Chapin Christian Community Church

B.L.E.S.S. Week 4: Crownless Christians

Sermon Summary: 
This sermon explores the importance of kindness as a practical expression of God's love. It emphasizes how Christians are called to show kindness to others, just as God has shown kindness to us. The message encourages believers to be sensitive to the needs of others, respond spontaneously with acts of kindness, and be willing to sacrifice in order to serve others. The sermon ties this call to kindness to the broader theme of blessing others, using the acronym BLESS (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Story).
 
Key Points:
Kindness is love in action, a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can seeWe should respond to people with sensitivity, recognizing that everyone is hurting in some wayActs of kindness should often be spontaneous, following the Holy Spirit's promptingTrue kindness involves sacrifice and may come at a personal costWe are all like Mephibosheth, crippled by sin, but invited to the King's table through Christ's kindness
Scripture Reference:
2 Samuel 9:1 - "David asked, 'Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?'"
 
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BLESS: Week 3 Bbq in the Driveway

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Sermon Summary: 
This sermon explores the concept of being blessed, broken, and given in the context of Christian living and evangelism. It emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, overcoming personal brokenness, and using our lives to serve others. The speaker encourages listeners to move past excuses and embrace their calling to share meals and build relationships with others as a means of sharing the gospel.
 
Key Points:
Prayer is foundational to evangelism and should precede all other actionsMeals were central to Jesus' ministry and can be powerful tools for connectionWe are blessed by God to recover our true identity and callingOur brokenness, when surrendered to Jesus, can become a source of beauty and purposeWe are called to give our lives in service to others and for God's kingdomOvercoming excuses (physical, mental, calendar) to engage in relational evangelismThe importance of remembering our identity in Christ before reaching out to othersThe concept of being "spent" for God's purposes rather than drained
Scripture Reference:
Luke 9:16-17Luke 22:19Luke 24:30John 6:35Philippians 2:17

B.L.E.S.S. Week #2: 307 Questions, 3 Answers

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Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the importance of listening as part of the "BLESS" strategy for sharing the gospel. It emphasizes the need to listen first to God, then to others, and finally to our surroundings. The pastor stresses that a burning heart for God leads to a flaming tongue for evangelism and that intentional, compassionate listening is crucial for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth.
Key Points:Prayer is the foundation for all aspects of blessing othersWe must listen to God first before listening to othersListening to people involves understanding their hearts, not just their wordsWe need to be aware of and listen to our community's needs and idolsIntentional and compassionate listening is essential for showing Christ's loveThe goal of Christian life is not just to endure until heaven, but to participate in God's redemptive work
Scripture Reference:Proverbs 18:13 - "He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame."

B.L.E.S.S. Week #1: Tune Before the Concert

We're challenged to embrace the second greatest commandment: loving our neighbors. The sermon series 'BLESS' unpacks five everyday ways we can love our neighbors and change the world. We're reminded that loving our neighbors isn't always easy, especially in our modern 'back deck' culture. However, by beginning with prayer, we can ask God to bless us indeed and enlarge our territory, just as Jabez did in 1 Chronicles 4:10. This isn't about material blessings, but about expanding our sphere of influence and opening our eyes to the opportunities around us. We're called to let our light shine, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:16, making a ripple effect that can impact eternity. This message challenges us to see that our 'someday' for making a difference is today, encouraging us to live intentionally and sacrificially for God's glory.
Key Points:
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself
Begin with prayer to ask God for blessings and increased influence
Open your eyes to opportunities to love your neighbors that are already around you
Make your life "ripple" for eternity by impacting others positivelyIntentionally and sacrificially love your neighbors to fulfill God's purpose for your life
Scripture Reference:
Mark 12:30-31 (The two greatest commandments)
1 Chronicles 4:10 (The prayer of Jabez)

ESCAPE: Week 8: Ignore No More

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Sermon Summary: 
This sermon explores the concept of gluttony, expanding its definition beyond just food to encompass overindulgence in various aspects of life. The pastor emphasizes that gluttony is allowing our senses and desires to dictate our actions, rather than relying on God's wisdom and self-control. The message highlights the importance of having a plan to combat impulsiveness and understanding our true spiritual hunger, which can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of God's unconditional love and the transformative power of choosing Christ over our earthly cravings.
 
Key Points:
Gluttony is not just about overeating but overindulging in any desire
The "monster of more" constantly tempts us to want more than we need
Gluttony involves letting our senses dictate our actions instead of seeking God's wisdom
Having a plan is crucial to combat impulsive behavior and temptation
True contentment comes from seeking something greater than personal satisfaction
Jesus knew who He was dying for and loves us unconditionally despite our flaws
God always provides a way out of temptation when we rely on Him
 
Scripture Reference:
Genesis 25:29-34 (The story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew)

ESCAPE: Week 7: Consumption Assumption

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Sermon Summary: 
This sermon addresses the human tendency to constantly compare ourselves to others, leading to envy and dissatisfaction. The speaker emphasizes that there is "no win in comparison" and encourages listeners to find contentment and peace by focusing on God's view of them rather than measuring themselves against others. The message highlights the futility of always seeking more and the importance of finding tranquility in what God has provided.
 
