New Hope Christian Chapel Podcast: Recent Episodes
New Hope Christian Chapel
If you need an anchor in your life right now, a life-line of something to hang on to...perhaps what you need is to see the goodness of God? What if experiencing His goodness is the thing that would change your entire life and eternity? Do you know the gospel of the goodness of God? Can you tap into His goodness? Will you change the world with the power of His goodness?!
What do we do when the things we have faith will happen don't happen? Is our faith in positive outcomes, or Jesus Christ? Would our faith still be strong if we never see the results we are hoping and praying for? What sort of faith can stand strong no matter what our circumstances or trials?
to God and offering Him every bit of ourselves...no matter how little! Never forget that God is enough! God has enough! It is God's strength we need, He just wants our wholehearted love!
Just as God promised through the prophets (Joel 2:28), He still speaks in dreams and visions to His people today! Take a few minutes to listen to the beautiful vision and message that God gave to Rachel Caetano, and ask Him to continue to reveal Himself to you!
Is it in you...? When difficulty finds us--and it will--does faith come out of you because it's in you? Does peace come out of you because it already resides within you? Does hope pour out of you because you're full of confidence in God? Does the power and love of the Holy Spirit come out of you because He's in you? Find encouragement and instruction from Paul's letter to Timothy to put our whole trust and hope and faith confidently in God's power!
Join one of New Hope's Mission Directors, Brendon Shea, in a biblical reflection on how, where, when, and why God invites His people to partner with Him in His Kingdom work.
God's great love for us, and His eager adoption of lost children into His eternal family is the heart of God and the core of the gospel of Jesus! Then if our faith is built on this premise, how can we embrace and welcome those who are lost and hurting around us into our families?! As spiritually adopted children, every Christian should have a heart for all the children around them who also long for homes, belonging, love and nurture! How can you live an adoption-centric life for Jesus?!
Be blessed by this practical, relatable and powerful sermon by pastor and church revitalization consultant, Shawn Keener, from the letter of 2 Peter on what church is really all about: Christ's Church Is On Mission!
Join Wally Wildes as he brings this Easter message of resurrection, new life, identity in Christ, and the purpose and direction those things provide!
On Palm Sunday Jesus' disciples provided an amazing framework for how any followers of Jesus can usher Him into all the areas of their lives as well! Small acts of faithfulness, partners in faith, generosity, serving instead of just being all talk...these are just some of the profound lessons we can learn from Jesus' apprentices on that amazing day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. How will you usher Jesus into your family, home, relationships, city, neighborhood, and personal encounters?! Usher Jesus In!
How can Christ ever become the biggest thing in our churches and our individual lives if we just keep focusing on ourselves, promoting ourselves, and celebrating ourselves? If we want Jesus to increase in our lives, it's going to take us decreasing in priority in our own lives as well! Think of what our lives, our churches, and the body of Christ throughout the world could become if we were all decreasing and Christ was increasing!
Take a few minutes to listen to the inspiring testimony of Aaron and Sonia Amaro, of how God has led them to transform their gas station into a place of ministry and mission and hope despite all the trials and challenges along the way! God uses the most unexpected places and ordinary people to do the most amazing things, all for His glory!
We often don't like to admit or accept our weaknesses, but what if they are the places where we will experience the power of God in the most life-changing ways? Do we want to be strong...or do we want God to be our strength? Do you both crave and celebrate God's bodacious grace in your life?!
Who do you think you are? Do you have purpose in your life? Do you envy others who seem to be doing more, getting more, receiving more? Do you know why God has made you...how God has made you? Who does God think you are? How can discovering the identity God has designed specifically for you be an incredible source of freedom, power, and meaning in your life?!!
How can anyone NOT love Jesus?! His sacrificial love, his profound wisdom, his kindness, his healing and care for the hurting, his relentless love in the face of evil and hate...they are unmatched in human history! Well perhaps it isn't actually Jesus that people reject...perhaps it is his followers? When the church at large or Christians individually fail to represent Jesus' truth and love, they can cause others to think that Jesus is just as flawed as his followers. But despite the many, many failings of his followers, Jesus remains the untarnished gold standard of excellence and perfection! How can we as his followers rebuild his reputation to those around us and more brightly shine his glory to the world despite our own imperfection? We are not perfect...but Jesus IS! How can we be more like Jesus so that the world doesn't dismiss him because of us?!
, a pillar of smoke and fire, a voice from heaven, and the mouthpiece of God? What if God is calling you...even you...into your purpose, renaming, worship and identity? Perhaps you and Moses are not all that different after all?
What can we learn about God and about ourselves by exploring the mysteries and beauty and attributes of trees? As the third most mentioned thing in the Bible, behind only God and mankind, trees hold a special place in creation and carry unique significance for understanding our faith and how to live it out! Take some time with Michelle Stratton to be inspired and instructed by the design and wonder of trees, and be challenged to live out your faith in a deeper way! What will God say to you through trees today?!
Who names you? Who tells you who you are? What do you think God calls you? The Bible uses some incredibly beautiful words to name God's people! Oaks of righteousness, rebuilders, repairers of ruined cities, God's delight, holy people, redeemed people, sought out ones, repairers of the breach, restorers of streets to dwell in...and more! Do you see yourself the way God does? Who will name you?!
, and throughout the 39 years of its history that has taken many forms, but always stayed true. As New Hope builds and grows in its new downtown location of Taunton, MA, its goal is still to simply help people in the love of Christ so that they will experience the love of God and be drawn to know Him more.Take a few minutes to hear stories and thoughts from New Hope's mission direction team to catch the vision that God has given New Hope, and consider how this might be what God is calling you into as well in 2026!
in order to free ourselves up for whatever God has in store for us?! What if our sorrows didn't linger and blind us to new joys? What if our successes didn't make us apathetic and miss immanent miracles? What if our lifestyles weren't permanent, rigid masters of our time? What could it look like to be free to be and to do all that God dreams for us?!
...true or false? There are many voices in the world today saying that people are so different that they cannot accept or love or relate to or tolerate one another...but is that really true?Does God think that people are all different, or all the same? Did Jesus see people as all different or all the same? Should the Christian church all look and think the same, or be made up of very different sorts of people who all love God and worship Jesus Christ?How different are people, really? What could it mean to think of all people as the same, despite differing thoughts or attributes or circumstances?
How would you define sympathy, empathy and compassion? Which of them are a divine attribute of God? Which of them implement aid and care in the world? What are the similarities and differences between them?The Bible offers the world a unique and inspiring look into a deeper meaning, source and impact of compassion! Take a few minutes with Pastor Dave to see how compassion is at the very heart of God's nature, Jesus' incarnation, and the heartbeat of every Christian!
Join Pastor Dave Stratton and his father Art Stratton as Art shares a testimony of suffering and lessons learned from his own life and they discuss what a biblical and Christ-centered approach to suffering could look like.
, just like the choregos! Let's live lives of beauty and impact as we manifest and pour out the presence of God's Holy Spirit to the world around us!
Take a few minutes with Steve Hedges Jr. as he shares the vital role obedience has played in his life and the critical importance that the Bible shows God has always placed on it throughout history. Are there things in your own life that you are avoiding even though you feel God might be calling you to do them? What could it mean for you if you prioritized God's leading over your own reluctance?
You may want to have love, peace, joy, self-control and all the other results of our faith...but are you willing to accept the responsibility to grow them? Christ-followers are given the seeds of these attributes, but will they accept their roles as gardeners, nurturers, growers and harvesters of this spiritual fruit? And what if the primary method for tending and nurturing these spiritual qualities is through suffering and being under pressure?! Would we all still choose to become Christians if we knew that it would require suffering like Jesus...in order to experience resurrection and miracles and power like Jesus? Spiritual fruit isn't delivered fully ripened, it must be grown!
What does it mean to wait on the Lord? When we're anxious or running out of stamina or worried about the future...what does that show us about our source(s) of peace? How can we find true strength? Who can help us with our anxiety? What would it take to feel confident and capable in the midst of our struggles?Take a few minutes with Rachel Caetano to hear some of her story seeking answers to these exact questions, and look into the Bible with her to see the answers she has found in God!
Everyone experiences temptation...the question is, how do we respond? How do you handle accusing thoughts, tempting actions, resisting desires, or negative impulses? Do you pray? Do you exert will-power? Do you hang on and hope things will be better one day?The Bible is filled with examples of people who struggled and suffered with being tempted by evil. How did they handle it? What encouragement or advice or instruction can the Bible give us for how to face, resist, or overcome the pressures and powers and spiritual attacks we will experience? And how can Jesus, who was tempted in every way yet didn't sin, provide us a pathway toward victory and freedom?!
Everyone experiences anxiety...the question is, what do we do with it?! Do we suppress it, distract ourselves, complain, get angry, try to escape? Do we seek therapy, trusted friends, accept tension or pray? What is God's advice on how not just to avoid or ignore stress and anxiety, but actually to remove it?! In a world that continually puts us into feelings of stress and anxiety, let's take God's advice for how to daily remove its weight from our shoulders and receive His peace!
What does humility look like? Is it a feeling? It is an attitude? Is it a self-image? Or is it more?Could you "do" humility this week?Can someone "see" humility?What if humility is actually an inter-personal skill set? What if humility is a way of treating people rather than a way of thinking about people? How could God change the world through people who "do" humility?
Consider with Hal Gershman the differences, similarities, and path to contentment, happiness, and joy. Are you experiencing these things in your life right now? Do you wish you were? What advice does God give for how to pursue and embrace and achieve contentment, happiness and joy?!
Do you know Jesus' love languages? Just like anyone else, we can't just love Jesus however we feel like, we need to know and to learn and to come to discover what pleases Him! The apostles learned by closely living with Jesus what it looked like to love Him and be a part of His community. And if we learn from them how they taught the earliest Christians to love Jesus, we can then discover what it looks like to love Him together today!
The Christian faith boils down to a single statement from Jesus..."Follow me." What does it mean to follow Him? And how can true following of Jesus only be accomplished in community?
In the ancient Middle East, how did the earliest Christians relate to the historical figure of Noah? How did the apostle Peter compare the waters of the flood to Christian baptism? And what can we learn and apply from these ancient events and practices that can help us in our own modern day trials?
The opposite of fear is not courage. It is hope.Hope is a truly life-changing, world-changing force! And it comes from within, from those who it has been given to. It radiates! It influences!Our world causes so much fear. Are you a source of hope? Do you need hope? How can we embody a living hope?
How does one leave "well"? When something comes to an end, how do we bring it to a close in a God-honoring way? What lessons and wisdom does the Bible offer for how to leave a church, a community, or friends? How could leaving result in building and increasing our faith?! Walk with Pastor Dave as he explores a moment in history where the apostle Paul has a tearful farewell with a church that he planted, in Acts 20. What can Paul's example teach us about our own times to leave? And how can we glorify God even in sorrowful moments?
If you were starting up a new church and could only choose six things, what would you pick? Would you pick skilled people like a pastor or worship leader or evangelist? Would you pick important logistical things like a good location or musical instruments? Would you pick key ministries such as discipleship or children's programs or music or outreach? Would you pick six core values such as a warm welcome, forgiveness, or generosity?The question of what is most important in any Christian community has been asked for two thousand years! And the same answers still hold true! You might be surprised to find that the critical building blocks that the apostles Peter and Paul urged the earliest Christians to use were "soft-skills", not technical skills, location or ministry decisions, or even core values! The apostles knew that Christ-like behavior and attitudes are the true building blocks of any church or Christian community!Take a few minutes with Pastor Dave to consider the six building blocks of church that Peter instructs Christian exiles to build upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ! And consider what you are building in your home and church!
Do you blame others for how you act and respond to them? Do you justify your actions based on their behavior towards you? Are you living a life of authentic identity, or have you become just a by-product of your responses and retaliations? What could life look like if we initiated God's goodness into our difficult situations, and the difficult people in our lives? What if we didn't justify our poor actions based on theirs, but instead asked ourselves how we could bring the goodness of God into their world? How would our identity and character change if we lived this way? How would it impact and change those we interact with? How did Jesus live and act from a place of His identity in God, rather than giving the people around Him what they "deserved"?
