Hope Church: Recent Episodes
Paulo Freire
This sermon teaches that both sons in the parable are "prodigal," each lost in a different way: the younger through open rebellion and self-indulgent experimentation, the older through prideful moral conformity and self-righteousness. The father models perfect love—watching, running, embracing, restoring, and gently correcting both sons—showing God's heart toward repentant sinners and stubborn rule keepers alike. By comparing the two sons to modern progressive and conservative value systems, both can become ways of trying to control God. Only repentance, humility, and a desire for the Father himself—not his blessings—bring true restoration, making clear that goodness without grace is as spiritually dangerous as rebellion without repentance.
Jesus' parable shows that the kingdom of God exists within a world still filled with evil. The wheat (believers) and weeds (unbelievers) look similar for a time, but God knows the difference and will sort them at the final harvest. Until then, Christians must coexist wisely—aware of Satan's designs, grounded in Scripture, committed to God's mission, discerning about false faith, honest about their own spiritual condition, and practicing Christlike love even toward the unlovable. The kingdom is present but not yet complete, quietly growing as God works in human hearts. Ultimately, God—not us—will bring perfect justice and separation.
The parable of the four soils in Matthew 13, uses farm soil to represent different conditions of the human heart in its ability to receive the gospel. The hardened, shallow, and crowded hearts all fail to produce fruit because something within them obstructs the seed. Only the open heart—prepared by the Holy Spirit—receives the gospel, understands it, and bears lasting fruit. Salvation is evidenced not by initial enthusiasm or outward foliage but by persevering faith and genuine fruitfulness. Ultimately, God alone transforms the heart, making even the hardest soil receptive to Christ.
The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price teach that the Kingdom of God is of surpassing value—so valuable that once truly seen, it becomes worth any sacrifice. One man stumbles upon treasure; another searches for a pearl. Both respond with joy, urgency, and total commitment. Jesus invites hearers to evaluate what they treasure most and to embrace the Kingdom with the same wholehearted devotion.
God gives his people four identity defining titles—a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and his own possession—rooted in his eternal foreknowledge and saving purpose. These titles reveal both the believer's privileged position in Christ and the mission God assigns: "that you may declare the praises of him." God forms his people through the Holy Spirit so they increasingly reflect his glory, having been called "out of darkness into his wonderful light." God looks upon this redeemed community—once not a people, now his people—and declares it good.
The church must stay on the mission of God. God defines the mission; the church simply participates in it. Even though believers live independently, they remain interdependent, carrying out one mission under one commander. To stay on mission, Christians need ongoing spiritual formation. This includes warning and teaching, helping believers grow into Christlikeness (Col. 1:28–29). The mission is "Him we proclaim". The mission is to make God known.
Drawing from Hebrews 12:14 and 1 Timothy 4:6–11, this sermon calls believers to fight for faith when life is discouraging. The central challenge is to train in godliness — not passively, but with the same intentional discipline an athlete brings to physical training — by immersing yourself in God's Word and sound doctrine, which alone has the power to transform the soul. Because godliness carries both temporal and eternal benefits, and because believers will one day give account for how they lived, the sermon concludes with an urgent call to make peace and holiness the defining pursuit of your life.
Every person is constantly being shaped by something, and Paul calls Christians to resist the world's subtle pressures by offering themselves to God as living sacrifices in response to his mercy. Spiritual formation happens through the renewal of the mind, where the Holy Spirit reshapes desires, thoughts, and loves so that the believer is transformed rather than conformed. The goal of this transformation is discernment and Christlikeness, enabling believers to recognize, approve, and desire God's good, acceptable, and perfect ways in everyday life.
The sanctification gap is the unwanted difference between who we are in Christ and how we actually live, a gap caused by old sinful habits, misunderstanding grace, and spiritual passivity. Through Christ, believers are freed from slavery to sin and re‑enslaved to righteousness, gaining a new heart that desires obedience. This gap shrinks as Christians daily deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to form them into lives that match their confession.
In a culture that is always demanding the latest, trending, viral experiences and places to enrich our lives, God uses simple ordinary means to grow us spiritually. God's means of grace uses his local church to form you and sanctify you in Jesus Christ. From Acts 2 and Ephesians 4, we see how God has ordained ordinary means of grace to form us spiritually and glorify God.
Spiritual formation is essential to the Christian life because God saved His people to grow, bear fruit, and reflect Christ. The sermon explains that while modern life offers endless pursuits, believers cannot treat spiritual growth as optional. We were redeemed to be transformed. True spiritual formation is the Holy Spirit's ongoing work of shaping believers into Christ's likeness in character, desires, and habits, beginning with new birth and continuing as we behold Christ's glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Christians grow especially through slow, thoughtful meditation on Scripture, which reshapes the mind and moves the heart toward obedience.
When God "hides His face," it is not abandonment but a loving, corrective withdrawal meant to expose our pride, reset our souls, and draw us back into deeper dependence on God. Using Hezekiah's story, the message explains how prosperity can make us self‑sufficient, how spiritual drift shows up in our habits, and how God uses wilderness seasons to humble us and reawaken our longing for him. Throughout Scripture, God's people experience this sense of desertion, only to discover that it becomes a classroom for spiritual formation, teaching them to hold fast to Christ, the true source of life, grace, and renewal.
In Christ's priestly prayer he reveals to us what are his two desires for the Church of Christ.
Whereas the effects of sin have no place before God (Numbers 5), Christ conquers the consequences of sin (Mark 5).
Psalm 97 gives us reason to rejoice as we look to see how God reigns in complete control of our life circumstances.
The USA is no stranger to war and military conflicts. What does the Bible say about the Christian's involvement in war? Is it ever permissible for the Christian to be involved in combat? Does God hear the prayers of those who wage war?
Patience is the Christlike ability to stay steady, peaceful, and wise while life, people, and even God's answers arrive in slow, ten-cent installments.
The Bible teaches that unchecked anger is a deceptive and destructive character trait that produces inner turmoil, envy, brooding, and vengeance, ultimately eroding faith in God, while healing comes through trusting God's sovereignty, interrupting brooding, and learning to forgive as we have been forgiven.
The resurrection of Christ has a transformative ability. It transformed Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and Paul. The Resurrection is not only factual. It is essential.
"Is the Christian life worthwhile?" is a question many people ask. The Aaronic blessing explains how the answer is an overwhelming "Yes, it is worthwhile." As Aaron's blessing is transferred onto the Church through Jesus Christ, we have the hope and pleasure of God's blessing, keeping, approval, grace, and peace.
Proverbs 3 tells of two episodes in life that will mold us: wealth and suffering. Suffering is experienced generally globally. But specifically, the righteous may very well experience suffering from the correcting hands of God. Even the righteous can expect to have pleasure interrupted by times of suffering due to God's discipling s through discipline.
The tongue is a powerful tool and even a weapon. Harsh or slanderous words have a lasting impact and speak not only about our neighbor, but about ourselves too. Our tongue will build up or destroy. It will also set the trajectory of life - both our neighbor's and our own. Our words are binding and will free us or hinder us.
Godly wisdom is essential as one's compass for navigating Life. Proverbs 8 gives us the motivation for pursuing wisdom. Its nobility, value, and foundational nature give us reason to listen to the calling voice of wisdom at every crossroad of life.
Knowing God's will is not as simple as casting lots. Today, the Lord has given us a more relational, rational, thorough, Spirit-dependent way of understanding his sovereign will for our lives.
Proverbs 3:9-10 gives us both a command and a promise regarding our wealth. The same principle can be applied to our poverty as well. Wisdom can often be measured by our relationship with money.
Probably the most profound words recorded in Mark's Gospel are what Christ spoke in 2:17. We face a great danger when we fail to see the sinfulness of our sin and the wretched condition our sins leave us in. Repentance is crucial.
Handling our enemies may very well be one of the Christian's greatest life challenges. Responding to evil with kindness, providing the basics for the enemy who is hungry or thirsty, is God's way of bringing about repentance and even the possibility of reconciliation.
As John challenges the Gnostic ideas that seeped into the church, he reminds them that in God's revelation to us, there is nothing new. He speaks of a mandate that has been spoken since the beginning. That mandate is to love one another.
The principles outlined in Proverbs 4 gives the Christian clear and practical tools by which to guard the heart. As the fountain of life, one's spiritual heart needs to be carefully watched so that goals are righteous, paths are God-honoring and words are edifying.
Psalm 14 (repeated in Psalm 53) describes the person who lives as if there is no God as being foolish, a Hebrew word synonymous with wickedness. The description is detailed and repeated in Romans 3, explaining not just the behavior but the spiritual deadness of man at birth. The only hope he has is to come to Zion, the place where Christ is prefigured and promised. Christ alone is the means of salvation. God is our means of wisdom.
