Well Faith with Chris Teien

What comes out of you when life gets difficult, someone treats you unfairly, or conflict catches you by surprise? Does your response reveal God's wisdom or something else?

In James 3:13–18, Pastor Chris Teien explores the difference between godly wisdom and selfish ambition. Discover how genuine faith produces good works, why humility matters, how jealousy damages relationships, and what it means to develop a character marked by gentleness, mercy, sincerity, and peace. Learn how God's wisdom can shape your everyday choices and help you become a peacemaker.

Message Shared 11/01/2026 at Rockwell Church [de]

Helping yo...

Are you making wise decisions, or are you relying on your own understanding to get through life?

Using the Book of James, Pastor Chris Teien explores the difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. Discover why true wisdom is more than knowledge, how jealousy and selfish ambition lead to trouble, and what it means to live with humility, peace, and integrity. Learn how God's Word and the Holy Spirit can guide your everyday decisions and help you live a life that honors Jesus Christ.

Archive Message Originally Shared 07/14/2019

Helping...

Is fear keeping you from doing what God wants you to do?

Pastor Chris Teien explores how faith in Jesus Christ gives us courage to face uncertainty, overcome anxiety, and make godly choices. Through 2 Timothy 1:7 and other Scriptures, discover how the Holy Spirit provides power, love, and self-discipline instead of fear. Learn how prayer, remembering God's faithfulness, guarding your thoughts, and trusting His promises can help you overcome fear and confidently share your faith with others.

Message Shared 10/31/2021 at Rockwell Church

Helping you understand and apply God’s Word. Find sermon transcripts and mo...

Have you ever said something you immediately regretted? Maybe your words hurt someone, created a misunderstanding, or damaged a relationship.

In James 3:1–12, Pastor Chris Teien explores why controlling our words is so difficult and how even a few careless words can have lasting consequences. Discover how your speech reveals what's happening in your heart, why your words can build others up or tear them down, and how God's Word and the Holy Spirit can help you speak with greater wisdom, kindness, and self-control.

Message Shared 10/25/2026 at Rockwell Church [de]

Helping you understand and ap...

It’s hard to stop worrying when life feels unfair, other people seem to get ahead, and God hasn’t answered the way you hoped. What does it look like to trust Him while you’re still waiting?

Psalm 37 calls us to trust the Lord, delight in Him, and be still before Him. But does taking delight in God mean He will give us whatever we want? Pastor Chris Teien explores that promise through personal stories of answered prayer, painful loss, and a decision between a promising career opportunity and the call to ministry.

If worry...

If salvation is a gift we can’t earn, why does James say faith without works is dead? Are James and Paul contradicting each other, or are they helping us understand the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly trusting Him?

Pastor Chris Teien explores how God’s grace changes our desires and moves us to action. Through the examples of Abraham and Rahab, a familiar airplane illustration, and everyday opportunities to care for others, this message examines what living faith looks like beyond Sunday morning.

You don’t have to earn God’s love. But what...

How much do someone’s clothes, last name, or apparent wealth influence the way you treat them? First impressions happen quickly, but they can keep us from seeing the person God wants us to love.

Drawing from James 2:1–13, Pastor Chris Teien shares memorable stories about suits, muddy boots, and a church’s unexpected financial provision. Each raises a question worth considering: Are we valuing people for who they are, or for what we think they can do for us?

This message challenges us to look beyond appearances, recognize favoritism in familiar places, and extend the mercy...

Have you ever been moved by a sermon, highlighted a Bible verse, or felt convicted about something, only to carry on without changing anything? It’s possible to know what God’s Word says and still leave your faith sitting in neutral.

With a memorable story about a riding mower that wouldn’t move, Pastor Chris Teien explores the gap between hearing Scripture and putting it into practice. James 1:19–27 challenges us to receive God’s Word with a teachable heart and respond to what it reveals.

What might change if your next Bible reading led to one con...