What makes you...you? What defines you? Are you known for the kind of work you do? Are you admired for your skills or experience? Do you have a lot of national pride in your country of origin? Do you define yourself at your core by your race or ancestry? What is the source of your uniqueness and worth?Peter, who lived with Jesus, who walked on water with Him, who encountered Him after He rose from the dead, and who experienced being filled with His power in miraculous ways...Peter viewed his proximity and relationship to Jesus as having supplanted ALL of his previous forms of identity! He called Jesus his nationality, his occupation, his skillset, and even his racial identity! Imagine what it could look like for us to have Jesus take the place in our hearts and lives as the sole source of our existence and meaning? What might your life look like if you did?
In ancient Near East construction of temples, palaces, and cities, the use of a foundational "cornerstone" was not just functional, but sacred and symbolic. It consecrated the structure, it stabilized the structure, and it determined the level and plumb and direction of everything built upon it. As we build the culture of our households, are we stable, strong, and unified in purpose and meaning? What keeps our families strong? What determines and directs us in how to treat those around us? What defines and directs us in how to relate to God? Is there a single, solid, immovable cornerstone in our lives that we can measure everything off of? The prophets, the apostles, and Jesus Himself all point to Jesus as the ultimate cornerstone! Design and build your life upon Christ, the solid rock amidst the ever-shifting troubles of the world!
In a world filled with anxiety, hopelessness, despair and sadness, Jesus creates beautiful gardens of flourishing people filled with the love and hope and beauty of God! These gardens are like an oasis in the desert...places of life surrounded by death, as they offer beauty, purpose, rest, living water, and freedom to all who will accept Jesus' invitation to join Him there! What would it take for our Christian homes, churches, friendships, and neighborhood impact to flourish like beautiful gardens in the desert? Are you flourishing? Jesus offers life abundantly!
Whom did Jesus visit first after His resurrection? His first five appearances were to people who were grieving, fearful, doubting, skeptical and ashamed. If Jesus intentionally sought out and met those people in those emotional and spiritual places, then He can still meet with us when we find ourselves in those same places! Jesus meets everyone right where they're at...but He never leaves them there! Observe Jesus' encounters after His resurrection, and pray that He will meet you and those you know in the same way!
Is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem a happy event or sad one? Is about the coronation of Jesus as King, or His grief-filled acceptance of His imminent crucifixion? Are the crowds joyful or hypocritical? Were the crowds there for Jesus the King, Jesus the miracle worker, or Jesus the Lord? Who is Jesus to you? Do you see Him as a teacher, a miracle worker, a ruler, a King...or Lord? Without the Lordship of Jesus, none of His other titles would mean anything! Take a few minutes to walk with Pastor Dave through the Palm Sunday account, and dig into the name of God which Jesus adopts as His own, and consider for yourself...who is Jesus to you? Is He the core of your very existence...because that IS His "name"!
What are the mechanics of holiness...how does it work...where does it come from...is it simply morality, or possibly something more?Take some time with Pastor Dave to explore and celebrate the other-worldly nature of divine holiness! May you pursue the holiness of your Father God in how you resemble and reflect Him to the world!
What would it look like for us to prepare to be used by God? How would we focus our thinking as we prepare for action? How would we "roll up our sleeves" to get our hands dirty with the practical efforts of loving those around us as ambassadors of Jesus Christ? Has God revealed to you the amazing things He's about to do in your world, and how He wants to use you to accomplish His purposes? Are you prepared?!
If you lived your entire life waiting for something to happen and it never did…couldn’t that feel like a major disappointment? If you spent your entire life working toward some kind of goal and you never achieved it…couldn’t that feel like you didn’t fulfill your potential? If you spent your entire life praying for something and God never provided it…couldn’t’ that feel like He didn’t come through...like your prayers didn’t work?What if our success shouldn’t be measured by the results in our lifetime…but rather by our participation in God’s timeline? The truth is, we are not the beginning of our story! We are not the end of our story! Our story is not the Big Story! Our stories are all small parts of God’s Eternal Story!One of the counter-cultural and counter-intuitive truths Jesus taught is that if we’re willing to NOT make ourselves the center of our lives, then our lives actually WILL take on greater meaning and significance! Luke 9:24–25 "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits his soul?" Is your life one of significance, belonging, purpose and meaning? In Christ it can be!
Are you sure you really want faith? Even if it means living in the "almost" as you exercise faith waiting for answers to prayer? Even if it means trusting God in the most trying circumstances? Even if it means not being in control, but leaning solely on the Holy Spirit for peace, guidance and strength? Wouldn't we much rather have results than faith? Wouldn't we so often rather have quick answers to prayer than extended seasons needing to rely on faith? Faith can be scary and exhausting! But faith is what we all need! We are saved through faith, by grace, as a gift from God! Faith is indispensable!Do you have faith? Are you in faith right now? Do you have faith in your hope?
What is church? How would you define it? Is it a place to come on Sundays to sing and learn? Is it a religious organization? Is it a set of intellectual beliefs? Is it a place to get spiritually fed? Is it a place to volunteer and serve?New Hope is on a mission to search for the answer to that big question, "What is church?"! We base our approach on Acts 2:42-47, in a grass-roots, family-style, organic, experimental, Bible-based apprenticeship model of faith!If you are looking to explore what church is and how followers of Jesus can live it out in our world today, then take some time to listen to the leaders at New Hope as they share the vision and miracles that God has led them to in their search for a missional expression of His church!
If Christians are "saved", and "a new creation", and "born again"...then why do they still sin? Are they made new or are they still the same? And why do Christians so often just look like everyone else in the world instead of transformed, redeemed, reflections of Jesus?Are we saved?Are we being saved?Will we be saved?How? When?The Bible actually teaches that salvation through Jesus Christ has three tenses: we are saved in the past tense through Jesus' death on the cross; we are being saved in the present tense through the work of the Holy Spirit; we will be saved at Judgement Day and the Resurrection!So the question is, what happens to Christians in these three parts of their salvation? How are they different? What changes? What still needs to be waited for? Walk with Pastor Dave through a tour of scripture showing how and when Christians are saved in all three tenses! And may these truths from God's Word help solidify your confidence in your own salvation, help make sense of your current daily struggles, and give you a living hope for all that is to come!
What is the overlap between psychiatry, therapy, mental health science, and faith? What role can spiritual health play in improving mental health? What advantage does emotional intelligence provide to a Christian growing in their faith?Take some time to listen in on a roundtable discussion between Pastor Dave and Michelle Stratton, and Kevin Berney a Christian licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner. From Kevin's experiences walking in the middle ground between science and faith, what has he seen that has produced the biggest impact and freedom and growth in those he's supported? From the faith perspective, what is there that can be learned from the mental health field that can expand the Christian understanding of being made in God's image with a body, a soul, and a spirit? May you find encouragement, solidarity, and hope in your faith and health through digging deeper into these universally experienced human growth needs! And may God provide you the stability and hope you seek!
Are you hopeful? Do you ever lose hope? Do you know what to say to others when they feel hopeless? Is hope sustainable in a life filled with struggle and tragedy? Is hope learnable?Jesus offers His followers a confident mindset, a healthy life-approach, and a problem engagement strategy all based in His Hope...and it is unbreakable, no matter the struggles or traumas we experience! What kind of hope could possibly carry us through the hardest times? Wouldn't this be the antidote to depression and anxiety that the world so desperately needs?!Walk with Pastor Dave through 1 Peter 1:3 to see what the Bible has to say about what hope is not, what it is, and where we can get it.Where is your hope? Is it secure?
When many think about God having a "chosen" people, it leads them to immediately ask, “Then does God just arbitrarily choose some people to go to Heaven and choose others to go to Hell?” The short answer is “No!”, God invites everyone to believe in Him and worship Him!But this is a complex and challenging concept, and if we are completely honest, it can often scare us, or confuse us, cause us to doubt the Bible or our faith, or even for some to become angry at God. But it shouldn't!What if God’s electing and choosing of His people is actually one of the most loving, invitational, and motivational truths in all of our faith?!Walk with Pastor Dave through his own personal investigation of this topic and the scriptures and thoughts that have brought him to see the concept of election as one of the most beautiful and encouraging beliefs in Christianity!
Can you think back to any times where you felt like an outsider? Are there any times in your life now where you feel like an outsider? Where do you belong? Who do you belong with? Who do you belong to?The Bible regularly refers to the followers of Jesus, the people of God as exiles, foreigners, sojourners, outsiders, citizens of another country, travelers, strangers, and resident aliens. Is this how you identify yourself as a Christian? Do you feel like you don't belong in this world, that you don't fit in, like you are an outsider?We might not belong in this world, but the people of God should have a greater sense of belonging than anyone else on earth! We belong to an omnipresent God and to His people who are everywhere around the world! We are part of the family of God! We are part of the nation of God! We are a people, a race, a holy priesthood! So, while we may not fit in with the values or customs of this world, we are a part of a far better world, based on the awe-inspiring love and power and presence of God! We belong...no matter where we are! We belong to Him...together!
What if God isn't as interested in how much you can do for Him, as He is in whether you will give Him all that you have? What if Jesus doesn't care as much about your capacity as He does your wholeness? What if a life of faith is more about being made whole by God rather than being productive for Him?In this New Year's message (and Baptism!) video, Pastor Dave walks through Luke 10:27 and invites us to consider what it would look like for us to have "whole hearts", "whole souls", "whole strength", and "whole minds" in 2025. What if our New Year's resolutions this year were more about us being whole than being productive?
Take a few minutes with Sean Brennan as he enjoys the opportunity to preach his first sermon and share with our church family a scripture passage that has meant a lot to him in his walk with Jesus and which beautifully points us all to wonderful heart of the gospel....knowing Jesus!
Too often we can end up being observers in life and faith instead of participants! Did you know that one of the four core values of the earliest Christians was participation in one another's lives? What would it look like if instead of standing by and appreciating the life of Jesus we entered into and participated in His life?! Our salvation, our generosity, our sense of belonging and purpose all hinge on whether we are living our own temporary lives, or living for something much bigger than ourselves...the eternal life of Jesus Christ!
What if instead of people trying to manifest their perfect future life, they instead manifested THE perfect life of Jesus to see what kind of future He would produce?!
What does it take to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?! Are you the greatest? Do you know someone who is the greatest in God's Kingdom? Is being great something we do, or something that Jesus does for us, or a combination of both? Do we need to do specific things or obey specific laws from God in order to be called "great"? How can we live great lives all for the glory of God?! Don't relax...pursue the holiness of God through Christ!
Every Christian is an evangelist! Maybe not in title or leadership role, but certainly in purpose! Christians are meant to publish "good news" to the world! Would the world largely look at Christians and think of them as good news bringers? And what is "the news" that is so good?!The Bible alternately defines the gospel (which means "good news") as "the good news of God", "the good news of peace", "the good news of happiness and help", "the good news of Jesus, the Son of God", the good news of grace", "the good news of Jesus' resurrection", "the good news of life and immortality", and more! How would you define it? And how are you publishing it?!
If the United States has a President, Vice-President, Senators, Judges, etc. as its governmental positions, what would the equivalent be for the Kingdom of God? What are the roles and positions that God invites His people into as Jesus builds God's Kingdom here on earth? And are you serving in an office of God's Kingdom right now? Are you contributing your gifts and abilities toward the Kingdom work? How do all the gifts and roles in the Kingdom of God relate and coordinate as Jesus reaches out to the whole world with God's saving love?!
What did Jesus mean when He said we must "become like a little child" or we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven? What does it take to become a child, spiritually? Are you?
Join Pastor Dave and Pastor Shirley as they share their experiences and understanding of prayer and its vital importance to the Christian life in the Kingdom of God.
What does it mean to be a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven while living within the country of the United States of America? How does one live as a member of an eternal Kingdom within a temporary country? How does one apply the values and beliefs of their Kingdom citizenship to their voting and civic responsibilities in their country? And what happens when different Kingdom citizens differ in their application of their Kingdom values within their worldly country? Is there a path of unity that can be found in the overlap of Christianity and politics? Does the Bible give any specific advice for how the followers of Jesus Christ are called to engage politically with the countries they happen to live within? How can Christians seek God's Kingdom first in these complicated areas?
