Chip Brogden CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

Hello Elaine,


Join us tonight as we explore...



DAVID: A PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE (Part 1)
Thursday, January 11, 2024
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.



I hope to "see" you tonight!



I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org



P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible




PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

I Know Whom I Have Believed
by Chip Brogden

"I know whom I have believed."

2 Tim. 1:12

The Scriptures exhort us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Our spiritual growth may be generally discussed as occurring in three seasons of development. Please do not use this teaching to examine where others are, but use it to examine yourself and see if you are indeed growing and maturing in the knowledge of Christ.

READ MORE https://theschoolofchrist.org/i-know-whom-i-have-believed

Join us online tonight as we begin a new, encouraging study of the life and times of David from a unique point of view...



DAVID: A PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE (Introduction)
Thursday, January 4, 2024
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,


It's a new year, and for many, that means making a fresh start.
If you want to make spiritual growth a priority in 2024, an excellent way to get started is with our free online course, At His Feet.

Learn more and sign up here:

https://theschoolofchrist.org/ahf

This course is for anyone who wants to grow closer to the Lord – especially if you want a deeper relationship with God without religion, church, and all the other “stuff” that complicates the simplicity of that relationship.

Blessings to you and your family in 2024!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,


If you have ever felt like your faith is weak and you would like to know how to increase your faith, you don't want to miss tonight's online Bible study...



FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 7)
Thursday, December 28, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.



I hope to "see" you online!



I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org



P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible




PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Chip Brogden
From:
chip@theschoolofchrist.org

Wed, Dec 27 at 2:12 PM

Hello Elaine,

I'm inviting you to join me on Zoom next week for a very special online fellowship!

We'll have a short teaching, communion, and prayer to close out the old year and prepare our hearts for the new year.

It will be a wonderful time to connect with brothers and sisters all over the world and take communion online together - something we've never done before, and I'm looking forward to it!

Here are the details:

Saturday, December 30, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern
(New York Time Zone)

To save your virtual seat, register here:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/zoom

I hope to see you online!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,

Paul reveals the secret of the Christian life when he says: “I live by the faith of the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20).

If it is not me, but Christ Who lives in me, then it is not my faith, but the faith of Christ in me.

We live by His faith and power, not ours!
My faith is weak; but His faith is strong!

I don’t need to increase my faith, but rely on His Faith, the same as I rely on His Life and His Love.

“Not I, but Christ” is the secret.
But surely there are things we can do to increase our faith, right?

If you mean "works" like pray harder, read longer, do more of this and do less of that, then no.

If you mean "putting yourself in a position to better appreciate and cooperate with the measure of faith that God has given all of us, to live by the faith of the Son of God, according to His power and not mine," then yes! :-)

We'll talk about it in this week's online Bible study...

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 7)
Thursday, December 28, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Eliminating the Unessential
by Chip Brogden


Spiritual growth is not
adding to what you already know;
it is eliminating the unessential.


People who are striving for something more “advanced,” something more complex, or something deeper, delude themselves to think that spiritual growth is about adding to what they already know. And really the opposite is the case. Spiritual growth is not adding to what you already know; it is eliminating the unessential. Spiritual growth is getting rid of things that you do not need so you can focus on the things that are vital and important...

READ MORE
https://theschoolofchrist.org/eliminating-the-unessential

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,

I'm inviting you to join me on Zoom next week for a very special online fellowship!

We'll have a short teaching, communion, and prayer to close out the old year and prepare our hearts for the new year.

It will be a wonderful time to connect with brothers and sisters all over the world and take communion online together - something we've never done before, and I'm looking forward to it!

Here are the details:

Saturday, December 30, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern
(New York Time Zone)

To save your virtual seat, register here:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/zoom

I hope to see you online!
I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA
​

Hello Elaine,


The disciples came to Jesus and said, "Increase our faith" (Lk. 17:5).



They were still learning what faith is and how faith works, and I believe they had a misconception similar to what a lot of Christians today have been taught - that faith is a force that can be increased or decreased like the charge in a battery, or like someone's level of "anointing."



We also see here a tendency to think that we can ask Jesus to do things for us that we are supposed to do ourselves.



