The Tree Church

https://thetree.church Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Wisdom and Knowledge https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/25/wisdom-and-knowledge Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/25/wisdom-and-knowledge

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

No eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has prepared — but Paul says God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit, who searches even the depths of God. That's the supernatural source behind wisdom, the Spirit showing you what to do, and knowledge, the Spirit showing you something you couldn't otherwise know. Paul says plainly that we have the mind of Christ, which means the Spirit isn't handing out occasional hints — He's giving you access to real spiritual insight for real situations.

This isn't reserved for dramatic moments only. It shows up in the daily decision you can't quite reason your way to, or the sudden sense that something is off before you have any proof. The question isn't whether the Spirit is willing to give wisdom and knowledge — it's whether you're asking and paying attention.

When was the last time you sensed the Spirit showing you what to do, or revealing something you had no natural way of knowing — and did you recognize it as Him?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You that I have the mind of Christ through Your Spirit. Give me wisdom for the decisions in front of me and open my eyes to see what I can't know on my own. Help me trust You enough to act on what You reveal. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Before making a decision today, pause and specifically ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, then act on what comes to mind.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/25/wisdom-and-knowledge#comments 0 THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFTS | Pastor Matthew Johnson https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/the-holy-spirit-s-gifts-pastor-matthew-johnson Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:05:19 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/the-holy-spirit-s-gifts-pastor-matthew-johnson

"You don't receive a gift. It's way better than that. You receive the spirit of God." — Pastor Matthew Johnson

Pastor Matthew Johnson continued The Tree Church's series on the Holy Spirit this week with a message on the gifts of the Spirit. Teaching from 1 Corinthians 12, he worked to remove the confusion and hesitation many Christians feel around this topic, showing instead how good and personal these gifts truly are.

A Fear Of Being Weird

Pastor Matthew opened with a story from 2011, the year he became lead pastor. He shared that his very first planned sermon series was about the Holy Spirit, and he was excited to teach it. What surprised him was the most common response he received when he announced it. People asked if the church was going to become weird.

He explained that this fear made sense. In his experience, many groups that emphasize the Holy Spirit have done so in ways that felt chaotic or strange rather than biblical. Pastor Matthew was clear that his goal has always been the opposite. He wants believers to see the gifts of the Spirit as normal, personal, and good, not something loud or out of control.

Background On The Letter To Corinth

To set up the passage, Pastor Matthew gave background on the Apostle Paul and his relationship with the church in Corinth. Paul had once opposed Christianity entirely before encountering the resurrected Jesus and becoming a missionary who planted churches across the region. The believers in Corinth wrote to Paul with questions about their faith, including questions about the Holy Spirit, and Paul's letter was written in response.

He pointed out that in 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul is not simply teaching about spiritual gifts as a category. He is addressing a broader question the church asked about what it means to have the Spirit of God living in them. Pastor Matthew also highlighted verse 3, where Paul gives a simple test. Anyone truly led by the Holy Spirit will always honor Jesus, never dishonor Him.

Gifts Of Grace, Not Gifts Of Merit

Moving into verses 4 through 11, Pastor Matthew unpacked the original language behind the word gifts, explaining that it comes from a term meaning grace gifts. He said this matters because it removes a common misunderstanding, the idea that spiritual gifts are only for people who are especially disciplined, mature, or in leadership. Instead, these gifts flow from the same grace that saves every believer.

He also challenged a common way people talk about spiritual gifts, saying things like I have the gift of healing or I have the gift of prophecy. Pastor Matthew said this actually undersells what a believer has. He put it directly. You don't receive a gift. It's way better than that. You receive the spirit of God.

To illustrate this, he used the image of a Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman multi tool, both of which contain many different functions in one tool. He explained that saying you have the gift of one specific thing is like holding a multi tool and only claiming the pliers. What a believer actually has is the full presence of the Holy Spirit, who chooses to work through them in different ways as needed.

Wisdom

Pastor Matthew then began walking through five of the nine gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, describing these as the speaking gifts. The first was wisdom, defined as the Holy Spirit supernaturally showing someone what to do. He referenced James 1:5, which encourages believers to ask God for wisdom in faith. He also pointed to Acts chapter 6, where the early church sought wisdom together to solve a practical problem, and Acts chapter 15, where church leaders sought wisdom on how to guide new Gentile believers. In both cases, the church prayed, discussed, and moved forward with confidence because of the wisdom God gave them.

Knowledge

The second gift, knowledge, was defined as the Holy Spirit supernaturally showing someone something they could not have otherwise known. Pastor Matthew pointed to two moments in the ministry of Jesus, His conversation with the woman at the well in John 4, and His response to unspoken thoughts at a dinner in Luke 7. In both stories, Jesus knew something only the Holy Spirit could have revealed. Pastor Matthew also shared a personal example, describing a moment years earlier when he sensed the Spirit warning him ahead of a difficult meeting, which prepared his heart before it happened.

Prophecy

The third gift, prophecy, was defined as the Holy Spirit supernaturally speaking to someone or through someone. Pastor Matthew explained that prophecy in scripture can be predictive, corrective, or encouraging, and gave biblical examples of each, including Agabus predicting a famine in Acts 11 and the encouragement given through prophecy in Acts 15. He also shared several personal stories, including prophetic words given to couples in the church who were struggling to conceive, both of whom later had children.
He also shared a more difficult story about a time God prompted him to check on a friend during what felt like an ordinary day. He reached out by text and then in person, even though at the time nothing seemed obviously wrong. Months later, that friend told him they had been in a very dark place and that his message had arrived at the exact moment they needed it most. Pastor Matthew shared this story to show how the Holy Spirit can use a believer to remind someone else that they are seen and loved by God.

Tongues And Interpretation

The fourth and fifth gifts, tongues and the interpretation of tongues, were addressed together. Pastor Matthew explained that tongues in scripture appear in three forms, a known language unknown to the speaker, an unknown language meant to be interpreted for the church, and a private prayer language between a believer and God. He shared the biblical example of Pentecost in Acts 2, along with several personal stories, including a well known story from Pastor Jack Hayford about singing in tongues to a stranger on an airplane, his own experience receiving this gift at age 13, and a lighthearted family story about his mother praying in tongues while trying to catch the family dog.

He explained interpretation of tongues as God enabling someone to communicate the meaning of what was spoken, sharing that he grew up in a church where this happened regularly and that it shaped his early understanding that God genuinely wants to speak to His people.

Speaking To Us And Through Us

Pastor Matthew closed the message with a simple but challenging thought. When God speaks to you, it builds your faith. When God speaks through you, it builds someone else's faith. He encouraged the church to ask God to speak to them personally through prayer and scripture, but also to ask Him to speak through them to someone else. He gave a practical example, encouraging believers that if someone comes to mind unexpectedly, a simple text or call letting that person know they were prayed for can make a real difference. The message closed in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to work through the church for good purposes in their families, relationships, and everyday lives.

We'd Love To Meet You At The Tree Church

Whether you are new to faith or looking for a church home in Lancaster or Logan, The Tree Church invites you to join us. Our Lancaster campus meets at 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130, and our Logan campus meets at 36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138. Sunday services at both campuses are held at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. We would love to have you with us.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/the-holy-spirit-s-gifts-pastor-matthew-johnson#comments 0 Not My Gift, His Gift https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/not-my-gift-his-gift Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/not-my-gift-his-gift

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul opens by telling the Corinthians he doesn't want them uninformed about what comes from the Holy Spirit — not a list of independent gifts to divide up, but grace flowing from one Spirit, one Lord, and one God who empowers it all. That distinction matters: you don't "have" a gift the way you own a possession; you have the Holy Spirit, and He makes His gifts available as He wills. Like a multi-tool that carries a knife, a saw, and pliers all in one, having the Spirit means every gift is available to you, not just the one you feel most comfortable claiming.

