Book: Matthew

In this sermon, Pastor Wes reflects on the final words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel—what we call The Great Commission. He explores how Jesus, in just three sentences, entrusts flawed, doubting disciples with a mission of profound importance. Despite their failures, Jesus empowers them to share the good news, baptize, and teach. Pastor Wes invites us to find ourselves in this story, acknowledging that doubt and devotion often coexist. We, too, are called—imperfect as we are—to be lifelong learners, witnesses, and disciples. Through humor, honesty, and heart, he encourages us to reflect on how we live out Christ’s commissioning in our own lives, even when it feels impossible.

On Easter morning, Pastor Wes invites us to see the resurrection not as a tidy conclusion but as part of a much larger, ongoing story—one that began long before the cross and stretches into our lives today. He weaves together the cinematic drama of Matthew’s Gospel with the deeply human stories of women in scripture who displayed fierce faith. Through humor, pop culture, and reverent reflection, he challenges us to recognize that God’s resurrection work continues in the unfinished, unscripted moments of our lives. Easter isn’t just a finale—it’s an invitation to live a resurrected story.

In “Holy Vulnerability,” Pastor Wes reflects on the raw suffering of Jesus on the cross—not as an ancient, isolated event, but as a mirror of the world’s ongoing pain and brokenness. From systemic injustices to personal grief, the sermon names the deep wounds we often try to avoid or explain away. Rather than offering easy answers, Wes invites us to stand honestly beneath the cross, to let our hearts break open alongside Christ’s cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Through this holy discomfort, we are reminded that faith doesn’t erase pain—it helps us bear it, name it, and be changed by it.

In “Where is an Editor When You Need One?”, Pastor Wes examines the unsettling encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28. He acknowledges how Jesus’ initial response—dismissing the woman and referring to her as a “dog”—feels uncharacteristically harsh. Reflecting on the human tendency to act poorly when “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired” (HALT), Pastor Wes wonders if Jesus, too, was worn down. He challenges the idea that Jesus was merely testing the woman, instead suggesting that this moment reveals his humanity. The sermon highlights the Canaanite woman’s persistence and faith, likening her to other outsider women in Scripture—Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth—who influenced the Jewish tradition. Ultimately, Pastor Wes urges reflection on how we still “other” people today and how we are called to listen, learn, and grow from those we might dismiss.

Pastor Wes reflected on Matthew 6:1-15, exploring five foundational practices of faith: faithfulness, forgiveness, fasting, generosity, and prayer. He shared a childhood memory of a bedroom sign listing daily rules, comparing it to how Jesus’ teachings might feel like a set of regulations. However, he emphasized that Jesus calls for deeper reflection and transformation, not just rule-following.

He contrasted these spiritual practices with society’s focus on fame, wealth, and success, challenging the congregation to consider how these values shape their lives. Encouraging both personal and communal commitment, he invited everyone to embody these practices daily as a way to live out their faith.

In “Spice of Life,” Pastor Wes draws parallels between the everyday, ordinary nature of salt and light and the calling of Christians to embody faithful discipleship. Just as salt enhances flavors and light guides our paths, Jesus invites followers to embrace their roles in ways that are often mundane yet transformative. Pastor Wes emphasizes the importance of balance, warning against “too much” salt or light that can overwhelm rather than heal or inspire. He highlights the collective responsibility of the church to be agents of love, justice, and belonging in a world often clouded by cynicism and negativity. The message concludes by reminding the congregation that God, the head chef, continues to guide and shape the church’s identity, blending both familiar and forgotten “spices” for meaningful service and community.

In today’s sermon, “Can We Do This?” Pastor Wes introduces the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-11), emphasizing how Jesus’ Beatitudes challenge societal norms and invite us into God’s radical vision of discipleship. Drawing parallels to the emotional multitudes at Disney World, Pastor Wes illustrates how our personal experiences shape our response to Jesus’ teachings. The Beatitudes call us to embrace vulnerability, uplift the marginalized, and live counter to worldly values like wealth and power. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to reflect on whether their lives and actions evidence true discipleship and invites everyone to read the Sermon on the Mount weekly as a spiritual practice throughout February.

In his sermon titled “Drenched,” Pastor Wes reflects on Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17, emphasizing the transformative and communal nature of baptism. He likens the twists and turns of the River Jordan to the meandering paths of our own lives and invites us to embrace God’s grace, which claims us as beloved even before we prove ourselves. Pastor Wes encourages us to remember our baptism daily, listening for God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life and opening ourselves to renewal and love.

Pastor Wes reflects on Matthew 2 and the journey of the Magi, exploring their unique gifts and the deeper truths of the Epiphany story. He highlights the Magi’s status as outsiders and how their search for the Christ child reflects our own spiritual journeys. Through humor and insight, Pastor Wes considers their mistaken visit to Herod’s palace and the dangers of power, contrasting it with the humility of Christ’s birth. He invites us to ask three guiding questions for the new year: “What are you searching for? Why are you searching for it? How are you searching?” Reminding us of God’s grace when we lose our way, he inspires us to follow God’s light with faith and purpose.