Christ Church Memphis
575 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsGo deeper in your faith with our weekly podcasts. Episodes include sermons by our pastoral team and interviews that guide you through some of our toughest faith questions.
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Episodes
The Significance of Hallelujah
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBSeries: Immanuel – God with Us Part 2: The Significance of Hallelujah Sermon by Paul Lawler Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 God is always speaking and leading, but it’s not all just about what He is saying, but about what He has said. We have a famine today, not around what God has said, but around people who want to hear what God has said. There is no famine of God’s Word but a famine of those willing to listen.
The Significance of Hallelujah
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBSeries: Immanuel – God with Us Part 2: The Significance of Hallelujah Sermon by Paul Lawler Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 God is always speaking and leading, but it’s not all just about what He is saying, but about what He has said. We have a famine today, not around what God has said, but around people who want to hear what God has said. There is no famine of God’s Word but a famine of those willing to listen. Learn more about, including registration, Welcoming Advent: The Four.
Thankfulness and the Gift of a Savior
November 28, 2022 11:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBSeries: Immanuel – God with Us Part 1: Thankfulness and the Gift of a Savior Sermon by Paul Lawler Scripture: John 1:1-14 During Advent, Christians enter a season of waiting and meditation to prepare our hearts for Christmas. While there are thousands of reasons to grateful for a savior, we can look to John 1 for five doctrinal truths about the gift of our savior. TL;DR It can be easy to overlook the significance of the Christmas holiday, specifically the gift of our savior. Five Reas...
The Church as a Worshipping Community
November 21, 2022 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBPart 12: Ekklesia: The Church as a Worshipping Community Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: John 4:1-26 Have you wondered if there is anything more to life? You are designed for something more. Your soul will never be satisfied apart from worshipping God. It doesn’t matter how extensive your portfolio is – it will not satisfy you. It doesn’t matter what kind of status you achieve, what degree you earn, or what shape you achieve through time in the gym. These things will not satis...
The Church as a Worshipping Community
November 21, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBPart 12: Ekklesia: The Church as a Worshipping Community Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: John 4:1-26 Have you wondered if there is anything more to life? You are designed for something more. Your soul will never be satisfied apart from worshipping God. It doesn’t matter how extensive your portfolio is – it will not satisfy you. It doesn’t matter what kind of status you achieve, what degree you earn, or what shape you achieve through time in the gym. These things will not satis...
The Church That Puts God First
November 14, 2022 11:00 - 32 minutes - 22 MBPart 11: Ekklesia: The Church That Puts God First Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9–12 You’ve probably heard the phrase before, “First things first.” So what are the “first things” of the blessed life? There are more than 500 verses in the Bible concerning prayer, nearly 500 verses concerning faith, but more than 2,000 verses on the subject of money and possessions. Jesus talked about money in 16 of his 38 parables. From the Bible's standpoint, we clearly need to unde...
The Priesthood of All Believers and the Church
November 07, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBPart 10: Ekklesia: The Priesthood of all Believers and the Church Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9–12 Christians have been called “a Chosen People,” but what does that mean? How does the Holy Spirit make us more like Christ? In this sermon, Rev. Paul Lawler outlines five alignments of a believer’s heart and mind.
The Church and the Word of God
November 01, 2022 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBPart 9: Ekklesia: The Church and the Word of God Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: 2 Kings 22:8-20
A Praying People
October 24, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBPart 8: Ekklesia: A Praying People Sermon by: Bro. Chris Carter Scripture: 1 Kings 18 What happens when we pray? What’s the difference in praying for what’s in us versus what we want? How do we restore the altars of our life to meet God?
The Church as the Bride of Christ
October 17, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBPart 7: Ekklesia: The Church as the Bride of Christ Sermon by: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Ephesians 5:31-32 A third of Americans who attend a Protestant church regularly (32%) say they read the Bible personally every day. Why does that matter? Marriage reflects deeper spiritual realities and is mentioned all throughout Scripture. The significance and symbolism related to the Bible begin with a marriage (Adam and Eve) and end with a marriage between Jesus and His Church. Marriage bet...
The Church as the Body of Christ pt. 2
October 10, 2022 18:00 - 35 minutes - 22.4 MBEkklesia: A Series on What it Means to be the Church Part 6: The Church as the Body of Christ Sermon by Paul Lawler What God Wants You To Know You need a revelation from the Holy Spirit (Connected to Prayer) You need your heart eyes enlightened (Connected to Prayer) God wants our hearts enlightened so that we can know three things, and God wants us to know these things at a level whereby its epignosis (a divine knowledge of God; an experiential knowledge of God) in our lives. He ...