What is a priest? How does the Bible define the role? What does a priest do? Can anyone be a priest? Are the Old Covenant Jewish priests different from what priesthood looks like after Jesus? Are you a priest? What if every Christian engaged with the world as priests of Jesus Christ, what would that look like for the Kingdom of God?!
How well do you listen? And how is listening related to loving? Could we quantify how much we love God, love others, and love ourselves by how well we listen? How are listening skills actually spiritual skills?
Consider your own answer to this question: "What is the relationship between waiting and faith?" Can there be one without the other? Does one come before the other? Are they the same thing? Do they overlap? Do we learn one from the other? Are they positives or negatives?How about from a Christian perspective? Can we truly have faith if we already have everything we want? Doesn't faith require waiting? Would we need faith if there weren't any unknowns or unanswered issues in our lives? Are we perhaps too eager at times to "be done" with a problem that we miss the fact that we are living in faith because of it? Do we want faith or do we want resolutions so that we don't have to live in the scary unknown of faith?
When you need to initiate a difficult conversation, how do you when the right time will be? And what is the right way to say things? And how do you handle any frustration or anger you might feel? And what if the person you talk with remains fixed in their thoughts and opinions? Is there any advice that God gives in the Bible about how to approach, handle, and successfully navigate these challenging conversations? The answer is, "Yes!"Walk with Pastor Dave through this second of a two-part sermon to see what the Bible says about our attitude, approach, heart, bravery, faith and hope that these sorts of conversations can work out for the good of all involved and in a way that brings God glory! There is hope for the hard conversations! Let God equip you with the tools needed!
Why is it so hard to have difficult conversations? Why are we so afraid that they will go badly? Why DO some of them go badly? Is there any advice that God gives on how to effectively and positively confront or question someone?The thoughts, feedback, insights, and loving critique of fellow Christians is actually one of our greatest resources for growth and learning and maturity...IF we do it it God's way! Walk with Pastor Dave through 7 pieces of advice that God gives on how we can help each other think and rethink the way He does!
If there is just a single key, a single word, a single concept that allows entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven...then how do we go about getting that key? How is it made or acquired? Are there different keys for different people? Are there lots of different keys that will provide entrance into heaven?Jesus, John the Baptist, the disciples and writers of the New Testament, and the authors and prophets of the Old Testament are all unanimous in their answer to those questions! The only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven both in its expression here on earth an for eternity is to "repent", or to "rethink" our lives and actions and beliefs and adjust them into alignment with God's thoughts and will!Are you rethinking the way everyone around you is living? Are you rethinking the things that truly make you happy? Are you rethinking/repenting and coming into alignment with God's thoughts?!Consider with Pastor Dave how that "rethinking" comes about as he looks into God's Word for advice and instruction on how we can acquire our own key to the Kingdom of Heaven!
If you had to pick one word that answered the question, "How do you get into the kingdom of heaven", which word comes to mind? Jesus chose a very specific word, and it is the same one John the Baptist used, and the same one the disciples used, as well as the one found in the Old Covenant Jewish scriptures. It was: Repent.But here's the catch...the Greek word repent means more accurately "to rethink" or "change thought" or "after thought".So does repenting possibly mean more than just feeling bad about our failings? Does it perhaps invite us instead to think the way God does, and love what He loves? Maybe repenting is really about growing to love God's thoughts and kingdom more than anything else?!Please consider rethinking what it means to repent, what it means to believe, what it means to be saved, and what it means to enter the Kingdom of God!
If you had to pick three words to describe Christian culture which would you choose? If those outside of Christianity picked three words to describe it, which words do you think would be picked? What IS the true culture of God's people supposed to be, and how can it be a loving and influential force in the world?!
Listen to the many stories and impact that the Serve Home 2024 summer volunteers have to share from this year's week of community outreach and service! To God be the glory!
What would it look like it if Jesus' parable of the mustard seed growing into the largest tree in the field came true for you and your life? And what exactly is the mustard tree supposed to represent? Why does Jesus love to speak in parables when He seemingly could just explain things more clearly? What is God saying to you through that parable today?!
Is heaven only in heaven? Can the kingdom of heaven exist here on earth right now? Are we building a kingdom of light in the darkness?Join Pastor Dave for a look at the concept of "the footstool of God" as a descriptor for God's manifested presence and worship! May His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is on heaven!
What does it mean to be part of God's Kingdom? What do Kingdom people look like...how do they think and act? Walk with David Carreno through one of Jesus' clearest descriptions of the people of God's Kingdom in the Beatitudes.
How does baptism relate to our identity? Are you a new creation...is the "old you" gone and the "new you" alive in Christ?! Do you struggle with identity conflict, not knowing whether you are the same or different, stuck in the past or living a new present and future? Where does the power come from in baptism that leads us into a new life?!Celebrate our sister Rachel's baptism and let Pastor Dave walk us through the life-changing nature of our new identities in Christ!
Since none of our fathers are perfect, being like our fathers can be good news, bad news, or so often a mixture of both. But it is ALWAYS good news to hear that we are like our Father in heaven! How well do you know your heavenly Father? Which of His traits do you embody since you are made in His image? Have you recognized moments where you're growing up and seeing His nature coming out in you? If He has not adopted you into His family, who is your spiritual father, and do you see his traits coming out?Take some time with Pastor Dave to explore the incredible nature and character of our heavenly Father, and consider what it would look like for you to be His child and embody His nature in the world today!
Are you "in" Christ? What exactly does that mean? How does one enter "into" Christ? Is it the same as believing in Him? Where is your identity based?
"Who are you?" How would you answer that question? Would your answer change over time? Would you answer with your career or relationships or hobbies or personality? What if those things changed...would you still be YOU?In a world that makes identity seem like selecting products off a shelf, the Bible offers the stability and relief of telling us that we are Created by God Himself, and He has already done the design work to create who YOU are! We don't need to be overwhelmed by the countless options of who we want to be in the moment...we can enjoy a lifetime of discovering the design that our Creator has given us! And then enjoy the experience of becoming who He's made us to be!
We are better together! For Christians, we are meant to live in community, with the Word of Christ dwelling in our midst! Take some time with David Carreno to explore the beauty and power of Colossians 3:16, and may the Word of Christ be what your life revolves around!
How do we establish a Christian household culture? Is it through education or imitation? Is it by isolation or collaboration? Is it through comprehensive skills or prioritized purpose?In this Mothers' Day Sunday, take some time with Pastor Dave to think about the powerful impact mothers, parents, and families can have in establishing Christ's kingdom within the sphere of influence of their households!
If prayer is really such a powerful encounter with God, then why do we so often get bored with prayer, forget to pray, or quit on prayer? Take a few minutes to look into the Bible's advice on how to invigorate your prayer life with determination, gratitude, empowerment and preparation!
Just as we wake up every day and put on clothes, God invites us to rise daily and put on His attitudes and character! What are YOU wearing? How do you present yourself to the world? Do your actions reflect or undermine your soul's transformation? In what areas do you need Jesus to help fit you with His holiness?
YOU (the real you inside) are not your thoughts, your feelings, or your physical body. You are a precious, eternal soul that God has created, loved, and longs to redeem! Therefore, if we are not our bodies...we are NOT our sins either! We commit sins. And at times Sin even controls us! But our sins are not US. We are deeper than them, need to be set free from them, and need to cast and kill them off with God's help and grace!Consider with Pastor Dave what the apostle Paul taught in his letters to Corinth and Rome about the difference between the sins that we cast off, and the ones we need to kill off! And may our pursuit of holiness be the most beautiful gift and display of love that present to our heavenly Father!
What happens after we receive the good news of Jesus? Are we done? Do we just go back to regular life as usual? As we look back at celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, where do we find ourselves now? Where do we go from there?
Who is running your life? Are your feelings running the show? Are your thoughts controlling you? Are the desires of your body making decisions for you?You are NOT your feelings...they happen TO you!You are NOT your thoughts...You HAVE thoughts, but they are not YOU!You are NOT your body...it merely contains YOU!The real YOU inside (your soul), is so much deeper than those things!Jesus knew this better than anyone, which is why He was so confident in permitting His crucifixion, because He knew when His body was gone, He would remain. His soul was secure. Is yours?If you are looking for freedom from the feelings, thoughts, and impulses that are running your life, take some time with Pastor Dave in this Easter Sunday message to reflect on how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can set us free, both for this life and for eternity!
Who was Palm Sunday for? Was it for the crowds? Was it for Jesus? Was it for the disciples? Was it for Rome or the nation of Israel? Whose triumph was "the triumphal entry"?Take a few minutes to reflect with Pastor Dave on the intensely authentic expression of faith that we see in Jesus' disciples as they proudly displayed their love and proclaimed their personal experiences with their King, Jesus of Nazareth!Consider whether there are some "Palm Sunday Principles" you can learn from how they "went public" with their faith as you try to live out your faith in the eyes of those around you!
What is your biggest goal in life right now? Is that goal shaping the choices you make? Is it getting you somewhere you want to be? Is it worth it?Take some time to consider the story of a man that Jesus met whose biggest priority in life was getting rich...no matter the cost. And consider what happens when Jesus changes the intention of our hearts to align with His!!
When you pray, do you hear God answer? Are your prayers more about talking to God or talking with Him? Is there any helpful advice on how to listen to God or recognize His voice?Take a few minutes to join a conversation with Sally Clark and Pastor Dave Stratton as they share some of their experiences with listening prayer and explore what advice and encouragement the Bible has to offer for all those who are pursuing the voice of God!
The one true God who parted the Red Sea for the nation of Israel is still in the business of delivering His people from their sins and situations! God is sovereign. God is powerful. God is just. How can those three attributes of God speak meaningfully into your current life and struggles? Take some time with David Carreno to look into Exodus 14 and hear the events of the parting of the Red Sea in a new way for this season of your life!
The good news of the gospel is not "good information", it is the "good solution"! The message Jesus spread and fulfilled was not simply that God is love, God provides, or God is powerful. Jesus said, "God restores!" God is more than just real, He is the answer! So don't settle for just proclaiming God's qualities without then building on them to proclaim the good solution...the God solution!
How do you measure success in your life, in your job, in your family, in your faith? Are you a success? How do you know?Take a few minutes with Pastor Dave to consider Jesus' metrics for success and evaluate success in your own life.
How do you go about talking with people who are of other religions? Are you confident enough in your faith to not be defensive or threatened or dismissive? Do you feel comfortable appreciating the beautiful things in other religions even though you don't share their beliefs? Are there any simple truth anchors we can keep in mind to help us navigate tricky conversations and relationships? How can we love someone completely without agreeing with them about such important matters?
Where life can so often seem dark, confusing, painful, aimless, or meaningless, Jesus offers a well-lit path to hope and truth and forgiveness!A life "in the light" is a haven for all who are lost, direction for all who are uncertain, and protection for us all when we stumble and fall. Let the light of Jesus push back the darkness for you!
Why does the Bible, and Jesus especially, intentionally use the metaphor of bearing fruit to inspire us to impact the world with God's love? Why fruit, why not vegetables or something else? It's because fruit makes more fruit! Fruit carries seeds of a potential future for so much more fruit! Vegetables might be delicious, but they don't bear the seeds to reproduce their plants the way fruit beautifully works to reproduce fruit trees!Look with Pastor Dave at the advice the Bible gives on how individuals can bear fruit that lasts, how churches can multiply that fruitfulness, and how God is the ultimate source of every good thing! How will you bear fruit that lasts in 2024?!
Is it possible to both stay in your comfort zone AND grow? How can we have confidence that God is leading us into a new season? How do we finish one season of life well as we transition into another?Join Pastor Dave Stratton and Danny Lee as they discuss their experiences with feeling God leading them into new seasons and share insights they have learned on how to finish well!
Everyone wants peace...but so few work to make it! Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers", not "Blessed are the peace lovers." Let us never stop seeking after peace, even when working for it doesn't feel peaceful at all!Join Pastor Dave Stratton and Joe Ferland as they discuss the vital importance of never giving up in our pursuit of God's peace!