Yes, it would be nice if Jesus could just wave His hand and say, "Here is a double portion of faith!" or "I command your faith to be increased 10x!"



Jesus' response was not to do what they asked Him to do.



Instead, His reply seems to indicate that increasing your faith is really not the goal here; and even it was the goal, there is no quick and simple solution to having more faith granted to you.



Rather, Jesus seems to say that the SOURCE and OBJECT of their faith was the issue, rather than the AMOUNT of faith; for even faith the size of a mustard seed can uproot trees and move mountains, provided that the SOURCE and OBJECT of faith is correct!



So what is the SOURCE and OBJECT of this faith, you ask?



Join us online this week as we explore...



FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 6)
Thursday, December 21 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.



I hope to "see" you online!



I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org



P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Make A Fresh Start With God
by Chip Brogden



Occasionally people write in to ask me for advice because they are worried that they are not really saved.



I do not try to convince them that something they did in the past was sufficient; I simply have them make a fresh surrender, and then the question of being saved is settled once and for all.



In fact, the life of a disciple is a life of constant surrender to Christ, forsaking your own way for His way. Every day there is a new opportunity for surrender! In the beginning you may believe that your way is always the best way, but those of us with some experience will tell you that His way is always superior. Always. In time you learn to prefer His way over our own: that is a characteristic of the spiritually mature. When the surrender is made then discipleship can begin...

READ MORE
https://theschoolofchrist.org/make-a-fresh-start-with-god

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine!
I wanted you to be the first to know about my newest book, just published on Amazon.



Spiritual growth is not adding to what you know; it is eliminating the unessential.

In "The 7 Essential Teachings of Jesus" we are considering the essential, fundamental, basic, and elementary ideas, principles, and concepts that Jesus taught.


Most of the teachings of Jesus can be categorized into these seven basic concepts; and yet, the depth of these simple teachings are such that we may study them and apply them our whole lives.



Click the link below to check it out on Amazon.



https://amzn.to/47XzY7r



Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching!





I am your brother,





Chip Brogden

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

Hello Elaine,

When Heaven seems silent and the time seems long, Faith working by Love fuels our trust that God is Who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.

Join us online TONIGHT as we discuss...

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 5)
Thursday, December 14, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Family, Fellowship, and Leadership
by Chip Brogden

Is spiritual leadership needed? Absolutely. Do we really have a clue what spiritual leadership consists of, especially “outside the camp”? Probably not.

At least not until we unlearn all the things we learned in the religious system, and begin to see the Body of Christ as the Family of God. Then I think all our issues with fellowship and leadership will be resolved, and we can just begin to love one another, help one another, and go on towards Christ-centered spiritual maturity...

READ MORE
https://theschoolofchrist.org/family-fellowship-and-leadership

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,


If Faith always means “fast answers” then there would be no need to test it, no need for patience, no need for endurance.



But real, Biblical faith REQUIRES patient endurance precisely because it is tested in the real world that resists God’s Will.



How can we overcome this natural need to want everything NOW?



How can we patiently trust when Heaven seems silent?



Join us online TONIGHT as we discuss...



FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 4)
Thursday, December 7, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.



Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.



I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org



P.S. If you can't join us for the study, register to receive the audio replay:

https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible




PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,

It seems wonderful Biblical concepts such as "faith" and "prayer" and "healing" have been misconstrued to mean two things, depending on where you are right now:

1. Avoiding problems.
2. Eliminating problems as quickly as possible.
I believe in faith, prayer, and healing. I believe in miracles.
But I cannot find any Biblical proof that Christians can expect to quickly eliminate their problems or avoid problems altogether using faith, prayer, or healing "formulas."

On the contrary, Scripture prepares us for REALITY...

- We will have tribulation in this world.

- All who live godly will suffer persecution.

- There is an enemy coming to steal, kill, and destroy.

- Our faith with will be tested.

- We will experience many different temptations and trials.
In Scripture, the purpose of FAITH becomes clear - it is not to eliminate all PROBLEMS, but to eliminate all DOUBT as to the Greatness and Goodness of God (whether the problem goes away or not).

This is a radical departure from the ear-tickling teachings we have grown accustomed to, but Faith Working By Love is our only hope!