Carole Ward: The Holy Spirit Wants To Work In & Through Us
October 10, 2022 11:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBSermon by Carole Ward Presented as a guest teacher during the Saturday, October 8, Altar service. Carole shares how she has witnessed the Holy Spirit moving in Africa, and it's not because they have better theology. If you want the fullness of the Holy Spirit, you have to lose control. Our greatest strength as Christians is our weakness. If you are in control, He cannot. However, where the Spirit of the Lord is, He takes control. It's time to come to the Lord in hungry for the Holy Spirit.
V: Where Do We Go From Here? (Are We Really Better Together?)
October 06, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBPastor Grant Caldwell and Sr. Pastor Paul Lawler look at the fifth chapter of Are We Really Better Together?. This chapter asks, "Where do we go from here?" In this final episode, our pastors examine the quickly changing landscape of The United Methodist Church and seek to see what exactly disaffiliation could be unto. Resources Servant of Slaves A Need For A New Wineskin
The Church as the Body of Christ
October 03, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBEkklesia: A Series on What it Means to be the Church Part 5: The Church as the Body of Christ Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23 Sermon by Paul Lawler In Ephesians 5:23, Paul said, “Christ is the Head of the Church.” In Colossians 1:18, he said, “And He is the Head of the body” – “the Church.” Truth: Christ is the Head. You know, that sounds like a simple thought, but some people get confused about this. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.
The Church as the Body of Christ
October 03, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBEkklesia: A Series on What it Means to be the Church Part 5: The Church as the Body of Christ Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23 Sermon by Paul Lawler In Ephesians 5:23, Paul said, “Christ is the Head of the Church.” In Colossians 1:18, he said, “And He is the Head of the body” – “the Church.” Truth: Christ is the Head. You know, that sounds like a simple thought, but some people get confused about this. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. Learn more about, including registration,...
IV: Divided on Mission (Are We Really Better Together?)
September 29, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MBPastor Grant Caldwell and Sr. Pastor Paul Lawler look at the fourth chapter of Are We Really Better Together?. This chapter asks, "Are we divided on mission?" We examine how these division issues shape our differing responses to the world in our churches, disciple-making, and missions. Finally, we address the role that pursuing justice plays in our witness and discuss how these things are not matters of minor preference but reflect how we live out the Gospel. Resources Masterplan of Evan...
The Church on Global Mission
September 26, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBSeries: Ekklesia Part 4: The Church on Global Mission Sermon by: Paul Lawler Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
III: Divided on Sexual Ethics (Are We Really Better Together?)
September 22, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBIn this episode, Pastor Grant Caldwell and Sr. Pastor Paul Lawler look at the third chapter of Are We Really Better Together?. This chapter asks, "Are we divided on human sexuality?" In this crucial episode, we explore the divide that's getting so much attention in the Methodist Church. We ask what the historic and Orthodox position on these matters is, what it is that we actually believe and are for and how this shapes the way that we love our friends, our families, and our neighbors here...
The UMC & the Need for New Wineskins
September 19, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBSeries: Ekklesia Part 3: The United Methodist Church and the Need for New Wineskins Sermon by Paul Lawler Scripture: Mark 2:21-22 When God splits something, it is to remove the barriers that keep His people from Him. Something is out of balance when you make the wineskin more sacred than the Wine. In this sermon, Rev. Paul discusses The United Methodist wineskin. Here's what's important: The church is eternal; the institution is temporary. The wine of the church is eternal, and yo...
II: Divided on the Bible (Are We Really Better Together?)
September 15, 2022 10:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBIn this episode, Pastor Grant Caldwell and Sr. Pastor Paul Lawler look at the second chapter of Are We Really Better Together?. This chapter asks, "Are we divided on the Bible?" Through conversation, we seek to understand how John Wesley approached the Bible and how Wesleyans have understood Scripture for centuries. We also look at questions of authority. Do we have any authority over the Bible, or does it have it completely over us? Resources Scripture and The Life of God Experience ...
What is the Church?
September 12, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBSermon by Rev. Paul Lawler Ekklesia – A Series on the Church Pt. 1: What is the Church? Matthew 16:13-29 Have we been operating under a false perception of what the Church is? Despite our cultural cues shaping our view of the Church, in Matthew 16, Jesus declares that He is building His Church. Rev. Paul Lawler outline five things the Church is and isn’t.
I: We Are Divided (Are We Really Better Together?)
