How to Choose Which Fights Are Worth It | The Gospel of Matthew

·42 min·3 clips

Pastor Matt confronts a mysterious force gripping his throat every time he prepares to preach the gospel.

Pastor Matt of Sandals Church teaches from the Gospel of Matthew on distinguishing trivial conflicts from the essential spiritual battle. This sermon, part of a series on Matthew, frames Christian life as a war with eternal stakes. He argues the only fight worth having is the one for people's souls. He opens with humorous examples of "stupid fights," like a couple arguing over hypothetical lottery winnings or ending a family game night over a Trivial Pursuit answer. Pastor Matt cites Matthew 10:34-36, where Jesus says he came not to bring peace but a sword, setting family members against each other. He references C.S. Lewis's *The Great Divorce*, describing a scene where a mother demands her son leave heaven for her. The message identifies family, romantic partners, or even one's own children as potential obstacles to faith if they rival God for devotion. He shares a personal conviction about a recurring tightness in his throat only before preaching, which he now interprets as a spiritual attack aiming to silence him. The sermon highlights a retiring pastor with 47 years of ministry, whose conversion stemmed from a church bus ministry. A central insight is that Christians often fight the wrong battles, like political or cultural wars, instead of joining Jesus's fight for souls. Pastor Matt interprets Jesus's call to love Him more than family as a "battle cry" akin to a soldier's commitment to country. He describes the church's mission as an offensive charge against the "gates of hell," referencing Matthew 16:18. The talk urges boldness in faith, recounting how the pastor once challenged a college professor who denied Satan's existence. He stresses supporting spiritual leaders, citing Matthew 10:40-42 about receiving a prophet's reward. He shares negative personal experiences, like having a water bottle crunched angrily at him and a woman pouring water on his head to curb his pride. Pastor Matt cites Barna research stating most pastors are depressed and would leave ministry if they could. He outlines practical ways to support pastors: respecting their position, giving them the benefit of the doubt, and financial support, referencing 1 Timothy 5:17 on elders being "worthy of double honor." He closes by asking the congregation to pray for pastors' personal fire, family protection, and marital strength, noting his church has never lost a pastor to scandal in 28 years. The tone is passionate, declarative, and motivational, blending personal anecdotes with scriptural exegesis. It employs vivid metaphors of war and uses conversational, sometimes humorous, language to engage listeners. This episode would deeply resonate with churchgoers seeking motivational, theologically conservative preaching on spiritual warfare and Christian commitment. Listeners interested in practical church leadership or pastoral encouragement would also find value. Those uncomfortable with militant spiritual metaphors or a focus on spiritual conflict over social justice might find it less appealing.

As heard by us

A blunt sermon that keeps the cost of discipleship in plain view.

Pastor Matt treats Matthew as a straight shot at what people value, and he keeps landing it with ordinary life: a Southwest Airlines terminal meltdown, a marriage fight over lottery money, the whole familiar mess. Those examples do the work without much garnish.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If you need a sermon that turns stupid fights into a hard call on priority.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Sandals Church Podcast