The Parables of the Kingdom

This past Sunday we explored one of the most fascinating ways Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. The message, “The Parables of the Kingdom,” reminded us that Jesus often chose stories to reveal deep spiritual truths. These parables were not simply illustrations meant to entertain. They were windows into the mysteries of the Kingdom.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shared a series of parables that described what the Kingdom of God is like. At first glance, they seem simple. They speak of seeds, fields, treasure, and nets. Yet within those everyday images are profound lessons about how the Kingdom operates and how people respond to it.

Jesus explained that parables served a specific purpose. They revealed truth to those who were hungry to understand while remaining hidden to those who were indifferent or hardened. In other words, the condition of the heart determines what a person receives from the message. When we approach the teachings of Jesus with humility and openness, the Holy Spirit begins to illuminate what might otherwise seem ordinary.

One of the central themes in these parables is that the Kingdom often begins small but grows into something extraordinary. The parable of the mustard seed reminds us that what looks insignificant at the start can become something strong and life giving. The Kingdom may begin quietly in a person’s heart, but its influence expands far beyond what we imagine.

Another theme is the immeasurable value of the Kingdom. Jesus described it as a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price. When someone truly discovers the worth of the Kingdom, everything else becomes secondary. The response is wholehearted commitment. The Kingdom is not an accessory to life. It is the greatest treasure a person can find.

These parables also challenge us to examine our response to God’s Word. In the parable of the sower, the same seed is scattered on different kinds of soil, yet the results are completely different. The seed represents the Word of God, but the outcome depends on the condition of the heart that receives it. The question for each of us is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are cultivating hearts that are ready to receive what He says.

What makes the parables so powerful is that they continue to speak to us today. They invite us to look beyond surface level understanding and to seek the deeper truths of God’s Kingdom. They challenge us to value the Kingdom above everything else and to allow its principles to shape our lives.

As we reflect on these teachings, may we approach the Word with attentive hearts and eager faith. The Kingdom is not just a concept to study. It is a reality to live. When we receive its message with humility and obedience, its power begins to transform every part of our lives.

With Kingdom insight,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Church
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

The Culture of the Kingdom

This past Sunday, we turned our attention to a foundational truth in the teachings of Jesus with the message “The Culture of the Kingdom.” To understand the Kingdom of God, we must also understand its culture, because every kingdom operates by a distinct set of values, priorities, and ways of living. The Kingdom of God is no different.

Culture reveals what is normal, what is valued, and how people behave within a kingdom. When Jesus preached the Kingdom, He was not simply offering spiritual ideas or moral suggestions. He was introducing a completely different way of thinking and living. The Sermon on the Mount was not a list of religious rules. It was Jesus teaching the culture of the Kingdom and what life looks like for those who belong to it.

The Kingdom culture stands in contrast to the culture of the world. Where the world elevates power, self-promotion, and independence, the Kingdom elevates humility, servanthood, and dependence on God. Where the world values status and recognition, the Kingdom values faithfulness and obedience. Jesus made it clear that Kingdom citizens would live differently because they are shaped by heaven’s values, not earthly ones.

One of the key takeaways from this message was that the Kingdom is not just something we believe in, it is something we live out. When we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking God to establish His culture in our lives. That prayer is not passive. It is an invitation for transformation. It means allowing God’s way of thinking to reshape our attitudes, our relationships, and our priorities.

Kingdom culture is seen in how we love, how we forgive, how we respond to conflict, and how we treat others. It is expressed through mercy instead of judgment, generosity instead of greed, and peace instead of retaliation. These are not natural responses. They are the result of living under the rule of the King and allowing His Spirit to shape our character.

This message also reminded us that Kingdom culture is learned and practiced. Just as people adapt to the culture of a new country, believers must intentionally learn the ways of the Kingdom. That happens through time in the Word, submission to the Holy Spirit, and obedience in everyday life. The more we live in alignment with the Kingdom, the more natural its culture becomes to us.

As a church, we are called not just to talk about the Kingdom, but to model its culture. The world is not simply looking for better arguments or louder voices. It is looking for a different way of living. When the culture of the Kingdom is visible in our lives, it becomes a testimony that points people to Jesus.

May we continue to allow the King to shape our culture. May our lives reflect the values of heaven. And may the culture of the Kingdom be evident in everything we say, do, and pursue.

With Kingdom perspective,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Church
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

When We Pause, God is Still at Work

Yesterday, we made the difficult but wise decision not to gather in person due to the weather. While we missed being together, I want to remind you of something important today, the Church was never canceled. Only the building was quiet. God was not absent, inactive, or delayed.

Moments like this remind us that our faith is not confined to a Sunday morning schedule. Our relationship with Christ is lived out in everyday moments, even when plans change and circumstances interrupt our routines. Sometimes God uses unexpected pauses to draw us closer, slow us down, and refocus our hearts.

