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 determination and stay focused on the Kingdom mission, and stay united with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

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 mystery box. The world can see your exterior, but God, who made you, knows what’s on the inside.

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 forgiveness, you not only begin to get the train back on the rails, but you demonstrate what Jesus died for.

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 God doesn’t want your stuff. He doesn’t want your attention out of obligation. He wants your heart.

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 be a wedge between you and your Father in Heaven, or do you see it as a way to grow closer as you seek His help?

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 that life is full of balance. As your life begins to lean too far in one direction, God will give you a little of the other.

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 today’s message, Pastor Chris will share that everything you do can be done for God’s glory!

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, or worshiping in song, time spent with Him will result in the production of discernment in the Christian! 

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 God’s truth! It’s free to get the gospel, it’s free to know God’s Word, and it’s free to share God’s love!!!

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 a choice and you have power over sin. Be aware of the devil's ways, and remind Him of the God you serve!

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 to compare himself to others. Instead, remember what the Lord thinks of you, because that’s what matters.  

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, pride, and hate. It’s essential to keep it in your heart and mind. 

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 sure he was doing everything above reproach with the money he was gathering. 

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, but what you’re willing to surrender to help others, and to honor Him with your money. 

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 you come to God with genuine humility, He is faithful to forgive and restore.

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 and the example of Jesus, you can do what would otherwise seem impossible.

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 eternity. The allegiance of your heart shapes the direction of your life.

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. True integrity is not just looking good on the outside, but honoring God from the heart.

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 flipped that around and gave us His holiness so we can stand before God in righteousness. 

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’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have been made new, and He sees you as perfect and holy.

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 padding our reputation or working our way into God’s favor. It should be driven by gratitude for His love for us.

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 will remind us today, none of that is going to be allowed in Heaven, and you’ll be given a perfect new body.

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 to this path, you’re going to spend a lot of time in low places, but don’t give up – Jesus is worth it all.

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 be, we can find a deep, life-giving hope when we remember what we have to look forward to and that Jesus is with us.

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 message, if we become preoccupied with our own position in the Church, we’re missing the point. 

For many believers, ministry is reserved for preachers, worship leaders, or missionaries. The rest of us are just laypeople. As Pastor Chris will explain in today’s message, this isn’t how God views His Children. He sees each one of us as vital to His mission in this world. He could accomplish it without us, but He wants to use each of us. Every believer is a part of this mission and called to a role as a minister of the Gospel. Those roles will vary widely, but each is highly valued by our Father.

For modern believers, the old, sacrificial system that was required in the Old Covenant is foreign and abstract. But for early believers, especially the Jews, it was very familiar and burdensome. It had been manipulated by certain people to become oppressive. They had lost sight of the heart of God behind it. As Pastor Chris examines the New Covenant that Paul references in his letter to the Corinthians, we’ll be reminded of how freeing it is to rely fully on Christ, who fulfilled all the Law.

If you’re feeling insecure in your faith, where is that coming from? Are you doubting whether Jesus is really capable of saving you? Or maybe you question if He really wants to. Many of us get caught up in our own performance, and we assume that our frequent blunders make us undesirable to God. God indeed hates sin, but as Pastor Chris will remind us in today’s message, God loves us and sent Jesus to provide the way for us to be made perfect in His sight. Jesus is enough, even in our weakness.  

When someone has hurt you deeply, it can feel good to hold onto hatred towards them. In many cases, it may even be justified to be bitter. They may have taken someone or something from you that you can never get back. What they did was incredibly wrong. But, as we’ll be challenged in today’s message from Pastor Chris, Jesus took our place on the cross and carried the punishment for all of our sin on His shoulders. In a small way, we can give that same grace to those who hurt us.

Conflict can be scary. It can feel like a big gamble with a relationship. When it’s a strong relationship and a sensitive matter, it can feel much easier just to sweep it under the rug and try to pretend there’s nothing to deal with. As Pastor Chris continues our study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he’ll draw our attention to the tension in Paul’s heart. He loved these people, and he knew they didn’t want to hear what he needed to say, but he also knew he needed to obey God’s leading.

