Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA): Recent Episodes
Pastor Will Stern
We are a gospel-centered church in Media, PA, that desires to see all people find Hope through faith in Christ.
In this sermon on Psalm 3, we walk with David through his crisis of accusation and fear, and find hope in his bold profession of faith, his heartfelt petition for rescue, and his proclamation that salvation belongs to the Lord who defangs every foe—the world, the flesh, and the devil.
When life unravels in an instant, David’s flight from Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 15 shows us how to care for others, look for God’s unexpected mercies, wait on the Lord, and take decisive action—all pointing us to the greater example of Jesus Christ.
ust as Absalom stole the hearts of Israel through outward appearance, power, and concern, this message warns how the world still seeks to draw our hearts away from King Jesus—and calls us back to the true beauty, power, and compassion found in Him alone.
In the face of grievous injustice, both David and Absalom failed—one through passive silence and the other through vengeful violence—yet their failures point us to Christ, who alone responds to injustice with perfect justice, mercy, and humility.
In this sermon, “Responding to Injustice: A Warning from David and Absalom,” we examine how two flawed responses to injustice—David’s silence and Absalom’s vengeance. These responses reveal our own tendencies while pointing us to the only true hope for justice and mercy: Jesus Christ.
In this sermon, we explore the tragedy of 2 Samuel 13—how sin takes root and destroys lives—and offer gospel hope for both the wounded and the repentant.
This Easter sermon invites the listener to rediscover the deep and lasting joy found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a joy that belongs to Christ and that, through union with Him by faith, can be ours as well.
In this message on repentance from Psalm 51, we see that true repentance begins in the heart—with a deep sense of need, sin, God, and hope—drawing us back to the mercy, justice, and love of God revealed at the cross.
When God calls us to confront sin—either in others or in ourselves—how should we respond? This sermon explores six powerful applications from Nathan’s rebuke of David in 2 Samuel 12, offering wisdom, courage, and hope for anyone walking the difficult but grace-filled road of repentance and restoration.
In this passage, we see David showing steadfast love and leading his people to victory—giving us a glimpse of God’s heart for the world and teaching us how to live faithfully in both missions and spiritual warfare.
This sermon explores how the Old Testament points to Christ, showing that just as David defeated Israel's enemies, expanded his kingdom, and administered justice, so Christ has and will defeat our enemies, expand His kingdom, and reign in perfect righteousness—giving us confidence, patience, and purpose as we await His return.
Learn how to faithfully wait on God when He says 'no,' as we explore David’s response in 2 Samuel 7 through prayer, confession, adoration, and trusting in His promises.
Explore 2 Samuel 7, where David desires to do something great for God, but God reveals His greater plan—a promise fulfilled in Christ, the eternal King who builds the true temple.
In this sermon, we explore what it means to be despised for worshiping God, looking at David’s experience in 2 Samuel 6 and how it points to Jesus, who was ultimately despised and rejected for our sake—yet through His sacrifice, we are invited to celebrate before the Lord.
What does biblical worship look like? In this sermon, we explore five essential marks of true worship, drawing from 2 Samuel to see how God's Word, not personal preference, must shape our worship.
Disastrous worship: what happens when we approach God on our own terms? This sermon explores 2 Samuel 6, revealing three marks of disastrous worship, the consequences of ignoring God's holiness, and how true joy in worship can only come through the work of Christ.
Sin is like a relentless enemy, but in this sermon from 2 Samuel 5, we learn how David's victory over the Philistines provides a pattern for overcoming patterns of sin in our own lives—by discerning our danger, deepening our dependence on God, and dwelling on our Deliverer, Jesus Christ.
This sermon examines 2 Samuel 5 in its historical context, showing how David's conquest of Jerusalem points to God's work in reclaiming the "city of man" and establishing the "city of God," ultimately fulfilled in Christ's redemptive work and eternal kingdom.
Is Jesus safe? This sermon dives into Revelation 1:12-18, exploring the awe-inspiring, fearsome glory of Christ as the risen King, yet reminding us that though He isn't safe, He is infinitely good and full of grace.
Explore the profound mystery of Christmas as we confront two recurring misconceptions about Christ: that the baby in the manger is not truly God or truly human, and discover why Jesus' full divinity and humanity are essential to our salvation and hope.
In this sermon, we explore the central role of preaching at Hope Church, rooted in our belief in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, and how this impacts what, when, and how we preach—both from the pulpit and in our daily lives.
In this sermon, Pastor Will explores 2 Timothy 2:14-15, emphasizing the importance of avoiding fruitless debates and rightly handling the Word of truth by understanding the authority, clarity, sufficiency, and purpose of Scripture.
This sermon on 2 Timothy 1:1-2 emphasizes Paul's divine authority as an apostle, the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, and his pastoral heart for Timothy, reflecting on the grace, mercy, and peace that are central to the Christian faith.
Discover the timeless wisdom of dying well as we explore 1 Samuel 31, examining negative and positive examples from Scripture, and drawing inspiration from Jonathan's humble service, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of living and dying well for the glory of God.
In "Things Fall Apart," Pastor Stern reflects on David's trials in exile, encouraging listeners to strengthen themselves in the Lord through biblical meditation and repentance, and to respond by seeking God's guidance, obeying His commands, and giving thanks, with Jesus as the ultimate focus of our lives.
Join Pastor Will Stern in his sermon "Escaping Worldliness" as he examines the narrative of David's retreat to Ziklag in 1 Samuel 29, shedding light on the pitfalls of seeking worldly solutions for spiritual burdens and the perils of straying from the path of righteousness.
