New Hope Christian Church - Whitestown: Recent Episodes
New Hope Christian Church
In Genesis chapter 27, Jacob deceives his father to inherit a blessing intended for his brother. Jacob and his mother both justified this act as a shortcut on the right path, but what happens when we try to steer the direction of our life instead of trusting that God will do what He says He's going to do?
Sometimes we might find ourselves asking, "Where is God?" David preaches on Genesis 26:1-3 as Isaac and his family are experiencing a very difficult time, God promises that even through Isaac's troubles, He is with him.
As we continue our series with Genesis 25:19-34, we read about Jacob, Esau, and a bowl of stew that was traded for a birthright. As Christians, we too face the temptation to trade priceless pieces of our life for the bowl. We must choose faithfulness over the temptation.
Rob picks up where we left off in our Genesis series with chapter 24. In the story of Isaac and Rebekah, we see that our character is revealed in the consistency of our lives. What kind of person are you becoming, and is it one that is an active part of God's will for your life?
This week, we learn what the Bible says about Money. with a focus on 2 Chronicles 29:10-16, Rob preaches on how EVERYTHING we own belongs to God, so we should trust Him with it, as a part of our Spiritual Formation.
It's a common myth that only some of us are creative beings. Ephesians 2:10 directly contradicts this lie when it reminds us that "we are God's masterpiece." The purpose of the Christian life is to give God glory in all we do, and to help others come to know Jesus. We seek to be creative with your own gifts in your own context so that God will be praised.
C.S. Lewis says, "God's people need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed." And food is one of God's favorite ways to help his people remember. All throughout Scripture we see how food is received, how it points to the sustaining love of God, and how it draws people together. As you listen in to what God says about food in Scripture, consider who sits at your table and how the example of Jesus calls us to invite others to join us.
Casey Scott from Chapel Rock continues in our Summer series with what the Bible says about technology. In our world, technology advances us faster than we may realize, and the danger is allowing it to replace our responsibilities as image bearers of Christ. Technology can be a good thing, but we need to have discernment when we use it.
As we continue in our Summer series, Rob preaches on a handful of verses about manhood according to the Bible. There is a high calling of humility and discipline, but the Lord does not make us walk it alone.
We continue our study in Genesis and the life of Abraham with Genesis 17. It can be hard to face trials in our life without full understanding, but we need to trust God by giving Him control, and allowing ourselves to learn in the process.
This week, Rob preaches on Genesis 15:1-17. We are a people so easily distracted. The more we give in to distraction, the less we remember and reflect. We need to slow down, look up, and move forward in our relationship with the Lord.
As we continue our series in Genesis, Rob preaches on Genesis 13:5-13. Abram was rewarded for trusting the Lord and His plan, Lot chose to take control, and in the end, his land was destroyed. Following the Lord and trusting His plan can feel lonely and difficult, but we know the Lord is faithful and he honors those who trust in Him.
This Easter, as we reflect on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, doing what we could never do for ourselves, we celebrate that He is ALIVE! He wants nothing more than to have a personal relationship with you. Will you choose to follow Jesus? Or turn back to him after drifting away? He waits for you, with arms wide open.
Guest speaker and lead pastor of Plainfield Christian Church, Luke Proctor, continues our series in Genesis with chapter 12 verses 10-20. Abram was on a downward path, trying to write his own story and failing to see how God wanted to use his life. What does it look like to give over control of our life to God, choosing to tell HIS story rather than our own?
As we continue our series, Rob preaches on Genesis 6 and the faithfulness of God in the story of Noah. It may not be easy to always remain faithful, but even when we are faithless, God is faithful. The question is, will you continue to be faithful to your feelings? Or to God?
David preaches on Genesis 4:2-5 and the story of Cain and Abel giving their offering to God. How you offer a gift says a lot about your heart. What kind of posture are you taking when you offer what you have to the Lord?
We live in a broken world. As we continue our series in Genesis 3, Rob preaches on The Fall and the cause of it. The enemy is deceitful and insanely clever, preying on our pride and other vices. We have the choice to resist the enemy and trust in God more than our own pride. What will you choose?
As we read more of the Creation story in Genesis 2:21-25, Rob preaches on the example given to us from God, the originator of marriage and the importance of covenant and marriage through the creation of Adam and Eve.
As we continue through our series with Genesis 1:28-2:20, Rob digs deeper into what it means to be image bearers of God, cultivating and stewarding well what God has entrusted to us as His creation.
We take a break from Genesis because of severe winter weather. Rob shares a devotion rooted in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 4:9-12. As we sat snowed-into our homes, we were asked to consider - "what is God calling you to?" What does it mean for each of us to "live a quiet life?" In the same way Paul encouraged the Christians at Thessalonica, we are encouraged to remain faithful to the call of Christ.
Dr. Jody Owens from Johnson University joins us this Sunday as we read Genesis 1:26-27, and preaches on what it means to be made in the image of God. We were created to mirror the Creator, but there are other things that compete for what we worship. Do you choose the life of reflecting Him and His glory? Or the idols that parody that glory?
Rob concludes our discussion of Heaven with Revelation 21, diving into the misconceptions of what we think Heaven will look like. While we are excited and anticipating that future, we must also continue our work here on Earth so that we may all experience the gift of Heaven together.
Every decision we make is important. As Rob continues in Revelation 20:11-15, we know that one day we will stand before our creator, and everything we have done will be taken into account. Our choices here on earth matter. Are you choosing to live a life full of Christ?
David starts our Christmas Revelation Series with Revelation 20:1-3, and the hope we have in Jesus' return. We have hope that when he returns, the enemy will be defeated forevermore!
Rob pauses our series through Revelation to address a key finding in our Spiritual Health Survey. What does it mean to biblically, intentionally, consistently disciple your home? Each of us are called to discipline in this area - both on a personal level and in our sphere of influence. Rob uses Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to outline God's call for us to be diligent with our words and actions, and faithful in our lives and in our homes.
