Joy is not something we stumble into by accident. In this message, Pastor Chris Teien walks through the story of the Magi in Matthew 2 and shows how true joy is found by those who intentionally pursue Jesus, even when the path is uncertain. This episode invites listeners to step out in faith, follow the light God gives, and offer Christ their very best.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18395519

Key Points:

1. Take the first step toward Jesus
   The Magi acted on what they knew, not on what they could fully see. Faith moves forward with limited information, trusting God to guide each next step. Scripture: Matthew 2:1–2, Psalm 119:105
2. Do not let fear or comfort keep you from Him
   Fear, insecurity, and comfort can quietly keep us from obedience. While Herod resisted Jesus and religious leaders stayed comfortable, the Magi kept moving. Joy grows when faith turns knowledge into action. Scripture: Matthew 2:3–6, James 4:8, Isaiah 55:6
3. Follow the light God gives you
   God often reveals direction gradually. As we respond faithfully, He provides clarity along the way. Remaining close to Christ keeps us fruitful and steady even in uncertainty. Scripture: Matthew 2:9–10, John 15:4–5, James 1:22
4. Offer Jesus your best, not what is left over
   True worship costs something. The Magi brought their treasures, bowed in humility, and trusted God with their resources. When we place Christ first, God uses our surrender to accomplish His purposes. Scripture: Matthew 2:11–12, John 5:24, Romans 15:13

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares his own journey of stepping away from career security to pursue full-time ministry, reflecting on the joy that comes from trusting God with the unknown and moving forward in obedience.

Notable Quotes:
Joy is rooted in God’s presence, promises, and purposes.
Faith moves forward with the light it has.
You experience joy when obedience turns belief into action.

Actionable Takeaways:
Reflect on where fear or comfort may be slowing your obedience.
Identify one step God is prompting you to take toward Him.
Commit to following Scripture even when the future feels unclear.
Offer your time, resources, and heart to Christ intentionally this week.

Scripture References:
Matthew 2:1–12 – The Magi pursue and worship Jesus
Psalm 16:11 – Joy found in God’s presence
Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy of the Lord as strength
Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word as guidance
James 4:8 – Drawing near to God
Isaiah 55:6 – Seeking the Lord
John 15:4–5 – Abiding in Christ
James 1:22 – Living out the Word
John 5:24 – Crossing from death to life
Romans 15:13 – Hope, joy, and peace through trust in God

Keywords:
joy worth pursuing, Magi, Christmas faith, spiritual obedience, following God, Christian joy, faith journey, worship, biblical encouragement

Challenge:
Ask God what step of faith He is calling you to take, then move forward this week trusting Him with the outcome.

The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

Christmas is about far more than traditions, gifts, or a moment in history. In this message, Pastor Chris Teien explains the eternal meaning of Christmas by tracing God’s long-planned rescue mission through Jesus Christ and showing how His coming offers forgiveness, transformation, lasting joy, and the promise of eternal life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18408186

Key Points:

1. Christmas reveals God’s planned rescue mission
   God’s plan of salvation was announced centuries in advance through prophecy and fulfilled perfectly in the birth of Jesus, reminding us that God keeps His promises and works in His perfect timing.
2. Christmas points to forgiveness through the cross
   Jesus did not come only to be born, but to suffer, die, and shed His blood so that sin could be forgiven and broken lives could be made right with God.
3. Christmas invites us into eternal life with Jesus
   Through His completed sacrifice and ongoing intercession, Jesus offers believers eternal life and the assurance of being with Him forever.
4. Christmas calls for a personal response of faith
   Each person must respond by believing in Jesus, receiving Him as Savior, and choosing to follow Him daily with trust and obedience.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris uses everyday Christmas experiences, including food, traditions, and family moments, to contrast temporary pleasures with the eternal joy found in a personal relationship with Jesus.

Notable Quotes:
“Christmas is about Jesus and the eternal value of living for Him.”
“Jesus did not just come to forgive sin, but to be with us forever.”
“Joy is the confident assurance that God is in control, even when life feels uncertain.”

