Grace City Eugene

Grace City Eugene
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Grace City Eugene exists to help everyone in our sphere of influence encounter Christ, experience Biblical community, and extend God's Kingdom. Learn more about us at www.gracecityeugene.com If we can help you in any way, reach out to hello@gracecityeugene.com

  1. 3d ago

    The Extended Cut: When Faith Gets Real | Chris Zauner & Casey Olsen

    What does real faith look like when prayer feels unanswered, people wander, and following Jesus requires persistence? In this episode of The Extended Cut, Casey Olson sits down with Grace City Church Lead Pastor Chris Sonner to put a bow on our series through the book of James and unpack the final verses of James 5 that didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon, “When Faith Gets Real.” James 5:17–20 gives us two powerful pictures of genuine faith: Elijah’s persistence in prayer and our responsibility to pursue people who wander. Elijah can seem like an extraordinary biblical superhero—a prophet who prayed and saw God move in miraculous ways. But James intentionally reminds us that Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours.” His power wasn’t found in being extraordinary; it was found in trusting an extraordinary God. That changes the way we think about prayer. Prayer isn’t about spiritual performance or finding the “right” person who can convince God to act. Prayer is an expression of dependence. It’s admitting, “I can’t do this, but I believe God can.” And faith isn’t confidence that God will always do exactly what we want—it’s confidence that God is trustworthy enough for us to ask and then trust Him with what He does. James then turns our attention outward: “If anyone among you wanders from the truth…” Wandering rarely happens all at once. Often, it’s subtle. We drift. We get distracted. We slowly move away from the people, practices, and truth that once anchored us. And James reminds us that following Jesus was never meant to be done alone. Real faith notices when someone is missing. It makes the phone call. It asks the hard question. It prays. It speaks truth with love. It remains relationally available. And instead of gossiping about people who wander or simply writing them off, followers of Jesus are called to pursue restoration and reconciliation. As we close out our journey through James, Chris and Casey leave us with two questions worth carrying into this week: Who have you stopped praying for? Who have you stopped pursuing? Maybe it’s time to pray again. Maybe it’s time to make the call again. Because when faith gets real, it doesn’t only change what we say we believe—it changes how we pray, how we love, how we pursue people, and how we live. 📖 Scripture: James 5:17–20 🎙️ The Extended Cut — Going deeper into the sermons, themes, stories, and conversations behind Sunday messages at Grace City Church. If this conversation encouraged or challenged you, subscribe and follow along for more episodes of The Extended Cut. And if you missed any part of our series through James, go back and join us as we explore what it looks like to live a genuine, authentic faith in Jesus. #WhenFaithGetsReal #BookOfJames #James5 #Prayer #ChristianFaith #Faith #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #GraceCityChurch #TheExtendedCut

  2. 6d ago

    When Faith Gets Real | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 9)

