The Imperfect Church

This past Sunday’s message, “The Imperfect Church,” was both honest and encouraging. It brought us face to face with a reality we all know, but do not always say out loud. The Church is not perfect. It never has been. It is made up of people who are still growing, still learning, and still being transformed by the grace of God.

Sometimes we can place unrealistic expectations on the Church. We want it to be flawless, free from conflict, and untouched by struggle. But when we look at Scripture, we see something very different. From the early church in Acts to the letters written by Paul, the Church has always faced challenges. There were disagreements, growing pains, persecution, and moments of weakness. Yet in the middle of it all, God continued to work.

The beauty of the Church is not found in its perfection. It is found in the presence of a perfect King. Jesus is the head of the Church, and He is faithful even when people fall short. He is building something that cannot be shaken, even though the people within it are still being shaped.

First Peter reminds us to stay alert and stand firm in our faith. That encouragement is necessary because opposition and trials are part of the journey. But those trials are not wasted. They develop perseverance, strengthen our faith, and refine our character. What we go through as individuals and as a church becomes part of the process God uses to mature us.

The message also reminded us that attacks and challenges are not always signs that something is wrong. Often, they are confirmation that God is moving. When the Church begins to grow, to reach people, and to walk in truth, resistance will come. But Scripture assures us that no weapon formed against God’s people will prosper. The enemy may try to shake us, but he cannot stop what God has established.

In the middle of imperfection, we are called to respond differently. We are called to extend grace, to walk in love, and to remain united. It is easy to criticize, to pull back, or to focus on what is not right. But God calls us to be part of the solution. He calls us to love one another, to encourage one another, and to keep our eyes on Jesus.

The Church may be imperfect, but it is still God’s plan. It is still the place where lives are changed, where hope is restored, and where people encounter the presence of God. We do not gather because everything is perfect. We gather because we need Him and because we need each other.

As we move forward, let us embrace the reality that we are all in process. Let us choose grace over judgment, unity over division, and faith over discouragement. And above all, let us remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are part of the body of Christ, being led by a perfect King.

The Church is imperfect, but God’s purpose for it is not.

With grace and unity,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Church

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

The Victory of the King

This past Sunday’s message, “The Victory of the King,” brought us back to the center of our faith and the foundation of our hope. Everything in the Kingdom flows from this truth: Jesus is not a defeated Savior trying to gain ground. He is a victorious King who has already won.

Too often, we live as if the outcome is uncertain. We pray like we are hoping God might come through. We face challenges as if the enemy has the upper hand. But the Gospel tells a different story. Through the cross and the resurrection, Jesus secured a victory that cannot be undone. The battle that mattered most has already been settled.

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He was not speaking words of defeat. He was making a declaration of completion. Sin was dealt with. The power of death was broken. The authority of darkness was stripped. What looked like loss in the natural was actually the greatest victory in the spiritual.

The resurrection confirmed what the cross accomplished. Jesus rose with all authority in heaven and on earth. That means there is no area of life where His victory does not apply. There is no struggle, no fear, no bondage that stands outside of His authority. The King has already overcome.

Understanding the victory of the King changes how we live. We are not fighting for victory. We are living from victory. That shift in perspective affects everything. It gives us confidence in the face of opposition. It gives us peace in the middle of uncertainty. It gives us boldness to stand firm when everything around us feels unstable.

This does not mean we will not face battles. It means we face them differently. We do not engage from a place of fear or desperation, but from a place of faith. We stand on what Christ has already accomplished. We resist the enemy knowing he has already been defeated. We move forward with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail.

The victory of the King is also personal. It is not just a theological truth; it is a lived reality. Whatever you are facing today, whether it is a struggle in your mind, a challenge in your family, or a burden in your heart, the victory of Jesus is greater. His power is present. His authority is active. His grace is sufficient.

As a church, we are called to carry this victory into the world around us. We do not shrink back or live timidly. We represent a victorious King. Our lives should reflect hope, strength, and confidence, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Let this truth settle in your heart this week. The victory has already been won. The King is reigning. And you have been brought into that victory through Him.

Walk in it. Stand in it. Live from it.

With confidence in the King,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Church

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

The Announcement of the Kingdom

This past Sunday we looked at a powerful moment in the ministry of Jesus through the message “The Announcement of the Kingdom.” Before Jesus performed miracles, before He gathered large crowds, and before the disciples fully understood who He was, there was a clear and unmistakable declaration. Jesus began His ministry with a message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

This was not simply a religious statement. It was a royal announcement. In ancient times, when a king’s rule was expanding into new territory, a herald would go ahead and declare that the kingdom had arrived. That is exactly what Jesus was doing. He was announcing that God’s rule was breaking into the world in a new and powerful way.

The Kingdom of God is not just a distant promise about heaven someday. It is the reality of God’s authority, His presence, and His will being established in the lives of those who receive the King. When Jesus announced the Kingdom, He was inviting people into a new way of living under God’s rule and experiencing His power.