Have you ever had noble intentions, but found that your actions were perceived as being selfish or inconsiderate in some way? That can be really challenging. God is able to see our hearts and knows our motives, but we don’t have that ability. As Pastor Chris will point out in today’s message, while there are cues that can help us discern someone’s motives, we are not God, and we can’t judge their hearts. We need to approach each other with grace and patience, instead of assuming the worst. 

Oh, the things that we let get under our skin! We really can be thin-skinned creatures at times. As Pastor Chris will illustrate in today’s message, as ridiculous and petty as some of our disagreements can be, they can quickly escalate into full-scale rifts in our relationships. In the body of Christ, we should deal with these things differently. We’re united in His blood, and that bond is stronger than any earthly bond. It isn’t always easy, but we need to live as extensions of the grace that we’ve been given. 

That’s so true, isn’t it? If you’ve ever been through a traumatic or extremely challenging situation with someone, you often form a bond that no one else can understand. You’ve been through similar pain, and you can understand that in each other. As Pastor Chris will point out in today’s message, this is part of how we grow in the Church. Of course, no one wants to suffer, but as we walk in a broken world, it’s inevitable. We need to link arms, with Jesus uniting our hearts, and continue on His path. 

Far too often, the Church displays some of the worst characteristics of our fallen world. It can even seem worse than what we see in culture, in contrast to what we’re called to. This can turn away some who come expecting something better, just to find broken people hurting each other. As Pastor Chris begins our study of 2nd Corinthians today, he’ll point out that we need to be honest about who we are, while letting Christ operate in our hearts and transform us into the image He designed us for.

It’s important to recognize that the nation of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, plays a central role in the story of the Bible, and that story has not ended yet! Pastor Chris teaches us today that the world is awaiting the return of its Messiah, Jesus Christ, and so many prophecies surrounding His return hinge on the Israelite population returning to their holy land. The events we see going on in the world today may be terrifying, but they are setting the stage for our Lord’s triumphant return!

One of the greatest comforts you can have in your home is air conditioning! Instead of being hot and humid in the summer, you can enjoy a cool home. But if your AC goes down, your space will begin to get hot and uncomfortable again! Pastor Chris reminds you today that the Church is the world’s thermostat, because God’s people call out the evil that lurks beneath the surface. But after the Rapture, Satan and his forces will have free rein over the world, and that’s when the Tribulation will take place!

Jesus didn’t tell us exactly when He would return, and that was by design. Think about it: if you have a hard deadline to finish an assignment, how good are you at finishing the work ahead of time? Many of us tend to wait until the last second to do a task, even if it’s very important to our jobs and our lives. Pastor Chris wants us to know today that Jesus knows when He will return, but He doesn’t clue us in on that information. What He does do is tell us the signs to look for that will signal His second coming!

You have to be careful when buying jewelry or a nice watch, because scammers will pull out all the stops to create counterfeit products that look like the real thing, but are actually made of inferior materials. And in today’s message, Pastor Chris teaches you that your own good deeds will not make you righteous in the eyes of God, and you will risk facing the sting of death. But when you accept Jesus into your life, His righteousness completely covers over your sin, and death cannot touch you!

Sometimes, when I’m reading a good thriller novel, I want to skip to the last few pages to get some hints about how the plot is going to resolve. And when I read the Bible, I can do exactly that by skipping to the book of Revelation! But even though I know how the story will end, I don’t know how every single detail will fall into place. Pastor Chris is here today to teach us that God doesn’t give us all of the answers we may want, but He gives us everything we need to know in His Word! We just have to trust in Him.

People love to imagine what the world will look like in the future. If you watch Back to the Future: Part 2, Meet the Robinsons, or Star Trek, you’ll see visions of what people hope to see in the future, even if it’s not in their lifetimes! But Pastor Chris is here today to tell us about something that we get to look forward to as children of God! When we pass away from this life, we will be given new Heavenly bodies that are direct reflections of God’s glory! Nothing on Earth can compare to those new bodies we are set to receive.  

