Expounding the Word

The pinnacle of any teenage boy’s childhood has to be one singular thing… paintball. The thrill of being the last team standing while avoiding the pain of multicolored spheres whizzing past you… invigorating. To be the last team standing, it takes two major things: determination and unity within the team. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches that the Christian walk is similar. Have determinati...

A product I’ve always been intrigued by, but never quite built the confidence to pull the trigger on, is one of those monthly mystery boxes. Each month, you get something delivered to your door. You know what the outside looks like – a brown box, maybe with some branding on it – but the inside remains unknown except to the packer. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches that you are like a myster...

One of the hardest parts of marriage, and often one of the leading causes of marital tension, is a communication breakdown. What starts as playful teasing slowly turns into subtle jabs, which grow into accusations and shouting matches. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches about a way to break this cycle – forgive those who hurt you. When you respond to hurt and insults with love and forgivenes...

When I was a child, birthdays and Christmas mornings were some of my favorite memories. Who doesn’t love presents? However, as I became older and I realized that so many gifts were given out of social obligation, I became a little less excited. Still grateful, but I would often much prefer a nice memory with someone rather than a gift bag and a card. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches that G...

I wish life were easy, but it just isn’t. I try, and try, and try to follow Christ with my whole being, but there’s a part of me that fights back. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches that this may be a common theme for you. Maybe you have a thorn in your flesh like Paul. However, do you allow this thorn to stop you from moving forward, or do you bring it to God in prayer? Do you allow it to b...

Red, blue, and green light all combine to create white light. Cyan, yellow, and magenta inks all combine to create black ink. Interestingly enough, if you look at a color wheel, these two trios perfectly interlace as opposites. The opposite of red is cyan, the opposite of blue is yellow, and the opposite of green is magenta. When balanced, you get gray. In today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches tha...

If we think about our daily burdens…what list would we come up with? Maybe getting the kids where they need to be, maybe it’s work-related, maybe you’re just overwhelmed with house chores; the Bible tells us that we’re to be burdened with the things of God and not worldly things. Obviously, you still have to take care of all those things, but you can do those things in a way that honors God. In to...

Discernment is one of the greatest gifts God gives! Discernment, which is the ability to understand, evaluate, and judge a situation with little to no knowledge of it; it’s God giving a special understanding. In today’s message, Pastor Christ will share that discernment is received after spending time with God; clearly, because He holds all the answers; so, whether that’s praying, reading His Word...

The gospel is free!!! Knowing the price that Jesus already paid is free! The gift of salvation, which was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, did come at a heavy price, but the gift of knowing Jesus and what He did for you IS FREE! In today’s message, Pastor Chris will highlight the words of Paul to warn you against any Churches, organizations, or proclaiming Christians who try to charge you for...

The enemy has many tactics, but his most effective one is that of secrecy and deception. He sneaks around where we can’t see or recognize him and trips us up into cycles of sin. So, maybe you’re asking, “How do I avoid that?” Well, the simple answer is to be aware and to be fully immersed in God’s Word so that you can’t be deceived. In today’s message, Pastor Chris will remind you that you do have...

It’s so easy to look at the people around you and start comparing. Whether at work, running errands, or even at church, it’s tempting to liken someone else’s clothes, looks, or words to your own. If you struggle with this issue, Pastor Chris has one word for you today: STOP! Using the Apostle Paul as an example, Pastor Chris tells you today to follow the early church leader’s example of refusing t...

No one wants to go to battle. Wars cause homelessness, pain, loss, and, worst of all, death. Yet as a Christian, Pastor Chris tells you today that you are at war. Evil forces seek to tear you down, ruin your life, and render you ineffective for God’s Kingdom. But your weapons aren’t guns and bombs. They are gentleness, humility, love, and God’s Word. The Bible is the truth that slices through lies...

Here’s a truth: Everything is normal in isolation. What that means is that if you don’t have people around you to act as a check and balance, then whatever you do, even if it’s wrong, becomes a habit. Today, Pastor Chris applies this truth to the Apostle Peter’s attitude towards money. Peter was collecting resources among the early followers of Jesus, but he didn’t do it alone. He wanted to make s...