Why does temptation seem to offer exactly what you want at just the right moment? Like bait hiding a fishing hook, it promises something appealing while concealing what it could cost.

Through fishing stories, an apple fritter illustration, and the teaching of James, Pastor Chris Teien explores how temptation gains a foothold and why willpower alone isn’t enough. How can you recognize the trap before you’re caught? And how do you respond when you’ve already given in?

This message offers practical encouragement to resist temptation, trust God’s provision, and find forgiveness when you...

What do you do when following Jesus doesn’t keep trouble from coming? Illness, loss, strained relationships, and unexpected setbacks can leave you wondering how to keep trusting God when life feels heavy.

In this opening message from the Authentic Faith series, Pastor Chris Teien turns to James for encouragement when your faith is under pressure. A story about tackling a bicycle hill he once avoided brings the challenge of endurance into everyday life. What might God be growing in you through the difficulty you would rather escape?

Listen for encouragement to keep going, ask Go...

Who are you working for, and what are you hoping to accomplish? Some people struggle to find motivation, while others work constantly without stopping to consider why. Whether you’re employed, retired, volunteering, or caring for your family, the work you do provides opportunities to honor Christ and bless others.

Drawing from Proverbs 14:23, Ecclesiastes 3:12–13, and Colossians 3:23–24, Pastor Chris Teien considers the purpose behind our work and the reward of serving Christ faithfully. A farmer who viewed his business as ministry offers a practical picture of serving Jesus through everyday responsibilities and relationships.

Even when your work f...

Who could you call at two in the morning when something goes wrong? And who knows they could call you? Having people to connect with doesn’t always mean having someone you can count on when life gets hard.

Drawing from Proverbs 27, Pastor Chris Teien invites us to consider the kind of friend we are becoming. Sometimes caring for someone means saying something uncomfortable, as a story about a friend’s potential car purchase illustrates. But how do we offer honest counsel in a way that strengthens a friendship?

Whether you’re longing for deeper connec...

Are your financial decisions helping you prepare for the future, or adding stress to your life? From paying bills and saving for retirement to helping others, money decisions can weigh heavily on us. Proverbs offers wisdom for those pressures while challenging us to consider what we’re trusting most.

Drawing from Proverbs 3:9, 21:20, and 22:7, Pastor Chris Teien explores what it means to honor God with the resources he has entrusted to us. Honest observations about rising costs and a friend’s quiet generosity connect biblical wisdom with everyday financial choices.

Whether money feels tight or you have...

We make plans for next week, retirement, and the people we love. But how much thought do we give to eternity? Facing the reality that life is short can bring uncomfortable questions, but it can also help us see what deserves our attention today.

Pastor Chris Teien draws from Proverbs 27:1, 14:32, and 11:4 to consider our uncertain tomorrows and the lasting hope found in Jesus. Reflecting on conversations with people nearing the end of life, he invites us to think beyond practical arrangements to the deeper question of being ready to meet God.

Whether eternity feels distant...

It’s easy to say we’ll get serious about following Jesus when work settles down, the kids finish sports, or retirement arrives. But what happens when we spend our lives pursuing success and possessions while putting off our relationship with God and the people closest to us?

Drawing from Proverbs 27, 28, and 31, Pastor Chris Teien invites us to consider what we’re pursuing and who we’re becoming. Solomon’s wisdom challenges our desire for more and raises a surprising question about what praise reveals in our hearts. The familiar description of a virtuous wife also offers practical...

Communion is a good time to pause from the busyness of life and reflect on where we are in our daily walk with Jesus. Are we trusting his direction, spending time with him, and giving him first place, or do we need to return to the Lord?

In this brief message, Pastor Chris Teien draws from Lamentations 3:24–25, 40–41 and 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 to help us approach the Lord’s Table thoughtfully. Guided personal prayer provides an opportunity to confess sin, bring our worries before Jesus, and express praise and gratitude for his sacrifice.

Listen and be encouraged to take tim...

