Hope Church Mason: Recent Episodes
Hope Church
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Luke 9
What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? Not just in word, but in the daily, moment-by-moment decisions of our lives? His call is clear and unqualified: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow him. These three phrases form the heartbeat of discipleship, and together they challenge us to examine where we have been holding back, where our surrender has been more performance than reality.
Pastor Bill Craig
Mark 4
Jesus welcomes all who come to Him. But why do some reject the saving grace that is offered? Or why do we sometimes feel as though we are aren't growing in our relationship with Him? Is there something in us right now that is restricting that growth? We are called to examine what we truly love most, where we have quietly kept God at arm's length, and what it might look like to trust him even when He has not answered our prayers the way we hoped.
Pastor Jim Tinsley
Luke 5 & 6
What does it truly mean to be a disciple? Not just someone who knows the right answers or checks the right boxes, but someone genuinely shaped and formed by following Jesus. Discipleship is not primarily about accumulating information - it is formative. It drills down into the heart and soul and reshapes our character from the inside out.
Dr. Tim Kirk
Matthew 5:3-10
The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus' introduction to how His Kingdom turned everything upside down. Jesus himself was cursed and exiled so we could be blessed and welcomed home. This is wisdom that turns worldly values upside down, teaching us to prize what the world calls pitiable and suspect what the world calls desirable.
Pastor Tim Dommer
Mark 1-2
When King Jesus arrives, everything we thought mattered suddenly pales in comparison. Our achievements, titles, carefully laid plans - none of it defines us anymore. Instead, we're invited into a radical new way of living under His lordship. The question isn't whether we'll surrender to something, because we all serve something - our ambitions, our fears, our desires. The real question is: to whom will we surrender?
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Matthew 3-4
At last, Israel's long-awaited King had arrived. John the Baptist made it clear that THIS is the one they had been waiting for. And He's the saving King today. When we receive Jesus, we receive the Father's declaration of beloved over our own lives. This is grace that transforms everything, freeing us to live not from a place of earning approval but from the security of already being cherished children of God.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
John 5
The most important question you can ask yourself is "Who is Jesus?" Was he a lunatic? Was he just arrogant? Or was he honest? Jesus' declaration that he and the Father are one was the biggest plot twist in history. How can Jesus be fully God and fully human at the same time? It's an incredible truth that has changed everything.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Luke 1 & 2
The entire Old Testament points to the one Messiah, the King who would make the world right once again. That Messiah is King Jesus. When we yield our lives, our plans, and our dreams to King Jesus, we discover that His grace provides what our striving never could. The call is clear: will we live from the wholeness Christ offers, or will we exhaust ourselves trying to achieve it on our own terms?
Pastor Gary Wilkins
Ezra and Nehemiah
How do we live faithfully for God while navigating the complexities of government, law, and worldly systems? Ezra and Nehemiah remind us of the amazing truth that God is sovereign over all of history and empires, yet He also cares intimately about the details of our individual lives.
Pastor Gary Angstadt
Daniel 1-6
We never have to question God's faithfulness to us, no matter what circumstance we may face. Our faithfulness to Him, however, is what we need as a foundation to keep our eyes fixed on Him. The book of Daniel lays out three examples of Israel's faithful few who God used for His glory even through the exile.
Pastor Bill Craig
Isaiah 52 and 53
The coming Messiah promised by the prophet Isaiah would change everything. The rescuer would come to set Israel free from their captivity and bondage. But not in the way they expected. As a servant who would be struck down and killed for our sins.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Jeremiah and Ezekiel
When sin entered the world, our hearts were hardened into stone. Stubborn and rejecting God. But with the new covenant in King Jesus, He promises to turn our hearts into hearts of flesh, open to receiving His grace and love. And the best part is this new covenant can never be broken because it's not dependent on our faithfulness like the old, but on His unending faithfulness.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Deuteronomy, 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings
Home, away, and home again. Since creation, humanity has longed to be home. The Israelites felt this as they were sent off into exile. As Christians, we feel this today. We're called not to hide our faith but to be lights in the darkness, bringing tastes of home to those who don't even know home is possible. The invitation is clear: whether we're far from God for the first time or wandering back after drifting away, the door to home stands open through Jesus.
Pastor Jim Tinsley
1 Kings 18
One of the easiest things we can do as humans is limit our view of how big God truly is. Often times we try to place ourselves at His level, or even above Him. God's power was on full display through Elijah, but we can see His might every day if we open our eyes to see His work.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Isaiah 6 & Jeremiah 2
Isaiah’s vision of God in Isaiah 6 is the ultimate example of God’s call on our lives. He doesn’t force us into submission, but calls us into the Life He has set out for us. But He doesn’t call those who are equipped, but rather He equips those who are called.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
1 Kings 11 & 12
Every day we are tempted to find our identity and security in something other than the God who provides it perfectly. But when we turn our eyes to the provider, our heart wells up in worship out of gratitude for what He has done.