We can fight it and get frustrated, or we can embrace it and find peace.

Join us online this week as we continue to explore HOW...

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 4)
Thursday, December 7, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

The Persistent Purpose of God
by Chip Brogden
Scripture confirms what we already know to be true: that even though God “has put all things under” the feet of Jesus, it remains that “we do not yet see all things put under Him” (Heb. 2:8b).
Even though Jesus is Lord, not everyone recognizes that, appreciates it, or acknowledges it. Our adversary the devil still walks around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

That there exists some spiritual force that continues in active resistance to Christ is proof enough that we do not yet see all things put under Him. We also note the presence of sin, poverty, disease, death, and evil as being very much a part of the world in which we live. So there is still much to be done in terms of putting all things beneath Him.

But the presence of the word “yet” should inspire us and fill us with hope! Although we do not yet see all things put under Him, the word “yet” implies that eventually we will see all things put under Him. That is to say, in due course, God’s Purpose will be fulfilled, and we will see all things put under Him – even though we do not “yet” see it...

CONTINUE READING
https://theschoolofchrist.org/the-persistent-purpose-of-god
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,

The other day as I walked down the paved walkway in my neighborhood I took a right turn into the woods.

As soon as I did, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and gave me the answer to something I had been puzzling over.

I stopped right there at the edge of the woods and wrote it down.

I was puzzled no more.

And I knew those words would make a difference in the lives of millions of suffering people - if only they could see, hear, understand, and accept it.

I will share those words with you this evening.

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 3)
Friday, November 30, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

I hope to "see" you online!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

CORRECTION: The teaching is TONIGHT (not Friday). - CB

Hello Elaine,


The other day as I walked down the paved walkway in my neighborhood I took a right turn into the woods.



As soon as I did, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and gave me the answer to something I had been puzzling over.



I stopped right there at the edge of the woods and wrote it down.



I was puzzled no more.



And I knew those words would make a difference in the lives of millions of suffering people - if only they could see, hear, understand, and accept it.



I will share those words with you this evening.


FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 3)
Thursday, November 30, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

I hope to "see" you online!


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org



P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
There are two kinds of people who pray, and they each approach prayer with two different goals in mind.
The first type of person sees prayer as a way of getting what they want.

The second type of person sees prayer as a way of getting what God wants.

It is easy to discern what I want.

It is not always so easy to discern what God wants.

If God wants the same thing I want them prayer is a joy.

But if God wants something different from what I want then we might have a problem.
And this is exactly where FAITH WORKS BY LOVE.

Because it takes FAITH to trust God enough to lay aside what I want and pray what God wants.

Did you know that Jesus experienced this Himself?

Not only did He experience it, but He left us an example to follow.

"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and the Perfecter of our faith..."

If we look to ourselves we will be frustrated by our lack of faith.


But if we look to Him, we will see how faith works by love, and we will prevail in praye
Join us this week as we dive deep!

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 3)
Friday, November 30, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

One Flock, One Shepherd
by Chip Brogden
Permit me to say that from the vantage point of heaven there are only two groups of people: the ones with Life and the ones with no Life.
And we cannot say someone does or does not have Life by judging them according to the outward appearances of how they worship, where they worship, or what earthly organization they do or do not belong to. God really and truly does not calculate the members of the Ecclesia by looking at the membership rosters of our denominations, counting heads on Sunday morning, reviewing our baptismal records, or seeing how many home church groups are meeting together. You may or may not find Life in any of these places.

We can point to all the denominations, sects, movements, factions, and individual churches as proof that we are not in unity. Outwardly speaking we are divided. Outwardly speaking I doubt we will ever be in unity. Wheat and tares, sheep and goats will continue to be mixed together until they are separated at the end of the age. But we should see that God neither recognizes nor endorses any of our labels, organizations, and associations. It is not that God is for or against the Baptist denomination, or the Pentecostal denomination. He simply overlooks all of it. It is of no account to Him and has no bearing on His eternal purpose. You can be in, out, for, or against whatever you please, but God is not looking at that either. Of course it’s terribly important to earthly-minded folk, but those who are seated in heavenly places with Christ view things differently...