Join us for our annual Missions Sunday with guest speaker Mark Bourne as he preaches on 1 Corinthians 12:12-22. God made each and every one of us unique and diverse with various gifts and talents, and while we may be many parts, we are still one body in Christ.
This week, as we continue through Revelation, Rob preaches on chapters 12 and 13, reminding us that we have the choice every day to choose who we will serve. There is a war for your heart, who will you choose?
Rob preaches on Revelation 8:1-9:21, which reminds us just how seriously God takes sin. The good news is that He is also gracious and loving. When we choose to follow him, we can be confident in the grace and love that He has for us.
As we continue in our Revelation series, David preaches on Revelation 4:1-5:14. It can be difficult to understand why things in our lives happen the way they do, but we have to trust in God's plan and have peace in knowing He is putting the pieces together.
Rob preaches on Revelation 3:1-6 and the letter to the church in Sardis. It can be easy to be comfortable and go through the motions in our Christian lifestyles, forgetting that we have been called to spread the Gospel to those around us. When you reflect on your faith, do you need to wake up?
As we continue our study, Robs preaches on Revelation 2:18-29 and the words written to the church of Thyatira. Just like the people of Thyatira, what idols might be taking the spot of Jesus in your own life?
As we continue our series in Revelation, Rob preaches on Revelation 2:8-11 and the words written to the church in Smyrna. There are so many things fighting for our attention. Is your allegiance in Christ alone?
Rob kicks off our study through the Book of Revelation in Chapter 1. He lays the framework for the series, and outlines the purpose of the book - to give us a clear picture of Jesus, and for our hearts to be transformed.
Matt finishes our Summer Stories series with the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14. How often do we glance at God while we contemplate ourselves? What would it look like to truly humble ourselves before Him?
What does it look like to truly forgive? As Bryan focuses on the parable of The Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18:21-35, we remember the Lord's command to love God, because He first loved us. With that in mind, how do we forgive others, because we have also been forgiven?
Rob continues in our summer series through Jesus' parables and teaches through Luke 16:19-31. The passage tells the story of a rich young man and a beggar named Lazarus. We are met with the convicting truth that our identity in this life impacts our reality in the next.
"Who is my neighbor?" As Jason preaches on Luke 10:25-37, we are reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan and how we should show compassion to others because Jesus first showed compassion to us. Who in your life will you choose to be a better neighbor to?
As Rob preaches on Mark 4:1-20, the parable of the sower, we learn that this story is not just about the seed, but the soil as well. What kind of soil is your heart being cultivated in?
As David preaches on Matthew 13:44, we are reminded of Jesus' telling of the story about the hidden treasure. When we acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of our life, and choose to follow Him, we then can experience the treasure that is the Kingdom of Heaven.
As we continue in our series of Jesus and the parables, Rob preaches on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the prodigal son. Are you like the prodigal son? or are you like the Older brother? Do you hold a bowl of greed and shame? Or one of pride and judgment?
Matt preaches on Matthew 13:31-32, the parable of the mustard seed. There are so many things that can cause us to doubt, but even a mustard seed-sized faith can move mountains. What would it look like if we asked the Lord to help with our unbelief?
Join us as Rob kicks off our new Summer series on the parables of Jesus with Matthew 13:10-17. The purpose of the parables is to conceal the mystery of the Gospel AND to reveal them, but we have barriers that prevent us from hearing and understanding what God is teaching us. So the question is: "What is keeping you from being dependable on God?"
As we finish our series with James 5:13-20, we learn about the importance of prayer. Prayer is not just a means of asking God to do things for us. Prayer is relational, transformational, and restorative.
We are often tempted in our every day to say or promise things without knowing the full truth of fulfilling that commitment. As Rob preaches on James 5:12, we are charged with the challenge of being intentional with what we swear by and staying away from duplicity.
We have all experienced suffering. As Rob preaches on James 5:7-11, we read that while it is normal to acknowledge the pain we are experiencing, there is hope in the truth that God is in control.
Rob preaches on James 5:1-6 and the dangers of wealth. We should choose stewardship over convenience and generosity over greed.
Many of us have heard the phrase, "What would Jesus do?" but is it something we truly take into consideration when we make both the big and little decisions in our life? As Rob preaches on James 4:13-17, we are reminded that God is the one in control and that His ways are better than our ways.
Join us as David preaches on James 4:4-6, reminding us of the beauty of being made by God and for God. We are made to live in fellowship with Him.
This morning, Rob preaches on James 4:1-3. We learn that when we pursue the Lord and seek to truly know Him, we can show a watching world that He is good and that He is everything we need.
As we finish James chapter 3, Rob preaches on the importance of pursuing God and his wisdom. Ultimately, we have two choices: to seek and pray for His wisdom and peace - or to allow the world's wisdom to leave us feeling unfulfilled.
The words we say can kill, but they can also give life. As Rob preaches on James 3:3-12, we learn that the tongue is powerful, and the words we say can make a big impact.
Join us as guest speaker Don Keehner, co-founder of the Love Your Marriage Project, encourages us to chase after God, THE most important relationship in our lives. When we chase after God, we learn to love Him, our spouse, our friends, and others well.
In James 3:1-2, we read that those who teach the Word of God are held to a high standard. It is important that we give God the glory in these efforts and not seek after the glory for ourselves.
Matt continues in our series in James by preaching through chapter 2:14-26. What does it mean to have a faith that works? Listen in as Matt shares what it looks like to have a faith that comes from our heart, rather than just our head.
Bryan kicks us off this week with James 2:1-13, and the importance of not falling into the trap of favoritism. It can be easy to judge a book by its cover, but what would happen if we instead view everyone we see as other image-bearers of Christ?