Psalm 43, in conjunction with Psalm 42, presents a man in great despair, hoping in vindication from God. The Psalm is prophetic as it reveals that help comes from the light and truth of God, which is given to us in Christ alone. The psalmist longs to be on God's holy hill, a foreshadowing of Christ Jesus.
Today guest speaker Mark Shaeffer from the Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will continue in the series entitled "Songs From God". Let us remember during this time of Christmas festivities, that this time should be a reflection on what we have in Jesus Christ and that this blessing of knowing Him needs to be shared within our community and beyond. Pastor Mark reminds us that within Psalm 67 we can see the power, glory, grace and hope found in Jesus and that He is worthy to be praised and revered by His creation. We hope you will listen.
Depression, hollowness, and angst are common feelings. Psalm 130 presents the possible cause of the emotional grief we experience. The psalmist identifies unrepentant and unconfessed sin and the guilt that comes from it as the cause. God is his only rescuer who abundantly redeems and forgives fully.
The classic 23rd Psalm makes a statement in verse 1 and then explains the "thesis" in the subsequent 5 verses. God meets our needs through Jesus Christ so that we will have all the essentials that we need. He meets our spiritual, diectional, emotional, physical and eternal needs.
What appears initially to be a desperate prayer is actually a prayer of hope that melts away the psalmist's fears.
This prayerful psalm reflects on the past blessings of God and pleads for God's blessings again. God promises to bless despite a life of labor and tears. How important it is to continue living for God, even while struggling, for God will reward the faithful.
Asaph, the choir director, was harboring significant doubts about God as he saw how the wicked prospered and had so much ease in life. He began to question whether living a pure and righteous life was worthwhile. All this changed when he encountered God in true worship.
Psalm 1 is among the most recognized in the Psalter. It is a wisdom psalm that calls on us to be discerning between what is a righteous life and what is not. By using two word pictures the author sets a high contrast between the flourishing of the righteous and the peril of the wicked.
William Jay notes how audacious it would be to steal from a man in broad daylight while he is watching and yet that is exactly what we do when we do not give to God what belongs to God. God is the owner of all we possess and he is far better able to manage our lives than we are ourselves.
The Scriptures give numerous descriptions of who and what the Christian is, and it is relayed to us in a way that would be awe-inspiring if we were to simply consider them carefully. Among those truths is that we are heirs of God.
God has obligated himself for our sake, through the new covenant the Christian is assured that God will accomplish what he has said he would do. As our mediator and sacrifice Jesus' work on the cross assures the believer of the hope we find in Christ.
The OT character of Abraham gives the Christian an array of blessings and example to follow. The greatest benefit of all is that the believer shares in the infinite inheritance promised to Abraham. William Jay notes that it is an inheritance that reaches beyond the grave and is the reward of God himself to Abraham and his heirs - the Church of Christ Jesus.
Christ's instruction contrasting the Scribes and Pharisees speaks loudly to present-day church leaders and how they see themselves and may want to be perceived by others.
As we sojourn in this fallen world, the Christian is called to live in fear, but not just any kind of fear. 1 Peter 1 explains the sort of fear we are to thrive in.
About 30 years after Paul's letter to the Ephesians, John addressed the church while exiled in Patmos. In his letter the Ephesian church is praised but also face a stinging indictment: They abandoned their first love. Though lovers of pure doctrine and active in God's service the church quietly drifted away from their love for Christ. John reminds them of what they must do to remain a church.
Paul reminds the church to pray for one another but does not exclude himself from the prayer roster. He knows that his ministry will be effective when God's people pray for him. Amazingly, he sees his incarceration not as an injustice or a detour in the gospel's spread, but as God's providence and steeped in God's purposeful will.
The devil is a master at masquerading, and so the Christian is called to be alert of himself, and the world around him while persevering in prayer for himself and the believers around him.
Today Rev. Shaeffer will be sharing from the Book of Psalms. In Psalms 42 & 43 we read the psalmist cry out in his tribulation "where are you God?" Even though he believes in the true, sovereign, covenant God he laments his pain and situation and cries out why? But Rev. Shaeffer will remind us that even in these bad times, our loving God will leverage this suffering into profitable times for our benefit and His glory. We hope you will listen
Having given the Church a list of the Christian's armor for spiritual warfare Paul then climaxes the chapter with the strategy for victory in spiritual Warfare.
Ephesians 6:18 underscores the great privilege we are given as children of God in that we have not only the armor supplied by God for our protection against Satan, but we also have the benefit of constant communication with God through prayer. This is a privilege extended to the children of God.
The Word of God is able to transform lives, nourish the soul and guide the Christian to godliness.
Along with the helmet of salvation, the Christian is given the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. With it, the Christian defends himself and repels the devil. The word of God determines truth, is powerful and changes lives.
The end of Elijah's ministry demonstrates the danger of removing the helmet of salvation. The great prophet Elijah sank into a deep depression having forgotten to wear God's provided helmet of salvation. Our shield of faith becomes irrelevant without God's helmet of salvation.
The helmet of salvation is the last piece of defensive armor listed for us in this text. It is not a reference to putting on saving grace, but to embrace and recall the truths of our salvation that produces hope in the mind of the believer.
The shield of faith is not the most important part of the armor of God because all of the armor is essential. However, it does appear that the shield of faith is what is most quickly set aside in times of the devil's attack. Raising the shield of faith happens every time the Christian believes and upholds the truth of God when Satan strikes.
God provides to the Christian faith by which he can in all circumstances defeat the devil's arrows of deception. The shield of faith provides an ongoing confidence in who God is and what God does.
The Christian life requires the proper "foot wear" if he is going to remain standing at the end of the battle against the attacks of the devil. This spiritual foot gear refers to a readiness to extend the very same peace given to the Christian to others wherever we go. It is not about evangelism, but being a person whose life is marked by extending peace to others.
Paul explains in 1 Cor. 6 that in Christ we are washed, sanctified and justified and are no longer who we used to be. By God's grace, we can have a proper view of ourselves according to God's creative order. Our sexuality should not be confused with race & neither should we place our identity in sexuality.
The breastplate of righteousness is to protect our mind, will, affections and emotions. These are the areas Satan attacks most often. Through the Holy Spirit's molding us, Christ's imputed righteousness allows us to live in practical righteousness.
The first piece of armor the Christian needs is the belt of truth by which he will support his righteousness and his weapon - the word of God.
Having described the reality and potency of the devil, Paul now gives us the guaranteed remedy against Satan and assurance of victory... the whole armor of God.
Ephesians 6:12 explains the nature of spiritual powers unseen to the eye and describes what we contend against in wicked rulers, powerful authorities and malevolent cosmic powers.
We welcome back Rev. Mottel Baleston from the Messengers Messianic Jewish Fellowship located in Ledgewood, New Jersey to give us his unique perspective on the Hebrew scriptures. Rev. Baleston will examine various Old Testament passages from the book of Isaiah to show us that the promised messiah was foretold over 600 years before the ministry of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah tells us even then that mankind is separated from God by a barrier of sin. This sin or unholiness is an offense to a Holy God. But one day a messiah would come and restore us to righteousness before God. That messiah Jesus, would come at His appointed time and take the punishment that was due for our iniquities. By His suffering death and resurrection we would be healed. Praise God! We hope you will listen.
Every Christian is involved in a spiritual battle whereby Satan attacks the individual, or the home or the church. God provides his strength through his armor to secure daily victory for his Church.
Peter was a man of firsts including the first true disciple to deny Jesus Christ. His story does not stop at the denial. Rather, John 21:15ff tells us of how in deepest sincere love, Christ restores a man who at best has a mere fraternal love for Jesus. Romans 4:23-25 tells us that by the resurrection of Christ we are justified too.
The handing Christ over to Pontius Pilate clearly reveals how dangerous the heart is and how it cannot be trusted. Most revealing about John 18 is how the religious rulers in Jerusalem are so much like us.
King Nebuchadnezzar's dream spoken centuries before Christ tells of the here but not yet. The Kingdom of God is certainly here but yet to be completely fulfilled. Still, it continues to grow and will carry us into the eternal kingdom.
As the apostle Paul closes his first letter to the Thessalonian church he gives four essentials to the young church: A Request, A Greeting, a Command and a Blessing.
Paul's closing benediction gives us a wonderful example of how to pray for each other. He also shows to us that though God calls on us to closely follow him, it is he who will complete the work of salvation in us.
Having given instructions about relationships within the church, Paul now gives us instructions about corporate worship. We are not to quench the Spirit, not despise prophecies, hold to what is good and avoid all forms of evil.
