{"id":2119,"date":"2025-09-11T20:38:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=2119"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:53:42","slug":"bold-faith-in-a-broken-world","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/bold-faith-in-a-broken-world\/","title":{"rendered":"BOLD FAITH IN A BROKEN WORLD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bold Faith In A Broken World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sunday, September 14, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John 16:33<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Good morning, everyone! <\/strong>What a joy it is to be here with you today.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we begin, I want to acknowledge that this has really been a challenging \u2014 and even sobering week for our nation. It has reminded us yet again, <strong>just how broken our world really is.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On <strong>Thursday<\/strong>, we paused to remember <strong>September 11th<\/strong>, that day (24 years ago), when terror and tragedy struck our nation, <strong>testing our faith.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And it was <strong>Wednesday<\/strong>, when we were shaken by the heartbreaking news of <strong>Charlie Kirk<\/strong> \u2014 a <strong>young believer<\/strong> who, at just <strong>31 years old<\/strong>, was boldly proclaiming <strong>Christ<\/strong> on university campuses, across our nation \u2014 and in just a moment his life was cut short by <strong>a senseless act of violence.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen these are tragic moments. And they seem to be happening more and more often. And when they do, they often <strong>leave us with questions<\/strong>. They <strong>stir us with sorrow<\/strong>. And can even <strong>lead us to fear.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They remind us that <strong>we live in a broken world <\/strong>(fractured by sin). And yet,<em> in the middle of that brokenness,<\/em> <strong>Jesus<\/strong> <strong>speaks<\/strong>. He <strong>doesn\u2019t call us to retreat <\/strong>in despair \u2014 but<strong> to rise up in faith! <\/strong>A bold faith \u2014 established upon His promises, and His divine power, and the triumphant work of His cross.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen to His words from <strong>John 16:33. <\/strong>He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5c5107456d42868c90c93c6e2c973b9a wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me read that again. <strong>Jesus<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5c5107456d42868c90c93c6e2c973b9a wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think it\u2019s helpful to <strong>know the context<\/strong> of this verse. It comes at the end of <strong><em>Jesus\u2019 Farewell Discourse<\/em><\/strong>. After spending<strong> four chapters <\/strong>preparing His disciples for his <strong>death, resurrection, and departure<\/strong> \u2014 on the night before His crucifixion,<strong> in the Upper Room<\/strong> (after the<strong> Last Supper)<\/strong><strong>, <\/strong>He speaks these words, to encourage them to <strong>STAY THE COURSE!<\/strong>And to live boldly\u2026in spite of their circumstances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His purpose was to prepare them. And encourage them. But,<strong> I also believe, these words were given to encourage us as well!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, listen to them again <strong>Jesus<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1b629d10bf52d56dc10feb395340f3bb wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em> (John 16:33)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Notice three things:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He acknowledges<strong> the reality of trouble<\/strong> (not a pain-free life).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Greek word used here for trouble \u2014 means <strong>pressure<\/strong>, <strong>affliction<\/strong>, or <strong>distress<\/strong>. He\u2019s reminding us that following Him often involves opposition. But notice the second thing in this verse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He offers us <strong>peace in Himself.<\/strong> He said,<em> \u201ctake heart.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He declares <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>victory over the world, when he says<\/strong>\u2014<strong>\u201c<\/strong>I have overcome!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>These are all promises<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 promises that we can count on! And in times of <strong>sorrow<\/strong>, <strong>fear<\/strong>, or <strong>uncertainty<\/strong>, we must <strong>fix our eyes<\/strong> on <strong>Jesus<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-aad73a0b75f5cb43e63f68b71af63e9c wp-block-paragraph\">As the writer of <strong>Hebrews<\/strong> emphasizes, <em>\u201cFix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith\u201d<\/em> (<strong>Heb. 12:2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, in the time remaining \u2014 I want to talk about the <strong>content<\/strong> of this week within the <strong>context<\/strong> of our calling. To do that, I want to give you<strong> three directives from God\u2019s Word, <\/strong>for <strong>LIVING BOLDLY IN A BROKEN WORLD. <\/strong>And the first is this, <strong>GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO:<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Run to Jesus as Your Refuge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5a86323a910f719e795091b58880f994 wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Psalm 46:1<\/strong> (the writer) declares: <em>\u201cGod is our <\/em><strong><em>refuge<\/em><\/strong><em> and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He\u2019s our refuge! <\/strong>Refuge is not a common word we used today. So let me define it for you. A <strong>refuge<\/strong> is a place to shelter, a place of safety (a real place, not an abstract idea). In the <strong>ancient world<\/strong>, when an enemy would advanced, or a threat would be felt \u2014 a person (or village), would run to the nearest <strong>WALLED<\/strong> <strong>CITY<\/strong> or fortified stronghold. A refuge was a place of protection and defense.