This week, Rob preaches on James 1:22-27. This passage reminds us that our faith should spur us into action. As we face trials, we can reflect on the Word of God and step out in faith to live it out.
As we continue our series in James, Rob preaches on James 1:19-21 and discusses the struggle we face with anger. What would it look like if we were quicker to listen, slower to speak, and slower to become angry?
When we face trials that make life difficult, it can be easy to feel discouraged. As Rob preaches on James 1:12-18, we learn that we should be encouraged to push through the trials we face and seek to understand what we can learn from them.
We live in a world where the desire for "the good life" is heavy. As Rob preaches on James 1:9-11, we learn that we should strive to have the kind of good life that only God can give, for the world's idea of the good life will leave us empty.
Rob kicks off our new series in James 1:1-8 where we learn about having joy even during trials. It's not easy to have an initial reaction of joy when we face difficult times, but if we walk daily with the Lord and make our days count for Him, we can find joy in the process.
Join us as we ring in the New Year with guest speaker Ryan King. In Matthew 7:24-27 we read about the wise man who built his house on the rock. We should strive to continually build our life on the firm foundation of Jesus and His Word.
As we complete our Advent Series this Christmas Eve, Rob preaches on Genesis 2:9 and Revelation 22:1-2. We know that we feel longing for something, but until we choose to pursue the light, we will never be able to satisfy that longing we feel for it can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus.
As Matt preaches on 1 John 4:7-21, we focus on the advent word love, and how God's great love for us is one that we still at times can't fathom. Yet, through the wonderful gift of Jesus, we can experience unfailing love when we choose to have a relationship with Jesus.
As Rob continues in our Advent series, we focus on the word joy. The world offers many temporary things that may bring the feeling of joy, but a lasting joy comes from resting in Jesus' presence and longing for Him despite our circumstances.
Many of us confuse worldly peace and heavenly peace. As Rob preaches on Luke 2:1-19, we learn that the peace given by Jesus is so much different than what most understand it to be, which begs the question: "Are you chasing after the right kind of peace?"
As we kick off our new series of Advent, David preaches on Matthew 1, and the birth of Jesus. What a thrill of hope; to know that we have been given a savior who cares for us and provides.
When we face difficulties, it can be hard to see the good in them. As Rob finishes our series in the book of Titus, we learn that if we trust in God and lean into obedience, then He can bring honey out of the rock.
As Rob preaches on Titus 3:1-8, we learn that we should be intentional in walking with Christ so that a watching world may understand that God is good through our actions and choices. We can't overcome sin on our own, but with Christ, we can walk toward a transformed life.
Every year we set aside a specific Sunday to highlight our missionaries - both local and global - and to focus on what it means for us to live on mission every single day. Rob walks us through 2 Corinthians 5 and reminds us that God has ALWAYS been on mission to bring people to himself. We leave encouraged to do more to reach those around us for the Kingdom.
This Sunday, Rob preaches on Titus 2, which reminds us of the importance of unity across generations within the church family. Are you intentionally searching for those who are wiser to pour into your spiritual life? Are you guiding and instructing the next generation in biblical truth?
As we kick off our new series in Titus, Rob preaches on Titus 1, where we learn about the narrow road that we will walk as followers of Christ- that we shouldn't stray from that road when it gets difficult, but be so rooted in scripture so we can navigate it well.
We were not made to be alone - we are designed to be in relationship with one another. As Rob preaches on 2 Timothy 4:9-22, we are challenged to be known by others and to be intentional with who we surround ourselves with in our everyday lives.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be intentional with how we live and the words that we say. This Sunday, Bryan preaches on 2 Timothy 4:1-8 and encourages us to be wise with the time given to us, to share the good news of the Gospel, and to finish well.
Join us as we continue our Endure series. This week for our Outdoor Service, Matt preaches on 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and the importance of reading scripture as a daily discipline in our lives so that we may be equipped when we face persecution.
This week, Rob preaches through 2 Timothy 3:10-13 - We face immense pressure in our world to form to the culture around us. As Christians, we must fix our eyes on Jesus and His example - being transformed to His Image.
Listen in as Rob preaches through 2 Timothy 3:1-9 - a text where Paul warns Timothy about issues facing the church. Will we have the courage to stand apart in the midst of a culture that encourages us to join the crowd?
As Rob preaches on 2 Timothy 2:22-26, we read that we should pursue a life of humility, and flee from a life full of pride and selfish desire. A peace-filled life begins from a place of humility. Are we striving to be peacemakers with our words and actions?
This Sunday, Rob preaches on 2 Timothy 2:14-21 and living a life of integrity. We have the potential to let God work in and through our lives to paint a masterpiece, but we have to be cautious with the kind of influences we expose ourselves to. What kind of painting do you want your life to reflect?
As we continue our study of 2 Timothy, Rob preaches on the story of Paul and his suffering and how despite all of that, Paul continues to be obedient, resulting in a testimony for a watching world, and encouragement for fellow believers. How can we live a life in submission to Jesus?
In the midst of our very busy schedules, it can be easy to neglect feeding our spiritual life. As Rob preaches on John 15:1-5, we must remember that our primary job as followers of Jesus is to stay attached to the vine in order to produce fruit. We are incapable of doing it ourselves, so we must abide in Jesus and live a life that glorifies Him.
This week, Rob preaches on 2 Timothy 1:8-14 and the beautiful example laid out by Paul of living life boldly for Christ. Because of the Gospel, and because we believe it is true, we should live boldly and unashamed with the mindset of eternity rather than going through the motions here on Earth. If we know God, then we should be convicted to live boldly for Him.
As we continue in our Endure series, Rob preaches on Matthew 4:17 and 2 Timothy 1:2-7 breaking down the importance of living a life conformed to the ways of Jesus, and repenting by turning away from our sin and pursuing God wholeheartedly. But it's not just turning away from sin, it's living a life completely different than before. Stop. Repent. Reorient.