As we approach the end of 1st Thessalonians, the apostle Paul gives instructions on how we ought to live as we await Christ's return. If Christ is Lord over His church, we are to serve each other in peace in order to be effective for HIm. Today Pastor Paul will share 3 principles that the Christian believer must live out in order to bring about this peace in God's household. Our efforts in this regard should be a light to Christ and our good works a reflection of God's glory. Please listen.
The day of the Lord will be a day of deliverance for the saints and a day of judgment for the unbelieving world. The believer's hopeful destiny rests in the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ. The believer is to exercise faith and love, coupled with hope derived from the saving work of Christ.
Christians have a great and sure hope of being caught-up in the sky with Christ and the generations of believers who have passed away or "fallen asleep." A theology of the body helps us to appreciate the resurrection of God's children.
In the early days of the Church, many misunderstood the condition of those believers who died before the return of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4 explains the hope we have in Christ for those who have "fallen asleep" and the encouragement that allows us to rest and rejoice without despairing sorrow.
In 1 Thes. 4:9ff Paul discusses how to bring pleasure to God by how we interact socially within the church, outside with other Christians and with the watching world. Paul explains that we are to aspire to love more, live properly by leading quiet lives and tending to our own affairs and work diligently.
Paul's words of devotion to Christ and the cause of the Church are outlined in this statement - To live is Christ and to die is gain. Mike Miosi, director of Spread of Grace Ministries explains the implications of Phil. 1:21 for the church today.
Joshua was to lead God's people to conquer Jericho in the most absurd way. The story of Israel's entry into the Promised Land tells us that True Faith recognizes God's voice and is obedient. The conquest of Jericho requires the annihilation of all its citizens which is quite different than Islam's jihad.
1 Thessalonians 4 gives the Christian God's expectations of sexual purity and vv. 5-8 gives us five motivators for living a sexually pure life.
Paul identifies and repeats instruction on living a life that is pleasing to God beginning with sexual immorality. His instruction to Christians is that holiness and honor needs to be the goal of the Christian so that his life will be attractive to God.
Based on the devotional Everyday Gospel, Revelation 12 describes a pivotal moment in human history and details prophetically the Christmas story's initiation of Satan's defeat while underscoring the great generosity of God.
The heart of Christmas begins with seeing Jesus Christ in all of biblical history. The Bible is the redemptive biography of Jesus Christ. Based on the devotional "Everyday Christmas", this message speaks of the purpose of the manger and the glory of Christ often overlooked at the manger.
According to Luke 2, the shepherds were amazed by the angelic announcement and the glory of God that shone around them. According to John, the glory of Christ is seen in his grace and truth. We know of God's glory and yet we so often engage in a glory war: our glory over God's.
Though at times we see God working, most of the time God's activity is accomplished in the shadows of life: God quietly works in the midst of even our adverse situations to accomplish his will just as he did with Esther and Ruth. This message takes directly from the writings of Dr. Paul Tripp's devotional Everyday Gospel - Christmas Devotional (Dec. 3,4.5 & 6) compiled to demonstrate the providence of God whether obviously or in the shadow of our experiences.
Advent takes us to our origins and displays the sweet mercy of God promised from the very beginning of human history in a glorious and generous way.
The power of love is so overwhelming that it makes us do things that are otherwise impossible. In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul explains seven ways in which the power of love impacts the Christian and Christ's church.
In an era where communication is so advanced, it is ironic that we communicate so poorly. The end of 1 Thessalonians 2 lays out how Paul ministered to this early church. He gives us four principles necessary to effectively minister in God's household.
PAul's praise of the church in Thessalonica also includes praise for how they applied God's word. This young church first believed the Word of God and practiced the word of God. It is impossible to practice what you do not believe.
In Paul's defense of his ministry in Thessalonica, the apostle shows us how to disciple fellow believers: affectionately, tirelessly and with Christ at the center of life.
1 Thess. 2 is a defense of Paul's apostolic authority in a time where the fledgling church questioned his credentials. As he defends himself as a man of God, his message, his motives and his methods he also gives three keys essentials on how to proclaim the gospel of Christ.
Ps 26 reveals the heart of a King who comes very boldly into the presence of God because he is fully aware of the great measure of God's love.
The building of the temple required only the perfect stones. All others were rejected. In Matthew 21-42, Christ identifies himself as the rejected cornerstone by which the Church, the individual and society are made straight and level.
David's Psalm to himself is a reminder of the reasons to praise God daily. Despite one's circumstances, the believer still has reason to praise God.
Psalm 103 is a self reminder to praise God. It is so easy to overlook God when times are difficult but it is also difficult to recall God who is the provider of our good days too. This psalm lists for us various reasons we ought to praise our God.
Today we welcome guest speaker Pastor Jason Crocker from the Fellowship Bible Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.--Pastor Jason will be sharing from the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 9, .... the story of the Tower of Babel. -Just as the people of this time were hostile to God and His plan, so it is with the earth today. Although man makes his plan, God is the ultimate authority. -Despite man's rebellion against God, God will implement justice and while also responding with mercy. -We hope you will listen.
The Church has had a long history in the annals of the United States impacting both the broader government and local communities as well as the family. Today, at best, the Church is a whisper in society. How did the American church become so silenced is seen from David's Psalm of repentance.
Psalm 8 offer four crucial areas where the Christian needs to hone his holiness. Holiness begins as an attitude that is expressed in action. This psalm present one's need of the Redeemer and three less obvious areas essential for holiness.
Whereas waiting is part of life, waiting without hope is despairing. In Christ, we have reason for hope and hope carries us to the end because hope is a confident expectation that God will come to me in power and love.
The very first psalm is the first of a biblical playlist which sets comparisons and contrasts - establishes the reality that we can be blessed or happy even when the ground beneath us is unstable.
The local church fulfills Christ's priestly prayer by being united in cause, creed and love. There cannot be unity in cause without unity in gospel creed which has to be displayed through Christian love.
Welcome to Hope Church in Wantage, New Jersey.-Today the Rev. Jack Kroeze will share from the 3rd letter of John to the elder Gaius.-Last week, we learned that in 2 John the key word of the text was -truth-. -In 3 John we will see that the key word is -love-. The apostle John is seeking to teach us that as we proclaim the truth of the Gospel we must also balance it with love for the brethren. -As followers of Jesus Christ our lives must reflect His love and hospitality toward one another.-We hope you will listen.
Today we welcome back the Rev. Jack Kroeze to share from the New Testament book of 2 John. -Pastor Kroeze will reemphasize the apostle's passion for truth and love and challenge his reader and us, to daily apply these virtues in our Christian walk. We hope you will listen.
The last words of Jude to the Church refreshes and bolsters our hope by teaching us the importance of being blameless, joy-filled and convinced.
This doxological closing of Jude takes the reader full circle as Jude explains that we the believers are kept by God. The ingredient that makes it God's keeping possible is God's grace.
Jude gives three groups of people we regularly encounter who need to be mercifully given the gospel of Christ- The Hesitant, the Perishing and the Contaminated.
Jude calls on Christians to do what is necessary to stay in the love of God. His words prepares us by reminding us of what we need to remember in order to be prepared in these end times. He gives three vital disciplines for every Christian.
Christ's Sermon on the Mount proclaims the values of the kingdom of God as being counter culture. The challenge preceding each blessing flows against the ideas of the world. Unfortunately, for too many the challenge of the beatitudes compels some Christians to be simply complacent.
Jude gives a very clear and sobering warning to those who infiltrate the church with false teachings- He warns them of the severe judgment coming on the final day upon Christ's return.
Jude issues a caution to the church by giving 6 descriptive terms of what becomes of those who make choices contrary to God's word.
Jude describes the false teachers in the church as poisoning rejecters who curse glorious beings. The example of the archangel Michael sets the standard on how to deal with the devil and submit to the authority of God.
As false teaching entered the church, Jude gives three examples of sinful practices that the church was -forgetting.- In these three verse Jude identifies the sin of unbelief, pride and illicit sexual activity and contrasts where each rebel once lived to where God's judgment placed them.
Robert Walker teaches the gospel to the Jewish community of Brooklyn, NYC along with Chosen people Ministries. His message from Revelation 12 traces the reason for the hatred the Jewish people have experienced for so many centuries.
The crux of Jude letter is laid out in vv.3-4 - God's people are to contend for the doctrine entrusted to them as the church of Christ by believing and practicing it. Those who do otherwise will face God's prescribed judgment.
1 John reassures the believer of saving faith on account of the immense and ongoing love of God.
In a world that is spiraling downward, the Christian is hopeful because oF the earmarks promised to him in the Bible.
The short book of Jude calls the church into action to know what she believes and to live it out.