Living Out Your Convictions with Courage | Proverbs

Have you ever known the right thing to do but hesitated because getting involved might cost you something? When standing firm feels uncomfortable, it can seem easier to stay quiet, step back, or leave the responsibility to someone else.

Pastor Chris Teien opens with the picture of a small tugboat moving a much larger ship, reminding us that influence isn’t reserved for the strongest or most prominent people. Drawing from Proverbs 22–24, he considers the courage everyday faithfulness requires when people need guidance, destructive habits threaten, or doing what...

When a decision needs to be made, do you turn to God or assume you can handle it yourself? Having money, experience, or a workable plan can make self-reliance feel natural. Yet a choice that seems right may overlook something important.

Pastor Chris Teien walks through Proverbs 16, asking whether we trust God more than our own judgment. A costly financial decision early in marriage and a storm-damaged tree near a neighbor’s fence bring the question into everyday life. These experiences connect with Solomon’s wisdom about motives, humility, seeking counsel, and committing our plans to the Lord...

Have you ever wished you could take back something you said? A careless comment, an angry response, or a broken confidence can damage trust long after the conversation ends. Yet the words we choose can also bring encouragement and healing.

Pastor Chris Teien draws from Proverbs 6:16–19, 10:12, and 12:18, 25 to explore how our hearts shape our relationships. A humorous encounter with a microwave salesperson highlights why honesty matters, while Solomon’s wisdom challenges us to consider what our everyday conversations reveal about us.

Whether you’re navigating tension at home, at work, or in your church, listen for a...

Have you ever made a choice because you could, only to find yourself trapped by its consequences? Doing whatever we want can sound like freedom, but our desires don’t always lead us toward the life we hoped for.

Drawing from Proverbs 3:5–8, 4:23, and 5:21–22, Pastor Chris Teien considers how trusting God shapes the way we use our freedom. Solomon’s own failure to follow the wisdom he taught offers a sobering reminder: Knowing what’s right and continuing to live it are different things.

If you’re facing temptation, weighing a decision, or trying to move forward afte...

You can’t know everything tomorrow will bring, but what can you do today to be ready? Whether you’re facing a career change, family responsibilities, or concerns about the economy, uncertainty can make it difficult to know where to begin.

Using the picture of preparing for a wilderness trip, Pastor Chris Teien connects everyday planning with the wisdom of Proverbs 24:27, 15:22, and 22:3. A journey requires more than good intentions, and being busy doesn’t always mean we’re preparing for what matters. What are you carrying into the future that might actually be weighing you down?

Listen...

What are the people closest to you learning about faith by watching your life? You may want to point your children, grandchildren, or others toward Jesus while wondering whether your example is making a difference.

Drawing from Proverbs 4:1–9, 20:7, and Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Pastor Chris Teien explores how faith is passed from one person to another. Honest reflections on his own parenting highlight the opportunities ordinary conversations and imperfect moments give us to make Christ known. You don’t need a perfect family or a flawless past to offer a faithful example.

Whatever your stage of life, listen for en...

Family, friends, coworkers, social media, and entertainment all speak into our lives. With so many voices competing for our attention and values, how do we choose which ones to follow?

Pastor Chris Teien turns to Proverbs 1 and 4 to consider how the influences we welcome shape our direction. Drawing on biblical examples and Christian biographies that include both faithfulness and failure, he asks who we are learning from and who is learning from us. Small compromises can gradually take us somewhere we never intended to go.

Listen for encouragement to recognize harmful influences, seek godly wisdom...

In this message from Proverbs 1 and Proverbs 4, Pastor Chris Teien explores how the voices and influences we allow into our lives shape our character, decisions, and leadership. In a world filled with competing messages from social media, culture, friends, family, and entertainment, God's wisdom teaches believers how to discern truth and choose influences that lead toward righteousness. 

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/19344461

Through practical examples, biblical instruction, and personal illustrations, listeners are challenged to seek wise counsel, avoid harmful influences, and walk the path God has prepared for them. This message reminds us that e...

