Are You Limping Between Two Opinions? Making Your Mount Carmel Choice

 Introduction There comes a moment in every believer’s life where "exposure" is no longer enough. We can identify the compromise in our lives, we can weep over our divided loyalties, and we can name the idols we’ve allowed to sit at the table with Jesus—but eventually, a decision must be made.

Revelation without response doesn’t heal; it hardens.

When Jesus Is No Longer Enough: (Navigating the Dangers of Mixed Altars)

The modern believer rarely wakes up and decides to stop following Jesus. We don’t usually trade the Cross for a white flag of surrender. Instead, we trade the Cross for a crowded table. This is the subtle danger of mixed altars – when our faith becomes diluted by what we add beside Christ, rather than rejecting Him outright.

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul issues a staggering warning: "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." Notice he doesn't say you shouldn't—he says you cannot. It is a spiritual impossibility to maintain a covenant with Christ while inviting "extra guests" to sit at His altar. This isn't a polite suggestion; it's a spiritual law.

The greatest threat to our Christian allegiance in the 21st-century church isn't that we are losing our faith; it’s that we are editing it. We have become experts at the "Jesus Plus" gospel, which often serves as a form of modern idolatry:

• Jesus plus my political identity, which often disciples me harder than Scripture itself.

• Jesus plus therapy language, subtly replacing biblical repentance with mere affirmation.

• Jesus plus the pursuit of "authentic" ego, baptized as spiritual truth.

• Jesus plus new-age practices like astrology or manifestation, disguised as "discernment."

We mistakenly think these additions are harmless tools to help us navigate a complex world. But altars are not neutral spaces. When we add something to the table of the Lord, we are not expanding our faith—we are redefining our spiritual compromise. Paul reminds us that this is not merely symbolic participation; it is spiritual alignment.

The enemy’s most effective strategy is not to devour the Church, but to make the wolves look like sheep and the pagan altars look Christian. He doesn’t need to remove Jesus from your life; he just needs you to give him a seat at the table. This cultural Christianity promises comfort but delivers spiritual exhaustion.

True freedom isn't found in a "buffet-style" faith where we take a little of the world and a little of the Word. Freedom is found in the singular, focused devotion to the One who refuses to share His glory. It’s time to stop managing Jesus and start worshipping Him. God's jealousy for our devotion isn't a sign of His insecurity; it's the ultimate proof of His intimacy with us.

It's time to clear the table.

Watch this week’s sermon,
"You're Not Under Attack – You're Under the Influence," 

Finding Hope in the Shadow of Loss

 

 Finding Hope in the Shadows of Loss

The calendar tells us it’s a time for "new beginnings" and "leaving the past behind." But for many of us, January isn’t a clean slate—it’s an anniversary. It’s a reminder of a room, a hospital bed, or a chair that now sits empty.

In my latest message, I share the personal story of losing my mother—my best friend and hero—during the holiday season of 2018. If you are entering this year carrying a weight that feels too heavy to lift, I want you to know: You are not healing "wrong," and you are certainly not alone.

Watch the Full Message: Remembering Without Being Destroyed (click here)

Here is a deeper look at the principles we explored regarding grief, faith, and the Savior who weeps with us.

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1. Honesty is Not the Enemy of Faith

We often feel pressured to put on a "spiritual mask." We think that if we have enough faith, we shouldn't feel the sting of the past. But Psalm 77 shows us a different way. The Psalmist cries out, "I refused to be comforted." He even admits that thinking of God makes him groan.

This is a vital truth: Scripture does not practice "spiritual bypassing." * Faith does not begin with pretending you are okay.

• Faith begins with the truth of where you actually are.

• God gave us the Psalms of lament because He wanted to give our pain a holy vocabulary.

2. Jesus is Not Rebuking Your Tears

In John 11, we see the shortest and perhaps most profound verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept." He knew He was about to perform a miracle. He knew Lazarus would be walking out of that tomb in minutes. Yet, He still stopped to cry. Why? Because love always feels the loss. Jesus doesn’t see your grief as an obstacle to get over; He sees it as a place He must step into. If the Son of God wept at a grave, your tears are not a sign of unbelief—they are a testimony of your love.

