Chicago Fellowship Talks

Ray Carter – Humbly Receive the Word

Part 2 of our series in James is based on James 1:19-25. Ray Carter examines the connection between anger and spiritual stagnation, exploring their common root (pride) and antidote (humility).

Ray Carter – Maturing Through Trials

Beginning a new series on the Book of James, Ray Carter shares key insights from James 1:1-18 on how we can grow in the midst of trials.

Ray Carter – Fall 2018 Retreat Session 3

In session three of the fall retreat, Ray Carter is joined by Tom Formolo and Mark O’Halloran, sharing stories that illustrate the third characteristic of the uncommon life: God is always going before us doing far more than we thought possible.

Ray Carter – Fall 2018 Retreat Session 2

We are common men, called to live uncommon lives. In session two of the fall retreat, Ray Carter looks at the second mark of a man who lives the uncommon life: He knows that not every fight is his fight, but he never disengages from the good fight.

Ray Carter – Fall 2018 Retreat Session 1

We are common men, called to live uncommon lives. In session one of the fall retreat, Ray Carter unpacks the first characteristic of the uncommon life: Men who live uncommon lives make a commitment to consistent, ongoing growth.

Ray Carter – Fall Kickoff

Ray Carter kicks off our 2018-19 season with an overview of the Fellowship and a sneak peek of the retreat and fall series. Ray reminds us: “There is no healing for the human soul or this world apart from Jesus. But with Jesus, there is hope.”

Ray Carter & David Dillon – Season Summary

Ray Carter summarizes key lessons from the 2017-18 ministry season. David Dillon and other leaders from Together Chicago share from their lives and ministry work – providing powerful examples of how God is at work tearing down strongholds in our city.

Gerard Long – Fight the Good Fight

Gerard Long is the former head of Alpha USA and now leads Awakening to God Ministries with his wife Jeannie. Gerard shares their personal story – one of tremendous loss, redemption, and hope. We trust you’ll be blessed and challenged on your journey.

Ray Carter – Spiritual Dryness

Everyone experiences seasons of Spiritual Dryness. Ray Carter looks at Psalm 42 for insights on both the causes and remedies for Spiritual Dryness, pointing us to the ultimate cure: Jesus Christ.

Joel Hamernick & David Dillon – Reflections on Friendship

Joel Hamernick and David Dillon reflect on 28 years of friendship in the context of Christian community. Hear how God has used them to encourage, inspire and support one another on their journeys.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Worship

Ray Carter looks at Psalm 95, Romans 12:1 and Col 3:16 to consider the Discipline of Worship. Ray unpacks what true worship is and the role all the disciplines play in helping us become more mature in our response to God.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Obedience

What’s wrong with deciding to keep final authority in my life to myself? How can I submit to God’s authority in a way that’s life-giving and not stifling? Ray Carter explores these questions through the lens of Psalm 119 and James 1.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Simplicity

By global and historical standards, we’re all wealthy. Ray Carter distills principles from 1 Timothy 6 to help us grow in the wise stewardship our resources for God’s purposes.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Engagement

What do we do with the injustice we see in the world? In Psalm 137, the Psalmist owns his anger, prays through it, and allows God to direct it. Ray Carter challenges us to follow this pattern, and go beyond it in light of the gospel.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Confession

Ray Carter examines the Spiritual Discipline of Confession. With insights from Psalm 32 and elsewere, Ray considers the NEED for confession, the WAY of confession, and the SECRET to it.

Patrick Fisher – Discipline of Fasting

In our culture of instant gratification, few ideas seem more foreign than fasting. Yet fasting is pervasive throughout Scripture and church history. Patrick Fisher explores the benefits of fasting, and offers practical guidance in applying this practice.

Ray Carter – Discipline of Meditation

This talk begins a new series titled “The Disciplines of Grace,” looking at the practices that enable us to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Ray Carter examines Psalm 1 to distill insights about the spiritual practice of Meditation.

Ray Carter – Self Control

In this final installment on the marks of a life immersed in the love and grace of Christ, Ray Carter looks at 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 and the key to self-control.

Ray Carter – Real Joy

It almost goes without saying … we all desire happiness. What is unique about the Christian concept of Joy? And how might we experience more of it? Ray Carter explores what scripture has to say about these questions in Romans 5:1-5 and Nehemiah 8:10.

Patrick Fisher – Lessons from the Life of St. Patrick

Patrick Fisher shares lessons from the life of St. Patrick. Learn how the trials and disciplines of this humble 5th-century missionary relate to our lives today.

Ray Carter – Truth and Integrity

What does it mean to live a truthful life? We live in a world that’s almost lost its ability to understand what it means to be truthful. Ray Carter examines this question through the lens of God’s Word in Ephesians 4 and other passages.

Joel Hamernick – Biblical Hospitality

Joel Hamernick examines three important meals in Jesus’ ministry found in the book of Luke. We learn that Biblical Hospitality is central to the gospel, is both a sign and mechanism of the Kingdom of God, and has the power to transform lives.

Ray Carter – Peace Beyond Understanding

What are you anxious about? How do we move beyond anxiety to true peace? Ray Carter looks at Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4:4-12 to understand how we can think, thank and love our way to a peace that surpasses human understanding.

Dr. Stan Sonu – Adverse Childhood Experiences

Special guest Dr. Stan Sonu shares about his important work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). With passion and insight, Dr. Stan discusses the causes and profound impacts of ACEs, and points us towards solutions. Our own Scott Grzesiak also shares about his work with GRIP – a ministry where men and women can step into the lives of at-risk teens in Chicago.

Joel Hamernick – The Kingdom of God is at Hand

Near the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus proclaims that “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” What does that mean? How does our story fit into God’s bigger story of creation, fall, promise, redemption and culmination? Joel Hamernick takes us through the biblical narrative from Genesis to the Gospels to unpack and answer these questions.

Ray Carter – What it Means to Be Tolerant

How are we supposed to interact with, and relate to, people with whom we really disagree? As the New Testament church expanded from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and “the ends of the earth,” the believers wrestled with increasing diversity of backgrounds and views. Does that sound anything like the church in America today? Ray Carter takes us through several key passages that address this topic (Romans 14-15, 1 Corinthians 8, Acts 15), and helps us apply scriptural principles to our modern America...

Ray Carter – True Humility

What is true humility, and how do we become more humble? Ray Carter examines Philippians 2:1-11 and 1 Peter 5:6-7 to help us look for answers.

Ray Carter – Real Kindness

Ray Carter – Growing In Patience

Ray Carter – Real Life Change