Chapel Hill Bible Church

Prayer is a crucial part of our efforts to share the good news of Jesus with others. Yet we often forget to pray or are unsure of what and how to pray. This Sunday, we will look at three specific prayers in the New Testament to give us some guidance as we make Jesus known.

We were created out of, into, and for community. This Sunday, we will see how community is at the heart of God and His people and what that means for CHBC to live into our mission statement to equip our church as a community to reach the Triangle and beyond with the message of Jesus.

Jesus is our Savior, amen. Jesus wants to shape us into Himself in character, amen. But, Jesus also wants to use our lives in a way that he modeled for us - radically Spirit dependent lives, with particular gifts the Spirit has given us to use for the building of the church and the advance of the Gospel. We are going to begin a brief miniseries, leading up to Made for Mission, around our 3 ministry goals: Equip, Community, Reach. This Sunday we will discuss Ephesians 4:1-16 and the vision of a church gifted with spoils of Holy War by a Holy Savior, Jesus, by the Spirit, working together in unity and love. Our Equip vision is to obey this passage and one of the key strategies to accomplish this vision is for our leaders to equip or body to use their grace gifts for the glory of God.

If you came home one night and noticed a fire breaking out in your neighbor's house, what would you do? You would warn them. You would call 911. You would pound on the door. You might even break down the door if necessary to save their lives. Do we believe the Bible when it says, “This is the testimony of God that he has born concerning his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life?” (1 John 5:12) If so, how do we practice the Greatest Commandment from Matthew 22 and the the Great Commission from Matthew 28 in today's culture?

God so desires a relationship with us, not a casual friendship or acquaintance nor to just provide direction in our lives. No, He desires an intimate relationship with us. It's the kind that the world strives for between two people but can never achieve. It is the kind that no other religion offers or believes in.But it is entirely different. He already knows us intimately, down to every thought we have had to every fear that we hold to so dearly. And He wants us to know Him through his Word and through prayer.This Sunday we are going to look at what this God-desired intimacy looks like, examining examples from the Bible and talk about how we can grow closer and closer to our Heavenly Father. We'll be reminded about what Jesus has done at the Father's will to allow us this privilege.

We're on the cusp of a new year and we'll be looking closely at Hebrews 3:1 as we seek to savor Jesus more in 2024 and thereby guard against Satan, sin, strange teachings, spiritual sluggishness, and suffering.

Merry Christmas, Bible Church! We conclude Advent and begin Christmas this Sunday - in one day as we share Christmas Eve! We have been marinating in the Gospel of John, moving from the idea of wishing the gospel story was true, to wanting the gospel story to be true, to actually believing the gospel story to be true, to the ultimate goal, worship. Our passage in John 20:11-18 and in it we see a beautiful picture of worship - hope fulfilled, the real and risen Jesus, and the call to go and tell.

The joy of Advent is the object of our longings, namely, Jesus. There are truths about Jesus that get me fired up and hopeful, yes. I thirst for knowledge about Jesus and the world he rules, indeed. But the Scripture paints a picture of belief that is not less than a teaching moment but far more. It is a wedding scene. In Advent, I am reminded that I await a marriage - to Jesus. My belief is love and trust given to the lover of my soul, Jesus. Belief is union with my Savior. That is very different than what a lot of people think about with faith, and belief, etc. The call to follow Jesus is a call to be in intimacy with him - shame-destroying, sin-forgiving, holiness-making, beautiful union with the King of Kings. 

Sometimes we want to want a thing. We see merit but realistically we're not going to expend much effort because we're just not feeling hot about it yet. But then something happens. We get to the point of actually wanting something. That is a game-changer. A lot of people want to want the Truth, but often life and other things just gets in the way. Or maybe it goes deeper. Maybe OUR glory gets in the way. The story of John 1:6-18 is about our ultimate design and desire - Jesus as the very glory of God... and not just as an idea; Jesus IS the glory we are designed to have intimacy with.

Sometimes we want to want a thing. We see merit but realistically we're not going to expend much effort because we're just not feeling hot about it yet. But then something happens. We get to the point of actually wanting something. That is a game-changer. A lot of people want to want the Truth, but often life and other things just gets in the way. Or maybe it goes deeper. Maybe OUR glory gets in the way. The story of John 1:6-18 is about our ultimate design and desire - Jesus as the very glory of God... and not just as an idea; Jesus IS the glory we are designed to have intimacy with.

For the last 3 years during Advent, we've been going through each of the Gospel accounts and now we conclude with the fourth gospel, John. And, this Sunday, we start our journey with some of the most ultimate and heavenly truths about Jesus - He is the eternal, divine, creator, and life-giver Son of God, God of God, Savior. 