Actionable Takeaways:
Reflect on what Christmas truly means beyond traditions
Consider whether you have personally received Christ
Share your testimony of life before and after Jesus
Choose daily to put Jesus first in time, priorities, and decisions

Scripture References:
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:18–23, Matthew 1:21, Luke 19:10, Isaiah 53:3–6, Hebrews 9:22, John 1:29, John 14:1–6, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 10:12, Acts 1:11, John 11:25–26, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, Luke 9:23, John 15:11, Revelation 22:12

Keywords:
Christmas meaning, Jesus Christ, salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, joy in Christ, faith, gospel, hope

Challenge:
This week, take a personal step toward Jesus by trusting Him, following Him more closely, or sharing the hope of Christmas with someone who needs to hear it.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

Fear has a way of shrinking our faith and silencing our witness, especially when life feels uncertain. In this message from Luke 2, Pastor Chris shows how godly joy is rooted in God’s grace, anchored in His promises, and strong enough to overcome fear. Through the Christmas story of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, listeners are invited to rediscover a joy that steadies the heart and fuels faithful living.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18351796

Key Points:

1. God works through difficult circumstances
   God used inconvenience, hardship, and humble settings to accomplish His redemptive plan. Luke 2:1-7 reminds us that God is often working even when timing feels wrong and life feels unsettled.
2. Fear reveals where trust is being tested
   The shepherds’ reaction shows how fear can surface when God moves unexpectedly. Fear focuses on what could go wrong, while joy rests in what God has already done. Luke 2:8-9; Psalm 34:4.
3. Godly joy is grounded in good news
   The angel’s message points to the gospel that brings lasting joy for all people. True joy flows from knowing the Savior has come and that God is for us. Luke 2:10-11; John 3:16.

(overall message ends here)
Godly joy does not remove difficulty, but it gives confidence, peace, and courage in the middle of it.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares practical reflections on fear in everyday life, including the fear of sharing faith and the fear of uncertainty, showing how perspective changes when we trust God’s presence and purposes.

Notable Quotes:
Fear focuses on what could go wrong, but joy anchors us in what God has already done.
God is often glorified through humble people and difficult circumstances.
Joy grows when we retell what God has done.

Actionable Takeaways:

Reflect honestly on where fear is showing up in your life
Anchor your joy in God’s grace rather than your circumstances
Take a small step of obedience even when fear is present
Share what God has done in your life and allow joy to grow

Scripture References:
Luke 2:1-20 – The birth of Jesus and the shepherds’ response
Psalm 34:4 – God delivers from fear
Romans 8:28 – God works all things for good
John 3:16 – The gift of salvation through Christ
James 1:2 – Joy in the midst of trials

Keywords:
godly joy, overcoming fear, Luke 2 sermon, Christmas message, faith over fear, Christian encouragement, sharing the gospel, joy in Christ

Challenge:
This week, name your fear before God, receive His peace, and intentionally live and speak with joy that points others to Christ.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

The Christmas story is filled with familiar details, but woven throughout the birth of Jesus is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Pastor Chris Teien explores how the Holy Spirit was active in the lives of Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon, and Jesus Himself, and how that same Spirit works in believers today. This message invites listeners to grow in faith, obedience, and Spirit-filled living.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/16335543

The Holy Spirit brings life and fulfillment to God’s promises
The birth of Jesus was made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Throughout the Christmas story, God’s Spirit fulfills His promises and brings life where it seems impossible.

The Holy Spirit encourages and strengthens God’s people
Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon were all filled, guided, or moved by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41, 67; Luke 2:25-27). God’s Spirit encourages faith, obedience, and perseverance.

The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer
When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we also receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9). The Spirit helps us live the Christian life and produces spiritual fruit.

The Holy Spirit empowers obedience and witness
Believers are called to live Spirit-filled lives marked by obedience, transformation, and bold witness (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1-2). God uses faithful obedience to impact others.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares personal ministry experiences where reliance on the Holy Spirit provided strength, energy, and effectiveness during seasons of exhaustion. He also tells a story of sharing faith during an unexpected conversation that highlights how God can use simple acts of obedience.

Notable Quotes:
“The Christmas story reminds us that God is always at work, even when we don’t see it.”
“You cannot live the Christian life in your own strength. You need the Holy Spirit.”
“Faithful obedience creates opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work through us.”

Actionable Takeaways:
Reflect on how the Holy Spirit has worked in your life since you came to Christ.
Ask God to fill and guide you daily through His Spirit.
Choose obedience in the small things and trust God with the results.
Live with awareness that God’s Spirit empowers your witness and growth.