We spend so much time trying to find and experience peace...but peace is a result, an outcome...it begins with glory! The pursuit of true peace actually starts with where we place glory.The things we praise, celebrate, give honor and glory to...these become the anchors for our levels of peace. The better the anchor, the stronger the peace! The more unstable our sources of glory, the most likely our peace to be lost.This Christmas season as we hear the angels sing "Glory to God and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.", let's recognize that if we want peace and favor, we must begin by giving God the glory! God gets the glory, we get the peace!
What would it take for us to experience peace this Christmas season?Take a few minutes with Pastor Dave as he explains God's definition of "peace", and consider how you can "tie off" the unsecured pieces of your life to the eternal steadiness of Jesus Christ, no matter your circumstances!
God's kingdom is growing and expanding all around the world as individuals experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Join us as we celebrate the love of Jesus moving in the life of two of our young adults as they take the important and beautiful step of baptism!
Our entire lives ultimately boil down to two questions: "What do I want?", and "What does God want?". This battle of wills can be seen in our marriages, in our struggles with addiction, in our faith and churches, in our decision-making, in our fears... What would it take for us to echo Jesus' words during the most pivotal and agonizing moment in His life (and actually, all of history)?! He said to God, "Father, not my will but Yours be done." The ultimate submission of His will to God's! Can we say the same?Join Pastor Dave as he explores and digs deeply into that crucial moment in Christ's life in the Garden of Gethsemane. And may we all be inspired to speak those same words in every area of our lives today!
There are so many options offered to us for things that are supposed to make us happy, fulfilled, and successful...but which things will actually work to satisfy us and make our lives rewarding and blessed?! In the host of options provided for us, what is God's Will for us?The Bible offers several teachings with specific advice on what God's Will is in very practical areas of life, such as: sexual morality, sources of comfort, and the challenge of believing. What is God's Will in these areas? Will the approaches you are taking right now result in you being blessed or creating even more problems for you down the road? How can we know and DO the will of God in these areas?!
What is God's will? God's will is that we DO His will! It's not enough to just know or understand what He wants...God calls us to embody and implement it in our world! His will is an action!Join Pastor Dave as he explores four practical ways the Bible teaches us to live out the will of God: in our planning, in our prayers, in our money, and in our gratitude! May His kingdom come and His will be done By Us today!
Many might agree that Jesus of Nazareth is God's only begotten Son, the Messiah...but what about Jesus as "the Christ", through whom the entire universe was created, through whom all sins are atoned, and through whom every being finds its purpose and power? Christ is not Jesus' last name, it is His title, His nature, His essence, His role, His activity, His love!Walk with David Carreno through the beautiful and powerful hymn proclaiming Christ's deity and love that we find written in Colossians 1. And may our eyes be opened even further to the incomprehensible power and perfection of our triune God and Jesus who is the Christ!
Do you have any questions about the will of God? Are you searching for the will of God in your own life? Are you confused as to what His will is for a given situation? Do you struggle with the relationship of God's will to your free will?Much modern confusion on the will of God stems from the fact that in the Bible there are three separate Greek words with different meanings that are all translated as "will" in our English Bibles! So in the Bible, the "will" of God is not one thing, it is three things! Join Pastor Dave for this in-depth study of the Greek text from Paul's letter to the Ephesians on the three wills of God and how they relate to each other and to our own choices and decisions today. And may God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
May you be blessed to hear some testimonies from Brockton's Adult and Teen Challenge men as they share with New Hope during Sunday worship at The Center on Main. God is doing some great work in their lives, may we be encouraged to seek Him and His work in our lives as well!
o Christian should stand alone! An independent Christian is a contradiction of terms, an oxymoron, a fallacy...Christianity is by nature a family, a union, a kingdom. When we are saved by Christ, we are transferred instantly into both communion with God and community with believers. Life together.Take some time with Pastor Dave to learn from portions of the letters of Colossians, Philemon and 2 Timothy to recognize the fundamental gospel partnership that is the Church. It is not always easy, but it is The Way of Jesus.Do you feel alone? Are you trying to manage on your own? Do you not think you need any help? Are you afraid of the vulnerability that deep friendship requires? Let the family of God be the solution to what you're looking for!
Brother Lawrence, in his letters "Practicing the Presence of God" (1691AD) profoundly wrote, "Knowledge is commonly the measure of love." What do you love? What do you know the most about? Are they the same?As it relates to your faith, how much do you love God? How much do you know about Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit? The mystery and belief in the Trinity is the single most important and defining doctrine of the Christian faith! How deeply do you understand and love God in His triune nature? May your love for Him abound as your appreciation and understanding of Him grows!
A testimony and word of spiritual encouragement by Larry Costello for New Hope Christian Chapel.
A testimony and word of scriptural encouragement by David Carreño for New Hope Christian Chapel.
A personal testimony and word of scriptural encouragement by Tommy Hogan for New Hope Christian Chapel.
When you pray, is it more often to ask God for His help with problems and needs, or is it to ask Him for amazing fruit and power in your life and others? Prayer isn't just spiritual problem solving, it's God's power directed toward people! Don't pray fear-based prayers, pray faith-based, future hope-filled, fruitful prayers!
Accepting Jesus' invitation to believe in Him and follow Him is just like accepting someone's marriage proposal! He invites us to a life-long (and eternity-long!) marriage of love and grace!
But too often people treat their faith as a casual, not a committed, relationship. Are you married to Jesus, or are you just dating? Is He your beloved, your one true love?!
It has been the culmination of many years of God's leading and calling...but the New Hope church family finally stands at the beginning of a new chapter of serving Him in Taunton!
What has gotten New Hope to this point? What is the big picture of what God is doing in His world-wide church right now? What does it look like to pursue obedience and joy?!
Take some time to hear from Pastor Dave and Michelle Stratton as they share their own personal testimonies of what the past years have been like as God has challenged and called them into the new chapter of faith He is writing. May their experiences invite and challenge you to also seek His will deeply, live sacrificially, and find joy in His callings!
Are you looking for meaning and purpose in life? Are you working hard to become who you "want" to be? Are you yearning to "find yourself" in your job, relationships, or achievements?
Purpose is God-designed, not man-made! A meaningful and rewarding life is the result of discovering how we have been created, not our own efforts to become someone we're not!
Have you experienced the wonderful peace, reassurance, confidence and joy that come from Jesus helping you to understanding who you are as He redeems and repurposes you for God's glory?
If you are married, have you ever renewed your vows to your spouse? If you are a Christian, have you ever intentionally renewed your vows to Jesus?! You should!
A relationship with God goes through three stages: "Don't", "Do", and "Be"...and those who get stuck in the first two stages will never fully realize the beauty and profound experience of not just avoiding sin or striving for holiness...but of becoming one with God through Jesus Christ!
Consider renewing your vows to God today and what it might look like for you to not just vow to stop or start certain behaviors, but to accept His Spirit and become like Him!
Pastor Dave took some time on our first week of worship at The Center to show us how the dedication of the First Temple by Solomon (in 2 Chronicles 2-7) provides us with a powerful parallel to both how Jesus builds us into His beautiful temple, as well as what the scripture's example is on how to dedication a space for God's glory!
May we always give thanks to God, for His love endures forever!
Have you ever experienced the birth of a church? Have you seen firsthand the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the miraculous events, the proclamation of Christ, and the conversions and baptisms that follow? If you have, then you have experienced the Holy Spirit at work!Pentecost Sunday, the birth of Christ's church, as it's recorded in Acts 1 and 2 is a beautiful description of a church birth, and as our church, New Hope, follows God's call to birth a new expression of Christ's church we too will experience many of these things!Are we ready for the baptism and outpouring and filling of the Holy Spirit? Are we repentant and prepared? Are we praying for the power of God to be manifested? !Are you?!
Are you experiencing grief that feels like it may never end? Psychologists have identified stages of grief such as denial, anger, or acceptance...but how do we move through those stages in a healthy way?The Bible provides us with an ancient Christian practice that God gives us to move through grief called a "Lament". Are you familiar with the 5 elements of a biblical Lament? Have you ever tried writing your own Lament as you travel a road of grieving?Follow Pastor Dave as he moves from the Ascension of Jesus, to Psalm 22, to the Beatitudes finding the thread of God's advice for healing from a grieving heart. There IS hope in the sorrow! There is trust in the loss!
There are things that only mothers experience...and therefore they are a source of unique wisdom for us! And not just on parenting, but on faith and mission as well! Join Pastor Dave in this Mother's Day message as he walks though Ephesians 1:3-14 to explore the powerful parallels and insights that moms can give us about family, faith and life!
We are alive, led, and adopted by the Holy Spirit of God! Let's live like it! (A sermon on Romans 8 by David Carreño, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Churches don't save people...theological stances don't save people...attending Sunday services doesn't save people...even just repeating the words of a conversion prayer isn't what saves people's souls! So what does?A sinful soul is saved for eternity by accepting the Word of God as a seed implanted within their hearts! Christians are saved by the Word of God! We are People of The Word! This is our identity, our DNA, our hope of salvation, and our hope for transformation!Sharing the Word of God publicly, therefore, must become our core mission in life as well! How will you share God's Word with those who are seeking and feel lost? Do you have to memorize the whole Bible? Do you have to know the answer to every spiritual question you might get asked? Should you just invite people to church on Sunday mornings?Simply read the Word of God together! This is the core Christian evangelistic tool and skill and approach. Just read the Bible together! Are you reading the Bible with anyone right now? Will you?
What are you waiting for in your life right now? Are you waiting well? Is there a Christian way to wait? How are you speaking, acting, and thinking while you wait? How long are you willing to wait?What if all of our "smaller waitings" in life could reflect our "biggest waiting" for Jesus to return?! What if we practiced our waiting for The Day of The Lord in each of our day-to-day waitings? If we are patient, we will reap a harvest of the "precious fruit" of God's plan! (James 5:7)
The 50 days following Jesus' resurrection were a time of renewal, rejoicing, and preparation for those first disciples of Christ. For the church today, this season is sometimes called "Eastertide". How will you spend your Eastertide this year? How can you be renewed as you celebrate the risen Christ?!
Christians should be the most resilient people on earth...we believe in resurrection, nothing can keep us down! And the Bible calls us not only to an eternal resurrection, but also to a living hope with a resurrection mindset! Have you experienced God bringing you from death to life in your own story? The powerful resurrection moments in our lives give us a true hope for an eternal resurrection of our bodies just as Jesus has promised! Let's live like resurrection people!
It's easy to love hearing the story of the grand entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday...but would we have personally wanted to parade down those streets shouting "Jesus is Lord!" to the crowds? Would you do that today, or would you feel too embarrassed? Be careful with your answer, because Jesus said that those who are ashamed of Him in this life He will be ashamed of at the gates of heaven! (Luke 9:26)Going public with our faith is NOT optional! Jesus gives us freedom to be creative about how we publicly proclaim that He is our King, but we MUST do it! Don't let the three barriers of inner fear, illusory excitement, or social pressure stop you from pushing through and shouting out your faith at the top of your lungs! Jesus is Lord!
Have you ever considered whether perhaps it's your soul that's tired or grieving or conflicted, not just your body? What if all our efforts aimed at a healthy body aren't actually getting to the root of our problems? Is there an ancient practice that we can use as a key to healing and renewing our souls?Jesus personally practiced the art of solitude, and He taught His followers to do the same. He used it as a key to renewal, healing, decision-making, experiencing God, and grief of the soul. If any of those are areas where you are struggling, try following the example of Christ and see how He brings health, peace, and vitality to your soul!"Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Jesus (Matthew 11:25-30)
How do you know your thoughts are really from you? What if the things you think or say to yourself are actually Satan's way of trying to defeat and quench your joy and freedom? What would it look like to be set free from all the anger and negative self-talk that so easily creeps into our thought patterns?If these are questions that you can relate to, then you will be blessed to sit with Sally Clark in this conversation and hear how God has worked powerfully in her life in these exact areas! May her story and walk with Jesus not only be inspiring to you, but may it also provide you with the keys you need to be set free in your own life!
What is your personal experience with your anger? Do you perhaps bottle up frustrations until they erupt? Or maybe you explode instantly at the smallest things? Are you the type who is constantly irritated and offended and complaining? Or maybe you just withdraw and become completely passive?There is a better way! God's way of engaging with anger is so needed in the world today! What if we all handled anger well?! What if everyone in the world handled anger well?!Join Pastor Dave as he walks through a very practical exploration of the six stages of anger that the Bible describes, and shows God's advice on how to handle each stage well! Let's mature and develop our godly, Christ-like anger skill set so that our anger no longer gets to control us!
