Alliance Church - Hortonville: Recent Episodes
Alliance Church - Hortonville
Alliance Church - Hortonville is a Bible-based church located in Hortonville, WI. Our heart is to connect people to God and the life-changing truth: He loves you. Just as you are.
Our primary teaching pastor is Rev. Brandon Hilstad. Messages are posted weekly and available to watch on YouTube at: bit.ly/youtubehac
No one would self-diagnose as greedy, but symptoms of money-sickness can quietly infect every aspect of our life. Rich and poor alike, no one is immune to the allure of wealth and a me-first approach to finances. In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus warns his followers of the dangers of this and encourages us all to be “rich toward God.”
Tune in to hear an inspiring message of hope from international speaker and author, Bob Lenz.
"If I could see ____________ , then I'd believe." How do you fill in that blank? A big question John 20 forces us to ask is, am I willing to trust God, even if I don't see?
Ever wondered why we send missionaries to hard places? This sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:1—7 addresses common objections to global missions and urges us not to give up on carrying the treasure of the gospel message of Jesus to people who don’t have it.
If you’re grappling with hardship, the cross carries a compelling message for you. In Hebrews 9:23—28, the author points to the cross as a powerful reminder: when you find yourself going through insert specific hardship here,remember this – it’s not your hardship that will win in the end; God will have the final word.
The hardships of this life lead many to conclude that God is against them. Yet, in Romans 8:31—39, Paul points to the cross as a powerful reminder that no matter what you go through, if you belong to Christ, God is unwaveringly for you.
You might know that God’s Spirit is a present help to people who love Jesus, but what about people who don’t? John 16.4-11 teaches that the Helper has a crucial ministry to those who don’t love Christ—even those who hate Him! Interestingly, this teaching serves to uplift his disheartened disciples.
Imagine being able to see Jesus in everyday moments like eating dinner or riding shotgun on your commute. It'd be a game-changer, wouldn't it? We can't see him physically, but Jesus promises in John 14:21-26 to manifest himself to anyone who loves him and keeps his word. What does he mean by that? Check out this sermon to find out.
People who love Jesus have a desire to live for Him, but we can't do it alone. We need help. In John 14:15-20, Jesus has good news for us... He promises to give us a Helper.
An important question for parents and adult children alike is, what does it mean to honor your mother and father as an adult? This is a nuanced and complex conversation—a list of “does and don’ts” isn’t helpful. This message aims to give a helpful framework for navigating the relationship between parents and adult children.
An important question for parents and adult children alike is, what does it mean to honor your mother and father as an adult? This is a nuanced and complex conversation—a list of “does and don’ts” isn’t helpful. This message aims to give a helpful framework for navigating the relationship between parents and adult children.
What comes to mind when you think of someone who is blessed? We often think of blessing in terms of financial security, good health, and happy relationships—which are all good things! But are they the best things? In this passage Jesus completely redefines what it means to live a life that is truly blessed.
The message of Jesus is a call to love people even if it seems impossible. This is a lot easier said than done! In fact, we can’t even do it on our own—we need God’s help. In this passage, Jesus gives us steps to take to receive that help.
Talking to a large crowd, Jesus explained that there were some among them who couldn’t even imagine what God was going to do with their life. Sadly, others, for several reasons, wouldn’t see the fruit of God’s work through their life whatsoever. What’s the difference maker? And how can we be in that first group? Jesus tells this parable to answer those exact questions.
Do you ever stop to wonder, or even lament, why is it that our world is so broken? One of the most famous chapters in the Bible, Genesis 3, addresses that exact question. And here’s the beauty of this chapter, it doesn’t just explain why our world is falling apart; it gives us hope by pointing to the One who promises to put it back together.
We all know that men and women are different in countless ways, but how much of that actually comes from the way God created us? And, what’s that got to do with our lives today? This message looks at the creation of men and women and hopes to provide clarity on the implications of our sacred difference.
Do you ever feel unsure of your purpose and place in this world? You’re not alone, we all have a deep need for our identity—our sense of self and sense of worth —to be defined and affirmed. If Genesis 1 is true, no one is qualified to define and affirm who we are and why that matters; except the One who created us.