Scripture References:
Luke 1:35 – The Holy Spirit and the birth of Jesus
Luke 1:41, 67 – The Spirit fills and empowers God’s people
Luke 2:25-32 – Simeon led by the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:9 – The Spirit lives in every believer
Ephesians 1:13 – Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit
Acts 1:8 – Power to be witnesses
Romans 12:1-2 – Living a transformed life

Keywords:
Holy Spirit, Christmas sermon, Advent message, Birth of Jesus, Spirit-filled living, Christian growth, Luke 1-2, Biblical teaching

Closing Statement:
This episode encourages listeners to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christmas story and to live daily with faith, obedience, and dependence on God’s Spirit.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

God often brings the right people into our lives at just the moment we need encouragement. The story of Mary and Elizabeth shows how God strengthens our faith through trusted relationships and the work of the Holy Spirit. Their example reminds us that joy grows when we walk with others, listen for God’s voice, and trust his plan in uncertain times.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18314232

Key Points:

1. Joy grows when we share life with each other – Luke 1:39–45
   God sends Mary to Elizabeth for encouragement, wisdom, and confirmation. Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled welcome strengthens Mary’s faith and affirms God’s work in her life.
2. Joy flows when we remember God’s faithfulness – Luke 1:42–45
   Elizabeth reminds Mary that God is blessing her. Remembering what God has done in the past builds confidence for the future.
3. Joy deepens when we walk in the Spirit
   Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit and speaks words of truth and hope. The Spirit equips believers to encourage others and live with courage.
4. Joy glows through worship and trust – Luke 1:46–55
   Mary responds in worship as she reflects on God’s mercy and purpose. Joy becomes the natural overflow of a heart resting in God’s plan.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:
Pastor Chris shares how God brought key people alongside him in ministry and church planting, providing needed encouragement, resources, and partnership at just the right times.

Notable Quotes:
“Joy is a contentment that God is in control.”
“God often sends someone to walk with you when he calls you to something new.”
“The Holy Spirit empowers us to encourage others and overflow with hope.”

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflection: Identify people God has placed in your life for support and encouragement.
• Daily-life application: Encourage someone who may be facing uncertainty or fear.
• Spiritual step: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and strengthen your faith today.
• Practical next step: Share part of your story with someone who needs hope this week.

Scripture References:
Luke 1:39–55
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 5:18
Romans 15:13
Acts 1:8
Acts 9:31

Keywords:
Mary, Elizabeth, encouragement, joy, Holy Spirit, faith, trust, hope, relationships, Luke 1

Challenge:
Ask God to fill you with his Spirit and show you one person you can encourage so that joy can grow in both your life and theirs.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

Joy Even When You Feel Forgotten. There are seasons when life leaves you feeling overlooked, unheard, or stuck in a long wait you never asked for. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1 shows that even when God seems silent he is still moving. Their experience reveals how joy can begin long before the circumstances change and how God sees what others miss. This message invites listeners to rediscover hope in the God who remembers.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18274897

Key Points

1. God Sees Your Faithfulness
   Luke 1:6-7
   Faithfulness is never wasted. God sees the quiet obedience and steady service that others overlook, and joy grows from trusting his unseen work.
2. God Hears the Prayers You Stopped Expecting Him to Answer
   Luke 1:11-13
   Old prayers still matter to God. Even when hope feels gone, God continues to work and answers in his perfect timing.
3. God Can Bring Joy in Unexpected Ways and Unlikely Situations
   Luke 1:18-20
   God often surprises his people by working through moments that seem impossible. The delay becomes part of the preparation.
4. What Their Story Means for Us Today
   Real joy does not come from perfect circumstances but from the character and presence of God. Seasons of waiting can become places where God is quietly shaping what comes next.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris shares how God unexpectedly led his family back to the Iron Range and arranged the sale of homes on the same day, showing how God works behind the scenes. He also tells the story of a student who longed to share her faith and later found that God had been preparing her for the perfect moment to do so.

Notable Quotes

“Bible joy is a deep and steady gladness that comes from knowing and trusting God, not from how life feels in the moment.”
“God hears the prayers you stopped expecting him to answer.”
“Living for Christ is an adventure. You never know what God is about to do when you stay faithful.”

Actionable Takeaways

• Revisit one old prayer and bring it before God with renewed trust.
• Stay consistent in the quiet habits of obedience that no one sees.
• Ask God to show you one new step you can take while you wait.
• Begin each morning with the prayer: Here I am, Lord. Use me today.

Scripture References

Luke 1:5-25
2 Timothy 3:15-17
James 1:2-4
Psalm 37:4
Philippians 4:19
Hebrews 13:5

Keywords Paragraph

This episode explores themes of waiting, unanswered prayer, disappointment, and renewed joy through the account of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-25. It highlights faithfulness in long seasons of silence, the hope that comes from trusting God’s timing, and the quiet ways God works behind the scenes even when life feels overlooked or forgotten.

