The Shepherd's Pulpit

We're never beyond God's grace. No matter what we do, no matter how far from Him we stray in sin, He will always welcome us back with open arms. In today's chapel message, NEBC Trustee Board Chair Ron Poitras looks to Ephesians 2 and tells his own story of redemption, on how we were dead in sin, are alive in Christ, and now walk with a purpose, all because of God's grace.

The time of King Nebuchadnezzar was a time of deep idolatry. Under his rule the captive Israelites were forced to worship false idols, under penalty of death; that is, until Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood for their God, proving His power and upending the idolatrous ways of Babylon. In today's chapel message, Steffan Jones explores this story in Daniel 3, showing how it applies to us and our...

We've all heard the story of David and Goliath. It's easy to take it for granted as just a story of a boy triumphing over impossible odds with God's help. But is there more to it? In today's chapel message, Marvin Jones looks to 1 Samuel 17, taking a different perspective on the story, from the view of those there who watched it unfold.

We all have self esteem, be it good or bad. We can struggle with thinking too little of ourselves, or fall into the trap of an overinflated ego; but how should we truly esteem ourselves? In today's chapel message, NEBC professor Dr. Michael McDill turns to Romans 12, showing how we can root our self esteem in God's grace, seeing ourselves as God sees us.

Teaching is essential to the Christian life. In order to know our God and how we live our lives for Him, we have to be taught it from His Word; in turn, we take this teaching and use it to reach others for Him. In today's chapel message, Steven Steinhilber turns to 2 Timothy 4 to see what it means to be taught the Word, and how we are supposed to take that teaching to the world.

The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood. Who He is, what He does, and how He dwells with us is a subject of confusion for many. Unfortunately, misunderstanding Him leads to many spiritual dangers; it's our job then to cut through the mystery. In today's chapel message, President Ballard looks to John 14 and 16 on Jesus' own teachings on the Spirit, that His disciples, and us, may know who He truly...

How we worship matters. The way we offer our praise and supplication can't just be any way we want, no matter how we feel or what we experience. There's only one standard for telling us what is true and proper worship: the Word of God. In our first chapel service of the semester, President Ballard looks in 1 Samuel 13 to the story of Saul offering false worship to God, to what the consequences wer...

When God calls on us, what does it take to always be ready? In today's final chapel of the semester, President Ballard shares his thoughts on what it means to always be prepared for whatever God gives us, to be His servants in all things at all times.

In life, we all have targets. But how do you make sure you hit the one God has for you? In today's chapel message, Shawn Parker looks to 2 Timothy 4:5 on how we prepare ourselves for our ministry by being sober minded, enduring suffering, and doing the work of an evangelist.

Psalm 117 is a tiny passage with a huge message: Praise the Lord in all things. In today's chapel message, Professor Alan Ingalls expounds on these two verses to show why the Lord is worthy of our praise, for His love and faithfulness.

How do you know God's plan for your life? How can you tell when He closes a door, but opens another? In today's chapel message, Michael Carrel looks to Paul's call in Acts 16:6-10, and how we can also know our calling through knowing His Word.

When we tell the Easter story, highlights like the cross, the tomb, and Christ rising again often come to mind first. The details of the story, however, deserve our attention as well, details like Barabbas the murderer set free. In today's chapel message, Dave Bentley preaches from Matthew 27:15-23 on the experience of Barabbas, and what it meant for Christ to take his place on the cross.

We want our lives to have meaning. At the end of the road, we want to look back and say, "I made a difference." But how do we do that? In today's chapel message, President Mark Ballard looks to Paul's words to his spiritual son in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, on what it means to live a life for Christ and know, at the end, that your life counted.

As a Christian, we are called to many things; one of the most vital is abiding in Christ. When we fail to follow Him with our lives, we are set adrift, lost in uncertain waters. In today's chapel message, David Glover looks to Christ's words in John 15:1-11, on how to know if you're spiritually adrift from Christ and how to prevent it by abiding in Him.

We have been made new in Christ. We have gone from dirty, worthless vessels to pure, flawless cups of crystal. So why, then, would we fill ourselves with the filth of the old self? In today's chapel message, Jason Morrow explores Colossians 3, on how we should put away the sins of the past and be the spotless vessels Christ redeemed us to be.

Ask a hundred people what's the best part about being a Christian, and you might get a hundred answers. However, arguably the best is this: getting to walk with Christ daily. In today's chapel message, pastor Stephen Wyles looks at John 17, on how the gift of God living inside of us and being with Him always is the greatest gift of all.

Don't be fake. The Christian life isn't about being puffed up, spouting rules and acting superior. It's about being authentic, having real devotion to Christ in all we do. In today's chapel message, Anthony Allen delves into Matthew 23, as Jesus exposes the fakeness of the Pharisees, and shows what it means to be an authentic Christian leader instead.

A life without God is a dangerous one. Without Him leading and protecting us, we all will face one thing: ruin. In today's chapel message, NEBC alumnus Tim Groos looks to Psalm 124 on how we need God everyday and for everything, and how His provision should lead us to praise Him.

We're just common folk. We're ordinary people who don't deserve God's mercy and grace, and yet we receive it anyways. In today's chapel message, pastor Harvey Coberley looks at 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 on how God chose us, the unworthy and weak, to glorify Him.

When life gets rough, who do you trust? We can choose to put our faith in the weak and fallible things of earth, or in the God who never fails us. In today's chapel message, NEBC alum Tyler Ray looks at Isaiah 40:25-31 on who God is and why we can put our full trust in Him to give us strength.

Your relationships matter. Those who you let speak into your lives will affect you in many ways, for good or bad; so choose those who will lead you closer to Christ. In today's chapel message, Javier Chavez looks to 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 at the story of righteous king Jehoshaphat and wicked king Ahaziah, and how their alliance only brought ruin to Jehoshaphat.

When we face times of uncertainty, Proverbs 3:5-6 often come up. When taken on the surface, these verses can seem like a trite answer that offers little help; when you look at their deeper meaning, however, they offer great help to us in times of need. In today's chapel message, President Mark Ballard dives deep into these Proverbs, showing how they provide real direction when we don't know what t...

When the odds seem against us, it can be hard to trust that God will carry us through; but no matter what He will never fail us. This is a lesson the Israelites learned the hard way as they prepared to enter the Promised Land and their fear took over, leading to 40 years of wandering the wilderness. In today's chapel message, NEBC professor Dr. Jared August looks to the Israelites' story in Deuter...

We all need comforting at one time or another. Life throws a lot at us, and some days it's more than we can handle. Luckily, we have a God who can carry us through. In today's chapel message, NEBC professor Dr. George Sweet takes us to 2 Corinthians 1:3-9, looking at the God of all mercy and comfort who never forsakes us.

The story of Israel and Judah is filled with both tragedy and hope. For each time they came to destruction for their actions, God remained with them and restored them. In today's chapel message, Dr. Alan Ingalls looks to Jeremiah on Israel and Judah's cycle of destruction and restoration, and what we can learn from it.