3. The Danger of Remembering Alone

There is a massive difference between remembering from inside your grief and remembering in the presence of God. In Psalm 77, the shift happens when the writer says, "I will remember the Lord’s works." The pain didn't vanish, but the direction of the memory changed. As 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 reminds us, we can be "perplexed but not in despair." We carry both life and death at the same time. The goal isn't to "let go" of the person you love; it’s to stop carrying the weight of that love in your own strength.

4. Moving Forward is Not the Same as "Being Strong"

For many, moving forward doesn't feel like a victory lap; it feels like survival. It feels like waking up tired and carrying love with nowhere to lay it.

If your faith right now looks less like "confidence" and more like "endurance," please hear this: That is still faith.  

Psalm 73:26 says, "My flesh and my heart may fail..." 
Failure of heart and strength is expected.

• But God is the portion—the daily bread—that sustains us when our own energy is gone.

---

A Final Thought for Your Journey

Jesus does not meet us on the "other side" of our pain and tell us to hurry up and catch up. He meets us in the pain. He walks at the pace of your grief. He doesn't rush the remembering, and He never shames the tears.

If all you can do today is wake up and hold on, you are doing enough. You are walking with a Savior who knows what it is to lose, what it is to bleed, and what it is to live again.

To hear the full story and dive deeper into these scriptures, click the link below to watch the full sermon.

(click here)

Christmas Is Dangerous: Why You Can’t Stay Neutral (John 1:1-14)

 

Most of us treat Christmas as a season of comfort—a time for warm traditions, familiar carols, and the "peace on earth" sentiment of a baby in a manger. But in the Gospel of John, we find a story that isn't just warm; it’s dangerous.

 

In this Christmas Day message, recorded at Holmesburg, Philadelphia (19136), we dive deep into John 1:1-14 to rediscover the "shock" of the Incarnation.

 

Watch the Full Sermon:

https://youtu.be/GgwFLywr5eo

 

Beyond the Manger: The Eternal King

John does not begin his Gospel with shepherds or angels. He bypasses the "kind fuzzies" and drops us into eternity. “In the beginning was the Word.” Before the world existed, before humanity needed saving, the King already reigned.

Christmas is not God scrambling to fix a broken world. It is the deliberate, supernatural unfolding of His eternal purpose. As we explore in this sermon, if the Word became flesh, then God is no longer a distant speculation. He is a present reality that demands a response.

 

The Meaning of Emmanuel: God With Us

When we say "God with us," we aren't just reciting a title; we are acknowledging a miracle. The self-sufficient Creator took on a body that could hunger, ache, and bleed. He "pitched His tent" in the middle of our weakness.

 

This message covers three vital truths:

1. The King Who Always Was: Recognizing Jesus’ authority over all creation.
2. The Shock of the Incarnation: Why God coming close is the most difficult thing to accept.
3. A Reign Defined by Presence: Why "neutrality" toward Jesus is actually rebellion.

 

A Call to Reverence

To treat Christmas lightly is to treat our King lightly. If the King has drawn this near to you, how can you keep Him at arm's length? We invite you to watch, listen, and respond to the presence of Emmanuel.

Scripture References: John 1:1-14, Matthew 1:23

Location: Holmesburg, Philadelphia

Date: December 25, 2025

 

The Coming King: How to Live Ready for Jesus's Return (Advent 1)

The Coming King: Living Ready for His Return

Description:
As we begin the season of Advent, we pause to reflect on the promise of Christ’s return. In The Coming King, Pastor T. Charves explores how the humble King who entered the world in a manger will come again in glory. Through Isaiah 9:6–7 and Matthew 24:36–44, we learn what it means to wait with expectation, live with faith in motion, and anchor our hope in God’s unshakable promises. This message encourages believers to stay awake, surrendered, and ready for the King’s return.

Join us as we prepare our hearts, embrace active waiting, and discover how hope transforms the way we live today.