Why can humility have such a negative connotation? Does it make you think of being passive, insignificant, losing, being taken for granted, or worthless? Jesus was humble! Was He worthless, insignificant, passive, or feeling sorry for Himself?Christian humility isn't about debasing or belittling ourselves...it is standing confidently in who God has made us, and striving to lift everyone around us even higher than we can go ourselves! Humility is all about elevating others and giving glory to God!Take some time with Pastor Dave to consider the magnetic nature of humility, the fundamental humility of love, the problem of prominence scarcity, and all the practical opportunities we have to elevate those around us just like Christ did!Who will you elevate this week?How will you elevate Jesus Christ this week?How might God elevate you this week?
Don't think that something CAN'T happen! You might not know if it WILL happen, but God can do anything, so don't think that it CAN'T!Too often we can get stuck despairing and feeling hopeless over finances, health, politics, conflict, addiction, failures, betrayals, and delays. But don't lose hope that God CAN!Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) Do you believe that?The Bible has a word for that unquenchable optimism...Hope! It's been defined as "confident expectancy", or "Faith in the future tense". Is this how you live? Is this what you believe? Do you have, and live, with Christian optimism?
How could the "spiritual discipline of writing" be used to alleviate loneliness, offer forgiveness, express gratitude, confess faults, make promises, profess love, give encouragement, offer forgiveness, express condolences, etc?God has ordained the written word as a primary means of sharing His law, His story, and His salvation. Let's not fall into the modern trap of simplistic, impulsive, thoughtless, or disposable words...let's co-author powerful, spiritual writing with God!If something is worth saying, it's worth remembering.If something is worth remembering, it's worth repeating.If something is worth repeating, it's worth writing.What could your written word experiments be this week?
Is there a way to talk about religion and faith without it just devolving into argument and debate? Jesus used miracles and stories just as often as He debated using logic and statements of truth. In our increasingly experience-valuing American culture, could the ancient art of storytelling be the key? Pastor Dave introduces us to the three "links" of a faith-centered gospel storytelling chain that connects our lives with God's plan and point us to Christ's love. Let's seek to tell our stories without making it all about us! Jesus is the hero of our stories!
“When non-Christians see Christians addressing the common good and the problems we all face as co-citizens in the world, using Christian resources...and therefore maybe people won’t agree with us…but at least they then see that we have the same heart.” (Timothy Keller, from the YouTube segment "Characteristics of a Missional Church" from the 2006 Desiring God Conference)Relatability without compromise. How well do you do with keeping that balance? Are you very relatable, but have a hard time standing firm in your own beliefs? Or are you so strong in your stances that you have a hard time connecting with others? How did Jesus keep this balance? He was profoundly relatable to all sorts of people, yet He obviously didn't compromise at all! How can we be more like Him?!
Is your "elder value" low, average, or high? God values age and wisdom over youth and beauty, do you think American society does the same? What do you value? Are you looking forward to getting older, or feeling loss and disappointment over fleeting youth? Join Pastor Dave as he seeks to re-establish a biblical joy in age and experience! Don't let the culture around you rob you of the "crown of glory" bestowed on elders! (A sermon video by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Did you know that the Greek word in the Bible for hospitality, philoxenia, literally means, "loving the stranger"? The ancient Middle Eastern world of the Bible prized the generous welcoming in and providing for travelers and strangers, yet our modern concept of hospitality more often consists of us simply entertaining our friends and family.When did hospitality stop being about welcoming the alienated and become more about comfortable gatherings of friends?Would you put yourself out for a stranger? Would you give your best to a stranger? Would you welcome a stranger into your home and life and treat them like royalty? This is the beautiful concept of biblical hospitality that Jesus invites His followers to practice!
Have you ever experienced "the joy of refraining or resisting, for God's glory and by His strength"? This is the definition of temperance, or self-control, that Pastor Dave offers in this workshop on the Christian life. If we could all just avoid the Myth of Temperance, set our eyes on the Goals of Temperance, and experience the Joy of Temperance..our lives and our world would be such an amazing place! What if we loved our souls more than our bodies, and if self-control was the tool that could make that happen?!
Is Christian forgiveness the same as regular, worldly, human forgiveness? What are God's steps to complete forgiveness? Are there any forgiveness opportunities you could experiment with this week?!
God is a Maker, and He has a very specific creative process! He is constantly making new things! Then why do we so often feel stuck or hopeless as if things will never change? How can we become Co-Creators with God in our own lives? How can we receive His light, join Him in His plans, and live with meaning and purpose so that our lives don't end up "formless and void"?
Money tests our faith constantly! Will there be enough?! Well God has established four "funds" for us through His limitless resources, and He is faithful to provide for us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it! May the "Work Fund", the "Community Fund", the "World Fund", and the "Miracle Fund" inspire confidence in us and continual proofs of a God who always provides the resources for what He calls us to do!
Do you struggle with "people insecurity", thinking there will never be enough friends, help, or people in your life? Or maybe on the opposite end of the relational spectrum you struggle with "people pride", being overconfident that you have plenty of help, plenty of friends, plenty of family, and that those relationships will never fail?With God, we need to avoid these extremes of fear and pride and seek "people sufficiency", knowing that God will ALWAYS provide enough people for us to accomplish all that He's calling us to do! He will bring in just the right amount, no more and no less, than we need...and just when we need it!
You have plenty of time for all the things God is calling you to! Then why doesn't it feel like we have enough time? What do we wish we had more time for? Would we want God to grant us an additional 24 hours in the day (like He did for Joshua and the nation of Israel in Joshua 10:1-15) so we could get everything done? God created time FOR us, and God can still make more time for us in so many ways! Let's seek to have a healthy relationship with time and with the God who invented it for our benefit!
Do you ever feel tempted to try to work around a situation, to say or do things to try to make sure "things work out" well? Are we stressed enough about a situation that we become willing to compromise our integrity and faith to try to solve our problems? Desperation is a trap that can tempt us to all sorts of actions, good or bad! Do you handle your desperation well?
We need to stop trying to manipulate and control outcomes, and instead get better at trusting God with the results!
What are the things that make us want to quit? Politics, money, conflict, repeated failure, overwhelming problems? What are some of the ways we deal with these things? Does it seem like at time we are just trying to stay afloat instead of actually resolving our problems? What advice can God give us on how to not just deal with the symptoms of our problems, but actually deal with them at their source?!
Simple honesty between Christian friends is an essential key to spiritual spring cleaning, victory, and growth! Our "tents" might be looking good on the outside, but is there anyone who truly sees what's inside? And how can, for better or worse, the condition of our lives be BOTH a cause for confession and praise?! Let the story of Achan from the book of Joshua be our guide and instructor as we seek to grow and thrive in God!
When we read about the battles that God called the nation of Israel to fight like at the city of Jericho, how do we reconcile that with the loving God we see in Jesus? Why are some saved and some lost? Why did God bless the Israelites but overthrow the inhabitants of the promised land? How can God be blessing some, punishing others, extending grace to some, and executing justice on others? Is He fickle or capricious? What can we learn about the complexity of God and our own intimacy and relationship with Him in our own battles?
Do you have a calling in life, a purpose given by God? Or maybe does that feel too lofty a goal to you? Have you ever heard God speak to you? What if we've made too much of "lifetime callings" and not enough of daily and situational "calls to action"? Is there a difference between a "macro-calling" and "micro-callings"? And how do you recognize when God is prompting us to action? And how should you respond?!
Every encounter with God has a moment of inception and a moment of fulfillment...a promise from God followed by the power of God...a place where we step into covenant with Him and then all the ways we see Him faithfully and powerfully fulfill that covenant! It all begins with us cutting away everything else and committing to God...and then abiding in Him as we see His promises unfold. Have you stopped to cut away everything that distracts and entangles? And are you relentlessly clinging to Him and celebrating His grace and deliverance?
How many ark stories are there in the Bible? How many times did God part the waters for His people to save His people? Are miracles in the Bible just myths or are they repeated examples of an ever-present, all-powerful God? What are the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life, and how can God provide you an ark to carry you through? And could you even possibly be an ark to help save those around you?
What do you think the famous prostitute and woman of faith from the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, Rahab, would say to us today if she could share her story in person? What amazing acts of God and acts of grace would she want us to know about? What advice would she give? Perhaps her story would revolve around grace, ethics, fear, covenants, kingdom, and legacy? What could she teach us today?
People experience and deal with fear in so many different ways. Things like being overwhelmed, being blindsided, feeling responsible, feeling alone, or feeling stuck can all lead us into fear-filled and hopeless mindsets! Have you ever gotten some great advice on how to reduce fear? What advice do you think God gives on fear?
What does it take to reach your potential? How are you becoming the person God ultimate intends for you to be? What roles do courage, mentoring, zeal, vision and responsibility play in the making of a true leader? And who are you helping become the leader they are meant to be?!
When you feel burnt-out, how do you cope? Did you know there is a consistent pattern in the Bible of people feeling burnt-out immediately after experiencing a miracle?! How could they feel so low when they had just seen something so amazing!?! How can we? Is post-miracle emptiness always a bad thing?
Do good things just automatically happen to good people? If we are nice to others, will nice things happen to us? Or is there a God whom all our future depend upon?! Does God reward and discipline, or does the universe have some reciprocal force at work? Why do we see such powerful things happen when we invest ourselves in God's work?
What do you do the night before a miracle? What things can truly be defined as miracles? Are you expectant and anticipating God's supernatural intervention in your life? Is today a Miracles Eve for you?!
1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer for the reason for the hope that you have, but do it with gentleness and respect." Is this you? Is this how you handle conversations, debates, witnessing? Do you set up Jesus as holy in hearts, and look for every opportunity to share His hope?!
Do we express our gratitude in the right ways? Is gratitude perhaps a powerful solution for pride, entitlement, selfishness, and so much more? What if gratitude is also the secret to sharing our faith and leading others to faith in God?
As Christians, are we making sure that we are not only bearing fruit, but that we are multiplying ourselves in other believers? The quote, "The church is always just one generation from extinction." reminds us of the importance of multiplying! Are you bearing spiritual fruit? Are you bearing spiritual children?! As a vital member of God's kingdom, are you being fruitful and multiplying?!
What do successful sports teams do at halftime? As we hit the half-way mark in 2022, how should we strategize and make adjustments to head into the "second half"? As followers of Jesus, how should we look back and learn from where we've been, and how can we live with intentionality and hope as we look forward to where God is leading us?!
Consider these things with Pastor Dave as he looks at the life of Abraham and how God called him from a "first half" of idolatry, to a "second half" of miracles and promise, and what that means for us as followers of Christ!
Independence vs. Freedom...are they the same thing or not? Are they both good things or not? Is our American celebration of independence something God values as well?!
Christians need to lower the bar for readiness, but raise the bar for maturity! We are taught from birth that to be ready we need age, experience, and education. Those things are good, but God doesn't need us to have any of those things to be ready if He wants to use us! We become mature in our faith by practicing and living out our faith, not just by growing older, learning life lessons, or gaining knowledge! God is ready to use you right now! You are ready!
Do you feel called by God? Do you have a sense of what your spiritual goals and purpose might be? How do we listen to the Holy Spirit to find direction in life? This workshop led by Pastor Dave will help walk you through a practice of spiritual discerment and direction for all those who seek to follow Christ's call to follow Him.
The Bible isn't a completed story of everything that God will ever do...it is a collection of stories of all the sorts of things that God can do! As our church moves toward rebuilding a new location for God's glory, listen as Pastor Dave draws a parallel to how God worked with Nehemiah and the nation of Israel as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. God is still in the rebuilding business!
If Jesus has "overcome the world", as He said in John 16:33, then why do we continue to experience sin and tragedy like the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas? Has Jesus overcome the world or not? Or perhaps does "overcome" mean that He has shown the perfect way to "come through" or "come over" all the sin and pain that the world will throw at us? How do we cope with, and more importantly how do we respond to acts of evil? What does it mean for us to be overcomers?! How can we overcome evil with good, like Romans 12:21 says?