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the picture the psalmist paints: That <strong>God Himself is our safe place<\/strong>, our stronghold, and defense. He\u2019s a reliable sanctuary in times of adversity and threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>John Ortberg<\/strong> (one of my favorite authors), captures this well when he writes: \u201cFinding ultimate refuge in God means <strong>you become so immersed in his presence<\/strong>, so convinced of his goodness, so devoted to his lordship \u2026\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Refuge<\/strong> is not just about protection from what\u2019s around us; it\u2019s about the <strong>presence of the One who is within us.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Refuge<\/strong> isn\u2019t the absence of trouble \u2014 <strong>it\u2019s the nearness of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chuck Swindoll <\/strong>tells the story of <strong>an old country preacher<\/strong> who once said, <em>\u201cI may tremble on the Rock, but the Rock don\u2019t tremble under me.\u201d<\/em> What a vivid reminder of the security we have in <strong>Christ<\/strong>. Even when our knees shake, He does not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that Rock of our faith is <strong>Jesus<\/strong>! He is steady. Scripture tells us He does not change \u2014 the writer of <strong>Hebrews<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5109cce7568338255899b2d7952228e6 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cJesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever\u201d<\/em> (Hebrews 13:8).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The apostle <strong>Paul<\/strong> reminds us in <strong>Colossians<\/strong> that, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-191cd30af734f2333651c4f2dcc809b6 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cHe (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together\u201d<\/em> (Colossians 1:17). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is <strong>above<\/strong> all, <strong>sustaining<\/strong> all, and <strong>sovereign<\/strong> <strong>over<\/strong> all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stands firm no matter what. The world may shake, feelings may shift, and circumstances may collapse \u2014 but <strong>Jesus<\/strong> remains unmoved. He is our solid foundation, He\u2019s our strong tower, our unshakable refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And here\u2019s the application for us<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong>We find refuge in Him as we <strong>put our trust in His power<\/strong>. We find refuge in Him, when <strong>we acknowledge His authority over all<\/strong>. We find refuge in Him when we <strong>come to grips with His sovereignty <\/strong>(even when we don\u2019t understand it completely). When we <strong>trust in His goodness even when life is bad<\/strong>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running to Jesus as your refuge means you place your <strong>faith<\/strong> over your <strong>feelings<\/strong> \u2014 remembering that <strong>God is in control, <\/strong>even when life feels out of control.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong>Isaiah 40:8<\/strong> reminds us: <em>\u201cThe grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, everything around us is temporary. Seasons change. Life is fragile. People disappoint. Circumstances will shift. But God\u2019s Word (and the God who spoke it), shall remain unshakable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His promises <strong>don\u2019t expire<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His truth <strong>doesn\u2019t fade.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And His character <strong>won\u2019t change.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So when the storms rage, when the headlines shake you, and when grief feels too heavy to carry \u2014 remember the invitation of <strong>Jesus<\/strong>. He says, <em>\u201cCome to Me. Run under My wings. I will cover you. I will keep you. I will be your refuge.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So make the decision today \u2014 that when chaos comes and hard days happen (and they will), that you\u2019ll going to RUN TO JESUS!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along with that, the Bible offers us another directive. It calls us to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Hold Fast to the Hope of Christ in You<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus is not only our refuge. He also gives us hope. Not a shallow, flimsy hope \u2014 but a deep, living hope that sustains us when life feels unbearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of my favorite verses comes from <strong>Paul\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>letter<\/strong> to the believers in <strong>Colossae<\/strong>. From house arrest in <strong>Rome<\/strong> \u2014 chained to guards day and night \u2014 he declared a truth that cuts through every lie of the enemy. Facing false teaching and cultural pressure, he reminded the church of this life-changing reality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b1a42fda189c74f6523e71b7d84bfdf1 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cChrist in you, the hope of glory\u201d<\/em> (Colossians 1:27).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those six words capture one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith. <strong>Our hope is not grounded in <em>favorable circumstances or an easy life.<\/em><\/strong> It is not the <strong><em>shallow optimism<\/em> <em>of wishful thinking<\/em><\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No \u2014 <strong>our hope is a living reality<\/strong>, anchored in the living <strong>Christ<\/strong> who dwells within us by <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>Spirit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And here\u2019s what that <strong>hope<\/strong> means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When sorrow comes, <strong>glory is still ahead<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When loss hits, <strong>resurrection is still promised<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When death itself stares us down, <strong>eternal life still awaits.