First Christian Church Champaign

While what comes to our minds when we think about God is foundational, it is equally important to know what comes to God’s mind when He thinks about us. In fact, the whole of the Christian story could be summed up in God’s opinion of us; that in His eyes, we were worth dying for. Our identity in Christ is the new reality that we are called to live from when we have stepped into the Kingdom and acc...

Everything in life has some sort of starting point. Races begin on a starting line, ball games commence with a first pitch or kick-off, speeches have introductions, and even your car has an ignition to get things going. It’s no different in our faith journey with Jesus. God relentlessly pursues us, and we call that story and good news, “the gospel.”

One more bite. One more episode. No big deal, right? The everyday choices we make might not feel important, but they shape our future more than we realize. Discover how we can break the cycle of choices keeping us stuck from living the life we want.

Between work, family, and everything else, choosing your priorities can be tough. Finding time for God may feel like just another task. But what if faith isn’t about fitting Him in? What if there’s a better way to live?

Sometimes it’s easy to treat our faith like a transaction—doing our part and expecting God to do His. But trusting God means stepping into something much greater than a simple exchange.

Christian-ish | Week 1 What happens when following Jesus leads us out of our comfort zone? What do we do when God’s Word feels challenging? Let’s find out in this message.

We all have soapboxes or areas of passion. The things, if given the choice to talk about, you would and could all day long! For this two-week mini teaching series, some of our pastors will share a message on a topic of their choosing that will challenge and stretch us in our faith.

We all have soapboxes or areas of passion. The things, if given the choice to talk about, you would and could all day long! For this two-week mini teaching series, some of our pastors will share a message on a topic of their choosing that will challenge and stretch us in our faith.

The closing credits are upon us. It’s been quite the journey through John. It’s time to end with the beginning in mind as we wrap up this series.

Fishing has to be one of the most frustrating activities. One day you catch everything, and the next day, at the same spot, with the same bait, at the same time, you come up empty! Doesn’t faith feel like that at times? As we get to the final stretch of our study through John, we see Jesus having one of the most popular conversations in all of Scripture, teaching us how to not come up empty in our...

In movies, when a character looks at the camera and speaks to you, it's called a fourth wall break. This weekend, we'll explore a similar moment in the Gospel of John. Why did John write his account of Jesus' life as he did, and what does it mean when he invites us, the readers, into the narrative?

We can all relate to the phrase, "I'll believe it when I see it." This week, we'll take a look at how one of Jesus' disciples struggles with doubt and how Jesus responds with peace.

The story of the empty tomb is part crime scene, part scandal, but also fully truth-filled evidence of our faith’s foundation and the miraculous capstone of God’s redemptive plan. But in all of that, there are some key things we need to wrestle with as believers…

In John's Gospel, Jesus' final words were, "It is finished." What did He mean by this? Together, we will explore the profound layers of this declaration and uncover the incredible blessings that His completed work brings to our lives today.

Life is full of decisions - big or small. And every decision has some sort of rippling effect - good or bad. So when it comes down to choices of vital importance, what is guiding you most in the path you choose to take? This week in our study of John we see how one man chose a path with a major consequence guided by something other than faith.

From the X-Files to Judge Judy, everyone seems to be on a search for truth. Why? Because truth both forms and informs our lives. For the disciple of Jesus, truth goes beyond knowing about to something much more impactful.

It is easy to be swayed by fear or pressure, whether we admit it or not. Like Peter, we may falter in tough moments, but Jesus’ example teaches us the strength that comes from unwavering faith. This Sunday, we’re reminded to be courageous in living out our faith, even when it’s difficult, knowing that Jesus never wavers in His love for us.

The time is winding down as the narrative picks up in the Gospel of John. As we turn to chapter 18, the hours and events will begin to fly by as the passion of Jesus is displayed. Up first is the betrayal event that kick starts Jesus’ journey to the Cross.

If you could have anyone praying for you, who would you select? A beloved family member or mature friend might make the top of the list… but what about Jesus, Himself? As we head back into John 17 this week, we not only see Jesus’ prayer, but the topic of His prayer shifts to His heart for all people!

Most scholars and theologians agree that John 17 is the most sacred and genuine prayer in all of Scripture. Sometimes referred to as “The High Priestly Prayer” or the “Jesus Prayer,” it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. So, by having a glimpse into the intimate heart of Jesus’ prayer life, what can we learn about how it applies to our life of prayer?

As Jesus inches closer to the Cross, he prepares His disciples for the sorrow and grief they will face. While our grief is very real, He assures us it’s temporary. Even in life’s storms, we’re not fighting for victory—we’re riding with it already in our boat.

Easy to understand? Sure. Simple to live out? Not even close. When it comes to following Jesus, there may not be another other “subject” more complex, confusing, or contemplative than the person of the Holy Spirit. As we continue our series through the Gospel of John, we look at the person, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has a lot to share with his disciples before his death... and not all of it is easy to hear. The call to follow Jesus is the invitation to both love and hate—to love God and be hated for it—to love our neighbors and be despised by the World. But what does it look like to truly love like Jesus in the face of hatred and persecution? Join us this Sunday to find out!

What good is a laptop without its charger? Or a bouncy house without its air-blower? As we continue in our series through the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us a parable with a similar no-duh answer : what good is a branch that doesn’t bear fruit? We explore Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches to understand the spiritual journey of growth, pruning, and fruitfulness.

How do you know if someone truly loves Jesus? True love for Christ is not just an emotion—it’s expressed in obedience, and in that obedience, we experience the abiding presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Join us as we discover what it truly means to live in communion with the One who never leaves us.