CONTINUE READING
https://theschoolofchrist.org/one-flock-one-shepherd

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,
We need to redefine what "real, Biblical faith" consists of.
Because too many people have been injured by the false teaching that says if you are not walking in health and prosperity it's because you lack faith.
Well, here's a thought - Jesus never rebuked a sick person for their lack of faith. But He did rebuke His disciples when they lacked faith to heal and deliver others!
Ponder that.
The truth will make you free, but only if you are willing to embrace positive disillusionment.
Join us tonight as we explore...
FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 2)
Friday, November 24, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)
Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.
I hope to "see" you online!
I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org
P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible
PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,


*NOTE: This week's online Bible study will be held on Friday instead of Thursday as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.



"Faith Formulas" will fail.



Real, Biblical faith works by love - and love never fails!



We need to redefine what "real, Biblical faith" consists of.



Here's just one example:



Hebrews 11 (the great "faith" chapter of the New Testament) TWICE mentions people who "died in faith" and "received not the promise."



Wait! Whaaaaat???



God promised them something, they had faith and believed God for it, and yet they DID NOT RECEIVE what God promised.



I bet you never heard a sermon on that!



That's because we have been misled to think that faith is about getting what you want, when you want it. And we all want it "yesterday"!



Actually, faith is believing that God is Who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do - even if we don't receive its, see it, hear it, feel it, or experience it in the "here and now."



Plenty of people DO receive the promises, but many do not.



True love waits.



Faith working by love waits, too.



Because "receiving the promises" is not a function of my great faith, but of HIs great mercy, grace, and timing - and "it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own authority" (Acts 1:7).



See?



Anybody can have faith when they get what they are asking for!



But true faith is trusting God whether you get the answer or not!



Oh, there is so much more... we have only just begun...



You simply DO NOT want to miss this study because it will correct DECADES of false teaching and light a fire under you!



FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 2)
Thursday, November 24, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)



Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org





P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible



PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

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Say to Archippus
by Chip Brogden
“And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry
which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it
… remember my bonds'” (Colossians 4:17,18ff).

This personal footnote at the closing of Paul’s letter to the Colossians deserves a closer look. Perhaps in this word of exhortation to Archippus someone may see an application to their situation today.
Someone like Archippus had to be encouraged to fulfill the ministry God had given him. Why? Because it was not something anyone would pursue on their own accord. People did not pursue ministry in the Early Church; ministry pursued them. Ministry was not organized into a hierarchy, and it offered them little or nothing in terms of financial or material reward. It promised little or nothing in the way of fame, recognition, or privilege.



This probably accounts for the reason why, in those days, the Harvest was truly plentiful, but the laborers were few. Today the self-appointed laborers are so many that they are trampling all over the Harvest. The professional clergy and the attitude it brings has become a liability to the Lord of the Harvest, not an asset. They have become a hindrance to the Harvest instead of a help; and today, rather than pray for more laborers to go forth, we might be better off to pray for some of them to go back home and sit at the feet of Jesus for awhile...

CONTINUE READING
https://theschoolofchrist.org/say-to-archippus

PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA

Hello Elaine,

Don't misunderstand...

I believe in miracles and divine healing.

I even believe in wealth - if you are willing to work for it.

But I reject the notion that FAITH is a force we can use to magically manifest everything we ask for.

That is appealing only if you interpret FAITH through a self-centered or Church-centered lens; then FAITH becomes a religious formula.

For those pursuing a Love Relationship, "faith formulas" have no place.

There is another possibility: A Christ-centered FAITH based on relationship.

This kind of FAITH works by LOVE.

And so the Lord said to me...


"Before you can understand how FAITH works, you have to understand how LOVE works, because FAITH works by LOVE."

Isn't that wonderful?

Join us this week as I share with you what He shared with me...

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE (Part 1)
Thursday, November 16, 2023
7:00 pm Eastern Time (New York)

Register here (if you haven't already):
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible

It's free to join, but your gift (of any amount) makes it possible for us to offer these studies freely.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


P.S. If you can't join us live this week, register to receive the audio replay:
https://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org/bible


PO Box 98733
Raleigh NC 27624
USA