Are you lacking something? Do you need strength or comfort? Is there a decision you need wisdom on? Do you need a miracle? Are you close with God? All of these things are Holy Spirit territory, and Jesus has sent God's Spirit to us for exactly what we need exactly when we need it!
What do you say and how do you pray for people? Wouldn't it be amazing to have listened in on Jesus' prayers? Well in John 17 we have an amazing prayer recorded word-for-word that Jesus prayed for His disciples! This prayer is a master class by Jesus on how to talk with the Father, how to pray for others, and what kind of legacy we pray that we will leave behind!
What does it mean for us to live on earth "as in heaven"? What do you think heaven is like? What would it mean for us to live in those ways right now?! And what exactly did Jesus teach about heaven? Is it all about cherubs and halos and golden streets...or maybe something more?
Serving is a doorway, not a doormat! Serving is Jesus' key to forgiveness, humility, reconciliation, spiritual gifts, salvation, and more! Join Pastor Dave as he observes seven secrets of serving that Jesus teaches us through His washing of His disciples feet. And may we unlock the doorway of serving in our lives today!
What do Easter and bowling have in common? Do you ever feel like your life choices and the chances and risks you take are in danger of ruining everything? Are you worried that God might not be able to fix some of the mistakes you've made? How can God be in control and we have the free will to make decisions at the same time? Can the Easter story give us confidence in both our choices and God's plan?
Our faith is supposed to be personal, but not private, secret or hidden! So how do we live out our personal faith in the public eye? When Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the King, He came riding in on a donkey! How can we live public, yet personal and humble lives of obedience to God in our everyday lives?!
What would it mean to waste your life? Would it mean never doing anything? Would it mean doing only things that were meaningless? Would it mean never making an impact on the world? Would it mean never discovering your true value and purpose? Jesus loves it when we pour ourselves wholeheartedly into loving Him! It is never a waste to give everything we have and everything we are in His service! Like the woman who poured out expensive purfume on His feet, let's pour out the best of all we have to offer in extravagant expressions of love for Christ and for those around us!
Jesus says He is "the Good Shepherd", and that those who are His will recognize His voice and follow Him into green pastures, freedom, and eternal life! But He also calls His disciples to shepherd others into God's Kingdom! Do you think of yourself as a shepherd? Do you know the Good Shepherd? Do you feel both the comfort and the challenge of shepherding?
Christianity is ultimately an ethic of action, not avoidance...manifesting God's goodness, not simply trying not to do the wrong thing! So how do we move beyond just trying to stop doing the wrong things, and have God's help to actively live out His glory?!
Do we have to obey Jesus' commands...or do we get to? Do we have to read our Bibles and pray...or do we get to? Do we have to pursue holiness...or do we get to! Too often the good news of Jesus' grace gets distorted into yet another law-based religion, when what Jesus invites us into is a free, loving, true, relationship with the God of the universe! Why do we take grace and turn it into obligations and laws? How can we maintain the freedom Jesus offers while still following His teachings and commands? How free are you in Jesus?!
When Jesus stood up in the temple and said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12) did you know he was standing in the shadows of four 75 foot tall candleabras which were used to light up all of Jerusalem through the whole first night of music and celebration for the Festival of Tabernacles every year? If Jesus was claiming that intensity of light for His teachings and salvation, what must it mean for us when Jesus says, "You are the light of the world" to His followers?! (Matthew 5:14) Are you a powerful light illuminating God's love and truth and life for those around you?
In the Bible when we see Jesus interacting with people stuck in the powerful grip of sin, habits, thoughts, behaviors, illness, poverty, etc...how does He treat them? Does He condemn them? Does He remove Himself from their presence? Does He compare the relative weight of their sins to others? Does He excuse and tolerate sin? Des He give trite, cliched answers for their problems? How did He treat the woman who was caught in adultery in John 8? How did both His grace and truth take center stage as He loved this poor woman? And most importantly...how can we be more like Him!
What topics and issues do you take stands on? Do you take as strong a stand for the power and love of Jesus as you do on masks or vaccines? Are your social stands based on your faith, and do they become platforms for you to share Jesus? Are we more focused on gaining eternal life or making this temporary life better?
In the miraculous account of Jesus (and then Peter) walking on water and calming a storm, where do you see yourself? Are you the crowds hoping Jesus will just do more miracles? Are you the disciples, feeling alone and afraid? Are you Peter, taking steps of faith and then starting to sink? If Jesus can walk on water and save His disciples, think what He (and you) can do in your life!
Jesus sent out His disciples "into every town and place where He himself was about to go." (Luke 10:1) This is still true for us! Every place Christians go is a place that Jesus is asking us to prepare for His entrance. Think on what this means for us all as Pastor Dave preaches through Luke 10 and then leads New Hope in a time of comissioning prayer over members of the New Hope church family whom God is moving on to new places.
Take a few minutes to listen as Pastor Dave introduces some key themes, church structures, and missional approaches for the New Hope family as we head into 2022 and pursue life on God's mission!
Our lives are meant to be spent experiencing, being transformed by, and reflecting the glory of God! May we take the apostle Paul seriously as he says we have the glory of God as a treasure within the vessels of our lives. And may we be renewed, revived, transformed, and contagious each and every day of our lives in a continual and ongoing basking in the radiant glory of God!
A message from John Raposo focusing on the true meaning of worship as our created purpose as we see it in the Christmas incarnation story!
Listen as Pastor Dave Stratton, of New Hope Christian Chapel, and Pastor Tamesha Quinnie, of Perfecting Life Ministries, share from God's word on the power of baptism as their churches join together and celebrate a joint baptismal service together!
If God is a God of Peace, and if Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and we have the Holy Spirit's fruit of peace always available within us as Christians...then why don't we always feel at peace?! What does it take to get peace? What causes us to lose it? How is peace a shareable commodity? What are the basic elements that bring about peace within our hearts, betwen us and God, and between us and others?!
If you've ever wondered how to live powerful lives for God in the midst of a culture that is hostile to Him and to you...then let Daniel and his small community of faith mentor, guide, advise and inspire you with 20 missional lessons from their lives! From Babylon to 2021, God's Word continues to provide perfect wisdom for God's people living on His mission in a lost and sinful world!
What exactly does it mean to observe the "sabbath", a day of rest? Is it physical rest, taking a break from your job, finding peace and rest from anxiety, a day to "go to church", a family day, etc? How did Jesus define it? Do you delight in the sabbath?!
God's timing is perfect!...not coincidental! There are moments where nothing other than a soveriegn, all-knowing God can explain what just happened! Let's pray for and seek those moments in our lives!
Would you walk 500 miles and work 14 years for love? Would you for a stranger? How far does Jesus go in His pursuit of God's children? Are there any lengths Jesus won't go for those He loves?!
As Americans we are great at increasing, expanding, building, and accumulating...but what if our appetite for increasing was the biggest obstacle to us experiencing Jesus in our lives? If we continue to expand within our schedules, budgets, relationships and thoughts, will there be any room for Jesus to take over as our only love and hope and purpose?!
What defines being saved: saying a prayer of faith, or being enabled to follow the blowing of the wind of the Spirit of God? Are our spirit's truly "(re)born from above", or are our minds just informed with truths about God? Can you hear the wind blowing?
Is your life busy…or full? Are you too busy to follow Jesus? How is Jesus calling you to fight for your time and your schedule? Will you fight for what matters most?!
Why do we get so angry about unimportant things, but let the most important things go unaddressed? What is truly worth fighting for?! What did Jesus fight for?! What should Christians fight for?!
When Jesus was invited to socialize with those in his community He said yes...and the miracle of water turning into wine brought glory to God! When you are invited to local social gatherings, do you say yes? Or would you rather stay home? What miracles will you experience if you say "yes"?!
Maybe we should all be more like John the Baptist? Are our lives a witness to the love and power and grace of God? Are we leading people to faith and baptism like John did? Are we a living testimony for Christ?!
Why is the old adage, "an image is worth a thousands words", so true?! When we see something, why is it so powerful and memorable?! God has created us to be images of Him...think of the impact we should have! Are we relying on our words when our actions could be speaking so much louder to the world around us?
Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than receive." Do we believe that? How would the world be different if everyone believed that?! Let's prove it!
If your faith, church, and missional communities don't look a little messy...you're not doing them right! Jesus told a parable about how God invites the most unlikely and unexpected sorts of folks to His feasts and family! May we do the same!
It's not enough to just know what God is calling you to do...you need to fight for it! Despite the obstacles. Despite the opposition. Despite your own fatigue. If it's God's plan, it's worth giving everything you have, using the tools and weapons and strength God provides, and standing together with all the others fighting for the same cause...building God's Kingdom for His glory!
How do you measure your faith? What activities or habits or behaviors do you consider essential? How do you think Jesus evaluates you? How does your life imitate His?
Have you "been discipled"?
Did you know that phrase isn't in the Bible? Jesus invited people to "be" His disciples (students), and He called His followers to "make" disciples...but Disciple is a noun, not a verb. Do you have a noun or verb understanding of what Jesus meant by being His disciple? And when you share your faith, are you hoping to make noun or verb disciples for Jesus? What are the core elements required to be considered a full disciple of Christ?
The real question is, how did Jesus define discipleship?!
Take some time with Pastor Dave to discover Jesus' definition of simple, missional, discipleship. And then let's ask how we will pursue it ourselves and share it with others!
Do you consider yourself a prophet? Most would say, "no". But have you ever felt led to share a thought with someone that you felt God had put on your heart? Isn't that "speaking for God"?! Isn't that the biblical definition of prophecy? Maybe you are a prophet!
What would it look like if all of God's people were sharing the thoughts He was putting on their hearts, instead of waiting for a pastor or teacher or someone with the "spiritual gift of prophecy" to tell them what God was thinking? What if we all operated with the desire to hear from God and then speak whatever we felt Him making clear to us? What would the world look like if all Christians spoke truth from God? What would our homes look like? What would the Christian Church look like?
In the days following the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin, how have your conversations about it gone? Have they been opportunities to share God's thoughts on our present situation, or divisive arguments over information and opinions? What are we as Christians supposed to think, say, and do in response to current issues? How do we go about bringing God's truth and wisdom into the world around us through our conversations and actions?
The news in our world is consistently discouraging and full of problems...so what are we as Christians supposed to do about it?! Jesus would invite us to "opt out" of the culture around us, provide the world with a demonstration of God's power, and be motivated by an overflowing love for God! That good news will change the world!
As we gather together more and more in the months ahead, what exactly are New Hope's thoughts on masks, service registrations, Zoom, Missional Communities, and Chapel vs. Home worship? Take a few minutes to let Pastor Dave share with you how New Hope is seeking to come out of the last year of lock-downs into a new season of growth and mission!
As Christians, we may earnestly want to have changed lives...but how exactly do we get there? Do we try harder? Do we take on new activites or friendships? Do we hope it just happens automatically? Jesus answered this question by saying there is no such thing as resurrection without death first! If we want to rise anew, we first need to put to death our old self! How will you go about your own spiritual "addition by subtraction"?
When Jesus rose from the dead, He came back different...better...changed...glorified in such a way that even His friends often didn't recognize Him! As we all come out of our isolation and quarantine "tombs" of this past year, how will we come out? Will we come out the same as we were before? Will we come out timid and afraid? Or will we come alive in new and beautiful ways like Jesus did?! Resurrection isn't just starting over...it's starting new! Walk with Pastor Dave through how the Bible records Jesus coming alive, and may we all come out into the post-Covid world with the same love, power, beauty, hope, and passion that Jesus exhibited when He stepped out of that tomb and into a world that needs Him so much!
Where do you get your information? What sources do you trust? When you talk about current issues, do you share your personal convictions or align with the crowd? And when you share your faith, do you try to remember what your pastor taught or do you share what Jesus means to you personally? How can your faith be more celebrating and less debating?!
Where do you go to be with God? How exactly do you seek out His presence? Do you hear from Him and walk and talk with Him? Do you know how to go deeper into prayer and seeking out His presence? Let Pastor Dave's investigation of three gardens in the Bible give us guidance on how to seek out God's presence ourselves! May your pursuit of God be accessible, available, communal, Grace-based, relational, timely, and daily!