    What does real faith look like when life gets hard? In When Life Gets Real, Pastor Chris Zauner closes out our Show Me Your Faith series through the book of James with a powerful message about enduring faith, honest repentance, prayer, healing, and staying anchored in Jesus when life doesn’t go according to plan. Throughout the book of James, we’ve been confronted with one consistent challenge: faith is more than what we say we believe—it is revealed in how we live. And in James 5, that challenge becomes deeply personal. What happens when you’re waiting on God and nothing seems to be changing? What happens when prayers feel unanswered, suffering continues, relationships become difficult, or disappointment begins to wear down your faith? James tells us to remain steadfast. Faith waits without walking away. Like a farmer who plants seed and patiently waits for growth, we are called to trust God even when we cannot yet see what He is doing beneath the surface. Just because something looks buried doesn’t mean it is dead. Sometimes God is doing His deepest work long before the fruit becomes visible. Pastor Chris challenges us to “establish your hearts”—to become so anchored in the truth of who Jesus is that circumstances, emotions, suffering, and disappointment do not determine where we end up. The storm may still come. The questions may still remain. The waiting may continue. But Jesus is still Lord. James also reminds us that hardship can shape us if we’re not careful. Pain can become bitterness. Disappointment can become cynicism. Betrayal can become suspicion. And isolation can make fear, shame, temptation, and discouragement grow louder. That’s why biblical faith doesn’t hide. Real faith brings real life to God. If you’re suffering—pray. If you’re joyful—praise. If you’re sick—ask others to pray. If you’ve sinned—confess. James gives no picture of a fake Christianity where we pretend everything is fine while falling apart inside. Instead, he calls the church into honesty, community, confession, prayer, repentance, and healing. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” — James 5:16 Some of us want healing without honesty, freedom without confession, and transformation without bringing anything into the light. But sin grows in secrecy. The gospel invites us into something better. Jesus already knows the worst parts of our story—and He went to the cross anyway. Repentance is not running away from God in shame. Repentance is running toward God because of His grace. As we conclude this series, the final challenge of James is simple but profound: Show me your faith when life gets real. When you’re waiting. When you’re hurting. When you’re disappointed. When you need prayer. When you need to confess. When you need to repent. When you don’t understand what God is doing. Will you still trust Him? Will you stay anchored? Will you bring your real life into the light and allow Jesus to heal what you’ve been trying to hide? 📖 Primary Scripture: James 5:7–16 📖 Additional Scripture: James 1:2–6 This message is Week 9 and the final week of Show Me Your Faith, our series through the book of James. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who may need to hear it. Subscribe for more sermons, biblical teaching, and encouragement as we learn together what it means to follow Jesus with a faith that moves from what we believe into how we live. #WhenLifeGetsReal #ShowMeYourFaith #BookOfJames #James5 #ChrisZauner #Sermon #ChristianSermon #Faith #Prayer #Repentance #Confession #Healing #TrustGod #JesusIsLord #ChristianFaith #BiblicalTeaching #SteadfastFaith #FollowingJesus

    When Faith Gets Real | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 9)

  3. Sep 23

    The Extended Cut: Whose Life Is It Anyways? | Chris Zauner & Casey Olsen

    Who really owns your life? This week on The Extended Cut, Pastor Casey and Pastor Chris go behind the scenes of Chris’ sermon, “Whose Life Is It Anyways?”, as we continue our journey through the book of James. We have far less control than we often think. Our lives are brief, our possessions are temporary, and even our best-made plans can change in an instant. So what does it look like to faithfully follow Jesus when we recognize that our time, resources, relationships, and opportunities were never ultimately ours to begin with? In this conversation, Chris and Casey dive deeper into James 4–5 and unpack the difference between ownership and stewardship. They talk about making plans without worshiping them, holding our resources with open hands, trusting God with our finances and schedules, and resisting the temptation to find security and significance in the things we can control. They also explore James’ challenging words about wealth, power, injustice, and the way we treat others. God cares not only about what we have, but how we got it and how we use it. For those who have experienced injustice, James offers an important reminder: God sees, God knows, and God is just. Ultimately, there can only be one Lord of our lives. What are you still holding onto and calling “mine”? What might change if you opened your hands and said, “Jesus, this is Yours”? In this episode: • Why faith doesn’t stop making plans—it stops worshiping them • The difference between being an owner and a steward • What James teaches about money, wealth, and possessions • Why stewardship applies to our time and relationships, too • God’s heart toward injustice and those who have been wronged • How control can compete with trust in Jesus • Why generosity and tithing reveal something about our view of ownership • What it means to live open-handed before God • A preview of what’s coming next at Grace City Church If you haven’t listened to “Whose Life Is It Anyways?” yet, go back and watch or listen to the full sermon first, then come back for this deeper conversation. The Extended Cut is a weekly conversation from Grace City Church in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, where we go behind the scenes of Sunday’s sermon to explore the Scriptures, influences, preparation, and conversations that shaped the message. If this conversation encourages you, like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who could benefit from it. And if you call Grace City home, don’t just process these messages online—join a Life Group and work them out in community. #GraceCityChurch #TheExtendedCut #WhoseLifeIsItAnyways #BookOfJames #James4 #James5 #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #Stewardship #TrustGod #FollowingJesus #EugeneOregon #SpringfieldOregon

