First Christian Church Champaign

Sacrifice and submission. If we're being real, those words probably made a few of you uncomfortable. So we're opening it up. These are answers to your questions, your pushback, your "but what about…" moments.

Ever pour your heart into something… only to realize you totally missed the assignment? That’s the question behind this message on marriage. Is it about chasing a feeling—or becoming faithful, formed, and changed? From a fifth-grade Harry Potter fail to one of the most tension-filled passages in Ephesians 5, this talk goes after the “why” beneath the vows—and the kind of love, respect, sacrifice, and shared mission that can actually make a marriage come alive.

A new year invites us to rediscover prayer as the heartbeat of a vibrant life with God. Prayer is not a task to perform but a relationship to enjoy; a way of opening ourselves fully to God’s presence and aligning our hearts with His will. This series calls us to move beyond routine and into a life marked by honesty, dependence, and trust. As we learn to pray with wonder, we begin to live with freedom and courage, seeing the world through God’s eyes and joining Him in His work.

Before anything can be harvested, it has to first be planted. This is a simple truth that we sometimes forget. And just like corn or beans, souls require similar care. The first step is planting seeds, expecting an abundant harvest.

Found people find people. Before we even open our mouths or invite someone to church, we must pray for God to prepare hearts and minds to encounter Jesus. What if we prayed incessantly for one life in our lives to come to know Jesus - until He answers? fcc-online.org/onelife

10:30A Live Bible Study - Exodus 32:25-35

9:00A Live Bible Study - Revelation 8:6-13

In this sermon, we discuss the importance of understanding context when reading the Bible. The host reflects on a personal anecdote about feeling out of touch with modern slang to highlight the importance of context in communication. We delve into why context matters in biblical study, the significance of different translations, and how to choose one that best suits you. The episode provides practical tips for deeper Bible study, including the 'I Read Bible Study Method,' emphasizing the ultimate goal of reading the Bible—transformation rather than just information. Join us as we explore how scripture can profoundly change our lives.

Start 2026 with a fresh spiritual focus! Join us as we explore the transformative power of Jesus-centered Bible reading. Discover how engaging with God's word can lead to incredible spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Him. Get inspired by a 10-minute overview of the Bible's grand story, understand why it's crucial to make Bible reading a top priority, and commit to a year of spiritual transformation and community. Don't miss this empowering message—it's the perfect way to kick off the new year!

Join Stephen as he delves into a heartfelt sermon about the ups and downs of Peter's life with Jesus, offering a relatable reflection on our own faith journeys. Learn what it truly means to run to Jesus, share your story, and embrace the community of broken yet hopeful believers at church. Through Peter’s example, discover how Jesus is with us in every high and low, ready to guide and lift us up. Get ready to be encouraged and inspired to share your faith unapologetically.

Join us as we explore Luke 2 in our series, Sounds of This Season. This episode delves into the true meaning of joy versus happiness, emphasizing that joy is 'functioning hope.' Learn how cultural misconceptions often equate joy with happiness, and discover how the Gospel provides everlasting joy. Hear stories, analogies, and powerful reflections on the transformative power of placing hope in Jesus, rather than in worldly circumstances. This heartfelt sermon invites you to tie your hope to the eternal promises of Christ.

Pastor Eric Friedmann fondly recalls humorous memories of Christmas past and sets the stage for a new mini-series titled 'The Songs of This Season.' He reflects on the unexpected origins and deep meaning behind popular Christmas carols, starting with 'Silent Night.' By delving into the context of Jesus's birth, Friedmann emphasizes that spiritual stillness and true peace are found not in the absence of life's chaos, but in the presence of the Savior. He invites the congregation to seek stillness through their relationship with God, stressing that they are at home with the Heavenly Father solely because of Jesus. Encouraging the community to embrace the essence of the season through worship, Friedmann concludes with a call to recognize and cherish the divine stillness brought by Christ's birth.

In this final sermon of the 'The Relentless Pursuit' series, we dive into the essence of disciple-making according to the teachings of Jesus in Luke chapter 9. The message emphasizes three key principles: denying oneself, dying daily by taking up one's cross, and demonstrating devotion by following Jesus wholeheartedly. The sermon challenges cultural Christianity and calls for a return to committed discipleship, urging believers to live out their faith with purpose and impact. Through real-life stories and scriptural insights, this sermon seeks to transform listeners into true disciples who make disciples, partnering with the Holy Spirit to empower others to obediently follow Jesus.

Join us as we continue our series on discipleship with a focus on the power and importance of being a witness for Jesus Christ. This week's message delves into the significance of sharing and demonstrating God's love and truth amidst various challenges such as fear, busyness, and feeling unequipped. We explore practical steps and biblical examples, noting the essential role of the Holy Spirit and personal character in effectively witnessing to those around us. Discover how to invite God's presence into your daily encounters and carry forward the message of the gospel through your actions and words.

In this week's episode of The Relentless Pursuit, we delve into First Corinthians chapter 12 to understand the importance of serving with our spiritual gifts. Pastor Eric emphasizes that every Christian is endowed with unique gifts meant for the common good of the Kingdom of God. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural exegesis, he challenges believers to move beyond consumption and fully engage in contributing to the church and community. Along with celebrating new commitments to Christ and baptisms, the episode highlights the necessity of order, encouragement, and the invaluable role of the Holy Spirit. Join us as we explore what it truly means that 'saved people serve people.'

As Thanksgiving approaches, Pastor Jordan Dunahee reflects on gratitude and shares a personal story about his connection to Illinois basketball. He humorously describes a game's 'Money Grab' segment, drawing a parallel to life's struggles with money and how the world's system is broken compared to God's economy. As part of the 'Relentless Pursuit' series, he emphasizes the significance of generosity as a pillar of discipleship. Pastor Jordan explores the biblical definition of generosity, urging congregants to view it as a gift rather than a burden. He delves into 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, highlighting the Macedonian churches' example of generosity despite their poverty. He underscores the importance of prioritizing generosity by first giving ourselves to the Lord and trusting Him with our finances. He shares a personal testimony about experiencing God's faithfulness in finances. Pastor Jordan concludes by emphasizing the grace of generosity, reflecting on God's ultimate gift through Jesus, and challenging the congregation to respond in generosity, prayer, and worship.

There is something at the center of our shared human experience, something deep in our souls, that longs to cry out to something beyond ourselves. Every person—man, woman, and child, Christian, Buddhist, or even Atheist—will find it hard not to exclaim their gratitude to a ‘Higher Power’ for the greatest joys in life, or beg that same ‘Power’ for deliverance in their most dire time of need. For the Christian, that ‘Higher Power’ is the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ, and that ‘crying out’ is a spiritual act called prayer—the sixth pillar in The Relentless Pursuit.

Some call it “The Word of God.” Others simply say “The Word” or “Scripture.” But the most recognized name—without question—is “The Bible.” If someone asked you, “What is the Bible, and what is it even about?” how would you respond? This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we provide some basics to understanding the big picture of what the Bible is all about.

In the early 17th century, poet John Donne asserted in one of his writings that, “no man is an island…” Meaning that no person, no matter how gifted or resourceful, can ever truly be self-sufficient—we can’t live this life on our own. Thousands of years before those words were written, God proclaimed it was “not good” for man to be alone. This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we pull back layers about how we were created to be in community with others.

Have you ever thought about how many things you trust without fully understanding them? Microwaves cook our food in seconds, but most of us can’t explain how. Cars take us miles with the push of a pedal, yet few could build one from scratch. We trust these things work, even if we don’t fully grasp how. The same goes for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of disciples. This week in The Relentless Pursuit, we dive into the mystery of the Spirit.