In your life and faith, which do you want more...to hear God speak, or to know His will? Are they the same thing, or not? When we face difficult decisions or challenges, do we feel a confident freedom or a rigid, fearful uncertainty? We CAN know God's will! And He DOES speak! Us finding confidence in living Christ-like lives IS possible!
Do you ever suffer from "faith fatigue", when doubts creep in and it gets harder to trust and believe? If so you are not alone! Even Jesus' own 12 disciples struggled with times when their usually-strong faith began to waver, and it took Jesus lovingly reaching out to lift them up to help them through their weakening faith. Let Jesus strengthen and encourage you when you struggle with doubts and your faith gets weaker! His presence and evidence will help you through!
When you look closely at Jesus and His disciples, you quickly realize that He wasn't simply acculumating "followers", He was training leaders! Discipleship and Christianity is actually leadership training! When you think of joining a church, accepting Jesus as your savior, becoming a Christian, or participating in a ministry, do you think of it as leadership training? Are we trainining our children to be leaders like Jesus, servant-leaders who take initiative in the world as Christ directs them?! Are you waiting to "follow the leader" in your faith, or are you hearing Jesus call you and stepping out to initiate your spiritual role in the world?!
We have more details written about the apostle Peter in the Bible than on any other of Jesus' disciples, and yet instead of him being portrayed as a hero and over-acheiver, he most often is shown putting his foot in his mouth, doing something rash, or making mistakes. This makes Peter a very accessible and relatable disciple for all of us who constantly make mistakes and rely on Jesus' grace too! John Maxwell, the Christian leadership consultant and writer said, "Fail early, and fail often, but always fail forward." May we see how Peter's mistakes were actually teachable moments, and may we also "fail forward", closer and closer to Christ with every lesson we learn!
The history of mankind is one of a search for belonging...searching for "our people", and "our home". God has given advice to His people again and again on what it looks like for them to be strangers living together in community amongst a foreign people. Let's learn from letters to believers of the past what it looks like to live influencial, powerful, beautiful lives of faith in exile amidst the worldly countries and peoples we find ourselves in today!
What does it mean to be great? What would you picture as a "great" family or job or church or country? And if you are going to commit yourself to helping make those things great, what exactly should you do?! The world defines greatness in a much different way than Jesus does! Take a lesson from the "Sons of Thunder", two of Jesus' 12 disciples in what true greatness is. And may God bless us all with opportunities for true, Christ-like greatness in our lives this week!
What did Jesus preach on more than any other topic? What is the most powerful force driving our country behind the scenes? What temptation proved to be the downfall of Judas in betraying Jesus? What is the "other god" about which Jesus says, "You can't serve both God and ________."? Take some time to reflect with Pastor Dave on the lessons we can learn from Judas, one of Jesus' first apprentices, on the corrupting power of the love of money in each of our lives.
Shame, embarrassment, guilt and regrets can be powerful and destructive elements in our lives...but, they are exactly the sort of bondage that Jesus came to break! If you or someone you know is struggling with shame, take heart from one of Jesus' own 12 disciples who experienced personal shame, but then had Jesus set him free and became a tremendous advocate for all those still under its weight! May Levi be an inspiration and encouragement to us all as we see once again that Jesus comes to bind up the brokenhearted!
Have you ever compared yourself to other Christians and felt like you didn't match up? Does every follower need to be outspoken, Biblically trained, confident, and comfortable in public settings? What about the quiet, behind the scenes, familiar people who have introduced us to Jesus?...were they all extroverted and prominent? Sometimes it is the unassuming friend who can make the best connection between Jesus and the people He came to save! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Do you ever stop to see if what you're working so hard on is actually accomplishing anything? Do you have a spiritual practice of regularly checking in with God to refocus ourselves on His goals rather than our plans? Every painter needs to step back to see how their progress looks in relation to the entire work of art...and every Christian needs to regularly step back to see how their lives and faith are developing in the light of God's will and word! Take a step back here at the end of the year and see what God will show you!
This Advent & Christmas season, join Pastor Dave in a cover-to-cover Bible word study digging into the beauty and power in the concept of the "Light of God" in Christ and in us! What is God's light to you? What is God's light to the world? How are both Jesus and His followers the light of the world? Are you standing and walking in the light that leads to life?!
This past Veteran's Day one of our missional families was blessed by a surprising encounter with a man named Mike. Take a few minutes to hear their story and see how God coordinated this beautiful encounter for His glory!
God is a God who throughout history has always showed up for His people when they needed Him most. As God in human form, Jesus constantly showed up for people and met their needs in hands-on-ways. And as Christians, apprentices of Jesus, we need to show up and give help and love to the people in our lives too! Don't hide or withdraw, step up and show up for others!
Prayer is power...not a Christmas-style wish list to a Santa-type God in heaven! Prayer is the pure, personal, powerful, direct connection to the God of the universe! Let's not settle for less!
How do you feel you measure up compared to others? Be careful, comparison can be a killer! What would it look like to measure ourselves against Jesus instead of one another? How is humility the best measurement of our effectiveness and true success in life?!
Which do you know better...the Bible, or the God of the Bible? Which do you have more experience with? Which do you worship? How can we get the most out of both our Bibles and our relationship with the triune God?!
The Bible is loaded with specific moments of revelation and inspiration where God connected uniquely with His people! If God has spoken and moved in specific, personalized ways with people in the past, why do we settle for a generic, general, abstract, vauge approach to our prayers and faith? Jesus offers each person a uniquely personal connection with God through the Holy Spirit...don't settle for less!
As American Christians who have grown up within a democratic society and are used to giving our opinions and shaping laws by our votes, is it easy or hard for us to accept Jesus as our Lord & King, our monarch, as having the divine right to tell us what to do...without us getting a vote or a say in it!?!
Jesus didn't come to start a new religion, He came to start a new Kingdom, to establish a promised Kingdom made up of the most unlikely people from every nationality, age, gender, and backgrounds! And Jesus is still building that Kingdom through His followers today! So how does being a citizen of Christ's Kingdom influence your affiliation with the government and politics of the country you live in now? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
This past Sunday one of our missional communities was surprised by a knock at the door that was both an answer to their prayers as well as a great teaching moment for us all! Take a few minutes to hear the story and reflect with Pastor Dave on how it continues to confirm for us the direction that God is guiding our New Hope church family!
Dig deeper into the concepts of confession, vulnerability, and close Christian community from Pastor Dave's sermon "Bad Resumes, Failed Background Checks & Poor References", by hearing excerpts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, "Life Together".
A typical resume would give your greatest strengths and abilities to help qualify you for a new job...but for an apprenticeship with Jesus, the resume we submit must be a list of our greatest weaknesses and needs! When you come to Jesus, what's on your resume? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
True or False: The word "apprentice" is perhaps the best modern translation of the Bible's term "disciple" and the modern term "Christian"? How would your concept of faith in Jesus change if you viewed it as an apprenticeship rather than a belief system? How do we move from knowing about Jesus to participating in life together with Him?! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Christians shouldn't settle for simply being acquaintances, or even just friends...we should crave true, deep fellowship/partnership/unity/communion! But what does deep Christian fellowship look like, and how can we nurture it together?!
What do you hang on to when life is confusing? What is your confident foundation that you can always go back to? How do you decipher the truths from the lies in everything you see and hear? The Bible is packed with truths that we can trust...what truths does the Bible have in store for you today?! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What is the name of your church? What is the name of your missional community? What names did the earliest Christians go by? How do our names define our identity and our mission? Is your church or missional community more of a destination or a location? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
As we seek to foster home church expressions that will inspire and empower our children to grow in their faith and use their gifts let's not think that we are any different! That same child-like faith is what Jesus calls all of His disciples to have! The same five values for children in missional community apply to adults as well: -Ownership -Experiencing God -Being Seen-Heard-Known -Giftings -1:1 Relationships
Are you pursuing these values for yourself as well as your kids?! Do you have a child-like faith as you live out the full church expression of missional community?!
Do you value the children in your missional community, your home, your life? What are you doing to help them grow in their relationship with God? What are the core values that can help guide our development and investment in our children? Let Mikayla offer the thoughts that God has put on her heart to help us all find direction and powerful impact for the children God has blessed us with!
Has the church taken a step backward or a step forward during these past months of the coronavirus? Has the church been held back, or has it advanced? It probably depends on your definition of "church", so what is the Bible's definition of church? What is New Hope's definition of church? And even more importantly, what is your role within the church?!
What comes to your mind when you are asked what things you need to be saved from in 2020? Is it illness, poverty, politics, fear, racism, depression? Doesn't God promise not just to save our souls, but also to save and deliver us from trials in our lives? Do you think of your salvation in the "past tense", a prayer or baptism from a long time ago, or do you think of 'being saved" as the description of your everyday life with Jesus?! Have you been saved? Are you being saved? Will you be saved? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Are you known for being a person who keeps your promises? If you say something do you follow through? How does your promise-keeping reflect God's character of faithfulness in all of His promises? What would nuturing a promise-keeping culture look like in your family and church? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What is the relationship between race, culture, and faith? Is your culture something you are born with or something you create? How does a "Jesus culture" offer the solution to racism, hypocrisy, failure, prejudice, inequality, and inability? Create a Christ-focused kingdom culture in your world this week! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Has anyone provoked you recently? Did it lead to anger or love? What would it look like if we provoked one another to love and good deeds?! What if we kept on prodding and pushing one another to realize our God-given potential in an eruption of love?! (A sermon on Hebrews 10:22-25 by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Have you ever considered that your personal attitudes on wearing masks and on Sunday worship services might be opportunities to share your faith and honor God?! In this message, Pastor Dave explores how ethical challenges the earliest Christians faced have direct parallels to our current experiences with coronavirus masks and corporate Sunday worship services! May your faith shine brightly this week in these areas!
Self-control seems to be a lost virtue these days. What would it look like if everyone had self-control over their speech, their actions, their temptations? For Christians, is self-control just will-power, or do faith and grace play a role?
Do your words and actions, reactions and responses set you apart as a Christian in the world today? What would it look like for people to glorify God by seeing how we act and respond in times of intense pressure and tension? What advice does the Bible give?! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Do you have hope? What would it take for you to be filled with hope?! What would it look like for you to speak and live hope in our world that seems so hopeless? What advice would the Bible give?
Our world increasingly divides, segregates, categorizes, and judges...do you? Do you think of people in terms of categories, or individuals? How does God see people? How did Jesus see and treat the people around Him? What would we act like if we truly understood how grace relates to the power of sin? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
In a time where our world is so openly struggling with violence, racism, anger and apathy, Jesus and His message of radical, powerful, life-changing love is more needed than ever! Jesus never advocated either agression or passivism...He advocated a third way, standing up for what is right. He doesn't want us to resort to our basic fight or flight responses, but through God's strength to stand up for love and righteousness right in the middle of pain and sin!
Instead of us just putting individual spiritual obligations on ourselves by saying "I should pray more...I should read my Bible more...I should reach out more.", what if we asked "Who can I pray more with...who should I read the Bible more with...who can I reach out together with?"? The Bible calls Christ-followers to spiritual partnership, not individualistic legalism. We are meant to be together! Together is better! And how we commit to being together will determine the extend and depth of our fellowship, our spiritual growth, our joy and peace, and our effectiveness at reaching the world with the love of Jesus!
In our current time of waiting, isolation, and trusting in God, the life and lessons of Noah take on a much deeper meaning! What could the ancient account of Noah and his world say to you today?! (A sermon by Mikayla Diamond, of New Hope Christian Chapel)
Would we choose to have prominence or influence, if we could only choose one? What did Mordecai choose, as one of God's people living in exile? What implications could the pursuit of influence have for our lives today? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What does it mean to be free? What are we free to do or not to do? What freedoms can never be taken away from us? This sermon focuses on Daniel as an inspiration in how he lived an influencial life in freedom despite having lost so many of his personal freedoms along the way. May we live as free as he did! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
As we go through this coronavirus induced season of isolation and restriction, what can we learn from the four major "scatterings" that God's people went through as recorded in the Bible? (Scattered from Eden, Scattered from Egypt, Scattered from the Kingdom of Israel, and Scattered by Jesus)
"Everything written in the past was written down for our instruction, so that through endurance and encouragement we might have hope!" - The Apostle Paul (Romans 15:4)
(A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
May these thoughts and song based in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4 be an encouragement and inspiration to each of us to not lose heart...God is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory!