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s why <strong>Paul<\/strong> also wrote in <strong>1 Thessalonians 4:13<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWe do not grieve like those who have no hope.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice \u2014 he doesn\u2019t say we avoid grief. We still <strong>grieve<\/strong>. We still <strong>hurt<\/strong>. We still <strong>cry<\/strong>. But our grief is infused with hope. Our pain is held by a promise. And that promise is our hope in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, I\u2019ve stood at dozens of gravesides \u2014 probably fifty or more. Some losses were sudden, the pain almost unbearable. Yet time and again, I\u2019ve watched families of faith shed tears while lifting their voices in trust, confident they would see their loved one again. Their hearts were broken, but they were not without hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s the difference <strong>Jesus<\/strong> makes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even in the circumstances of this week \u2014 I\u2019m reminded of this hope we have in <strong>Jesus<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, while <strong>Charlie Kirk\u2019s<\/strong> death was undeniably tragic, <strong>there is still a victorious hope that death cannot destroy. <\/strong>Because <strong>Christ<\/strong> was his <strong>Savior<\/strong>, so <strong>his story doesn&#8217;t end with a bullet!<\/strong> While his earthly life is over, <strong>his eternal life<\/strong> \u2014 has just begun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Application:<\/strong> In light of this promise, I challenge you \u2014 when your soul feels overwhelmed, speak the Word of God to yourself. Proclaim this truth:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44d657b916067109a21a3b76e2cd3a8b wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cChrist in me, the hope of glory!\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Say it out loud. And say it often.<\/strong> Say it until your heart believes it. And then hold on to that promise. Cling to it when <strong>sorrow<\/strong> rises up, and fear presses in. In those moments, remember, <strong>Christ is in you!<\/strong> You are not alone. And if He is with you, then <strong>you have HOPE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And <strong>if Christ is your hope<\/strong>, then <strong>that hope should give you courage.<\/strong> Which leads us to one final call from scripture, and it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Live Boldly and Unashamed of the Gospel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c121f566564af85edadef7729645ea52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul<\/strong> declared in <strong>Romans 1:16<\/strong>: <em>\u201cFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To live unashamed is not easy. It requires courage. And courage is not the absence of fear \u2014 it is the presence of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The early church understood this well. In <strong>Acts 4<\/strong>, after <strong>Peter<\/strong> and <strong>John<\/strong> were threatened and ordered to stop preaching the gospel, the believers came together to pray.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you might expect them to ask God for safety, for protection, or for the threats to go away. But that\u2019s not what they did. Instead, they prayed for even greater boldness \u2014 for courage to keep proclaiming Christ no matter the cost. And God answered by filling them with His Spirit, empowering them to speak His Word with power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the same way, we are living in a culture that pressures us to be quiet about our faith, to compromise, or to blend in. What we need is not greater comfort or an easier path \u2014 what we need is greater courage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need the <strong>same<\/strong> <strong>Spirit<\/strong> who filled the early church <strong>to fill us today<\/strong>, so that we too will live and speak boldly for Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, I feel compelled to go back to the story of Charlie Kirk \u2014 because that\u2019s how he lived his life. He was bold for his faith. You may not have agreed with his political positions, but if you\u2019re a Christ-follower, you cannot deny the fact that he courageous and unapologetically declared his faith in Jesus to young people across America.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His life was a testimony \u2014 and even his death is a witness that continues to speak for <strong>Jesus<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-875b60470834c8a04dc84dd983e30567 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#450d7c\">I watched an interview with him a couple days ago, and he was asked by the reporter \u2014 \u201chow do you want to be remembered?\u201d And without hesitation, he said: <em>\u201cI want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing. Courage for my faith!\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By the way \u2014 do you know what the name<\/em>, <strong><em>Charlie Kirk,<\/em><\/strong> means?&nbsp;It means \u2014 \u201c<strong>Strong and Courageous Church<\/strong>.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How fitting. His name, his message, and his legacy all point to the same truth: Jesus is still good news, and His Church is still the hope of the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that is not just Charlie\u2019s legacy \u2014 it is our calling. We ought to see this as a divine summons and a <strong>fresh reminder:<\/strong> as the Body of Christ, as His Church, we must live boldly and courageously proclaim the message of Jesus to our world. This is not the time to shrink back. This is not the hour to go silent. This is the moment to rise in faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because understand this: the true measure of faith is not whether it shields us from threats or trouble, but whether it sustains us in the midst of them. Genuine faith in Jesus doesn\u2019t collapse when tested. It doesn\u2019t fade when challenged. Instead, it grows deeper, it stands taller, and it shines brighter when the darkness tries to overshadow it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Application:<\/strong> So church, let\u2019s rise up! Because, <strong>this world doesn\u2019t need a silent church<\/strong>; it needs a strong and courageous one. It needs the hope of Jesus shining through us, now more than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, I want to bring us back <strong>to the verse we began with<\/strong> \u2014 and the powerful words of <strong>Jesus<\/strong> in <strong>John 16:33. <\/strong>To His disciples (and to us), he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While trouble may be <strong>inevitable!