We have access to more information than ever, but knowing more doesn’t always mean knowing what to do. When your decisions affect your family, your work, or the people you lead, where do you turn for wisdom?

Pastor Chris Teien explores Proverbs 1:1–7 and 2:1–6, where wisdom begins with honoring God and earnestly seeking his guidance. Solomon’s life offers both encouragement and a warning: Even someone blessed with extraordinary wisdom still has to choose whether to follow it. A personal story about buying a house shows how God’s direction can become clearer when we look back.

Wheth...

Following Jesus doesn’t mean the race will be easy. Opposition, distractions, and past failures can make it difficult to keep moving forward. How do we stay faithful when we’re weary or tempted to give up?

In Hebrews 12:1–4, Pastor Chris Teien points us to Jesus, who endured the cross, and to the faithful believers whose examples help us persevere. A startling experience with a truck hood illustrates how watching someone else handle difficulty can prepare us for our own challenges. The message also includes racer Sam Hornish Jr.’s reflections on faith, setbacks, and leading his family b...

Do you ever feel too ordinary or inadequate to make a difference for God? David’s mighty warriors and Jesus’ disciples remind us that God works through people who need his strength, not people who already have everything together.

Pastor Chris Teien connects the courage and costly devotion of David’s men in 2 Samuel 23:8–17 with the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in 1 Chronicles 12:18 and Acts 2:1–4. Peter’s transformation from denying Jesus to boldly proclaiming him raises a personal question: Are we willing to let God use our lives?

Through these biblical accounts, consider what it means to depen...

When life changes and you don’t know what comes next, trusting God can be difficult. Whether you’re graduating, changing jobs, approaching retirement, or facing an unexpected hardship, uncertainty can bring real worry. Jacob faced that uncertainty too, leaving home with fear, guilt, and no clear picture of what lay ahead. 

Through Genesis 28:10–22 and 32:24–32, Pastor Chris Teien follows Jacob’s encounters with God, from a promise in a lonely place to a night of wrestling that changed his life. God’s presence didn’t spare Jacob from hardship, but his journey offers encouragement for trusting the Lord through ou...

Hannah wanted a child so deeply that she poured out her heart to God through tears. She wanted more than the joy of becoming a mother. She wanted her son to know and serve the Lord, and she promised to dedicate his life to God’s service.

In 1 Samuel 1:9–28 and 2:18–21, Pastor Chris Teien explores how Hannah followed through after God answered her prayer. Samuel grew up learning to serve the Lord under Eli’s care, while Hannah continued to love and provide for him.

Her story raises a question for parents, grandparents, and anyone investing in child...

You want to tell someone about Jesus, but you’re not sure what to say. Perhaps your own mistakes make you feel unqualified, or you need a simple way to explain the gospel and help someone begin following Christ.

Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:17–20, Pastor Chris Teien explores what it means to become a new creation and represent Jesus in everyday life. Conversations during a neighborhood walk illustrate opportunities to talk about faith, while practical resources and John 3:16 offer starting points for sharing the message of salvation.

Helping others find Christ includes walking alongside them as they grow...

You don’t have to be a pastor or have every answer to help someone follow Jesus. Yet feeling ordinary or worrying about a question you can’t answer can keep you from sharing the faith that has changed your life.

In Acts 11:19–26, believers scattered by persecution began telling people in Antioch about Jesus, and many turned to the Lord. Pastor Chris Teien explores how God worked through these ordinary believers and how Barnabas and Saul helped the growing church become established in faith.

Their story offers a practical invitation to notice opportunities in your own ne...

Jesus calls us to make disciples, but knowing where to begin can feel intimidating. What should you say? What if someone asks a question you can’t answer? Helping another person grow in faith doesn’t mean overwhelming them with everything at once.

Through Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian official in Acts 8:26–40, Pastor Chris Teien explores how listening, answering questions, and opening Scripture can help someone understand the good news about Jesus. He also introduces practical discipleship resources, including the Navigators’ lessons on assurance and Christian living, to help you begin meeting with someone.

