Chapin Christian Community Church

The Incredibles: Week 2: Elijah: Heroism & Humility

Download a 5-Day Devotional based on this week's sermon: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Incredibles_-Week-2_-Elijah_-Heroism-Humility-Devotional.pdf
 
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the life of Elijah, emphasizing that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. The speaker challenges the congregation to recognize that they have the same access to God as biblical heroes did, and encourages them to deepen their prayer life and fully consecrate themselves to God. The message emphasizes that it's not human perfection but God's power that enables great works, and calls listeners to stop wavering between worldly and godly pursuits.
Key Points:
Elijah was human, with the same weaknesses and fears as us
We have the same access to God through prayer as Elijah did
God is still active and working in the world today
The power is in God who hears and answers, not in the person who prays
Christians are called to fully commit to following God without wavering
Scripture Reference:
James 5:17-18
1 Kings 17-19 (various verses)
Matthew 28:18-20

The Incredibles: Week 1: Job: Honesty and Endurance

Download 5-Day Devotional based on this week's message: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Incredibles-Week-1-Job-Honesty-and-Endurance-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the challenging question of why suffering exists, using the story of Job as a central example. It emphasizes that God's power can work through ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. The message confronts the reality of suffering in a fallen world while affirming God's goodness, greatness, and presence amidst our pain. It encourages believers to endure trials with faith, looking to Christ's sacrifice as the ultimate demonstration of God's love and involvement in human suffering.
Key Points:
You don't have to be perfect to be powerful in God's hands
Suffering is normal in this fallen world, even for believers
The pursuit of perpetual happiness is unrealistic and potentially harmful
God is great, good, and present in our suffering
Trials can stretch and grow our faith
We should lift our eyes to Christ in times of suffering
Scripture Reference: Job 1:1-3

Shaking the Gates | August 10, 2025

Shaking the Gates is our weekly online prayer gathering. Join Pastor Jody Sunday nights at 7:30. We invite you to engage with other Gateshakers in the text chat. The name “Shaking the Gates” comes from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, he said:
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”
To watch live or join the chat, visit https://chapinccc.org/shaking-the-gates/

Set Free to Live Free: Week 11: Do Not Covet

Download this week's Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Set-Free-to-Live-Free-Week-11-Do-Not-Covet-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the final commandment against coveting and delves into the deeper issue of seeking contentment and worth outside of God. It emphasizes that true peace and satisfaction come from understanding our identity as adopted children of God, rather than comparing ourselves to others or seeking fulfillment in material possessions or achievements.
Key Points:
Coveting is desiring something that's not ours, leading to discontentment
Comparison with others fuels coveting and robs us of peace
Our broken relationship with God creates a core insecurity that nothing worldly can satisfy
Through Christ, God redeems us and adopts us as His children
We should look to God's view of us for our sense of worth, not others' opinions
Understanding our adoption by God leads to contentment and peace
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:17 (The tenth commandment against coveting)
Galatians 4:4-6 (God's adoption of believers through Christ)

Set Free To Live Free: Week 10: Do Not Lie

Download this weeks 5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Set-Free-To-Live-Free-Week-10-Do-Not-Lie.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon, delivered on Laity Sunday, explores the ninth commandment from Exodus 20:16, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in our relationships with God and our neighbors. The speaker, Jan Sidwell, discusses various types of lies, the biblical perspective on honesty, and the spiritual implications of dishonesty. The sermon encourages believers to cultivate truthfulness in all aspects of life, highlighting that honesty is a reflection of God's character and essential for maintaining healthy relationships and spiritual growth.
Key Points:
The ninth commandment prohibits false testimony against neighbors
Lying is condemned throughout the Bible as a sin and an abomination to God
Satan is described as the father of lies in Scripture
Being honest with our neighbors involves truthfulness, integrity, and respectful communication
Honesty extends beyond words to actions and overall character
The Holy Spirit convicts believers of dishonesty and guides them towards truthfulness
Repentance and a personal relationship with God are crucial for overcoming the tendency to lie
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

Set Free to Live Free: Week 8: "Do Not Steal"

Download 5-Day Devotional for this week: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Set-Free-Live-Free-Do-Not-Steal-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal," delving beyond surface-level obedience to address the heart issues underlying theft. Pastor John Dukes emphasizes that Jesus is concerned with heart transformation rather than mere behavioral modification. He challenges listeners to confront subtle forms of stealing in daily life and encourages the practice of generosity as an antidote to the desire to steal. The sermon underscores the importance of walking in step with the Holy Spirit to overcome sinful tendencies and live in the abundance that Christ offers. Key Points:
Stealing goes beyond physical theft and includes taking credit, time, attention, and dignity from others
Jesus is after heart transformation, not just external obedience
Walking by the Spirit is crucial to overcoming the desires of the flesh
Change is possible through God's grace and our intentional effort
Putting off stealing requires putting on generosity
Trust in God's provision is the ultimate solution to the temptation to steal
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:15 - "You shall not steal"
Galatians 5:16-25 - Walking by the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit
John 10:10 - Contrasting the thief's intentions with Jesus' offer of abundant life
Colossians 3:1-10 - Putting off the old self and putting on the new self
Proverbs 30:8-9 - Prayer for neither poverty nor wealth

