Christ Church IL Podcast

When Jesus taught, he spoke in illustrative passages that set the tone for a message that was directed at people who would put the effort in to decipher and look at themselves deeply to see how it applies to them. Listen as Mike Woodruff talks about how Jesus taught us to look at ourselves and not waste the talents that He has given you. So...look deeply at yourself...are you using your God given...

One God in three persons...If you do the math...1 does not equal 3, if you ascribe to common logic...but listen to Mike Woodruff talk about the Holy Trinity and how God is one God, and three all at the same time.

Rejoice on the fiftieth day from Easter as we commemorate Pentecost, the day when the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and others who were gathered in prayer over 2,000 years ago. So “Sing a new song, church!” Listen as Jared Alcantara tells us how the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary brought us a new identity…we can now pass through the veil between God and humanity. He tore the...

Listen as Mike Woodruff explains how God's love for us resembles the love a mother has for her newborn infant child...in the same way that a mother's love for her helpless infant is purely self generated, God's love for us, is purely because of His nature, and not of our "earning".

Jesus was known for miracles, and when he gave sight to the blind the repercussions of this act were felt and continue to be felt around the world. He actually offers us all "sight for the blind"...in a way that many of us don't perceive...listen as Mike Woodruff opens our eyes to another miracle, the gift that seeing the world as God does, through the acts and teachings of our savi...

Ever find yourself seeking God's favor by doing something? Listen to Stephen Love as he talks about the importance for us to just humbly abide in His presence...living in His grace, and walking with the knowledge that God loves us for who we are, not what we do.

"Sell everything you have and then follow me"...this is what Jesus said to the rich young ruler who approached him...this young man was not ready to hear this direction as he, like many of us could not clearly see his own sin which he was trying to keep concealed. Jesus on the other hand, sees our sin and calls out to us to change...what do you need to "sell" to turn around the...

For many of us, there may be very good reasons why our hearts have grown hard towards God or towards others. We might have been hurt and so in order to prevent ourselves from more harm, we put up walls. Listen as Syler Thomas talks about how Jesus wants us to become like little children again, so that we may receive His kingdom.

I will go to heaven because I do ___ and I have faith in ___. This is what many people believe...and yet when you look at what Jesus tells us in the parable of the Tax Collector and Sinner, this perspective gets radically turned around. Listen as Mike Woodruff talks about the route to salvation, and why try as we may, we can never be "good enough"...only accepting salvation in faith can...

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Some might argue about the validity of this statement...but this is the key factors in what makes the sacrifice on the cross so significant, and is the basis of Christianity. Listen as Mike Woodruff talks about what we know about the resurrection...and why Easter is so important.

Whether you are curious about what Palm Sunday is all about, or you are solemnly paying tribute to the amazing sacrifice that our Lord, Jesus Christ paid on the cross, listen in to Mike Woodruff and our Christ Church team recount the path from His triumphal entry...to the sacrifice that Jesus made so that those who believe, may know salvation.

Last week we discussed how persistence in prayer is vital, but how are we supposed to pray? Listen as Mike Woodruff breaks down the Lord's Prayer and how significant and radical the words that Jesus tells us to pray, truly are.

Ever wonder if God is listening? Sometimes it may seem that our prayers are not heard and that we reach out but we get no response. Listen as Mike Woodruff talks about God's Kingdom and how persistence can be the key to understanding what God wants from us in our walk.

Identity...a name...it is not only who we are, but it is significant in shaping who we are to become. There is another name, I AM...God, who doesn't give up on us, He still calls on us, and He is sure about who we are. Listen as Jared Alcantara describes the void between the person we are and the person we are called to be. God knows this person, and guides us, toward the realization of our t...

Listen as Jamie Morrison introduces us to the mission efforts of Christ Church in India, along with a special message from Mike Woodruff who is currently in India visiting with our mission partners.

One of the more important aspects of the Christian walk, and one of the most overlooked, is the importance of being thankful. Does your attitude display gratitude? Listen in as Mike Woodruff unpacks how God expects us to display thankfulness.

In our second week of Outrageous Forgiveness, Pastor Mike continues delving into the inner-workings of forgiveness. As you listen, keep an open heart and open mind, as we discuss what forgiveness looks like and what it means to forgive...or be forgiven..

Ever find it hard to forgive someone? Do you have a relationship that is hurt or you have become estranged with someone? Listen closely as Mike Woodruff talks about one of the challenges that we are called to face...forgiveness.

Listen to Mike Woodruff as he discusses the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his penchant for leadership in spreading the good news in times of turmoil. In contrast, although this is certainly no easy time, where does your focus lie, on reaching out, or just keeping the status quo?

Are you living today in light of forever? Listen as Mike Woodruff talks about the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus.

As we embark upon this new year, we return to the book of Luke as Mike Woodruff discusses how God wants us to be generous, in many ways that may seem like a stretch, but truly bring fulfillment.

When it comes to the future, there is only one guarantee out there we can be sure of. One place to go where we can read about what the future holds. But this is not a prediction, we are not talking about a possibility. No this is a promise, something you can count on, something that changes what we do today. Watch as Dan Syvertsen talks about the book of Revelation and what prophecy means in our r...

In our Advent Series we have been looking at names for Jesus. So far we have covered Prince of Peace, Eternal Life and Alpha and Omega. Today the name (or title) is Christ. As you may know, “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title. It is the English form of the Greek word Christos, which is a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. Listen closely as Mike Woodruff unpacks this holy name.

On the 3rd week of Advent, Mike Woodruff talks about the completeness of God, the contrast and vastness, He is the Alpha and the Omega.

In our second week of the Peace series for Advent, we highlight the first E in Peace, Eternal Life.