The Spirit of Absalom

This past Sunday we continued our series “Exposing Religious Spirits” by addressing one of the most dangerous and divisive influences that can creep into the life of a church—the Spirit of Absalom. While the spirit of religion wears a mask of self-righteousness, the spirit of Absalom is far more deceptive. It works in whispers, builds alliances in the shadows, and seeks to undermine God-given authority for the sake of ambition and personal influence.

1. Who Was Absalom?

Absalom was the son of King David, and Scripture tells us he was admired for his charm, appearance, and ability to connect with people. But beneath that charisma was rebellion, pride, and bitterness. In 2 Samuel 15:1–6, we see Absalom standing at the city gate, intercepting those who came to the king, and subtly turning their hearts toward himself.

He didn’t confront his father directly at first; instead, he worked behind the scenes, sowing seeds of discontent and drawing people away from David’s leadership. Eventually, that spirit led to open rebellion and a civil war that nearly destroyed Israel.

2. How the Spirit of Absalom Operates Today

The same manipulative and divisive spirit is still at work in the Church today. It often looks like this:

• Whispering criticism against leadership instead of addressing concerns biblically.

• Forming cliques or alliances to gain influence or control.

• Offering “better” counsel than leadership to draw loyalty.

• Operating in offense or bitterness instead of seeking reconciliation.

This spirit doesn’t start with outright rebellion—it begins with subtle dissatisfaction, unhealed wounds, or unchecked ambition. If left unaddressed, it can fracture relationships, drain momentum, and bring confusion into the Body of Christ.

3. Recognizing and Resisting the Spirit of Absalom

How do we guard against this in our own lives and in the church?

• Guard your heart against offense. Offense is often the seed that gives the spirit of Absalom ground to operate. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

• Walk in humility. True spiritual authority is not about grabbing influence but serving faithfully. Philippians 2:3 tells us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

• Stay submitted to God’s order. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that spiritual leaders are given to watch over our souls. Submission isn’t blind loyalty—it’s trusting that God works through His established authority.

• Be quick to reconcile. Don’t allow bitterness to take root. Matthew 18 gives us clear instruction to address conflict directly and biblically, not through gossip or manipulation.

4. The Call to Unity and Honor

The opposite of the Absalom spirit is the spirit of unity, humility, and honor. Psalm 133 says that when God’s people dwell together in unity, His blessing flows. The enemy knows this, which is why he works so hard to sow division through spirits like Absalom.

Our calling as the Church is to be a place of healing, trust, and honor—where authority is respected, where grievances are dealt with openly and lovingly, and where Jesus remains the true Head.

Closing Thoughts: Choose Relationship Over Rebellion

The spirit of Absalom thrives in the shadows of bitterness, pride, and offense. But the Spirit of Christ thrives in love, forgiveness, and humility.

This week, I encourage you to pray:

• “Lord, reveal any offense or pride in my heart.”

• “Help me walk in humility, honor, and unity.”

• “Let me be a peacemaker, not a divider.”

When we expose and resist the spirit of Absalom, we make room for the Spirit of God to move in freedom and power.

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

Exposing Religious Sprits: The Sprit of Religion

This past Sunday we began a bold and eye-opening series called “Exposing Religious Spirits,” starting with our first message: The Spirit of Religion. This teaching is vital for the health of the Church because religious spirits are subtle. They don’t always show up as blatant sin or open rebellion. They often hide behind tradition, ritual, or even what looks like spirituality, but their goal is always the same—to divide, manipulate, and draw people away from the freedom and power of Christ.

1. What Is the Spirit of Religion?

The spirit of religion is a counterfeit to true relationship with Jesus. It emphasizes outward appearance over inward transformation. It prioritizes rules over relationship and performance over intimacy with God.

Jesus confronted this spirit repeatedly during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 23:27–28, He said to the Pharisees,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Religion seeks to control and confine; relationship seeks to transform and free.

2. The Danger of Religious Spirits in the Church

Religious spirits create division and pride. They:

• Promote self-righteousness and comparison.

• Foster gossip, judgment, and a critical spirit.

• Resist the move of the Holy Spirit and spiritual freedom.

• Distract believers from the simplicity of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 warns us of false apostles and deceitful workers, disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. This is why discernment is crucial—we cannot afford to be unaware of the enemy’s tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11).

3. Signs You’re Dealing With a Religious Spirit

We highlighted several signs from Scripture that reveal this spirit at work:

• Legalism – placing man-made rules over God’s Word.

• Performance-based faith – feeling loved by God only when you “do enough.”

• False humility or pride – drawing attention to your spirituality instead of Christ’s grace.