Set Free to Live Free: Week 8: Do Not Commit Adultery

Download this week's 5-Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Set-Free-to-Live-Free_-Week-8_-Do-Not-Commit-Adultery-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," and Jesus' interpretation of it in Matthew 5. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus takes the commandment beyond physical acts to include lustful thoughts. The sermon discusses the prevalence of sexual sin in society and the church, urging listeners to deal with the "weed seeds" of lust before they grow into destructive behaviors. It calls for yielding to God's wisdom and finding satisfaction in Christ to overcome sexual temptation.
Key Points:
Jesus expands the commandment against adultery to include lustful thoughts
Dealing with "weed seeds" of sin before they surface is crucial
Sexual sin and infidelity are prevalent issues in society and the church
God's design for sexuality is within faithful, monogamous marriage
Yielding to God and finding satisfaction in Christ is key to overcoming lust 
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:14 (The seventh commandment)Matthew 5:27-30 (Jesus' teaching on adultery and lust)Judges 16 (The story of Samson and Delilah) 

Set Free to Live Free: Week 7: Do Not Murder

Download 5-Day Devotional for this week's message: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Set-Free-to-Live-Free_-Week-7_-Do-Not-Murder-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," delving into its deeper meaning and relevance for modern Christians. Pastor Jody examines the biblical perspective on the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, and how Jesus expanded the commandment to address not just physical murder, but also the anger and hatred in our hearts that can lead to devaluing others. The sermon challenges us to confront our own anger and to value all human life as sacred, created in God's image.
Key Points:- The Hebrew word "raksha" means to unjustly take human life- Human life is sacred because we are created in God's image- The commandment applies to various life issues, including abortion and euthanasia- Jesus expanded the commandment to include anger and hatred in the heart- We are accountable for our thoughts as well as our actions- Unforgiveness and resentment are "weed seeds" of murder in our heartsTransforming our hearts through repentance and God's grace is essential
Scripture Reference:Exodus 20:13 - "You shall not murder"Matthew 5:21-22 - Jesus' teaching on anger and murder

Set Free to Live Free: Week 6: Keep the Sabbath Holy

Set Free to Live Free: Week 6: Keep the Sabbath Holy 5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Set-Free-to-Live-Free_-Week-6_-Keep-the-Sabbath-Holy-5-Day-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the fourth commandment, emphasizing the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. The pastor presents Sabbath rest as a gift from God, designed for human flourishing rather than a restrictive rule. He challenges the congregation to intentionally nurture a practice of Sabbath, trusting God's provision and resisting cultural pressures that glorify constant productivity. The sermon connects Sabbath observance to the gospel message, highlighting that rest comes before work in God's design, mirroring how salvation precedes our response of obedience.
Key Points:
Sabbath is a gift from God, not a legalistic burden
We don't accidentally Sabbath; it requires intentional remembering and planning
Work is not a product of the fall, but toil is
Our identity and value come from God, not from our work
Failing to Sabbath often stems from a lack of trust in God
Nurturing Sabbath requires planning and can be a counter-cultural witness
Being filled with the Spirit empowers us to rest as well as to work
Scripture Reference:
Exodus 20:8-11

Set Free to Live Free: Week 5: Honor Thy Father

Download 5-Day Devotional: https://chapinccc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Set-Free-to-Live-Free_-Week-5_-Honor-Thy-Father-5-Day-Devotional.pdf
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the fifth commandment, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's parents throughout life. It discusses the Hebrew word "kabad," which means both honor and weight, illustrating the significance and potential difficulty of this commandment. The message encourages forgiveness, understanding, and active efforts to honor parents, while also acknowledging that some parent-child relationships may be challenging or even abusive. The sermon connects honoring parents to broader themes of respecting authority and building healthy relationships.
Key Points:
- The fifth commandment is timeless and applies to all ages - Honoring parents is the foundation for loving others and respecting authority - The Hebrew word "kabad" means both honor and weight, suggesting value and potential difficulty |- Honoring parents involves active efforts like spending time, listening, and speaking well of them - Forgiveness is crucial in parent-child relationships, especially when there's been hurt - Parents should strive to be honorable and apologize when they've made mistakes - Breaking negative cycles and demonstrating Christ's love can heal family relationships
Scripture Reference: - Exodus 20:12 - "Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."