Lamb of God Is Here
An advent sermon on why the good news of Jesus' birth was first proclaimed to shepherds.
He's Coming, and Nothings Going to Stop Him - Isaiah 40 Bible Study
Bible study on Isaiah 40.
The Hope of His Arrival and the Star of Bethlehem
In this sermon from Matthew 2, Pastor Matt explores how the star that guided the wise men reveals a powerful truth: God wants to be near to us, and nothing can stop Him. This message invites us to look both backward to Christ’s first coming and forward to His return, discovering how hope reshapes the way we live right now.You’ll hear:Why hope changes human behaviorWhat the star teaches us about Go
He Can Lift It: New Creation and Letting Things Go
A Christ the King message from Isaiah 65 on new creation, letting go of past wounds, trusting Jesus to carry what we can’t, and living with joy instead of anger. A hopeful Thanksgiving-week sermon about healing, redemption, and God’s promise to make all things new.
Isaiah, Suffering, and Salvation
This study considers the role of suffering in the life of the believer.
The Cross and the Wreckage: Redemption through Suffering
When we think about the cross, most of us picture Jesus taking on the penalty of our sin so we don’t have to—our guilt wiped away, the debt paid in full. That’s gloriously true. But in Isaiah 52–53, we see something even deeper: Jesus doesn’t just carry the penalty of sin, he enters into the consequences of sin—our shame, humiliation, betrayal, estrangement, and relational wreckage—and absorbs it
Prophecy: Future Predictions or Authoritative Declarations?
In this session, we lay the groundwork for studying the book of Isaiah by asking a crucial question: what is a prophet, and what kind of book are we reading when we open Isaiah? After a brief opening prayer, we step back and look at how the Old Testament is structured in our English Bibles (Law, Historical Books, Wisdom/Poetry, and Prophets) and then compare that with the three-part structure of t
The Government is On His Shoulders (not yours)
A sermon on Isaiah 9:2–8.
Introduction to Isaiah: The Prince of the Prophets
Week 1 of Isaiah Bible Study at Wellspring Church
Things Can Change
A sermon on Isaiah 6, the holiness of God, and the hope for change.
Teaching, Consulting, and Learning in Nigeria: My Time at West Africa Theological Seminary
A few days ago, I returned from a remarkable two-week trip to West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) in Lagos, Nigeria. I went at the invitation of Dr. Gary Maxey, the seminary’s founder and longtime faculty member. It was one of the most meaningful ministry experiences I’ve ever had—an opportunity to teach, consult, and learn alongside passionate Christian leaders serving on the frontlines of go
Joy in Humility
True joy isn’t found in pride, comfort, or control—it’s found in humility. In this message from Philippians 2:1–11, Pastor Matt Ayars unpacks how humility is the key to restoring joy in our lives. Joy flows from reconciled relationships, and reconciliation requires humility. Joy grows as we serve others, and service demands humility. Joy deepens as we obey God’s call, and obedience, too, begins wi
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