Drawing from 2 Corinthians 6 and 7, we're reminded this week of God's promise to dwell among us and be our Father. But this incredible privilege comes with a responsibility - to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit. We're called to make a clear distinction between light and darkness, righteousness and wickedness. This isn't about legalism, but about living from a place of promise and relationship with God. The message urges us to root out idols in our hearts, whether it's ourselves, material things, or worldly pursuits. It's a call to live differently, to be separate from the world while still engaging it with God's love. This teaching reminds us that true transformation comes not from guilt or condemnation, but from conviction and the empowerment of God's Spirit.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Centering on 1 Peter 5:5-10, we explore how God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The sermon challenges us to examine our hearts and recognize that anxiety often stems from self-centeredness - a subtle form of pride. We're encouraged to 'cast all our anxieties on Him' not as a casual act, but as a deliberate, forceful throwing of our burdens onto God. This imagery of casting heavy fishing nets reminds us of the weight of our struggles and the strength required to truly release them. The message urges us to resist the enemy, who prowls like a roaring lion, by standing firm in faith and remembering we're not alone in our sufferings. Ultimately, we're called to embrace humility, not as self-deprecation, but as a shift of focus from ourselves to God and others, allowing Him to lift us up in due time.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Let's draw from Paul's letter to Timothy who has been pastoring in Ephesus. Specifically in 2 Timothy 1:8-14, we're reminded that as believers, we shouldn't be ashamed of the gospel or of those who suffer for it. The key lesson here is that our worth and calling come not from our own actions, but from God's purpose and grace. This shifts our focus from self-reliance to God-reliance, encouraging us to find strength in Christ rather than in our circumstances. The message parallels our modern struggles with shame and self-doubt to Timothy's potential hesitation in his ministry. It's time we believers recognize that holiness isn't about our perfection, but about being set apart by God. This perspective can revolutionize how we view ourselves and our faith journey, inspiring us to boldly proclaim the gospel despite challenges or personal insecurities.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Guest Speaker Dustin Smith challenges us to stop trying to "negotiate with God" like Pharoah did and let Him have true control over our lives.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
The story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 serves as a backdrop, illustrating how the word of the Lord can become rare when we're not attuned to His voice. Are we listening for God, or have we allowed His voice to become rare in our lives? The sermon emphasizes that God is constantly speaking, but we need to tune our spiritual ears to hear Him. Like adjusting a radio dial, we must intentionally tune out the noise of the world and our past to hear God clearly. This message encourages us to say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,' and to expect God to communicate with us through His Word, through others, and through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It's a call to actively engage in our faith, to keep pressing forward, and to trust God's truth over our circumstances.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
This week, let's dive into 1 Peter 2:9-12, where we'll explore what it means to be a 'royal priesthood' and a 'holy nation.' This isn't about individual selection, but rather our collective calling as the Church. We're reminded that we're foreigners in this world, called to live distinctly different lives. Just as the Israelites were called out of Egypt, we're called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. This parallel invites us to consider: How are we declaring God's praises and living as citizens of heaven? We must begin to recognize the war against our souls and to actively abstain from sinful desires. It's a call to discomfort, to stand out in a world that often pushes us to conform. As we embrace this identity, we're challenged to live in such a way that even those who oppose us will see our good deeds and ultimately glorify God.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
There's lot's of do's and don'ts in the Bible. How about this one: Don't quench the Holy Spirit's fire. Our key scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28, reminds us to test everything, hold onto what is good, and avoid evil. We're called to embrace prophecy without contempt, understanding that it's not just about foretelling the future, but also 'forth-telling' - declaring God's truth in the present. This message parallels the process of tending a fire with nurturing our spiritual lives, emphasizing that we are the 'logs' that keep the flame burning. As we journey in faith, we're encouraged to let go of past mistakes and hold onto the good, trusting in God's faithfulness to sanctify us completely - spirit, soul, and body. This teaching is deeply relevant to our daily walk, inspiring us to speak life and truth, even in small ways, to those around us, and to stand firm against life's challenges with the power of God's Word.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
The narrative of Daniel 2 teaches us about the importance of seeking God's wisdom in interpreting the visions and dreams He gives us. We see how Daniel's integrity, faith, and reliance on God's revelation saved not only his life but also the lives of others. The dream itself is a remarkable prophecy, accurately predicting the rise and fall of empires over 500 years. This reminds us that God's plans often unfold over long periods, far beyond our immediate circumstances. As we reflect on this, we're challenged to broaden our perspective and trust in God's overarching plan for history and our lives. The message also warns us against the danger of turning God's revelations into idols, as Nebuchadnezzar did. Instead, we're encouraged to remain humble and open to God's ongoing guidance, recognizing that His purposes are always greater than our limited understanding.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? This Easter message journeys through Scripture, from Genesis to the Gospels, uncovering the beautiful thread of God's redemptive plan. Highlighting how sin created a separation between humanity and God, starting in the Garden of Eden. But God, in His infinite love, chose to bridge that gap Himself. The parallels drawn between earthly relationships and our relationship with God help us understand sin not as a list of don'ts, but as relational friction. The climax of the message reminds us that Jesus' death wasn't just about paying for our sins, but about restoring our relationship with the Father. As we reflect on this, we're challenged to see the cross not just as a historical event, but as a personal invitation to reconciliation and renewed intimacy with God.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
This Palm Sunday message invites us to reflect on the sacredness of our faith and worship. It explores Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, highlighting the contrast between the king people expected and the humble, peaceful Messiah who arrived. How we approach God's house and our faith is important - have we made the sacred common? The sermon emphasizes the importance of setting apart time and space for God, maintaining a sense of reverence and holiness in our spiritual lives. It's a call to renew our commitment to treating our relationship with God and His people as something truly special and set apart from the mundane aspects of life. This message encourages us to seek a balance between God's transcendence and imminence, recognizing His awesome holiness while embracing His intimate love for us.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
It's time for despair to leave and to let hope live through our worship! Worship isn't just music or singing - it's our lives. It's everything we do.