Do you ever wonder why on earth Christians get baptized? Doesn’t the practice itself seem a bit odd? More than that, with so many beliefs about baptism, doesn’t it also seem a bit confusing? If you’re nodding along right now, you’ll probably find this sermon super helpful.
Be it false teaching, financial impropriety, scandals, or even abuse – so many churches fall well short of God’s vision for what a church is supposed to be. You might be left wondering is involvement with a church even worth it? If that’s you, this message may be an encouragement to you.
Has your faith, or the faith of someone you know, been negatively impacted by the sins of a pastor? Sadly, you’re not alone — countless people cite this as the reason they hold a jaded view of Christianity. In Luke 12, as Jesus deals bluntly with the common denominator shared by all fallen pastors, he’s also got a very important message for us all.
After examining Jesus, Pilate stood at a fork in the road. Down one path he could do what his conscience knew was right, but it would cost him everything. On the other, he could keep his cherished lifestyle by succumbing to the demands of a crowd who wanted to get rid of Jesus, but he would have to betray his conscience. In a way, we all stand in a similar spot. Which will you choose?
What is the posture of your heart toward a Christ-rejecting culture? In this passage, a group of people reject Christ, and his followers become indignant. Jesus’ response to this indignation teaches us an invaluable lesson.
Can God use someone that spends most of their life chasing their sinful passions? Pastor Brian Dainsberg unpacks Samson's life and decisions, including his pursuit of whatever made him happy and his final choice to spend his life to benefit others.
Pastor Dennis shares his list of the top ten things that dads need to teach their sons and daughters about living a life that honors God.
Rehoboam took over the kingdom from his dad, Solomon. The first decision he had to make as king was important: lighten up on the people's workload or continue to press them hard. After consulting with his father's advisors and his own friends, Rehoboam took the bad advice of his friends and plunged the nation into civil war.
As a society, we're drained. We're always available, constantly connected, and unable to rest... and we can't shut it off. In the fourth commandment, God provides a glorious alternative to an always-on culture.
Jesus promised his followers they would receive extraordinary power from God’s Spirit. This sounds great, but honestly, most of our days and weeks seem pretty ordinary, don’t they? There is an ordinary side to the extraordinary Christian life, and exploring this passage helps us navigate that tension.
To continue his work on earth, Jesus sends his people: scars and all. Wherever you find yourself, if you are a follower of Christ, you are sent there by Jesus to play a Spirit-empowered role in his work of forgiveness.
Peter failed. Jesus restored. We fail. Christ comes to us in our departure and restores us to himself and his service.
Many think the Bible is full of 'fish stories,' but the account of this fishing trip begs to differ. John was there. He was in the boat. He saw it all happen. He even helped count the fish!
God calls us to live gospel-centered lives in gospel-centered communities. In this passage, Paul helps us answer questions like - What's on the line if we don't? What details of the gospel are most important? Why should we trust the gospel?
Mary's world was upside down. She couldn't see past the pain of losing Jesus. But everything changed when he called her by name.
Jesus' ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday answers the question, "Who is he?" through the responses of three groups: the crowds along the roadside, the. disciples, and the Pharisees.
John grew up in West Africa and has served there for over three decades. In this interview, Pastor Brandon asks him to share about life, ministry, and the ways God is moving in Burkina Faso. Despite unthinkable hardship, God is at work in powerful ways!
Relational fullness is measured in how much the RIGHT people really know about the REAL you RIGHT now.
According to Jesus, we can get to heaven only by following him. The guy in this passage walked away from Jesus; he had a deal-breaker. Do you have a deal breaker?
Everyone who follows Jesus will be tempted to give up, but Jesus doesn't want us to lose heart. To find the help we need from God in any circumstance, Jesus instructs us to pray.
Have you ever thought about the way a good feast points to heaven? The food, the fellowship, a room full of people - especially people who can't return the favor. Jesus says that's an image of heaven. Don't miss the feast, and don't come alone.
Here's a discouraging equation: a limited time on earth + a tendency to lose sight of what matters most = a good chance we waste our lives. But God has placed us here for a purpose. Are you focused on the stuff that really matters?