Join us as David starts us back on our Endure series, and preaches on putting our hope in Jesus, and the joy that is the gift of eternal life with Him.
As we study the final Commandment in Exodus 20:17, one of our interns from this Summer, Jacob Leininger breaks down what it means to covet and how we should be careful in recognizing coveting in our own life as it can be hurtful to our walk with Christ.
Jody Owens joins us from Johnson University to preach through the 9th commandment, and teach us what the Bible says when it discusses bearing a false testimony against a neighbor.
Bryan walks us through the 8th commandment - "You shall not steal." What does stealing look like in today's world? Do we find ourselves caught up in behaviors that ultimately involve theft of time and resources? As followers of Christ, let's focus on handling our personal and professional lives differently from the world.
This week Matt preaches on Exodus 20:14 and the commandment of adultery. In a world where sexual sin is wildly acceptable and accessible, how can we be more intentional about heeding scripture? Join us as we learn that sometimes you have to give up something good, to get something great.
As we continue our study of the Ten Commandments, guest pastor Lee Faust preaches on Exodus 20:13. It may be easy to say that we haven't murdered anyone, but this commandment means more than what is read at face value. Join us as we discuss how our words and hatred toward others can still be murderous to those that God values.
David preaches on Exodus 20:12 and breaks down the commandment of honoring you father and mother. It can be harder to keep this commandment as we age, and many of us have different upbringings. Listen in as we continue through our series "10 Words to Live By".
It can be difficult to find time in our very busy lives to intentionally rest physically, mentally, and spiritually. Join us as Bryan preaches on the commandment given by God to remember the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 and speaks about what our lives would look like if we incorporated God's intention of Sabbath into our lives today.
It can be easy to see the Ten Commandments as a list of rules that make our lives difficult, but what happens when we view them as wisdom from a loving God? Join us as Rob preaches from Exodus 20:3-5, and explains the first few Commandments and how we should use them as guidance for our lives.
The purpose of the Christian life is becoming fully devoted to Jesus - and how we interact with our spouse reflects our devotion to Jesus. Sometimes we start to worship the gift more than the Giver - even the gift of marriage. So what does it look like to become closer to Jesus in our marriages and to point our spouses to know Him more deeply as well?
Marriage is not easy, but thankfully we have the bible to help teach us how to navigate the struggles we may face. Join us as Rob preaches on Genesis 2:24 & Ephesians 5:31-32 and the importance of understanding the concept of covenant in the Bible, and how it can shape marriage.
When we follow Jesus, it changes and transforms how we live. As Matt preaches on 1 Timothy 6:11-16 and verses 20-21, he reminds us of the importance to guard what has been entrusted to our care, and to guard our hearts so that we can be an example of living a godly life, stewarding and multiplying the Kingdom through the Gospel.
If we constantly surround ourselves in the culture of the world, it can be easy to become "nose blind" to spiritual truth. As we dive into 1 Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19, Rob breaks down the warning given by Paul in his letter to Timothy to protect our hearts from the influence of the world.
Rob preaches on 1 Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19, and the danger of money and how it affects our hearts. Join us as we tackle the question: "Which kingdom have you pledged your full and complete allegiance to?"
Rob pauses our series through the book of 1 Timothy to preach on Romans 11:33-12:3. We are an easily distracted people - and anything can create a distraction from what's most important. As a church family, we may be meeting in a new room, but we have the same calling - we are disciples of Jesus focused on making disciples of Jesus.
Rob wraps up 1 Timothy 5 and brings us to the truth of discipleship. "Follow Me" is an invitation to apprentice your life under Jesus, and we see Paul and Timothy living this truth in the letter.In addition, as we prepare our hearts for the last Sunday in our current Worship Center, we turn our hearts towards gratitude and reflect on all that God has done in this space. Rob brings us into a heart of reflection and praise as we expectantly prepare for the season ahead!
Rob uses the account of the Resurrection in Luke this Easter Sunday. Because of the Resurrection, everything Jesus said about you was made true. You are loved. You are accepted.
Join Rob as he preaches through Jesus entering Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week. As you prepare for Easter, pay attention to the details of the story, and ask yourself - "what is keeping me from following Jesus more closely?"
David Wheeler joins us from the Legacy Coalition to share what the Bible says about leaving a legacy of faith. What does it look like to be intentional? How do we adjust our mindset and approach every single relationship with the goal of drawing them closer to Jesus?
Rob continues in our series “Endure” by preaching through 1 Timothy 4:11-16. He reminds us that our world doesn’t need more experts; we need more examples. Whose example are you following? And whose example are you offering to others?
Rob continues in our series in 1 Timothy by bringing us to the first part of chapter 4. In Paul’s letter, he warns Timothy that in later times people will abandon their faith or follow deceiving truths. What does it look like to train ourselves to be godly in the midst of a sinful world? Ultimately, we work on pursuing godliness from a place of gratitude.
Jim Dalrymple of Ozark Christian College joins us as we continue in our series through the book of 1 Timothy. Chapter 3:14-16 is the heartbeat of the entire letter - it speaks to how we must embody the message of the Gospel. Paul wants the church to be as healthy as possible so that it might be as effective as possible.
Rob continues in our series through the book of 1 Timothy with Paul's instructions regarding those who serve as deacons. If you are going to follow Christ, then things in your life should look different. Ultimately, the call to serve others and the church should be pressing in on every person.
Rob continues our series in 1 Timothy by focusing on what it means to lead in God's Kingdom - and in His church. Chapter 3:1-7 focus specifically on the role of an Elder in the church - the characteristics in this passage describe the fruit of an intentional and intimate connection to Jesus. Ultimately, this kind of leadership is sacrificial and countercultural - the identity of the individual is completely rooted in the character of - and relationship with - Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:8-15 speaks to how men and women should relate to one another in the household of God - in the church. Rob explains that leaning into God's design laid out in Scripture allows for men and women to flourish in their specific roles.
