The preaching ministry of Christ's Church of Amherst
Watching others walk away from faith can feel like an earthquake to your soul. How can remembering where your faith began help you stand firm when life gets shaky?
We've been told independence is the path to strength, yet the weight of life keeps piling up — news alerts, expectations, setbacks, and regrets. When everything feels like too much to carry, how do we know who we can trust to carry it with us?
We often carry invisible weight—regret, self-punishment, or silence with God—hoping it'll fade on its own. But what if that weight is linked to something deeper we've been avoiding? How does the prayer Jesus gave us help release us from what's holding us back?
Some seasons feel like they stretch on forever—when nothing moves, nothing resolves, and the silence weighs heavier than the questions. What does Jesus' simple prayer teach us about holding on when the wait won't end?
We spend our lives building—homes, careers, families, legacies—believing that when we arrive, we'll finally feel complete. But what if fulfillment isn't found in what we make? How can we ensure we're chasing something lasting rather than something incomplete?
Familiar places don't always feel the same. Whether it's an old home, a past relationship, or even our faith, change unsettles us. But what if God is using an unexpected shift to shape something new in us? Explore Ezekiel's story and discover how God uses exile to bring us closer to him.
Aging is one of the great equalizers—no one escapes it. Yet, our culture fights against it, resisting the inevitable. But what if the very thing we fear holds the key to something greater? Could facing our limits with faith instead of fear unlock a deeper experience of life? See how Paul's words in Philippians challenge everything we assume about life, aging and mortality.
We spend so much of our lives working, yet for so many, the value and meaning that should be derived from work feel like they don't last or can no longer be found. Whether the work is too much, doesn't feel valuable, or leaves you dreaming of something better, we all struggle to find work that works. How can we make work meaningful when so often it doesn't feel like it's worth it? The book of Proverbs may hold the answer.
Hook: Have you ever wondered about worshipping God? Did I do it right? How should I feel? Why does my friend worship differently?
It seems like peace is something our world desperately needs. Peace in the midst of a world at war, peace in our ideological differences, peace in family disagreements, and peace for our busy, restless souls. But in the midst of division and difference and tension and demands, is Christmas peace still possible?
Whether it's a nagging project or an interesting possibility, we all have parts that feel constantly on the move. We are not made to be immobile! But what happens when our search ends up going down unproductive avenues? How can we keep the bad kind of seeking from creeping in? It turns out, an ancient and familiar story of magi traveling to see a newborn king has something to say about it.
Our day-to-day lives will get interrupted with the unexpected challenges, unknown people and disrupting events that seem, at least, inconvenient and, most times, annoying. It can be in these very moments, that God is using us to accomplish His desires and plans. Our response to these challenges is a chance to let the Spirit do His work in all of us.
It seems like just when we think things are becoming financially certain, unwelcome surprises arise or financial angst transfers to the next generation. Financial insecurity sometimes feels perpetual. So how can we cultivate generous living when giving can so often erase our margins and threaten our security of being? The Apostle Paul's powerful words to a young apprentice offer insight into a better kind of security.
Mission is risky, uncomfortable, demanding and difficult. That's also what makes it meaningful and worthwhile. But not everyone will leave the comfort of a stable job or a stable environment to engage the mission field. So how can we experience the joy of mission whether we go or whether we stay? A simple truth from the first journey of the most famous missionary may hold the secret.
Seventy-two percent of people reported stress over the upcoming election, and yet even in these divided times God calls us political people who are concerned with the welfare of those around us. But are our politics really built to last? How can we ensure that we are building better politics today regardless of who wins the election tomorrow? Explore with us the political principles Christians have brought to their politics and see how Jesus gives us hope no matter who sits in office.
We all face moments of paralysis when it comes to making decisions—whether it's a simple choice or a life-altering one. How can we move beyond fear and uncertainty to discover God's good and perfect will for our lives? Discover some surprising truths about God's will, and learn how it invites us to a deeper understanding of God's plan for our lives.
Building a better future starts with more than just physical structures. It starts with building into the lives of those around us. But how do build what we cannot see with tools we cannot hold? Explore how Paul's wisdom in Ephesians helps ground us to create beautiful things in uncertain times.
Struggling with difficult people can feel overwhelming. How can a deeper understanding of ourselves lead to a more genuine and open relationship with those we differ from? Dive into Paul's letter to the Romans with us and discover a path to better connection with others and an un undivided spirit.
Life's detours can shake our confidence in the promises of God. How does one of the most searched for verses in the world, Jeremiah 29:11, challenge us to redefine hope amidst unexpected challenges, and what role does realistic faith play in navigating our journey?
How do you and I prepare for the unexpected--but guarantee--appearance of stress, pain, uncertainty and suffering in our life? Guest preacher and Christ's Church elder Richard Johnson takes us on a journey through Scripture to answer that question.
Curiosity fuels our search for answers and shapes our journey. But what if the greatest discovery isn't just knowledge but a divine secret that unlocks the fullness of life? Dive into John 3:16 with us as we unravel God's profound love and the remarkable way it can take shape in our lives.
In a world that values competition and success, the call to embrace second place can feel counterintuitive. Yet, there's a profound beauty in the selflessness it requires. How can we navigate the tension between ambition and humility, and discover the transformative power of putting others before first? Join us as we delve into the wisdom of Jesus and Paul in the book of Philippians and uncover the path to a life marked by genuine love and relational healing.
Have you ever found yourself grappling with the concept of worship, questioning its relevance in today's fast-paced world? In a culture that values productivity and efficiency, the idea of setting aside time for worship may seem antiquated or even unnecessary. But what if worship holds the key to unlocking not only a deeper connection with God but also more peace in your private world? Join us as we explore Psalm 104 and its transformative invitation to worship, discovering how it can enrich our lives and nourish our souls in ways we never imagined.
