The Shepherd's Pulpit

Who we are and what we do says everything about us; so for believers, shouldn't it all point to Christ, no matter the circumstance? In today's chapel message, Hal Haller goes to Acts 8 to show what it means to be a faithful witness for Christ, even in the worst of times.

It's way too easy to get caught up in the world. The enjoyments and pleasures of the world are alluring and call to us; however, we're called to seek something better. In today's chapel message, Kevin Payne uses Revelation 17 and Hebrews 11 to show how we can overcome the temptations of the world and seek God in faith.

Of all Scripture, Psalm 23 may be the most familiar. We usually apply it to the Christian life in general, but it also applies deeply to a particular group who face incredible trials: pastors. In today's chapel message, President Mark Ballard shows how Psalm 23's promises of protection and provision provide comfort to the pastor as he faces the trials of his profession.

We do what we don't want to do. That's Paul's simple but profound message in Romans 7, as he teaches of our fleshly nature and our natural bent towards sin. However, we don't have to give up; we have hope in Christ. In today's chapel message, NEBC alumnus Tyler Ballard uses Romans 7 to show what hope we do have to overcome our flesh and be a new creation in Christ.

Following God takes faith. When we pursue His calling for our lives, we can find ourselves stepping out into the seemingly impossible, where we can't provide for ourselves; that's where God steps in. In today's chapel message, NEBC alumnus Chris Shatney uses Psalm 81 to show how God will never let the faithful go without, and always provide for their needs in incredible ways.

Do you want a healthy Christian life? It takes a lot to follow Christ faithfully, but underpinning it all is one key piece: prayer. In today's chapel message, Johnny Fain uses Jesus' example in Luke 11 to show how we can use the power of prayer to find spiritual victory.

Building churches takes endurance. It's not the structure itself that's truly difficult; it's growing and maintaining the congregation that takes intense and tireless effort. So how do we press through? In today's chapel message, David Glover looks to Hebrews 13:1-6 to show what true endurance means, and how we can have it through the Lord.

Everyone wants to make a difference. We all want to leave a mark, doing something lasting and meaningful. However, it's easy to get caught up in excuses, and say "not today"; but with God there's no reason to delay. In today's chapel message, president Mark Ballard looks to biblical examples of people God used despite their circumstances, who made a real and lasting differenc...

It isn't easy to be a faithful Christian. True faith requires more than salvation; we must be sanctified, serve faithfully, and sacrifice willingly. Are you up to the challenge? In today's chapel message, Terry Dorsett looks to Jesus's words in Luke 9:57-62 to show the real cost of following Him, in all ways and at all times.

What's our purpose? Why are we on the earth? On our own, we tend to believe that we exist for our own sakes; however, we've been provided the real answer. In today's chapel message, Eric Pugh speaks on how we were made by and for God, for His glory and not our own.

When your calling seems impossible, what do you do? The safe and easy route is to back down and retreat, throwing in the towel; the route we're called to is to press forward, taking the mountain God has given us. In today's chapel message, NEBC trustee Larry Pridmore uses Caleb's example in Joshua 14 to show how we should defy our opposition and chase our calling through the Lord.

How do we respond when we don't see the results we expect? When we put in effort day after day but we don't see the fruits of our labor, it's easy to want to quit; however, God calls us to persevere nonetheless. In today's chapel message, NEBC alum Michael Carrel looks to 1 Kings 19 on how Elijah's story shows how we should stay the course no matter our feelings.

War has been declared. Whether we realize it or not, spiritual forces of Satan are waging war against us every day, in a desperate attempt to take us down. So how do we fight back? In today's chapel message, President Mark Ballard goes to 2 Corinthians 10 to show us who our enemy is, and what we can and can't do to achieve spiritual victory.

When God carries us through trials, it's often not how we expect. We may encounter detours, dead ends, and dry places. But even then, God provides in incredible and miraculous ways. In today's chapel message, professor Dave Bentley uses the example of the Israelites fleeing Egypt to show the unexpected ways in which God works to preserve us.

What do you do when life turns upside down? We all go through chaos one time or another, when the unexpected and terrible happens and we lose control of our circumstances. So what do we do then? In today's chapel message, professor George Sweet uses James 4 and Psalm 90 to illustrate how we can trust in God to bring us through our chaos, and how He is always in control.

We have an incredible God. His attributes are innumerable and almost beyond description; however, through King David we have a glimpse of God's true character and majesty. In today's chapel message, professor Alan Ingalls takes us through Psalm 103, highlighting God's character and what it means for us.

Life gets complicated. Unexpected crises, conflicts, and issues can come at any moment and throw our life into chaos. But there's good news: we have a God who's over it all and can handle anything. In today's chapel message, Johnny Fain goes to 2 Kings 3:18 to show how even the most complicated matters are simple to God, and we can handle them through Him.

The world is full of evil, and so are our sinful hearts. On our own, we have no way of overcoming it; thankfully, we have a God who can overcome all. In today's chapel message, Jay Ridenour uses Psalm 52 to show what evil lies within us and how it is nothing before a holy God.

To some, the gospel doesn't make sense. To them it's foolishness, nonsense not worth considering. Of course, they're mistaken; the gospel is a simple and incredible message for us simple people. In today's chapel message, Kenny Hilliard goes to 1 Corinthians 1 to show that despite the doubters, the gospel holds true in every way.

Like it or not, we all go through times of trouble. We try to avoid it at all costs, but sooner or later it rears its head. So what do we do when it comes? In today's chapel message, professor Michael McDill looks to James 1:1-4 on how we should respond to troubled times, and how we can use it to benefit our faith.

We all want to finish well. At the end of our lives, we want to look back and know it was all worthwhile, that we did what we were called to do. In our first chapel of the Fall 2023 semester, President Mark Ballard goes through 1 Corinthians 15 to find the answers to knowing how we can come to the end as we should.

Of the four Gospels, John is the most philosophical, demonstrated nowhere better than its first chapter. It has deep and powerful meaning, foundational to the gospel of Christ itself. In today's chapel message, Dr. Paige Patterson illuminates the richness of John 1, in all its facets.

God has a plan for marriage. The union between man and wife was ordained by Him from the beginning, from the first pages of Genesis. In today's chapel message, Dr. Paige Patterson takes us through Genesis 1, 2, and 3 and the whats, whys, and hows of marriage.

Hebrews 6:1-8 has been a source of controversy in the church for centuries. Its interpretation is central to how we understand salvation itself, primarily whether it can be lost or not. For day 2 of our 2023 Spring Lecture Series, Dr. David Allen gives his views on this heavy passage and how it shapes our theology.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Book of Hebrews? You're in luck; for day 1 of this year's Spring Lecture Series, Dr. David Allen gives his thoughts about the origins of Hebrews, when it was written, from where it was written, to whom it was written, and the biggest question of all: who wrote it?