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We all sound like the people we belong to. But the voices that spoke over us didn't just shape how we sound; they shaped who we are. Some of us walk in confidence because someone spoke a gift into us. Some of us still carry words that were said, or words that were never said. In this episode, Mike opens James 3:1-12 to explore the power of the tongue and why no human being can tame it on their own. You'll be challenged to move from communicating to creating, from speaking to showing, and from struggling to surrendering. Three simple takeaways to help you say the right thing: • Season your words with salt (Colossians 4:6) • Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) • Surrender your tongue to the Holy Spirit (Psalm 141:3) Because if your tongue can create when it speaks to others, it can create when it speaks to you, too. The question is simple: whose voice are you echoing? Scripture: James 3:1-12 (CSB) Connect with us: becomedisciples.com.au Instagram & Facebook: @mikeandchristelle

Favouritism is the sin we've all committed, and rarely confessed. We call it being friendly. We call it being practical. We call it knowing the right people. But James gives it its real name. In this message from James 2:1–4, Pastor Mike unpacks the selfishness hiding behind our smiles: the way we use people while telling ourselves we're loving them, the way our kindness to the poor can quietly become a performance, and the way the church can start ranking people the same way the world does. You'll hear: - Why not every stereotype is sin, and where the line gets crossed - What favouritism actually is (a working definition that cuts both ways) - Why the cure isn't reversal, it's equal opportunity - A hard word for those tempted to play the victim - How the cross levels the ground for every person who comes to it "The church of Jesus Christ must be the one place on earth where a person is not measured by their clothing, their colour, their accent, their gender, or their wealth, but welcomed as a person Christ died for." Scripture: James 2:1–4 (CSB) Follow us: 🌐 Website: becomedisciples.com.au 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mike-and-christelle-podcast/id1516093630 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QnP1N0W36kumtRFIvrX4Q?si=K6B6Rk4wQd63YI5USUmUSg Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL21pa2VhbmRjaHJpc3RlbGxlL2ZlZWQueG1s Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fe308ae9-85f7-4488-a336-62d8302f33f8 #Favouritism #MikeandChristelle #James2 #TheChapelGunnedah #Sermon

Have you ever wondered if God is actually hearing your prayers? You've been praying. Nothing's changed. And quietly, you've started asking, "God, do You even see me?" This message is for anyone stuck in the silence between the prayer and the provision. Because God isn't ignoring you, He's preparing you. In this message, Pastor Mike walks through the three stages we often experience before we see God move: the prayer, the process, and the provision. Grounded in Exodus 3, the story of Hannah, and the moment God opened Hagar's eyes in the wilderness, this is a message for anyone in a waiting season. You'll hear: - Why God hears every prayer, even the ones you can't put into words - The difference between an unanswered prayer and an unseen answer - Why God often changes you before He changes your situation - How Hannah left the temple with peace before she left with a promise - What to do when the answer feels delayed. Scriptures referenced (CSB): Exodus 3:7-8, Psalm 56:8, Revelation 8:3-4, 1 Peter 3:12, 1 John 5:14-15, Jeremiah 29:11-13, 2 Chronicles 7:14, John 9:31, 1 Samuel 1:15-18, Genesis 21:15-19. 🌐 Website: becomedisciples.com.au 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs it, and follow the podcast so you don't miss the next one.

What does Jesus really think about women? In a world that has often ignored, dismissed, or undervalued women, Jesus did something radically different. Everywhere He went, He valued women, defended women, healed women, and honoured women. In this Mother's Day message from The Chapel Gunnedah, we explore three powerful encounters Jesus had with women that reveal exactly how He views them, and how He views you. POINT 1. Jesus Stopped For Women John 4: The Samaritan Woman She had been rejected five times. She came to the well alone at noon, when nobody else was around. But Jesus was already there, waiting. He stopped for her, spoke to her, and chose her as the first person to hear Him declare publicly that He was the Messiah. POINT 2. Jesus Stood For Women John 8: The Woman Caught in Adultery She was dragged into the centre of the crowd. Stones in their hands. Verdict already decided. But Jesus got low, stood between her and the crowd, and said the words that changed her life: "Neither do I condemn you. Go." POINT 3. Jesus Sent Women John 20: Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb In a culture where a woman's testimony was legally inadmissible, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first after His resurrection. He called her by name. Then He gave her a mission, Go and tell. Jesus made a woman the first preacher of the Resurrection. The Takeaway: Your accusers define you by your worst moment. Jesus defines you by the masterpiece He is still making you into. You are not invisible. You are not insignificant. You are not disqualified. You are seen. You are protected. You are commissioned by the Son of God Himself. Scriptures covered in this episode: John 4:4–8, 25–26 | John 8:2–11 | John 20:11–18 | Ephesians 2:10 (All scripture readings from the Christian Standard Bible, CSB) This episode is for: Every woman who has felt invisible, rejected, or disqualified. Every mother carrying more than anyone knows. Every man who wants to honour the women in his life the way Jesus did. Everyone asking: Does God really value women?   #WomenOfGod #MothersDay #HowJesusViewsWomen #SeenProtectedSent #BibleWomen #MikeandChristelle #ChristianSermon#JohnChapter4 #JohnChapter8 #JohnChapter20 #TheChapelGunnedah #AustralianChurch #FaithPodcast

