Hope Church Sunday Messages: Recent Episodes
Bill Walles
The podcast for our Sunday morning messages at Hope. If you want to get a sense of who we are, and what we focus on - this is one of the best ways to hear what really matters to us.
Peter uses a great turn of phrase that I believe fully captures how we are meant to see our time here on earth. www.hopesnoco.org
Salvation language is important, and kind of touchy. So many within in the church spend a lot of time and energy figuring out the language of salvation and who can be saved. www.hopesnoco.org
We're spending the rest of Summer looking at a short, but pretty challenging, letter from the New Testament. As we start - it's a good chance to remember How and Why we read the Bible. www.hopesnoco.org
Wisdom comes in many places and many voices - but the words of Jesus always offer a word of wisdom, and grace, that we often need to hear more than anything else. This week hear, and know, that we are forgiven peopel. www.hopesnoco.org
In a society that is built on telling us there is never enough - Jesus reminds us that with Him there is always enough. Enough to Be Generous! www.hopesnoco.org
A multi-week series where we look at some practical ways to determine what it means to not just go to church - but to Be the Church. www.hopesnoco.org
As Jesus enters into Jerusalem and the masses come out to greet Him, John shares that there is one piece that draws them more than anything else. And it reminds us that Jesus truly is a King like no other. www.hopesnoco.org
There is something incredibly powerful about telling your own story. We see that in some of our favorite movies, books, and we see it in Jesus. As we continue our journey towards Easter and the Cross before it - it's good to remember that Jesus is always in charge of telling His story. And that has important implications for us. www.hopesnoco.org
It feels that talking about anything "political" is more an more a no-win situation. And yet - we live in the real world and want to speak to what is all around us. Besides - Jesus has a pretty clear, and pretty challenging word to all of us when it comes to His Kingdom and what that's supposed to look like. www.hopesnoco.org
The idea of Jesus washing His disciples feet is so normal for Christians we need to see this story with fresh eyes. This act of humble service is incredible - and speaks to a challenge all of us need to consider. We can't just say something - we "get to" do it. www.hopesnoco.org
One of the most powerful miracles we see - comes in a story that also provides so many questions. If Jesus could save Lazarus, why did He wait? www.hopesnoco.org
What do we do when Jesus doesn't make sense? We begin several weeks where we look at exactly that question, beginning with a great story of healing - only the one being healed doesn't seem to be all that thankful for it. www.hopesnoco.org
Often the difference between a "Get to" and a "Have to" is our perspective. When it comes to following Jesus - that's still true. We get to follow Him - in pretty counter-cultural ways. www.hopesnoco.org
There is a joy and a challenge that comes from following Jesus - and it's hard to talk about both equally well. For the next several weeks we'll look at what it means to live that out - by seeing how Jesus helps us and challenges us in that journey. John 9 www.hopesnoco.org
One of my favorite texts - I love what it says about Jesus and any who come to Him with questions. There's a bit of a pause in the sermon as someone came into worship and needed some help, so we did our best to work with him as well. www.hopesnoco.org
For those of us who consider ourselves Christians - it's easy to get caught up in language that makes sense to us, and is meaningful to us. But is the Gospel really Good News to the rest of the world? As we look at perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible - we ponder that challenge. www.hopesnoco.org
As a number of American Christians embrace an "angry Jesus", we look at the story where we see this most - and are reminded where that anger was actually directed. Leading to a question tha we should struggle with - What would Jesus say to us? www.hopesnoco.org
Jesus begins His public ministry - with a well-known but odd miracle. Why this one? Why here? Because this is the kind of God we have. As part of our 10 year anniversary celebration! www.hopesnoco.org
This January we look at John's story of Jesus - and the many unexpected conversations He has which lead to remarkable life change. We begin with Him calling His first followers - unexpected for all of them for sure. www.hopesnoco.org
Continuing our Impact series we come to one of the most well known people in the Bible - and yet his impact is often thought of as secondary: Joseph. But Joseph does what only he can do - and because he does that for Mary and for Jesus - Joseph makes exactly the impact that's needed. www.hopesnoco.org
This Advent season we look at the power of making an impact. It's often done in ways, and by folks we don't always notice. The book of Matthew begins his story by naming some incredible people who made an incredible impact leading up to the birth of Jesus. We begin by looking at Abraham and a Legacy of Faith. www.hopesnoco.org
The first in our (Re)Building series - remembering that we always, always build our church community on Jesus. www.hopesnoco.org
Into the Unknown! As we wrap up our series on our Past, Present, and Future we focus on what's next. The challenge to believe that there are new ways to reach new people - with the same message of Grace and Hope that Jesus has always had. www.hopesnoco.org
As we continue to build our church community together we take time to recognize that it will be an imperfect community built with imperfect people. And that's okay. In fact, it's a good thing. www.hopesnoco.org
Hope, #Imperfectpeople
At Hope we've always build on our 5 Core Values - Joy, Honesty, Generosity, Simplicity and Compassion. We have also recognized that we lead with one of those values depending on the circumstances. Now, as we (re)build community here at Hope - we choose to lead with Compassion. www.hopesnoco.org
Hope, #Compassion
Concluding thoughts from Paul on Joy and for his friends in Philippi.