Do we truly value prayer like Jesus did? What does it look like to commune with God in prayer? What does it mean to pray for those who oppose us? Join us as Bryan takes us through the first few verses of 1 Timothy chapter 2 where we read Paul's words to Timothy, to pray for all people.
Rob continues in our series in 1 Timothy by preaching through chapter 1:3-20. Satan tempted Jesus in the desert with this phrase - "Did God really say...?" We see from the very beginning of Jesus' ministry - He came to correct what the enemy confused. What does it look like to pursue sound doctrine in the midst of a world that promotes something very different?
David kicks off our series through 1 & 2 Timothy by preaching through 1 Timothy 1:1-2. As Paul begins his letter to Timothy, we get a glimpse into God's design for the church - and what it means to be a part of the church family.
Join us for Christmas Eve as Rob concludes our series - The Family Tree. We study the character and the story of Mary - and the story of Jesus' Birth through her eyes. Her steady, strong, courageous faithfulness ushered in the greatest Gift the world would ever be given.
David continues through our Christmas series - The Family Tree - by walking us through the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. Through the story of Rahab, God is giving us a whole new way of looking all life - the Bible calls it Grace. We see the result of the Family Tree in Matthew through the genealogy of Jesus. This story teaches us an incredible Truth - if God can help someone like Rahab then He can help you too.
Rob continues in our Christmas Series - The Family Tree - by bringing us to the story of Ruth. Ruth's whole life was marked by wanting to do the next right thing - and her faithfulness is demonstrated through the preservation of the genealogy of Jesus. Oftentimes, we have this desire to do something big for the Lord - and we miss the opportunity to be present for what God is doing today.
Join us as we begin our Christmas Series - The Family Tree. Rob brings us to the story of Tamar and Judah in Genesis 38 - and demonstrates how God preserved the line of the Messiah in the most unexpected - and sometimes messy - way. As you consider the line of Jesus and your own family history this Christmas season, ask yourself "Who is God going to use to bring redemption to your family tree?"
Join Matt as he wraps up our year-long study through the Gospel of John in John 21. After Jesus' Resurrection, he appears to his disciples as they are fishing in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus spends the final recorded moments with his closest friends on Earth by telling them to "Feed My Sheep." When faced with the same question as Peter - "Do you love Me?" - what will you say?
Rob preaches through John 20:24-31 and brings to us the story of Thomas meeting Jesus after the resurrection. When you become a Christian, Jesus redirects and redefines every aspect of your life. Believing in the Resurrection of Christ must change the way you live.
David Linn joins us on Missions Sunday to remind us of our call to make disciples. He preaches through Acts 8 and the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. We are reminded of so many important truths when it comes to discipleship - and we are challenged by the reminder that half of all ministry is just being available to be used by the Lord. Would you be the person that God uses in your everyday life?
Rob preaches through John 18 as we get close to the end of our series in the Gospel of John. In this chapter, we get to witness Jesus' calm and steady prayer and action as he is betrayed, arrested and tried by Pilate. Jesus' obedience and journey to the cross gives us the ability to trust Him fully, and we are reminded that in our moments of weakness we borrow His strength.
Join Rob as he preaches through Jesus' prayer in John 17. In this chapter, Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, for all of us, and for unity in the church. What would your prayer life teach people about you?
David continues in our series in the Gospel of John and preaches on John 16:8-11. Who is the Holy Spirit? Listen in as David shares this important truth: that every single day the Holy Spirit is trying to convince us of this truth - that Jesus can save us when no one else can.
Rob continues in our series in John and preaches through chapter 15:18-27. As believers, we are called to prioritize our citizenship in Heaven. Does pursuing things of this earth distract you from longing for Heaven?
Matt continues walking us through Jesus' final night with his disciples, and preaches through John 14:15-31. Jesus shares the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, and lays out the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
John 8:48-59: Rob preaches through the end of John Chapter 8, which outlines his continued conversation with the Jewish people. What does it mean to have godly character? How do we live every day with humility and work to give God glory in the hard moments too? How do we walk in integrity and humility every single day?
Rob continues in our series in the Gospel of John by preaching through John 8:1-11. In this passage, we see Jesus address a certain group of pharisees and then a woman caught in adultery. Through Jesus' actions and words, we are reminded of this powerful truth: victory has already been declared!
How do you really know God? Rob preaches through John 7:37-52 and reminds us that Jesus wants to give you life right here and now - and he gives the Spirit and the people around you to help you know the heart of God.
We jump back into our study of the Gospel of John and focus our attention in John 7:1-24. Rob examines the five different ways the crowd responded to the question - "Who is Jesus?" Followers of Jesus today still must answer this question on a daily basis - and our answer impacts our eternity as well.
Ben closes out our Summer in the Psalms series in Psalm 13 - a Psalm of Lament. Through this passage, David demonstrates the way to struggle in a healthy way - to lament, to petition and then to praise.
As we continue in our Summer in the Psalms, David Bourne preaches through Psalm chapter 3. In the middle of a crisis - in the middle of one of the worst moments of his life - King David makes a declaration of faith by acknowledging God's sustaining grace and protection. We are reminded through this moment in David's life that we do not have to walk through our trials alone - that our God is always watching out for us. He will sustain us.
Don Keehner continues in our series in the Psalms and preaches through the first 5 verses of Psalms 103. Through this powerful passage, we praise God for the way he forgives, heals, redeems and crowns. It's all too easy for us to forget all the good things that God has done for us. We must continually recognize our need for a Savior - and praise God for rescuing us from our sin.
Join Lee Faust as he preaches on Psalm 139 in our Summer in the Psalms series. We walk through Psalm 139 and study the way the psalmist beautifully points to who God is, what He is like, and what He thinks about us.