As our world experiences illness, hunger, loss, restriction, fear, and isolation, what might we be able to see clearly now that maybe we hadn't before? How will we feed those who are hungry today...and what might that mean for the future? How can we nurture a growing hunger for God through Jesus and the Church right now...and what might that mean for our future!? (A message by Pastor Dave Stratton, of New Hope Christian Chapel)
God speaks. What is He saying to you? What is He calling you to do? What was Moses' dream for God's people in terms of experiencing God's power? Are we all experiencing that today? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Is fear a sin? Or is it a temptation? What role does fear play in your life and faith...does it inspire you to great faith and prayer...or does it undermine your confidence in God? (A video by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Do we love rules?...being told what to do?...submitting to authority? Often not. But what would it look like for us to LOVE God's laws, commands, intructions and guidelines? It would look like us being blessed! His commands are for our good! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What approach does the Bible teach for raising children in faith? Is it a program? Is it a class? Is it Sunday-based? Is it lifestyle-based? What did God command the nation of Israel in regards to their children, and what could that mean for us?! (A sermon by Mikayla Diamond, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What does creativity have to do with church? How do we all reflect God's image when we use our creativity? This panel reflects on those thoughts and their experiences at the "Called to Create" conference led by the Underground Church in Tampa, FL.
What does God's covenant with Abram and his children in Genesis have to do with Christians today? Everything! We are called to carry on Abraham's blessing to the world as God's people! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Are you inspired by Jesus to be a trailblazer, a pioneer, an influencer, someone who cuts through obstacles on the way to God's favor? Be inspired by Jesus as a child, growing and progressing and cutting a path towards glory! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What can we be inspired by in Joseph's role as the adoptive father of Jesus? What can we as fathers and parents learn from his example? What would the world look like if every father operated with the faithfulness, strength, and love of Joseph? (A sermon podcast by Rev. Jacob Percival, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What if every Christian mother had the faith and love of Mary, Jesus' mother? What if every mother believed in the powerful potential of their children, their husbands, their family's future? How can we be inspired to learn from and live out the belief and confidence and joy and prayer of Mary in our own lives and families?! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Like the apostle Paul, we have a lot to be thankful for when we reflect on the faith we see in the church! A great example is being set by the older, the younger, those battling and struggling, and even by those new to the faith! Let's learn from their example! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Are you thankful? What role does thankfulness play in the lives and practices of people of faith? May Psalm 50 inspire us to greater thanksgiving in our lives! (A sermon podcast by Rev Jacob Percival, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Jesus wrote seven letters to His church in Revelation 1-3...and those letters still speak loudly to His church today! Are we genuine?...fake?...faithful?...useless? May Jesus continue to call His church to glory, greatness, and love! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
In the vision that Jesus gave to John which he recorded in the book of Revelation Jesus mentioned seven churches that had "lost their way". Evidently not much has changed in the past 2000 years, because today we find many of our churches missing the mark in the same ways! From apathy to fear to loveless faith...let Jesus' critique of His Church remind us of who we are called to truly be! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
How did Jesus strategically instruct his disciples to spread the gospel? Where were they to start? How were they to reach out to new communities and cities? How did the gospel expand and spread? And how does Jesus' strategy apply to us today as we seek to reach out with God's love and connect with a lost and lonely world? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Jesus told His disciples to wait in the upper room for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and when that moment came it changed them and changed the world. (A sermon by Rev. Jacob Percival, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
A presentation by Pastor Dave Stratton explaining the direction, vision, and history of missional community at New Hope Christian Chapel in South Easton, MA.
Visit our church website or youtube pages to see the video which includes all of the diagrams he refers to:
www.newhopechristianchapel.org www.youtube.com/nhccvideostream
Do you know what you were made to be and do? Can you hear God when He's trying to tell you? How can you know His will for your life and purpose? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
How are we all like sheep, and how is Jesus the perfect shepherd to lead and protect and bless us as we follow Him? (A sermon by Rev. Jacob Percival, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Are we obeying God's call to Christian community? Do we see the dangers of individualism? Do we have a strong theology of location? How could "missional communities" be a practical approach to living as the church? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Is "experiment" a synonym for "faith"? Do you live an "experimental life of faith" with God every day? What does the life-cycle of faith look like as we seek God, live for him, and follow His leading? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
The world is in desperate need of Jesus! If you are a believer in Him, He lives through you! You are a missionary to a lost and needy world! How can Jesus use you to love and change your world? What is your missionary identity? What could it be? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Have you ever had a "mountaintop experience" with God where you saw Him show up in power and experienced closeness with Him? What was it like after that experience? Were you exhausted? Did you feel lonely? Was there a spiritual let-down? If so, you are in good company! Learn from Elijah's example how we as children of God can listen for His voice both when He shouts and when He whispers! (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What if our children's spiritual lives never got any further than ours are right now? Would we be satisfied with the spiritual "ceiling" that our own walks with Jesus set for our kids? Jesus is supposed to set the spiritual standard for both adults and children alike! And there are a lot of things adults could learn from children about faith! What is your relationship to the younger people in your life? Are you in community together seeking Christ? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
Who are committed to be "with"? Who are you committed to be "for"? Is there such a thing as faith or church without commitment? What kind of commitments did Jesus call His disciples to?
What is the relationship between food & faith, meals & community? How do shared meals as believers generate friendship, generosity, vulnerability, learning, and gratitude? And what is the biblical history of meals as they relate to God and His people as well as Jesus and the Lord's Supper?
What exactly are Christians supposed to do together? How are they supposed to treat one another? What ingredients should be found in every Christian relationship and community? And does this relate to just followers of Christ, or to everyone?
Jesus set us a model for relationship that represents the best of all levels of community! Do you have a circle of 3 intimate Christian friends? Do you have a group of 12 believing friends that you live life with? Are you a part of a larger group of believers to reach out and change the world? If you're missing any of these levels of relationships, then learn from Jesus' example and see what you're missing!
Instead of us putting individual spiritual obligations on ourselves by saying "I should pray more...I should read my Bible more...I should reach out more.", what if we asked "Who can I pray more with...who should I read the Bible more with...who can I reach out together with?"? The Bible calls Christ-followers to spiritual partnership, not individualistic legalism. We are meant to be together! Together is better! And how we commit to being together will determine the extend and depth of our fellowship, our spiritual growth, our joy and peace, and our effectiveness at reaching the world with the love of Jesus!
It is God's design for people to be together. Together is better! It is actually a part of God's very nature as a triune being. Together is not optional, it is essential. So, what does the Bible say about community? Is there a "theology of community" that we can discover from God's Word?
Can you remember a time when your passion and love for God was overwhelming?! Are you in a time like that right now? Is your faith more of a set of beliefs, or a consuming love? Do you need to rekindle your feelings of love for Father God?
How do we go about loving those who believe differently than we do? Should we offer the love of Jesus to those who follow other religions? How do we avoid being religiously prejudiced and love everyone of every religion alike?! (A sermon podcast by Jacob Percival, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What can we learn about faith, church, and salvation by observing our mothers? In what ways are physical birth and spiritual birth similar? Are you certain that you've been "born again" and come alive spiritually by receiving the Holy Spirit? (A sermon by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What does it mean to be "in God's kingdom"? What does it mean to be "close to the kingdom of God"? What does it take to "enter into the kingdom of God"? Are you and the people in your life in, or just close to entering God's family? (A sermon by Patrick Reihl, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
When God plans, does He plan small? His plans for your life...are they big or small? Should we be setting our expectations on what we can conceive of, or what God could do?! Are we settling for simple kingdom "addition" when God is looking for kingdom "multiplication"?! How will God work through you powerfully to multiply His kingdom today, this week, and this year?!
What things make a "small church" so special? And what are some of the risks of embracing a small church model? And how do Jesus' teachings on His kingdom compare to the growth and vitality we see in our churches?
Take a few minutes to reflect with Pastor Dave in this video as he continues his teaching series on Church Vision by tackling the concept of spiritual "multiplication".
What do you owe to the people in your life? Your children, spouse, family, parents, friends, neighbor, coworkers...even God! We have a debt to those we enter into relationship with, the question is what we owe and what we are owed! And when we don't fulfill our end of that covenant/promise, what does it take to restore things?! (A sermon podcast by Pastor Dave Stratton, at New Hope Christian Chapel)
What does the Bible say about adoption? How does it relate to Christians? What are the needs in the fostering community around us? What does it mean for you? (A message by Jonathan Reid of Fostering Hope Rhode Island, speaking at New Hope Christian Chapel)
How can we serve others to lead them to Jesus? Do we sometimes serve others but then leave them where we found them? Do we at times lead people to Christ but then leave them to figure out their faith on their own? Or do we come alongside our brothers and sisters in the world to serve them, lead them to Christ, and help them grow into God's own expectation of what they might become?!
Every Christian has been adopted! You aren't a member of God's family by birth, you aren't a member of God's family by going to church, you aren't a member of God's family by good behavior! The only way to get into God's family is to be adopted by Him!
Do our families look like God's definition of family? Does the Church represent the ideal of God's family? Does your personal relationship with God look like family should? What exactly is a godly family supposed to look like? Do we see evidence of these seven powerful, essential, biblical family values? (Love. Listen. Serve. Share. Recognize. Pursue. Pray.)
What is God's vision for His Church? What does it look like to both love God AND love our neighbor as Christ commands us? How are those two loves related and connected for you, your family, and your local church?
What is the heart of the Chrisian message? How are we each uniquely created to carry it to the world? And who around us is thirsty to drink of the water only Jesus Christ can give?!
Have you ever been discipled? What does that mean to you? Do you know the Bible's definition of disciple, or discipleship? The Bible uses the word "disciple" as an identity word, a noun, a statement that defines someone...does "disciple" of Jesus define you?
Have you ever experienced opposition when you tried to live for God or serve Him in some way? How do we fight that opposition? What can we learn from how Nehemiah faced the opposition to his attempts to serve God?
Do you know why God has you in the job, home, family, country, church that you're in? You are His, and He has plans to use you right where you are! Be ready! Keep your eyes open so you don't miss the opportunity to be used for Him in great ways!
Is our walk with Jesus an ongoing experiment in living by the Spirit or a process of trying to once again add in the same ingredients that have have worked for us in the past? Do we live our faith out as an experiment or as recipe to follow? Do we live by faith? Do we keep in step with the Spirit.
In many ways the Christian Church of America today parallels the state of the people of God back in Nehemiah's day...the walls are broken down and the people are in great trouble and shame. What will it take for God's people today to repent and rise up as powerful examples of God's grace and glory?! Where are the walls of the church broken today and how can we pray for God's help in fixing them?!
Does your life matter? Does it count? What would it look like to live a life that counts? How would it be measured? What is God's standard of measurement?
The location of a home greatly determine its value...and it can be the same with people as well...many times we are limited by our location as well. The power of Jesus' birth and incarnation is that God relocated Himself from His heavenly location to dwell with those who needed Him most...us! Have you ever considered that God might be calling you to relocate yourself in order to love and serve others? Let us imitate Christ and live incarnational lives!
Are people more like trees or trucks? Are we more biological or mechanical? Are we growing or functioning? And how does living in a technological society influence the way we see ourselves?
What does the Bible actually say about homelessness, poverty & community responsibility? What is God's heart for the homless and what does it mean for us?!
Are humans more mechanical or organic? Is a peron more a collection of parts built for function, or an organism created for growth? What are the influences of our technological society on our faith, life, and relationships?
What role do communication technologies such as phones, emails, texting, and social media play in interpersonal conflict? Do they cause it? Do they exacerbate it? Are they a neutral force? Can they be helpful?
People separate themselves, but Jesus brings them together! Learn five tools from scripture to tear down the barriers that have been built up between people and each other and between us and God!
Do our modern conveniences perhaps rob us of the value of hard work, cause us to be complainers, and even at times influence our willingness to work hard at our relationships and life struggles?
Can faith and technology coexist in harmony, or are they opposed to one another? What would a "theology of technology" look like from a biblical perspective?