Pastor Mark uses four examples of different kinds of faith to answer the question, "How much faith is enough?"
Do you influence people toward rules for God or a relationship with God? Nicodemus was all about the rules and influencing others to follow them, but Jesus pointed him in a different direction.
We all have the capacity to affect people, and that includes their relationship with God. This is a big deal! In this passage, we learn from Jesus, who used his spiritual influence perfectly in every situation.
Do you think of yourself as influential? The truth is everyone has influence: the capacity to have an effect on other people. We tend to use our influence for personal gain, but Jesus used his to accomplish the purposes of God. He invites us to do the same.
It is hard to trust Jesus when you cannot see the reward of heaven and when you cannot feel it. When we put on faith in Jesus, we are able to stay focused on Him rather than on things of the world. Will you keep your focus on Jesus?
Doesn't it seem like peace is something everyone wants but no one has quite figured out? Jesus is different. In this passage, he claims not only that he has peace, but that he is willing to give it to his people.
Life is an unwinnable battle, but the good news is we don't have to fight it alone. We have the Mighty God on our side and no battle is too hard for him! Will you trust him with the battle of your life?
This life can be dark, and we need someone to light the way. Isaiah gives us a glimpse of a world that seems to be totally dark, but then a Light appears and changes everything. A child is born, a Son is given, and he is the Wonderful Counselor who can lead us out of the darkness of this world and into the light of his kingdom.
Two things that are true for all of us: life will throw some hard stuff our way, and we will all be tempted to walk away from God. But the good news is that God can get us through. Jesus teaches us to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Do you understand the difference between justice and revenge? Do you trust God to bring about justice in your life and around you? According to Jesus, there is a deep-seated correlation between forgiving and being forgiven. Are you ready to extend to others what has been given to you?
If we really knew who we were talking to in prayer, how would that change the way that we pray? Pastor Brian explains how to trace the lines of the Lord's prayer to align our hearts with God's heart.
Prayer won’t make sense if you don’t understand who God is. Jesus always places prayer within the context of our relationship with God our Father. Because he is our Father, we can be confident prayer is a good use of our time because he loves us, he is eager to listen to us, and knowing us, he knows everything we need.
Have you ever wondered, what is the point of prayer? In this passage, Jesus teaches that prayer is meant to be an intimate conversation with God the Father. He also explains that when we use prayer for anything else – say, to impress other people – we completely miss the point. Let’s be a church that gets this right.
What would you say is the most powerful piece of furniture in your home? What piece of furniture has the most untapped ministry potential? Pastor Brandon believes it is your table.
Have you ever wondered why studying God's Word together plays such a huge role in the life of our church? We devote half of our weekly service to teaching the Bible, and throughout the week, we organize opportunities for people to study the Word in small groups. Why is this such a big deal? To be the Jesus-like church God wants us to be, we need his Word to keep us on track.
Why are we a church that places a big emphasis on serving together? Quick answer: God is glorified when we serve one another well. Peter explains that God has gifted every believer and calls us to use those gifts to serve one another. When we get this right, God looks good in our church.
In this passage, Jesus tells his followers to buy a sword. Why on earth would he say that to them, and what's it got to do with us? Jesus wants his followers to be prepared to persevere through hardship, specifically hostility from the world. Are you?
Here's a terrifying thought: According to Jesus, there will be many people who claim to know him, but are denied entrance into the Kingdom. Some of them will even have an impressive religious resume, but still won't make the cut. So, who does make the cut?
If you’re going to follow Jesus, you’re guaranteed to face hardship, have your allegiance to Christ tested, and be tempted to turn back to your old life. Jesus is looking for all-in disciples who commit to following him no matter what. Are you all in?
Jesus said some challenging things: If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. In this message, we look at the true cost of discipleship.
The majesty of God is displayed in every square inch of creation and seen most supremely in Christ. If we fail to see this, we will walk a path of rejecting God and rebelling against his loving lordship. But in Psalm 8, and throughout the Bible, God constantly calls us to wake up and see the beauty of who He is and what He has done.