  4. Sep 20

    Whose Life Is It Anyways? | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 8)

    Who really owns your life? In Week 8 of our Show Me Your Faith series through the book of James, Pastor Chris Zauner challenges us to examine how tightly we hold onto our plans, possessions, future, finances, and sense of control. Teaching from James 4:13–17 and James 5:1–6, this sermon confronts the temptation to live as though we are ultimately in charge. We make plans, build careers, save money, pursue goals, and try to create security—but James reminds us that our lives are like a mist: here for a little while and then gone. The problem isn’t planning. The problem is when planning becomes pretending—when we live as though our plans carry more authority than God’s will. Pastor Chris unpacks what it means to live with open hands before God, recognizing that everything we have has been entrusted to us. Our time, money, careers, families, opportunities, possessions, abilities, and even our lives are not ultimately ours to own—they are ours to steward. This message asks a powerful question: What are you still calling “mine”? Maybe it’s your timeline. Your future. Your career. Your money. Your comfort. Your relationships. Your plans. James reminds us that tomorrow is not guaranteed. When God has already shown us what obedience looks like, we cannot keep pushing it off until “someday.” Delayed obedience is still leaving God waiting for our yes. Jesus did not come simply to improve the life we have planned for ourselves. He came to be Lord of it. Faith doesn’t mean we stop making plans. Faith means we stop worshiping them. As you listen, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas of your life where you may still be holding onto control. What would it look like to surrender those things to Jesus and trust Him with today? 📖 Scripture: James 4:13–17; James 5:1–6 🎙️ Speaker: Pastor Chris Zauner 📚 Series: Show Me Your Faith ▶️ Week 8: Whose Life Is It Anyways? If this message encourages or challenges you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and continue walking with us through the book of James. Key Topics: Christian stewardship, surrender to God, trusting God with your future, God’s will, pride and humility, biblical stewardship, money and faith, Christian finances, obedience to God, delayed obedience, control and anxiety, Lordship of Jesus, book of James sermon, James 4 sermon, James 5 sermon, Christian discipleship, faith in action, trusting God, living for eternity, generosity, biblical wisdom #ShowMeYourFaith #BookOfJames #PastorChrisZauner #ChristianSermon #TrustGod #SurrenderToGod #JesusIsLord #FaithInAction #BiblicalStewardship #James4 #James5 #ChristianLiving #Obedience #Faith

    Whose Life Is It Anyways? | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 8)

