Matt Petty
Co-Host of Burnt Hickory | Sermons
Matt Petty has been leading church ministries since 1997 and has seen thousands of students and adults give their lives to Jesus and begin to serve God. Matt joined the Pastoral team of Burnt Hickory in July of 2001 as the Student Pastor.
For 18 years Matt has given leadership to the RADIATE students and staff team that walks with middle school, high school, and college-aged students here at Burnt Hickory. Matt has been a key leader in student ministry here in this community as well as in the state of Georgia and nation. His love of the next generation has been on display consistently within and outside the walls of Burnt Hickory.
Matt is a native of Cobb county, and one of his desires as Senior Pastor is to see all people of his home in West Cobb and Paulding County know Jesus, serve Jesus, and for the church to be a place of love and healing that Burnt Hickory has been since its beginning.
Matt is married to his college love, Melissa, and has two boys Blake and Dalton. If not doing ministry at BHBC, you can usually find the Petty family on a sports field somewhere in Georgia or enjoying all things outdoors. Matt has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of West Georgia in Business Finance, and Masters from Liberty University in Theology.
Matt Petty has hosted 189 Episodes.
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Life of Fear and Amazement | Wisdom From The Master
Episode | September 25th, 2022 | 43 mins 18 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
Do you have a healthy fear and love for Jesus? That’s what we seek to answer as we look into the gospel of Luke at more wisdom from the master. We study chapter 8 when Jesus calms the raging storm and, in an instant, everything is calm. The disciples were struck with fear, not from the storm, but from the master who could calm it just with words. We examine our faith as we gather principles from Jesus like fear does not drive out love, and when we rightly fear Jesus, we have no need to fear anything else.
Ask the question today: God, where is my faith? Are you full of fear and doubt? What reminders from today’s sermon are resonating with you? As always, we are here for you, and if you’ve got questions or want to take the next step, then reach out today – burnthickory.com/next -
Moved by Grace | Wisdom From The Master
Episode | September 18th, 2022 | 43 mins 58 secs
baptist, bible, church, moved by grace, preaching, scripture, sermon, wisdom from the master
We continue on in the book of Luke as we discover more wisdom from the master in scripture. This week, we learn that our obedience is a response, that we keep God’s statutes and laws as a response of gratefulness to the grace that God has given us. We also see some indicators of grace in the lives of believers are uncontrollable passion for Jesus, radical acceptance of others, and tremendous generosity. As we look at the story of the sinful woman saved, the question is – when was the last time you wept over your grace covered sin and salvation? Great love flows from great forgiveness and our lives should reflect the great grace of the Father.
What’s hindering you from responding with gratefulness to the grace that God has given us? What kind of grip does grace have on your life? As always, we’d love to pray with you and answer any questions you’ve got. Reach out today and take the next step – burnthickory.com/next -
A Solid Foundation | Wisdom From The Master
Episode | September 11th, 2022 | 44 mins 15 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we begin a new sermon series in the book of Luke, we look at the practical teachings of Jesus as wisdom from the master. Looking at Luke chapter 6, we see Jesus’ teaching on the fruit of the spirit, and we see what distinguishes a self-deceived religious person from a true follower of the master. They don’t bear good fruit, they don’t do what Jesus says, and their faith falls apart in the storms of life. Some of the main areas we see when we aren’t bearing fruit in our lives is in our relationships, finances, career, dreams, bible reading, and prayer. The key takeaway is found in the promise of God that when we fully embrace Jesus with our lives, He will keep us standing, even in the storms.
Does your life show the evidence of God at work in you? Are you doing what Jesus says? What do you need to trust God with that you are holding on to and causing you to not bear fruit? As always, we’d love to answer any questions you have and pray with you. Reach out today – burnthickory.com/next -
God’s Path for Relationships
Episode | August 28th, 2022 | 42 mins 19 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
This week, we focus on building stronger relationships at Burnt Hickory with our special guest speaker Shawn Stoever. Just like being on an adventurous hike, in life we have to have a guide, we choose our partners for the journey, and we will find beauty on the way. In relationships, the world’s way is the wrong path leading to the need to control others, selfishness and pride, and being influenced by culture. Takin the wrong path leads to taking life too seriously, emptiness and exhaustion. We see in scripture that God’s way and His paths lead to listening and understanding, enjoyment of life, and intimate connections. When we follow God’s plan, we show selflessness and humility, we walk in truth, and we learn to give and share. God’s plan is really so much better than the worlds way in building our relationships.
What are some ways to change the path your on with your spouse or other significant relationships? As always, we’d love to connect with you as you take the next step and answer any questions you have as well as pray with you. Reach out today – burnthickory.com/next -
Moving Forward | Reading and Understanding the Bible
Episode | August 21st, 2022 | 43 mins 22 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
This week in our sermon series Moving Forward, we’re looking at what it takes to read and understand the bible correctly. As a Christian, we read the bible, but we also must learn to love and study the bible too. We always need to answer the question of what does a passage say to its original audience and then ask what is the difference between the original audience and me. As we study, we learn to see the theological principles in the text and how the text fits in with the rest of the bible.
As we learn to study the bible, the way to move forward is to apply the principles by living them out in our lives. As we live them out, we have the opportunity to share the bible through our walk too. If you’ve ever wondered how to study the bible, this sermon is a great tool to get you started.