Paul is also clear about the purpose: the Spirit's manifestation is given to each person for the common good, not for status or self-promotion. So, the goal was never to figure out which gift is "yours" and rest there, it's to stay open and available to whatever the Spirit wants to do through you, whenever He wants to do it.

Have you limited yourself by thinking "I don't have that gift" instead of staying open to however the Spirit wants to work through you?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for living in me and for the grace gifts You freely give. Forgive me for boxing You in by claiming only the gifts that feel comfortable. Keep me open and available to bless others however You choose today. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Ask the Holy Spirit in prayer today to use you for someone else's good, without specifying how — and stay alert for the opportunity.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/24/not-my-gift-his-gift#comments 0 Transformed by the Spirit | The Branch https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/transformed-by-the-spirit-the-branch Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:16:36 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/transformed-by-the-spirit-the-branch

"This isn't a sprint or a marathon. This is a lifestyle." — Pastor Matthew Johnson

A Conversation About Real Change

Pastor Chris Reed and Pastor Matthew Johnson sat down for an honest conversation on The Branch Podcast about what it actually means to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. The discussion followed Pastor Matthew's recent sermon and became a chance to unpack the idea further, sharing personal stories along the way. Their conversation is part of the Proof series at The Tree Church, a study built around the belief that when the Holy Spirit is at work, there is evidence.

Why Transformation Matters

Pastor Chris opened the conversation by pointing out something true about the Christian life. God loves people as they are. That grace is offered freely, and scripture reminds believers that God pursued them even while they were still far from him. So why does transformation matter so much if love is already given.

Pastor Matthew answered with a simple truth. You can love someone and still think they need to change. He compared it to being a parent. A parent loves their child deeply, but that love does not mean they want their child to stay exactly the same forever. They want to see growth. The same is true in a relationship with God. People are loved fully, but they are also invited to change and grow.

Pastor Matthew described this as living in the tension between what once was in the garden and what will be in eternity. Sin still affects everyone, and because of that, every part of a person's life, their thoughts, desires, goals, and relationships, is either being led toward life by the Holy Spirit or toward death by the flesh. He explained that there are not a thousand choices in life. There are really only two directions. A choice toward God, or a choice away from him.

The Tension Between Getting Better And Letting God Lead

Both pastors agreed that people naturally want to get better. The culture is full of self-help advice and life hacks aimed at personal improvement. But there is a catch. People often want to improve on their own terms, using their own standard for what better looks like.

Pastor Matthew explained that being transformed by the Holy Spirit means giving up that control. He said that to be transformed by the Holy Spirit is to surrender control to him, and that surrender is exactly what people resist. He connected this to the story of Adam and Eve in the garden, explaining that part of what happened there was people wanting to define wisdom and goodness on their own terms instead of trusting God's standard.

Pastor Chris shared how this shows up in his own life. He admitted that the places he resists the most are often the places tied to deep hurt, insecurity, and fear. Some areas of his life have been easier to surrender to God over the years. Other areas, like pride and the way he relates to and trusts people, have come with a much higher cost and have been harder to hand over.

Growth Through Hard Seasons

The conversation turned toward the reality that transformation often comes through difficult seasons rather than quick fixes. Pastor Matthew shared a story about a moment years ago when he lost his temper and spoke to someone in a way he had not acted in decades. He described the shame and embarrassment of that moment, but also the redemptive side of it. That failure brought something to the surface that needed to be addressed, and it led to a season of real self examination guided by the Holy Spirit.

He explained that before that moment, he thought controlling his outward behavior was the same as walking in the fruit of the Spirit. What he came to understand is that the fruit of the Spirit is not simply learning to manage behavior. It is having real peace underneath it. Pastor Matthew said that to have peace is better than to have low grade anger held under control.

Both pastors agreed that this kind of growth is rarely immediate. Sometimes God leads someone into a season of tension in a relationship or a struggle before things get better. The road to health often runs through struggle first.

Learning to Recognize the Spirit's Voice

Much of the conversation focused on the practical question of how someone actually hears the Holy Spirit speaking into their life. Pastor Chris shared that this summer he went through a week of intensive counseling, something he mentioned briefly on a previous episode. During that time, there were some things that she said to him that really hit home to him, especially the idea that sometimes God saves people from themselves by not giving them exactly what they expected.

The pastors talked about hearing the Spirit's voice through other people, through repeated situations, through scripture and sermons, and even through watching other people make mistakes. They also talked about the value of correction. Being told something honest and even uncomfortable by someone trusted can be one of the clearest ways the Holy Spirit speaks.

Disciplines, Rhythms, and Surrender

A natural question followed. Is spiritual transformation something a person works toward through disciplines and effort, or is it something they simply wait for the Holy Spirit to do. Pastor Matthew explained that it is both. Some things require supernatural peace that no amount of effort can produce. Other areas benefit from practical rhythms, like accountability, consistency, and healthy structure in daily life.

He shared that this isn't a sprint or a marathon. This is a lifestyle. Growth does not happen all at once, and it does not have a finish line either. It is something a person walks out over the course of their whole life, staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading day by day.

Pastor Chris shared his own struggle with wanting to fix everything all at once, only to grow tired and see little lasting change. He explained that he has had to learn to let the Spirit set the pace and the priorities, trusting that peace comes through the process rather than through forcing quick results.

Discipline as an Expression of Love

Toward the end of the conversation, the pastors discussed the idea of discipline. They pointed out that scripture describes God disciplining those he loves, the same way a loving parent corrects a child. They contrasted discipline with punishment, explaining that punishment carries a punitive weight, while discipline is meant to lead someone toward something better.

Pastor Matthew referenced Psalm 139, describing the simple invitation it offers. The invitation is to ask God to search your heart, show you anything displeasing, and lead you in his everlasting way. He explained that inviting this kind of honesty from God, and from trusted people in your life, is one of the clearest ways to grow in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

An Invitation To Keep Listening

The conversation closed with encouragement for listeners to build healthy rhythms in their own lives that help them stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's voice. Both pastors acknowledged that the world is full of loud voices competing for attention. Because of that, staying attentive to God takes intention.

Their closing thought was simple and hopeful. God has promised to make himself known and to lead people toward something good, if they are willing to keep listening.

Come Visit Us at The Tree Church

If you are looking for a church community in central Ohio, we would love to meet you at The Tree Church.

We have two campuses in the area:
Our Lancaster campus is located at 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130. Our Logan campus is located at 36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138. Both campuses hold services on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/transformed-by-the-spirit-the-branch#comments 0 Put Off, Put On https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/put-off-put-on Fri, 21 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/put-off-put-on

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul tells the Colossians to set their minds on things above and put to death whatever belongs to their earthly nature, i.e. the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire, anger, malice. Because these things come so naturally from our hearts this requires a work of the Spirit and daily, deliberate choices.

But Paul doesn't stop at putting off, he says put on: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love, which binds it all together in perfect unity. This is fruit language. We don’t just stop doing “bad" things, it is replaced with a desire and will to do “good.” As the old self dies, the new self, being renewed in the image of its Creator, grows exactly what the Spirit was producing all along.