  5. Sep 15

    The Extended Cut: The War Within | Chris Zauner & Casey Olsen

    What if the conflict around you is revealing something deeper within you? In this week’s episode of The Extended Cut, Chris Zahner and Casey Olson dive deeper into Chris’ sermon, “The War Within,” from Grace City Church’s series through the book of James. James 4 confronts us with an uncomfortable reality: the battles we experience in our relationships, circumstances, and everyday lives often reveal a deeper battle happening inside our hearts. What begins as a desire can become a demand—and before long, people become obstacles to what we want or tools to help us get it. Chris and Casey unpack what it looks like to stop simply managing the symptoms of conflict and begin addressing the deeper issues underneath them. They explore the difference between asking God to bless our plans and allowing prayer to actually align our desires with His. They discuss surrender, lordship, repentance, and why following Jesus means more than giving God selected areas of our lives. As Chris puts it, we can’t surrender to God while flirting with another kingdom. The conversation also goes deeper into one of the sermon’s most challenging ideas: don’t rush conviction. James tells believers to “be wretched and mourn and weep” before reminding them to humble themselves before the Lord. Rather than quickly escaping the discomfort of conviction, there are moments when we need to recognize the real weight of our sin, grieve what it has produced, and allow that conviction to lead us toward genuine repentance and transformation. Chris also takes us behind the sermon and shares how preaching through James has personally challenged him as a pastor, husband, father, disciple-maker, and leader—including the temptation to pray according to his own passions rather than seeking God’s heart. Ultimately, the war within isn’t won through better behavior management or greater self-reliance. Something has to die. Will it be our sin—or will we allow that sin to slowly destroy our relationships, character, and spiritual lives? Thankfully, James gives us hope: “But He gives more grace.” Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 🎧 Watch or listen to Chris’ full sermon, “The War Within,” and then join us for this deeper conversation about James 4, spiritual warfare, repentance, surrender, prayer, discipleship, and what it means to truly follow Jesus. 🙏 SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM Join Grace City Church every Wednesday at 6:30 AM as we gather to pray for our church, our city, and God’s direction for our community. 📲 GET CONNECTED AT GRACE CITY Download the Church Center app and find Grace City Church to discover upcoming events, groups, men’s and women’s gatherings, Next Gen opportunities, campus events, and more. If this conversation encouraged or challenged you, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. #TheExtendedCut #TheWarWithin #GraceCityChurch #James4 #BookOfJames #ChristianPodcast #ChristianSermon #SpiritualWarfare #FollowingJesus #Discipleship #Repentance #SurrenderToGod #ChristianLiving #Faith #Jesus

  6. Sep 13

    The War Within | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 7)

    What if the conflict happening around you is revealing a deeper conflict happening within you? In “The War Within,” Pastor Chris Zauner continues Week 7 of our “Show Me Your Faith” series through the book of James, teaching from James 4:1–12 about the desires, passions, pride, and divided loyalties that can quietly wage war inside our hearts. James asks a confronting question: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” His answer points us beyond our circumstances and relationships and toward something deeper—the desires within us that have moved from simple wants to demands. In this message, Pastor Chris challenges us to stop merely managing the conflicts around us and begin allowing God to transform what is happening inside us. You’ll discover why: • The wars around us often reveal the war within us• A desire becomes dangerous when it becomes a demand• Conflict can function like a dashboard warning light, revealing deeper heart issues• Prayer is not about getting God aligned with our desires, but aligning our desires with God• Friendship with the world competes with wholehearted surrender to Jesus• Pride fights for control, while humility trusts God• We cannot resist the devil while refusing to submit to God• Repentance is not self-hatred—it is coming home to the Father• True freedom begins when we surrender the throne of our lives to Jesus James gives a strong warning about pride, selfish ambition, worldly desires, and divided allegiance—but he also gives us incredible hope: “But He gives more grace.” — James 4:6 No matter how much pride, insecurity, anger, selfishness, failure, or sin is uncovered in us, God’s grace is greater. Jesus did not come simply to help us manage our behavior. He came to take the rightful throne of our hearts. Maybe the greatest victory God wants to give you isn’t victory over another person, circumstance, or conflict. Maybe He wants to give you victory over the thing that has been ruling you. The war within ends when the rightful King gets the throne. As you watch, ask the Holy Spirit: “What in me needs to surrender?” Approval?Control?Comfort?Recognition?Success?A relationship?An offense?The need to be right? Whatever God reveals, remember the promise of James: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 God gives more grace. 📖 Scripture: James 4:1–12🎙️ Message: The War Within👤 Speaker: Pastor Chris Zauner📚 Series: Show Me Your Faith📅 Week 7 If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who may need to hear it, subscribe for more sermons and biblical teaching, and join us as we continue studying the book of James and learning what genuine faith looks like when it is lived out. #TheWarWithin #ShowMeYourFaith #BookOfJames #James4 #PastorChrisZauner #ChristianSermon #BiblicalTeaching #FaithInAction #SurrenderToGod #GodsGrace #DrawNearToGod #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #JesusIsLord #Grace #Repentance #Humility #Faith #Sermon