Have you ever noticed how it’s easier to pray when we’re happy and the sun is shining, but when the emotional clouds roll in, we tend to withdraw relationally from God? It’s often hard to interact with God when our emotions are down, but in a sense, that’s when we need him the most. Psalm 43 gives us an example of how to pray through the emotional fog of life, and back into the presence of God.
How can we experience God's forgiveness? In Psalm 32, David shares from his own life experience that God is eager to forgive, but if we want to receive that forgiveness, we must be open and honest with Him about our sin. In one verse, he says "don't be like a mule," meaning don't be stubborn in your refusal to acknowledge your sin to God thereby foregoing his life-transforming forgiveness.
Do we have the same expectation for the Christian life as what Jesus had for His disciples? We will explore one of Christ's expectations from this passage, specifically to forsake yourself.
When we are faced with unjust actions, we might wonder if God is really just, or if he really is in control. This Psalm points out that evil and sin will end, that God is good, and that we can trust in his justice now and forever.
"Be still and know that I'm God." If you grew up in church, perhaps you heard these words. Rev. Brandon Hilstad unpacks the Psalm from which it comes, reminding us that we can trust in the Lord as our refuge and our strength.
Living for God is hard when you feel like he's not actually in control. What do you do when you feel like this? The writer of this Psalm encourages us to look heavenward, and remember that our King is still on his throne and He's not nervous.
What is the good life and how do we live it? According to Psalm 1, to live the good life—or, the blessed life—you’ve got to live the God-life, meaning with him, for him, and on his terms. And to live the God-life, we’ve got to love God’s Word.
Rev. Brian Dainsberg joins us from Alliance Bible Church to teach on Ecclesiastes and discuss how best to live our lives here on earth.
There are a bunch of denominations, beliefs, and expressions within Christianity. Pastor Brandon unpacks why.
Denominations, traditions, and belief statements. Oh, my! Pastor Brandon unpacks why there are so many Christian churches.
Pastor Brandon explains how depending on the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the situation, it can be judgmental to address someone's error. However, there are also times when it is the most loving thing you can do.
It’s hard to trust God when you’re in a dark place. In the shadow of the cross Thomas found himself in a very dark place. Flooded with discouragement and doubt, he ended up on a path of disbelief. Jesus stepped in, met him right in the middle of that dark place, and helped him to get back on the path of faith. If you’re in a similar spot, could it be that God wants to meet you there in the same way?
Life is a whirlwind of busyness and challenges, yet God calls us to serve Him in the middle of it all. How's that supposed to work? What does that even look like? Jesus was no stranger to a busy and difficult life. In this passage, He shows us how we can serve God well, even when life is hectic and hard: by being willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of compassion.
When it comes to getting involved with God's work, many people feel too young, too old, too broken, too inexperienced, or just too hesitant. Whatever is it that might be holding you back, Jesus is inviting you to roll up your sleeves and get to work, even if you're not quite ready. How will you respond?
For many people, baptism may seem odd and confusing, but we read in the Bible that it is an important step in our journey with Christ. So, it's worth wrestling with. This message will help answer three questions: What does baptism show? What does it shout? And, why should I consider taking this step?
What do you do when you feel like God has let you down? We read that Elijah was disappointed with God because he expected God to work in a certain way, but he didn't. God comes to Elijah and tenderly helps him to examine his expectations and bring them into alignment with God's Word. He's eager to do the same with us today.
Because our sin hurts our relationships with God and others, it should be lamented, but God doesn't want pride nor shame to have a seat at that table. God offers a regret-free path to salvation: repentance.
We are seen as perfectly righteous because of what Jesus did for us, and yet, we are called to work out our salvation through a process of sanctification.
What do you see when you look into the nativity? If all you see is what your naked eye beholds, you are missing the greatest reality. There are intangibles in the nativity that if embraced will change your life.
The Bible teaches that the local church is supposed to be like a family, and we all know that family is messy. No family is immune from sin, conflict, or hurt. But mess and all, God loves this family. He's got big plans for her. So we should take Jesus' words seriously when he says "here is how I want you to deal with your mess". Will you commit to dealing with the mess of God's family on God's terms with God's heart?
