True to Real - The Chapel Message Podcast

Our Vision | The Hope of Revival | Part One | Scott Chapman

In Genesis 32:22–32, we read about Jacob wrestling with God. This was more than just a physical battle—it was a deep spiritual struggle. Jacob realized that without God, he had no hope, and so he clung to him. After this encounter, God gave Jacob a new name—Israel, meaning "one who wrestles with God" or "one for whom God fights."

This name change marked a significant transformation in Jacob's relationship with God, shifting from self-reliance to complete dependence on him. Jacob was forever changed after experiencing God in this powerful way. Just like Jacob, you can come alive to God! 

Relationships Built on Grace | Some Assembly Required | Part 4 | Jamie Wamsley

We’ve all experienced relationships in which we’re afraid to make mistakes, constantly worrying that one wrong move could lead to serious consequences. Whether we impose these expectations on others or have them placed on us, this performance-driven mindset—where we feel we must be perfect to gain approval—inevitably leads to relational disaster. 

This week, we looked at the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12. Despite being called by God to bless the nations, Abram gets caught up in a web of deception, lying about Sarai and allowing Pharaoh to take her as his wife. The parallels to Genesis 3 are striking. Just as Adam and Eve took what was pleasing to their eyes, so did Pharaoh. Abram, acting deceitfully, mirrored the role of the snake. Yet, while the snake was cursed, God did not curse or abandon Abram. Even after Abram found himself in similar circumstances a few chapters later, God upheld his promises, offering an abundance of grace.

Exodus 34:6-7 tells us that God is full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. Abram didn't deserve God's blessing, but God gave it freely. God's grace to Abram and us surpasses anything we can imagine. It is a constant, unwavering posture of love, not dependent on our performance. 

When grace abounds, it eliminates the need to perform to gain approval. When we experience God’s grace, it transforms us, and when we carry grace into our relationships, it transforms them as well.

Blinded by Betrayal / Relationships Built on Forgiveness | Some Assembly Required | Part 3 | Denvil Lee

This week, as we continued in our series, Some Assembly Required, we looked at the life of Israel’s last judge, Samson. In Judges 14, Samson was getting married. During the wedding feast, he posed a riddle to his guests, which led his wife to betray him by revealing the answer to the Philistines. Samson reacted violently, setting off cycles of vengeance and conflict in his life. This pattern continues in Judges 15-16 as Samson’s life is marked by further betrayal. His relationship with Delilah, who the Philistines bribed, leads to his ultimate downfall when she learns the secret of his strength—his uncut hair—and cuts it while he sleeps. Samson is then captured, blinded, and imprisoned by the Philistines.Betrayal is the intentional violation of trust, often involving broken commitments and exploiting a relationship for selfish gain. Samson experienced significant betrayal throughout his life. Instead of addressing his hurts, he reacted with anger, leading to cycles of bitterness and revenge. Like Samson, we may feel justified in seeking vengeance, but such actions only perpetuate further cycles of destruction.As followers of Jesus, we cannot engage in cycles of hate while simultaneously inviting the kingdom of God into our lives. Jesus calls us to break the cycle of hurt through forgiveness. Forgiveness is not about forgetting the wrongs done to us or excusing bad behavior. Rather, forgiveness is the key to walking in freedom and finding true peace. Forgiveness is the process of seeking from God what we feel we need from the other person. When we receive this from God, we can extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us without expecting anything in return.
Forgiveness enables us to pursue reconciliation or separation in a way that honors God and allows us to walk in freedom.

Relationships Built on Selflessness | Some Assembly Required | Part 2 | Putty Putman

Building strong, lasting relationships requires a solid foundation. Just as with anything well-built, relationships endure when built with care and intention. Last week, we explored the story of Ruth and how viewing others from God's perspective was key to forming deep connections. This week, we examined the story of Ruth's grandson, David, and the relationships between David, Saul (Israel’s first king), and his son, Jonathan. Saul wanted to pass the crown to Jonathan, but God had chosen David as the next king, filling Saul with jealousy and rage. Jonathan, however, responded with humility. He recognized God's hand on David and supported him, even helping him find strength in God during difficult times. Jonathan's relationship with David was marked by trust in God and a willingness to give rather than take.

