First Christian Church Champaign

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.

The night before the cross, Jesus revealed the Father to His disciples—and He still does today for all who trust in Him. Join us as we explore five powerful revelations that change everything.

You live life long enough to realize nothing ever seems to go as planned. We recognize that sometimes it’s our fault, sometimes there’s another to blame, and other times - that’s just life! Regardless of why troubles come our way, getting through them is always needed. As we continue through the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the cure for a troubled heart.

We have endless songs about it. We have hundreds of movies about it. We have all forms of art expressing it. The “it” is love. Love is not only everywhere, it’s arguably the deepest yearning for all people. As disciples, we are called to do one thing more and better than everything else - love! But let’s be honest, it feels loaded at times to “love” well and rightly. Join us as we seek to discern...

What’s been the most radical act of kindness you’ve experienced? Maybe it was the generosity of a family member or the selflessness of a stranger, either way - it probably left a mark in you, for good reason. As we continue in our study through John, we see one of the most radical acts of love and the purpose behind it all.

Transformation is a powerful process that reflects profound change, much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. When we embrace this idea of change in our lives, we discover that transforming faith goes beyond mere belief; it is a life-altering relationship with God. This faith empowers us to shed past limitations and embrace a new identity. Just as the caterpillar's metamorphosis reveals its po...

Once all the promos, trailers, and build up are over - it’s time for the show! While the teasers may give you a taste of what is to come, nothing compares to the actual event. As we continue our study through John, Jesus reveals what all the precursors were about for the “time has (finally) come” to see what all the fuss has been about.

Over the past decade, Hollywood has begun to embrace the idea of an ‘anti-hero.’ A “hero” who breaks the mold of conventional hero-type figures. Stories filled with characters like Jack Sparrow, Walter White, or The Punisher have something that catches our attention. But what if the “hero” is just completely unforeseen - do we have a name for that person?

What is the most vibrant expression of love you’ve ever received in your life? Maybe it was an engagement ring, a personal letter, or award of recognition. Now flip it, if you had to express your love towards someone in the most obvious and tangible way possible - what would you do?

Queue Taylor Swift… “Haters gonna hate, hate, hate…” That phrase is fairly common in our society today as it could refer to someone who doesn’t like you all the way to someone plotting against you. But, have you ever had a hater who literally plotted to take your life? Jesus did! Join us as we continue our study through the Gospel of John and take a look at a few different responses to who Jesus w...

There are a few things you can count on in life - and one of them, whether we like it or not, is pain and trial. Spending any time on this earth, we quickly learn it never goes the way we would hope or plan. In this message, we wrap up one of the most popular stories in the life and ministry of Jesus and learn about how to get through life’s toughest moments.

They say there are only two certainties in life—death and taxes. And while Jesus doesn’t promise that His glory will shine through taxes, He proclaims the opposite about death. As we continue our series, I Am: The Gospel of John, we lean into how, in Jesus, death doesn’t have to be the end.

While we cannot change anything about Jesus, we let our thoughts, wants, needs and desires do that anyways, do we not? At some point or another, all of us have some sort of view or desire of Jesus that could very well not match up to who He really was. Picking up where we left off in our study through the Gospel of John, we see how Jesus handles people who want Him to be someone He’s not.