Light of The World

This past week, our Christmas program, Light of the World, reminded us of a truth that never grows old, no matter how many times we hear the Christmas story: when Jesus entered the world, light entered the darkness.

Christmas is more than a season of celebration. It is the moment God stepped into human history, not with fanfare or force, but with humility and love. In a world shadowed by sin, fear, and brokenness, the birth of Jesus was Heaven’s declaration that darkness would no longer have the final word.

The Gospel of John tells us, “The true Light which gives light to every man was coming into the world.” Jesus didn’t come just to illuminate our circumstances; He came to transform hearts. His light doesn’t just reveal the way forward, it becomes the way.

Throughout the program, we were reminded that light has a unique power. It doesn’t negotiate with darkness. It doesn’t slowly overpower it. The moment light appears, darkness retreats. That is the nature of Christ. When He shows up, confusion gives way to clarity, despair gives way to hope, and death gives way to life.

The shepherds experienced it in the fields when the glory of the Lord shone around them. The wise men followed it across great distance, trusting that the light would lead them to truth. Mary carried it quietly in her heart, not fully understanding all God was doing, but trusting Him completely. Every one of them encountered the Light differently, yet each was forever changed.

What makes this story so powerful is that it isn’t confined to Bethlehem. The same Light of the World still shines today. He shines into weary hearts, broken families, anxious minds, and uncertain futures. He shines into places we’ve tried to hide, not to expose us with shame, but to heal us with grace.

And here’s the beautiful part of the Christmas message: the Light doesn’t stop with Jesus alone. He told His followers, “You are the light of the world.” The light that entered us through Christ is meant to shine through us. Every act of kindness, every word of hope, every step of obedience becomes a reflection of His light in a dark world.

As we move through this Christmas season, my prayer is that we don’t rush past the wonder of it all. Let the light slow you down. Let it remind you that God is near, that hope is alive, and that no darkness you face is too great for Him.

Jesus is still the Light of the World.
And because of Him, the darkness never wins.

With joy and hope,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Church
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

Arise and Shine

This past Sunday’s message, “Arise and Shine,” was a call to wake up to who God has made us to be and to step into the moment He has placed us in. The words of Isaiah 60:1 ring as both a promise and a command: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

There are seasons when it feels easier to stay seated, comfortable, cautious, waiting for conditions to improve. But God’s call is not to wait for perfect circumstances. His call is to arise. To stand up in faith. To lift our eyes beyond what we see and recognize that His glory is already at work in and around us.

Darkness may still be present in the world, but Isaiah goes on to say that while darkness covers the earth, the Lord rises over His people. That means darkness is not the final word. God’s light doesn’t need permission from the culture or confirmation from circumstances. When His light comes, it shines, quietly at times, boldly at others, but always powerfully.

To arise means we refuse to stay stuck in fear, disappointment, or passivity. It means we stop letting yesterday define today. Arising is an inward decision before it ever becomes an outward action. It’s choosing faith over fatigue and obedience over excuses.

To shine means we allow what God has placed inside of us to be seen. Jesus told His followers that no one lights a lamp and hides it. The light within you is not meant to be private or dimmed. It’s meant to bring clarity where there is confusion, hope where there is despair, and warmth where there has been coldness. Shining doesn’t mean drawing attention to ourselves; it means reflecting the glory of God in how we live, love, and serve.

At Grace Church, this message is timely. God is calling us not only to rise personally, but to shine corporately, to be a people who live with spiritual alertness and bold faith. The world doesn’t need more noise; it needs light. And the light of Christ shining through a surrendered life is still as powerful today as it has ever been.

If you’ve felt weary, overlooked, or uncertain about your purpose, hear this clearly: God has not forgotten you. The light has come. The glory of the Lord is upon you. This is not the time to shrink back. This is the time to rise up.

So let’s arise from complacency. Let’s shine with compassion. Let’s live in such a way that others see God’s goodness not just in what we say, but in how we walk it out every day.

The light is already here.

Now is the moment to arise and shine.

In His light and strength,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Church

“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

When Light Breaks In

This past Sunday, we reflected on what happens when the light of Christ breaks into dark places, our hearts, our homes, and our world. The message, “When Light Breaks In,” wasn’t just about illumination; it was about transformation. Because when the light of God shines, nothing stays the same.

Light doesn’t argue with darkness; it simply reveals truth and drives it away. In John 1:5, the apostle writes, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” That verse isn’t poetic, it’s powerful. It means that no matter how heavy the shadow may seem, darkness never wins when Jesus shows up.

Many of us go through seasons where it feels like the night is closing in, where fear, confusion, or pain surround us. But even in the darkest places, God’s light is still breaking through. Sometimes, it happens in small moments, a word that lifts our spirit, a prayer that brings peace, a worship song that reawakens our faith. Other times, it bursts in like the dawn, scattering everything that once seemed overwhelming.