Joy, #CuriousFaith, #Hope
www.hopesnoco.org
We've all felt that we aren't "enough". We're told that by those around us, and quite honestly we usually tell ourselves that as well. It's so important to hear from Jesus in the midst of the noise around us that He sees us as enough. Each and every time we turn to Him - He tells us we are enough. Hear that truth again this week.
hope, #greatquestions
www.hopesnoco.org
The great Robin Williams taught us in Dead Poets Society the gift of seeing things from a different point of view. That's a lesson Paul reminds us was first and best taught to us by Jesus Himself - and that's our focus on this message. How Jesus chooses to see us - and how He calls us to see others. www.hopesnoco.org
hope, #greatquestions, #joy
As the Olympics begin we'll see a lot of emphasis on winning medals, and those accomplishments will be incredible. But Paul - a clear gym rat - helps us remember that there is joy in running the race. Particularly when the race is following Jesus. www.hopsnoco.org
hope, #greatquestions, #joy
As we continue to spend time with Paul's letter to the Philippians he raises a very interesting question - what's the point of a Christian life? Paul recognizes that heaven is going to be amazing - far beyond what any of us could imagine actually. But does that mean we should focus solely on that? It's a good reminder about what we should be focused on here in this Kingdom - and our role to play in it as well.
greatquestions, #hope, #joy, #philippians
www.hopesnoco.org
We've been talking about going fishing for weeks. Now it's time to go do it! But it's a little intimidating - because we're called out to the deep water. Because that's where the fish are.
hope, #greatquestions
www.hopesnoco.org
Ever felt like you just need to reset? You've messed something up, again, and you just want to get back to what you know? Only that doesn't even work out. Peter tries that himself, as he avoids a conversation with Jesus that he doesn't want to have. But finally, over a simple meal of grilled fish - Jesus gets to remind Peter what He is all about.
Hope, #greatquestions
www.hopesnoco.org
There's a fascinating history to the fish symbol so well known in Christian circles. But how it was used is pretty different from the way we often see it today. As we reflect on how we make waves in the world around us - what can we learn from the "Jesus Fish" and how does it help us in our day?
hope, #greatquestions
www.hopesnoco.org
If you've ever played on the water you know that you're generally looking for "glass". Smooth water on the surface. But - the thing is - once we go out on the water ourselves we start making waves! And as it turns out - that's what Jesus wants us to do.
greatquestions, #hope
www.hopesnoco.org
One of the biggest fish stories in the Bible - but it starts with only two fish and a few loaves of bread. This incredible miracle isn't just a story for then - it reminds us that we have been given more than we realize. And what we offer is multiplied by Jesus as well.
hope, #greatquestions
www.hopesnoco.org
Go Fish! As we start our series on some of the great fish stories of the Bible - we begin with a story of Reverse Fishing. Jonah asks some great questions but perhaps none is great than: What are you running from?
greatquestions, #Hope
www.hopesnoco.org
Most groups like to define themselves by using fences. But there is a different way for the church to act and be: Keeping Jesus at the center. It's a much "riskier" way of doing things - but it's how Jesus called His church to be.
hope, #centeredset
www.hopesnoco.org
One of the first church fights leads to a great reminder about what we do as a church. We have Good News - why would we make it difficult to hear or follow? www.hopesnoco.org
Kayla Standish brings a powerful message about the joy and passion we are called to have in telling others about the Good News of Jesus. www.hopesnoco.org
I see Jesus everywhere. And why not? If God is the Creator of everything - why wouldn't He be in everything? But what does that mean for us? It means that God's Spirit can and does speak to us through everything as well. Are we listening? www.hopesnoco.org
The smartest thing Mark Zuckerberg figured out about us: Status. We're all interested in our status - and the status of others. But is it really what we think it is? Jesus changes our status because of His status.
greatquestions, #statusupdate
www.hopesnoco.org
As we continue devotions leading up to Easter - a reminder that we truly are the church! www.hopesnoco.org
Most of us don't feel rich. And so - it's pretty easy to ignore a lot of what Jesus has to say when it comes to money and wealth. But what it His message really is for us? What are we called to hear? What are we missing? www.hopesnoco.org
money, #greatquestions
Verb Tenses matter! And they have something really important to say when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. Ever found yourself distant from Jesus - wanting more? This reminder is for you. www.hopesnoco.org
As part of our journey towards Easter - we look at different ideas passages each of the 40 days of Lent. This week we focused on Psalm 32 and the gift the comes from admitting our faults and our failings before God.
One of the greatest challenges for Jesus-followers is to figure out if we're getting it right. If we're "doing" the right things. Maybe it's not a question we're even supposed to answer ourselves? This week we look at question meant to stump Jesus that He turns into one of the best, and hardest lessons for us to hear. www.hopesnoco.org
In what is often considered the mid-point to Jesus' earthly ministry - we look ahead to those He chooses to continue His work.
On Souper Bowl Sunday we are reminded of how many people saw Jesus and tried to shrink Him down to something they could understand. When He was so much bigger than that. www.hopesnoco.org
An excellent message from our guest preacher, Kayla Standish, about the events surrounds Jesus healing on the Sabbath. www.hopesnoco.org
A great message on one of the most evocative fishing stories - Jesus' call for us to fish for people! Thanks Pastor Dave for the message. www.hopesnoco.org
Luke shares Jesus' first sermon - which goes really well until it doesn't. It's a good reminder that Jesus tells us the Good News - even if we don't always want to hear it.
Baptisms are celebrations. A gift of grace. And the start of a lifelong journey that leads to good fruit. Is this what you are known for? All of us? It's a great chance to remember what Jesus followers are all about. Let's do that this year together.
As we begin the new year we take a look at the one story we have about a pre-teen Jesus. There are so really great lessons in this brief story - and a very challenging reminder about what it means to choose obedience. Luke 2:41-52
HopeChurch, #ChoosingObedience
Got questions - check us out at www.hopesnoco.org