For the last 3 years during Advent, we've been going through each of the Gospel accounts and now we conclude with the fourth gospel, John. And, this Sunday, we start our journey with some of the most ultimate and heavenly truths about Jesus - He is the eternal, divine, creator, and life-giver Son of God, God of God, Savior. 

We'll be sojourning through Genesis 26 with Isaac, as he learns of God's faithful, gracious, glorious presence and blessing. God promises us that He will be with us, is with us, and always has been with us-- because He is faithful, by His grace, for His own glory.

We'll be sojourning through Genesis 26 with Isaac, as he learns of God's faithful, gracious, glorious presence and blessing. God promises us that He will be with us, is with us, and always has been with us-- because He is faithful, by His grace, for His own glory.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. That sentence is both startling and heartening. Jesus echoed it and yet he did not invent it in the NT. Jesus is citing a truth that had existed for millennia. In fact, it all goes back to Genesis 25 - a story of Abraham's death, twins, a stolen and impetuous trading of a birthright and yet a story of the grace of God to choose the unlikely to be the blessed one.Two things to prepare for:1) What is an area of temptation you face in terms of instant gratification that could negatively impact your longterm future? And, ....2) Where is an area you need to resolve in your life where God is calling you to go last, believing that in the long run you will be first?

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. That sentence is both startling and heartening. Jesus echoed it and yet he did not invent it in the NT. Jesus is citing a truth that had existed for millennia. In fact, it all goes back to Genesis 25 - a story of Abraham's death, twins, a stolen and impetuous trading of a birthright and yet a story of the grace of God to choose the unlikely to be the blessed one.Two things to prepare for:1) What is an area of temptation you face in terms of instant gratification that could negatively impact your longterm future? And, ....2) Where is an area you need to resolve in your life where God is calling you to go last, believing that in the long run you will be first?

Sarah's story is over, for now. And she must be replaced. There must be a new woman of the house but also a wife so the line of promise continues. That woman is named Rebekah. Our story unfolds the Promise, Providence, and Purpose of God to provide a wife for Isaac and in doing so just might give us some wise insights on longing for, looking for, and discerning about a future spouse. This story also applies to those who are single, currently married, and post marriage, because this story ultimately points us to Jesus.

Sarah's story is over, for now. And she must be replaced. There must be a new woman of the house but also a wife so the line of promise continues. That woman is named Rebekah. Our story unfolds the Promise, Providence, and Purpose of God to provide a wife for Isaac and in doing so just might give us some wise insights on longing for, looking for, and discerning about a future spouse. This story also applies to those who are single, currently married, and post marriage, because this story ultimately points us to Jesus.

Is God asking you to something that seems out of step with His character but you are pretty sure He in fact is the one calling you to it? Does it ever seem like something is from God's hand yet out of step with His word? Let me be blunt: Does God ever seem foolish to you? What if I told you that God is foolish - to our earthly eyes. Perhaps there is a wisdom so wise that it confounds us to the bottom of our feet? The Bible does not hide this fact. In fact, that truth is at the heart of the Bible - God is a God who gives over the treasure of the universe to die SO THAT we may have life and so He gets even greater glory. 

Is God asking you to something that seems out of step with His character but you are pretty sure He in fact is the one calling you to it? Does it ever seem like something is from God's hand yet out of step with His word? Let me be blunt: Does God ever seem foolish to you? What if I told you that God is foolish - to our earthly eyes. Perhaps there is a wisdom so wise that it confounds us to the bottom of our feet? The Bible does not hide this fact. In fact, that truth is at the heart of the Bible - God is a God who gives over the treasure of the universe to die SO THAT we may have life and so He gets even greater glory. 

One of the hardest things to do as a Christian is to give something over that you depend upon, you are fond of, that seems to give you some semblance of vitality and yet you know it is getting in the way of the Lord. In Genesis 21, we have a story of that crisis in Abraham's life. He was called to give over a son. He will be called to do that twice in this section. But this son, Ishmael, is the son of the slave woman and not the son of Promise. He is a stumbling stone and Abraham needs to do the right thing. So Abraham, in much grief, obeys. And then God does something stunning... just as he will in Chapter 22. Please read both chapters. See the parallels. And picture the shadow of Chapter 22 casting itself upon Chapter 21.