God calls us to approach relationships differently than the world does. In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus challenges us to love those who are for us and those who are against us. Saul’s relationships were driven by self-interest, and when he didn’t get what he wanted, he sought control rather than trust in God’s plan. Jonathan’s faithfulness and selflessness in his friendship with David are a powerful testament to how relationships thrive when we set out to give rather than receive. While the world’s economy teaches that giving diminishes what we have, God's economy is one where giving leads to greater abundance. When we love others from the overflow of God’s love, we are never left lacking; his love will consistently replenish us. God’s incredible design for relationships deepens our connection with others and him, allowing us to love freely and live fully.

Relationships Built on Faithfulness | Some Assembly Required | Part 1 | Scott Chapman

While good relationships are often seen as the cornerstone of a fulfilling life, navigating them has become increasingly challenging for many of us. Technology, rather than fostering genuine connection, often isolates us and distorts our understanding of community. We are constantly bombarded with curated images of others' seemingly perfect lives, leading us to desire an illusion rather than reality. Simultaneously, our society has made taking offense into a national pastime, placing even more strain on our relationships.

The Bible offers timeless principles that have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with others if we put them into practice. The story of Ruth is a powerful example of this. Despite being penniless and in a foreign land, Ruth remained loyal to Naomi and boldly approached Boaz, asking him not only to marry her but also to care for Naomi. Boaz’s response is remarkable—he saw Ruth’s true character and kindness, protecting her reputation and looking beyond her external circumstances. His ability to see her as God did mirrors how his own father looked past Rahab’s past and saw the person God had created her to be. 

When we seek to see others the way God does, it transforms our relationships. By asking God to show us the strengths, gifts, and potential in those around us, we can call out the goodness he has placed within them. When we see someone as God does, it inspires them to live according to the purpose for which they were created. You never know when your words might be the encouragement someone needs to believe in God’s purpose for their life—because you saw them and believed in them.

Paul's Time in Rome | Glory to Glory | Part 11 | Scott Chapman

Are you living with the end in mind?

As followers of Jesus, our future is secure—death holds no power over us. Embracing this truth transforms our lives, empowering us to make a difference in the world. Living with the end in mind frees us from fear and anxiety, allowing us to fully become who God created us to be. As we do this, we witness God's kingdom at work and realize that investing in worldly pursuits is like putting money into a failing stock, while investing in God's kingdom brings eternal impact and rewards. For the Apostle Paul, this meant living with one clear purpose: to bring the gospel of the kingdom of God to the Gentiles. Despite all the brokenness he encountered during his ministry—including starvation, slavery, violence, and poverty—Paul remained unwavering in his belief that God’s kingdom was the solution to all human suffering. He preached the gospel wherever he went, helping others see beyond the pain of the world to the hope found in Jesus—a hope that doesn’t fade, that death cannot steal, and that transforms us and the world around us.

The Roman Journey | Glory to Glory | Part 10 | Freddy Villarreal

This week, Freddy continued in our series, Glory to Glory, looking at Acts 21-27, which highlights three key themes: Paul's unwavering dedication to spreading the gospel, God's steadfast faithfulness to Paul, and the persistent opposition Paul faced. Despite numerous trials, Paul’s commitment to God never wavered. He continued to share the gospel whether he was put on trial, driven from a city, or standing before rulers like Agrippa, Festus, or Felix. The message of Jesus was not just something he believed—it was an integral part of who he was. Paul shows us that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can find peace in any situation when our identity is firmly rooted in Jesus.Whatever you are going through, rather than seeking relief through other means—be it social media, distractions, or substances—turn to Jesus, who can offer true comfort and transformation. When we cry out and invite Jesus into our lives, he sees, knows, and acknowledges our pain. In Acts 23:11, we read, "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’" Even in our darkest moments, God stands near, offering courage and guidance to us just like he did for Paul. Regardless of where you find yourself, if you are willing to cry out and invite Jesus in, he will meet you where you are and comfort you like nobody else can. You're not alone; he is with you!

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.