• Division and manipulation – sowing confusion or private “words” that bypass spiritual authority.

When these behaviors creep into a church or a believer’s life, they choke out the life of the Spirit and replace it with empty ritual.

4. Freedom Comes Through Relationship With Jesus

The antidote to the spirit of religion is simple but powerful: a vibrant, authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 declares, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

When we’re rooted in Christ’s love and led by the Holy Spirit:

• We value grace over legalism.

• We walk in humility instead of pride.

• We discern truth instead of falling for manipulation.

• We extend forgiveness and unity rather than sowing division.

True revival and transformation happen not through religion but through a personal encounter with Jesus.

5. Our Call as a Church

As a church family, we’re called to guard our hearts and our house against religious spirits. That means:

• We weigh every “word” or teaching against Scripture.

• We embrace accountability and healthy spiritual leadership.

• We pursue unity, humility, and grace above all.

We must be a place where the Spirit of God is welcomed and Jesus is exalted—where people encounter freedom, not bondage; relationship, not religion.

Closing Thoughts: Keep Your Heart Free

This week, I encourage you to examine your own heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any traces of religion that may have crept in—pride, self-righteousness, comparison, or judgment. Invite Him to fill you with His presence and renew your focus on Jesus.

We’re not called to a lifeless ritual; we’re called to an abundant relationship. Let’s be a church that walks in freedom, discernment, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Get Lit, Light It Up

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

This week’s message, “Get Lit, Light It Up,” was a reminder that the life of a believer is not meant to blend into the darkness but to shine brightly with the light of Christ. In a culture that often celebrates shadows and confusion, God has called His people to radiate His truth, His love, and His hope everywhere we go.

1. The Source of the Light

We began with the truth that we are not the source of the light—Jesus is. John 8:12 declares, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” When we come into relationship with Him, His light begins to shine in us and through us.

Our role is not to manufacture light, but to reflect it. Just as the moon reflects the sun, we are called to reflect the Son.

2. Getting Lit: Receiving the Flame

Before we can shine, we must first be lit by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 describes the moment when tongues of fire rested on the believers in the upper room, filling them with boldness and power.

To “get lit” is to be filled with His presence—through prayer, worship, and surrender. Without that daily filling, we risk letting our flame flicker. With it, we become vessels carrying the fire of God into every dark place we encounter.

3. Lighting It Up: Shining in a Dark World

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This means that our light isn’t for show—it’s for impact. Every word of kindness, every act of love, every stand for truth becomes a spark that points others to Christ.

Lighting it up looks like:

• Choosing grace when the world expects anger.

• Offering hope when people are overwhelmed by despair.

• Walking in integrity when compromise is easier.

• Boldly sharing the Gospel when silence would be more comfortable.

4. Don’t Hide the Light

One of the greatest temptations we face is to hide our light—to keep quiet about our faith, to stay comfortable instead of being bold. But Jesus said, “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15).

The world doesn’t need dimmed-down Christians. It needs Spirit-filled believers who will let the fire of God shine unhindered.

Closing Thoughts: Carry the Flame

The call from this week’s message is simple but powerful:

• Get lit by spending time in God’s presence.

• Light it up by living boldly in your faith.

• Shine in such a way that others are drawn, not to you, but to Christ.

You may not realize it, but someone in your family, your workplace, or your community is looking for a light. Don’t hide it—shine it. Get lit, light it up, and watch how God uses you to transform the darkness around you.

With His light,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

“Standing in Grace: Our Firm Foundation”

This past Sunday, we stepped into Part 4 of our God’s Amazing Grace series, and in the first half of the message, we focused on what it truly means to stand in grace.

We’ve talked about how grace saves us, transforms us, and empowers us, but it’s just as important to understand that grace is our secure footing—our foundation in the Christian life. Without it, we can be tossed back into striving, insecurity, and condemnation. With it, we can live with confidence, stability, and peace.

1. Standing in Grace Means Knowing Where You Stand

Romans 5:1–2 says:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Notice Paul says, “this grace in which we stand.” Grace is not just something we receive once—it’s where we live.

When you stand in grace:

• You know you are fully accepted by God.

• You don’t question whether you belong in His presence.

• You approach life with the confidence that His love and favor are constant.

2. Grace Gives Us Peace With God

Before Christ, we were at odds with God—not because He hated us, but because sin separated us from Him. Grace changed everything.

When we are standing in grace, there is no more striving to earn God’s approval. There’s no spiritual performance review hanging over our heads. Jesus has already secured our place with the Father.

Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Our salvation began with grace, and it continues in grace every single day.