Death comes for us all, whether we’re ready for it or not. I’m sure you can think of someone in your life who passed away unexpectedly, and the tragedy and grief that death brought to their family. Well, Pastor Chris is here today with a warning, because while the first death we face is only temporary, there is a second death coming for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The second death is eternal because God will not allow unrepentant sin into His heavenly Kingdom.

Imagine spending your entire life in darkness, and suddenly a hand reaches out to you… a glimpse of light and a voice calling you toward it. That is what life without Christ is like. This world can feel dark, and many continue in that darkness throughout their lives. But that hand reaching out is Jesus. Even in the midst of it all, He reaches out to you, drawing all who seek Him into His light, all because He loves you. So today, Pastor Chris encourages you to take Jesus’s hand and allow Him to show you the way.

It’s safe to say that we’ve all been through struggles. We all have a past that has hurt us because of sin. But that’s why Jesus came to this world. He came to pay the price for our sins, to die in our place, and three days later, He rose again. He did all of this simply because He loves us. So today, Pastor Chris reminds us that we’re not meant to be in this world forever. And what that means is that until it’s time to come back home to the Lord, we should hold on to Him, to His Word, and to His promises for our lives.

There comes a time in our lives when we must realize that we aren’t meant to stay in this world forever. This world brings pain and hardships, all because of sin. But that’s why Jesus died for our sins… to free us from the hurt, the suffering, and the shackles of sin, all because He loves us. So today, Pastor Chris wants you to know that God doesn’t bring pain but promises to deliver us from sin and all its effects. All we have to do is choose Jesus, let Him into our hearts, and trust in what He did on the cross.

We live in a world where societal views on relationships are constantly changing. But as believers, we are called to look to Scripture for guidance. The Bible teaches that in marriage, husbands are called to lead with love, humility, and sacrifice, while wives are called to support and build up their husbands in a godly way. So today, Pastor Chris encourages husbands to be faithful and loving leaders and wives to stand alongside their spouses in ways that honor God and build up the marriage.

We live in a world where people have different opinions- basketball or football, hamburgers or hot dogs, and many other preferences. But even among believers in Christ, there can sometimes be division over spiritual matters, including the use of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues. But today, Pastor Chris reminds us that in private worship, believers are free to use the gifts God has given them. However, in public worship, everything should be done in a way that builds up the body of Christ and points others to Jesus.

Sometimes, as we serve God in this life, we do it on our terms. We go about it our way and really only serve when it’s convenient for ourselves. But in today’s message, Pastor Chris wants us to know that serving God isn’t about self; it’s about God’s people. We shouldn’t serve God on our terms but with the mindset of serving His people for God’s glory, even if it means changing the way we want to serve or using different spiritual gifts. We must serve God in a way that benefits His flock, not just the one sheep.

In this life, we spend our days making decisions. We choose what we eat, how we provide for our families, and even what kind of future we want to build. But there is one thing that matters above all others: do you know what Jesus has done for your life? Jesus, the Son of God, came to this earth, lived a sinless and blameless life, died for our sins, and rose again after conquering the grave… all because He loves you. So today, Pastor Chris urges you to make the only decision that matters: choose Jesus Christ.

Isn’t it amazing to know that there will be a day with no more sorrow, pain, or suffering… a day when every hardship will come to an end forever? And there is only one who has promised to make that a reality: Jesus Christ - and His return is closer than you think. In today’s message, Pastor Chris encourages you to give your life to Jesus so that when He returns and fulfills His promises, you will be with Him. So don’t wait another moment, choose to follow Jesus Christ and place your hope in Him today.

An atomic bomb is designed to cause massive destruction in a minimum amount of time—wiping out everything in its path and leaving lasting damage behind. In today’s message, Pastor Chris uses that image to show you what love is not. Love doesn’t explode in anger or tear people down in a moment. It doesn’t leave destruction in its wake. Instead, real love is steady, controlled, and life-giving. It builds up others rather than destroys, even when emotions run high.