Wells Branch Community Church

Chris Plekenpol

Wells Branch Community Church exists to: Love God. Love people. Make disciples. Pastor Chris Plekenpol is the primary communicator at Wells Branch Community Church. You can find the latest sermon here.

  1. 5d ago

    Nehemiah 10: Unboxing Breakaway

    Send us Fan Mail The story of Nehemiah is one of the most honest books in the Bible. It shows what happens when God's people get serious about rebuilding, repenting, and recommitting. But it also shows what happens next: they fall right back into the same patterns. If you have ever made a sincere promise to God and broken it, Nehemiah's story is your story too. In this message, we walk through the key moments of Nehemiah's journey, from his prayer in the ruins to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, to the powerful moment when the people gathered to hear the Word of God and were broken by conviction. We look at the covenant they made in Nehemiah chapter 10, the specific commitments they wrote down and signed their names to, and we ask the honest question: why did it all fall apart by chapter 13? The answer points us directly to the gospel. The Old Covenant placed the responsibility on the people, and every time it did, it eventually broke down. Not because the law was wrong, but because sinners cannot sustain obedience through willpower alone. The New Covenant is completely different. God walked through the covenant ceremony alone when He made His promise to Abraham. Jesus fulfilled every requirement of the law, bore the full curse of sin at the cross, and rose again as our permanent High Priest. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This message is for anyone who is tired of the cycle of conviction, commitment, and failure. It is for anyone who has been trying to fix a spiritual problem with human effort. The gospel is not about making bad people a little better. It is about making dead people alive. God is not waiting for another promise. He is inviting you to stop bargaining and start receiving the grace He has already given through Christ. Topics covered include the meaning of covenant in the Bible, the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, why the law cannot save us, how Jesus fulfills the covenant, what it means to live under grace, the role of the Holy Spirit in transformation, and what it looks like to be part of a covenant community in the local church.

    37 min
  2. Jun 24

    John 17: Offensive Prayer

    Send us Fan Mail Did you know Jesus prayed for you by name before you were ever born? In John 17, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed not just for His disciples but for every person who would ever believe through their message. That includes you. This message explores one of the most personal and overlooked passages in all of Scripture. Jesus prays three things for every believer: that we would be unified, that we would receive the Father's love, and that we would one day be with Him. But the heart of the message centers on one stunning verse. In John 17:23, Jesus asks the Father to love us the same way He loves Jesus. Not similarly. Not almost as much. Equal to. Before Jesus performed a single miracle or preached a single sermon, the Father spoke over Him at His baptism and said, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Three things every person longs to hear: I love you. I am proud of you. You are mine. That is the love God wants to give you. The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 shows us what that love looks like in action. The father does not wait for an apology. He sees his son from a distance and runs. He restores him completely, not because the son earned it, but because that is who the father is. That is who God is toward you. Many people find it difficult to share their faith, not because they do not care, but because it is nearly impossible to give away a love you have never fully received. This message challenges you to sit with the Father's love until it becomes real, and then to look for one person in your life who needs to hear it. Topics covered include the power of offensive prayer, why evangelism feels so hard, the chain of ordinary people God uses to spread the gospel, Christian unity as a witness to the world, the unconditional love of God the Father, and how to be part of Jesus answering His own prayer.

    41 min
  3. Jun 9

    Titus 3: Training in Godliness

    Send us Fan Mail Discover the biblical relationship between good works and salvation in this powerful message about living a fruitful Christian life. Learn why good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root, and how understanding this distinction transforms your motivation for serving others. This teaching explores Paul's instructions in Titus 3 about practical Christianity, showing how acts of love, service, and kindness naturally flow from hearts changed by God's grace. Find out what good works actually look like in daily life - from showing courtesy and avoiding gossip to meeting urgent community needs and sharing the gospel. Understand why we don't serve to earn God's favor, but because we're already saved by His mercy. Learn how to avoid the distractions that make churches unfruitful, including endless theological debates and controversial arguments that waste time and energy. Discover how good works shine the light of Christ in a dark world and create opportunities for gospel conversations. This message addresses common misconceptions about works-based salvation while providing practical guidance for living out your faith through service to others. Perfect for Christians wanting to understand biblical motivation for good works, church leaders teaching about practical Christianity, and anyone struggling with the balance between faith and works. Get equipped with biblical principles for fruitful Christian living that honors God and blesses your community.

    36 min
  4. Jun 2

    Titus 2: Training in Godliness

    Send us Fan Mail Discover what it truly means to live a godly life in today's world. This comprehensive guide explores Christian maturity, biblical doctrine, and practical holy living based on Titus chapter 2. Learn about the three essential pillars of faith: God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's people, and how disconnecting from any of these creates spiritual problems. Understand the three dimensions of sound doctrine - orthodoxy (right thinking), orthopraxy (right actions), and orthopathy (right feelings) - and how they work together in Christian discipleship. Explore practical instructions for different life stages and roles: guidance for older men on being sober-minded and dignified, wisdom for older women in mentoring relationships, direction for younger women in family priorities, and foundational principles for younger men in developing self-control. Discover how Christian character in the workplace adorns the doctrine of God and creates powerful testimony. Learn why godly living matters for evangelism and witness, and how transformed lives become beacons of hope in a broken world. Understand the difference between trying harder to be good and being transformed by God's grace. This biblical teaching addresses modern challenges in Christian living, family relationships, workplace integrity, mentorship, discipleship, and spiritual growth. Perfect for believers seeking practical wisdom on holy living, church leaders teaching on Christian character, and anyone wanting to understand how faith impacts daily life. Keywords: Christian living, godliness, biblical doctrine, Titus 2, spiritual maturity, holy living, Christian character, discipleship, mentorship, family values, workplace integrity, spiritual transformation, grace, orthodoxy, orthopraxy, orthopathy.

    36 min
  5. Jun 1

    Titus 1: Training in Godliness

    Send us Fan Mail Understanding Biblical Church Leadership and Elder Qualifications - What Does Scripture Say About Church Elders and Their Role in Christian Growth and Discipleship? This comprehensive study of Titus chapter 1 explores the essential role of church elders in cultivating godliness and spiritual maturity within local congregations. Learn how churches function like spiritual gardens requiring intentional care and cultivation to produce the fruit of godliness in believers' lives. Discover the three primary ways elders serve their congregations: bringing life-giving order and structure to church governance, providing sound biblical doctrine and godly examples for members to follow, and protecting the flock by confronting false teaching and doctrinal error. The biblical qualifications for elders outlined in Titus aren't superhuman standards but achievable qualities that demonstrate Christian maturity and provide a model for all believers to pursue. This teaching addresses common misconceptions about church authority and governance, showing how elder leadership creates freedom rather than restriction. Learn about the dangers of false teaching and why elders must be willing to make difficult decisions to protect their congregations from spiritual harm. Whether you're considering church leadership, want to better understand biblical church structure, or desire to grow in Christian maturity, this study provides practical insights for spiritual growth and discipleship. Topics covered include church governance, biblical leadership qualifications, confronting false doctrine, Christian discipleship, spiritual maturity, church membership, and the role of teaching in the local church. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, seminary students, and anyone seeking to understand God's design for healthy church leadership and spiritual growth in the Christian life.

    40 min

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Wells Branch Community Church exists to: Love God. Love people. Make disciples. Pastor Chris Plekenpol is the primary communicator at Wells Branch Community Church. You can find the latest sermon here.