One of the hardest things to do as a Christian is to give something over that you depend upon, you are fond of, that seems to give you some semblance of vitality and yet you know it is getting in the way of the Lord. In Genesis 21, we have a story of that crisis in Abraham's life. He was called to give over a son. He will be called to do that twice in this section. But this son, Ishmael, is the son of the slave woman and not the son of Promise. He is a stumbling stone and Abraham needs to do the right thing. So Abraham, in much grief, obeys. And then God does something stunning... just as he will in Chapter 22. Please read both chapters. See the parallels. And picture the shadow of Chapter 22 casting itself upon Chapter 21.

Sometimes stories in the Bible repeat themselves. Genesis 20 is one of those. At first blush, it seems to repeat the story of Abraham lying to a powerful and dangerous king about Sarah being his 'sister' so that the king won't kill him to get Sarah. That is part of a pattern, for sure, but there is another really important layer in Genesis 20, that sets it apart from the prior story with Pharaoh. This king is open to the truth. Abimelech wants to do the right thing, even in his current pagan worldview. In our story, Abraham learns he does not need to fear the king of the land and the consequences of honesty. Abraham, on the contrary, needs to fear and heed God's grace, because the apparent enemy might in fact be a future brother in the Lord. That has significant ramifications for us, God's people, who live among the nations today, nations who are being prepared by God to receive the truth when presented with it.

Sometimes stories in the Bible repeat themselves. Genesis 20 is one of those. At first blush, it seems to repeat the story of Abraham lying to a powerful and dangerous king about Sarah being his 'sister' so that the king won't kill him to get Sarah. That is part of a pattern, for sure, but there is another really important layer in Genesis 20, that sets it apart from the prior story with Pharaoh. This king is open to the truth. Abimelech wants to do the right thing, even in his current pagan worldview. In our story, Abraham learns he does not need to fear the king of the land and the consequences of honesty. Abraham, on the contrary, needs to fear and heed God's grace, because the apparent enemy might in fact be a future brother in the Lord. That has significant ramifications for us, God's people, who live among the nations today, nations who are being prepared by God to receive the truth when presented with it.

“We become what we worship,” said Andrew Wilson as he was speaking at the Gospel Coalition this past week. He's so right. We are living in a world with decayed moral standards, idolatry thru the worship of false gods (technology, social media, etc.), and we wonder just how far we really are from Sodom and Gomorrah.Genesis 19 shows us a story of a man that returned to a land with LOTs of sins, settled down and was living among them. Lot became what he was worshipping. And yet because of the promise to one man (Abraham), God saved Lot. 

“We become what we worship,” said Andrew Wilson as he was speaking at the Gospel Coalition this past week. He's so right. We are living in a world with decayed moral standards, idolatry thru the worship of false gods (technology, social media, etc.), and we wonder just how far we really are from Sodom and Gomorrah.Genesis 19 shows us a story of a man that returned to a land with LOTs of sins, settled down and was living among them. Lot became what he was worshipping. And yet because of the promise to one man (Abraham), God saved Lot. 

Anxiety is essential worry on an IV drip. If we can get to moments of worry, we can do a lot to deconstruct anxiety. This whole section of Genesis forces us to deal with doubt and the beauty of trusting the Word of God. Genesis 18 continues that story as it reveals something so very important about God - He is able! Nothing is too hard for God (18:14). That raw and rugged truth is a balm and a bomb of worry deconstructing conviction. I pray we are comforted, challenged, and transformed by this story of the infinitely able God.

Anxiety is essential worry on an IV drip. If we can get to moments of worry, we can do a lot to deconstruct anxiety. This whole section of Genesis forces us to deal with doubt and the beauty of trusting the Word of God. Genesis 18 continues that story as it reveals something so very important about God - He is able! Nothing is too hard for God (18:14). That raw and rugged truth is a balm and a bomb of worry deconstructing conviction. I pray we are comforted, challenged, and transformed by this story of the infinitely able God.

Abram is 99. Sarai is 90. But God is Almighty, El Shaddai. That changes everything. It changes Abram to Abraham. It changes Sarai to Sarah. And it changes the male body in Israel - circumcision - a gory, bloody, painful mark to something beautiful and Christward. In this passage, we hear the Word of God proclaim the mercy and power of God in something as strange as circumcision and what it means for us today as we strive to follow Jesus.

Abram is 99. Sarai is 90. But God is Almighty, El Shaddai. That changes everything. It changes Abram to Abraham. It changes Sarai to Sarah. And it changes the male body in Israel - circumcision - a gory, bloody, painful mark to something beautiful and Christward. In this passage, we hear the Word of God proclaim the mercy and power of God in something as strange as circumcision and what it means for us today as we strive to follow Jesus.