Being specific and honest, what is one part of your old self you need to keep putting to death, and what new-self virtue do you need to put on in its place?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Jesus, I belong to You, and I choose today to put off the old self and put on the new. Let Your peace rule in my heart and Your word dwell richly in me. Keep clothing me with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and love. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Choose one "put off, put on" pair from Colossians 3 — name the old pattern and replace it with the new virtue in one specific interaction today.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/21/put-off-put-on#comments 0 Growth Through Conviction and Difficulty https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/20/growth-through-conviction-and-difficulty Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/20/growth-through-conviction-and-difficulty

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Romans 5:1-11

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul begins by reminding us that because we've been justified by faith and we already have peace with God, not earned, but given. From that secure place he says something surprising: we can even rejoice in sufferings, because suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Rom. 5:4). This isn't gritted-teeth optimism; it's possible because God's love has already been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, He's given us.

Following Christ’s way is often a slow and difficult process. It will require us to trust that God is still working on us when we can’t see it. Difficulty is not the evidence we are abandoned. The Spirit works to remind us to give ourselves to the process of becoming what He already made us to be.

How can focusing on what Christ has done for you on the Cross help remind you to trust God’s love in difficult seasons?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Lord, thank You that You don't waste hard moments. When conviction comes, help me receive it as love, not condemnation. Use my current struggles to grow endurance, character, and hope in me. I want to keep changing. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Recall your most recent difficult moment and identify one honest response to the Spirit's conviction — an apology, a changed attitude, or a surrendered worry — and act on it today.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/20/growth-through-conviction-and-difficulty#comments 0 The Standard of a Spirit-Filled Life https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/19/the-standard-of-a-spirit-filled-life Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/19/the-standard-of-a-spirit-filled-life

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Galatians 5:22-23

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

After naming the works of the flesh, Paul gives us the other picture: the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This isn't a checklist of behaviors to fake; it's the natural evidence of a life the Holy Spirit is genuinely at work in.

Paul sets a real standard here — love that costs you something, peace that holds steady no matter the circumstances, self-control that puts your desires under the Spirit’s command instead of the reverse. Someone who is committed to following Jesus will grow in these areas. Though, you won't master all nine today; the goal is honesty and staying open to what the Spirit wants to work in you next.

Where do you sense the Spirit has been challenging you lately? Where do you need to repent and renew your commitment to embracing His way in your life?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You for setting such a clear and good standard for my life. I confess the areas where this fruit is still small in me. Holy Spirit, keep doing Your patient work — grow in me what only You can produce. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Ask the Spirit to give you opportunity to practice one of the fruit that you have been struggling with.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/19/the-standard-of-a-spirit-filled-life#comments 0 Free to Walk, Not Free to Drift https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/18/free-to-walk-not-free-to-drift Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/18/free-to-walk-not-free-to-drift

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Galatians 5:1-21

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul opens this passage with a bold declaration: Christ set us free, so don't get tangled up again in a yoke of slavery by trying to earn what grace already gave you. If we're saved by grace, does behavior still matter? Paul's answer is yes, but not by going back to rule-keeping; the whole law is fulfilled in one command, to love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5:13), and that kind of love is only possible by walking in the Spirit.

Freedom in Christ was never meant to be an excuse to indulge the flesh; it's what makes it possible to starve it instead. Paul lists those flesh patterns as evident and warns that people who make a practice of them will not inherit the kingdom, not to frighten you but to show you exactly what you've been set free from.

Where have you been using your freedom in Christ as an excuse to feed the flesh, instead of as fuel to walk by the Spirit and love others well?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Jesus, thank You for setting me free. Forgive me for the times I've used that freedom carelessly instead of walking in step with Your Spirit. Teach me to love others well and to starve the patterns that keep pulling me backward. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Choose one specific, practical way to serve someone else through love today.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/18/free-to-walk-not-free-to-drift#comments 0 THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT | Pastor Matthew Johnson https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-pastor-matthew-johnson Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-pastor-matthew-johnson

"The Holy Spirit must first kill the old you before he can produce the new you." — Pastor Matthew Johnson

Pastor Matthew Johnson continued The Tree Church's series on the holy Spirit this week with a message on the fruit of the Spirit. Teaching from Galatians chapter 5, he showed the church what it looks like to walk by the Spirit instead of the flesh, and why that choice shapes everything about a person's life.

Reflections On Growth And Maturity

Pastor Matthew opened by sharing about his own family, including the joy and challenge of watching his kids grow into adulthood. He talked about moving into a new season as a father, where his role is shifting from authority to advisor. He shared honestly that when he was younger, he often thought he knew more than he actually did, and looking back now, he can see how much he still had to learn.

He said this personal reflection connects directly to why he continues to pursue growth in his own life. He gave three reasons for this, but focused the message on one in particular. He believes there is only one road in life, but two completely different destinations.

One Road, Two Destinations

Pastor Matthew explained that scripture consistently teaches this same truth from beginning to end. He pointed to Deuteronomy, where God set before His people a choice between obedience and disobedience, blessing and curse, life and death. He then connected this to the teaching of Jesus, who described a narrow path that leads to life and a broad path that leads to destruction.

He explained that the Apostle Paul teaches the same principle in Galatians 5, describing a life led by the Spirit that leads to real life, compared to a life led by the flesh that leads to separation from God. Pastor Matthew was clear that this decision affects every part of a person's life, including relationships, finances, health, and eternity.

Walking By The Spirit

Turning to Galatians 5:16-17, Pastor Matthew gave background on the letter Paul wrote to the church in Galatia. Some believers there were teaching that faith in Jesus was not enough, and that people also needed to follow the law to be saved. Paul corrected this, but also addressed a related question. If salvation comes through faith alone, does obedience still matter?

Paul's answer was to point people back to the Holy Spirit. Pastor Matthew explained that Paul describes an ongoing struggle between the flesh and the Spirit, calling believers to walk by the Spirit rather than gratify the flesh. He described the flesh as something completely natural, something no one has to be taught. He illustrated this with a lighthearted story about young twins in the church who never had to be taught how to say the word mine, or how to react when they did not get their way.

Pastor Matthew explained that becoming a new creation in Christ requires the Holy Spirit to deal directly with old patterns. He put it plainly. The Holy Spirit must first kill the old you before he can produce the new you. He connected this to a simple but important principle. Every appetite you feed grows stronger. Every appetite you starve grows weaker. He said the choice of what to feed, whether the flesh or the Spirit, belongs to every believer.

The Works Of The Flesh

Pastor Matthew then walked through the list Paul gives in Galatians 5:19-21, describing the works of the flesh as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies. He took time to define each one clearly, helping the church understand what these terms mean in everyday life rather than leaving them as vague religious language.

He then gave practical, sometimes humorous examples of how people unintentionally feed these things in daily life. He mentioned how constantly watching one sided news coverage can grow division, how scrolling through social media can grow envy, and how replaying imaginary arguments in our minds can grow anger rather than resolve it. His point was that people rarely want more of these traits in their lives, yet many daily habits quietly grow them anyway.

The Fruit Of The Spirit

From there, Pastor Matthew moved into Galatians 5:22-23, where Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. He pointed out that Paul uses the word fruit in a singular sense, meaning all nine qualities are meant to be present and growing together in a believer's life, rather than picked and chosen individually.

He gave a clear definition for each one. Love is choosing what is best for someone else even when it costs something personally. Joy is a deep gladness rooted in God rather than circumstances. Peace is an inner steadiness that comes from trusting God. Patience is remaining steady through difficult people or situations. Kindness is treating others with care and generosity. Goodness is choosing what is morally right, even when no one is watching. Faithfulness is being dependable and following through on commitments. Gentleness is strength that stays under control. Self control is keeping desires in check rather than being controlled by them.

How The Holy Spirit Produces Fruit

Pastor Matthew then addressed a practical question many people ask. If this is the goal, how does it actually happen? He offered four ways the Holy Spirit produces this fruit in a believer's life.

First, the Holy Spirit sets the standard. Pastor Matthew was clear that the standard for a Christian's life does not come from culture, personal feelings, or the people someone spends the most time with. It comes from the Spirit of God.

