Matt Ayars Podcast

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.

A biblical teaching on praying in tongues from 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, with clarity on interpretation, spiritual gifts, worship, and transformation.

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.

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: Why does God sometimes deliver and other times allow suffering? What role does persistent prayer play in the life of the church? And how does God demonstrate His sovereignty over earthly powers?Together, we’ll walk through the text verse by verse, uncovering key themes like:The reality of persecution in the Christian lifeThe power and mystery of corporate prayerGod’s authority over kings and kingdomsTrusting God in both deliverance and lossWhether you’re studying Scripture for the first time or going deeper in your faith, this teaching will help you see how Acts 12 speaks directly into our lives today.

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 reconciled—both to God and to one another.In this message, you’ll hear:Why reconciliation is essential to spiritual lifeHow unforgiveness and division quietly drain joy and vitalityWhat it looks like to love one another well in the body of ChristWhy forgiveness isn’t optional—it’s central to the gospelNo matter how much changes around us, this remains the same:We forgive. We love. We live reconciled.If you’re carrying the weight of broken relationships or longing for deeper connection with God and others, this episode will encourage and challenge you.

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, the work of the Spirit, and the testimony of trusted witnesses.This passage gives us a timeless framework for discernment in the church today. Not everything new is wrong—but not everything new is right either. So how do we know the difference?In this study, we’ll cover:How Peter defends the inclusion of the GentilesWhy the Jerusalem church pauses to evaluate before affirmingThe role of Scripture, testimony, and the Holy Spirit in doctrinal discernmentWhat it looks like to remain faithful while embracing what God is doingWhether you’re a church leader, a student of Scripture, or simply someone seeking clarity in a changing world, Acts 11 offers wisdom for testing what is true and recognizing the work of God.Join us as we learn how to be a church that is both grounded in truth and open to the movement of the Spirit.

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.

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.

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 Sunday we’re kicking off a brand new series in Colossians called Fully Alive—and it starts with one bold truth:It’s not Jesus and…It’s just Jesus.Join us and discover what it really means to live in the power of the resurrection.

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 the Holy Spirit confirms who belongs to GodWhat this chapter teaches us about mission todayThis is one of the most important turning points in the book of Acts—and it still speaks directly to the church today. The gospel is not limited by culture, background, or status. It is for all who believe.Join us as we discover how God is still at work, breaking barriers and calling people from every nation into His family.

Good Friday sermon.

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.

Bible study on Acts 9

A sermon on Deuteronomy 8 about moving from the wilderness into God’s promises through wholehearted obedience, trust, and surrender to Christ.

A Bible study on Acts 8.

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 trust in the truth of God’s Word.

Bible study on Acts 7

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.

Bible study of Acts 6

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.

A Bible study on the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.

A sermon from Acts 4:23–31 on praying together, Spirit-filled boldness, and how God grows His church through prayer—not strategy.

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 calls us to eliminate distractions, practice honest confession, and allow the Holy Spirit to lovingly confront our sin so real healing can begin. As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday, we’re invited into forty days of humility, repentance, and renewal—acknowledging that we cannot save ourselves, but Jesus can.

A Bible study of Acts 3

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 wake-up call for our hearts.Join us as we learn to pray like Jesus taught—and let God change us from the inside out.

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.

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.

A Bible study on Acts 2, but also a recap from last week's discussion on justification, regeneraiton, and sanctification.

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.

In this episode we begin our study of Acts 1 and really focus on what it means to be "baptized in the Holy Spirit".

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.

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.

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 place too dark, and no sin too shameful for God’s grace to reach. Whether the mess is of our own making or the result of circumstances beyond our control, God hears our cry and is able to rescue.But the story doesn’t end there.Jonah’s rescue raises an uncomfortable question: What happens after grace finds us? God doesn’t just save Jonah—He sends him back out. This sermon challenges us to consider whether grace has truly transformed us or merely made us comfortable. Are we willing to love the world the way God does, even when it costs us something?If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, ashamed, or hesitant to step into God’s call, this message invites you to stop hiding, trust God’s power to rescue, and be ready for what He asks next.Scripture Focus: Jonah 2Theme: Grace, repentance, transformation, and God’s mission to the worldSubscribe for more sermons and teachings from Wellspring Church, and share this message with someone who needs to hear that God still hears prayers—even from the belly of the fish.

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?

