Galena Bible Church

The Story: Grace for the Undeserving

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee... Jonah 1:1-3aJonah didn't believe that the Assyrians in Nineveh deserved grace from God. What he didn't understand was that he didn't either. And neither do you. That's what makes it Grace. The story of Jonah is the story of God's relentless pursuit of an undeserving people. And it's still the story of God today.Sermon delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday November 1st, 2015 by pastor Chris Kopp.

The Story: The Righteous Live by Faith

Genesis 6:8  But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.The story of Noah and the Ark is classic children's church material. Who doesn't love cute little animals going on a boat ride with rainbows? But the children's books tend to miss the dead bodies of all humanity floating against the surface of the water that batters the hull of the ark. The ark didn't save Noah. God did, by giving His Son in Noah's place on the cross. Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" (2Peter 2:5) and his righteousness had come by faith. Do you believe God like Noah?Sermon Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday October 25th, 2015 by Pastor Chris Kopp.

The Story: When the Goodness of God is all you have.

Job 1:8-9  And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"  (9)  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?The story of Job is one that at different levels everyone can relate to. We've all experienced loss, hurt, or evil at some point or another. But the story of Job isn't about Job. The story of Job is about God. Is God true? Is God good? This is what Satan accused against. It's a story that imparts to us that evil is not ultimate. God is. Sermon delivered to the Galena Bible Church by Pastor Chris Kopp, Sunday October 18th, 2015.

The Story: A Serious Thing In a Causal World

Judges 16:6  So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you."What was Samson thinking?!!! He wasn't, and a lot of the time we aren't either. The Gospel is a serious thing in us, to a world that is so casual. Sermon delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday October 4th, 2015.

The Story: Sometimes You Stand Alone

Daniel 3:16-18  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  (17)  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  (18)  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."You may stand alone in the crowd, but you will never stand alone in the fire.Sermon delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday September 27th, 2015.

Can we believe the Bible?

Sunday Sermon for September 20th, 2015. Delivered by Pastor Chris Kopp.

Sorrow, Suffering, and the Soverenty of God

Sunday Sermon for Galena Bible Church, Sunday September 13th, 2015. Delivered by Pastor Chris Kopp

We the Church: Who leads the church?

John 13:15  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.When Jesus washed the disciples feet, He wasn't saying that they were "better" than Him or "more valuable" than Him. He was showing us the Biblical leadership is about submission. Submission to God, to lead a group to genuine intimacy. Who leads the church? Powerful business type executives? No, servants operating at the Trinity does with clear roles, and responsibilities. Oh that the Church would return to Biblical leadership!!Sermon Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday September 6th 2015 by Pastor Chris Kopp.

We the Church: Is church membership biblical?

Matthew 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.When we use the term "Church discipline" people tend to get really uncomfortable. But discipline is the root discipleship. We were made for community and that community is most fully understood in the context of a healthy, connected local church.Sermon Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday August 23rd, 2015 by Pastor Chris Kopp.

We the Church: So just what is a church?

Mat 16:18b ... on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.You cannot "go to church". You can "go be with the church", "go to the church's building", or "see what a church is like", but you cannot "go to church". That's because the church is a "We" not an "It". The bride of Christ is made up of all the redeemed of all the ages, and is locally expressed in a Gospel centered community, who is making Jesus known. But even with that simple explanation, "Church" has come to mean something different to so many than it did for the early church. In this sermon we'll look at What the church is not, and also what the church is. Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday August 16th, 2015 by pastor Chris Kopp.