No matter who you are or where you go, you will always have people in your life who seem impossible to love. While the world may say "forget them," Jesus says, "No, no, no... love them". While that may seem squishy, there's a whole lot more to it than just feelings. Biblical love is a choice to do good. Will you choose to love your enemies?
Disputable matters, or gray areas, can disrupt unity in the church. Paul tells the church how to handle them.
Have you ever thought, "So, Jesus was born... but why should I care?" In this passage, Luke answers that question. He tells of the time an angel told some shepherds that Jesus was born and why it's such a big deal. Examining this passage helps us understand why the birth of Jesus matters and why we should care; even two thousand years later. Tune into this Christmas Eve message from Pastor Brandon Hilstad.
What type of legacy are you going to leave? The story of Judah teaches us that no matter how dark your past is God can give you a bright future. Even if you didn't start well you can finish well and leave a legacy that honors God and blesses others. Judah's story will help you understand how to do just that.
If you don't understand how God is at work in the daily hardships of your life, the daily hardships of your life will leave you disillusioned with God. The story of Naomi and Ruth teaches us that God is working behind the scenes in our lives to carry out his big story through our little story.
What are you most grateful for? Our gratitude exposes what we value, and what we value will determine the direction of our life. In this parable, Jesus calls us to realign our hearts with what really matters.
Dr. Dennis Episcopo preaches about three main Jewish Holidays in the Old Testament and how they had a spirit of "Thanksgiving" at their core.
Dr. Bill Dunham, director of Marketplace Ministries and professor at Crown College, spoke about faith integration within our vocation. As we closed out Global Connections week, Bill encouraged us to live on mission whether here in our careers or abroad.
Pete Brokopp from Envision Atlanta joined us in Appleton to kick off this year's mission conference: All of Jesus for All the World. He reminded us, through testimony after testimony, that God's plans for us are exceedingly better than our own.
Money-related fear is not irrational. It hits home for all of us. Jesus explains that the Father's generosity vanquishes this fear, thereby liberating our generosity. The result: We're set free to experience the joy of our heart aligning with God's heart as we allow Him to work through us financially.
Life's hard, you've got real stuff coming at you. Worry is going to come your way, so the question is: what do you do with it? Jesus gives us a compelling, 4-part argument against worry, and then an eternally significant alternative.
No matter who we are, our hearts are prone to developing a weird relationship with money. So, in this passage, Jesus addresses our money, not because he cares so much about our money, but because he cares about our hearts. He wants us to guard our hearts against a self-centered relationship with our money, and instead be "rich toward God" by having a relationship with our resources that reflects the Great Commandment.
Worry Mountain: The surprising place worry can come from and how to deal with it according to Jesus.
We are Alliance Church. One church, multiple locations, one vision: Connecting the world with God and another.
Being alone and isolated can be dangerous! Christian Community can help defend against the enemy, apathy, and discouragement.
When you can’t see past the pain – you lean on other people’s eyesight. You don’t need some to help you understand. You need someone who understands. Pastor Brian unpacks why empathy and understanding are vital keys for a healthy community.
Why should you give Christian community a shot? Because we need each other to get through life's hardships. Jesus wants our church to be a restorative community that humbly carries each other's burdens. Will you lean in or stay at arm's distance?
Pastor Tom Gonzalez gives his inaugural message at the Opera House for our "Better Together" series.
Every church is known for something⏤good, bad, or ugly. We're no exception. So, what do we want to be known for? More importantly, what does Jesus want us to be known for? In John 17 we find Jesus' prayer for us, which helps us answer this important question.
By honoring one another, we honor the Lord. Listen to Rev. Brian Episcopo's message on honor and the importance of esteeming the generations who came before us.
In the final sermon of our DAVID series, Pastor Brian Episcopo reminds us of this foundational truth: the Lord will fight for you.
In 2 Samuel 7, we read about the time King David made a big plan for God, but it wasn't what God was looking for. God had a much better plan; a plan more glorious than David could have imagined...a plan that changed everything. Check out this message to hear about God's plan, and what he is looking for from you.
Even though we all have a tendency to hide our sin from God, we have to trust God with our worst so we can experience His best. God wants you to experience his forgiveness. Listen to Pastor Brandon's message on how to experience this forgiveness.