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 spiritual growth doesn’t happen accidentally. Through reflections on Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, relationships, and spiritual disciplines, we’re reminded that formation requires deliberate surrender, not perfection.At the heart of this message is the meaning of covenant renewal. Baptism marks the beginning of the covenant, but renewal calls us to remember who we belong to and to recommit ourselves—body, mind, and spirit—to Christ. Drawing from Scripture, the sermon emphasizes that while we cannot live “all in” by our own strength, Jesus does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.This message closes with a word of grace and hope: when we fail, we don’t quit—we return. God’s mercies are new every morning, and faithfulness is lived one moment of surrender at a time.A timely message for anyone entering a new year asking not just, “What will I change?” but, “Who am I living for?”

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.

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.

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 song—the Magnificat—and the powerful idea of a soul that “magnifies” the Lord. Rather than adding anything to God, worship, sacraments, and faithful obedience make God’s grace, presence, and love visible in the world. Baptism, in particular, is presented as a profound act of new birth, spiritual victory, and joy—an outward sign of an invisible grace.Through theological reflection, personal stories, and a vivid baptismal account from Haiti, this sermon invites listeners to consider how they respond when God shows up in a special way. Will we resist, doubt, or ignore—or will we bow, receive, and allow God to rekindle the flame of joy?This message culminates in the reminder that nothing brings greater joy to the Father than when one lost sheep is found and welcomed home.

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, Philippians 2, Colossians 1, Hebrews, and more), and the gospel logic behind it: only God can save us, and only a true human can represent us.The episode also traces the road to Chalcedon, showing how the early church clarified orthodox Christology against common misunderstandings—without losing the mystery that remains at the heart of Christmas: the eternal Son of God wrapped in the ordinary, redeeming our humanity from the inside out.If you’ve ever wondered what makes Christianity truly unique, why doctrine matters, or why Christmas is far more than sentiment, this conversation will deepen your worship and sharpen your faith.Only Jesus.

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An advent sermon on why the good news of Jesus' birth was first proclaimed to shepherds.

An advent sermon on why the good news of Jesus' birth was first proclaimed to shepherds.

Bible study on Isaiah 40.

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 God’s promisesWhy Jesus came in humility and darknessWhat Advent really means beyond Christmas DayHow Christ’s return should shape our choices todayWhy Jesus is the Light in our darkness and the Bread of LifeHow Christmas is not just comfort—but a missionThis is a message about certainty in an uncertain world, light in the darkest places, and a Savior who will come again.Scripture: Matthew 2:1–3, 9–10If this message encouraged you, like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope this Christmas season.

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.

This study considers the role of suffering in the life of the believer.

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 into himself so that we can be healed.In this message from Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant” passage, Pastor Matt explores how Christ steps under the rug instead of letting anything stay hidden. He doesn’t numb our pain; he goes into it. We talk about how sin is not merely a legal problem but a relational one, how broken relationships and deep wounds become “cursed ground” in our hearts, and how Jesus wants to heal that ground so real fruit can grow. This sermon presses into the hard question: will we let Jesus not only take our penalty, but also our humiliation—and will we join him in costly forgiveness so that others can be set free?If you’ve carried deep relational hurt, resentment, or shame—and if you’re hungry for more than “I’m forgiven, but I’m still not healed”—this message is for you.Subscribe for more sermons and teachings, and if this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded: he doesn’t just forgive us. He heals us.

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 the Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets, Writings). From there, we zoom in on where Isaiah fits and why that matters for how we read it.We then explore the biblical vision of a prophet: not just a “future predictor,” but a seer and visionary—someone given God’s perspective on the present as well as the future. We walk through key Hebrew terms, talk about foretelling versus forth-telling, and look closely at Isaiah 1 as a “covenant lawsuit” where God brings charges against his people. Along the way, we contrast true prophecy with things like divination, sorcery, and necromancy, and talk about why Scripture forbids them and what that means for Christians today.Finally, we set Isaiah in its historical context: Judah and Jerusalem in the 8th century BC, under kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We outline the basic structure of the book (chapters 1–5, 6, 7–39, and beyond) and show how Isaiah wrestles with faith, judgment, hope, and the promise of a coming Messiah. All of this is meant to help us hear Isaiah not as a random collection of verses, but as God’s authoritative, life-giving word for his people—then and now.If this helps you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who loves digging deeper into Scripture.

A sermon on Isaiah 9:2–8.

Week 1 of Isaiah Bible Study at Wellspring Church