<\/strong> So also is<strong> our victory in Jesus!<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His words remind us that His life, His sacrifice, and His resurrection have <strong>secured<\/strong> the ultimate triumph over sin and death all evil. <strong>Again, He proclaims:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cI have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes \u2014 the cross <strong>looked<\/strong> like defeat. And the tomb <strong>looked<\/strong> final. But on the third day, the stone was rolled away. That grave was opened, and <strong>Jesus walked out<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>fully alive!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So don\u2019t miss this: <strong>Jesus is alive \u2014 and He has won the victory (for you and for me)!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We don\u2019t place our faith in a dead religion or even some historic figure. Our faith and our hope is <strong>in Jesus!<\/strong> The living, giving, Savior of the world!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, when you think about your life, think about it this way:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0e70310c7a291384448c88d16b485444 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#45055b\">This life is like a <strong>champion<\/strong>s<strong>hip<\/strong> <strong>ball<\/strong> <strong>game<\/strong> where the scoreboard is already settled (already lit up).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-797e9aa6c0495d23815cf5a176c8c9b2 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#45055b\">\u2014 Yes, the players may still take some hits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0b3c201d09b5b630c0b3988a68f0d580 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#45055b\">\u2014 Though they may stumble and even get knocked down at times.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f2dc00b5c1e2916545c1acf058005ce9 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#45055b\">\u2014 No matter what happens on the field can change the outcome of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f2fbbd0cedd25cf26c60da91de43bbb7 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#45055b\">\u2014 Because <strong>the score has already been settled!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s the story for every believer. Our victory has been won in Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So take heart. And <strong>li<\/strong>f<strong>t your eyes<\/strong>. Look to Jesus, and let His victory encourage you to LIVE BOLDY IN THIS BROKEN WORLD!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we close today, would you pause where you are and take a moment to reflect on the things we\u2019ve been reminded of in God\u2019s Word?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And maybe the most important \u2014 the most critical has to do with the promise of Jesus to change our lives, to forgive our sins, and to live in us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re here this morning and you can\u2019t say (<em>with confidence<\/em>), that your sin has been forgiven and your eternity is certain \u2014 that when this life ends, you will forever reign with Jesus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you can\u2019t say that (<em>with absolute certainty<\/em>), but you\u2019d like to \u2014 would you pray with me now, and invite Jesus to save you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If that\u2019s you, pray this prayer with me? Repeat after me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8b9488df3388a9e33e2948884db82169 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#9d0d0d\"><strong><em>Heavenly Father<\/em><\/strong><em>, I admit that I have sinned and chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I confess my sin before you (I\u2019ve blown it and missed the mark).Today I turn to You. I put my faith in Jesus. I believe He came from heaven, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for me, and rose again. And because He lives, I can be forgiven and made new.<\/em> <em>So Lord,&nbsp; forgive me, save me, and fill me with Your Spirit. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. I pray this in Jesus\u2019 name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you just prayed that prayer \u2014<strong> I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! <\/strong>That\u2019s the greatest decision you\u2019ll ever make.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And now, for the rest of us\u2026let\u2019s pray:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ccb2b86611e291f33db618c8bde84268 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#8f0a0a\"><em>Lord Jesus, we turn our eyes upon You. You are our strong tower, our hope of glory, our risen Lord. Today we ask You to comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who fear, and embolden Your people to live unashamed of the gospel. Help us to take heart \u2014 not because we are strong, but because You have overcome the world. We declare today: You are our refuge, our hope, and our victory.<\/em> <em>We pray this, in Jesus name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bold Faith In A Broken World Sunday, September 14, 2025 John 16:33 INTRODUCTION: Good morning, everyone! What a joy it is to be here with &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2119","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2119"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2685,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2119\/revisions\/2685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}