"A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
The central scripture of this message is, 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, which presents us with Paul's radical commitment to 'become all things to all people' for the sake of the gospel. This isn't about compromising our beliefs, but about stepping out of our comfort zones to truly connect with others. We're called to look beyond societal norms and our own prejudices to see people as Jesus sees them. This message pushes us to consider: Are we willing to become 'weak' to reach the weak? Are we ready to set aside our pride and preconceptions to share God's love with those who are different from us? We're being called to run our spiritual race with purpose and discipline, not aimlessly. We must view our faith journey as an athlete views their training - with dedication, self-control, and a clear goal in mind. This perspective shift can transform how we approach our daily walk with God, pushing us to grow and reach out to others with renewed passion and purpose.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In this week's message, we explore the transformative nature of healing and the obstacles that often stand in its way. The central story of Naaman's healing in 2 Kings chapter 5 serves as a reminder that God's methods may not align with our expectations. We're challenged to examine our own pride and preconceived notions about how God should work in our lives. We're reminded that healing is not earned, but rather a gift from God that requires us to surrender our pride and religious notions. This message encourages us to create an atmosphere of faith, letting go of offense and allowing God to move in unexpected ways. As we reflect on this, we're invited to consider: How might our own pride or expectations be hindering God's work in our lives? Are we willing to humble ourselves and follow God's instructions, even when they seem unconventional or illogical?
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
How many Christians have been challenged to embrace the spirit of Eleazar, one of David's mighty men? The story from 2 Samuel 23 serves as a striking metaphor for our spiritual battles. Eleazar stood his ground when others fled, fighting until his hand froze to his sword. This imagery invites us to grip tightly to God's Word, our spiritual sword, even when we feel alone or overwhelmed. Our character isn't developed in a single moment, but through consistent battles and unwavering commitment. We're urged to fight our spiritual battles with determination, recognizing that while God brings the victory, He needs us to stand our ground. This teaching encourages us to examine what we're holding onto tightly in our lives - is it God's Word or something else?
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In an exploration of John 4, we dive deep into the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This story reminds us that God's love transcends social, cultural, and religious barriers. Jesus, tired from his journey, initiates a conversation with someone society deemed unworthy. Through this interaction, we learn that our past doesn't disqualify us from God's grace. The living water Jesus offers is available to all, regardless of our background or mistakes. This message challenges us to look beyond surface-level judgments and see the value in every person, just as Christ does. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to be conduits of God's love, allowing the living water within us to flow freely to others, even those we might consider unlikely recipients.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Let's delve into Psalm 145, uncovering the true essence of praising God. We learn that worship isn't just about singing songs; it's a transformative act that prepares our hearts to receive God's word. The psalm, an acrostic poem, teaches us the 'ABCs of worship,' emphasizing God's compassion, grace, and enduring kingdom. We're challenged to shift our perspective, magnifying God instead of our problems, and to enter into worship with our whole being - mind, body, and spirit. This message reminds us that worship is not a spectator sport but an active engagement with the divine, requiring sacrifice and vulnerability. As we embrace this fuller understanding of worship, we open ourselves to experience God's presence in profound ways, pushing back darkness and reflecting His image to the world.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
The iconic story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, and their overnight journey through the Red Sea reminds us of God's power even when our back is up against the wall. This narrative from Exodus 13-14 serves as a profound metaphor for our own spiritual journeys. We're reminded that God often leads us through seemingly impossible situations to demonstrate His power and glory. The message challenges us to stand firm in faith, even when we feel trapped between our past bondages and overwhelming obstacles. Just as the Israelites had to trust Moses and God in the face of Pharaoh's army, we too must learn to trust our spiritual leaders and, ultimately, God's plan for our lives. This story encourages us to recognize that our 'Red Sea moments' - times when we feel completely stuck - are often the very instances where God is about to perform His greatest miracles in our lives.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Even though we know it's impossible to figure out God, we still try to do it way too often anyway. It's much simpler and easier to just obey! This week, our guest minister Eric Thomason expounds on why we can't figure out God no matter how hard we try. It's time to just listen, trust and obey what He's telling us.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In this exploration of Acts 17, we're challenged to examine how we engage with the world around us. Paul's distress at the idols in Athens serves as a wake-up call for us to consider what truly bothers us in our society. Are we, like Paul, moved by the spiritual emptiness we see, or have we become desensitized? This message urges us to recognize the modern-day idols in our lives - money, status, pleasure - and confront them with the transformative power of the Gospel. The way Paul approaches the intellectuals of Athens provides a masterclass in evangelism. Instead of leading with condemnation, he finds common ground and presents the 'unknown God' as the answer to their spiritual seeking. This approach reminds us that effective ministry often begins with understanding and empathy, not judgment.