Jesus asked over 300 questions. He was asked around 180. And He gave very few direct answers. That wasn't an accident. He wasn't making small talk. He was changing people. In this episode, we look at three ways Jesus used questions to bring Clarity, Correction, and Calling, and what happens when He turns the question toward you. Before Jesus heals you, He reveals you. And today, He's still asking. Scriptures: Matthew 16:15 | Mark 4:40 | John 5:6 | Mark 10:51 | John 21:15–17

Have you ever wanted to ask God a question… but were afraid to? Maybe you grew up being told that questioning God shows a lack of faith. Maybe you've been ridiculed for asking. Or maybe you're afraid of what He might answer. In this message, we look at the tension between two passages, Habakkuk crying out "How long, Lord?" and Paul writing "Who are you to talk back to God?" We'll explore: Why people stop asking God questions. -The difference between doubt and unbelief. -Three kinds of wrong questions (accusation, unbelief, deflection) -How Gideon, Mary, Nicodemus, Job, David, and even Jesus, brought their questions to God -Why the right question can become a seed for power and revelation "The answer you need may be on the other side of the question you're afraid to ask God." If you've been carrying questions about your life, your pain, or your situation, this message is for you. If this message spoke to you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it today. #QuestioningGod #mikeandchristelle #FaithAndDoubt #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #FaithJourney

Have you ever felt a thought you couldn't shake? A conviction you kept pushing down? That might be God asking you a question. In this message, we explore why God asks questions and what He's really after when He does. From Adam hiding in the garden to Moses doubting at the burning bush, God's questions have always been invitations to honesty, to trust, and to the next step. If you've been hiding, doubting, or avoiding something, this message is for you. 📖 Key Scriptures: Genesis 3:9 | Job 38:4 | 1 Kings 19:9 | Exodus 4:2 | Isaiah 6:8 | Ezekiel 37:3 🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages 👇 Drop your response in the comments: What question has God been asking you?

What do you do when life feels unbearable? When you've tried everything and the situation still refuses to change? In this message, we look at the story of Esther, a woman who faced a desperate, lose-lose situation and chose to fast before stepping out in faith. Her words, "If I perish, I perish," weren't drama. They were holy resolve. But fasting isn't only about the courage to start. It's also about the wisdom to know when to stop. Through the stories of Esther and David, we explore what fasting actually accomplishes in seasons of desperation, why fasting doesn't manipulate God, and how to discern when a broken fast is wisdom rather than weakness. Whether you're carrying an unbearable burden, preparing for a season of prayer and fasting, or wondering when it's right to stop, this message is for you. 📖 Scriptures referenced: Esther 4:14, 16 (CSB) 2 Samuel 12:16–23 (CSB) In this message: Why desperate situations call for desperate measures The courage to begin a fast Your desire to quit vs. your burden to finish When to break a fast, and why David stopped Fasting changes you, not God 🙏 Prayer points: For those going through unbearable situations, for the grace to start a fast, the grace to stay in it, and the wisdom to stop when necessary. If this message encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs it today. #Fasting #MikeandChristelle #Esther #PrayerAndFasting #Faith #ChristianTeaching #BibleStudy

Most marriages don't fail from a lack of love. They fail due to a lack of initiative. In this episode, Mike and Christelle unpack what romance really is and why so many couples have quietly settled for the "bare minimum marriage" of marriage without ever realising it. If you've ever felt like you're the only one trying, or you're tired of waiting to be asked before anything happens, this conversation is for you. We talk about why romance isn't about grand gestures, but about noticing first. We get into the three habits that quietly kill marriages, the "50/50" myth and why fairness is the wrong target, and what to do when one of you always initiates, and the other rarely does. And we share one small thing you can do this week to shift the dynamic, without keeping score. In this episode: - What romance actually is (and what it isn't) - The three habits quietly killing your marriage - Why "fair" is the wrong goal in marriage - What to do when it feels one-sided - How to invite your spouse into change without accusing them - One small step you can take this week "Romance begins the moment you stop waiting to be asked." Chapters: What is romance, really? The bare minimum marriage Why attention comes before action The 50/50 myth When it feels one-sided Practical tools to start this week If this episode resonated with you, the kindest thing you can do is share it with one couple who needs to hear it. 🎧 Subscribe so you don't miss the next conversation 📺 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle 📧 Send us a question: [email protected]