Challenge

Choose one place in your life where you feel forgotten and bring it to God this week with fresh trust that he sees, hears, and is already working.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

Discover how a deeper understanding of God’s choosing can ignite true thankfulness in your everyday life. Pastor Chris Teien shares how God’s love, your identity, and your purpose take on new meaning when you see yourself as chosen by God. This message will encourage anyone seeking a stronger foundation for gratitude, deeper joy, and clarity about what God is doing in their life.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18239546

Key Points

1. Thankful to Be Chosen to Know the Father’s Love
God chose us before creation, adopted us into his family, and pursued us long before we pursued him. His choosing is a work of love, grace, and initiative. Scriptures in this point: 1 Peter 1:1-2, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 15:16.

2. Thankful to Be Chosen to Belong to God’s People
God welcomes us into his family and places us in a spiritual community where we can grow, serve, encourage, and be supported. Scriptures in this point: 1 Peter 2:9-10, Ephesians 2:19, Romans 12:5.

3. Thankful to Be Chosen to Live Out God’s Purposes
We are called to declare God’s praises, endure hardship with hope, and walk in the good works he prepared for us. Scriptures in this point: 1 Peter 2:9b, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 5:10, Ephesians 2:10.

4. Thankful to Express My Gratitude Through Words and Actions
A thankful life is seen in how we pray, speak, worship, serve, and encourage. Scripture calls us to live gratefully in all circumstances. Scriptures in this point: Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris shares his long process resolving the frontage road situation and how thankfulness can be both momentary and hard earned. He tells the story of adopting a child and how it mirrors the Father’s loving choice to adopt us. He also reflects on mentoring pastoral interns, helping people in need, and seeing God use simple faithfulness to make a lasting impact.

Notable Quotes

• Gratitude grows when we remember who we are and whose we are in Christ.
• Salvation begins with God’s initiative long before our decision.
• Gratitude is not silent. It speaks, serves, and becomes a testimony of God’s goodness.

Actionable Takeaways

• Reflect on how God pursued you and chose you in love.
• Look for someone in your church family to encourage this week.
• Ask God to reveal the good works he has prepared for you.
• Practice intentional thanksgiving through spoken praise and daily choices that honor Christ.

Keywords

Chosen, gratitude, thanksgiving, adoption, identity in Christ, purpose, community, God’s love, spiritual family

Challenge

Ask God to help you live as someone intentionally chosen by him, letting gratitude shape your words, actions, and relationships throughout the week.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com

When faith is tested by pressure, pain, and spiritual opposition, God has not left you alone. In this message from 1 Peter 4 and 5, Pastor Chris explains how trials become the very places where God deepens your faith, strengthens your character, and teaches you to trust him. This episode helps you stand firm when life pushes back and challenges your walk with Christ.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/18199675

Key Points:

PREPARE for the Pressure of Trials
1 Peter 4:12-13
Trials are normal for followers of Jesus. God uses them to refine your trust in him and shape you to reflect the character of Christ.

PRAISE Christ in the Pain
1 Peter 4:14-16
When your faith leads to misunderstanding or opposition, Scripture calls you blessed. Choosing praise keeps your attention on Christ instead of the weight of your circumstances.

PLACE Your Life in God’s Hands
1 Peter 4:17-19
God’s refining work begins with his own people. Trust him enough to continue doing what is right, even when the path is difficult or unclear.

POUR Out Your Cares before Him
1 Peter 5:6-7
God invites you to bring every burden to him. Casting your cares on the Lord is a humble act of faith, acknowledging his care and authority in your life.

PROTECT Your Heart against the Enemy and Persevere in Grace
1 Peter 5:8-11
You face real spiritual opposition. Stand alert, resist the enemy’s lies, and rely on God’s strength. He promises to restore, support, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered for a little while.

Personal Stories
Pastor Chris shares the true account of Alexander Selkirk, the sailor stranded alone for four years. His greatest battle was not the environment but the discouragement within him. What seemed like a breaking season became a shaping season, illustrating how God builds perseverance in times of pressure and spiritual struggle.

Quotes
Sometimes it feels like you are getting buried when really you are getting planted.
It glorifies the Lord when you worship and serve him when it is not convenient, not comfortable, and not easy.

Takeaways:

Reflect on where your faith feels tested and ask God to strengthen you in that place.
Respond to one difficult situation this week with trust and praise rather than frustration.
Take time to pour out specific cares before the Lord instead of carrying them alone.
Encourage someone facing pressure or opposition so neither of you stand alone.

Scripture
1 Peter 4 and 5, Romans 8, Philippians 3, Daniel 3, Psalm 119, 1 John 1 and 3.

Keywords:
faith, trials, opposition, perseverance, spiritual battle, endurance, Christian life, trust, hope, suffering

Challenge:
Ask the Lord to help you persevere in faith through trials and opposition and stand firm in his grace this week.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: connect@christeien.com