3. Grace Keeps Us From Falling Back Into Works

One of the enemy’s tactics is to push believers back into self-reliance—making us feel like we have to earn God’s blessing or prove our worthiness. But the moment we start measuring ourselves by our own works, we step away from the firm ground of grace and onto the unstable ground of performance-based living.

Galatians 5:4 warns,
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

This doesn’t mean losing salvation—it means stepping away from grace as your source and going back to relying on yourself. And when you do, peace leaves, joy fades, and condemnation creeps in.

4. Standing in Grace Produces Stability and Joy

When you truly understand your position in grace, you stop riding the spiritual roller coaster of “I’m close to God when I’m good” and “I’m far from God when I’m struggling.”

Grace anchors you in the truth that:

• God’s love is not based on your performance.

• His acceptance doesn’t fluctuate with your good days and bad days.

• Your identity as His child is secure because of Christ’s work, not yours.

And from that place of stability, joy begins to overflow. You no longer serve God out of fear—you serve Him out of love.

Closing Thoughts: Stand Firm in What Christ Has Done

The first half of Part 4 reminded us that grace is not just the starting point of our faith—it is the standing point of our faith.

This week, I want you to ask yourself:

• Am I living on the firm ground of grace or the shifting sand of self-effort?

• Do I approach God with confidence, knowing I am fully accepted in Christ?

• Have I allowed condemnation or performance to steal my peace?

Beloved, you are standing in grace. Don’t be moved from it. Don’t let guilt or fear pull you away from the freedom Christ purchased for you. Rest in it. Live in it. Rejoice in it.

Next week, we’ll continue into the second half of Part 4 as we talk about grace as the fuel for endurance and hope. Until then, keep standing—confident, secure, and unshakable—in God’s amazing grace.

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

God's Amazing Grace

“Grace That Empowers: Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh”

This Sunday, we continued our journey through the God’s Amazing Grace series with Part 3, and the focus was both liberating and challenging: grace doesn’t just save you—it empowers you to live differently.

Many people think of grace as a one-time experience—the moment they gave their life to Christ. But God’s grace is not just the doorway into salvation; it is the power source for the entire Christian life. It empowers us to live victoriously, walk in freedom, and overcome the pull of the flesh.

1. Grace Isn’t Permission to Sin—It’s Power to Overcome It

Titus 2:11–12 says,
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

This is a key truth we often miss: Grace teaches. Grace leads. Grace empowers.

If grace isn’t producing change, it’s likely not being fully received or understood.
God’s grace doesn’t ignore sin—it gives us the power to walk away from it.

2. The Flesh and Spirit Are at War—Grace Tips the Scale

Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The old man—the flesh—is still present in our earthly bodies. But grace, working through the Holy Spirit, gives us the power to crucify the flesh and live from our new nature in Christ.

In other words:

• You don’t fight sin with willpower—you overcome it by walking in the Spirit.

• You don’t try harder to be holy—you trust more deeply in the One who is.

• You don’t earn freedom—you receive it and walk it out by grace.

This is not about perfection—it’s about progress through the power of God.

3. Grace Empowers You to Bear Fruit, Not Just Avoid Sin

So often, we view the Christian life as a list of things to avoid. But grace doesn’t just keep us from sin—it leads us into fruitfulness.

Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities aren’t achieved by self-effort; they are produced as a result of abiding in grace and staying in step with the Spirit.

The grace-empowered life is marked not by fear or failure, but by freedom and fruit.

4. You’re Not Just Forgiven—You’re Transformed

One of the biggest revelations from Sunday’s message was this:

Grace doesn’t leave you where it found you.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says,
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image… by the Spirit of the Lord.”

God’s grace sees you in your brokenness—but it doesn’t stop there. It lifts you, heals you, and transforms you day by day into the image of Jesus. That’s the amazing part of God’s amazing grace—it makes you new, and then teaches you how to live as the new creation you are.

Closing Thoughts: Lean on Grace, Walk in Power

Grace isn’t soft—it’s strong.
Grace isn’t passive—it’s powerful.
Grace isn’t just pardon—it’s partnership with the Holy Spirit.

This week, stop trying to “do better” in your own strength and start leaning on the grace of God that empowers you to live free, walk holy, and bear fruit.

Ask yourself:

• Am I relying on grace daily, or on my own ability?

• Am I walking in the Spirit, or battling the flesh on my own?

• Am I experiencing grace as a transforming force in my life?

Grace didn’t just save you. It sustains you. It changes you. It empowers you.
That’s the power of God’s Amazing Grace.