📖 Scripture: Isaiah 9:6–7 | Matthew 24:36–44

📅 Preached: November 30, 2025
📍 Holmesburg, Philadelphia

💡 Watch, share, and be encouraged 
live with eyes open, hearts surrendered, and lives shaped by hope.
Love Jesus and love those He came to save.

https://youtu.be/G7apU8DLXrE

#Advent #ComingKing #JesusReturns #FaithInMotion #HopeAnchored #PastorTCharves #HolyLiving #PhiladelphiaChurch #ChristianEncouragement #PrepareTheWay

When It Still Hurts: Why You Don’t Have to “Just Move On

Finding Hope in the Shadows of Loss

The calendar tells us it’s a time for "new beginnings" and "leaving the past behind." But for many of us, January isn’t a clean slate—it’s an anniversary. It’s a reminder of a room, a hospital bed, or a chair that now sits empty.

In my latest message, I share the personal story of losing my mother—my best friend and hero—during the holiday season of 2018. If you are entering this year carrying a weight that feels too heavy to lift, I want you to know: You are not healing "wrong," and you are certainly not alone.

Watch the Full Message: Remembering Without Being Destroyed https://youtu.be/GAjK1Trwics

Here is a deeper look at the principles we explored regarding grief, faith, and the Savior who weeps with us.

---

1. Honesty is Not the Enemy of Faith

We often feel pressured to put on a "spiritual mask." We think that if we have enough faith, we shouldn't feel the sting of the past. But Psalm 77 shows us a different way. The Psalmist cries out, "I refused to be comforted." He even admits that thinking of God makes him groan.

This is a vital truth: Scripture does not practice "spiritual bypassing." * Faith does not begin with pretending you are okay.

• Faith begins with the truth of where you actually are.

• God gave us the Psalms of lament because He wanted to give our pain a holy vocabulary.

2. Jesus is Not Rebuking Your Tears

In John 11, we see the shortest and perhaps most profound verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept." He knew He was about to perform a miracle. He knew Lazarus would be walking out of that tomb in minutes. Yet, He still stopped to cry. Why? Because love always feels the loss. Jesus doesn’t see your grief as an obstacle to get over; He sees it as a place He must step into. If the Son of God wept at a grave, your tears are not a sign of unbelief—they are a testimony of your love.

3. The Danger of Remembering Alone

There is a massive difference between remembering from inside your grief and remembering in the presence of God. In Psalm 77, the shift happens when the writer says, "I will remember the Lord’s works." The pain didn't vanish, but the direction of the memory changed. As 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 reminds us, we can be "perplexed but not in despair." We carry both life and death at the same time. The goal isn't to "let go" of the person you love; it’s to stop carrying the weight of that love in your own strength.

4. Moving Forward is Not the Same as "Being Strong"

For many, moving forward doesn't feel like a victory lap; it feels like survival. It feels like waking up tired and carrying love with nowhere to lay it.

If your faith right now looks less like "confidence" and more like "endurance," please hear this: That is still faith.  Psalm 73:26 says, "My flesh and my heart may fail..."  
Failure of heart and strength is expected.

• But God is the portion, the daily bread, that sustains us when our own energy is gone.

---

A Final Thought for Your Journey

Jesus does not meet us on the "other side" of our pain and tell us to hurry up and catch up. He meets us in the pain. He walks at the pace of your grief. He doesn't rush the remembering, and He never shames the tears.

If all you can do today is wake up and hold on, you are doing enough. You are walking with a Savior who knows what it is to lose, what it is to bleed, and what it is to live again.

To hear the full story and dive deeper into these scriptures, click the link below to watch the full sermon.

 https://youtu.be/GAjK1Trwics

---

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The King Who Conquers by Peace: Why Jesus Refused the Sword

Stop Striving, Start Surrendering. Do you constantly need to be right, be validated, or feel in control? The King Jesus comes with a different kind of power: peace. Dive into this challenging message on the humility of Christ's reign. Discover how His victory over sin and death secures a peace that is stronger than every force of darkness—a peace that gently dismantles our own harshness and self-importance. Let His peace become your posture. Watch now and find freedom from the fight!

https://youtu.be/nA8sDjUM0Ms

#JesusIsKing #Gospel #Salvation #ChristianLiving #Humility #Grace #TheCross #PeaceOfGod #StopStriving #FreedomInChrist #Surrender #Victory #Discipleship #Transformation #Sermon #Preaching #ChurchOnline #BibleTeaching