Isn’t it remarkable that some of the most generous people often have the least to give? Today, Pastor Chris reminds you that generosity is easy when resources are abundant, but much harder when money is tight and needs are pressing. That’s why the Bible measures giving not by the amount given, but by the sacrifice behind it. God sees the heart of the giver. The question is not how much you give, b...

It can be hard to tell whether someone is truly sorry or simply sorry he got caught. Today, Pastor Chris highlights the Bible’s consistent call to repentance. From the prophets to John the Baptist, from Jesus to the Apostle Paul, God’s messengers urged people to turn from sin and return to Him. Repentance is more than regret—it is a change of heart and direction. Pastor Chris reminds you that when...

Have you ever had someone determined to make your life miserable? Today, Pastor Chris points you to one of the most challenging commands in Scripture: love your enemies. Bless those who curse you, respond to arrogance with meekness, and show kindness to those who hate you. That kind of love doesn't come naturally or from your own strength. But Pastor Chris reminds you that through the Holy Spirit...

Today, Pastor Chris asks some probing questions: Are you influencing the world, or is the world influencing you? Are your words and actions reflecting God’s light, or are you allowing darkness to shape your life? Are you aligned with Jesus, or compromising with the values of the world around you? Pastor Chris reminds you that how you answer these questions has significance for you today and for et...

As unfair as it may be, people often judge by appearances. Your words and actions are always being observed by neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers. In today’s message, Pastor Chris reminds you that as a believer, your conduct should be above reproach, leaving no room for legitimate criticism. More importantly, God sees beyond outward actions. He knows your thoughts, motives, and intentions. T...

God turned the world upside down with Jesus’ death on the cross. The only perfect human to ever live, who endured temptation none of us could’ve resisted, took all of mankind’s sin on Himself. In today’s message, as Pastor Chris explores 2nd Corinthians 5 and 6, he’ll remind us that we have been made perfect and holy in Christ. We’ve been oppressed by sin since we took our first breath. Yet, Jesus...

If you’ve received salvation through Jesus, it doesn’t always feel like that old nature is gone, does it? The enemy of our souls loves to tear us down and make us question whether we’ve really been changed. He’ll heap condemnation on us, doing whatever he can to rob us of the joy we’re supposed to have. But, as Pastor Chris will remind us in today’s message, you don’t need to fall for that. If you...

Why are you going to church, giving an offering, or volunteering for ministry? Is it to get your name on a plaque someday? Or do you enjoy the looks of admiration from your fellow Christians? Or maybe it’s to earn your place in God’s family? As Pastor Chris continues our study in 2nd Corinthians today, we’ll be reminded that our motives matter. Our goal needs to be bringing glory to God, not paddi...

We spend a lot of time, money, energy, and resources on taking care of our bodies. From medicine to food to exercise, it’s a high priority for most people. Whether you’re a gym rat, a couch potato, or somewhere in between, our bodies have needs, and every single one is subject to the brokenness of sin. If you’ve struggled with disease, pain, or injury, there’s good news for you. As Pastor Chris wi...

Paul’s life and ministry are such an inspiration. Whenever you have a moment where you feel like life is just beating you down, and you don’t know if you can get back up, think about what Paul endured for the sake of the Gospel. As Pastor Chris continues our study of 2nd Corinthians, we’ll be reminded that following Jesus isn’t easy. It’s the hardest path you can take. When you dedicate yourself t...

There’s a common misconception among Christians and non-Christians alike that the Christian life should be constant joy, and you should be smiling all the time. Once you spend a little time walking with Jesus, you’ll quickly realize how wrong that is, but even still, it can be frustrating when the trials seem to be non-stop. As Pastor Chris will encourage us in today’s message, as hard as it can b...

The first will be last, and the last will be first. That’s a central characteristic of God’s Kingdom. The King over everything, who spoke all Creation into being, came and became one of us, putting on a body subject to hunger, tiredness, pain, and every temptation that we can face. That same King took a knee before His disciples and washed their feet as a servant. As Pastor Chris warns in today’s...