The Chapel Official Message Podcast

Future Suffering | Glory to Glory | Part 9 | Scott Chapman

Hardship can come for various reasons—sometimes because we've made mistakes, sometimes because we've done the right thing as Christians, and sometimes simply because we live in a fallen world. When experiencing hardship instead of blessings, many people question their faith and wonder if God is still present, leading some to abandon their faith. Paul, however, did not view hardship as a sign of God's abandonment or a reason to walk away from his faith. Instead, he saw hardship as an opportunity to bring God's kingdom into a fallen world. This perspective calls for a shift from expecting blessings to knowing that hardship doesn't diminish the presence or power of God's kingdom. 

No amount of resources, education, or legislation can eliminate hardship or bring lasting change—only God's kingdom can do that. The church is called to be an oasis in a barren world, where lives are visibly transformed by God's presence. The entire message of Christianity is the kingdom of God coming into our lives, changing us, and transforming the world around us. Whatever you are facing, you don't face it alone—God is with you and desires to bring his kingdom in your life and walk with you through every season!

Seven Sons of Sceva | Glory to Glory | Part 8 | Ellie Dole

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

This week, as we continue our series on the life of Paul, we look at Acts 19:11–16, where Paul is in Ephesus—a city deeply entrenched in darkness, with its economy and culture heavily influenced by dark magic, sorcery, and witchcraft. Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, attempted to use Jesus' name to cast out demons and gain authority for his own purposes, but his lack of a genuine relationship with Jesus rendered him powerless. He witnessed Paul drive out demons and thought it was merely about the words he used. He didn’t understand that Paul's authority over darkness stemmed from his deep, personal connection with Jesus.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that the battle we fight isn’t against flesh and blood but against an enemy that seeks to draw people into darkness through shame, addiction, fear, and bitterness. However, we know that the battle was already won on the cross. It is finished. We don’t fight on our own. When we speak the name of Jesus, it’s not our own authority we are calling on, but his. We have power and authority over darkness because he’s entrusted us with kingdom authority to spread God's love and light. We can be the light and bring the light because the battle is won!

What Are You Waiting For? | Glory to Glory | Part 7 | Denvil Lee

When we believe in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us. However, sometimes we wait to receive it, postponing the opportunity for God to transform us. It is like having a gym membership but not working out, being enrolled in school but not taking classes, or even getting raises but never seeming to have any money.

In Acts 19, Paul asked the people of Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The Greek word for "receive" in this passage is an active word. To receive something is to reach out and grab it, open it, and use it for its intended purpose. We find out later that Paul gauged people’s receipt of the Holy Spirit by the evidence of gifts or fruit of the Spirit.

When you receive the Spirit of God, it changes you, giving you the supernatural desire and ability to bring God's glory into the world. He shows up in us to spread his love and goodness to those around us.

Paul with the High Council | Glory to Glory | Part 6 | Jamie Wamsley

If you don’t see something the right way, it will never work the way it is intended. This is particularly true with evangelism. The term evangelism is what we use to describe the process by which we lead people to Jesus or help others back to God. Repeatedly, when Paul goes from place to place sharing the good news of Jesus, he either gets beat up, thrown in jail, or thrown out of town. Unfortunately, some of Paul’s legacy can leave us to believe that evangelism, helping people move towards Jesus, is always painful, frequently difficult, and sometimes comes at a very personal cost.

However, in Acts 17, we learn about what Paul experienced in Athens and how it is very similar to what we walk through today as followers of Jesus. When Paul arrived in Athens, he went to the synagogue and spoke about Jesus to anyone who would listen. There, he got into a debate with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Paul wasn’t making sense to them, and they accused him of proclaiming foreign gods. They then had Paul brought before the high council of the city where Paul was on trial with a heavy charge against him. Paul was asked to plead his case and share with the high council about his God.

When Paul concluded his speech, a large portion of the council laughed at him, there were others of them that were curious and interested in hearing more, and there were others who were moved to faith in Jesus. There is shared experience in what Paul was doing at that moment and what we are doing in the world today. We, like Paul, are not ministering in a culture that is particularly receptive to our message either. During Paul’s argument, he made points of connection and contrast with the way his audience thought. He was building bridges and demolishing the arguments of his listeners. That is the key to evangelism, allowing God to move through us and meet people where they are—asking the Holy Spirit to allow us like Paul to make points of connection and contrast in the lives of those all around us.