Who is shaping your life? The people around you are not neutral; they are forming your thinking, your decisions, and ultimately your future. In this message, Pastor Mike Matumaini explores Cross Connections, a simple, biblical framework for understanding the relationships every believer needs to grow in their faith. You were never meant to follow Jesus alone. God uses people to shape people. Discover the four key relationships that define a healthy spiritual life: Ahead of You: A Disciple Maker (guidance you trust) Behind You: A Disciple (a life you invest in) To your left: Family (community you are rooted in) To your right: Invitation (people you are called to reach) If you want to grow spiritually, you must be intentional in your relationships. Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise.” Next Steps: Who is speaking into your life? Who are you investing in? Who are you inviting to Jesus? If you want help building these connections, reach out to us or visit one of our services. Subscribe to our Podcast, Our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle and Connect With Us on Socials: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/

Are we wasting our time? That is the question Paul confronts in 1 Corinthians 15. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is empty, our hope is gone, and Christianity collapses. But if Christ is risen… everything changes. In this message, Pastor Mike Matumaini explores the power of the resurrection and why it is the most important decision you will ever make. Because if Christ is alive: - Your faith is not in vain - Your fear is defeated - Your future is secure There are moments in life when everything else fails: your health, your relationships, your finances. In those moments, faith is all you have left. The resurrection is the proof that your faith is not misplaced. The cross forgives your past. The resurrection secures your future. The question is not whether Jesus existed. The question is: Is He alive? You cannot stay neutral. You either believe it or reject it. What do you believe about Jesus? Subscribe to our Podcast, Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle and Connect With Us on Socials: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/

Many of the battles we face in life are not just physical; they are spiritual. In the Bible, when Elisha’s servant saw the enemy army surrounding them, he panicked. But Elisha saw something different: the armies of heaven surrounding the enemy. The battle had not changed, but their vision had. The same was true for David and Goliath. David did not win because of his skills; he won because of what he could see. He understood that he was not fighting alone; he was coming in the name of the Lord of Armies, Jehovah Sabaoth. Victory in life is not just about strength; it is about sight. When you see God correctly, you face life differently. In this message, Pastor Christelle Matumaini shares how to WIN spiritual battles: W - Worship: When you magnify God, your battle shrinks. I - Intercede: When you pray for others, you move from victim to vessel. N - Now: Faith acts now, not later. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is already fighting for you. Those who are with you are more than those who are against you. The battle is not yours. The battle belongs to the Lord. #winningspiritualbattles #mikeandchristelle #howtowinspiritualbattles Subscribe to our Podcast, Our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle and Connect With Us on Socials: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/

What do you do when people misunderstand you, accuse you, or damage your reputation? In this message, Pastor Mike Matumaini explores the story of Joseph and what it teaches us about integrity, false accusations, and trusting God to defend your name. The prison was not the final chapter of Joseph’s story. This message will encourage you to stop trying to manage people’s opinions and instead focus on guarding your heart and living with integrity before God. If you have ever been misunderstood, misrepresented, or falsely accused, this message will remind you that God sees the truth and writes the final chapter of your story. You can’t control perception, but you can control your character. And when the time is right, God will defend your name. #Joseph #mikeandchristelle #BibleTeaching Subscribe to our Podcast, Our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle and Connect With Us on Socials: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/

What is the true test of spiritual maturity? In this message, Pastor Mike Matumaini explores why consecration is at the heart of Christian growth. Many believers focus on morality, avoiding sin and trying to live a good life, but biblical consecration goes deeper. It is not only separation from sin, but devotion and connection to Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals that intimacy with God requires consecration. Just as marriage involves leaving all others and cleaving to one, the Christian life calls us to belong fully to Christ. When our hearts are divided between the flesh, the world, and the Holy Spirit, there is a battle for control over our lives. This sermon explores: The difference between morality and consecration Why what you love will ultimately rule your life How the flesh, the world, and the devil compete for our affection Why God works through what is consecrated to Him How some believers are separated from sin but not yet surrendered to God Why true maturity comes from leaving all others and cleaving to Christ You will also hear powerful illustrations. If you desire to grow deeper in your faith and walk closely with Jesus, this message will challenge and encourage you to examine the level of consecration in your life. Our prayer is that this message will help you grow in spiritual maturity, holiness, and devotion to Christ. #consecration #mikeandchristelle #spiritualmaturity

Have you ever prayed… and felt nothing? Ever believed God was with you, until life fell apart? What if I told you the moment you thought God was most absent… Was the moment He was closest? Stay with me. This message might change how you see your current season. In one of the most powerful moments recorded in the Gospel of Luke 24:13-32, two discouraged followers of Jesus walked away from everything they believed in, only to discover that Jesus had been walking with them the whole time. Sometimes pain clouds our vision. Sometimes disappointment blinds us to what God is doing. But what if He is closer than you think? #ChristianMessage #mikeandchristelle #WhenGodFeelsDistant Subscribe to our Podcast, YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeandChristelle, And Connect With Us on Socials: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandchristelle/ https://www.instagram.com/mikeandchristelle/