Worse than failure as you follow God - much, much worse - is success in living apart from Him. In fact, the truth of the matter is: when you fail in the things of this world precisely because you are following God, that is ACTUALLY success. So, what do we do when there is a gap, maybe a big gap, between the promises of God and our present reality? What do we do with so much waiting around for God to act on his promises? Genesis 16 is another story of dealing with that waiting period and it is a very provocative story that is extraordinarily realistic in its representation of human fear and brokenness when faith is tested but also a beautiful testimony of God's patience and grace with us and His dogged commitment to keep his promises.

Worse than failure as you follow God - much, much worse - is success in living apart from Him. In fact, the truth of the matter is: when you fail in the things of this world precisely because you are following God, that is ACTUALLY success. So, what do we do when there is a gap, maybe a big gap, between the promises of God and our present reality? What do we do with so much waiting around for God to act on his promises? Genesis 16 is another story of dealing with that waiting period and it is a very provocative story that is extraordinarily realistic in its representation of human fear and brokenness when faith is tested but also a beautiful testimony of God's patience and grace with us and His dogged commitment to keep his promises.

Have you ever had your heart leap and your stomach sink when you thought about the future and it occurred to you that you have no idea how to proceed with what little resources you have? That sinking feeling is anxiety. Often the next beat is our inventive ability to figure out how to proceed with our resources - the things we can see, have at our disposal, and seem to have control over. And that works... until it doesn't. What if our souls could be anchored in something so true, so real, and so powerful that we could restfully walk in God's ways into the future, trusting Him to provide based on what He has already provided in full? That is the point of the story of Genesis 15.

Have you ever had your heart leap and your stomach sink when you thought about the future and it occurred to you that you have no idea how to proceed with what little resources you have? That sinking feeling is anxiety. Often the next beat is our inventive ability to figure out how to proceed with our resources - the things we can see, have at our disposal, and seem to have control over. And that works... until it doesn't. What if our souls could be anchored in something so true, so real, and so powerful that we could restfully walk in God's ways into the future, trusting Him to provide based on what He has already provided in full? That is the point of the story of Genesis 15.

At the end of the day, what is a church ultimately for? Fill up the spiritual tank once a week? A place to get medicine for personal hurt or soul wounds? A one-stop-shop for learning and experiences that lead me closer to Jesus with excellent programs and production? A place of easy entry for non-Christians or young Christians who need the basics of faith? OK, you sense the cheekiness, but I admit there is some truth in those descriptions but all of them are also incomplete and not founded on the most important things. For this final Sunday of our Meaningful Membership series, we will look at Ephesian 1 to take in what the church is for - ultimately to behold the infinitely vast treasure of God's grace to us through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and to treasure that in all of life. 

At the end of the day, what is a church ultimately for? Fill up the spiritual tank once a week? A place to get medicine for personal hurt or soul wounds? A one-stop-shop for learning and experiences that lead me closer to Jesus with excellent programs and production? A place of easy entry for non-Christians or young Christians who need the basics of faith? OK, you sense the cheekiness, but I admit there is some truth in those descriptions but all of them are also incomplete and not founded on the most important things. For this final Sunday of our Meaningful Membership series, we will look at Ephesian 1 to take in what the church is for - ultimately to behold the infinitely vast treasure of God's grace to us through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and to treasure that in all of life. 

Is it possible to have a church that has strong attendance, has a beautiful campus, has strong Biblical doctrine, is well respected in the community, has gifted and highly trained leaders, is financially stable, and has a great vision and mission and yet be totally fruitless??? Unfortunately, yes. That's why we'll look at 1 Corinthians 13 to see what actually is a church where the Gospel is the culture. 

Is it possible to have a church that has strong attendance, has a beautiful campus, has strong Biblical doctrine, is well respected in the community, has gifted and highly trained leaders, is financially stable, and has a great vision and mission and yet be totally fruitless??? Unfortunately, yes. That's why we'll look at 1 Corinthians 13 to see what actually is a church where the Gospel is the culture. 

Do you want a church deep in prayer? Would you like to grow to be more like Jesus personally? What's the best way to disciple a younger believer? Why is it that every Christian is a minister of the gospel and that their Monday through Saturday is sacred? How do I parent in a godly way? Why is justice important and how do I serve justice in our broken world? What is racial equality so important? These are great question and very important topics. And, a local church can pursue all of those things, with fruitfulness and faithfulness if one central thing is our orientating core - the Bible. In fact, while those aforementioned issues are important, the most important thing in life is worship of the Triune God. To be radically Biblical is to dwell in the spiritual zip code where God dwells, with the power and guidance we need to fellowship with the Living God.