The events surrounding the cross takes us to various reactions from various sets of people all of which fulfill the very intent of God.
Palm Sunday sets into motion a series of events that lead to the cross for Christ and allows by faith for us to be united to Christ.
Paul's last words to Timothy in this first letter charges this young pastor of the need to guard the church. To guard the church Timothy must protect the trust given to him, that is, the Word of God. In these last words Paul explains the Christians duty and the danger to those who ignore this charge.
Paul writes not only to those who would desire to be rich, but to those who had already achieved wealth as well. He lists the dangers to and duties of the rich and we discover that God's principles run directly against the principles of the world.
Welcome to Hope Church in Wantage, New Jersey.-Today, guest speaker Dr. Jack Kroeze will be sharing from the New Testament Book of 1 Corinthians as we participate in The Eucharist this morning. --On this Communion Sunday, Pastor Kroeze will remind us of the proper preparation we need to consider as we share in the Lord's Supper together. -Are we walking in obedience to God's commandments-- -Do we love God and our neighbors' as we love ourselves-- -Have we asked for repentance from our sins-- -Pastor Kroeze will share 3 cautions and 3 attitudes we should obs as we approach the Lord's Table.
Paul understands how challenging the Christian life is. The struggles we face can often lure us to slow down in our pursuit of Christ or give up altogether. Here Paul reminds Timothy that he is to be a proclaimer of the gospel with his tongue and a protector of the gospel by the way he lives. Timothy is to keep the commandment until he sees the eagerly expected glorious return of the Lord.
Building Christ's Church requires that we flee what is wrong and pursue what is virtuous while fighting the good fight and holding on to eternal life. The Christian Life is worth fighting for and here Paul tells us how we are to strive for the faith we possess from Christ.
In todays' society, it certainly isn't hard to become embroiled in social justice disagreements, partisan politics or differences of opinion on -truth-. Even Christians can quickly be worn down and misunderstood and retreat to a place of cynicism when it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. -Things worth fighting for include survival, health and patriotism but the apostle Paul tells the young pastor Timothy that greater than this is the -good fight- for the kingdom of God in us.-The fight that will lead to abundant life and have eternal consequences. -We hope you will listen
We are all familiar with the phrase -money is the root of all evil-. In chapter 6 of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul warns the young pastor Timothy that the love of money is one of the harmful desires that plunge the believer into ruin and destruction. Money will not bring contentment. -In today's sermon, Pastor Freire shares 6 ways the Christian can escape the snare of the love of money and likewise the wrath of God, and find true contentment in His son Jesus Christ alone.-We hope you will listen.
The church is built on God's Word and it is through his Word that we begin to understand the covenant of grace which leads to contentment. A covenant is not a contract, and it is in this relationship that our circumstances are absorbed and contentment is possible.
False teachings are like a virus and plague - they spread, contaminate and kill. 1 Timothy 6 discusses the danger of false teachers by describing the symptoms of false teachers.
There is a reason for why the Bible is mostly silent on the topic of slavery and it is discussed here. Meanwhile, in this passage the Scriptures explains how the gospel is conveyed relationally as we set out to work both for Christians and non-Christians.
The nativity story ends with a harrowing escape to Egypt as Herod the Great slaughters innocent babies in Bethlehem. The escape to Egypt takes us to where faith meets practice. It also teaches us the complexity of prophecy.
John 1-14 summarizes the Christmas story into one sentence. The logos, the truth from which comes all truth, became flesh and revealed himself to us that he would rescue us and we would worship him.
Probably the most quoted Bible verse these days is also a Christmas passage summarizing all the details of the nativity into one sentence. John 3-16 explains the intensity and efficacy of God's love.
Advent is about waiting. Today, we celebrate the waiting of those before Christ was born even as we wait for Christ's 2nd Advent. There is a great value in being in God's School of Waiting as we await the fullness of God's timing.
The message of Christ is not only a strange message but it was delivered by a strange messenger named John the Baptist of whom Christ made some strange claims. The greatness of John the Baptist rests in the greatness of whom he proclaimed.
The pastorate is a dangerous calling but it is also an honorable calling. Paul gives Timothy four key instructions regarding the compensation, protection , correction and selection of a pastor.
Paul explains the importance of helping people in need and lists how that need out to be administered. Paul also identifies who is in need and who should be in the business of helping others.
The work of building up God's church requires accountability. Living in community means that we have to help each other along the path of sanctification. That means that encouraging correction is required. However, the correction must be carried out with a sense of family in mind.
Both the wise and foolish builders built sturdy homes. The only difference was in their foundation. The foundation determined whether the house would withstand the threat of nature. Likewise, we are wise or foolish if we build our lives as people who simply hear God's words or do them as well.
Today, guest speaker Dr. Jack Kroeze will be sharing from the New Testament Book of Philippians. -When was the last time you had an -ah ha- moment when reading Scripture or had an intimate moment with Jesus when you poured yourself out before Him-- Or expressed your love for Him and His will-- The danger as a Christian, is to have head knowledge without intimacy with our Savior.-As we study these verses in Philippians today, we are reminded that we haven't yet arrived to that destination with our heavenly Father and we need to press on. -Pastor Kroeze will share with us today how we can encourage each other in the truth of God's word, focus on the work and grace of Jesus and the hope we have in Him.-Please listen.
Romans 1-16-17 served to ignite the Reformation in 1517. The need for reform was obvious and many. It was a German monk named Martin Luther who was cut to the heart when he read that the -righteous shall live by faith- and pressed for this reform. This new found understanding set the groundwork for a movement to come back to the truths of the Scriptures, namely, salvation by faith alone.
If Christians are the building blocks of the church, then godliness is the mortar. Paul instructs Timothy to overcome his shortcoming by exercising three spiritual disciplines- Look inward, serve willingly and be vigilant over his life and doctrine.
In his first four chapters Paul lays out for Timothy what the pastoral duties he is to fulfill if Tomothy is going to be a good servant of God. He then urges the believer to train in godliness and toil and strive for it. The Christian pursuit of godliness is marked by two principles and two practices recorded in this text.
We welcome back Sean and Kim Doyle of TEAM Global missions, currently serving in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Pastor Doyle will be sharing today from the New Testament book of Philippians.--In chapter 4, verses 2-7, the apostle Paul shares with the believer that when times of brokeness occurs within our relationships or within the church, restoration can be found in Jesus Christ.-Christ promised he would never leave us or forsake us, therefore we can rejoice in Him and pray for His supernatural power to calm our anxieties and bring us peace. -When we put our faith in Him, we will find rest and hope and find it easier to share this hope with others. Thank you Jesus.-Please listen.
Every generation produces new rules that are stricter than God. These are ideas that make us feel proper but actually steer us away from faith in Christ. 1 Timothy 4 gives us the only way of protecting us against wrong spiritual practices.
The imperative of Christ's church is underscored in this passage as well as the gospel message. With what appears to be a creed or an early church hymn, Paul explains the mystery of godliness.
1 Timothy lists the character required to serve as a deacon in Christ's church. These are traits necessary in every Christian but especially essential in those men and women who serve as deacons.
Jesus finds people who are wrecked. He pursues these people. He tracks people who don't ask for him and comforts people who don't seek him. Jesus literally reaches into death and brings life. He brings spiritual life. Dead people do nothing to participate in their healing- it is solely a gift of grace.
Today we welcome Dr. Jeffrey Wildrick to the pulpit with a simple message ...-Rejoice---In the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 5, the apostle Paul tells us that we ought to rejoice in the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ that has spared us from the wrath of God for our sins. By faith in Jesus Christ we have reconciliation with God and access to His grace and love. Through faith in Christ we have peace with God and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Please listen.
In chapter 3 of his letter to the young pastor Timothy at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul provides characteristics of male leadership. Virtues such as wisdom, grace, gentleness and self-control reflect the goodness and character of God. These qualities are essential for church leadership but also characteristics all Christians should be striving for as well. -Today Pastor Paul examines the 13 virtuous characteristics that will develop in us a quality that is -above reproach-. Please listen.
God's design for the sexes is clear in the Scriptures. God's order for worship is equally clear- Men are to serve as spiritual authorities in the context of the church. Woman's distinct role is ideal and greatly impacting for generations to come.
Paul gives specific instructions concerning men and women in public worship. Men are to make sure they approach God with lives that are not soiled by anger and quarrelling. Women are to approach God with modest and self-controlled appearance. In both cases, worship is to be offered from clean and committed hearts.
