Christ Church IL Podcast

We all have a history, we all have “issues”...you might even say, we all have some “wounds.” We are slowed down in certain ways by our past, consequently some of us carry around a lot of baggage. Listen as Mike looks at the life of someone who has a lot of baggage – in particular from his family...and consequently a lot of Blindspots. His name is Jacob.

Three thousand years ago, Socrates said that the path to truth starts as we learn to "Know thyself." 500 years ago, noted theologian John Calvin wrote, “Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.”  Many others have said similar things. Our mission is to help people Discover life with God. That requires a better understanding of ourselves than mo...

As we ramp up for our Fall season , there is no better passage than Philippians 3:7-14 to prepare us for the upcoming season. Listen as Ben Dockery describes how Paul’s focus in this passage is on forward momentum, not prior mistakes. A person cannot move ahead if their thoughts and vision are focused on the past. Paul has a clear goal: bring in heaven with the Lord, he looks forward to the ultima...

Thank you for joining us in week two of Planted – an occasional topical series in which Mike will be framing up a Christian World View – setting in front of new Christians, the basics of the faith so that those new to the faith understand what the big, foundational, organizing truths are. Today's topic. is important but heavy and dark - it is Evil.

Join us as we begin our Planted series with a message based from Hebrews 11, a passage that many call The Hall of Fame of Faith".

Thank you for joining us on the second week of our three week summer series called The Temptations of Jesus.   We are often tempted to provide for ourselves, protect ourselves, and exalt ourselves.  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by these same things.  And while we often fall, Jesus shows us a new and better way.  Listen today as Brad Coleman talks about Praise.

Thank you for joining us on the second week of our three week summer series called The Temptations of Jesus.   We are often tempted to provide for ourselves, protect ourselves, and exalt ourselves.  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by these same things.  And while we often fall, Jesus shows us a new and better way.  Listen today as Aaron Cramer talks about Protection...how often we try to prote...

This week we kick off a new three week series called The Temptations of Jesus. We are often tempted to provide for ourselves, protect ourselves, and exalt ourselves. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by these same things. And while we often fall, Jesus shows us a new and better way. We have three messages from three of our campus pastors over the next three weeks who will talk from Matthew 4…thi...

Thank you for joining us on the last installment of our series Honest Reflections: a Study on the Psalms.  This week we walk through Psalm 98, a celebratory psalm, that has an unexpected turn at the end…”rejoice because God is judge and He is going to judge you.”. What? How is that good news? Listen as Mike Woodruff opens up this Psalm and shows us why we can rejoice in His judgement.

As we enter week 10 of Honest Reflections...a study in the Psalms, we are nearing the end of our series as we focus on Psalm 23...one that some would say is the most famous psalm. Listen as Mike Woodruff brings us a perspective on Sheep...and what this means in our relationship with God.

Thank you for joining us on week 9 of an 11 week sermon series Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is a 150 chapter collection of prayers found in the  middle of the Bible. Today, Anson Hanbury invites us to engage in Psalm 30, a beautiful example of singing praises to the Lord!

Thank you for joining us on week 8 of an 11 week sermon series called Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms. Today’s message is on doubt – which is a big and important topic, and perhaps one that describes you. Perhaps you believe – most of the time, but you have some “concerns and questions.”  Or maybe you are like the father who brings Jesus his sick child, and Jesus says he will be w...

Thank you for joining us on week 7 of an 11 week sermon series called Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms.  Today we are looking at a psalm that reaffirms our perspective of who the Lord is in our life, listen as Ben Dockery unpacks Psalm 16.

Thank you for joining us on week 6 of an 11 week sermon series called Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms.  Today we are looking at Psalms of lament, which you can think of as prayers when you are sad and disappointed, maybe with life, perhaps with God.  Often Christians sing about praise, worship, and other “happy” experiences...today we are looking at a very size-able chunk of the b...

Thank you for joining us in week 5  of our 11 week sermon series Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms. Listen this week as Mike Woodruff explores David’s reflection on contentment in Psalm 62. In what ways does your life and cultural experience pull you away from contentment?

This is week 4 of an 11 week sermon series Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms. Listen this week as Mike Woodruff dives into repentance, and what this looks like in the framework of our cultural experience.

Sing to the Lord a new song.  We are called to do this in Psalm 96...but what does this look like in our life? Join us in week 3 of our Honest Reflections series and listen as Anson Hanbury reflects on the many songs that we sing and what it looks like to sing a new song.

This is week 2 of an 11 week sermon series Honest Reflections…a study in the book of Psalms…this 150 chapter collection of prayers found in the  middle of the Bible.

This week we kick off an 11 week sermon series in the book of Psalms…Honest Reflections. Our study of the Psalms will examine the heart of the authors and provide instruction for how to deal with some of the toughest moments in life.   In our discovery of life with God, we cannot escape the moments that seem overwhelming, but the Psalms provide insight on how to live during those days.

Last week we began Holy Week where we have been walking through the last days of Jesus' life. We started with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem last Sunday..and then on Thursday... Jesus' last supper...and to his death on the cross on Friday.  Today we celebrate His resurrection.   Listen as Mike Woodruff reflects on the differences the resurrection makes. 

Palm Sunday we traditionally celebrate the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.   As described in the gospel, Jesus's entry into Jerusalem was noted by the crowds present who shouted praises and waived palm branches. Listen as Ben Dockery dives into Mark 11:1-11 and talks about Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.

What we pursue...is where our efforts are focused upon. This determines the direction for which we grow toward, and can indicate many factors of who we are.  Listen as Mike Woodruff brings the second part of our series where he dives into Colossians 3 and talks about the heart...and how it can grow.

What we pursue...is where our efforts are focused upon. This determines the direction for which we grow toward, and can indicate many factors of who we are.  Listen as Mike Woodruff dives into Colossians 3 and talks about the heart...and how it can grow.

Join us for part 2 of our REACH Half-time series, as we mark the half-way mark of our REACH campaign.

Join us as we mark the half way mark of our REACH campaign as Mike Woodruff unpacks Isaiah 11:6-9, and discusses a prophetic foreshadowing of a world without sin.  Where Jesus is fully and finally in charge and His vision and values are fully embraced.