True to Real - The Chapel Message Podcast

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!

God as Our Supernatural Deliverer | Behold | Part 3 | Scott Chapman

Have you ever felt stuck? Maybe you have been relationally stuck, caught in cycles of conflict where nothing seems to go right. Financially stuck, with debt growing beyond what you can afford, stripping away your freedom. Or emotionally stuck, haunted by past events, or trapped in cycles of anxiety, fear, self-doubt, or depression.In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus encounters a man who is profoundly stuck. In the region of the Gerasenes, a man possessed by a legion of demons lives among the tombs, exhibiting uncontrollable and violent behavior. When he sees Jesus, he runs to him, and the demons beg not to be tormented. They request to be sent into a nearby herd of pigs, and Jesus consents. The demons enter the pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown. The herdsmen report the incident to the town, and the townspeople arrive to find the formerly possessed man clothed and in his right mind, sitting with Jesus. Jesus’ complete transformation of the man illustrates that Jesus is both great and good. He is ready and willing to deliver you from whatever holds you captive. Freedom comes from emptying yourself and surrendering to his power and love. No matter how stuck you feel, Jesus will meet you right where you are with hope, power, and unconditional love.

God as Our Divine Healer | Behold | Part 2 | Denvil Lee

Whatever you behold, you become. 

Beholding Jesus and how he lived his life is the first step toward being transformed into his likeness. This transformation happens when we go beyond simply studying who Jesus is and allowing his life to shape us. Jesus' life shows us that healing is possible and compels us to pray for healing and miracles. Praying for miracles can sometimes feel risky, especially when we don’t always see those prayers answered. This is where faith comes in. Faith is a conduit between this world and God's kingdom, connecting us to his will and power. Is it God’s will that people be free, healed, and have joy. Therefore, we can pray with boldness for these things. Even when healing and miracles don’t occur as we pray, we can be confident that every prayer makes an impact and brings God’s kingdom to earth.

God as Our Loving Father | Behold | Part 1 | Jamie Wamsley

This week, Jamie kicked off a new series, Behold. In this series, we will examine Jesus’s miracles and explore what they reveal about who God is, what he cares about, and what moves him to action. This week, we looked at John 8, where Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees with a woman caught in adultery. They try to trap Jesus by asking if she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Jesus responds, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” One by one, they leave. Jesus, left alone with the woman, asks her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

We learn here that God’s posture towards us, even in sin, is not one of condemnation but compassion. Condemnation causes us to turn away from God, whereas compassion causes us to turn towards God. God sees you and every mistake you have ever made and still loves you. When you turn towards God, you will see he hasn't left you for even one moment. He is actively making a way forward for you and is consistently and passionately for you.