Are you consistently reading and studying the bible? What do you need to do to move forward in applying scripture to your life? As always, we’d love to answer any questions you might have and take time to pray with you. Reach out and take the next step today – BurntHickory.com/next -
Moving Forward | Powerful Prayer
Episode | August 14th, 2022 | 44 mins 43 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we continue our sermon series Moving Forward, we focus on how personal and corporate prayer are a vital part of momentum in our lives as Christians. As we follow Jesus, the first thing we should do is pray, but usually it’s the last thing we think about. We see in Acts that the early church took prayer very seriously. They prayed regularly and with honesty. They prayed with balance but also specifically for needs. And we see that their prayer got results. Don’t know where to begin, just follow Jesus’ example in Matthew 6:9-13. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”
Is your prayer life powerful? Is it effective? How can you know that your prayers are making a difference? As always, we’d love to pray with you and answer any questions you have. Reach out today – burnthickory.com/next -
Moving Forward | Fully Submitted to God
Episode | August 7th, 2022 | 43 mins 22 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we continue to move forward, we look again to Joshua in scripture and the story of the city of Jericho. We learn that resistance to God’s word is a big deal, way bigger that we think, and that not fully submitting to God has serious consequences. Partial submission gives us a false sense of security and keeps the focus on us and not God. When we fully submit to God, it positions God in his rightful place, and produces greater intimacy with God.
What are ways that you are not being fully submitted to God in your life? Are you missing God’s power in your life? Are you willing to do what it takes to fully submit to God today? As always, we’d love to connect with you, pray with you, and answer any questions you’ve got. Reach out today – burnthickory.com/next. -
Moving Forward | Our Jordan Moment
Episode | July 31st, 2022 | 50 mins 33 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
We begin our new sermon series Moving Forward, by looking at Joshua and the Israelites journey crossing over the Jordan river. God wants us to move forward on our journey, and we need to stand behind God and seek his holiness. We see in scripture that holiness always precedes God’s movement, and we have to be in continual pursuit of living set apart to accomplish what God has set before us. We also look forward to where God is taking us here at Burnt Hickory as we prepare, plan, and build for the future.
As always, if you’ve got questions or want to take the next step, reach out today – burnthickory.com/next. We’d love to pray with you and help you move forward in your faith journey. -
Joyful Exiles | Living with the End in Sight
Episode | June 26th, 2022 | 44 mins 14 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we continue to explore 1 Peter, we learn how to live with the end in sight. We see in scripture that the end of all things is near, and because of that, we need to be alert and sober minded. God’s desires need to be placed before ours and we need to love each other deeply while practicing caring hospitality. The real question is, if you knew Jesus was returning today, what would you change about how you are serving him right now? In light of the end being near, we don’t need to get mired down in depression, but strive even more to point all glory to God and serve him faithfully.
John Piper says – “If you are most satisfied in family or job or fame or success or money or food or music or health or staying alive — if you are more satisfied in any of those than you are in God — then you diminish the glory of God, and you magnify the glory of what you’re most satisfied by. The Bible makes clear that we should live in order to display the supreme worth and beauty and glory of God. That’s our primary reason for existence.”
Based on this, how is your love for others? What things do you need to change? Are you satisfied in God? As always, if you’ve got questions, you can reach out anytime – burnthickory.com/next. We’d love to connect with you, answer any questions and take time to pray with you. -
Joyful Exiles | Finding Joy Even In The Hard Times
Episode | June 19th, 2022 | 41 mins 36 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
Struggling in life is inevitable, but as Christians, we don’t have to be miserable when life gets hard. As we continue looking at 1 Peter, we see that we can find joy even in the hard times of life. Pastor Matt shows us that we can seek peace through being humble, compassionate, and by loving one another. We know that suffering is coming, and when we prepare for it and turn the suffering into a witness because Christ has already won, then we can find ultimate joy.
What suffering in your life is robbing you of peace and joy? How does your mindset change when viewing that suffering in the light of Jesus’ victory over death? What do you need to change that will lead you to joy in the midst of suffering? If you’ve got questions or want to take the next step in your faith journey, then reach out to day – burnthickory.com/next. We’d love to pray with you and help you find joy in life. -
Joyful Exiles | Got To Keep Growing
Episode | June 12th, 2022 | 41 mins 16 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we explore more in 1Peter, we dig deeper into the Christian life and learn that we have to mature. We see in scripture that we should love the word of God, and that the word endures forever, it is good, and when we apply it to our lives, it gives us confidence. We also need to embrace our identity in Christ, because the 1Peter lays out that we are chosen, royalty, part of the priesthood, we are valued, and we are forgiven. And because that’s our identity, we live out our purpose through Jesus.
Based on the identity laid out in scripture, how does that change your perspective? Are you anchored to the right foundation? Do you have questions or want someone to pray with? We’d love to connect with you and help you take the next step in your faith journey, just reach out – burnthickory.com/next -
Joyful Exiles | Living Hope
Episode | June 5th, 2022 | 46 mins
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
First Peter begins with – to the exiles scattered throughout the provinces who have been chosen. Peter is trying to encourage these fledgling Christians who are scattered to remain steadfast in the joy of Christ. Pastor Matt shows us that we too can live out joyfully even though we are exiles in this world. We should remember that God has chosen us, and He gives us a living hope. We walk out that living hope by being prepared, looking to Christ and not back to our past, being different, standing amazed and loving big. The real question is, is God just useful to you or is he beautiful to you?
What do you continue to struggle with running back to that you need to ask God to forgive you for? Are you walking in living hope? What is robbing you of your joy in remembering that God has chosen you? If you’ve got questions or need someone to pray with, then reach out – burnthickory.com/next. We’d love to connect with you and help you find your next step in your faith journey.