In this Senior Sunday message, we explore what it means to trust God with the next chapter of life and live with lasting influence. Instead of chasing success, recognition, or control, believers are called to walk closely with Jesus and stay faithful in the everyday moments.

This message encourages listeners to stop trying to write their own story and instead trust the Author holding the pen. No matter your age or season of life, God can use your faithfulness today to make an eternal impact.

Key Insights:

• Trusting God’s presence matters more than trying to control every future decision.
• Spiritual influence is built through daily faithfulness, not just big moments.
• Chasing purpose without staying close to God leads to emptiness and burnout.
• Living intentionally today matters more than constantly waiting for the next season.
• Christian community and accountability help believers remain faithful through every chapter of life.

Speaker: Chip Paul
Series: Senior Sunday 2026
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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In Acts 28, Paul finally reaches Rome after years of obedience, hardship, and waiting. Even while under house arrest, he continues to welcome people, share the gospel, and teach about Jesus without hesitation.

This message focuses on what it means to live on mission in everyday life. It challenges us to use our influence, recognize open doors, and move beyond simply knowing about Jesus to inviting others to follow Him.

Key Insights:

• A godly reputation creates opportunities to influence others for Christ.
• Every season of life holds opportunities to share the gospel, even when circumstances are not ideal.
• Living on mission requires intentional awareness of the people and moments around us.
• Sharing truth should include both clear explanation and a direct invitation to respond.
• The mission of the gospel continues through each believer and is not limited to a specific time or place.

Scripture Focus: Acts 28

Speaker: Matt Petty
Series: To the Ends of the Earth
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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In Acts 21 through 26, Paul faces intense opposition, arrest, and pressure from every direction. Yet instead of retreating, he continues to obey God, trust His promises, and share the gospel.

This message explores how believers can walk in God’s power during difficult seasons. It reminds us that trials are not the end of the story and that even in hardship, God is present, working, and using every moment for His purpose.

Key Insights:

• Obedience to God matters more than the opinions or warnings of others.
• God’s promises remain true even when circumstances feel uncertain or overwhelming.
• Trials can become opportunities to share faith and point others to Jesus.
• Trusting God in difficult seasons strengthens spiritual endurance and perspective.
• Living with integrity and a clear conscience reflects a life grounded in faith.

Scripture Focus Acts 22

Speaker: Matt Petty
Series: To the Ends of the Earth
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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In Acts 20, Paul reflects on his life and gives a clear picture of what mattered most. Faithfulness to God’s calling. Proclaiming the gospel. Living with humility. Finishing strong.

This message invites listeners to examine their own lives through those same questions. It is not about perfection. It is about direction. Are we living in a way that points people to Jesus and reflects a life fully surrendered to Him.

Key Insights:

• Faithfulness is not about doing everything. It is about doing what God has specifically called you to do.
• Sharing the gospel is a responsibility for every believer, not just a select few.
• A life that points to Jesus requires humility and a shift away from self-focus.
• Finishing strong is built through daily obedience, not one-time decisions.
• A meaningful life is marked by giving, serving, and adding value to others rather than taking.

Scripture Focus: Acts 20:7

Speaker: Matt Petty
Series: To the Ends of the Earth
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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In this Palm Sunday message from Mark 11, we look at the different groups of people surrounding Jesus during Passion Week. Some wanted something from Him. Some trusted themselves more than Him. Some showed up but stayed distant. And a few fully surrendered.

This message challenges us to honestly evaluate our relationship with Jesus and consider what it means to follow Him as Lord, not just in words but in our lives.

Key Insights:

• Following Jesus for what He can do leads to unstable faith that shifts with circumstances.
• Trusting personal understanding over God’s truth keeps people from fully surrendering.
• Religious activity without surrender can create distance instead of relationship.
• True discipleship begins with recognizing Jesus as Lord, not just helper.
• Honest self-evaluation is necessary to move from casual belief to full commitment.

Scripture Focus: Mark 11:1

Speaker: Matt Petty
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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Life moves quickly and the pressure to achieve can feel overwhelming. In this message, we are challenged to step back and consider what truly lasts. Teaching from 2 Corinthians shows how trials refine faith, how priorities can be realigned toward eternal impact, and why living for God’s approval brings deeper freedom and purpose.

Discover how to invest your life in what will matter forever.

Key Insights:

• Hard seasons can refine faith and deepen dependence on God rather than weaken it.
• An eternal perspective helps believers navigate anxiety, pressure, and disappointment with hope.
• True purpose is found by investing time and energy in scripture and in people.
• Every vocation can become a platform for spiritual influence and kingdom impact.
• Living for God’s approval brings freedom from the constant pursuit of worldly success.

Scripture Focus:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Speaker: Marty Godfrey
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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In this episode, we explore Acts 16 and three encounters where the gospel changed lives. From a respected business leader to a demon-oppressed slave girl and a hardened jailer, each person experiences the same transforming truth: salvation through Jesus. This message challenges us to live gospel-first and to see every encounter as an opportunity to point someone to Christ.
Take the next step at burnthickory.com/next

Key Insights:

• A genuine encounter with Jesus always results in a changed life—seen through actions, attitude, and affection.
• No one is too rich, too broken, or too hardened to be reached by the gospel.
• Living a gospel-first life means choosing obedience over comfort, even when it costs you.
• You don’t need a title or platform to share Jesus. Every believer has a role to play in God's mission.
• Belief in Jesus means full surrender—not just knowledge or admiration but giving Him your entire life.

Key Scripture: Acts 16

Speaker: Matt Petty
Series: The Gospel, The Kingdom, The World
Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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