But here’s what we often miss: light doesn’t just reveal what’s around us; it reveals what’s within us. When God’s light shines, it exposes things we’ve hidden like wounds, pride, unforgiveness, or fear. That might be uncomfortable, but it’s also healing. God doesn’t expose to shame us; He exposes to free us.

In the book of Acts, Saul was on a road filled with his own darkness when a bright light from Heaven surrounded him. In that moment, the persecutor became the preacher, and a new life began. That’s what happens when light breaks in, blind eyes see, broken hearts heal, and what was lost is found again.

This is not just a story about ancient miracles; it’s the story of every believer. Every time you allow God to shine His truth into an area of your life, you experience breakthrough. Every time you surrender a dark thought, a hidden fear, or an old hurt to His presence, His light transforms it.

The world around us is desperate for light. People are stumbling through confusion and hopelessness, but Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” That means the light that once broke into your darkness is now meant to shine through you.

Let’s not hide it. Let’s not dim it. Let’s live in such a way that His light in us brings hope to others. Because the same light that saved us is still powerful enough to save the world.

When light breaks in, everything changes, and maybe this week, God is asking us to open the door and let that light flood in once again.

In His light,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

From Blessing to Breakthrough: Thanksgiving is a Weapon

This past Sunday’s message reminded us that gratitude isn’t just a polite response to God’s blessings — it’s a powerful spiritual weapon. When we give thanks in the middle of difficulty, we are doing far more than expressing appreciation; we are declaring faith, aligning our hearts with Heaven, and silencing the voice of the enemy.

Too often, we treat thanksgiving as something we do after God moves. But Scripture shows us that thanksgiving is meant to come before the breakthrough. It’s an act of faith that releases power into our circumstances. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice he didn’t say “for everything,” but in everything. Gratitude doesn’t deny reality — it declares that God is greater than it.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were beaten, chained, and thrown into the inner prison. But at midnight, they began to pray and sing praises to God. They didn’t wait until they were free to be thankful — they used thanksgiving as a weapon in their darkest hour. The Bible says that as they praised, the foundations of the prison shook, the doors flew open, and every chain fell off. Their thanksgiving didn’t just set them free — it set everyone around them free too.

That’s the power of praise and gratitude. When you choose to thank God in the middle of your struggle, you are shaking the foundations of the enemy’s stronghold. You’re declaring, “My circumstances don’t define my faith — my faith defines my circumstances.” Thanksgiving is spiritual warfare. It confuses hell because the enemy doesn’t know what to do with a believer who can praise God in the storm.

When we grumble, we give strength to fear. But when we give thanks, we strengthen our faith. Gratitude realigns our perspective and reminds us of who is truly in control. It shifts our focus from what we’ve lost to what we still have, from what’s broken to what’s being built, and from what’s missing to what’s on the way.

You may be waiting for your breakthrough, but what if the key to it is already in your hands — the key of thanksgiving? Open your mouth and give God praise, not just for what He’s done, but for what He’s about to do. Let thanksgiving rise in your heart like a battle cry. It’s not weakness — it’s warfare.

Your blessing becomes breakthrough when gratitude becomes your language.

With a heart full of thanks,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

Open Your Eyes: You're More Blessed Than You Know

This week’s message was a reminder that sometimes the greatest breakthrough we’re waiting for begins when we finally recognize the blessings that are already around us. Too often, we get so focused on what’s next that we overlook what God is doing right now.

In 2 Kings 6:15–17, the servant of Elisha panicked when he saw the enemy army surrounding them. But Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes that he may see.” In that moment, the servant’s eyes were opened, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire — the army of the Lord already in position to protect them.

That’s what this message is all about. God is already at work. Even when you feel surrounded by trouble, you are actually surrounded by favor. You may feel pressed, but you are not abandoned. You might be waiting for a miracle, but the blessing is already closer than you realize.

We tend to think breakthrough happens only when the circumstances change. But sometimes, breakthrough happens when our perspective changes. Elisha’s servant didn’t need God to send something new — he needed to see what God had already sent.

If you could see what God sees, you would stop worrying about what you’re facing. You’d realize that what looks like a setback is often a setup. That even in your struggle, God’s grace is sustaining you. Every closed door, every delay, every detour — they’re not proof that God has forgotten you. They’re signs that He’s preparing you for something greater.

So often, we pray for God to move, but in truth, He’s waiting for us to open our eyes. Blessing turns to breakthrough when we stop complaining about what we don’t have and start thanking God for what we do. Gratitude unlocks clarity. Faith sharpens focus. And when our perspective shifts, what once looked like opposition suddenly becomes opportunity.