Join us as we continue in our Summer in the Psalms series and study Psalm 19. Matt walks us through the 14 verses of chapter 19. This chapter begins by describing the majesty of God through Creation, and ends with a prayer to examine the heart. This message convicts us with the following truth: we are created to live in the Presence of God, and the more we know Him, the easier it is to see the difference between righteousness and sin.
Psalm 51 captures King David's prayers of repentance after the prophet Nathan visited him about his sin with Bathsheba. As Rob examines this psalm with us, we are convicted with the truth that sin is an identity issue - it is trying to replace God with something else. As Christians, how do we deal with our sin? What does it look like to confess, to pray for restoration, and ultimately, to walk in the newness of life?
Join us on Father's Day as Rob preaches through Psalm 127. This passage reminds us that the point of an arrow is to be aimed at something - and we are responsible for how we aim the children, our family and our community for His mission, not ours. Ultimately, we are faced with the question - what is it that you are working for?
Every day we are faced with the decision to choose the path of wisdom or the path of foolishness. The only way to continue to make this daily choice is to orient our lives around God's Word. Is the primary focus of your life to seek God's Heart?
Dr. Jody Owens from Johnson University visits New Hope to kick off our Summer in the Psalms series. Dr. Owens shares that the theme of the book of Psalms is "Blessed" - how to live a blessed life. He dives into the first chapter of Psalms to help explain what it means to walk in righteousness despite the way of the many. Do you really believe that God's teaching and instruction is the path to the blessed life?
Join us as Rob preaches through the second half of John chapter 5, and as we are reminded that the point of Scripture is Jesus. Do you read the Bible to know God or to know about Him? Is Jesus what makes your life make sense?
Rob continues in our series through the Gospel of John and walks us through John 4:43-54. First, we take a look at the context of chapter 4 - recognizing that the entire chapter focuses on the theme of Jesus as Living Water. The story of the official's son causes us to ask a couple important questions - Am I trusting in God or in what God can do for me? Do I take Jesus at His word? Or do I trust Him only when I want to?
How do we get to a place where our egos are so healthy that we don't even notice them? Rob preaches through John 3:22-36, where we see John the Baptist display what it looks like to put all the attention on Jesus. Listen in as we focus on what it looks like to exhibit Gospel humility.
Join us as we dive back into our chronological study of the Gospel of John. Steve White is our guest preacher and shares the story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-15. What does it mean to be born again? How does this Truth change the way we live on a daily basis?
Join us on this beautiful Easter Sunday as Rob walks us through John 11:1-44. Jesus returns to Bethany four days after the death of Lazarus and brings us our final I AM statement in this series: I Am the Resurrection and the Life. On this Easter morning, we are reminded that death is the great enemy - and there is only one person who has defeated the great enemy. As believers, when we walk through pain and suffering, we know that He still wins!
This week is Palm Sunday, and we start Holy Week by looking at John 14:1-14 and Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life. This passage documents Jesus' final night with his disciples, which causes us to lean in even closer for this powerful message. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we remember that there is no other way to get to God except through Jesus - and intimacy with the Father is through the cross.
Join us as Bryan continues in our I AM Series and walks us through Jesus' statement - "I am the True Vine." John 15:1-17 captures the key words that Jesus shared with his disciples on the night he was betrayed. We lean in - along with the disciples - to hear these important words of Jesus, and we are challenged to remain in Him.
Matt continues in our series studying the 7 "I Am" statements of Jesus that are recorded in the Gospel of John, by preaching through John 8:12-20. This passage focuses on Jesus as the Light of the World. Sin is the darkness - that which separates us from God. Listen in as Matt shares the Truth that Jesus removes the darkness of sin in our lives, and as he challenges us with the importance of Godly community.
Rob continues in our I AM series and takes us through John 10:11-21. The sheep know the shepherd so intimately - they recognize his voice apart from any other. As we seek to know the Shepherd, will we allow our mind and soul to be controlled by regret and pain or will we trust the Good Shepherd to restore our souls?
Rob continues through our I AM series within the Book of John. The voices we listen to have an incredible impact on who we become. Sheep are mentioned over 300 times in the Bible, and we are often compared to these sheep - it's easy just to blindly follow what is in front of us. John 1:1-10 teaches us that we know the Shepherd's Voice. What do you need to do to reconnect to the Shepherd?
Rob kicks off our 7-week mini series within our study of the book of John titled "I Am: Jesus in His Own Words." The 7 "I Am" statements in John answer the question of why people should come to know Jesus. Every statement we will study in this series is accompanied by an event or miracle, and an explanation in Scripture of how Jesus is the better version of that miracle. As we study John 6:22-71, we examine Jesus' statement - "I am the Bread of Life," and we are reminded that we will keep being hungry if we continue going to the world to be satisfied.
Join us as Rob preaches through John 2:13-25 - the story of Jesus visiting the temple. Through this passage we gain a better understanding of the authority of Jesus. Jesus experienced anger in a way that was completely void of sin. Listen in as Rob describes what the righteous anger of Jesus looks like, and what it meant for him to become the true and better temple.
Rob introduces the first miracle of Jesus' ministry on earth in John 2:1-12. John's purpose in sharing these miracles is to point to the validity of who Jesus is. The wedding miracle in particular points to the fact that Jesus satisfies in the midst of uncertainty.
Join us as we continue in our series in the Gospel of John and Rob preaches through John 1:35-42. The invitation of Jesus is to come on an adventure that will change who we are. As disciples of Jesus, we then invite others to come and see, to follow me and to stay and remain.
Rob preaches through John 1:29-34 - the account of Jesus being baptized by John. We study John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus and how Christ became the ultimate scapegoat. The baptism of Jesus affirmed all that had been said about who he was and why he was coming. Listen as we study the moment that would set the stage for Jesus' ministry on Earth.