Today we welcome Sean and Kim Doyle of TEAM Global missions, currently serving in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Pastor Doyle will be sharing today from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.--In 1 Samuel 5, we are reminded of the story of the Ark of the Covenant while it was in the possession of the Philistines, Israel's infamous enemy. -As was common in war at the time, the victor would seize the possessions of their enemy and display the treasures of their victory for all to see. So it was with the captured ark of God, taken to Ashdod and brought to the house of Dagon, the pagan god of the Philistines. Soon after, -the hand of the Lord was heavy against the people- and many inflictions would befall the people because of the Ark. -What could this story mean for us today-- Pastor Doyle will share 5 truths the Israelites and Philistines would come to learn because of this event, that still holds true for us today. Please listen.
1 Timothy 2-5-6 are among the most significant verses in the Bible regarding our redemption. Jesus Christ placed one foot in heaven and the other on earth and became not only our mediator, but our ransom and advocate.
Prayer is of first importance for building the church of Christ. That involves all kinds of prayers but especially prayer for those who rule over our nation. This is good and pleasing to God because God uses prayer to draw people from all backgrounds to himself. Thus, Paul is a minister of the gospel to the Gentiles.
The urgency of prayer is underscored in Paul's first words written in 1 Timothy 2. There Paul also emphasizes the forms of prayer we should address God with. Prayerful meditation is vital to the Christian life, but biblical meditation is not like the meditation of Eastern mystical religions. Biblical prayer fills the mind with purpose and reason and centers on the majesty of God.
Today we welcome an old friend to speak here at Hope Church.,.....Mottel Baleston, director of the Messengers Messianic Fellowship of New Jersey.-Mottel's sermon today is entitled -What In The World Is Jesus Doing In Synagogue----In Luke chapter 4, he will recount the story of Jesus' reading from The Old Testament book of Isaiah and His declaration of Messiahship to those present in the temple. Certainly scandalous and confusing to all those in attendance. -The Jewish authorities of the time were loyal more to the traditions and power of men than to the hope of God found in the scriptures. The message of Jesus was a threat to their power and traditions. We must have a faith informed from the scripture and not our own understanding. Rely on the hope found in God's word and eagerly await His return.-Please listen.
The charge against some in the church in Ephesus was so severe that they were handed over to Satan. The shipwrecked condition of their faith required that they be excluded from the umbrella of God's protecting grace and handed over to the wiles of the devil. Because they neglected the faith and purity, they blasphemed God and needed to be jolted to repentance.
In the midst of great trouble David prays that God would lead him to higher ground. David wanted this affliction to be a time of communion and joy with God. Anger at God has no advantage whatsoever.
The apostle Paul stands so amazed that God would select him to be a servant in God's kingdom, that he breaks out in a doxology. After having listed grievous sins, Paul notes that he is the worst of all. This self-awareness underscores Paul's experience -with his own inner self. It also displays the depth of God's mercy.
Today Rev. John Hanna from Ministry To State will share God's Word with us.-The State Capitols branch of Ministry To State realizes the uniqueness and importance of state government in our nation. Therefore MTS encourages and supports these public servants with the universal truth of the gospel, recognizing the plurality of beliefs and doubts in our culture, and considering them in light of the story of historic Christianity.-Rev Hanna, the NJ state capitol minister in Trenton, will share from The New Testament Book of Matthew.... chapters 8 - 9. -In these selected passages, Jesus will give various examples of His power over nature, the spiritual realm and man's destiny after death. Signs, claims and words to the people and religious leaders of the time..... of His Authority in all matters. Surely confusing and disturbing to their ears. -But these words of Jesus are still relevant to us today. Are we willing to accept the -disturbance- Jesus brings with His authority or would we rather live our lives without it-- -We hope you will listen.
As paul addressed Timothy, the apostle spoke directly about the harm of false teaching and the good of truth. The success of the Christian life and the church is directly related to how much impact God's truth has on each of you.
Paul's first letter to Timothy was just a few years after Paul's departure to Macedonia. Certainly Timothy would need God's grace peace and mercy in order to build the church in Ephesus. His sincere rebirth and character served this young pastor well as he faced the challenges of that pastorate.
Jesus said that he will build his church -Mt. 16-18- but he uses us to do the building. 1 Timothy teaches us how to build Christ's church and gives the Bible as the one solitary tool to build with. The apostle Paul passes the mantle to Timothy with various instructions for this young pastor.
Mary and Martha display two ways of practicing Christianity- active religion and contemplative religion. The actions of Mary reveals a heart that longed for truth and eternal things. This would not be taken away from her. Her contemplation of God's eternal truths will culminate in the beauty of heaven described in this sermon.
People often live as if God was on trial when in reality, we are subject to his judgment. The Christian life has requirements that must be fulfilled from the heart. Among God's expectations for his children is baptism and the Lord's Supper.
There is a crimson thread that runs through the Bible connecting chapter to chapter, book to book, OT to NT and connects your soul to God all the way to the cross and into eternity.
Upon entering the city of Jerusalem, Christ cleansed the Temple and no one attempted to stop him. At the cross Christ makes cleansing possible for your soul.
God not only counts on us to serve, but he enables us to serve. Through spiritual gifts the church is seen, heard and Christ is followed. Otherwise the church is muted. With Christ as the head, the membership makes up the body of Christ serving in unity.
Serving others is important, but it is essential in God's eyes that we serve out of love. There are various motivating factors for serving others, but the biblical standard is serving through love.
Today, Guest speaker Dr. Jack Kroeze shares from the Gospel of Mark to direct us in the proper use of the Sabbath. As the title of today's sermon implies, the Sabbath should be a time for ceasing, resting, embracing, and feasting. A time of rest for our souls that point us to the ultimate rest found in the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus Christ.-Please listen.
Moses' last words to the nation of Israel is a blessing despite all the years of hardships experienced while leading them to the Promised Land. Verse 33-3 gives five reasons why we can trust in the God who calls us to serve him.
God is zealous for himself and we should therefore be zealous to serve him. Serving God requires that our love be sincere and that we outdo each other in honoring one another.
The instructions given to Timothy as a pastor are appropriate virtues for all Christians. Kindness keeps us from quarrelling, compels us to correct our opponents gently, makes us convictionally kind and compassionate enough to desire the repentance and restoration of our opposers.
Christ sent his disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. -n the process, they were to be committed to the task, focused on the gospel and certain to explain the importance of the gospel.
The Christian life comes with instructions that enables us to live properly before God and man. Paul's instructions in Romans 12 lays out what the Christian should be like after Paul explains in verses 1 - 2 the motivating force in the Christians life.
At the beginning of his ministry Jesus selected the most unlikely band of brothers to be his apostles. As Christ desired, he chose his disciples and empowered them to properly serve Christ in his kingdom. The ability of the Twelve to represent Christ and work together is a demonstration of God's enabling grace.
Christ did not come to serve but to be served. With that truth in mind, the apostle Paul willingly served Christ and gave to the church in Corinth an example of the characteristics of one who desires to properly serve God.
Whereas happiness is external and temporal, joy is internal and lasting. The parables of the hidden treasure and the great pearl explain how to obtain joy. Christ teaches that joy comes when we deny ourselves something good for Christ who is greater.
The return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem was a true celebration for King David and the people of his nation. God received the worship of sinners who sought him and they were filled with joy. 1 Chron. 16-10 gives the seeker three reasons to be joy-filled.
In 2023 the hymn Amazing Grace celebrated its 250th birthday. The hymn describes the life and reaction of King David upon hearing the promises of God to him in what we call the Davidic Covenant recorded in 1 Chron. 17. David's response to God's grace is an example to every believer as we seek to avoid the dangers of not being amazed by God's grace any longer.
The apostle Paul's words in Col. 1-24 sound as if Paul is saying that Christ's sufferings need to be supplemented with our own suffering. This is far from what the apostle is teaching. Rather, he explains how he can be joyful even as he suffers as Christ suffered. Joy is not a secret and ought to be had by anyone who pursues Christ with heart, soul and mind.
Some will think that the coming of Christ was overdue. Yet, the Scriptures tell us that Christ came at the fullness of time. That is to say that Christ came exactly when he was to come. In coming as incarnate God, Jesus made various claims about himself as the Son of God even as early as the age of 12.
The array of events encircling Mary's heart were numerous as she held the baby Christ in her arms. Among the events to ponder and treasure is the fulfillment promised by the ark of the covenant, realized in the humanity and deity of Christ in the manger and fulfilled at the cross.
Christmas tends to mean something different to most people we encounter. However, the Christian knows that Christmas is far more powerful than wishing for peace - placing a smile on the face of others. Christmas makes us look back, speak out, become relational and makes joy possible.
The Christmas story has it origins not in the manger but in the OT prophecies. The prophet Ezekiel promised a savior who would be a good shepherd to replace the nation's -shepherds-. God himself would become their shepherd even while providing another shepherd to care for his people.