Maybe your prayer this week doesn’t need to be, “Lord, give me more,” but rather, “Lord, help me see.” See the blessings you’ve taken for granted. See the protection you didn’t notice. See the hand of God in places that once only looked like pain.

When your eyes are open to His goodness, you realize — you’re not waiting for breakthrough. You’re standing in it.

In His grace,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

The Spirit of the Pharisee

In our current series, we’ve been uncovering religious spirits that subtly infiltrate the church — not always in obvious or dramatic ways, but often in ways that feel spiritual, respectable, and even justified. This week, we addressed one of the most deceptive of them all: the spirit of the Pharisee.

This spirit is dangerous because it doesn’t look rebellious. It looks religious. It looks committed, structured, and even scripturally sound. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day knew Scripture better than anyone. They were disciplined, knowledgeable, highly respected — and yet Jesus confronted them more than He confronted sinners. Why? Because they had mastered the appearance of holiness while completely missing the heart of God.

The spirit of the Pharisee elevates image over intimacy. It is more concerned with looking right than being right with God. It can quote verses, lead worship, serve in ministry — and still lack compassion, humility, and love. It polishes the outside while the inside grows dry. Jesus described it as being like a whitewashed tomb — outwardly beautiful, inwardly lifeless. Religious appearance with no spiritual heartbeat.

One of the clearest signs this spirit is at work is when people become more critical than compassionate. When conviction turns into comparison. When holiness becomes performance instead of transformation. When it’s easier to spot someone else’s flaws than to allow God to deal with our own. Over time, the spirit of the Pharisee will cause a person to defend tradition but resist transformation, speak truth without love, and value being impressive more than being surrendered.

The tragedy of this spirit is that it convinces people they are close to God — while their heart is drifting from Him. It replaces relationship with routine. It replaces fire with form. And it kills revival before it even starts. Not through scandal or obvious sin — but through pride, judgment, and spiritual coldness dressed up as maturity.

The answer is not trying harder to appear spiritual. It’s allowing God to soften the heart again. To return to true humility. To lay down the need to be seen or validated and simply desire Jesus more than reputation. God is not moved by polished words or religious performance — He is moved by authenticity, brokenness, and surrendered hearts.

Let’s be a church known not just for what we know — but for how deeply we walk with Jesus. Not just for order — but for love. Not just for structure — but for spiritual life. Let’s guard our hearts from becoming people who look righteous on the outside but have no hunger on the inside.

True holiness doesn’t make us harder — it makes us more like Jesus.

In grace and truth,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

The Spirit of Leviathan

This week we continued our Exposing Religious Spirits series by tackling one of the most subtle yet destructive spirits mentioned in Scripture — The Spirit of Leviathan. It is a twisting, prideful spirit that distorts truth, divides relationships, and seeks to choke out the move of God through confusion, miscommunication, and spiritual suffocation.

While Jezebel attacks through manipulation and control, Leviathan attacks through distortion and division — especially in communication, unity, and understanding between believers, pastors, spouses, and even entire churches.

1. What Is the Spirit of Leviathan?

The Bible describes Leviathan in Job 41 as a powerful, untamable sea serpent — fierce, proud, and impossible to reason with. It is also mentioned in Psalm 74:14 and Isaiah 27:1, where it is directly connected to spiritual warfare.

This spirit is a master of twisting words, sowing misunderstanding, and creating offense. It feeds on pride and operates especially in environments where unity is under attack.

2. How Leviathan Operates Today

Here are some common symptoms of this spirit at work:

• Twisted conversations — “That’s not what I said!”… “That’s not what I meant!”

• Offense born out of misunderstanding — small comments become major fractures

• Gossip & misinterpretation — words repeated out of context

• Strained communication between spouses, leaders, and churches

• Pride, defensiveness, and refusal to humble down

• Feeling spiritually “choked” or unable to breathe — loss of clarity or peace

Leviathan’s goal is to destroy unity, break trust, twist truth, and suffocate spiritual momentum.

3. The Root Is Pride — The Entry Point Is Offense

The Bible describes Leviathan as the king over all the children of pride (Job 41:34). Pride opens the door. So does hidden offense, secret resentment, or unspoken misunderstandings.

This is why healthy communication, humility, and early reconciliation are essential to protecting homes and churches from this spirit.

4. How to Defeat the Spirit of Leviathan

Leviathan cannot be debated with — it must be defeated spiritually.
Here’s how we overcome it:

• Humility breaks its power. Pride feeds Leviathan; humility starves it.

• Clarity and direct communication close the door. No more assuming — ask, confirm, clarify.

• Repent quickly of offense or secret judgment. Don’t let bitterness ferment.

• Pray for the Spirit of Truth and Peace to guard your heart and relationships.

• Cover your leaders, church, marriage, and ministries in prayer daily.