If you found yourself at home yesterday, perhaps the Lord gave you space to rest, reflect, pray, or spend intentional time with your family. Those moments matter. Spiritual growth does not only happen in pews, worship songs, or sermons. It also happens in quiet living rooms, around kitchen tables, and in still moments when we become aware of God’s nearness.

Scripture reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, present help in times of trouble. That promise does not depend on the weather, the calendar, or our location. God meets us right where we are. Even when we are scattered physically, we remain united spiritually.

I want to encourage you not to see yesterday as a loss, but as a reminder. A reminder that God is with you in every season. A reminder that faith is resilient. A reminder that rest is holy and sometimes necessary. And a reminder that the body of Christ is more than a gathering, it is a living, breathing people walking with God daily.

As we move forward into this week, carry that encouragement with you. Stay rooted in the Word. Stay connected in prayer. Stay mindful that God’s plans are not hindered by interruptions. In fact, He often works powerfully in them.

We look forward to gathering again soon, worshiping together, and continuing the journey God has us on. Until then, be safe, be encouraged, and know that the same God we worship together is walking with you right now.

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

Growing Together in Christ is now here

I am excited to share some wonderful news with you. My first published book, Growing Together in Christ, is now available. What started as a burden in my heart to help marriages grow stronger has now become a resource I believe the Lord will use to encourage, strengthen, and restore many couples.

This book was written with real people in mind. Not perfect couples with perfect stories, but everyday husbands and wives who love each other, love God, and still face the pressures that life brings. Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts, but it is also one of the enemy’s most targeted areas. The reality is that many couples want better, but they do not always know where to start. My prayer is that this book provides that starting point.

Growing Together in Christ is a practical and pastoral guide built on biblical truth. It is designed to help couples reconnect, communicate better, heal from past wounds, and grow spiritually side by side. It is not just about learning how to stay together, but about learning how to thrive together. It emphasizes that a Christ-centered marriage is not only possible, it is powerful. When two people pursue Jesus together, love deepens, purpose becomes clearer, and the home becomes a place where peace can grow.

This is a short and encouraging read, and it was written specifically in preparation for our upcoming Marriage Enrichment Seminar. For those attending the seminar, you will receive a free copy as part of your registration. However, the book is available now for anyone who would like to get an early start, or for those who want to share it with a couple they know who could use encouragement.

Whether you have been married for one year or twenty, whether you feel close right now or feel like you have drifted, this book was written to remind you that God can strengthen what feels weak, restore what feels strained, and renew what feels distant. No matter what season your marriage is in, there is always room to grow, and God is always able to bring new life where love has been stretched.

If you are looking for a simple resource that is biblical, practical, and full of hope, I believe Growing Together in Christ will be a blessing to you. My heart is that it will not only help couples stay connected, but that it will help marriages become testimonies of God’s grace.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. I am grateful for this church family, and I am looking forward to all that God is going to do through this next season of strengthening marriages and families.

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

The Purpose of the King

Yesterday’s message, “The Purpose of the King,” called us to slow down and refocus on the heart of Jesus and the reason He came. In a world that often centers on power, position, and personal gain, this sermon reminded us that the Kingdom of God operates very differently. To understand the Kingdom, we must first understand the King and His purpose.

Jesus did not come merely to start a religion or establish an institution. He came to reveal the Father and to restore what had been lost. From the beginning of His ministry, His message was clear and consistent. He preached the Kingdom. Everything Jesus said, did, and demonstrated flowed from that purpose. Healing the sick, forgiving sin, casting out demons, and teaching truth were all expressions of the King making His Kingdom known.

The purpose of the King was not domination but redemption. He did not rule through force but through love, sacrifice, and obedience to the Father. His authority was not rooted in control but in compassion. Even when the crowds expected a political deliverer, Jesus revealed a greater mission, one that addressed the condition of the heart before the condition of the world.

Understanding the purpose of the King also reshapes our own purpose. If we belong to His Kingdom, then our lives are no longer about building our own platforms or pursuing our own agendas. We are called to live under His rule, reflect His character, and advance His Kingdom wherever we are planted. The King’s purpose becomes the pattern for our lives.

Jesus showed us that true greatness in the Kingdom is found in servanthood. He laid down His life, not to secure a throne on earth, but to open the way for eternal life. The cross was not a detour from His purpose; it was the fulfillment of it. Through His death and resurrection, the King reclaimed authority and invited us into a restored relationship with God.

As we reflect on this message, we are reminded that the Kingdom is not just something we wait for in the future. It is a present reality that shapes how we live today. When we align our hearts with the purpose of the King, our priorities shift. Our decisions change. Our lives begin to reflect the values of heaven rather than the pressures of the world.

The call of this sermon was simple but profound. Know the King. Understand His purpose. Live in alignment with His rule. When we do, we find clarity, peace, and meaning that cannot be found anywhere else.

May we continue to seek the King, submit to His purpose, and faithfully represent His Kingdom in every area of our lives.

With Kingdom focus,
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”