Rob continues our study in John chapter 1 by bringing us to the portion of John 1 that we call "The Doctrine of the Incarnation" - "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." Jesus is the ultimate expression of the revelation of God. Jesus fixed what the law was powerless to fix - so how does this change the way we walk in this world?
Continuing in our study in the Gospel of John, Rob brings us to the introduction of John the Baptist. John's ultimate purpose was to shine a light on Jesus - to make the path straight for the King to come. We look at what it means to live a life focused on others, and what it looks like to testify to the light.
Rob dives into John 1:1-5 as we work through the beginning of our series in the Gospel of John. The original audience of John's Gospel was perhaps one of the very first groups to follow Jesus without ever having met Him on earth. Listen in as Rob lays out what it meant for those early Christians - and what it means for us today - to answer the question - "Who is Jesus?"
David begins our year-long series in the Gospel of John with this sermon on John 20:30-31. This short passage gives us a look into John's purpose for writing this Gospel - "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you would have life in His name."
Rob finishes our Christmas series - Waiting for a Savior by focusing on what it means to Wait with Love. Listen in as we celebrate Christmas Eve, and join us as we study Genesis 22:1-12. We take a look at what it means to truly be loved by God and to love people because of that truth.
Bryan brings us to the week of Joy in our Advent series: Waiting for a Savior. We all experience waiting at different points in our life, but as Christians we know that Jesus came so we would have abundant life. Listen in as Bryan uses the text of Hebrews 12 to teach us what it means to have joy in the waiting.
Rob continues our Christmas series - Waiting for a Savior - by studying what it means to wait with peace. Peace means taking something broken and restoring it to wholeness - longing for that deep peace in the already, but not yet. Peace comes from the intermingling of our lives with the Lord, so what does it look like to seek peace and pursue it?
Join Rob as he continues our Christmas series - Waiting on a Savior - by focusing on what it means to wait with hope. Dive into 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Titus 2:11-14 with us as we study how hope changes the way we live, and hope changes the way we wait.
As we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the dichotomy of living in the already - but not yet. What does it mean to wait on God in the midst of suffering, difficulty and frustration? Matt walks us through Matthew 5:25-43 and points to three separate characters who were seen waiting on Jesus. Ultimately, we are reminded through this message that in the midst of what seems to be a lack of movement, we are not waiting on God, but we are waiting WITH God. Join us as we begin our Christmas series, and as we learn what it means to have hope, peace, joy and love in the waiting.
Listen to visiting preacher - LD Campbell - as he delivers a powerful message for Mission Sunday. The church is called to be a community of faith, a community of comfort and a community of hope. The Gospel is about embracing those who are broken, and we are created to be a community where people are loved, comforted and provided with hope. This is our mission as the Church.
Rob wraps up our year-long study in the book of Ephesians by walking us through Ephesians 6:19-24. As Paul finishes his letter to the Ephesians, he writes from a place of suffering. Paul always saw his suffering as an opportunity to live out the Gospel. Is God currently entrusting to you a season of suffering? In the midst of the difficulty of this life, may we suffer well and encourage one another to the glory of God.
Rob takes a closer look at Ephesians 6:18 and reminds us that as we put on the armor we should be communing with God at the same time. We have all been invited into God's presence, and we do that through the practice of prayer. The Father loves spending time with us and would go to great extent to convince us of that truth. Listen as we study one of Paul's final charges to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Rob walks us through the Armor of God and what it looks like to prepare for battle. Every single piece of armor has a purpose, but it is meant to be worn as a whole. This passage is about applying the benefits of the Gospel to our lives every single day. And we weren't meant to do it alone - we were designed to stand together as a community of believers.
Ephesians 6:10-12 - Rob reminds us that we have a very real enemy who is fighting to steal, kill and destroy. Satan's #1 objective is deception and his goal is destruction. So what does it look like to prepare ourselves for the battle? Listen as Rob walks us through the beginning of a familiar passage - "Be strong in the Lord..."
Ephesians 6:5-9 - Have you ever wondered how Jesus might go about the everyday tasks we face on a regular basis? In today's sermon we are reminded of the example of Jesus, and the way in which he served the people around him. Ultimately, everything we do is for Christ, so that should dramatically impact the way we approach and pursue our daily work.
Ephesians 6:1-4 - Rob wraps up our 3-part series "Bring it Home" by addressing Paul's message on parenting. God's design is for parents and children to have healthy relationships, and we can see that through the way Paul addresses them in his letter. What does it look like to honor our parents in a godly manner? And as parents, how do we stay focused on our #1 objective of raising our kids to know Jesus and make much of Him?
Ephesians 5:21-32 - Rob continues in the final portion of our Ephesians study by diving into Week 2 of "Bring it Home." He starts by pointing to the Creation story as a reminder of God's design for man and woman, and the need they have for each other to fulfill their role and ultimately to point back to Jesus. We are reminded that the more we understand Jesus, the greater impact it can have in our marriage relationship.
The final verses of Ephesians 5 speak directly to relationships and how this message to the Church impacts our marriages and families. As we begin to end our study of Ephesians, we bring home the message of the entire book and study what this means in our own homes. This week, Rob reminds us that what we bring to our relationships should come from an overflow of the transformation that’s taken place in our own heart.
David walks us through Ephesians 5:15-20 and dives into the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means we are being made to look more and more like Jesus. But how do we open ourselves up to the work of the Holy Spirit? And how do we walk in wisdom and determine what is wise for us to do in each moment? Learn what this looks like for each of us as we pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus
Ephesians 5:8-5:12 Anytime the Bible uses the word "holy" its talking about something new- a change that has occurred. Knowing Jesus changes who we are, and as we follow God's Truth we point people closer to Him as well. Listen as David walks us through this portion of chapter 5 in our continued series on Ephesians.
