the Vine with Chris Green

Life can feel like a pressure cooker - full of stress, temptation, fear, and uncertainty. In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 10, we explore what it means to live faithfully under pressure while running with the gospel. The Apostle Paul reminds us that even when the pressure builds, God is faithful. He won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can bear - and He always provides a way of escape.

Whether you’re battling anxiety, discouragement, or the demands of motherhood, this message offers hope, encouragement, and a call to center your life on the faithfulness of God.

The worst thing that can happen to a fighter is that he becomes civilized—and the worst thing that can happen to a church is that it gets comfortable.

In this passionate, transitional message from 1 Corinthians 9, Pastor Chris calls the church to a life of gospel grit - because the gospel is worth it. Drawing from Paul’s imagery of athletic discipline and inspired by scenes from the Rocky films, this sermon is a charge to live with urgency, purpose, and discomfort for the sake of Christ.

- Why running hard means living a life poured out for the gospel

- What it truly means to live free—and how that freedom leads us to serve

- Why comfort is the greatest danger to the church in our generation

- How the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25, The Message) speaks directly to playing not to lose

- A powerful closing commission to take up the mission that no one else can carry but you

If you’ve ever felt like your faith has settled into safe routines, this message will shake you, encourage you, and remind you that you were never called to comfort.

You were called to run.

In a divided world obsessed with being "right," how are followers of Jesus called to live? In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 8, we explore how secondary issues then and now threaten to divide the Church. Paul reminds us that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

Join us as we unpack the call to live the cruciform life - a life shaped by the Cross. Discover why it's not about winning arguments, but about asking, "What would love do?" Learn how true Christian maturity means laying down our rights, lifting up one another, and living with eyes shaped by the Cross.

What if the pressure to prove yourself was already gone?

In this sermon, we explore what it means to live from victory - not for it. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:57–58, we confront the exhausting cycle of striving, performing, and hoping we’re enough - and discover the freedom, confidence, and purpose that come when we live grounded in Christ’s finished work. If you’re tired of white-knuckling your way through life, this message is your invitation to breathe deep and walk boldly in a victory that’s already won.

In this Palm Sunday message, Chris Green reflects on the contrast between what people expected from Jesus and who He truly is. Drawing from Zechariah 9:9 and John 8, the sermon explores how Jesus came not to conquer political enemies but to bring salvation and freedom from sin.

Chris challenges us to consider our identity in light of Jesus’ identity, and to remain rooted in His word despite cultural pressures to stay silent. The message reminds us that truth brings freedom—and that real discipleship means abiding in Christ and boldly living as children of God.

Sermon based on three-year lectionary series reading for April 6, 2025. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, elders, and teachers of the law with a parable.

Is your relationship status shaping your identity—or is your identity shaping your relationships?

In this message from 1 Corinthians 7, we explore how God’s calling transforms every season of life—whether you’re single, married, divorced, or “it’s complicated.” The Apostle Paul speaks with honesty and wisdom into the messy realities of relationships, reminding us that our primary status isn’t found on social media—it’s found in Christ.

Discover how to live with purpose, peace, and faithfulness in the situation you’re in right now. Because no matter your relational status, one thing is true:

You are called.

We often come to God’s Word expecting it to be simple and clear—like a neatly rolled ball of yarn. But more often than not, it feels tangled. Our past experiences, cultural influences, and personal struggles can make the truth of Scripture hard to grasp. Especially when it comes to a word like "holiness".

In this message from 1 Corinthians 6, we look at Paul’s passionate call to a church that had become tangled in compromise. He reminds them—and us—that holiness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about belonging to God, moving in His direction, and reflecting His character.

Here’s the truth:

Holiness is not about perfection—it’s about possession, direction, and reflection.

We belong to God.

We are being transformed.

We are called to reflect Jesus.

And the good news? God isn’t standing by, waiting for us to stumble. He’s walking with us—picking us up when we fall, calling us to keep going. Holiness isn’t a standard we have to reach. It’s a journey we walk with a good Father who loves us enough to help us live like we’re His.

Today we dive into how tangled things can get when trying to understand certain scriptures and concepts like sin. Just as a mess of yarn can be hard to unravel, our cultural experiences and personal histories can make biblical teachings feel confusing and overwhelming. The gospel's message of grace and the absence of condemnation for believers can help untangle these knots. By exploring Paul's letter to the Corinthians, the sermon challenges us to differentiate between tolerance and true love, encouraging us to intervene with grace and restorative action, rather than merely accepting or ignoring sin. The focus is on fostering genuine relationships within the church and embracing God's transformative love. Join us as we unpack what it truly means to live as God's people, set apart for His purposes, and learn how to navigate these complex issues in our daily lives.

In today's message, we're challenged to embrace the countercultural nature of following Christ. The apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4 remind us that the wisdom of God often appears foolish to the world. We're called to be 'fools for Christ,' rejecting worldly measures of success and status in favor of humility, service, and love. This teaching invites us to examine our own lives: Are we trying to fit in with the world's standards, or are we willing to stand out for Christ? The imagery of living between two kingdoms - the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God - with the cross at the center, beautifully illustrates our daily spiritual struggle. As we navigate this tension, we're encouraged to follow Jesus boldly, even when it goes against cultural norms, and to 'own' our identity in Christ without apology. This message challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and embrace a life of radical discipleship that may not always make sense to those around us.