Second, the Holy Spirit gives believers opportunity to grow. Referencing Romans chapter 5, Pastor Matthew explained that suffering that comes from choosing obedience over the flesh produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. He compared this to the process of training physically, where consistency over time changes what a person is able to handle.

Third, the Holy Spirit engages believers through conviction. Pastor Matthew connected this directly to the previous week's message, explaining that conviction reminds believers to trust Jesus, reminds them of who they are in Christ, and gives them an eternal perspective for the choices they make.

Fourth, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to actually change. Pastor Matthew referenced a phrase found in the books of Ezra and Haggai, where scripture says the spirit of God stirred the spirits of the people. He explained that when believers respond in obedience, God meets them with strength to follow through.

Pastor Matthew returned to the list of fruit and offered specific, practical ways to grow in each area, such as looking for ways to serve people who cannot repay it in order to grow in love, or practicing small moments of saying no to oneself in order to grow in self control. He closed this section by reading Galatians 5:24, where Paul reminds believers that those who belong to Christ Jesus have chosen to put the flesh and its desires to death.

A Personal Story Of Change

To close the message, Pastor Matthew shared a personal story about an area of his own life where he struggled with self control, specifically around his eating habits. He described a moment last November when he sensed the Holy Spirit challenging him to give up sweets. He was honest that the following months, especially through the holiday season, were difficult. Over time, though, he noticed his desire for sweets had genuinely changed, and he no longer wanted or needed the same amount he once did.

He used this story to encourage the church that real change is possible when someone cooperates with the Holy Spirit, even after failure. He encouraged listeners to keep asking for help, keep getting back up, and trust that the Spirit is faithful to produce lasting change over time. The message closed in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where the flesh has taken control, not to bring shame, but to lead the church toward life.

Come Grow With Us At The Tree Church

If you are searching for a church home in Lancaster or Logan, The Tree Church would love to welcome you. Our Lancaster location gathers at 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130, and our Logan location gathers at 36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138. Both campuses meet every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Come as you are and grow with us.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-pastor-matthew-johnson#comments 0 Two Roads, One Choice https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/two-roads-one-choice Mon, 17 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/two-roads-one-choice

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Matthew 7:13-29

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a stark choice: a narrow gate that leads to life, and a wide gate that leads to destruction. Jesus warns that few find the narrow way. because it takes full and daily surrender to living His way, while the wide road only asks you to drift with the crowd.

Jesus gives a warning and a promise in the same breath: you'll recognize a tree by its fruit, and even impressive words mean nothing if they aren't backed by actually doing what He says. The wise builder isn't the one who simply hears the message, it's the one who lets it reshape how they live, so that when the storms come, they're still standing.

Is your life currently being built on rock, doing what Jesus says, or on sand, where you agree with His words but haven't let them change how you live?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Jesus, I don't want to just hear Your words, I want to build my life on them. Show me anywhere I've settled for the easy, crowded road instead of the narrow way that leads to life and give me the courage to walk it today. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Step:
Identify one place where hearing God's Word and doing it are currently misaligned in your life and take one concrete action today to close that gap.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/17/two-roads-one-choice#comments 0 Learning to Live with the Holy Spirit | The Branch https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-live-with-the-holy-spirit-the-branch Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:05:22 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-live-with-the-holy-spirit-the-branch

"I just had this overwhelming sense that God was real and that he loved me and that I wanted to know and be involved in with him." — Pastor Chris Reed

Two Pastors, Two Very Different Starting Points

Pastor Matthew Johnson and Pastor Chris Reed returned to The Branch Podcast after a summer break to talk about something personal. Both men lead at The Tree Church, and both have spent years growing in their walk with the Holy Spirit. But they did not start in the same place.

Their conversation is part of the church's Proof series, a study built on the idea that when the Holy Spirit is involved, there is evidence. Pastor Matthew opened the series by explaining that a relationship with God should be experiential. A relationship with no interaction is really just information. This episode picks up that thread by asking a simple question. What does it actually look like to grow close to the Holy Spirit over time.

Growing Up Without a Language for the Spirit

Pastor Chris grew up in the Lutheran church. His family attended every Sunday, and faith was part of daily life from an early age. He learned the stories of scripture and understood who God was. But the Holy Spirit was talked about mostly as an idea, not as someone to interact with personally.

That changed in college, when Pastor Chris was introduced to more charismatic expressions of faith. People spoke in tongues around him for the first time, and he had no framework for it. On some mission trips he saw behavior that felt chaotic and out of order. Without a background to make sense of it, he found himself pulling back rather than leaning toward it.

Looking back now, Pastor Chris can see moments earlier in his life that he did not have words for at the time. He remembers being ten years old, singing hymns in his Lutheran church, and feeling overwhelmed by a sense that God was real and that God loved him. He did not call that the Holy Spirit back then. He does now.

Growing Up Surrounded by the Gifts

Pastor Matthew had the opposite experience. His father was a pastor at an Assemblies of God church, a charismatic tradition where the gifts of the Spirit were part of every Sunday service. His father would pause the service and invite the Holy Spirit to move through prophecy, tongues, and interpretation. It was always structured and orderly, never chaotic.

Growing up inside that environment gave Pastor Matthew a language most people never receive. He said it plainly. So I had language and I had understanding of it. And to me honestly it shaped me in a positive way. The people who operated in those gifts were people he trusted and respected, and their sincerity left an impression on him.

College complicated things a little. At an Assemblies of God college, Pastor Matthew saw more extreme behavior tied to the gifts, things his father described as unusual practices some charismatic groups pick up rather than anything the Bible actually teaches. It did not sour him on the Holy Spirit, but it did make him more cautious about separating genuine movement of the Spirit from learned behavior.

When Speaking in Tongues Felt Strange

Both pastors agreed on one thing. Out of all the gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues is the one that feels the most unusual. Prophecy, wisdom, healing, and discernment all have a clear, practical purpose people can immediately recognize. Tongues stand apart because nothing else in ordinary life resembles it.

For Pastor Chris, tongues remained confusing for a long time. He understood it in theory. He could point to Paul's teaching about it in scripture. But understanding something and experiencing it are not the same thing. He described trying to force the experience for years without success, until one evening while praying and worshiping with the staff, something felt different. It was not something he manufactured. It became a genuine part of his prayer life, especially in moments when he simply did not know what to say to God.

Pastor Chris described it this way. God, I want to connect to you, but I don't have the words to speak right now.

Learning the Purpose Behind the Gift

Pastor Matthew pointed out that tongues connects to a passage often overlooked in the armor of God, where praying in the spirit is listed as part of a believer's defense. Paul describes it as the spirit interceding with perfect prayers on a person's behalf. For Pastor Chris, it was not until he experienced the purpose behind the gift, rather than just the strangeness of it, that it started to make sense.

Both pastors were honest about the tension that comes with wanting more of these gifts active in church life while also wanting to guard against anything that becomes chaotic or performative. Pastor Matthew admitted he is still working through how to create space for the gifts of the Spirit in services without losing order. It is something he continues to wrestle with rather than something he claims to have fully solved.

Prophecy That Shaped Two Ministries

Prophecy came up as the gift that shaped both of their lives the most. Pastor Chris shared that prophetic words spoken over him during difficult seasons sustained his faith and helped him find his place in ministry. He also described a moment years ago when he prayed for something simple, needing to know God still heard him, and then had someone unexpectedly pay for his order at a Starbucks drive through window that same day.

Pastor Chris described the moment this way. That was a pivotal moment for me. It was a moment where God was like, I hear you. I see you.