September 08, 2022 10:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBOn today's show, Pastor Grant Caldwell and Sr. Pastor Paul Lawler look at the preface and first chapter of Are We Really Better Together?. These chapters address, are we divided already? They seek to understand how we got to this point and why things seem so loud. They also examine the heart of the issue and what the divide is really about. Resources: The Divided Flame: Wesleyans & the Charismatic Renewal The Problems of Wineskins: Church Structure in Technological Age When United at A...
Dwelling on the Goodness and Mercy of God
September 05, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBPt. 7: Psalms 23 Dwelling on the Goodness and Mercy of God Sermon by Rev. Paul Lawler “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”Psalm 23:6 (ESV) David’s life is not a life absent of problems and pain. He had lost a child to death earlier in his life and faced some deep brokenness and dysfunction in his family. Godly people navigate painful things. Knowing Jesus does not protect us from the effects of the fall...
[TRAILER] Are We Really Better Together?
September 01, 2022 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.32 MBAfter 55 years, we find a distressing reality. The United Methodist Church is not united; deep divisions exist within our denomination on matters of great importance. Can we continue as United Methodists when we see things so differently? Are we really better together? Sr. Pastor Rev. Paul Lawler and Pastor Grant Caldwell share a clear understanding of the current divide in the United Methodist Church. Each week, they'll discuss a chapter from Robert Renfroe and Walter Fenton's book, Are ...
The Gift of a Red-Hot Enemy
August 29, 2022 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBPart 6: The Gift of a Red-Hot Enemy By: Rev. Paul Lawler “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”Psalm 23:5 (ESV) HOW CAN A RED-HOT ENEMY BE A GIFT TO YOU? Learn more about, including registration, Welcoming Advent: The Four.
The Gift of a Red-Hot Enemy
August 29, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBPart 6: The Gift of a Red-Hot Enemy By: Rev. Paul Lawler “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”Psalm 23:5 (ESV) HOW CAN A RED-HOT ENEMY BE A GIFT TO YOU?
Get To Know Rev. Paul Lawler
August 25, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBWe'd like to introduce you to Rev. Paul Lawler, Christ Church Memphis' new senior pastor. This exclusive interview asks Paul about his family, ministry, and upbringing. Plus, we get to know his fun side on things like his favorite ice cream, movies, and hobbies.
Power Over the Fear of Death
August 22, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBSermon by Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Psalm 23 Suddenly David downshifts from 5th gear on you as you move on the freeway. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.”Psalm 23:4 (ESV) One moment I’m in green pastures lying down, fed, protected, life’s good, and the next moment, I’m in the deepest, darkest valley. David has no problem believing that God is present in BOTH situations. Seas...
The Great Shepherd Leads & Restores
August 15, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MB“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”Psalm 23b-3 (ESV) Sermon by Rev. Paul Lawler Is being led by God optional for a believer, or is it essential? Is hearing God’s voice normative or an anomaly?
The Shepherd's Provision
August 08, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBSermon by Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Psalm 23
Shepherd Incarnate
August 01, 2022 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBSermon by Rev. Jacky Gatliff Scripture: John 11 It didn’t matter that Jesus knew Lazarus would walk out of that cave in a matter of moments. It didn’t matter that he knew everything would be restored one day. Jesus’s anger and sorrow at not just the death of his friend—but at death itself—is a moving and memorable picture of who Jesus is.
Release: Learning to Let Go
July 25, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBSermon by Bro. Chris Carter Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19a, Psalm 46:10, Genesis 12:1, 22:1-2 Bro. Chris Carter steps in for Rev. Paul Lawler to share a message from the heart. God is always doing something new; as Christians, we must trust God's process. Before we can receive something, we must release.
The Great and Personal Shepherd
July 18, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBSermon by Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Psalm 23 Series: The Great Shepherd In the second part of our series, Rev. Paul Lawler shares how is God a personal and great shepherd? We learned last week that David is saying so much, with so few words, when he confesses God’s Lordship through the word, “Jehovah.” “Jehovah is my shepherd;” (ASV). The question for us is: Why is it a significant theme in Scripture? If Jehovah is a Shepherd, what are the implications?
The Great Shepherd Pt 1: The Lord
July 11, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBSermon: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Psalm 23
The Great Shepherd: The Lord
July 11, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBSermon: Rev. Paul Lawler Scripture: Psalm 23
A Red-Hot Recommendation
July 05, 2022 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBSermon by Bro. Chris Carter Scripture: Romans 16:1-2, 17-20 What an exciting week for us as our new senior pastor, Rev. Paul Lawler, and his wife, Missy, begin their ministry among us. In Romans 16, another Paul, Apostle Paul, writes a letter that carries a tone of great appreciation. That’s the same spirit in which Bro. Chris preaches this message!