Life seems to be a tug-of-war between striving for changes I want vs. avoiding changes I don't want. The example of how Aquila and Priscilla thrived even in the most difficult of life changes is an encouragement to every believer facing adversity or unwanted change.
Today, guest Pastor Gary Camlin, ...formerly of the Portuguese Bible Institute, shares the story of Martha and Mary in the New Testament Book of Luke and asks -are you also a distracted Christian-----Using the examples of Martha and Mary as examples Pastor Gary asks -Is our heart in constant communion with Jesus Christ---- In a world where our lives and schedules only seem to grow, do we as Christians have our priorities in order-- Do we sometimes need -to be still- and let God be God-- -We just might need to seek rebalancing through the word of God and let Him transform us.-We hope you will listen.
David declares that God is the God who hears our prayers in Psalm 65. As the one who answers prayers we can be sure that his hearing is constant, willing, and he is never overwhelmed or ever withholds any good from his children. And all this is because we stand in his grace.
Job's condition was so desperate that he cried out -I hate my life- to God -10-1-. At times Job's faith surged and filled him with confidence, but his faith also failed as depression grew deeper and deeper. His depression began to melt away when he began to see the magnitude of God in light of his smallness. Though his situation did not change, Job's depression did.
Though sharing your faith in Christ can often be difficult, God's word gives us several ways by which we can more readily speak the gospel to others. Knowing the transformational power of the Scriptures motivates the Christian to speak of his faith.
David's lament over the death of his archenemy and his best friend says a great deal about David and it says even more about our God. Under the sovereign rule of God the mighty come and the mighty go. The maturing Christian is one who able to see the hand of God's control and seek to be mighty in the eyes of God alone.
The idea of a scapegoat seems very unfair because it is unfair- Blaming an innocent person for someone else's wrong is not fair at all. And yet, on the Day of Atonement -Leviticus 16- a scapegoat is burdened with the blame of Israel's sin. The good news is that the scapegoat is a symbol of Christ's willing acceptance of our sins onto himself. The innocent is guilted for sinners.
Are children responsible for the sins of their parents and are parents responsible for the sins of their children-- These are questions we ask and wonder about in light of God's promise that the iniquity of parents will be visited on children even four generations beyond. The prophet Ezekiel teaches us that each person is responsible for his own actions.
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ gives his hearers a stern illustration regarding two kinds of builders- One is foolish and the other is wise. Both are competent builders but their foundations are drastically different.
At his arrest, Jesus Christ restrained himself and refused the rescue that was available in order to atone for the believer's sin. And though impetuous Peter sought to rescue Christ, it was Christ who rescued his disciples from a bloodbath while bathing his disciples in his blood.
Daily life introduces us to various causes to fight for, from the fight for survival to the fight for our nation to the fight for wealth and health. However, only one fight is labeled by God as the good fight. It is the good fight because of the cause itself and the eternal outcome it promises.
In this present culture war the fundamentals of society are being challenged and redefined. 1 Chronicles 16-9-11exlains how the Christian should live in a secular world and the value of God's word for his people and even for a nation.
Suffering is a universal experience but when it reaches our doorsteps it is easy to question God. In John 9 the disciples wondered who was to blame for a beggar's blindness. Christ's surprising response puts the blame not on human fault but in the lap of God's providence.
Today, Rev. Mike Miosi from Spread of Grace Ministries will share selected passages from the New Testament book of Acts ...chapter 13.--Spread of Grace Ministries desires to make disciples of national ministry workers for the purpose of establishing strong local churches in under-developed countries. Most recently, in Kenya, Sierra Leone and Mexico.--Today, Rev. Miosi reminds us that we are called to the preach the Good News of the Gospel to the world. Using the missions of the apostle Paul in Acts 13 as an example, Pastor Mike cites 3 examples of the effects of hearing the Gospel. That it would be received, or rejected, ...yet preached with joy and perseverance. This message, only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, .....still applies for us today. -We hope you will listen.
Today, Rev. John Hanna from Ministry to State will explore selected passages from the New Testament book of Mark..... Chapter 14. -Ministry to State in New Jersey seeks to convey the power, grace and redeeming work of the Gospel to our state legislators. Please keep him and his work in prayer as he works with our congress people in Trenton. -Today, Rev. Hanna reminds us that no matter what -our story- or situation our Saviour Jesus knows us, and will love us to the end. -Let the Holy Spirit search your heart and make it His own.....to the glory of God the Father.
Today, Pastor Jason Crocker from Fellowship Bible Church in Philadelphia shares his insight from the Gospel of Mark, regarding the story of the -storm- on the Sea of Galilee and the sleeping Jesus. Although the apostles were with the great -I am- they feared for their life when a sudden storm overtook their boat. -In the midst of our trials do we sometimes do the same-- Please listen as Pastor Jason retells the story and reminds of us the -Peace- who is with us thru every storm.
The outward religious form of the religious leaders landed them the label of being -the blind leading the blind.- It is easy to overlook the our blindness. Like us, it was easy for them to replace God's standard with their own and so justify their sin.
Daniel's interaction with King Belshazzar not only points to the sovereign rule of God over history, it also underscores the importance of following through on what God has already taught us. We are to influence the world around us as we live life with the knowledge that we are God's vessels.
In an ever increasingly antagonistic world, the Christian is to be like a vulnerable sheep in the midst of wolves, but in doing so, he is to be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove. That is, he is to be discerning and knowing when to run or stand while being a person of integrity.
Christ's words -You are the salt of the earth- is spoken directly of the Christian. In order to impact the world around us, the Christian himself must be salted. Otherwise, the saltless Christian will have no value or ability to season, preserve, cleanse or fertilize this unappetizing world.
The last words in the book of Judges reminds us of how important a king is. The chaos in Israel resembles the chaotic world we live in today. The chaos of ancient Israel was due to having no king. Likewise, the chaos we face ourselves results in not having the King of kings rules over us.
As King David's last day approached he took his son Solomon aside and gave him this advice - -Be strong and be a man.- David then gives his son great advice on how to be a man. David notes that manhood protects what has been entrusted to him, is determined to obey God and seeks to be rewarded by God.
As Jesus performed a healing miracle, some began to realize that Jesus is the Messiah. However, the religious leaders accused Christ of being empowered by the devil rather than by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12 gives us lessons on how to know if a ministry is of God or not. In this passage Christ also identifies what sin will not be pardoned.
The loyalty of Christ to his mission is marked by prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane. In contrast, the disciples slept and found themselves helpless with faced with adversary. Meanwhile, the greatest act of disloyalty was initiated with a kiss that sent Christ to the cross. Matthew 26 gives very specific lessons regarding loyalty.
Christ appeared to his followers various times. While in Galilee he appeared to his followers and while many worshipped him, some doubted. Wavering faith requires that we make ourselves available to Christ. As with these disciples, it was then that Christ issued his followers the Great Commission and their faith was strengthened.
Paul's 7th chapter of Romans sounds like a riddle as he describes the mixture in every Christian's life between not doing what he wants to do and finding himself doing what he does not want to do. The struggle against the flesh is a lifelong battle until the Christian is home with the Lord. Despite Paul's self assessment of being wretched he can say, -Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ-.
Preaching is God's chosen method of growing his Church. Just as in Deuteronomy 4-10, the people of God gather together to hear from God. Whenever God's word is being proclaimed, God is speaking to us. The importance of preaching is clear in the Scriptures and we are given lessons on how to listen to God's preached word.
In an increasingly anxious world the church provides hope. The church is essential because she brings worship to God, witness to the world and nurture for the believer.
As a growing number of of people realize that the church is essential to society, the great task of the present day church is to convince Christians of how essential the church is. The church is the people, purpose, power and pleasure of God.
Defining what the church is can be a bit more complex than expected. Beginning with 1 Corinthians 3-16 we learn that the church is the presence of God in this world. It is also the proclamation of God and the provision of God to this world.
At times, we have to explain our faith to the world. In changing times we have to explain the world to the church. And yet at other times we have to explain the church to the church. With this in mind, Matthew 5-14-15 points not only to what the church is but what it is not.
The world gives us plenty of reasons to be afraid. However, the question is not whether or not we are afraid, but what do we do with our fear. Abram allowed fear to overtake him. Christ's promise in John 16-33 assures us his abiding peace in times of trouble. Overcoming fear in a sin riddled world is a primary reason for coming to church weekly.
Whatever you set out to achieve determines what you will become.-The psalmist makes clear that he wants more of what God has already laid out in his word and pleads for God to grant him open eyes.
The life of Aquila and Priscilla radically changed when they were banished from Rome and had to move to Corinth. However, God used this difficult time in their lives to bless this Christian couple and plant churches along with the apostle Paul. God uses all circumstances for the good of those who live him and are called according to his purpose.
