Revive Chicago Church Revive Chicago Church

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the miracles of Jesus as depicted in Mark chapter 6, specifically the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water. These narratives are linked to reveal Jesus' divine nature and his identity as greater than Moses. 
Key Points:
Jesus' miracles are not just demonstrations of power but carry deep symbolic meaning, connecting him to key figures like Moses and revealing his divine mission.The feeding of the 5,000 is a pivotal event that symbolizes Jesus as the new Moses, providing manna in the wilderness, but this time offering a miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish.Jesus walking on water is a moment of divine revelation, where he echoes God's name revealed to Moses with the declaration "I Am," affirming his divinity and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.The disciples' reactions to Jesus' miracles, ranging from awe to confusion and fear, mirror our own spiritual journey and the struggle to fully comprehend the divine.The sermon addresses spiritual blindness and the hardened hearts of the disciples, drawing parallels to contemporary faith challenges and the importance of introspection and humility.In the end, this story calls for a heart transformation. We cannot be like the disciples with hardness of heart. We must move from routine religious practices to authentic encounters with God.Scripture Reference: Mark chapter 6, focusing on the stories of the feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6:32-44) and Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:45-52).


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 week we delve into the concept of biblical covenants, exploring their enduring influence on the history and destiny of believers. The focus is on the seven major covenants within Scripture, with a particular emphasis on the covenant between God and Abraham. Through this examination, the sermon sheds light on the ancient practice of covenant-making, its rituals, and the importance of faith and commitment in these divine promises. The sermon underscores the contrast between ancient and modern views of spiritual commitments and calls for a renewed dedication to the covenant relationship with the divine.
Key Points:
The significance of understanding biblical covenants to grasp the narrative of the Bible.A comparison of the ubiquity of covenants in biblical times to the modern understanding of smartphones.The concept of covenant as a foundational element in biblical narratives, including kinship covenants and the necessity of a sacrifice or shedding of blood to establish these agreements.The story of God's promise to Abram, who worried about his lack of an heir, and God's assurance that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars.A discussion of the cultural context of Abraham's time, specifically regarding slavery and sacrificial rituals.The transformation of Abraham's covenant ritual, which reflects commitment and vigilance in upholding one's end of a covenant.An examination of the unconditional nature of God's covenant with Abraham, which promises land to his descendants without prerequisites, prefiguring the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.A call to move beyond a transactional view of faith to embrace the grace offered by the unconditional covenant.Scripture Reference:
Genesis chapter 15: The story of God's promise to Abram and the establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant.


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:
The sermon delves into the transformative power of faith-based fellowship, the balance between tradition and new beliefs in Christianity, and the vital role of communal worship. Drawing on Hebrews 10:25, it discusses the unknown authorship of the Book of Hebrews and considers the historical context of Jewish Christians facing persecution. The sermon emphasizes Jesus's sacrifice, which tore the veil to the Holy of Holies, granting believers boldness to approach God directly. It challenges psychological barriers that separate us from God, urging a sincere and confident faith. The discussion also addresses the importance of hope and God's faithfulness, rather than personal works or guilt. 

Key Points:
The importance of Christian fellowship is rooted in Hebrews 10:25, which emphasizes not abandoning communal worship, even amid adversity.The authorship of the Book of Hebrews is unknown, with Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila being potential authors who addressed the challenges Jewish Christians faced in reconciling their traditions with their new faith in Jesus.Early believers endured persecution from Romans and their community, which tempted some to revert to Judaism. The sermon stresses the importance of perseverance in gathering together as a community of faith.Jesus's sacrifice grants believers direct access to God, allowing them to approach with confidence, a privilege previously limited to the high priest once a year under the old covenant.Psychological barriers can inhibit our confidence in approaching God, but we are encouraged to recognize these as illusions since holiness is granted through grace, not earned by deeds.Holding unswervingly to hope is key, and the faithfulness of God is highlighted as the foundation of Christian hope, rather than our own faithfulness.The value of spurring one another toward love and good deeds, emphasizing community's role in understanding and growing in faith.Scripture References:
Hebrews 10:25 - Encouragement to not give up meeting together.The Book of Hebrews - General references to the book's messages and themes about Jesus's superiority and the new covenant.