Pastor Tim Dommer
2 Samuel 11 & 12
David, a man after God's own heart, was by no means a perfect king. His actions put him up there with some of the worst sinners in the Bible. And yet, God is full of mercy and love, forgiving David and giving us an example of true repentance looks like.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 7 is a pivotal moment in the Story of the Bible. Through the prophet Nathan, the Lord lays out the line of King David, promising a King that will reign forever in his line. King Jesus is that fulfillment.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
1 Samuel 8
Israel demanded a human king, revealing their desire to be like other nations instead of trusting God as their true ruler. We must surrender every part of our lives to the one true King, choosing His authority over our own desires and the pressures of the world.
Pastor Jim Tinsley
The Book of Joshua
As Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it was easy for them to forget the work God had done through their redemption. We can find ourselves struggling with the same today. As we look back on what God has done, let us not forget His work and draw nearer to Him each and every day.
Pastor Gary Wilkins
The Book of Judges
In all our inadequacies and failures, God continues to work in the details. He is never thrown off or left wondering what to do next. We see that on full display throughout the book of Judges. His redemption plan and promises held strong.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Exodus 33
God's presence is such a vital piece of His relationship with us! He enjoys and desires to be with us. But have we filled our hours and days in ways that prevent us from spending time in His presence.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Exodus 32
In Exodus 32, we see how quickly the Israelites abandoned the one true God and added idols to their lives. However, the same can be true of us each and every day. The moment we look for "God plus ______", we start pushing God out of the center.
Pastor Bill Craig
Deuteronomy 5-6
The amazing gift of God's grace is often times seen in opposition of God's law in the Old Testament. But God's heart has always been one of love, mercy, and grace. Behind the law was God's desire for us to come to Him so that He can change our hearts towards Him.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Exodus 11-16
Freedom came for the Israelites through Moses and their freedom serves as a reminder for our freedom we receive through Christ. True freedom comes not in doing whatever we want, but realizing God's will for our lives and allowing Him to lead.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Exodus 3-6
Over and over again throughout the Bible, we see how God promises to be with us as He leads us into the unknown. When God called Moses to free His people, Moses' response was focused on his own capacity, not God's. But Moses soon found out how powerful God truly is.
Pastor Bill Craig
Genesis 37-49
Joseph's life was riddled with ups and down, trials and triumphs, imprisonment, and successes. But through each step in his life, he knew that God was with him and guiding his steps. It's hard to see beyond our circumstances and trust God's plan. But when we look back and see what God was doing through it all, we can see His unwavering faithfulness.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Genesis 12 & 22
Trusting God with a next step is one of the hardest things we are called to do. How can we know for sure? Can we question God's plan while still trusting His faithfulness? The promises God gave to Abraham seemed far fetched, but God's plan was worked out and the blessing to the whole world was set to come.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Genesis 2-3
What happens when we reject God's Word and trust our own instinct? Adam and Eve looked to themselves and took their eyes off of God and sin entered the world.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Genesis 1:26-31
There is something unique about humans versus all other creation. And that is, at the core, we are all made in God's image and have worth as a result.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Genesis 1
Something out of nothing. Order out of chaos. The God who is wise enough and powerful enough to create all things is worthy of our worship and our love because He is good.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
John 5:39-40
We are embarking on a year-long journey through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. But this journey is not about knowing the Bible more, it's about deepening our connection with God.
Pastor Gary Angstadt
Luke 2:22-38
The waiting game. We've all been there. Uncertain of what's to come. Uncertain just like Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. But despite the uncertainty, when we trust God with what is to come, we find confidence in knowing who He is and His unfolding plan.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7
Mary's world was flipped upside down when she was told the news that she would bear a Son. Questions flooded her mind, full of uncertainty. But she trusted God, believing that Jesus' entrance into this world would be the most pivotal moments in human history.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, was met head on with uncertainty as he heard the news of Mary's pregnancy. But what gave him anchor was his devotion to God and accepting God's plan for his life.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
We wrap up our Jars of Clay series in 2 Corinthians. Paul concludes his second letter with words of encouragement to hold each other accountable before the Lord and live in peace.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
How do we find strength in weakness? Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 12 that it's through weakness that Christ is glorified and made known through us.
Pastor Bill Craig
2 Corinthians 11
How can we stay faithful to God in the face of those who oppose us or our faith? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11 how to stand firm through suffering.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
When we stand in confidence on the foundation of King Jesus, we boast not in ourselves, but in Him and the work He is doing through us.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
What does it look like to be a "cheerful giver"? Regardless of circumstance, God will provide everything you need!
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 7:2-16
Pastor Stephen takes a look at 2 Corinthians 7, where the Apostle Paul rejoices for the godly grief the Corinthians were experiencing and their repentance that led to their salvation without regret.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1
How does the Gospel change our lives? In our suffering, in what we value, in how we deal with rejection, and in how God reaches the lives of others through you.
Pastor Jim Tinsley
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
Who are we in God? What is our purpose? In Christ, we are a new creation and have been reconciled back into the relationship with Him that we were made for.
Pastor Stephen Kirk
This week, Pastor Stephen steps out of our study in 2 Corinthians to discuss our current cultural climate. We should find refuge in our King Jesus and in Him alone as we face calamities and injustice.