Exodus 40 marks the restart of the nation of Israel. God demonstrates that he is with His people by filling the tabernacle and leading His people to the Promised Land.
What seems like a long detailed and repetitive passage of the OT about the Tabernacle actually contains wonderful life lessons for the Christian life.
Pastor Carlsen explains Paul's list of characteristics that make a church harmonious, effective and pleasing to God and to each other.
When Moses descended from Mt Sinai with the second issue of the 10 Commandments, he did not find a rebellious impatient people. Rather, the people find a man whose face proved that he Moses met with God. If the glory of the OT law was great, how much greater is the glory of the law of righteousness through Jesus Christ-
John 10-11 tells us that God is the Good Shepherd. If God is good, then why do good people suffer-
Exodus 34 begins Moses' encounter with the display of some of God's glory. With God's shielding, Moses is able to endure the glorious presence of God and is overtaken by his majesty. God restates his covenant with his people and and releases his mercy on his people.
We tend to be fascinated with new and our fascination spills over into our worship of God. Jeremiah 6-16 tells us to choose the ancient path which alone is the good way. The ancient path is likened to the narrow gate, not easy to access or attractive, but it leads to life.
Jesus Christ came, lived, died and resurrected but where is he now- He is with those who take refuge in him.
Amazingly, angels long to see and learn about the salvation God offers to man. Just as the prophets did not quite understand all that they spoke, so even the angels did not fully understand God's salvation plan and are enthralled to watch and see God's saving work in action.
Leviticus is an often overlooked portion of the Bible by many Christians. Yet, it contains beautiful pictures of the gospel. Chapters 9 and 10 disclose the specific manner by which God redeems man and makes clear that there is no other way to God.
Not everyone who celebrates Christmas has experienced Christmas. -Much of their joy and pleasure of the season has to do with what they have been told and not what they personally know. -Why Christmas Happened- explains three reasons for Christmas and the joy of experientially celebrating this season.
When God commits to allow the Israelites into the Promised Land he surprises the nation when he says that he will not go with them. The idea that God would not be present was disastrous news. Moses responds by saying that he would rather live in the wilderness with God than with wealth and comfort without God.
We tend to replace God with lesser gods who we think are more satisfying. Exodus 32 shows to us how serious God is about having no other god before him. This OT passage provides four preventatives to keep us from replacing God.
Though we understand the Holy Spirit best when we read the NT, the Holy Spirit is very active and present in the OT as well. In Exodus 31, the Spirit of God enables craftsman to build the tabernacle as he fills Bezalel and his team of workers just as the Spirit fills the Christian and enables us to serve in the church today.
The OT tabernacle and its furnishings point to Jesus Christ. It is a visual gospel of the Christ who was yet to come. For us today, it is a reminder of the faithfulness of God to provide the Savior promised in antiquity. The story of the Exodus is very similar to our own story.
Finding balance in our daily lives requires that we remind ourselves daily of particular truths that will allow us to live well before God in a spoiled world.
Our purpose in life is directly connected to who we become. What we set out to achieve will determine what path we walk in. Thus, the Psalmist asks God to deal bountifully with him and open his eyes to what God has already given to him in the Scriptures.
At the very heart of the tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant. And at the heart of the Ark was the presence of God made manifest to his people through the mercy seat.
The OT requires very specific sacrifices at the tabernacle and later the temple. As people who live on this side of the cross we can better understand the purpose of the blood sacrifices. Isaiah 52-3 sheds light on the value of the sacrificial blood. This gospel soaked prophetic verse explains the need for the blood of Christ against the false promises the world offers.
Exodus 21-23 records the details of the laws which the 10 Commandments summarize. In all of the Pentateuch the Jewish nation is given 613 laws which force them to look inward and see their sin and then upward and find God's grace. Christ himself came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
1 John 5-1-5 gives us three interlocked tests of how you can know whether or not you are in Christ- the Doctrinal-Faith test, the Moral test and the Social test.
Baptism is the initial declaration of belonging to Christ and a public profession that we are united to Christ. The believer's baptism also proclaims who we belong to and underscores the hope that we have through Christ alone.
God is a covenantal God. Prior to creation, God covenanted to intervene on behalf of man . After the covenant of works God established the covenant of grace from where we enjoy today the new covenant. Exodus 19 records the Mosaic Covenant whereby survival of Israel was dependent on keeping God's law. It was a picture of the coming grace. In the new covenant we have the giving of saving grace.
Today, guest Pastor Jack Kroeze will remind us that as Christians, saved by the blood of Jesus, we have a treasure that is -something to boast about-.-Pastor Kroeze will explore the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 5 verses 1 through 11, and share 4 key points of this great treasure that is ours as believers.
The last two commandments deal not just with our external actions but also with what we say and think. The last two commandments emphasize that our relationship to these moral regulations discloses who we are and not simply what we do.
The 10 Commandments are God's tool for freeing his people. Many of the ways the 8th Commandment is violated are obvious but there are some not so obvious ways as well. You shall not steal is ignored when we keep ourselves from God.
The 10 Commandments are divided in two tables. The Second Table deals with our interaction with each other. Commandments 5, 6 - 7 speak to children, to all men and to adults in that order. These three commandments liberate us from contention in the home, the plagues of anger and revenge and the addiction to lust and pornography.
At Mt. Sinai God issues the Ten Commandments through Moses. The first table of commandments deals with our relationship to God. God reveals his preeminence when he declares his name, forbids any other gods or idols, requires that his name not be misused and insists that his day be kept holy.
When the Israelites moved to Mt. Sinai God revealed himself as the Almighty God who must be revered and obeyed. He is not just their protector and deliverer, he is also their God. The prologue to the Ten Commandments displays God's liberating purpose for his people. He frees us so that we can be holy.
In their first battle against enemies in the wilderness, God proves his promise to take care of his own. With pleading arms raised to God, Moses' clenches his staff and God's people are victorious over the Amalakites. The staff which was a symbol of rescue and judgement is used by God to prove that he is a banner over his people.
In their first battle against enemies in the wilderness, the people of God find their strength not in their military ability, but in God. By use of a staff which symbolized God's presence, rescue and judgement, Moses' lifted hands bring victory to the Israelites against the Amalakites. God answers their question, -Is God with us or not-- God is indeed, our banner.
In Exodus 17, God once again tests the people of Israel and provides for them in the wilderness. Their great sin of ignoring God's provision, demanding more from God and thinking that they are the center of God's plan led the nation in the wilderness to wrong conclusions - they failed to see that God was with them.
Exodus 16 displays the ways God provides and cares for his own. As our good Father God takes care of his own. In Exodus 16 God provided water, bread, meat and rest. With an emphasis on God's rest the people of Israel see the importance of trusting and obeying God by recalling and reflecting weekly in worshipful community.
In response to what God in rescuing the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians, Moses wrote a song. Exodus 15 records what God did and Israel's faith in what God would soon do as a result. Singing to God is a powerful tool in the believer's life.
The people of israel were consecrated, guided and protected. In Christ, the Church of God is also consecrated, guided and protected.
Christian, your greatest privilege is to worship God. In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul shows us exactly why God ought to be glorified by his children.
True justice always corresponds to biblical principles. Critical Theory's postmodern form of justice and the pragmatism of utilitarian justice do not convey what God intends for both justice and righteousness.
There are many false teachers in this world who use the Scriptures to promote their own brand of the gospel. There are also good intending teachers who begin with the Scripture text but do not teach the entire truth for fear that it will drive hearers away. In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes to the young Ephesian pastor and instructs him on the importance of teaching sound doctrine.-This sermon is preached by the director of Spread of Grace Ministries Mike Miosi - a work that seeks to train pastors in remote international sites.
Biblical Justice is quite distinct from what the world offers up as justice. In this sermon, based on the writings of Tim Keller, Libertarian and Liberal Justice is explored through the biblical text. Utilitarian and Postmodern Justice will be examined in a subsequent message.
God fashioned the Hebrew people so that they would become one nation in order for them to bring to the world the Scriptures and to send into the world the Messiah. God made a covenant with his people which they violated but God remained faithful.
The public conversation speaks a great deal about equity and justice. As these words are being redefined we have to ask -How does the Bible define equity and justice.- This sermon defines biblical equity and what constitutes biblical justice.
The Jewish people are preserved so that they would respond to the Messiah and so that the same Messiah would also be savior of all peoples.
In recent years we have been barraged with the cry of social injustice in the media, education, politics and in the church. Amos 5 shows us the importance of justice and righteousness as worshippers of God. With the cry of social injustice getting louder, how are we to define justice- In this first sermon part, we learn that what constitutes biblical justice is of extreme importance if we are to truly extend justice to one another.
