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

As we approach the Christmas season, we're reminded of the stark contrast between the 'Christmas spirit' and the Spirit of God. While the former is a fleeting cultural phenomenon, the latter is a constant, powerful presence available to us year-round. This message challenges us to examine our spiritual patterns and discernment. Are we as intentional about cultivating God's Spirit in our lives as we are about embracing the holiday spirit? The scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Just as we create an atmosphere for Christmas with decorations and traditions, we're called to create an environment conducive to God's Spirit through prayer, Bible study, and worship. This parallel invites us to reflect on our daily habits and consider how we can better align our lives with God's presence, not just during special seasons, but every day.

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

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

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the story of Jacob wrestling with God, using it as a metaphor for the Christian journey of faith. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance in spiritual struggles, the transformative power of encountering God, and the necessity of surrendering one's old identity to embrace a new one in Christ. It's time we as Christians move beyond surface-level faith and engage in genuine, sometimes uncomfortable, wrestling with God to experience true growth and transformation.

Key Points:

• Spiritual growth often involves wrestling with God and ourselves
• God prepares us for challenges ahead, even when we don't recognize it
• Our natural tendency is to rely on our own strength, but we must learn to trust God
• Prayer should be personal and based on God's promises
• Transformation often comes through struggle and vulnerability
• Our identity should be rooted in Christ, not in our past or our circumstances
• Creating a church culture that allows for wrestling and vulnerability is crucial

Scripture Reference:

• Genesis 32:22-32 (Jacob wrestling 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

It's time to rethink our understanding of gratitude. Utilizing Colossians 3, where we're called to 'let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts' and to 'be thankful', Paul gives us a great launching pad for gratitude. This isn't just about having an 'attitude of gratitude,' but rather about allowing thankfulness to become a core part of who we are. We're reminded that attitudes are fleeting, but true gratitude is a state of being that persists regardless of circumstances. Our message draws an interesting parallel between letting Christ rule in our hearts and the resistance we might feel to being told what to do. This analogy helps us understand the challenge and importance of surrendering control to God. A great question to meditate on this week: Are we truly letting Christ rule, or are we still trying to sit on the throne?

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 living out our faith with confidence? This message challenges us to reconsider how we approach God and His commands. Drawing from 1 John 5, we're reminded that obeying God's commands isn't a burden, but a pathway to overcoming the world. The key lies in accepting God's testimony about His Son, Jesus Christ, as greater than any human testimony. This shift in perspective can transform our prayer life, allowing us to approach God with boldness and assurance. We're encouraged to evaluate our faith: are we elevating our truth over God's truth? By aligning ourselves with God's will and believing in Jesus as the Son of God, we unlock a confidence that can revolutionize our spiritual walk. This message invites us to step into a deeper, more assured relationship with our Creator, reminding us of the eternal life we have in Christ.

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 Matthew 25, Jesus challenged His followers to rethink their perception of God and His kingdom. Through the famous parable of the talents, we're reminded that God entrusts each of us with 'kingdom property' - not just material possessions, but spiritual gifts and opportunities. The key lesson is that God isn't a harsh taskmaster, but a joyful, generous master who delights in our growth. We're called to be faithful with the 'little things,' taking ownership of what we've been given, no matter how small it may seem. This parable beautifully illustrates how our perception of God's character drastically affects our actions and growth. Are we hiding our talents out of fear, or are we boldly investing them, trusting in God's goodness? This message encourages us to break free from legalistic, fearful mindsets and embrace God's invitation to 'share in the master's happiness.' It's a call to action for all of us to step into our role as active participants in God's kingdom, realizing that He has entrusted us with far more than we often recognize.

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 Book of Proverbs reminds us that wisdom isn't just handed to us - it must be actively pursued. We're challenged to seek wisdom with the same fervor we'd search for silver. But here's the catch: once we seek it earnestly, God promises to give it freely. This paradox invites us to cultivate a lifelong hunger for godly wisdom, recognizing it as far more valuable than mere knowledge or facts. We're encouraged to slow down, listen deeply, and allow God's wisdom to truly transform our decision-making and life direction. This message emphasizes that wisdom is 'knowledge properly applied' - a skill that requires patience, humility, and often the willingness to hear advice we may not want to accept. As we navigate life's complexities, let's commit to seeking wisdom not just in moments of crisis, but as a daily spiritual discipline that shapes our character and draws us closer to God's heart.

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

What does it mean to be 'hallowed' or set apart as Christians - especially during times when our culture embraces darkness? In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, where Paul urges believers not to be 'yoked together with unbelievers.' This isn't about isolation, but about maintaining our distinct identity as children of God. We're reminded that as temples of the living God, we're called to 'come out from them and be separate.' This separation isn't physical, but spiritual – it's about not conforming to the world's standards, particularly when they glorify darkness. This message draws parallels between our modern Halloween celebrations and the biblical warnings against engaging with darkness. It challenges us to consider: How can we be in the world but not of it? How do we shine as light in dark places without compromising our values? This teaching is deeply relevant to our daily lives, pushing us to examine our choices, associations, and what we allow into our hearts and minds. It's a call to intentional living, to 'purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,' not out of legalism, but out of reverence for God and a desire to truly reflect His light in a world that often celebrates darkness.

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

Drawing from Jeremiah 17, guest minister James Koppang challenges us to plant ourselves like a tree by deep water. To trust in the Lord, no matter what things look like. When we're planted with deep roots, then even when the heat comes or when there's drought, we cannot be shaken. 

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