The Philippian Jailer | Glory to Glory | Part 5 | Scott Chapman

Paul and the Jerusalem Council | Glory to Glory | Part 4 | Denvil Lee

Denvil Lee

Paul in Lystra | Glory to Glory | Part 3 | Scott Chapman

This week, we picked up the story of Paul in Acts 14, where Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man and became instant celebrities, hailed as gods. Paul and Barnabas rejected this glorification, urging the people to worship the living God. As a result, Paul was stoned and left for dead. Despite this, Paul continued to preach, ultimately strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain faithful through hardships. 

Paul’s experience mirrors that of Jesus, who went from the height of popularity at the triumphal entry to being crucified days later. Both of their lives demonstrate the fleeting nature of popularity; one moment, you can be on top of the world, and the next, canceled. Unlike those who derive their worth from external validation, Paul exhibited confidence and freedom rooted in his identity in Christ. He was unshaken by persecution or popularity, driven by the truth of the resurrection, which released him from the fear of death or the need for earthly approval. Just like Paul, we, too, can live in freedom –– rooted in our identity in Christ. When we are released from needing worldly validation, we can live for a greater purpose, reflecting the presence of God within us.

Saul's Commission | Glory to Glory | Part 2 | Freddy Villarreal

This week, Freddy continued our series on the life of Paul in Acts 13. Ten years have passed since Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul and Barnabas are in Pisidian Antioch, where they enter the synagogue on the Sabbath and are invited to speak. Paul stands up and summarizes Israel's history, explaining how each step points to Jesus. He teaches that Jesus is the Messiah, but contrary to expectations of a government leader or hero bringing judgment, Jesus came to establish his own kingdom. In this kingdom, everyone has a seat at the table, and there are no insiders or outsiders.

Paul urges everyone not to miss out on Jesus, emphasizing that salvation through him is available to all. The Jews saw themselves as the elect and the Gentiles as non-elect, but Paul clarifies that Jesus came for everyone who will say yes to him. Whether you see yourself as an insider or an outsider, we all have the same need and the same solution—Jesus.

The Conversion of Saul | Glory to Glory | Part 1 | Scott Chapman

Happy Father’s Day, Chapel family!

This week, Scott kicked off a new series on the life of Paul. Formerly known as Saul, Paul was a fierce persecutor of the early Christian church. Saul's life took a dramatic turn on his way to Damascus, where he was planning to arrest more believers. A light from heaven struck him, and he heard Jesus say, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Trembling and blinded, Saul was led by his companions into Damascus, where he waited, fasting and praying.

Meanwhile, God appeared to Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, and told him to visit Saul. Despite knowing Saul's reputation, Ananias obeyed God's command, laid hands on Saul, restored his sight, and baptized him. Saul was then filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, he began preaching in the synagogues, proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God, completely shocking all who heard him. The Jews in Damascus were amazed at Saul's complete transformation from a persecutor to a preacher of Christ.

Saul was headed full steam in the wrong direction—he couldn't have been on a worse path. Yet, God's response wasn't to strike him down, confuse him, or torment him. Instead, God met Saul right where he was, entering his world, addressing him by name, and showing him that He longed for Saul to know him personally.

Saul’s story is our story. God can completely change your life and transform any situation you're in. He can enter your world, make his presence known, and instantly alter your circumstances—this is the beauty, greatness, and goodness of God.

God deeply loves and values you. He treasures you, cares for you, and is interested in every aspect of your life. God is with you even when you make mistakes or face difficult circumstances. His love can transform any situation, no matter how hopeless it seems.

God as Our Faithful Provider | Behold | Part 4 | Ricky Carlson

In Matthew 14:13-21, after hearing about John the Baptist's death, Jesus seeks solitude but is followed by a large crowd. Moved by compassion for the people, he heals their sick. As evening approaches, the disciples worry about feeding the crowd and suggest sending them away to buy food. Jesus instead instructs the disciples to feed the people. They bring Jesus all that they have—five loaves and two fish. Jesus gives thanks, breaks the loaves, and miraculously provides enough food for everyone, with twelve baskets of leftovers collected. This incredible story highlights God’s abundant provision and faithfulness in meeting the needs of his people.

Are you currently facing a scary situation? Whatever it is, God has a solution. What does it look like to give God the little you have and trust him to provide what you need? When you give what little you have to Jesus, you will find that he is more than enough. He doesn’t want you to walk alone. He wants to join you, bring the power of heaven, and make the impossible possible in your life!