The 10 plague was God's judgment of sin as the nation was called to place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so that the angel of the Lord would pass over the home of the faithful. The Passover points to the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The conclusion of this sermon points to 10 reasons why we can believe in the resurrection.
The two criminals crucified along with Christ display two ways of suffering- One of anger and blame and one that acknowledges who God is and trusts in him. The last words of the thieves reveal their hearts. Christ's last words reveals his heart of love.
The plagues are God's answer to Pharaoh's question- Who is this God that I should listen to him- Through the 10 plagues, the Egyptians false deities are defeated, God's proves to be just and his grace is displayed to his people.
The 10 Plagues against Egypt was the loud voice of God saying, -You have heard my name. Now, you will experience God's presence.- Through these signs and wonders God rescues, judges sin, makes himself known and creates a community of worshippers.
Moses and Aaron are quickly disappointed when they approach Pharaoh and say, -Let my people go-- Disappointment only happens when we have hope. Exodus 5 gives us four essential points for managing disappointment in this life.
God's call of Moses shows the power and willingness of God to use the most frail instruments to accomplish his predetermined will. Moses' self-disclosed shortcomings do not hamper God from carrying out his plans.
The Christian is promised that God will hear and answer his prayers and so we can approach God with confidence. However, how we do discern God's will for our lives and pray accordingly- By understanding the three wills of God and examining what we are praying for, we can better understand God's will for our lives.
Colossians 1-24 explains that we participate in the daily sufferings of Christ -fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions- but can even then be joy-filled. Joy is not a mystery but it is an attitude that must be pursued.
Moses' encounter with God before the burning bush resulted with Moses being sent as the one who would be used to deliver the Hebrew out of Egypt. Serving God is a dangerous calling because we tend to get in the way. Ex. 3 gives us seven essential principles we need to understand if we are to serve God properly.
God called Moses from a burning bush that was never consumed. Exodus 3 reveals that God is a promising keeping God and shows us the importance of waiting for God to act as he calls us as well. Moses replied by saying -Here I am-.
As the children of Israel cried out to God from Egypt, Exodus 2 tells us that God heard, remembered, saw and knew. Just as God heard and responded to the cries of his covenanted OT people, so he hears and answers the prayers of his Church.
The events early in the life of Moses demonstrates how God alone is able to weave the actions of man into his purpose so that what man conspires and schemes will ultimately be used by God for his glory and the good of his people.
The ancient Egyptian days recorded in Exodus 1 prove to be very similar to our present world. Issues of enslavement, exploitation and murder are all common and forms the fabric for the birth of Moses.
The book of Exodus is key to our understanding of the Bible. From it we learn of God's deliverance, covenant and his worship. It is difficult to have a proper understanding of God without knowledge of the OT book of Exodus.
Opposition to the gospel can be expected. However, the Christian does not struggle alone. Philippians 1 instructs us on how we are to face opposition.
Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1 points to the eternality of God the Son, the importance of the virgin birth and the significance of the name Jesus.
Jesus Christ is more than just a footnote in human history. As the firstborn, Jesus Christ ranks above all of creation, is supreme and is God himself. He is Lord over all that exists.
The joy of Christmas begins with the humiliation of Jesus Christ. His willingness to become a servant man who suffered on the cross is the story of Christmas.
As elections come and go we see that kingdoms come and go too.-The First Advent marks the start of Christ's everlasting Kingdom with an ever expanding peace to all who follow Christ. In contrast, the world is constantly warring. God will fulfill his purpose no matter who sits in the White House or leads nations. That person will be used by God to bring God's kingdom to fruition. His Kingdom come. His will be done.
The last chapter of Acts explains how the apostle Paul was able to overcome the most difficult circumstances and still work hard at serving God. Because of the church in Rome, Paul was propelled to serve God. A daily dose of encouragement and gratitude will fill your life with a desire to serve Christ.
Every choice we make has some sort of consequence. However, for those who are called according to God's purpose, every episode in life is used to somehow benefit us while glorifying God. Nothing in our lives is discarded.
In an arena antagonistic toward Christ and his Word, his disciples are told to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves as they set out to be God's light in a darkened world.
Peter closes his first epistle by telling us what Satan is capable of, what the Christian is capable of and especially what God is capable and willing to do.
Is anxiety a sin- Whether or not anxiety is sinful is determined by what you do with your anxiety. Consider what Christ did as the hour of the cross approached. Peter calls on us to cast all your anxiety onto God and this sermon gives six steps on how.
John tells us that we love God because he first loved us. Paul expresses the same truth when he tells us that -while we were enemies of God, he reconciled us.- God's forgiveness is deep and wide, however, our choices still carry consequences even after forgiveness.
Understanding the immensity of God's love for his children changes our understanding of the goodness of God. The love of God is trivialized when we trivialize the seriousness of our sin.
The book of Ecclesiastes answers the most common question asked by man by a king who spoke from personal experience. His conclusion comes after having tried every other solution offered by this world.
-Humility is the road to pleasure- -C.S. Lewis- seems to run contrary to our natural way of thinking. However, by God's design, humility is the potent force in bringing to the Christian a life of joy, pleasure and satisfaction. God opposes the proud and will exalt the humble.
Peter's first letter discusses the how God protects, fortifies and matures us spiritually. God uses his Word, conveyed through the church as taught by pastors to brings us to where we need to be and spare us from the fangs of the devil.
The Word of God is the means by which our Lord brings about renewal and transformation to us.
Peter addresses the church by addressing the pastors in 1 Peter 5 and outlines how imperative the church is. As pastors fulfill their jobs of oversight and example, the community of believers are fed and grown.
This life offers a great deal of uncertainty. However, in Christ we can be sure that we are not alone for not only is Christ with us, but he who is with us has suffered for us and leads the way to our victory. We can live with a clean conscience and the anticipation of final victory.
In three key passages the Scriptures explain how government authority is delegated authority from God. These passages also explain how we are to conduct ourselves even when government is adverse to Christian principles.
The goodness of God compels us to seek after him. Unfortunately, the Christian life is often a battle between living as who we are in Christ and living how we used to be as citizens of this world. Peter calls on us to taste the goodness of God again and to identify with the goodness of our Savior so that we will grow in our salvation.
The importance of faith cannot be overstated. 1 Peter 1 describes how valuable faith is and how faith alone is able to produce hope. Because of that hope, we can endure trials with inexpressible joy.
The persistence of this woman in Christ's parable sets the example for how the modern day Christian ought to pray. Christ teaches us to pray with faith and to cry out to him persistently if we desire to see our prayers answered. In this way, God receives all the glory.
I peter present four prominent themes of which the last is our great salvation. Peter's introductory words describes the harmonious work of the Trinity in bringing about our salvation and explains how we should respond.
Holiness is attained as we arm ourselves against the will of the world and for the purposes of God.
The world seems to be increasingly more and more perplexing socially, politically, religiously and morally. 1 Peter 2 explains how the Christian can be holy in the midst of such a tempest.
The world seems to be increasingly more and more perplexing socially, politically, religiously and morally. 1 Peter 2 explains how the Christian can be holy in the midst of such a tempest.
Holiness seems to be spoken of infrequently in modern Christianity. However, 1 Peter shows us that holiness is the reason of our salvation and is a pleasure to all who call on God as their heavenly Father.
Current events certainly add the the stress of life. Psalm 131 explains three principles by which the Christian can overcome the fear of tumultuous days.
Christ offers a personal invitation to enter his kingdom. In Matthew 11-25-30 Christ gives hope to every yearning, overburdened and searching soul. Through the transformative power of Christ, even racism is resolved. The sermon begins at the 11 minute mark.
The kingdom of God is revealed in three stages. In this present stage, the Church is the means by which God's kingdom grows and is witnessed. In Matthew 11, Christ explains how essential the Church is for society. The message begins at the 9.10 min. mark.
In the midst of John's spiritually weakness, Christ embraces him and calls him great. Citizen's of God's kingdom do falter, but Christ teaches us how to persevere and advance the kingdom of God.
God uses his church to expand the his kingdom. Through an episode in John the Baptist's life, Matthew 11 explains what is necessary for us to push God's kingdom forward in these questionable days.-The sermon begins at minute 6-45.
Proverbs 31 is sound, biblical motherly advice to a son. It is also biblical advice to any wife or mother. By laying out six virtuous characteristics, the proverb explains not only a mom's loving duty but also exlains the great benefits to her as well.
Living in a pandemic is unsettling until we realize that God's hand controls every instance of history. The same Christ who mastered the wind and water in Mark 4-39, masters the coronavirus too.