Rob brings us to Ephesians 4:20-5:7 in our series in Ephesians, and preaches on pursuing holiness. God's people should look different than the rest of the world, and so Paul's message to the Ephesians was to lead a life that looks more like Jesus every day. There are some specific takeaways in this passage and practical reminders on what it means to live like Jesus. At the same time, we are reminded that becoming holy is not about changing our behavior, but about transforming our hearts.
Rob dives into Ephesians 4:17-19 and discusses what it means to be separated from God by the sin in this world. When we become Christians, we are removed from the penalty of death, but sin is still around us. If we aren't careful, we can get de-sensitized from the culture around us and sin will creep into our hearts. Ultimately, we are challenged by the question- "What is deep in my heart that I've not allowed the Gospel to fix?"
Rob dives back into our verse-by-verse study of Ephesians and brings us to a discussion on Grace and Truth. In Ephesians 4:14-16, Paul is reminding the church about what it means to speak the Truth in love. Rob uses the visual of a flashlight in this conversation- a flashlight is meant to guide and direct someone towards something. However, if used incorrectly, it can be distracting and even blinding. We must use the flashlight correctly for it to be effective. Jesus was the perfect example of this, and was the embodiment of both Grace and Truth at all times. As we seek to be more like Him, we must strive to speak the Truth in love, and so point others in the direction of Christ.
Today we are looking at Ephesians 4:7-14, and studying the gifts given to believers. Rob reminds us that very spiritual gift in the Bible is for the purpose of building up the church, not for the purpose of building us as individuals. And so, our understanding of our spiritual gifts must come from the Word of God. What does our role look like when it comes to using these gifts for the ministry of the Gospel? Rob walks us through this passage, and encourages us to determine what it would look like to be able to be able to say to those around us- "follow me as I follow Christ."
Ephesians 4:1-6 - This week we dive back into our verse by verse study of the book of Ephesians. As we pick back up in chapter 4, we take a look at what it truly means to be a Christian. As we read through Ephesians 4:1-6, we see that the life we are called to live cannot be done alone- as believers we are called to be united in Christ. Rob leaves us with a question for the week- “what are we doing to consistently stir our affections for Jesus?”
We live in a culture that has a big desire for impact. Oftentimes, the affection of our hearts to be recognized is competing with the call to love God and love people. There is temptation to turn any leadership position into a place of notoriety, which places the focus on ourselves rather than Jesus. So ultimately, what does it look like for us to lead in humility? Come alongside Rob as he walks us through this final value in our series.
Matt preaches on the value of transparency and leads us through portions of 2 Corinthians and Ephesians to describe the importance of being transparent with those in the body of believers. Oftentimes, we hide our insecurities out of fear of rejection. However, it’s just as important to be honest about our weaknesses as it is about our strengths. When we operate out of transparency with our brothers and sisters in Christ we are able to more fully accomplish our mission of disciples making disciples.
David preaches on the value of Family Culture, and uses members of the early Church as an example of what this looks like for us today. In Romans 16, Paul discusses the early Christians and each individual’s role in the family of believers. We are reminded that when Jesus called us to believe, He never intended for us to serve alone. God brings us together as a church and we are truly a family.
Ben continues our Summer Values Series by focusing on the value of Missions. Over the past 50 years, Missions has remained a core focus for New Hope. As we evaluate what this means for our personal lives, we must recognize that accomplishing the Great Commission of Matthew 28 is only possible when partnering with God and other people. Ben reminds us of why we value Missions and provides us with practical steps to take when considering how to make Missions a part of our personal lives.
During the second week of our Values series, Rob focuses our attention on the value of Biblical Authority. God has called us to center our lives on the understanding of his Word. Rob describes the focus of New Hope to preach, teach and proclaim the Bible. Through this declaration, we are reminded of the importance of being in Scripture as there is no substitute in our lives for being in the Word of God.
Rob kicks off the second summer series focusing on the values of New Hope. In laying the foundation for the series, Rob explains that a value is something that defines us- and each value that will be discussed is completely centered on Jesus. As a church, our mission is to make disciples of Jesus and to make much of him. Losing sight of that compromises our ability to provide a picture of Jesus to a watching world. In summary, our mission is an active calling: Go and make disciples.
Matt Thompson continues in our series on Anger and and the Human Heart, and dives into a Biblical conversation regarding anger towards God. Our limited understanding oftentimes clouds our ability to see God at work in the midst of pain and suffering. Matt points to the book of Habakkuk and the book of James as the foundation for this sermon, and challenges us to recognize trials and suffering as opportunities for God to work.
Continuing in our series on Anger and the Human Heart, David dives into the subject of the wrath of God. We serve a God who cares about us and cares about what happens in the world. And in learning more about who God is, we must recognize that God's anger is not like ours and that is a very good thing. David points to Romans 12:19 as the foundation for understanding God's intent to deal with injustice- and he clarifies that God will always deal with it the right way, while we as humans oftentimes have a very limited view.
"Blessed are the Peacemakers" is a key part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. Today we can recognize that as peacemakers our lives can be a picture to the world of what it looks like to line up with God. Jesus doesn't offer to solve all our problems, but his peace brings true healing both now and in eternity.
Continuing our series on Anger and the Human Heart, Rob leads us through a conversation of what it looks like to be angry. He begins in Jonah 4 with the example of the Prophet Jonah- God poses this specific question- "Is is Right for you to be Angry?" He then moves to the Gospel of John and we examine the example of Jesus when it comes to being angry.
We take a break from our in-depth study of Ephesians, and Rob introduces the 6-week sermon series dealing with Anger and the Human Heart. We examine the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis, and reflect on God's question to Cain that is also extended to each of us: "Why are you so angry?" Finally, Rob finishes laying the framework for our study by diving into James 1:19-20, which provides practical insight for dealing with anger in our own hearts.