The first word of that announcement was “repent.” In Scripture, repentance means more than simply feeling sorry. It means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Jesus was calling people to turn away from the patterns and priorities of the world and turn toward the rule of God in their lives. The Kingdom cannot be fully embraced if we insist on holding on to the old ways of thinking and living.

What made the announcement of the Kingdom so significant is that it came with demonstration. As Jesus preached the Kingdom, He healed the sick, restored the broken, and cast out darkness. His actions showed what life looks like when God’s rule is present. The Kingdom brings freedom where there was bondage, hope where there was despair, and life where there was death.

This announcement still echoes today. The message of the Kingdom has not changed. God continues to call people to turn their hearts toward Him and to live under His authority. The Kingdom is not limited to a place or a moment in history. It is alive and active wherever people submit to the King.

As we reflect on this message, it is worth asking how we have responded to that announcement. Have we simply heard it, or have we allowed it to reshape our lives? When the Kingdom becomes our priority, our decisions, relationships, and values begin to align with the heart of God.

The announcement has been made. The King has come. The invitation remains open for all who are willing to turn and follow Him.

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

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”

Kingdom Prayer

This past Sunday, we leaned into a foundational truth that shapes everything else in the life of a believer: Kingdom Prayer. Prayer is not just a religious exercise or a ritual we perform to feel spiritual. It is the lifeline of the Kingdom citizen. It is how we align our hearts with the will of the King and invite Heaven’s rule into earthly situations.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6, He did not begin with personal requests. He began with position and perspective. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” That opening sets the tone for Kingdom prayer. It is not self-centered; it is King-centered. It is not driven by convenience; it is driven by alignment.

Kingdom prayer shifts our focus from what we want to what God desires. It reminds us that we belong to a higher government and that we are ambassadors of that Kingdom here on earth. When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, we are asking for His authority, His justice, His peace, and His righteousness to invade our circumstances. We are asking for Heaven’s culture to shape our homes, our church, and our community.

One of the most powerful aspects of Kingdom prayer is that it transforms the one who prays. As we submit our desires to God’s will, our hearts begin to change. Our priorities become clearer. Our frustrations are softened. Our faith is strengthened. Prayer is not just about changing situations; it is about being changed in the process.

Kingdom prayer also requires faith. It means trusting that God hears, that He sees beyond what we see, and that He is working even when results are not immediate. It is a declaration that God’s plan is greater than our understanding and that His timing is perfect. In prayer, we surrender control and choose confidence in the King.

As a church, we are called to be a praying people. Programs do not sustain spiritual momentum. Strategies alone do not produce transformation. It is prayer that invites the presence of God and opens the door for true breakthrough. When we pray with Kingdom perspective, we move beyond routine requests and begin to intercede for revival, unity, salvation, and influence.

This week, let your prayer life reflect your citizenship. Begin with worship. Seek alignment with God’s will. Intercede with confidence. Believe that your prayers matter because they are connected to the heart of the King.

When we pray Kingdom prayers, we are not begging for attention; we are partnering with Heaven. And when Heaven moves, everything changes.

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

Kingdom Influence

This past Sunday, we continued building on the message of the Kingdom with a powerful focus on “Kingdom Influence.” If we truly belong to the Kingdom of God, then our lives are not meant to be hidden, passive, or disconnected from the world around us. Kingdom citizens are called to influence their environment, not blend into it.

Jesus made this clear in Matthew 5 when He said, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” Those statements are not suggestions. They are declarations of identity. Salt affects whatever it touches. Light changes the atmosphere wherever it shines. Influence is not optional for a believer; it is part of who we are.

Kingdom influence does not come from loud opinions or cultural dominance. It comes from living under the authority of the King and reflecting His character in everyday life. Influence begins with integrity. It grows through consistency. It multiplies through love and truth lived out in real situations.

When Jesus called us salt, He was reminding us that we are meant to bring flavor and preservation into a decaying world. When He called us light, He was reminding us that we are meant to reveal truth and bring clarity into confusion. Influence is not about controlling people. It is about embodying the presence of Christ so clearly that others are drawn to Him.

Too often, believers underestimate their influence. We may think influence only belongs to leaders, platforms, or public voices. But Kingdom influence starts in homes, workplaces, classrooms, and conversations. It shows up in how we respond under pressure, how we treat those who disagree with us, and how we love when it is inconvenient.

Influence also requires courage. Salt that loses its flavor becomes ineffective. Light that is hidden cannot serve its purpose. If we compromise our values to gain acceptance, we lose the very influence we were meant to carry. Kingdom influence is strongest when we remain rooted in truth while walking in grace.

As a church, we are not called to retreat from culture, nor are we called to mirror it. We are called to impact it. That impact begins with personal surrender. The more we submit to the rule of the King, the more His influence flows through us. Our words carry weight. Our actions carry witness. Our lives carry light.

This week, consider where God has positioned you. You are not there by accident. You are there as salt. You are there as light. You are there as a representative of the Kingdom. Influence does not require a stage. It requires obedience.

May we be a people who do not shrink back but shine brightly. May our influence point beyond ourselves to the King we serve. And may the Kingdom of God be seen clearly through the way we live.

With Kingdom conviction,
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”