Isaiah 27:1 declares that God Himself will “punish Leviathan… and slay the dragon.” This battle is not won by intellect or emotion — but by the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and a posture of humility.

Closing Thoughts: Protect the Unity, Guard the Flow

The Spirit of Leviathan is after one thing — the flow of God’s Spirit, unity, and breakthrough in your life and church.

But we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. We refuse to allow pride, assumption, or misunderstanding to create division. We choose humility over pride, clarity over assumption, unity over confusion, and the Holy Spirit over every counterfeit.

I encourage you this week — before reacting, pause. Before assuming, clarify. Before accusing, pray.
This is how we guard the atmosphere for revival.

We are a house of unity. And where unity is — God commands the blessing.

With spiritual clarity and authority,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Spirit of Jezebel

This week we continued our series “Exposing Religious Spirits” by confronting one of the most dangerous and manipulative influences that can operate within the church—the Spirit of Jezebel. While the name comes from the infamous Queen Jezebel in Scripture, this spirit is not limited to gender or time. It is a demonic influence that seeks to manipulate, control, and silence the prophetic voice of God’s people.

1. The Jezebel Spirit in Scripture

Our main text came from 1 Kings 21:5–16 and Revelation 2:20, where the same spirit that once worked through Queen Jezebel in Israel is later rebuked by Jesus in the church of Thyatira.

Jezebel was married to King Ahab, but she was the one who truly controlled the throne. She used manipulation, deceit, and intimidation to advance her agenda. She silenced prophets, corrupted worship, and turned hearts away from God.

In Revelation 2:20, Jesus says:
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

This shows us that the spirit of Jezebel is not just ancient—it’s active. It infiltrates churches, relationships, and leadership structures to weaken spiritual authority and disrupt unity.

2. The Nature of the Jezebel Spirit

The spirit of Jezebel thrives wherever pride, insecurity, and ambition are left unchecked. It is not about gender—it is about control. This spirit will attach itself to anyone who allows bitterness or offense to open the door.

Here’s how it often operates:

• Manipulation: Using charm, flattery, or emotional pressure to control others.

• Intimidation: Silencing spiritual authority or prophetic voices through fear or false accusation.

• Division: Turning people against one another, especially leadership, through gossip or subtle suggestion.

• Deception: Presenting false spirituality or “new revelation” that draws attention to self instead of God.

Jezebel’s goal is always to gain influence and undermine authority so that the true move of the Spirit is hindered.

3. How the Jezebel Spirit Attacks the Prophetic

The Jezebel spirit has always sought to destroy prophetic voices. In the Old Testament, Jezebel killed God’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4). In the New Testament, she corrupted prophetic authority in the church.

Why? Because the prophetic voice exposes lies, confronts sin, and calls people back to truth. When the enemy wants to silence revival, he attacks the prophetic.

This spirit often brings confusion, emotional exhaustion, and fear into those who carry prophetic callings. It will try to make leaders second-guess themselves and believers doubt their discernment.

But we must remember: God’s authority cannot be manipulated. His Word cannot be silenced.

4. Defeating the Spirit of Jezebel

You cannot cast out what you continue to tolerate. In Revelation 2:20, Jesus rebuked the church of Thyatira not for being deceived, but for tolerating Jezebel.

Defeating this spirit requires courage, discernment, and humility:

• Repent of any agreement with control or manipulation. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where pride, fear, or offense may have opened a door.

• Refuse to entertain gossip or slander. Jezebel thrives on divided loyalties.

• Honor spiritual authority. Jezebel’s rebellion feeds on dishonor. Submission to godly leadership breaks her influence.

• Pray for discernment. Ask God to sharpen your spiritual senses to recognize manipulation and control.

• Walk in purity and truth. Jezebel’s influence can’t stand in a heart fully surrendered to Jesus.

When we stand firm in the truth and walk in the Spirit, the Jezebel spirit loses its grip.

5. A Church That Cannot Be Controlled

The Church that is filled with the Holy Spirit, rooted in truth, and walking in unity is unstoppable. The spirit of Jezebel cannot thrive where there is transparency, humility, and spiritual authority under submission to Christ.

Now is the time for believers to rise up with spiritual discernment, refuse manipulation, and boldly proclaim God’s truth with love and confidence.

Closing Thoughts: Choose Freedom Over Control

The spirit of Jezebel may look powerful, but it is no match for the authority of Jesus Christ.

This week, pray that God would expose every area where control or fear has tried to influence your life. Ask Him to fill you with boldness, discernment, and humility so you can walk in freedom.

When the Jezebel spirit tries to silence God’s people, we respond with faith, truth, and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

We are not a church that tolerates manipulation—we are a church that walks in truth, unity, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

With truth and authority,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"