Hard seasons are part of life, even for believers. In this episode, Pastor Chris walks through Romans 8:18–27 and explores what he calls “A Glory and Three Groans.” Discover how creation groans for renewal, believers groan for redemption, and the Holy Spirit groans in prayer on our behalf. This message will help you anchor your hope in future glory while faithfully enduring present trials.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18727030

1. Compare Now with What Comes Next – Paul reminds us that present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed (Romans 8:18). Though hardship is real, eternity reframes everything. Our future inheritance as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) gives us strength to endure today.

2. Creation Groans for Renewal – Because of the fall (Genesis 3:17), creation is subjected to frustration and decay. Yet Romans 8:19–22 promises that creation itself will be liberated. Revelation 21–22 assures us that God will make all things new and remove the curse forever.

3. Believers Groan for Redemption – We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit long for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). Our hope is not escape from this world, but resurrection and glorification (Philippians 3:20–21; 2 Corinthians 5:1–4). We wait patiently, confident that God is finishing what He started.

4. The Spirit Groans in Prayer – In our weakness, when we do not know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26–27). Jesus Himself also intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). We are never alone in our suffering.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares a humorous moment at camp when he reacted to surprise by shouting “glory,” illustrating how groaning reveals the heart. He also recounts building a home that initially looked like chaos but eventually became something beautiful, mirroring how God is building future glory out of present hardship.

Notable Quotes:
“Present suffering is real, but it is not ultimate.”
“Creation groans, believers groan, and even the Spirit groans, but glory is coming.”
“This is not heaven. But heaven is coming.”

Actionable Takeaways:
Reflect on a current hardship and compare it with the eternal glory promised in Christ.
Choose to remain faithful today, even when circumstances feel heavy.
Pray honestly, trusting the Spirit to intercede when words fail.
Share the hope of Christ with someone who is walking through suffering.

Scripture References:
Romans 8:17–27 – Suffering, glory, and the Spirit’s intercession
2 Corinthians 11:23–28 – Paul’s endurance through hardship
Philippians 3:20–21 – The promise of a glorified body
Genesis 3:17 – The curse on creation
Revelation 21:1–4; 22:3 – The removal of the curse and new creation

Keywords:
Christian hope, Romans 8, suffering and glory, resurrection, Holy Spirit intercession, future glory, biblical endurance, new creation, perseverance, faith in hard seasons

Closing Statement:
This episode encourages listeners to fix their eyes on eternal glory, remain faithful in suffering, and trust that God is working even through life’s hardest seasons.

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

What does it mean to live with confidence as God’s adopted child? In this message from Romans 8:12–17, Pastor Chris explains how our identity in Christ reshapes how we fight sin, follow the Holy Spirit, and rest in God’s assurance. Discover how a secure foundation in Christ leads to freedom, faithfulness, and hope through every season of life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18688050

Key Points:

1. Break free from the old way of living (Romans 8:12–13)
Believers are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to actively put sin to death and walk in the freedom Christ provides.

2. Walk daily under the Spirit’s leading (Romans 8:14)
Those who are led by the Spirit are God’s children. A Spirit-led life is marked by surrender, obedience, and trust as God guides us step by step.

3. Live confidently as God’s adopted child (Romans 8:15–17)
Adoption is both a legal and relational change. Through Christ, we are welcomed into God’s family with full rights, assurance, and an eternal inheritance as co-heirs with Christ.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris uses the illustration of the Virginia High Bridge to show how a strong foundation determines long-term stability. Just as unseen supports hold the bridge steady, a secure identity in Christ sustains believers through pressure, temptation, and hardship.

Notable Quotes:
“Our faith needs a secure foundation, because what we believe shapes how we live.”
“The flesh offers comfort without cost, but the Spirit offers life with a fight.”
“God doesn’t accept us because we live right. We live right because God has accepted us.”

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflect on areas where old habits or sinful patterns may be weakening your spiritual foundation
• Choose one daily practice that helps you stay sensitive to the Spirit’s leading
• Confess known sin quickly and receive God’s forgiveness with confidence
• Live each day from your identity as God’s adopted child, not from fear or performance

Scripture References:
Romans 8:1, 10–17 – Life in the Spirit and adoption as God’s children
Romans 6:11–14 – Dead to sin, alive in Christ
Colossians 3:5–10 – Putting off the old self and putting on the new
James 1:14–15 – The progression of temptation and sin
1 John 1:8–9 – Confession and forgiveness
Galatians 4:4–7 – Adoption and inheritance through Christ
Proverbs 4:23 – Guarding the heart

Keywords:
Christian identity, Romans 8, adoption in Christ, Holy Spirit, assurance of salvation, freedom from sin, spiritual growth, grace, discipleship

Challenge:
This week, choose to live from your identity as God’s adopted child by surrendering one area of struggle to the Holy Spirit and trusting God’s grace to guide your next step.