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In this sermon, we're invited to explore the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 in the Gospels. These stories aren't just about physical nourishment and Jesus doing a miracle. In it, Matthew shows us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets - the new Moses, Elijah, and Elisha. And not only for Jews, but Gentiles too. The repetition of these miracles emphasizes that God's provision isn't a one-time event, but a continuous outpouring of His love and grace. This challenges us to examine our own faith - do we limit God's ability to work in our lives? The message encourages us to approach God with boldness, knowing He delights in meeting our needs abundantly, regardless of our background or past mistakes.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Churches should strive to develop a hunger for God's Word like the Bereans in Acts 17. These noble believers didn't just passively listen to Paul's teachings; they eagerly examined the Scriptures daily to verify the truth. This serves as a reminder for us to cultivate a deep, personal engagement with Scripture. Just as we develop tastes for certain foods, we're encouraged to nurture an appetite for God's Word. This isn't about mere knowledge, but about character development and spiritual growth. As we face the 'crowds' of conflicting voices and doctrines in our world, a strong foundation in God's Word becomes our anchor, helping us discern truth from distortion.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Are we truly connected to God, or have we unknowingly drifted away? This offering message challenges us to examine our relationship with God through an unexpected lens: our finances. Drawing from Malachi 3, we're confronted with the startling idea that withholding our tithes and offerings is akin to 'robbing God.' But are we literally robbing God or are we robbing Him from an opportunity to pour out blessings? This isn't about guilt, but about recognizing that our generosity is deeply intertwined with our spiritual closeness to God. The message invites us to see tithing not as a burden, but as an opportunity to experience God's abundant blessings. It's a call to trust in God's promise to 'open the floodgates of heaven' when we faithfully bring our whole tithe. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to view our giving as a spiritual act that affects not just us individually, but the entire body of believers. It's a powerful reminder that our financial choices have profound spiritual implications.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In an intriguing exploration of Biblical fasting, we discover that it's not about impressing others or manipulating God, but about the intent of our hearts. Jesus, in Matthew 6, teaches us to fast in secret, focusing on our relationship with the Father rather than external appearances. This challenges us to examine our motives in spiritual practices. Are we seeking God's presence or human approval? The message reminds us that God is more concerned with our hearts than our religious performances. Interestingly, the Bible speaks more about feasting than fasting, highlighting the joy and fellowship in our faith journey. As we consider fasting in our own lives, let's remember it's a sacred response to God's movement, not a means to earn His favor. This perspective frees us from legalism and invites us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with our Creator.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
In this weeks message, we're challenged to redefine our understanding of greatness through the lens of Christ's teachings. The story from Matthew 20 serves as a backdrop, where James and John's mother asks Jesus for positions of honor for her sons. Instead of rebuking their ambition, Jesus redirects it, introducing a revolutionary concept of leadership through servanthood. We're reminded that true greatness in God's kingdom isn't about power or status, but about how much we're willing to serve others. This sermon urges us to examine our hearts: Are we seeking to 'lord it over' others, or are we ready to take the lowly position of a servant? It's a call to lay down our lives, to deny ourselves, and to follow Jesus' example of servant leadership. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to look for opportunities to serve in our church and community, recognizing that this path of humility and service is the true road to spiritual greatness.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church
Unfortunately grief and suffering are still part of this life. When walking through those tough times it can feel pointless and make us wonder if it'll ever be over. However, seasons of grief can lead to overwhelming joy. Focusing on Jesus' words in John 16, this sermon invites us to see our current struggles through the lens of hope. Just as the disciples couldn't comprehend Jesus' imminent death and resurrection, we often can't see the purpose in our pain. But Jesus promises that our grief will turn to joy - a joy so complete that no one can take it away. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about experiencing a profound shift in our spiritual journey. As we navigate our own 'little whiles' of not seeing or understanding God's plan, we're encouraged to trust in the bigger picture He's painting. This message challenges us to persevere through our trials, knowing that God is using even our darkest moments to prepare us for a season of unshakeable joy and deeper relationship with Him.
Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 1852 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 (The education-wing entrance of Wheatland Salem Church)
Connect with us at our website www.revivechicago.church