This message was shared on 05/06/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace begins his sermon by citing core Christian tenets. Then, he mentions the story of Peter's imprisonment from Acts chapter 12 to underline the power of prayer in difficult times. According to Pastor Jason, prayer shouldn't be the last resort but the first response when faced with challenges. He urged believers to be honest with God, expressing their doubts, fears, and struggles, a sentiment echoed in the Psalms. Honing in on the story of Peter, he noted that God's intervention in freeing Peter exemplifies how God works in life, sometimes even unbeknownst to the believer. He underscored trusting God's timing and remaining open to His work, even in tough situations. Pastor Jason highlighted that prayer helps connect believers to God, serving as a gateway to divine assistance. The sermon culminated in a powerful call to action, urging believers to embrace God wholeheartedly, thereby responding to His knock on their life's door.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 04/28/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Ryan Leachman explains the power and importance of community within the Church by starting with an inspiring real-life story of a father-son duo accomplishing incredible feats through mutual support. Ryan stresses the significance of being an interconnected community, assisting and motivating each other while accomplishing substantial goals collectively. He navigates through the book of Acts to illustrate the early Church's historical context and the community's crucial role. The sermon then dives deeper into the four significant aspects of the early church community: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Pastor Ryan explains that teaching extends beyond individual study of God's word to communal learning and shared knowledge. He stresses the importance of fellowship in providing a sense of belonging, sharing resources, and emotional support within the Church. Additionally, he discusses the significance of breaking bread, which is interpreted as both shared meals contributing to physical sustenance and communion, symbolizing Jesus's sacrifice. Lastly, he points out the importance of prayer in the church community, emphasizing the power of shared prayers in supporting and uplifting one another. Pastor Ryan encourages believers to build, inspire, and love one another.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 04/21/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace delves into the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, drawing from passages in the book of Acts and likening the experience to a drone powered by a battery pack. Pastor Jason accentuates the essence of the Holy Spirit in human lives, implying that living without the Spirit's power merely exists, influenced, and ultimately decayed by external factors rather than experiencing God's planned fullness of life. He contrasts flesh and spirit desires, stating that surrendering to flesh ultimately leads to death while the Spirit brings life. Furthermore, he explains that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist sin and commit to God's obedience, that those filled with Christ's spirit belong to Him and possess life-giving power. Drawing from disciples who were transformed into powerful Gospel witnesses after receiving the Holy Spirit, Pastor Pace emphasizes the contemporary availability of such power. He urges believers to share the news of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's power, particularly with those living according to the flesh.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 04/14/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace explores the continuing story of Jesus Christ as seen in the Book of Acts. The book of Acts is a vivid account of the spread of the Gospel of Jesus and its transformative effect on people's lives, even in challenging times. Jason emphasizes the continuous relevance of Christ's teachings through the believer's lives today and its profound impact on people. Amid the uncertainty and persecution of the time the Book of Acts was written, Jason draws parallels to our contemporary world, with its challenges and distractions. He hits home the point that the message of Christ remains overwhelmingly powerful today, offering hope and spiritual freedom. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live transformed lives and significantly contribute to the world.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 03/31/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.This Easter, Pastor Jason Pace highlights the importance of the resurrection in Christians' spiritual journey and explains why it should be celebrated. He emphasizes that the resurrection is seen as the victory over death, allowing believers to understand that Jesus has the ultimate say, not death. Pastor Jason then moves on to recount the tragic events of Jesus' crucifixion and the aftermath experienced by His disciples. He transitions from the crucifixion to the morning of the resurrection, where he draws from the account of the women who were disciples of Jesus who discovered the empty tomb. We are encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and swim toward Jesus, the bearer of joy.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 03/24/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason focuses on Jesus's abundant care and provision for his people, drawing from how Jesus miraculously feeds a multitude with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Jason points out that as Jesus fed the physically and spiritually hungry crowd, He also desired to fill the spiritual hunger of today's world, providing hope, purpose, and true fulfillment. Jason discusses the disciples' initial disbelief and realization of Jesus's plan. This plan was activated when they brought their limited resources to Him, leading to a miraculous multiplication. The audience is encouraged to trust that God can do far more with what we give, bolstering generosity, gratitude, and the importance of serving.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 03/17/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace invites us to cultivate profound faith in Jesus. He draws upon the biblical tale of Jesus walking on water and Peter stepping out of the boat in response to His calling. The message underscores the necessity of offering everything to Jesus, as seen in the miracle where Jesus multiplies a small contribution to feed a multitude. Just as water often signifies destruction in the Bible, Pastor Pace sees our daily challenges - in the form of work, family issues, sickness, or violence - as metaphorical storms. Jesus demonstrated that these storms do not sweep Him away; they are under His control. He is ever-present with us amidst our trials.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 03/10/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace expounds upon the depth of God's love, the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the role of repentance in Christianity. He begins by emphasizing the profound love of God, exemplified through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Pastor Jason illustrates the Kingdom as a spiritual realm, far removed from worldly existence, where God reigns supreme. He emphasizes that this Kingdom's entry requires a release from the chains of sin. We need spiritual makeovers to cleanse ourselves and steer us toward a new, Kingdom-filled life. Speaking about the afterlife, he defines Heaven as a realm of perfect communion with God and being amongst His people. Pastor Pace celebrates the Kingdom's inclusivity, reminding the audience that the doors of His Kingdom are wide open for people from various walks of life, as Jesus came for them all.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 03/03/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.In our new series, Greater Love, Pastor Jason Pace discusses the profound love of Jesus that seeks to knit together our broken spirits, satisfy our spiritual thirst, and rescue us despite our sins and betrayals. Pastor Jason highlights a miraculous incident where Jesus instructs Simon to fish in the deeper waters. Although skeptical, Simon obeys Jesus' command and obtains an overwhelming catch that astonishes him and his fellow fishermen. Pastor Jason explores this story to show Jesus's supreme authority over creation and power to bring abundance into our lives. Genuine commitment implies yielding our resources, affection, loyalty, and service to Him. Jesus's love is immense, and we join the mission of sharing this love. We are called to fully embrace Jesus and the community of believers for support during abundant and challenging times.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA

This message was shared on 2/25/24 at First Christian Church in Wilmington, Illinois.Pastor Jason Pace highlights the importance of unity, commitment, and communal worship in a godly community. It focuses on the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Despite their disobedience to God by worshipping a golden calf in Moses' absence, they are given a second chance to prove their devotion. They are called upon to build a tabernacle, make offerings, and participate communally in worship. Pastor Jason explains that unity is pivotal in the community by creating a shared vision and fostering a sense of togetherness. He deems commitment essential for giving sacrificially of one's resources and talents for the sake of the community. Communal worship allows for experiencing God's presence and glory, enhancing its importance. Pastor Jason stresses the need for a community to be under God. We are called to self-examine our obedience to God and recognize the significance of a godly community.First Christian Church in WilmingtonWebsite: www.fccwilmington.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/fccwilmingtonYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCifTWqQVHGRQCAhRwZ4QIdA