With renewed strength,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Kingdom Seekers

“When you seek the Kingdom first, everything else finds its place.”

This past Sunday, we explored a foundational principle of the Christian life in a message titled “Kingdom Seekers.” In a world filled with distractions, ambitions, and constant noise, Jesus’ call to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) remains both radically simple and deeply challenging.

This message isn’t just about priority—it’s about pursuit. It’s not a call to sprinkle God into our plans, but to align our entire lives around His will, His reign, and His purpose.

1. The King and His Kingdom

We began by recognizing that the Kingdom of God is not just a distant future reality—it is a present and active reign of Jesus in the hearts and lives of His people.

Jesus preached in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In other words, the Kingdom is now, and it’s accessible to those who will turn from their way and embrace God’s way.

Seeking the Kingdom means we:

• Submit to Jesus as King

• Prioritize His righteousness over self-righteousness

• Pursue His agenda over our own ambitions

2. The Reward of the Seeker

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus promises:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What “things”?
Everything we worry about—provision, protection, peace, purpose. Jesus is saying:

“If you make My Kingdom your priority, I will take care of everything else.”

This is not prosperity preaching. It’s Kingdom principle.
When we seek the King, we don’t chase after things—blessings begin to chase us.

Psalm 34:10 echoes this truth:
“Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”

3. Seeking Requires Surrender

To be a Kingdom seeker, you must lay down your kingdom.
Too often, we want God to bless our plans rather than surrender to His. But Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”

That’s not a poetic phrase. It’s a radical act of surrender.

True Kingdom seekers:

• Give up control

• Embrace obedience

• Let go of what’s comfortable to pursue what’s eternal

Luke 12:31 puts it plainly:
“But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
It’s the same message from a different Gospel—because it’s a principle God wants written on our hearts.

4. The Kingdom Is Not in Words Alone

In 1 Corinthians 4:20, Paul reminds us:
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

Kingdom seekers don’t just talk differently—they live differently.
They walk in:

• Boldness, because they know who their King is

• Peace, because their hope isn’t in this world

• Purpose, because they’re living for something greater than themselves

Kingdom seekers are revival carriers, culture changers, and Spirit-filled sons and daughters who reflect the King they serve.

5. Are You Seeking or Settling?

We ended the message with a heart check:

Are we truly seeking the Kingdom, or just trying to fit God into our schedules?

Seeking requires pursuit. It demands hunger. It involves pressing in when it's easier to pull back.

Jeremiah 29:13 says,
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Half-hearted Christianity won’t release Kingdom power.
Casual faith won’t produce eternal fruit.
If we want more of God, we must become Kingdom Seekers—those who chase His presence, live by His Word, and trust His rule.

Closing Thoughts: Make the Kingdom Your First Pursuit

This week, let’s be intentional.
Before we seek success, comfort, approval, or even answers—let’s seek the King.

• Start your day in prayer and worship.

• Search the Scriptures for His truth.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you’ve prioritized lesser things.

You were created for the Kingdom.
Let’s stop settling for crumbs when God is offering a feast.
Let’s be a people who seek first the Kingdom—and watch how everything else falls into place.

With Kingdom vision,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Strong Shoulders, Lasting Legacy

“The strength to carry, the heart to lead, the legacy to leave.”

This past Sunday, we gathered not only to celebrate Father’s Day but to reflect on the powerful responsibility and influence that godly men carry. The sermon titled “Strong Shoulder, Lasting Legacy” reminded us that spiritual strength is not about physical power—it’s about character, consistency, and calling.

In a world that often overlooks or misunderstands the role of fathers and spiritual leaders, God’s Word elevates it. He calls men to be more than providers or protectors. He calls them to carry weight, walk in righteousness, and pass on a legacy that lasts beyond their lifetime.

1. Shoulders Built to Carry

We began in Joshua 4:1–7, where God commanded twelve men—one from each tribe—to carry stones from the Jordan River to build a memorial. These stones represented what God had done for Israel: delivering them, guiding them, and establishing them as His people.

The men didn’t carry these stones for themselves. They carried them for future generations. Joshua said, “When your children ask… ‘What do these stones mean?’ you will tell them how the Lord made a way.”

This is a picture of what godly men are called to do:

• Carry weight that builds others up.

• Bear responsibility with humility and strength.

• Establish a testimony that speaks to the faithfulness of God.

The shoulders of a man of God aren’t just strong for work—they’re strong for worship, strong for prayer, strong for burden-bearing. They carry the spiritual weight of their family and community with grace.

2. A Legacy of Faith, Not Just a Name

Legacy isn’t what we leave to people. It’s what we leave in them.