Pastor Matthew shared a story from his first year as a youth pastor at age twenty. He sensed God telling him a message he was preparing for teenagers was actually meant for the adults, including his own father, who he described as intimidating in his theological depth. During the service, someone gave a prophetic word that named the exact person Pastor Matthew had been thinking about while preparing the message. That confirmation convinced him, beyond doubt, that he could hear from God.

He has carried that conviction into how he leads staff and the church, encouraging everyone to pursue moments where they hear from God clearly enough to share it with someone else.

Trusting God in the Small and the Serious Moments

Pastor Matthew shared one of the more serious stories from the conversation. He described a day when a friend came to mind so strongly that he could not shake it. After a vague, distant text exchange, he felt compelled to go to his friend's house in person. His friend tried to avoid the conversation, but Pastor Matthew stayed and gently pressed in with honesty. That conversation opened the door for his friend to share what he was really going through. Months later, Pastor Matthew learned his friend had been planning to take his own life on a specific day, and that conversation changed the course of things.

He described the weight of that moment as a reminder that ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit is never worth the risk, even when responding feels inconvenient or uncertain.

Both pastors encouraged listeners to take small steps of faith when they sense a prompting, whether that is reaching out to someone, praying for someone, or simply following a nudge without knowing the outcome in advance. They both agreed that obedience does not always come with an immediate or visible result, and that is still faithfulness.

What Both Pastors Had to Unlearn

Pastor Chris admitted he once believed following the Holy Spirit meant God would lead him into embarrassing or overwhelming situations, since some Old Testament prophets acted out strange, uncomfortable signs. He had to learn that the same spirit who speaks to him is also the spirit who loves him, and that anything God calls someone into comes from goodness, even when it stretches personal comfort or pride.

Pastor Matthew shared that he had to unlearn the teaching from his upbringing that speaking in tongues is required proof of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Studying scripture more closely in college showed him that belief does not hold up. He also had to unlearn the instinct to put the Holy Spirit in a box, recognizing that God works differently in different people's lives and does not fit a single formula.

Teaching the Next Generation to Listen

Both pastors talked about parenting through the lens of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Matthew emphasized modeling a consistent pursuit of God in front of his kids and staying open to their questions about faith without shame or pressure. He also talked about including his children in family decisions shaped by prayer, using language like we feel God is leading us to do this, so his kids grow up seeing that process firsthand.

Pastor Chris shared a similar approach, encouraging his kids to bring their problems to God directly and to expect that God will speak into their situations. Both agreed that walking alongside their children as they learn to trust God's voice, rather than leaving them to figure it out alone, has been one of the most important parts of parenting through this season of life.

Why This Matters for Every Believer

The conversation closes with a simple invitation. Every person, not just pastors or staff members, has access to a relationship with the Holy Spirit that includes hearing from God and being shaped by him. Pastor Matthew emphasized that discipleship cannot be reduced to a single program, since every person carries different backgrounds and needs. Learning to recognize and follow the Holy Spirit is what allows each person to find their own path forward with God.

Their conversation was honest about doubt, confusion, and the process of learning to trust something that cannot always be explained. It was also full of confidence that God still speaks today, and that anyone willing to listen can learn to recognize his voice.

Come Visit Us at The Tree Church

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-live-with-the-holy-spirit-the-branch#comments 0 Learning to Hear the Holy Spirit https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-hear-the-holy-spirit Fri, 14 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-hear-the-holy-spirit

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16; Psalm 139:23-24; Hebrews 10:24-25

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

How does the Holy Spirit convict us? Most often, He speaks through God's Word, through prayer, through other believers, and even through life's circumstances. Scripture exposes what is hidden in our hearts. Prayer creates space for the Spirit to search us. Mature believers help us recognize blind spots we cannot see on our own. Even seasons of discipline become loving invitations to return to God.

The greatest danger isn't that God stops speaking. The greatest danger is that we stop listening. Delayed obedience hardens our hearts until His voice becomes more difficult to recognize. But every act of obedience softens our hearts and increases our sensitivity to His leading. As you consistently respond to the Holy Spirit, He develops within you a godly conscience that naturally draws you toward Jesus.

Is there something the Holy Spirit has already spoken to me that I have delayed obeying?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, give me a soft and responsive heart. Search me, reveal anything that needs to change, and give me the courage to obey quickly when You speak. Thank You for speaking through Your Word, through prayer, through other believers, and through the circumstances of my life. Help me never become resistant to Your voice but to walk closely with You each day. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Spend time praying Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to search your heart honestly.
Identify one area where you have delayed obedience and take the first step toward responding today.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/14/learning-to-hear-the-holy-spirit#comments 0 Living with an Eternal Perspective https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/13/living-with-an-eternal-perspective Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/13/living-with-an-eternal-perspective

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 16:11; Romans 16:20

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

The Holy Spirit also convicts concerning judgment because "the ruler of this world is judged." This isn't primarily about your future judgment—it's about the enemy's defeat. Satan thought the cross was his victory, but it became his greatest loss.

The Holy Spirit continually reminds believers that the story has already been written. Evil does not win. Sin does not have the final word. Death has been defeated. When you remember how the story ends, today's sacrifices begin to make sense. Obedience becomes easier because you know eternity is secure. Every act of faithfulness is anchored in the certainty that Jesus has already won.

How would my daily decisions change if I consistently lived with an eternal perspective instead of a temporary one?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You that the victory has already been won through Jesus Christ. When I become discouraged by the struggles of this life, remind me that evil will not have the final word. Help me live with eternity in view and give me the courage to remain faithful because I know You are victorious. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Thank God today for one promise about eternity that gives you hope.
Make one difficult but obedient decision today because you know God's eternal promises are true.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/13/living-with-an-eternal-perspective#comments 0 Remembering Who You Are https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/12/remembering-who-you-are Wed, 12 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/12/remembering-who-you-are

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 16:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

The Holy Spirit also convicts concerning righteousness. That may seem surprising until we remember what Jesus says next: "because I go to the Father." Jesus' return to the Father confirms that His sacrifice was accepted. His righteousness is now credited to everyone who belongs to Him.

The enemy constantly reminds you of your failures, but the Holy Spirit reminds you of your identity. He washes away the shame the world tries to place on you by pointing you back to the finished work of Christ. When you forget who you are, the Holy Spirit speaks the truth: you are forgiven, accepted, and declared righteous because of Jesus. He isn't constantly reminding you of your past—He's reminding you of your Savior.

Do I spend more time dwelling on my failures or on the righteousness Jesus has given me?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for continually reminding me of who I am in Christ. When shame, guilt, or insecurity try to define me, help me remember that Jesus has already declared me righteous before the Father. Teach me to live from my identity in Christ instead of striving to earn it. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 aloud several times today and thank God for making you righteous through Christ.
Replace one condemning thought with the truth of your identity in Jesus whenever it comes to mind.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/12/remembering-who-you-are#comments 0 The Root Beneath Every Sin https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/11/the-root-beneath-every-sin Tue, 11 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/11/the-root-beneath-every-sin

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 16:8-10; John 15:5

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Jesus gives an unexpected definition of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts "because they do not believe in Me." Beneath every sinful action is a deeper issue of trust. We choose our own way because, in that moment, we believe our wisdom is better than God's. Whether it's how we handle conflict, our finances, our sexuality, our time, or our relationships, every act of disobedience begins with believing that something other than Jesus will satisfy us more.

The Holy Spirit doesn't simply point out bad behavior. He lovingly exposes where we've stopped trusting Jesus and invites us back into dependence on Him. Conviction isn't about proving you're a failure—it's about reminding you who is trustworthy. Every conviction is an invitation to believe Jesus again.

