We are saved by faith. Anything that we add to that simple truth robs us of joy and denies the sufficiency of the cross. Our works and credentials are the things that keep us from knowing Christ as savior.
Philippians 2:19-30 Pastor Rich Chapman
The examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus challenge is to show genuine concern for others, to be united with fellow believers as brothers, to be hard workers in the faith, and to be courageous soldiers in spiritual warfare.
Philippians 2:12-18 Pastor Rich Chapman
Works do not save us, but once we are saved, Christ works in us to conform us to His will. We should be thinking and acting in a way that displays our faith and brings others to Jesus.
Philippians 2:5-11 Pastor Rich Chapman
In these verses, we are told who Jesus is and see the example He set for us. Although He is fully God, he emptied himself for our benefit. Our attitude is the way we are oriented towards a reference. Let us be oriented towards serving others.
Philippians 2:1-4 Pastor Rich Chapman
The comfort we receive during our suffering is meant not just for ourselves but to help others, also. If we do not pass this blessing on, we stagnate like the Dead Sea: always taking in but never giving back.
Philippians 1:27-30 Pastor Rich Chapman
Joy as a Christian comes from living as a citizen of heaven, solidly grounded in the fundamentals of the faith. As we learn from the sufferings of Christ and of Paul, such joy may be found even in persecution and we do not need to fear it.
Philippians 1:18b-26 Pastor Rich Chapman
How would most people sum up the essence of life itself in a word? Money? Position? Health? For Paul, the answer was "Christ." If that is to be true in our own lives, it leaves no room for a passive existence. We should live to serve Christ with zeal!
Philippians 1:12-18a Pastor Rich Chapman
God often uses the circumstances that bind us physically or emotionally to break down spiritual barriers. Such was the case with Paul's imprisonment, where his fearless commitment to the Gospel of Christ advanced his ministry even to the prison guards.
Philippians 1:7-11 Pastor Rich Chapman
Like Paul, we should take joy in praying for others--both those who give us trouble, and our closest friends in Christ. By praying for others, we are bearing the fruit of righteousness by putting them before ourselves.
Philippians 1:1-6 Pastor Rich Chapman
As God continues to work in us to shape our character, we are tempted to ask, "Are we there yet?" What is that good work that He promised to complete in us? While we may not know the details, what we do know is that He is making us more like Christ Jesus every day.
Acts 16 Pastor Rich Chapman
God has commanded believers to seek the lost, but how do we know whom we should approach? The apostle Paul tried many doors and was sensitive to God's leading. We should pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the unbelievers we encounter.
Proverbs 3:5,6 Pastor Rich Chapman
One of the most well known proverbs instructs us to trust on the Lord and not in ourselves. Although this is against our nature, it is easy when you consider the character of the person in whom you are putting your trust.
1 Kings 19:1-18 Pastor Rich Chapman
If you find yourself running because you are afraid, hiding in a place where God has not sent you, or resting when you should be doing God's work, then you may find instruction in this message from the life of Elijah
Something New Pastor Rich Chapman
In this New Years message, we are reminded that God makes all things new. He frees us from every weight; giving us forgiveness from the past, help in the present, and assurance for the future. Most important are the new things God wants to do through us.
The Gift Pastor Rich Chapman
In this family Christmas message, Pastor Rich reminds us that the best gift we as believers have received is the right to become children of God. Merry Christmas!
Psalm 13 Pastor Rich Chapman
We often worry that God has forgotten us and hidden His face from us. We wrestle with our own thoughts and have sorrow in our hearts wondering if our enemy will win. When faced with these trials, turn despair into prayer and rejoice at what He will do.
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Matt Kinnaman
We all have problems, but using examples from history, Matt Kinnaman reminds us that God's word commands us not to be discouraged. For the Christian, each defeat is a new beginning since God, in whom all things exist, is working all things for good.
2 Chronicles 20:1-29 Pastor Rich Chapman
We, like Jehoshaphat, are outnumbered. In difficult circumstances we need to acknowledge that we need help. We must first seek Him in whom we find our help by offering our prayers to Him.
Matthew 28:16-20 Pastor Rich Chapman
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, they worshiped Him. If we are to be like Him, we must worship Him, obeying His commands and going out to reach others, making them disciples of Christ as well. If we love God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will be with us always.
Matthew 28:1-15 Pastor Rich Chapman
The women who went to attend to Jesus' body were worried about who was going to remove the stone, but it was already done. God had gone ahead of them as He does before us today. Therefore we should not be afraid, but we should go and tell others about Him.