Psalm 112:1–2 says,
“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”

That kind of legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It’s formed:

• In moments of prayer your children may never hear.

• In choices made when no one is watching.

• In forgiveness offered when it’s undeserved.

• In truth spoken when it would be easier to stay silent.

A lasting legacy is built when men choose to live with integrity, humility, and unwavering faith.

3. Your Strength is Not Your Own

Ephesians 6:10 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

The strength to carry your assignment, to lead your family, to live with godly conviction—that strength comes from the Lord.

This means we don’t have to pretend we’ve got it all together.
We don’t have to carry everything alone.
We can lean on the One whose strength is perfect in our weakness.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.”

God doesn’t just give men strength—He becomes their strength.

4. What Are You Leaving Behind?

The question we left with Sunday was this:
What kind of legacy are you building right now?

Whether you’re a father, grandfather, mentor, or spiritual leader—your influence matters.

• Will your children remember your faith more than your failures?

• Will your coworkers remember your integrity more than your title?

• Will your community remember your impact more than your income?

We are all leaving something behind. Let it be a testimony that points people to Jesus.

Closing Thoughts: Shoulders That Serve, Hearts That Lead

A man of God doesn’t need to be perfect. He needs to be present. He needs to be faithful. He needs to be willing to carry the weight God has entrusted to him—not in his own strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit.

May we be men (and raise men) who carry the stone of testimony, walk in the strength of the Lord, and build a legacy that speaks long after we’re gone.

To every father, mentor, and spiritual leader—thank you for carrying what others may never see and standing firm in the quiet strength God has given you.

The shoulder may carry the stone, but the heart carries the legacy.

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

The Fire Within: Pentecost and the New Nature

Yesterday, we closed out our ReMade sermon series with a powerful and Spirit-filled message titled “The Fire Within: Pentecost and the New Nature.” On Pentecost Sunday, we don’t just commemorate a historical event—we celebrate the moment the Church was born, the Spirit was poured out, and believers were empowered to live as the new creation God designed them to be.

Pentecost is not just about speaking in tongues or spiritual gifts—though those are important. It’s about transformation. It’s about living daily with the fire of the Holy Spirit burning within, enabling us to walk in the power, identity, and nature of the new man in Christ.

1. The Promise Fulfilled

Acts 2:1–4 (NKJV) says:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

This was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8:

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

What was poured out in that Upper Room wasn’t just a moment—it was a movement. The Holy Spirit didn’t come to make believers feel good for a few hours. He came to indwell them, empower them, and transform them—forever.

2. The Spirit Fuels the New Nature

Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned that in Christ, we have been ReMade—given a new identity, a new mindset, and a new nature. But we must understand this: the new nature cannot be lived out in human strength.

Titus 3:5–6 tells us:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Without the Spirit, we revert to striving. But with the Spirit, we walk in freedom, speak with boldness, and live in righteousness.

The fire within isn’t emotionalism—it’s empowerment. It’s the Spirit enabling us to live in the fullness of our new identity as sons and daughters of God.

3. Power to Live Boldly

The early Church went from hiding in fear to preaching with boldness. Why? Because of the Holy Spirit. Peter, the same man who denied Jesus three times, stood up after being filled with the Spirit and boldly proclaimed the Gospel to thousands.

When the fire of the Holy Spirit fills your life:

Fear is replaced with courage

Timidity becomes testimony

Weakness is exchanged for power

Romans 8:11 reminds us:

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ... will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

This is the fire within—the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave now empowers you to live victoriously.

4. Living Spirit-Led Every Day

Pentecost is not just an event—it’s a lifestyle. The fire that filled the upper room is the same fire that should guide our lives today.

To live by the Spirit daily means:

Yielding to His voice, even when it challenges our comfort.

Walking in step with His direction, not our own impulses.

Allowing the fruit of the Spirit to shape our character.

Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

You’ve been ReMade, but that new nature must be nurtured by the fire of the Spirit daily.

Closing Thoughts: Keep the Fire Burning

The same fire that fell on Pentecost now burns within every Spirit-filled believer. This fire isn’t just to stir our emotions—it’s to awaken our purpose, ignite our faith, and empower us to live in the fullness of our redemption.

Let me encourage you:

Don’t let the fire grow cold.

Don’t live like you’re powerless.

Don’t settle for a form of godliness without the fire of transformation.

You have the fire within.

You have the Spirit of the living God.

You’ve been ReMade for a purpose—and empowered to walk it out.

Let’s be a church that doesn’t just remember Pentecost…

Let’s be a church that lives Pentecost.

With fire and boldness,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Christian Center

"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"