Our life in God may feel like a half-full bottle of Coca-Cola. We think a little mento may help it come back to life, but it ends up exploding in our face. The story of David and Bathsheba reflects what can happen when we seek to put the "fizz" back in life apart from God.
Rev. Brian Episcopo unpacks the story of David and Jonathan, showing us the surprising place fear comes from and what roots it out. Join us as we continue our series on David.
What is God's plan for you to win in a world dominated by evil? Pastor Brandon takes a look at how David responded to Saul's cruelty, which teaches us a lot about how God wants US to overcome evil with good.
God sees differently than humans—He looks on the heart. But what exactly is He looking for? Examining what God saw in David helps us know what He’s looking for in us.
Baptism is probably one of the more misunderstood doctrines in Christianity. Who gets baptized? How do you perform it? Can you skip it and still be a Christian? Getting back to the basics of what Scripture teaches on Baptism can be one of the most important next steps you can take in your faith.
When we come to know Christ, we receive a new inheritance, name, heart, destiny, family, and power... We also receive a new enemy. You cannot fly incognito–we are on his radar and he has a developed a strategy to take us out. This enemy may not be our only obstacle but will be our most formidable. However, there's amazing hope and victory in the Battle Beyond!
On the road from here to heaven, there's work to do. The primary task Jesus gives his followers is to help others follow him too. This is our mission. At Alliance, our goal is to help you live it out.
The Great Commission was Jesus' last command in the book of Matthew. Dr. Dennis Episcopo unpacks Jesus' outline for getting the Gospel to the nations and how we play an integral part in it.
When comes to heaven and forgiveness, God doesn't want your hard work. He just wants you to trust Jesus, and give him control.
Rev. Brandon Hilstad
Pastor Brandon encourages us to become a praying church–one who walks through the world with their minds set on things above. Tune in and join us Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the Opera House.
There's many false assumptions out there concerning believers. In his first message at the Opera House, Pastor Dennis Episcopo discusses these false assumptions and defines the true marks of a believer in Jesus.
Jesus doesn't promise hard times won't happen, but He does promise to walk us through them. Tune in and listen to Pastor Brandon's message on a hope that is certain–a hope that is found in Jesus alone.
Real faith says YES when there's no reason to say yes other than, "Jesus says so." Tune in for Pastor Brian's message on faith and how we please the Lord with our obedience.
We celebrated our first Easter in the Opera House. Tune in and listen to Pastor Brian's Easter message.
From the lowly donkey in John to the mighty stallion in Revelation, Pastor Brandon reminds us of the one we call King. We live in between the lowly and humble and the high and exalted. Tune in and get to know this Jesus.
Pastor Brandon teaches on John 15, where Jesus tells us He is the Vine and we are the branches. Tune in to hear how we abide in Christ with perseverance, obedience, and intimacy.
Dr. Mark Harris unpacks the most important reason why we should study and meditate on the Word of God, and how doing so helps us grow closer to Jesus.
If we're honest, life gets busy. We try to pray, but we don't know where to start. Pastor Brian points us to Jesus' life of prayer and how to get some handlebars on how to pray.
The key to fighting temptations is in knowing who your Father is and who you are because of it. Take a listen to Pastor Brandon's message on Matthew 4: Jesus in the wilderness, the enemy, temptations and sonship.
When we do not get what we want, society and religion often tell us to move our desires to something else. Pastor Brian looks at the biblical example of Hannah in 1 Samuel for another approach to unmet desires.
Pastor Brian unpacks common misconceptions on singleness and dating and how to bring both your single and dating lives under the lordship of Jesus.
Turn in your Bibles to John 4 and hear from Pastor Brandon about Jesus revealing Himself as Messiah to a woman at a well.
Is there a gap between who people think you are and who you really are? Our goal as a church family is to fill that gap with real relationships and community in order to experience healing and the goodness of God.
We're making a home here in Hortonville, committed to looking down the road and celebrating the lost coming home. Listen as we celebrate Pastor Brian's first message in Hortonville on Luke 15 and the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Rev. Brian Episcopo