Do you want a church deep in prayer? Would you like to grow to be more like Jesus personally? What's the best way to disciple a younger believer? Why is it that every Christian is a minister of the gospel and that their Monday through Saturday is sacred? How do I parent in a godly way? Why is justice important and how do I serve justice in our broken world? What is racial equality so important? These are great question and very important topics. And, a local church can pursue all of those things, with fruitfulness and faithfulness if one central thing is our orientating core - the Bible. In fact, while those aforementioned issues are important, the most important thing in life is worship of the Triune God. To be radically Biblical is to dwell in the spiritual zip code where God dwells, with the power and guidance we need to fellowship with the Living God.

More than a discipline, prayer is a reflex of the heart renewed by the grace of Christ, a heart that sees its need before the sovereign and holy God met by a glorious Savior. At least from the human side, prayer is the life of a local church. Our own energy in prayer will grow as we apprehend the greatness of our God, our need of Christ, and the wonder of the salvation he has accomplished. Please pray that we would see these things as they are as Revelation 5 is proclaimed.

More than a discipline, prayer is a reflex of the heart renewed by the grace of Christ, a heart that sees its need before the sovereign and holy God met by a glorious Savior. At least from the human side, prayer is the life of a local church. Our own energy in prayer will grow as we apprehend the greatness of our God, our need of Christ, and the wonder of the salvation he has accomplished. Please pray that we would see these things as they are as Revelation 5 is proclaimed.

My life is not my own. Say that with me: "My life is not my own." Let's say it one more time: "My life is not my own." OK. I had us do that little exercise because everyday we battle the temptation to believe our lives belong to us. We are the owners! I own my time, my talent, and my treasure. One problem. That is wrong. God is the owner. He created those things. He sustains those things. BUT He has graciously bestowed time, some form of talent, and some financial resources to me that I (and you) might steward them. And, part of being a meaningful member in a church is to have a theology, a heart, and a pattern of life that shows we believe we are stewards and we are part of God's church and we use our time, talent, and treasure to further the Gospel in the church and through the church with the gifts and grace God has given us.

My life is not my own. Say that with me: "My life is not my own." Let's say it one more time: "My life is not my own." OK. I had us do that little exercise because everyday we battle the temptation to believe our lives belong to us. We are the owners! I own my time, my talent, and my treasure. One problem. That is wrong. God is the owner. He created those things. He sustains those things. BUT He has graciously bestowed time, some form of talent, and some financial resources to me that I (and you) might steward them. And, part of being a meaningful member in a church is to have a theology, a heart, and a pattern of life that shows we believe we are stewards and we are part of God's church and we use our time, talent, and treasure to further the Gospel in the church and through the church with the gifts and grace God has given us.

The "koinonia" and the mission and the spiritual life of our church are very connected to the two sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Table.

The "koinonia" and the mission and the spiritual life of our church are very connected to the two sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Table.

How does the Lord use the local church to bring those to faith? Join us as we look at the early church and how certain convictions led to saving of many souls.

How does the Lord use the local church to bring those to faith? Join us as we look at the early church and how certain convictions led to saving of many souls.

What would move you out of your comfort zone and energize you towards Missions?!? What will move the church out of the shallow waters of self-interest to pursue a costly ministry for the advance of Christ's kingdom around the world? It is not an interest on Global mission and its meaning… it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you see what Jesus did in the Cross for you - the pain, the suffering, the wrath of God, the love of God, our Savior - a passion will light in our hearts for missions. We have one mediator, who gave himself as a ransom for all, and we are to share Him!

What would move you out of your comfort zone and energize you towards Missions?!? What will move the church out of the shallow waters of self-interest to pursue a costly ministry for the advance of Christ's kingdom around the world? It is not an interest on Global mission and its meaning… it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you see what Jesus did in the Cross for you - the pain, the suffering, the wrath of God, the love of God, our Savior - a passion will light in our hearts for missions. We have one mediator, who gave himself as a ransom for all, and we are to share Him!

This week we take up the them of Covenanting Together. The body of Christ is called to live in an intentional, deep, durable, and covenant-level relationship with each other. The term that holds all of that together is a Biblical word Koinonia. It is found in several places but it is very prominent in Paul's letter to the Philippians. The word is a business word. It evokes a relationship that is defined by being so committed in a mutual relationship that both assets and liabilities are shared. There are no protections. No limiting clauses. That is the relationship Paul had with the church of Philippi. That is the kind of relationship Paul is calling us to have with each other, too. And, one of the profound reasons we should have this type of relationship, including sharing in each other's sufferings, is that God uses it to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is worth it.