26.0215de Living from a Secure Identity

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

Christian love is more than a feeling. In this message from 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, Pastor Chris explores what agape love looks like when lived out in everyday relationships within the church, family, and community. This teaching calls believers to love in ways that protect, trust, hope, and persevere, reflecting the heart of Christ in practical, life-shaping ways.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/16335535

Key Points:

1. Love always protects
   Christian love seeks the good of others by covering, guarding, and preserving dignity rather than exposing weaknesses. Love refuses gossip, public embarrassment, or careless words, choosing instead to protect people within the limits of truth. Scripture references include 1 Corinthians 13:7, Proverbs 10:12, John 17:15, and Matthew 1:19.
2. Love always trusts
   Biblical love chooses to believe the best, giving the benefit of the doubt rather than living in suspicion. While love is not gullible, it begins with grace and assumes sincerity unless proven otherwise. Scripture references include 1 Corinthians 13:7, Ephesians 4:32, and Luke 22:32.
3. Love always hopes
   Love looks forward rather than backward, believing God is still at work in people’s lives. It refuses to see failure as final and remains confident in God’s power to redeem, restore, and grow His people. Scripture references include Romans 8:28, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 11:1, and Colossians 1:4–5.
4. Love always perseveres
   Christian love does not quit when relationships become difficult. It endures hardship, remains faithful, and continues to act with commitment and grace even under pressure. Scripture references include 1 Corinthians 13:7, Hebrews 13:4, and John 3:16.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares real-life pastoral experiences involving testimonies, church care, and helping people in need, illustrating how love protects without enabling sin and trusts without being reckless. These stories ground the message in lived ministry reality.

Notable Quotes:
Love praises in public and corrects in private.
Love refuses to take failure as final.
When love gives up on people, it gives up on the power of God to change lives.

Actionable Takeaways:
Reflect on how you speak about others when they are not present.
Practice giving the benefit of the doubt before assuming motives.
Choose hope when someone disappoints you rather than writing them off.
Commit to perseverance in relationships God has called you to honor.

Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Proverbs 10:12
John 17:15
Matthew 1:19
Ephesians 4:32
Luke 22:32
Romans 8:28
Romans 15:4
Hebrews 11:1
Colossians 1:4–5
Hebrews 13:4
John 3:16
1 John 4:7–10, 19

Keywords:
Christian love, agape love, 1 Corinthians 13, biblical relationships, church unity, trusting others, hope in Christ, perseverance, loving like Jesus

Challenge:
Ask God this week to help you love one person in a way that protects, trusts, hopes, or perseveres, even when it costs you something.

21m0214de Four Things Christian Love Always Does

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

In this message from Romans 8:5–11, Pastor Chris explores how the Holy Spirit, who lives within every believer, leads us into a new way of life. Using everyday illustrations and Paul’s teaching, the message challenges believers to move off spiritual autopilot, turn from familiar ruts, and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather than living by lists or habits from the past, we are invited to let the Spirit shape our desires, direction, and confidence as we walk in new life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18645648

Key Points: Learning a New Way to Live - How to Live in Victory Series

1. Choose to set your mind on what brings life and peace (Romans 8:5–6)
   Our mindset shapes our direction. When our thoughts are centered on Christ and renewed by Scripture, we experience life, peace, and clarity instead of drifting through life on spiritual autopilot.
2. Turn away from old patterns that keep you spiritually stuck (Romans 8:7–8)
   Familiar routines, inherited traditions, or empty religious habits can become ruts that limit growth. The Spirit invites believers to move forward in freedom rather than remain stuck in the past.
3. Depend daily on the Spirit who lives within you (Romans 8:9–10)
   The Christian life is not lived by willpower alone. Everyone who belongs to Christ has the Holy Spirit living within them, empowering obedience, transformation, and assurance.
4. Walk with confidence knowing God’s resurrection power is at work now (Romans 8:11)
   The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is actively at work in believers today, giving endurance in hardship, confidence in weakness, and hope that reaches beyond this life.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris shares relatable illustrations about driving on autopilot, mowing straight rows by fixing your eyes on a distant point, and getting stuck in familiar ruts. These stories help connect biblical truth to everyday life and spiritual habits.

Notable Quotes
“You can’t steer a parked car.”
“Lists are good, but lists don’t change hearts.”
“The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Actionable Takeaways
Reflect on where your mind naturally drifts during the week.
Identify any spiritual ruts or habits that may be limiting growth.
Choose daily to renew your mind through Scripture.
Yield your decisions and direction to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Scripture References
Romans 8:4–11
Galatians 5:13–25
Romans 12:2
John 14:16–17

Keywords
Romans 8, Holy Spirit, Christian living, spiritual growth, mindset, spiritual direction, renewal of the mind, walking by the Spirit, faith, discipleship

Challenge
This week, intentionally surrender one familiar habit or mindset to the Holy Spirit and ask God to guide you onto a new path that leads to life and peace.