Key Points:
Constant comparison to others leads to dissatisfaction and envy
There is "no win in comparison" - it's meaningless and like chasing the wind
Envy can lead to destructive behaviors and attitudes
It's better to have "one handful with tranquility" than two handfuls with toil
We should take our cue about ourselves from God, not from comparing to others
Finding peace and acceptance in God's view of us is the path to contentment
 
Scripture Reference:
Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 (primary focus)
Proverbs 14:30 (supporting reference)

ESCAPE: Week 6: Unsatisfiable

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Sermon Summary:
This sermon addresses the challenging topic of lust and sexual temptation, framing it as a spiritual battle that all Christians face. Pastor Jody emphasizes that God's warnings about sexual purity are not meant to deprive us of pleasure, but to protect us from harm and draw us closer to Him. Using the analogy of an airboat tour and the repeated warning to "keep your hands inside the boat," the sermon illustrates how God's commandments regarding sexual purity are meant to safeguard us from the dangers of lust, which is compared to alligators lurking in the water.
Key Points:
Lust is a heart issue that begins in the mind before manifesting in actions
Our culture complicates the battle against lust through constant sexual stimulation
Lustful desires are impossible to fully satisfy and lead to a cycle of increasing hunger
Uncontrolled lust ultimately leads to disaster in various aspects of life
Practical steps to combat lust include monitoring your eyes, defantasizing myths about relationships, acknowledging the struggle, and guarding your relationships
The importance of nurturing one's relationship with Jesus and, for married couples, working on their marriage
Resisting temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit and focusing on God's truth
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 5:27-30

GIC: Week 3: Bribes and Offerings

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Sermon Summary:
This sermon explores the delicate balance between maintaining personal purity and demonstrating compassion for the poor and needy. The pastor challenges listeners to examine their hearts, warning against using good deeds as a cover for impurity or focusing solely on outward purity while neglecting care for others. The message emphasizes that true religion, acceptable to God, involves both keeping oneself unstained by the world and actively caring for those in need.
Key Points:
God desires both purity and compassion from believers
Good deeds cannot compensate for personal impurity or sin
Outward purity without genuine care for others is unacceptable to God
True worship involves both personal holiness and active care for the needy
God's love motivates His correction and discipline of His people
Believers should bring their whole lives before God for cleansing and renewal
Scripture Reference:James 1:27Galatians 6:7-8Matthew 23:23-28Amos 5:21-24Revelation 3:17-19Psalm 51:7-10Psalm 139:23-24
Chapin Christian Community Church exists to help people connect with the saving love of Jesus, grow in full devotion to Him, and share His love with each other and the world.

GIC: Week 2: Bloody Knuckles

In our journey of faith, we're called to become intercessors - those who persistently pray on behalf of others. The parable in Luke 11:5-8 beautifully illustrates this concept. It shows us a friend desperately seeking help at midnight, reminding us of our own desperate need for God and the urgent love we should have for others. This story challenges us to approach prayer with shameless persistence, knocking on heaven's door until we see God move. It's a powerful reminder that we have nothing to offer but Jesus, yet through Him, we have access to unlimited spiritual resources. As we cultivate this mindset, we shift from merely wanting to be used by God to desiring to be used by Him for the sake of others. This message urges us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, believing that our Heavenly Father is eager to answer and pour out His Spirit upon us.
Key Points:
Recognize our desperate need for God and that only He can meet itDevelop an urgent love for others, even those unaware of their spiritual needBe aware of the spiritual resources available through prayerMaintain shameless persistence in prayer, not giving upBe assured that God will answer prayer according to His goodnessShift from wanting to be used by God to being used by God for othersContinue asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer
Scripture Reference:
Luke 11:5-13 (The Parable of the Friend at Midnight)
Chapin Christian Community Church exists to help people connect with the saving love of Jesus, grow in full devotion to Him, and share His love with each other and the world.
 

GIC: Week 1: The Missing Piece

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Sermon Summary: 
This sermon focuses on the Christian identity as missionaries, emphasizing that all believers are "sent ones" by Jesus Christ. The speaker challenges the congregation to recognize their purpose as witnesses for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The message stresses the importance of understanding this identity to fulfill God's mission of sharing His love and the gospel throughout the world.
Key Points:
Christians are missionaries, defined as "one who is sent" to share the good news of JesusMany Christians suffer from an identity crisis, not fully embracing their role as missionariesThe Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses for ChristUnderstanding our identity as missionaries leads to active participation in God's missionThe Global Impact Celebration (GIC) is an opportunity to engage in missionary workChristians are called to pray, practice, and participate in sharing God's love
Scripture Reference:
Acts 1:7-8Mark 3:14Matthew 10:16John 17:18John 20:21Acts 1:4-11
Chapin Christian Community Church exists to help people connect with the saving love of Jesus, grow in full devotion to Him, and share His love with each other and the world.