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:
Listen in as we tackle a controversial topic stirring within the Christian community this week: the misapplication of the term "Jezebel spirit" and its non-biblical roots. This discussion brings to light the pitfalls of Christian leaders capitalizing on such concepts for personal gain, whether to sell books or build their social media presence. There have been real-world consequences of these false teachings, including the spread of gossip, slander and the unwarranted division it causes among believers. Moreover, we reflect on the biblical teachings that warn against gossip and slander and the importance of staying anchored in scripture rather than getting swept up in online theological spats.
In a heartfelt address to our congregation, we also touch upon the importance of unity and the dangers of engaging in divisive online debates. It's a reminder that sometimes the most profound act of faith is to avoid contention and instead, focus on our building up our faith community instead of tearing it down. Whether you're deeply entrenched in these debates or blissfully unaware, this conversation is a clarion call to prioritize faith and fellowship over controversy and conflict.
The sermon centered around the importance of unity within our community and staying true to the teachings of the Bible, specifically addressing the concerns around the misapplication of the term "Jezebel spirit".
Here are a few key takeaways from the sermon:
The term "Jezebel spirit" lacks a scriptural basis and should not be used to sow discord among believers or to further personal agendas.The term "Jezebel spirit" is literally nowhere to be found in the Bible. It never warns about it, talks about it or teaches on it. We should avoid making a big deal out of things that aren't taught in the Word.Our focus should be on the core values of our faith: grace, forgiveness, and the love of Christ, rather than on divisive narratives.As a community, we should avoid getting entangled in online disputes that distract us from our spiritual growth and the pursuit of unity.Personal responsibility is paramount in our conduct, and we must guard against gossip, slander, and false teachings.Embracing humility and showing love to one another is essential in nurturing a community rooted in Christ's teachings.Let us remember to invest our energies in building each other up, rather than being divided over unfounded teachings. Our path is one of love, support, and togetherness as we journey towards a deeper connection with Jesus and each other.
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

A brief message about how Jesus prayed and how we can be less religious when we pray. Mostly about how we can thank God in advance for what we're expecting Him to do, just like Jesus did when He fed the 5,000 people with just 5 loaves and two fishes. Matthew 14:19-20
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

Have you ever found yourself entranced by a tradition, only to wonder where it truly stems from or what it signifies? Today we discussed the surprising origins of some of the rituals we hold dear and examine how they align with the God's intentions set forth for us.

Tradition or true faith – where do you stand? We peel back the layers of religious practices, scrutinizing performative rituals and legal loopholes that Jesus rebuked, which often placed undue burdens on society's vulnerable.

One final part that gets missed is Matthews purposeful contrast between the Pharisees and the Canaanite woman.  In the end, her daughter is miraculously healed because of her mother's persistent faith.

Key Points:

1. The sermon challenges listeners to examine the origins and significance of their religious traditions, questioning whether these practices align with God's intentions.

2. A significant focus is on the distinction between human traditions and God's commandments, as exemplified by the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees in Matthew 15, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for valuing human traditions over divine commands.

3. Emphasis is placed on the importance of pure-hearted worship, not conditional upon feelings or emotions but based on acknowledging Jesus's worthiness.

4. The story of the Canaanite woman from the Gospels illustrates the power of persistent faith that transcends traditional barriers and how genuine desperation for Jesus can lead to miraculous outcomes.


Scripture References:

- Matthew 15: Jesus's confrontation with the Pharisees about handwashing rituals and their adherence to traditions over God's commandments.
- The healing of the Canaanite woman's daughter as an example of faith overcoming traditional barriers (referenced in the Gospels).
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