The Chapel Sermon Podcast

The Origin of Identity | Origins | Part 2 | Jamie Wamsley

Origins Beyond The Message - Episode 1

In this episode, Scott Chapman (The Chapel's Senior Pastor) and Ellie Dole (Director of Communications) dive into big questions unearthed by the weekend message. We talk about things like the expanse of the universe and possibility of other life, evolution, and how long creation actually took. This is a beyond the message episode you don't want to miss!

The Origin of Everything | Origins | Part 1 | Scott Chapman

Many of us are so wrapped up in our daily lives that we rarely zoom out to think about the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Did you know there is a balance of energy in our universe so precise that if it were to shift by the smallest fraction of an amount, all life would cease to exist? From the vast expanse of 200 billion known galaxies, each containing 400 billion stars, down to the intricacy of each molecule, composed of atoms, particles, and sub-particles – the world we live in is way more complex and detailed than our minds could ever truly fathom! Knowing that God created every living thing and designed it with care has implications for our lives. We were created on purpose. God knows us, and he wants to make a life with us. God’s goodness is knit into the fabric of creation. Morality is not subjective. Knowing we have a Creator fills our days with hope, knowing that God is real and present in our lives no matter what challenges we face. 

Crazy is the New Great | Jamie Wamsley

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” …John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:1-2,4. 

After reading this scripture, we may picture John the Baptist as a street preacher holding a megaphone and yelling at people to repent. When we imagine John this way, then Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:11a, “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist,” can feel hard to understand and borderline disturbing. Why did Jesus say this? What are we missing? 

Unlike the corner preachers of our day that people largely want to avoid and keep away from, something about John drew people in. His message of repentance was rooted in invitation, not condemnation. When we understand the culture he lived in, we see that his lifestyle wasn’t as extreme as it appears in our modern context. So why did Jesus think John the Baptist was so amazing? Three things about John set him apart: calling, sacrifice, and humility. John knew and lived fully in his calling. He knew that in order to take hold of the calling on his life, it required sacrificing comfort and convenience. And lastly, John understood that the things he did for God weren’t to gain praise or followers; they were to point people to Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a calling on your life to bring the goodness of God’s kingdom into your unique spheres of influence. And like John, when you embrace your calling, are willing to sacrifice everything for God, and walk every day in humility, God will lead you to a life greater than anything you can ever imagine.

Call & Response | Denvil Lee

God chose Saul to be king over Israel. The call on his life was clearly laid out before him. Yet, in 1 Samuel 10, it says that Saul was hiding among the supplies. Saul was called, gifted, anointed, encouraged, and still hiding. The voices from Saul’s past haunted him, causing him to believe he wasn’t qualified. It can be easy to read this story and wonder how Saul could hide, but the truth is we often do the same thing. We hide behind our history and what people think of us instead of listening to the voice of God. We assume God’s calling for our lives is about what we can do for him. But throughout scripture, we learn that calling flows out of who we are becoming as we spend time in God's presence. Your past and your insecurities don't hinder God. What you think disqualifies you could be what God uses to empower your ministry. The thing you want to forget or bypass could be the very thing God wants to use to set people free. So the question becomes, what call will you respond to? The voices all around you or the God above you?

Simple Kingdom | Ellie Dole

Acts 2:42-47 is a familiar passage that tells the beautiful story of a group of people who loved Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. The early church consisted of people who knew or had close ties to those who knew Jesus when he walked the earth. Their lives were not easy. They lived during widespread poverty, political divisiveness, and religious turmoil. But that didn’t deter them from pursuing the life God had called them to. Church was people doing the things that Jesus would do the way Jesus would do them. They had the same struggles as everyone around them but had peace and joy because heaven was inside them. The world took notice, and people were added to their number daily. When we surrender our lives to God and begin to live how Jesus would, we will see a powerful ripple effect that changes the people around us and points them to Jesus.

The Ascension | Scott Chapman

When considering the significant milestones in Jesus' life, many people immediately think of his birth (Christmas), crucifixion (Good Friday), and resurrection (Easter), and look forward to his eventual return, but there is one more significant event that is less talked about and just as vital  – his ascension. This fifth major event in his life represents his triumphant victory over the enemy. Not only that, but Ephesians 6:2 says that as believers, we are also seated with him in the heavenly places. We are not merely bystanders awaiting Jesus' return; we are called to transform the world through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom is a Party | Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor

Sabbath | Present in the Presence | Part 4 | Ryan Chevrier

In Exodus 31, God lays out rules and regulations for the Israelites regarding the observance of the Sabbath. At first glance, it may seem that the primary focus of the Sabbath is ceasing all work. However, only seeing it as a day to rest misses the heart behind this command. The mandate to set aside a day for rest was not just about stopping work; it was a call to place their trust in God as their ultimate provider. True rest has very little to do with taking a break; true rest is experienced when we choose to participate in the things of the kingdom of God. Each of us has a calling on our lives to advance God’s kingdom, and when we depend on God to lead us, guide us, and participate in what God has created us to do, we experience true rest.

The Importance Hearing God’s Voice | Present in the Presence | Part 3 | Tammy Chapman

There are three words in the Bible that translate “word” or “word of God.” Graphe is the written word of God that we find in our Bibles. Logos can be written or spoken and is the message, wisdom, or truths of God. John 1 tells us that Jesus is the ultimate logos. And lastly Rhema is God’s spoken word. Rhema is when the Holy Spirit communicates to us personally the words and heart of God.

Jesus says that what food is to our bodies, God’s spoken word, rhema, is to our souls. God wants us to know him, and one of the ways we get to know him is through hearing his voice. Hearing God’s voice may come through a song, being in nature, thoughts in your mind, dreams, or parts of scripture being highlighted to you as you read. If you have never heard God’s voice, he wants you to hear him!