Are You A Good Kisser?
June 27, 2022 12:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBSermon by Rev. Ken Stewart Galatians 5:1, 19-25
The Great Race
June 20, 2022 13:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBSermon by Pastor Mike Weaver Scripture: Hebrews 12
Caleb's Calling
June 13, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBSermon: Bro. Chris Carter Scripture: Numbers 14:24
The Birth of the Church
June 06, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBSermon by Rev. Maxie Dunnam Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, 12-13 You need to understand the question before you start offering answers. This sermon was shared on the day of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came to dwell among us. It was on that day that the Christian church was founded more than 2000 years ago. Now, with the United Methodists amid a split, we look at what it means for a new church to be founded.
When Jesus Calls
May 31, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBSermon by Andrew Grissom Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22 What distinguishes when Jesus calls? Is it a specific word, song, challenge, or Bible verse? Through Andrew's sermon, we will learn to recognize that the call of Jesus goes deeper than your marital or financial status, what you look like, or what age you are. When Jesus calls, the question is not, "is He speaking," it is, "What is He trying to say to us," and are we listening?
Seeing...And Not Seeing
May 23, 2022 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBSermon by Rev. Jacky Gatliff Scripture: John 9 Darkness is not what surrounds us but what is within us. We all have certain beliefs and fears that we tightly hold onto that obscure our perceptions. However, there are paradigms at play that help us see. Much like we see in John 9, we don't want to see the man on the margins because if we do, we have to confront our own blindness. Until we become the blind man, we cannot see with new eyes. If we are unwilling to have our eyes opened by Jesus,...
How Can I Do Missions Like Jesus?
May 16, 2022 15:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBSermon by: Pastor Grant Caldwell Scripture: John 17: 13-19 It might seem like a simple question on the surface, but the more we consider it, the more we see that there are unlimited depths to explore in answering it. Because to answer it, we must look at the person and life of Jesus Christ with all his complexities and glory. We have to consider the wonderful, powerful, and awe-inspiring mystery of the gospel. How Jesus defines and does missions is much grander and more significant than wha...
“Why Do You Call Me Good?”: Recovering The Gospel For Our Youth
May 03, 2022 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBCatechesis is the process of how we disciple our children and new converts. When the rich young ruler approached Jesus in our Scipture, we see an echo of his catechesis. He longed for something deeper, but somewhere along the way his conception of God was muddled. In recent studies, we see that much of our youth are experiencing the same thing. Reports that as low as eight percent of teenagers are devoted Christians. How do catechesis our students? How do we ensure that they're entering the ...
Encounters with Jesus: Children
April 26, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBSermon by Pastor Brad Bogue Scripture: Mark 10:10-13 It was common practice for rabbis to bless young children, but when a crowd of parents present their children to Jesus, the disciples rebuke them. What if, instead of resisting them out of frustration, we saw them as an opportunity to be open to God? Perhaps our agendas are simply that? OUR agendas. Our agendas are the things that interrupt us from our plans or rather the inefficient things of life, are not obstacles or distractions, but...
Memory in the Mirror
April 22, 2022 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBAs Mother's Day celebrations approach each year, it can be unsettling for women who experienced the death of their mother three months, three years, or even 30 years ago. christchurchmemphis.org/newhope
Can't Nothing Keep Us Down
April 18, 2022 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBTitle: “Can’t Nothing Keep Us Down!” Text: Matthew 28:1-10 NIV By: Bro. Chris Carter Alleluia! (Greek form of Hebrew Hallelujah)! God be praised! I want to begin with a testimonial on this Sunday of the year when we struggle most with parking. A believer shares, “After starting a diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were so many delightful pastries. I felt this was no acc...
Don't Miss His Visit
April 11, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBTitle: “Don’t Miss His Visit” (Palm Sunday) Text: Luke 19:28-44 Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was greeted with great joy and a growing sense of hope by the crowds gathered from all over the world for Passover. John’s version says that many of the people in the crowd were present the day Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and they had continued to spread the word. Word spread like wildfire! Wouldn’t you share the news if you knew someone personally who had been raised from the d...
The Heart of the Persecuted Church
April 05, 2022 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBThe global church faces devastating threats of persecution that often leave Christians exiled, estranged, maimed, and even murdered. Three members of the International Leadership Team share the joy of spreading the gospel, despite the brutal heartbreak and devastation that befalls many of the churches they work alongside.