Where in my life am I trusting my own wisdom or the world's promises more than I am trusting Jesus?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, forgive me for the places where I have trusted myself more than I have trusted You. Thank You that Your Spirit gently leads me back to Jesus instead of leaving me to wander. Strengthen my faith so that my decisions flow from confidence in Your goodness rather than confidence in myself. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Identify one area where you have struggled to trust God and surrender it to Him in prayer.
Choose one practical act of obedience today that demonstrates trust in Jesus over your own understanding.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/11/the-root-beneath-every-sin#comments 0 THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS | Pastor Matthew Johnson https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/the-holy-spirit-convicts-pastor-matthew-johnson Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/the-holy-spirit-convicts-pastor-matthew-johnson

"Conviction points out your sin and draws you to Jesus for grace and change." — Pastor Matthew Johnson

Pastor Matthew Johnson continued The Tree Church's series on the Holy Spirit this week with a message that reframes something many Christians have misunderstood. The topic was conviction, and Pastor Matthew opened by admitting that on the surface, conviction sounds like bad news. By the end of the message, he showed why it is actually one of the clearest signs of God's love.

Why Conviction Feels Negative At First

Pastor Matthew started by naming the tension in the room. When people hear the word conviction, they think of courtrooms, guilty verdicts, and punishment. He said this is why many Christians feel uneasy when they hear that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, a statement Jesus makes to His disciples in John chapter 16.

He explained that in our culture, exposing someone's failure is usually meant to make them feel bad. He connected this to cancel culture, where a mistake is used to strip away someone's standing or reputation. Because this is the pattern people experience most often, it becomes easy to assume God works the same way.

The Difference Between Condemnation and Conviction

Pastor Matthew drew a sharp line between two ideas that often get confused. He defined condemnation as pointing out sin in order to push someone away from Jesus in shame. He shared that for years earlier in his life, he carried a voice telling him he was a failure and did not deserve to be in God's presence. He said he now recognizes that voice was never from God.

He then read John 3:16 and the verse that follows it, which says God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save it. He also pointed to Romans chapter 8, where Paul asks who could possibly condemn believers when Jesus Himself is interceding for them. From these passages, Pastor Matthew said the Holy Spirit never uses condemnation.

Conviction, on the other hand, was defined differently. Pastor Matthew said conviction points out sin and draws a person toward Jesus for grace and change. He explained that the purpose is not to create guilt, but to help someone recognize the truth about their own heart so they can respond to it. He put it simply. Conviction is not about making someone feel guilty, but helping them realize they are guilty.

The Spirit Convicts Us Of Sin Because We Do Not Trust God

Working through John 16:9, Pastor Matthew explained that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin because people do not believe in Jesus. He connected this to a statement he once heard from Pastor Chris, who said the root of every sin is a lack of trust in God, tracing that idea back to Adam and Eve in the garden.

To make this practical, Pastor Matthew walked through several areas of life where this plays out. He talked about conflict resolution, where Jesus calls people to forgive freely and even love their enemies, while culture teaches people to defend themselves and fight for their rights. He talked about sexual morality, where scripture calls for faithfulness within marriage, while culture treats sex as a simple physical appetite. He also mentioned finances and the use of time and talents, where God calls people to generosity and eternal investment, while culture pushes people to accumulate more for themselves. In each case, Pastor Matthew said choosing the way of the world is really a quiet way of saying we do not trust God's way is better.

The Spirit Convicts Us Of Righteousness Through Jesus

Moving to John 16:10, Pastor Matthew explained the second area of conviction, righteousness. He described the scene at the cross, where religious leaders and onlookers mocked Jesus, believing His death proved He was a fraud. Pastor Matthew said Jesus was actually proving the opposite. As Jesus ascended to the Father, it confirmed that His sacrifice had been accepted on behalf of everyone who would believe in Him.

He read 2 Corinthians 5:21, which says Jesus, who never sinned, took on our sin so that we could become the righteousness of God. Pastor Matthew explained that because of this, God does not look at believers through their failures. Instead, He sees them through the righteousness of Jesus. He encouraged the church to stop holding onto sins that have already been forgiven, saying that when people do this, they are essentially arguing with God about something He has already resolved.

The Spirit Reminds Us How The Story Ends

The third area of conviction comes from John 16:11, concerning judgment. Pastor Matthew explained that this is a reminder that the ruler of this world has already been judged and defeated. He described how Satan believed the crucifixion of Jesus was his greatest victory, without realizing it was the very moment God used to bring salvation to the world.

Pastor Matthew connected this to the temptation to live only for today. He said culture pushes people toward instant gratification and short term thinking, while the Holy Spirit reminds believers that they are living for something eternal. Because the outcome of the story is already secure, believers can make sacrifices now with confidence, knowing they are living for a greater reality.

Four Ways The Holy Spirit Convicts Us Today

After summarizing these three areas of conviction, Pastor Matthew shifted to a practical question. What does this actually look like in everyday life? He offered four ways the Holy Spirit brings conviction.

Through God's Word

Pastor Matthew read Hebrews 4:12, which describes the word of God as living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, able to expose the thoughts and intentions of the heart. He said scripture cuts through the masks people wear to hide their struggles. He also pointed to the verses that follow, which describe believers coming boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy. He said this shows that when scripture exposes something, it is always followed by an invitation to grace rather than shame.

Through His Voice In Prayer

Pastor Matthew described prayer as a place where believers can ask the Holy Spirit to search their hearts, citing Psalm 139, where the psalmist asks God to search him and know his thoughts. He also referenced Psalm 95, which warns against hardening our hearts when we hear God's voice. He explained that delayed obedience often turns into disobedience, and that a pattern of ignoring the Spirit's voice can eventually lead someone to stop hearing it clearly at all. His encouragement was simple. When the Spirit speaks, respond quickly rather than delaying.

Through Other Believers

Citing Hebrews 10:24-25, Pastor Matthew talked about the importance of godly relationships who have permission to speak honestly into someone's life. He shared that he personally has people in his own life, including fellow pastors and church leaders, who regularly ask him how he is really doing and who he has invited to challenge him when needed. He encouraged the church to build these same kinds of relationships, especially through connect groups, where honest and loving correction can happen in the context of real friendship.

Through Life Circumstances

Finally, Pastor Matthew pointed to Galatians 6:7, which says a person reaps what they sow, and Hebrews 12:7, which describes hardship as a form of discipline. He encouraged the church to view difficult seasons as an invitation to ask the Holy Spirit if there is something that needs to change, rather than assuming every hardship is random or unrelated to their choices.

A Time Of Reflection

Pastor Matthew closed the message by inviting the congregation into a quiet moment of reflection, asking them to consider a time when the Holy Spirit spoke to them and they delayed or disobeyed. He encouraged everyone to bring that moment back to God in honesty and to respond to His voice today rather than waiting. The message ended in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to continue speaking, challenging, and drawing the church closer to Him.

Find A Home At The Tree Church

Looking for a church in Lancaster or a church in Logan? The Tree Church would love to have you join us this Sunday. Our Lancaster campus meets at 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130, and our Logan campus meets at 36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138. Services are held at both campuses every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. We hope to see you there.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/the-holy-spirit-convicts-pastor-matthew-johnson#comments 0 Conviction That Leads to Life https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/conviction-that-leads-to-life Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/conviction-that-leads-to-life

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 16:8-11; Romans 8:1

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

When Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, it hardly sounded like good news. Most of us hear the word conviction and immediately think of guilt, shame, and rejection. That's because so many of our earthly relationships have taught us that when our failures are exposed, love is withdrawn.

But the Holy Spirit doesn't work that way. Condemnation points out your sin and pushes you away from Jesus in shame. Conviction points out your sin and draws you toward Jesus for grace, forgiveness, and transformation. Conviction is evidence that God has not given up on you. Like a loving Father, He warns you because He loves you too much to leave you where you are. His goal is never to make you feel worthless but to lead you from death to life.

