College Ave Podcast

Can you actually become unoffendable? Pastor Chris Hilken continues our series in Ecclesiastes by looking at why we take things so personally, and how the gospel invites a different response. We talk about the difference between feeling offended and actually being wronged, the stories we invent about other people’s motives, and what changes when we lead with grace. With practical examples and biblical wisdom, Chris encourages us to grow thicker skin, give generous explanation, and forgive quickly.

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Why is it so difficult to hear the truth about ourselves, even when it comes from someone who loves us? Pastor Chris Hilken builds on Sunday's sermon from Ecclesiastes 6 and 7, exploring the contrast between wisdom and foolishness and why genuine spiritual growth often requires uncomfortable conversations. Join us as we examine how our culture's pursuit of comfort has influenced the way we receive correction, why our instinct is to defend ourselves against criticism, and what it really means to "fire the lawyer" living inside our heads. This conversation challenges us to move beyond defensiveness and embrace godly mentorship and correction.

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Pastor Chris Hilken tackles one of the most avoided and misunderstood topics in the church: money. Continuing in our study of Ecclesiastes, this conversation unpacks why Scripture ties the love of money to "all kinds of evil," what it means to hold our finances with an open hand, and how to know how much is truly "enough." We explore the difference between owning our money and seeing ourselves as stewards of what belongs to God, while pushing back against both the prosperity gospel and the idea that enjoying what God has given you is somehow unspiritual. Join us as we take a thoughtful and honest look at faith and finances.

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Is fearing the Lord simply another way of saying we should revere Him, or is there something deeper that Christians have missed? Pastor Chris Hilken breaks down the different kinds of fear found throughout Scripture and explains how Christians can simultaneously know God as a loving Father while still trembling at His power and holiness. As part of our ongoing study of Ecclesiastes, this conversation looks at what is at stake when the fear of God fades from our faith, how it shapes obedience and evangelism, and why so many churches shy away from the topic today. If you've wrestled with what it means to rightly fear God, or just want to go deeper on this often-overlooked command, check out this episode!

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What really happens the moment you die? In this episode, Pastor Chris Hilken breaks down what the Bible actually says about life after death; what it means to be "with the Lord" without a physical body, and why heaven looks less like harps and clouds and more like a renewed, physical earth. Walking though Hebrews 10 verse-by-verse, Chris explains why the Catholic doctrine of purgatory doesn't hold up under biblical scrutiny and what Scripture says happens to the soul immediately after death. The episode closes with one of Christianity's toughest questions: how can a loving God send anyone to hell?

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Ever wonder how to make decisions the Bible doesn't spell out? In this episode of the College Ave Podcast, Pastor Chris Hilken breaks down a practical framework for navigating gray areas as Christians: green light issues (clear biblical commands), red light issues (clear biblical prohibitions), and yellow light issues - the gray areas scripture doesn't directly address, like technology use, dating, or business decisions. Pastor Chris walks through how personal conviction, mentorship, and concern for others' faith should shape decisions in that yellow-light space.

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In this episode, Pastor Chris Hilken explains what it means to live "bulletproof" and unoffendable in a culture built on outrage and reactivity. Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Romans 12, and the example of Daniel's resolve in Babylon, Chris unpacks the idea of "predeciding" - choosing ahead of time how we will respond to disappointment, insult, and hardship, rather than being at the mercy of our circumstances. An unbreakable mentality isn't about denying pain or pretending life is easy. It's about facing a broken world already decided that nothing can steal our joy and hope found in Christ.

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In this episode Pastor Chris Hilken digs into everything the Sunday sermon didn't have time for - picking up where the Ecclesiastes series left off on the question "can money bring happiness?" This conversation explores whether money is a good servant or a bad master, and whether faithful giving guarantees financial blessing. Pastor Chris shares a personal experience that taught him what real generosity looks like and how first-fruits giving reshaped his understanding of trust and obedience. Whether you're wrestling with what Ecclesiastes means by "everything is vanity" or just want a practical framework for handling money as a Christian, check out this episode for wisdom and biblical insight.

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Does more knowledge always lead to a better life, or can it leave us feeling more burdened than before? In this episode, Pastor Chris Hilken continues our Ecclesiastes series by exploring one of the book's most surprising truths: "With much wisdom comes much sorrow." This conversation discusses why growing in wisdom often means becoming more aware of the brokenness in ourselves and the world around us. From the constant noise of social media to the reality of human sin, we unpack why wisdom can feel heavy and why that doesn't have to lead us to despair. If you've ever wrestled with discouragement, information overload, or wondered how to read the Bible with greater confidence, this conversation offers honest insight and practical encouragement.

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Why does life still leave us wanting more, even when we have everything we thought we needed? In this episode, Pastor Chris Hilken and Clinton Norris begin our Ecclesiastes series by exploring one of Scripture's most honest books. Together, they unpack Solomon's search for meaning, why life "under the sun" can never fully satisfy, and how Ecclesiastes ultimately points us to the lasting hope and purpose found in Jesus.

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