First Christian Church Champaign

Join us as we explore Luke 2 in our series, Sounds of This Season. This episode delves into the true meaning of joy versus happiness, emphasizing that joy is 'functioning hope.' Learn how cultural misconceptions often equate joy with happiness, and discover how the Gospel provides everlasting joy. Hear stories, analogies, and powerful reflections on the transformative power of placing hope in Jesus, rather than in worldly circumstances. This heartfelt sermon invites you to tie your hope to the eternal promises of Christ.

Pastor Eric Friedmann fondly recalls humorous memories of Christmas past and sets the stage for a new mini-series titled 'The Songs of This Season.' He reflects on the unexpected origins and deep meaning behind popular Christmas carols, starting with 'Silent Night.' By delving into the context of Jesus's birth, Friedmann emphasizes that spiritual stillness and true peace are found not in the absence of life's chaos, but in the presence of the Savior. He invites the congregation to seek stillness through their relationship with God, stressing that they are at home with the Heavenly Father solely because of Jesus. Encouraging the community to embrace the essence of the season through worship, Friedmann concludes with a call to recognize and cherish the divine stillness brought by Christ's birth.

In this final sermon of the 'The Relentless Pursuit' series, we dive into the essence of disciple-making according to the teachings of Jesus in Luke chapter 9. The message emphasizes three key principles: denying oneself, dying daily by taking up one's cross, and demonstrating devotion by following Jesus wholeheartedly. The sermon challenges cultural Christianity and calls for a return to committed discipleship, urging believers to live out their faith with purpose and impact. Through real-life stories and scriptural insights, this sermon seeks to transform listeners into true disciples who make disciples, partnering with the Holy Spirit to empower others to obediently follow Jesus.

Join us as we continue our series on discipleship with a focus on the power and importance of being a witness for Jesus Christ. This week's message delves into the significance of sharing and demonstrating God's love and truth amidst various challenges such as fear, busyness, and feeling unequipped. We explore practical steps and biblical examples, noting the essential role of the Holy Spirit and personal character in effectively witnessing to those around us. Discover how to invite God's presence into your daily encounters and carry forward the message of the gospel through your actions and words.

In this week's episode of The Relentless Pursuit, we delve into First Corinthians chapter 12 to understand the importance of serving with our spiritual gifts. Pastor Eric emphasizes that every Christian is endowed with unique gifts meant for the common good of the Kingdom of God. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural exegesis, he challenges believers to move beyond consumption and fully engage in contributing to the church and community. Along with celebrating new commitments to Christ and baptisms, the episode highlights the necessity of order, encouragement, and the invaluable role of the Holy Spirit. Join us as we explore what it truly means that 'saved people serve people.'

As Thanksgiving approaches, Pastor Jordan Dunahee reflects on gratitude and shares a personal story about his connection to Illinois basketball. He humorously describes a game's 'Money Grab' segment, drawing a parallel to life's struggles with money and how the world's system is broken compared to God's economy. As part of the 'Relentless Pursuit' series, he emphasizes the significance of generosity as a pillar of discipleship. Pastor Jordan explores the biblical definition of generosity, urging congregants to view it as a gift rather than a burden. He delves into 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, highlighting the Macedonian churches' example of generosity despite their poverty. He underscores the importance of prioritizing generosity by first giving ourselves to the Lord and trusting Him with our finances. He shares a personal testimony about experiencing God's faithfulness in finances. Pastor Jordan concludes by emphasizing the grace of generosity, reflecting on God's ultimate gift through Jesus, and challenging the congregation to respond in generosity, prayer, and worship.

There is something at the center of our shared human experience, something deep in our souls, that longs to cry out to something beyond ourselves. Every person—man, woman, and child, Christian, Buddhist, or even Atheist—will find it hard not to exclaim their gratitude to a ‘Higher Power’ for the greatest joys in life, or beg that same ‘Power’ for deliverance in their most dire time of need. For the Christian, that ‘Higher Power’ is the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ, and that ‘crying out’ is a spiritual act called prayer—the sixth pillar in The Relentless Pursuit.

Some call it “The Word of God.” Others simply say “The Word” or “Scripture.” But the most recognized name—without question—is “The Bible.” If someone asked you, “What is the Bible, and what is it even about?” how would you respond? This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we provide some basics to understanding the big picture of what the Bible is all about.

In the early 17th century, poet John Donne asserted in one of his writings that, “no man is an island…” Meaning that no person, no matter how gifted or resourceful, can ever truly be self-sufficient—we can’t live this life on our own. Thousands of years before those words were written, God proclaimed it was “not good” for man to be alone. This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we pull back layers about how we were created to be in community with others.

Have you ever thought about how many things you trust without fully understanding them? Microwaves cook our food in seconds, but most of us can’t explain how. Cars take us miles with the push of a pedal, yet few could build one from scratch. We trust these things work, even if we don’t fully grasp how. The same goes for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of disciples. This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we dive into the mystery of the Spirit.