When God exposes something in my life, do I tend to respond with shame and withdrawal, or with repentance and trust in His grace?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for loving me enough to correct me. Help me recognize the difference between condemnation and Your loving conviction. When You reveal areas that need to change, draw me closer to Jesus instead of allowing shame to push me away. Give me a heart that welcomes Your correction because I know it always flows from Your love. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one area where He has been gently convicting you.
Instead of feeling condemned, thank Jesus for His grace and take one step of repentance today.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/10/conviction-that-leads-to-life#comments 0 Proof That He Is Real https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/07/proof-that-he-is-real Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/07/proof-that-he-is-real

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:1-6

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Paul’s question in Acts 19 is one of the most searching questions in the New Testament. He did not ask whether the disciples had heard about the Holy Spirit. He asked whether they had received Him. The distinction matters enormously. Knowledge about the Spirit and experience of the Spirit are not the same thing.

Throughout the book of Acts, the arrival of the Holy Spirit was always recognizable. People knew something had happened. God never intended the Spirit’s presence to be invisible, unfelt, or purely theoretical. The Holy Spirit is the living proof that God is with you. That proof, by its very nature, must be experienced.

Am I satisfied with knowing information about the Holy Spirit, or am I actively seeking a living relationship with Him?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, I do not want to merely know about You—I want to know You personally and experience Your work in my life. Fill me afresh and remove any fear, resistance, or expectation that limits how You want to move. I come open, willing, and expectant. Make Your presence real in me and through me. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Set aside extended, uninterrupted time to ask God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit.
Journal what you sense, remember, or experience, and respond obediently to anything that aligns with Scripture and points you toward Jesus.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/07/proof-that-he-is-real#comments 0 Sealed, Established, and Guaranteed https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/06/sealed-established-and-guaranteed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/06/sealed-established-and-guaranteed

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

In the ancient world, a seal carried enormous authority. It confirmed ownership, authenticated identity, and communicated that something was under the protection of whoever placed the seal. Paul uses this image deliberately. When God places His Spirit within a believer, He is making a declaration that cannot be undone. He is establishing you, anointing you, and putting down a guarantee on your future.

This is not a passive transaction. The seal of the Holy Spirit was meant to be felt, recognized, and lived from. A guarantee only functions when the one who received it trusts it enough to act on it. You have been sealed. Live like it.

How would my decisions, confidence, and response to difficulty change if I truly lived as someone sealed and secured by the Holy Spirit?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You for sealing me with Your Holy Spirit and declaring that I belong to You. Help me live with confidence in Your ownership, protection, and promises. When doubt rises, remind me that Your Spirit is the guarantee of everything You have prepared for me. Teach me to live from security rather than fear. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Write down three promises from Scripture that you have struggled to trust and write “guaranteed by the Holy Spirit” beside each one.
Choose one action today that reflects confidence in God’s promises rather than fear about your future.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/06/sealed-established-and-guaranteed#comments 0 The Witness Within https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/05/the-witness-within Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/05/the-witness-within

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Romans 8:14-16; 1 John 4:13

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

One of the most profound works of the Holy Spirit is the internal testimony He gives to the human heart. Romans 8:16 describes the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we belong to God. This is not merely intellectual agreement with a theological statement. It is a deep, settled assurance that displaces fear and replaces it with the cry of a child calling out to a Father.

Without this experiential witness, faith can feel like little more than wishful thinking. God designed the Holy Spirit to be the living proof within you that His love is real, His promises are certain, and you are truly His.

Where has fear, doubt, or insecurity kept me from resting in the assurance that I belong to God?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, bear witness within my heart that I am a beloved child of God. Silence the voices of fear, rejection, and insecurity that cause me to question His love. Give me a deep and settled assurance that I belong to the Father and that nothing can separate me from His presence. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Identify one fear that has been louder than your faith and bring it honestly before God.
Speak Romans 8:15-16 aloud and thank God that your identity is rooted in belonging to Him.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/05/the-witness-within#comments 0 More Than Forgiveness https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/04/more-than-forgiveness Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/04/more-than-forgiveness

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Acts 2:1-4, 37-39

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

The cross secured forgiveness, but the story did not end at the tomb. Jesus rose and ascended precisely so that the Holy Spirit could be poured out on all who believe. The disciples in the upper room were not simply informed about the Spirit; they were overwhelmed by Him.

What happened in that room was undeniably real, undeniably felt, and undeniably transforming. Peter stood and preached with a boldness he had not possessed days before. The promise declared in Acts 2:39 extends to every generation of believers. God’s plan of redemption was always meant to include an ongoing, living encounter with His Spirit.

Have I reduced my faith to receiving forgiveness, or am I also living in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You that salvation includes more than forgiveness—it includes the gift of Your Spirit living and working within me. Fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit. Replace fear with boldness, passivity with obedience, and spiritual dryness with a renewed awareness of Your presence and power. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Read Acts 2 in its entirety and note every action, sound, or physical experience connected to the Holy Spirit’s arrival.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you boldness to encourage someone, share your faith, or obey something God has placed on your heart.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/04/more-than-forgiveness#comments 0 The Holy Spirit Is Experiential | Pastor Matthew Johnson https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-holy-spirit-is-experiential-pastor-matthew-johnson Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-holy-spirit-is-experiential-pastor-matthew-johnson

"The gift that God gives us is the Holy Spirit. It's his very presence in our lives." — Pastor Matthew Johnson

Pastor Matthew Johnson opened a new sermon series at The Tree Church this week by asking a simple question. What if God gave you a gift that could carry you through every struggle in life, and you never opened it? That question became the foundation for a nine week series exploring what it means to move past simply knowing about the Holy Spirit and into actually experiencing him.

An Unopened Gift Has No Value

Pastor Matthew began with two everyday pictures. He asked the church to imagine receiving a card loaded with enough money to pay off every debt, or medicine strong enough to heal every sickness. In both cases, he pointed out something obvious. If the gift stays in the box and is never opened, it does the person no good at all.

He used this picture to introduce the real subject of the message. He believes many Christians treat the Holy Spirit the same way. God has given his presence as a gift, but too many people never open it up in their daily lives.

Life Is A Lot For Everyone

Before moving further into scripture, Pastor Matthew took a few minutes to be honest about his own life. He shared that he has been walking through a season of real spiritual struggle, including anxiety and stress that feel far from normal for him. He talked about the pressure of being a husband, a father to five kids in five different seasons of life, and a pastor trying to lead a growing church and a large staff.

He said this not to complain, but to make a point every person in the room could relate to. Everyone carries a full life. Everyone has unique battles. And he believes God has given every believer a gift meant to help carry that weight, whether or not that gift has ever been opened.

Why Jesus Really Came To Earth

From there, Pastor Matthew turned to a familiar question. Why did Jesus come to earth? Most people would answer that Jesus came to save us from sin through his death and resurrection. Pastor Matthew agreed that answer is true, but said it is incomplete.

He walked through John chapter 1, where John the Baptist points at Jesus and calls him the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. That title connected directly to the Passover lamb from the Old Testament, whose blood protected the people of Israel from death. John made it clear that Jesus was the fulfillment of that picture.

John The Baptist Points To Something More

Pastor Matthew highlighted that John did not stop there. John also said that Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He explained that the word baptize means to soak or saturate. In other words, Jesus did not only come to forgive sin. He came so that people could be fully saturated in the presence of God.

Pastor Matthew connected this all the way back to the garden of Eden, where God walked closely with Adam and Eve before sin separated humanity from his presence. He said the cross and the resurrection were never meant to be the final point of God's plan. They were the means that made Pentecost possible, when God's presence would fill his people again.