If you’ve...

You can spend time in church, learn Bible verses, and know about Jesus, but what does it mean to follow him personally? Discipleship begins with that question before it becomes a matter of helping someone else grow.

Pastor Chris Teien follows the encounter on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13–35, where two disappointed followers walked with the risen Jesus without recognizing him. As he opened the Scriptures, their understanding changed, and they returned to Jerusalem eager to share what had happened.

Their experience invites us to examine our own response to Christ. Are we simply ga...

The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope beyond the grave, but it also matters for how we live today. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, what does that mean for our guilt, our fears, and our purpose in life?

Walking through Matthew 28:1–20, Pastor Chris Teien considers the empty tomb, the witnesses who encountered the risen Christ, and the responses of worship, doubt, and opposition. Jesus met followers who had failed him and entrusted them with a mission, giving us reason to consider what he can do through our lives too.

Whether you’re exploring fait...

Sin brings guilt and shame, but we cannot make ourselves right with God simply by trying harder or doing more good things. Jesus willingly went to the cross to do what we could never do for ourselves.

In Matthew 27:45–54, Pastor Chris Teien considers the darkness, Jesus’ cry of anguish, and the temple curtain torn from top to bottom. Together with Hebrews 10:19–20, these passages reveal why Christ’s sacrifice matters for our relationship with God and our freedom to bring our needs directly to him.

The message concludes with communion, remembering Jesus’ body given and blood shed for u...

If you knew you had only a week to live, what would matter most? As Jesus entered Jerusalem, he knew the cross was ahead. His choices reveal priorities that challenge how we spend our time, respond to people, and follow God.

Walking through Matthew 21:1–17, Pastor Chris Teien considers the cheering crowds, the overturned tables, and the people Jesus stopped to heal. Some welcomed him for what they hoped he would do for them, while religious leaders became angry at the wonderful things he was doing.

It’s possible to stay busy with religious activities while miss...

You may influence your children, coworkers, neighbors, or fellow church members without holding an official title. But what makes that influence helpful? When James and John sought places of honor, Jesus challenged his disciples to rethink greatness and the reasons they wanted to lead.

In Matthew 20:20–28, Pastor Chris Teien explores Jesus’ call to serve and his ultimate example of giving his life for others. A practical illustration about a restaurant manager addresses a common misunderstanding: Does servant leadership mean always taking the lowest task, or can thoughtful planning, training, and encouragement serve people more effectively?

Whet...

Worship includes the songs we sing at church, but it also reaches into how we work, treat our families, help our neighbors, and use our resources. What would change if we approached those everyday responsibilities as opportunities to show how much we value God?

Drawing from Hebrews 13:15–17 and John 4:23–24, Pastor Chris Teien explores worship as a daily response to Jesus. Even clearing snow from a church parking lot can become an act of devotion when it’s done out of love for the Lord. And when life is difficult or prayers remain unanswered, praise can still have a plac...

When the world feels unstable, it can be tempting to withdraw and focus on protecting yourself. But how can you find the courage to keep serving Jesus and encourage others when you’re facing uncertainty, opposition, or hardship yourself?

In Romans 8:31–39, Pastor Chris Teien explores the confidence believers can have because God is for them and nothing can separate them from his love. Paul’s words speak directly to fears about condemnation, suffering, and the future. A testimony of an imprisoned evangelist illustrates how even painful circumstances can become opportunities to share Christ.

This message offers...

When you lose a job, face illness, or experience a painful loss, hearing that “everything works for good” can raise difficult questions. Does Romans 8:28 mean everything that happens is good? What can you trust when you cannot explain what God is doing?

Pastor Chris Teien examines Romans 8:28–30, carefully distinguishing God’s promise from the idea that believers should expect comfort or an easy life. Personal stories about an unexpected job loss and a home that opened the door to adoption illustrate how God’s provision sometimes becomes clearer in hindsight.

Some hardships remain unexplained. This message of...