The sermon explores the theme of feeling abandoned by heaven and what to do in such moments. Drawing from Saul's desperate consultation with a medium and David's response to crisis, it highlights the dangers of seeking spiritual guidance outside of God's commands. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of moving towards God in repentance, prayer, study of the Word, Christian community, and a firm belief in future grace.
In this Easter sermon, discover the deeper significance of the day beyond outward observances. Using Psalm 118 as a guide, explore the profound call to action: to knock at the gates of righteousness, enter through faith in Jesus, and give thanks for God's saving grace. Join us as we journey into the heart of Easter, experiencing Christ’s transformative power in our lives.
Join us as we dive into 1 Samuel 27:1–28:2 and explore how David's self-talk led to a series of bad decisions. From the dangers of preaching false sermons to our hearts to the consequences of our actions, this sermon challenges us to align our inner dialogue with God's truth. Discover how God's faithfulness remains steadfast even when we falter, and be encouraged to trust in His guidance amid life's challenges.
Explore timeless wisdom on respecting and challenging authority from 1 Samuel 26. Discover how David's actions offer guidance for navigating authority, especially in today's context.
Explore the timeless tale of 1 Samuel 25, delving into the folly of Nabal, the wisdom of Abigail, and David's journey from anger to humility. Discover profound lessons on humility, grace, and divine intervention, inviting reflection on the redemptive power of God's mercy in our lives.
Embark on a thought-provoking journey through this gripping sermon on 1 Samuel 24 as we delve into the dynamic between temptation and opportunity. Follow Saul's pursuit of David with a formidable army, only to find himself vulnerable in a cave where David lies in wait. Explore the pivotal question: How do we discern between temptation and opportunity?
In this podcast episode, we explore how God consistently shows up in moments of discouragement, using the life of David as our lens. Through three vivid examples, we witness God's unwavering presence amidst betrayal, uncertainty, and imminent danger. From strengthening resolve to providing refuge, each instance underscores the enduring truth that God intervenes precisely when we need Him most. Join us as we uncover the profound reassurance found in God's consistent pattern of deliverance, ultimately pointing to the ultimate hope found in Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”
Samuel Given to the Lord
21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”
And he worshiped the Lord there.
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Send Out Your Light and Your Truth43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
SHOW LESS
1 Timothy 2:1-7 [1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. [7] For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
[18] This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, [19] holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, [20] among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
If you’d like to learn more about Hope Presbyterian Church, visit our website at https://explorehopechurch.org/
1 Timothy 1:3-7
[3] As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4] nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5] The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
If you’d like to learn more about Hope Presbyterian Church, visit our website at https://explorehopechurch.org/
1 Timothy 1:3-7
[3] As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4] nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5] The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
[1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, [2] To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:1-2 ESV)
For this Christmas season, we are taking a break from moving through the story of Luke and looking at the prophecies of Christ found in Old Testament from Isaiah. With this Christmas series, listen to our first sermon found in Isaiah 7:1-17!
Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we see victory over Satan and evil itself! Listen to this week's sermon from our pastoral intern, Jonathan Hatt, as we find answers to evil in this world through Jesus!
We don't often think of prayer being shameless, but God tells us to call on Him at any our of the night and He will hear us. Listen to this sermon from November 17, and see how we can pray shamelessly!
Have you messed up? Do you feel like a failure? Although we all have times of mistakes, sometimes it may be hard for us to know what to do. Listen to this week's sermon as we look at both the disciples' and our own need for the Savior Jesus!
This week we are ending the mini-series within the book of Luke, demonstrating Jesus' authority over the physical and supernatural world. Listen to this week's sermon and see how Jesus has power over sickness and death itself.
en we read the Bible, there are many stories of Jesus casting out demons from people. Listen to this week’s sermon as we see how Jesus has power over all of the spiritual world
What does it mean to fear God? Does the Bible tell us to fear Him? Listen to this week's sermon, as we learn what the biblical understanding of fearing God looks like!
While still going through the Book of Luke, we listened this week to an overview of the book’s idea of hospitality to prepare us for the hospitality seminar. Listen to this week’s sermon about the Book of Luke and Hospitality!
If you could tell one story about your childhood, what would it be? In Luke 2, we see the only true story about Jesus between the age of 1 and 30. Therefore, it is precious to the Church and teaches us important lessons about who Jesus is and how we ought to live.
In Luke 2, a woman named Anna dedicated her life to prayer and fasting in the temple before she met the baby Jesus. Learn what she teaches about the value of prayer and fasting today.
At some point, you may have been interested to see the process of making a sermon. If that’s the case, look here at Pastor Will Stern’s manuscript for last week’s sermon! For this week, we learned more about God’s steadfast love shown to impoverished women and the three different responses that many of us may also give!
Where is your identity rooted? In our text, Paul shows us three realities that shape our identity in Christ and three realities that shape our identity no longer.
If God saves us by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, then why did he give the law at all? Paul shows us that God gave the law to expose our sin and point us our need for Christ.
The Old Testament contains a lot of rules that Christians don't seem to follow anymore. How do we read and apply rules in the Bible? Do we simply pick and choose what we like? Is the Bible mainly about rules or promises?
In our sermon this past Sunday from Galatians 3:15-18, the Apostle Paul helps us make sense of these questions. He shows that God's "you must" (law) is always framed by God's gracious "I will" (promise) in Christ.
Our culture longs for unity, freedom, and diversity. Yet we don't know where to find them. In our text, we see how the Apostle Paul went up to Jerusalem to fight for unity, freedom, and diversity in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Was the message of Paul fake news or good news? In Galatians 1:11-2:10, Paul explains that we can trust his message because he didn't receive it from any man but directly from Jesus Christ.