    The War Within | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 7)

  7. Sep 9

    The Extended Cut: What Kind of Wisdom Is This? | Chris Zauner and Casey Olsen

    What kind of wisdom is shaping your life? In this episode of The Extended Cut, Pastors Chris and Casey go behind the scenes of Chris’ sermon, “What Kind of Wisdom Is This?” from James 3:13–18. They explore the contrast between earthly and heavenly wisdom, why something can appear effective without being godly, and how the condition of our hearts becomes visible through our relationships, reactions, and choices. The conversation also examines the power of repetition throughout James, the difference between condemnation and Spirit-led conviction, and our need for Scripture, Christian community, and trusted mentors who can help us walk in wisdom. Godly wisdom is not something we passively stumble into—it is a gift we pray for and a way of life we intentionally pursue.

  8. Sep 7

    What Kind of Wisdom Is This? | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 6)

    What kind of wisdom is shaping your life? In Week 6 of Show Me Your Faith, Pastor Chris Zauner continues through the book of James with a powerful message from James 3:13–18 about the difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. Throughout James, we see a consistent challenge: real faith becomes visible. Faith isn't simply something we profess with our mouths—it produces fruit in the way we live, speak, lead, respond to conflict, and treat the people around us. James now takes that challenge even deeper. What is underneath our words and actions? What kind of wisdom is shaping them? Biblical wisdom isn't proven by how much you know. It's revealed by the kind of person you're becoming. James warns that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder, conflict, and destructive behavior. This kind of wisdom may look intelligent, strategic, influential, or even successful—but James calls it earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Wisdom from above looks completely different. 📖 James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Godly wisdom produces humility instead of pride, peace instead of disorder, gentleness instead of harshness, mercy instead of condemnation, and teachability instead of the constant need to prove ourselves right. Ultimately, this wisdom points us directly to Jesus. The world says protect yourself. Jesus gave Himself for us. The world says get ahead of everyone else. Jesus became a servant. The world says make your enemies pay. Jesus prayed for His enemies while they crucified Him. The world says use power for yourself. Jesus used His authority to save us. Jesus doesn't merely possess wisdom—He is the embodiment of God's wisdom. This message challenges us to examine what comes out of us when we're corrected, overlooked, disappointed, criticized, or confronted. Our words tell stories about our hearts, and our relationships reveal the kind of wisdom shaping our lives. Maybe the prayer we need isn't simply, “God, give me the right answer.” Maybe it's: “God, give me wisdom from above. Make me the kind of person who can carry Your wisdom, Your strength, and Your heart into the world around me.” ▶️ Watch Show Me Your Faith | Week 6 with Pastor Chris Zauner and discover what it means to pursue wisdom that doesn't simply increase what you know—but transforms the way you live. 📖 Scripture: James 3:13–18 🎙️ Speaker: Pastor Chris Zauner 📚 Series: Show Me Your Faith 💡 Topic: Wisdom From Above If this message encouraged or challenged you, like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use this message today. #ShowMeYourFaith #James3 #WisdomFromAbove #GodlyWisdom #BookOfJames #ChristianSermon #PastorChrisZauner #FaithInAction #BiblicalWisdom #Jesus #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Faith #BibleTeaching #Sermon

    What Kind of Wisdom Is This? | Chris Zauner | Show Me Your Faith (Week 6)
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Grace City Eugene exists to help everyone in our sphere of influence encounter Christ, experience Biblical community, and extend God's Kingdom. Learn more about us at www.gracecityeugene.com If we can help you in any way, reach out to hello@gracecityeugene.com

Information

  • Creator
    Grace City Eugene
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    493
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Grace City Eugene
  • Show Website
    Grace City Eugene