In a culture that often prizes certainty and clarity, doubt can feel like a burden we must overcome. But what if our questions are not stumbling blocks but stepping stones to a more profound encounter with God? And what if the energy behind our doubts could be redirected toward a stronger faith? Join us as we journey through the story of Thomas in the Gospel of John and uncover how understanding our doubts can be a gateway to deeper understanding and a better life with God.
Amidst the shadows of uncertainty, we often find ourselves retreating from the challenges that confront us, seeking refuge in the familiar. But what happens when the potential beyond the fear is too good? Is it too late to return if we've already fallen back? Discover a surprising truth from the final pages of the Gospel of Mark that calls us to press on.
Change can seem elusive, especially when faced with the weight of past hurts and the stubbornness of the human spirit. But amidst the complexity, the story of a Roman soldier at the cross reveals a profound truth: the death of Jesus holds the key to transformation. How can we tap into this power for change in our own lives?
Amidst the safety of the familiar, we often shy away from the unknown, clinging to the comfort of ‘'normal.' What happens when Jesus challenges us to move beyond the confines of what's expected and embrace a different way, even when it comes at great cost?
Have you ever wondered about God's involvement in healing? In a world filled with pain, disease, and uncertainties, the quest for divine intervention can be both compelling and skeptical. Join us as we explore a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus confronts the complexity of healing, and discover how God's new work extends beyond what's seen.
Understanding God's plan for “something new” - delivering the Good News of Christ involved preparation. We learned last week that His preparation was perfect, we will now go deeper landing in Mark 1:15 “...Repent and believe the Good News!” What challenges, what circumstance might God use in your life to prepare you for something new? Join us as we look at King David and exploring the need for humility, the essence of repentance. Mark 1:1-15
The new year helps us anticipate new possibilities. But the stark reality of life's brevity, as depicted in Psalm 90, raises a common struggle. How can we navigate this brief existence and find true fulfillment? Psalm 90 ccnh.org
Amidst the holiday cheer, the struggle for peaceful moments is real. Whether juggling holiday busyness or feeling a void of a relationship gone awry, the Christmas story promises an otherworldly peace. How can this promised peace be a reality in our lives today? ccnh.org
Promises of future peace abound but our present conflicts persist, causing tension in daily interactions and personal relationships. How can the love of Christ reshape our affections, reorient our priorities, and bring a transformative perspective in order to bring a little bit of that future peace into the present? Join us in exploring 2 Corinthians 5 as we delve into Paul's profound theology of reconciliation. ccnh.org
Join us as we take a look at the history & legacy of CCA asking will God provide all that you need to sow generously? Do you see miraculous growth and an abundant harvest? 2 Corinthians 9 ccnh.org
Most people love the idea of becoming more generous. But putting generosity into practice is easier said than done when so many of us are short on time and money. How can our gifts, both of our money and of our time, become a grace not just to others but a transformative gift to our own souls? Discover how genuine love, rooted in Christ, transforms our fears, uncertainties, and comforts into an adventurous journey of "adventurosity." 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. ccnh.org
New beginnings give us an opportunity to start fresh, make new friends and bring new energy into our lives. But how do we begin something new when our hearts and minds are so easily drawn to what went wrong in the past? How can we overcome regret to enter into what God has for us next?
Guest speaker Matt Rusten from Made to Flourish shares about integrating our daily work with our faith in Christ. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of the Grace Chapel Teaching Team. ccnh.org
We don't have to fear change, because with Christ, every change is an opportunity to be changed, and to become the person God is calling us to be. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of the Grace Chapel Teaching Team.
Like most everything else in life, change goes better when we do it together. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and the Grace Chapel Teaching Team. ccnh.org
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Change is supposed to be a part of life. But that doesn't mean letting go of what came before is easy. And matters only get worse when whatever is next fails to meet our expectations. How can we navigate change and enjoy what's next when it's so hard to let go? It turns out that one of the most mysterious books of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, sheds some light on that question. ccnh.org
When we embrace change with courage and faith, we discover God to be the same here, there, and everywhere in between. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and the Grace Chapel Teaching Team.
Common things like nature, travel, and even ice cream can bring us an appreciation for God and spiritual rest. They are good for the soul. But as crazy as it might sound, could an uncommon, seemingly impossible command from Jesus to love our enemies be the same? It just so happens that Jesus' teaching on loving our enemies wasn't just a command, it was also an invitation to experience personal well-being. ccnh.org
Settings like gathering around a fire pit are good for your soul because they create an environment for human connection, and when we connect with humans we connect with God. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and the Grace Chapel Teaching Team.
Travel is good for your soul when you invited God along for the ride. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and the Grace Chapel Teaching Team.
Who doesn't love the simple pleasures of life? A soft pillow. Ice cream on a warm summer day. Yet one doesn't experience the fullness of life through overindulgence or materialism either. They don't feed the soul. So how can earthly pleasures be any spiritual good? We'll take a look at Psalm 16 to answer that. ccnh.org
After defeating the false prophets of Baal, Elijah is on the run from the Queen who has vowed to kill him. He's exhausted, burned out, and just wants to quit. God sends an angel to him and the first thing Elijah does is take a nap. Similarly, after a long year, summer is finally here but you might find yourself exhausted, burned out, and maybe wanting to quit. Taking some naps this summer may be the first step in saving your soul and your sanity. *Christ's Church is a strategic partner of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA and features the teaching of Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and the Grace Chapel Teaching Team. ccnh.org