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