26.0208de Learning a New Way to Live

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

Many believers struggle with guilt that keeps them stuck in the past and uncertain about what God thinks of them. In this opening message from the How to Live in Victory series, Pastor Chris walks through Romans 8:1-4 to show how Christ removes condemnation, breaks sin’s power, and leads believers into a Spirit-shaped life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18607101

Key Points:

1. Stand on the foundation that lifts you above condemnation (v. 1)
   Romans 8:1 declares a settled verdict for those in Christ. This freedom flows out of the struggle of Romans 7 and assures believers that guilt no longer defines their standing before God.
2. Live in freedom from the power of sin (vv. 2-3)
   Through Christ, the law of the Spirit sets believers free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do, God accomplished by sending His Son, breaking sin’s authority and shame.
3. Follow the Spirit into a sanctified life (v. 4)
   Freedom from condemnation is not an excuse to drift, but an invitation to walk according to the Spirit. God’s purpose is a transformed life shaped from the inside out.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris uses the image of a fallen tree crushing a cabin to illustrate how guilt feels different when a mess is our own fault, and how grace still restores. He also shares a humorous story about a guilty dog hiding under the table to show how shame causes believers to pull away from God.

Notable Quotes:
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
“Grace gives us permission to move forward.”
“Freedom from guilt opens the door to a Spirit-led life.”

Actionable Takeaways:

Reflect on what guilt continues to surface in your heart
Stop hiding and bring sin honestly before God
Trust Christ’s finished work instead of self-accusation
Take a step forward in faith where shame has held you back

Scripture References:
Romans 8:1-4
Romans 7:24-25
Romans 5:1
John 5:24
John 3:16-18
Colossians 2:14-15
Galatians 5:16

Keywords: Romans 8, living free from guilt, no condemnation, grace, Christian victory, Holy Spirit, sanctified life.

Challenge:
This week, accept Christ’s verdict over your life and intentionally walk forward in freedom by following the Spirit instead of living under guilt.

26.0201de Living Free From Guilt

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

Encourage One Another to Finish Strong - Eyes on the Prize Series. In Hebrews 12:12-15, God reminds us that the Christian life is a shared journey, not a solo run. In this message, Pastor Chris Teien challenges believers to strengthen one another, walk with intentional faith, pursue peace and holiness, and watch over each other so God’s grace continues to shape the body of Christ. We are called to run our race faithfully and to help others run theirs well.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18567454

Outline:

1. Strengthen Tired Bodies and Weary Souls (v.12)
   Hebrews 12:12 calls believers to respond to God’s work in their lives by strengthening what has grown weak. Spiritual endurance is developed through faithfulness, discipline, and trust in God, even when the journey feels exhausting.
2. Walk Steady Paths That Lead to Healing (v.13)
   Hebrews 12:13 reminds us that our choices affect others. God calls us to live intentionally so our lives help bring healing and clarity to those who are following behind us rather than causing them to stumble.
3. Train for the Race Through Peace and Holiness (v.14)
   Hebrews 12:14 teaches that peace with others and holiness before God are marks of a life transformed by grace. Holiness is not about earning God’s approval but living out the new life He has already given us.
4. Watch Over One Another So Grace Prevails (v.15)
   Hebrews 12:15 urges the church to actively care for one another so bitterness, isolation, and spiritual drift do not take root. God designed believers to grow stronger together as we guard one another in grace.

Key Takeaways:
Faith is meant to be lived in community, not isolation.
Your walk with Christ influences others more than you realize.
Peace and holiness grow as we stay connected to God and each other.
The church runs strongest when believers encourage and protect one another.

Supporting Scripture References:
Hebrews 12:1-15
Isaiah 35:3-4
Ephesians 6:10
Proverbs 4:26
Romans 14:19
1 Corinthians 10:23
1 Peter 1:14-16
Ephesians 2:8-9

Action Step:
Ask God this week to show you one way you can encourage someone else in their walk with Christ and one area where He is calling you to grow stronger in faith.