Pentecost Changes Everything For Peter

Pastor Matthew then moved into Acts chapter 2, where the disciples waited and prayed in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them like a rushing wind, with what looked like fire resting on each person. He pointed out that this was clearly an experience. Something happened to them that they could feel.

He highlighted Peter as proof. Just weeks earlier, Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times out of fear. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up in front of thousands of people and preached boldly, calling the crowd to repent and be saved. Pastor Matthew said this transformation shows that receiving the Holy Spirit was never just information. It changed Peter from the inside out.

The Holy Spirit Falls On Samaria, Cornelius, and Ephesus

To show this was not a one time event, Pastor Matthew walked through several more stories from the book of Acts. In Samaria, people believed the message Philip preached and were baptized in water, but the apostles Peter and John still came and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. In the home of a Gentile named Cornelius, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone listening while Peter was still preaching, and the group began speaking in tongues and worshiping God. In Ephesus, the apostle Paul met a group of believers and asked them directly if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. When Paul laid his hands on them, they were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.

Pastor Matthew said each of these stories points to the same truth. Being saved and being filled with the Holy Spirit are both real, but they are not always the exact same moment. God wants every believer to have a personal, felt encounter with his presence.

Two Extremes and What Scripture Actually Says

Pastor Matthew then addressed a tension he sees in the modern church. On one side, he described a group called cessationists, who believe the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit was only meant for the time of the apostles and has since ended. On the other side, he described what he called the hyper charismatic movement, where he believes strange or bizarre behavior has been wrongly credited to the Holy Spirit, even though it is never described in scripture.

He was clear that he considers himself charismatic and believes in the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues. But he said his goal in this series is not to find a balance between these two extremes. Instead, he wants to show what scripture itself actually teaches, which he believes is more powerful and more grounded than either extreme.

The Holy Spirit Proves God Is Real

Pastor Matthew then walked through several more scriptures to make a central point. He read from John 14 and John 16, where Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come as a helper who will actually be better for them than his physical presence had been. He read Romans chapter 8, which says the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. He also read Ephesians chapter 1 and 2 Corinthians chapter 1, which describe the Holy Spirit as a seal and a guarantee, and 1 John chapter 4, which says believers know they belong to God because he has given them his Spirit.

Pastor Matthew summarized this by saying that without an experience, there is no proof. He explained that if the Holy Spirit was only meant to be understood intellectually, the early believers already had that knowledge. What changed everything for them was an actual encounter with God's presence.

What It Means To Experience The Spirit Today

Pastor Matthew was honest that the Bible never describes one single way the Holy Spirit shows up. Sometimes it looks like tongues. Sometimes it looks like prophecy, comfort, courage, or simply an overwhelming sense of peace. He shared a personal example from that very morning, describing a moment during his church's prayer time when he said the presence of God became powerfully evident in the room, bringing him to tears and giving him chills.

He said this kind of encounter is meant to be personal, and it is also meant to happen again and again, not just once. He used the phrase normally supernatural to describe what he believes should be an ordinary part of the Christian life, where believers invite the Holy Spirit into everyday moments and situations.

How To Receive The Holy Spirit

Toward the end of the message, Pastor Matthew answered a practical question. How does someone actually receive the Holy Spirit? Based on what he sees throughout scripture, he said the only requirement he finds consistently is genuine salvation. That means turning to Jesus, admitting the need for a savior, and surrendering control of one's life to him. From that starting point, he encouraged the church to simply stay open and ask God to fill them.

He closed the message by inviting the church into a season of increased prayer, sharing that his son Titus had been sensing that God wanted to do something significant in their church. Pastor Matthew invited the congregation to an 8 a.m. prayer gathering each Sunday and prayed over the church, asking God to saturate every person present, both in Lancaster and in Logan, with his presence.

Join Us At The Tree Church

If you are searching for a church in Lancaster or a church in Logan, we would love to have you join us at The Tree Church. Our Lancaster campus meets at 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130, and our Logan campus meets at 36 Hocking Mall, Logan, OH 43138. Both campuses gather every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. We would love to welcome you home.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-holy-spirit-is-experiential-pastor-matthew-johnson#comments 0 The Gift You Have Not Opened https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-gift-you-have-not-opened Mon, 03 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-gift-you-have-not-opened

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 14:16-18

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Jesus did not leave His followers without provision. He promised a Helper who would not merely visit but take up permanent residence within every believer. Yet many Christians carry this gift unopened, struggling through life as though God has left them to manage alone.

The Helper is not a concept to study from a distance but a Person to encounter up close. Consider what areas of your life you have been navigating without consciously drawing on the Holy Spirit’s presence. Today, acknowledge that the gift has already been given. The only remaining question is whether you will open it.

In what area of my life have I been relying on my own strength instead of consciously depending on the Holy Spirit?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for living within me and for being my Helper, Comforter, and Guide. Forgive me for the times I have tried to manage life without acknowledging Your presence. Make me more aware of You today, and teach me to depend on Your strength, wisdom, and direction in every area of my life. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Spend five minutes in silence and ask the Holy Spirit to make His presence known to you today.
Before making a decision or beginning an important task, pause and intentionally ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/08/03/the-gift-you-have-not-opened#comments 0 Grounded in the Word https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/31/grounded-in-the-word Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/31/grounded-in-the-word

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: Psalm 119:105

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

We live in a moment when it is increasingly difficult to know what to trust. AI can fabricate voices and images. News sources spin the same event in opposite directions. Social media profits from outrage and division. In the middle of all of this noise, God has preserved something for us—His Word.

The psalmist wrote from his own era of confusion and conflict, yet he found that Scripture was sufficient to light the next step. You do not need to resolve every cultural debate to move forward faithfully. You need a reliable light. The Bible is not a relic of the past; it is the living truth that gives clarity when everything else is competing for your attention.

How consistently is Scripture functioning as a lamp in your daily life, or has it become something you visit occasionally rather than depend on regularly?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word as a trustworthy guide. Help me hunger for Scripture more than I hunger for the opinions and distractions of the world. Illuminate my path each day and give me the discipline to remain rooted in Your truth, trusting that Your Word will never fail. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Commit to a realistic Bible reading habit this week, even if it is only ten minutes each day.
Memorize Psalm 119:105 and pray it each morning, asking God to guide your steps through His Word.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/31/grounded-in-the-word#comments 0 Jesus Came to Testify to the Truth https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/30/jesus-came-to-testify-to-the-truth Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/30/jesus-came-to-testify-to-the-truth

Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.

Reading: John 14:6

Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.

Jesus did not come simply to teach good principles or model a better lifestyle. He came to testify to the truth—meaning He came to show us what is actually real. In a world drowning in competing voices, manipulated images, and manufactured narratives, Jesus stands as the fixed point.

He is not one perspective among many. He is the source from which all truth originates. This is not a claim that demands blind faith—it is a claim that has been tested by history, preserved in Scripture, and confirmed in the lives of millions who have encountered Him. Truth is not created. It is found in a Person.

Have you settled in your heart that Jesus is not merely a guide but the source of truth itself? What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that?

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…

Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Jesus, thank You for revealing the truth about God, about life, and about who I am. Help me trust You above every competing voice in this world. Teach me to build my life upon Your words and to follow You with confidence, knowing that You alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.
Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.

Faith Steps:

Slowly read John 14:1-14 today and write down one truth Jesus reveals about Himself.
When faced with uncertainty this week, intentionally ask, “What does Jesus say about this?” before seeking other opinions.

]]> https://thetree.church/blog/2026/07/30/jesus-came-to-testify-to-the-truth#comments 0