26.0125DE

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

Enduring faith does not grow by accident. In this episode, Pastor Chris explores Hebrews 12 and shows how God’s discipline functions not as punishment, but as loving coaching from a perfect Father. Using the imagery of athletic training and the Winter Olympics, this message helps listeners understand how God shapes His children through correction, perseverance, and trust so they can live holy, fruitful lives.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18528866

Key Points:

1. God disciplines like a good coach, not an angry judge
   Hebrews 12:5-6 shows that God’s correction flows from love, not rejection. Just as a coach understands an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, God knows how He has formed us and trains us accordingly.
2. Discipline is proof of sonship, not abandonment
   Believers are disciplined because they belong to God. Through adoption in Christ, we become sons and daughters who are cared for, corrected, and shaped by a loving Father. Scripture reminds us that discipline confirms our identity, not our failure.
3. God uses discipline to remove misplaced priorities
   Through pruning, hardship, or redirected paths, God trains His people to let go of idols and focus on what produces lasting fruit. Discipline often reveals what we depend on and teaches us to trust God more deeply.
4. Present pain produces lasting gain
   Though discipline can be painful, it yields righteousness, peace, and endurance. God uses seasons of difficulty to prepare us for future ministry, leadership, and faithfulness.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares stories from athletics, early Christian growth through Christian radio and teaching, and personal experiences where God used discipline and redirection to prepare him for ministry, endurance, and long-term faithfulness.

Notable Quotes:
God disciplines us because He loves us, not because He is finished with us.
Discipline is training for holiness, not punishment for failure.
God’s correction is always preparing us for what lies ahead.

Actionable Takeaways:

Reflect on how you respond when God corrects your path
Ask where God may be training you rather than punishing you
Trust that current hardship may be preparation for future fruit
Choose obedience and humility when God invites change

Scripture References:
Hebrews 12:5-11
Proverbs 3:11-12
John 1:12
Romans 8:15
Romans 10:9-10
Galatians 4:4-7
1 John 5:11-13
John 15:1-2
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Revelation 3:19

Keywords:
God’s discipline
Enduring faith
Hebrews 12
Spiritual growth
Christian perseverance
God as Father
Biblical discipleship
Faith under pressure

Challenge:
Ask God this week to help you see His discipline not as something to resist, but as loving coaching meant to strengthen your faith and shape your future.

26.0118de

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com

How to Find Focus and Strategy for a Winning Faith. Life is not a sprint but a race that requires endurance, focus, and purpose. In this message from Hebrews 12:1–4, Pastor Chris uses the illustration of Olympic snowboarding to show how God calls each believer to run a unique race with perseverance, fixing their eyes on Jesus and trusting Him through every stage of life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18490060

Key Points:

1. Run the race God designed for you
   Hebrews 12 reminds us that every believer has a specific race marked out by God. Our stage of life, resources, and circumstances may differ, but faithfulness matters more than comparison.
2. Focus your heart and attention on Jesus
   Fixing our eyes on Jesus keeps us from distraction, discouragement, and envy. Christ is both the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, and our confidence grows when we stay centered on Him.
3. Remember the reward of Christ’s victory
   Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. His finished work assures our salvation and gives meaning to our perseverance today.
4. Consider the cost Christ endured so you do not lose heart
   When faith feels heavy or progress feels slow, reflecting on what Jesus endured strengthens us to keep going and resist sin with renewed resolve.

Personal Stories
Pastor Chris reflects on different life races, including young families, middle age pressures, retirement, restarts after failure, and seasons of hardship. He shares how God continues to use believers at every stage when they remain available and faithful.

Quotes
• If you woke up this morning and you are still breathing, God still has a purpose for your life.
• Your race is different from everyone else’s, and that is by design.
• Jesus created the race, ran it perfectly, and now walks with you as you run yours.

Takeaways
• Reflect on the stage of life you are in and ask God how He wants to use you right now.
• Identify distractions or sins that may be slowing your spiritual progress.
• Commit to fixing your eyes on Jesus through Scripture, prayer, and daily obedience.
• Take one intentional step this week to serve Christ with the time and resources you have.

Scripture
Hebrews 12:1–4 – Running with perseverance and fixing our eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 11 – Examples of faithful endurance
James 1:2–4 – Endurance through testing
Ephesians 2:10 – God’s purpose prepared in advance
Philippians 1:6 – God completes the work He begins
Psalm 16:8 – Keeping eyes fixed on the Lord
Philippians 2:8 – Christ’s obedience unto death
Hebrews 10:12 – Christ’s finished sacrifice
1 Peter 2:21 – Following Christ’s example
2 Corinthians 4:16 – Renewed inwardly day by day

Keywords
Christian endurance, Hebrews 12, running the race, faith and perseverance, fixing eyes on Jesus, spiritual growth, purpose in every season, Well Faith Podcast

Challenge
This week, ask God to clarify your race, remove what hinders you, and recommit to running faithfully with your eyes fixed on Jesus.

26.0111de

The WELL Faith Podcast offers encouraging, Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien and guests. New sermons are released every Sunday. Replay episodes are marked with an asterisk. Visit the well.faith media page and find us online at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.Church in Virginia, MN. Email comments to wellfaith24@gmail.com