'#hope' Tagged Posts
Related Entities – Joy & Hope
Join us this week as we cover Romans 12:12 which we skipped over this past Sunday. We encourage you to view Sunday’s sermon if you haven’t had a chance to do so yet (https://youtu.be/Ow84_x_aXd8). CCLI Streaming License # 20229783
Following Jesus While We Wait for His Return
On Sunday, we discussed the importance of following Jesus as we wait for his return. Some time ago, I was greatly encouraged by this interview with a man named Ruslan. Take a few moments to watch and be encouraged and challenged in your own walk with the Lord and the call to follow him. “He Is Coming Again” (Gospel of John & Revelation)
Responding to Tragedy
In light of the present tragedy near Nashville, I’d like to take some time to revisit a sermon I preached during the summer of 2022 about responding to tragedy. Within it are some key elements to remember and consider as we have our own responses toward this and as we talk with others. What does God think of this? Where is God? What is he doing? What is most important to remember? We’ll look at those questions and more. Thanks…
Gospel Transformation Stories (Part 2)
As we started our new series on Sunday, we talked about the fact that the gospel of God transformed our identity. It certainly did for Paul who went from a persecutor of the church and became and advocate for the church. The gospel brings transformation. This week, I’d like to just simply be encouraged by a couple of stories about gospel transformation both as a means to salvation and as a means to greater imitation of Christ in daily life.…
Gospel Transformation Stories (Part 1)
As we started our new series on Sunday, we talked about the fact that the gospel of God transformed our identity. It certainly did for Paul who went from a persecutor of the church and became and advocate for the church. The gospel brings transformation. This week, I’d like to just simply be encouraged by a couple of stories about gospel transformation both as a means to salvation and as a means to greater imitation of Christ in daily life.…
Focus for 2023
A new year lies ahead of us. While we may have plans, we don’t know what the year may bring for us. God does though. I’d like to encourage you today with an email I received recently which addresses our focus as we enter the new year ahead, grounding is in great truths from the Scriptures and God’s character. Thanks for joining us! “A Fitness Plan for the New Year” (1 Tim 4:6-11)
Your Thanksgiving Meal as a Gospel Door
You are likely making preparations already for next week and time that you may spend with family and friends around a dinner table or gather around a feast. As you prepare, I challenge you to consider the thoughts in this video today and be thinking about who you might have gospel conversations with. I challenge you to think how you might use the thoughts in this video to spark spiritual conversations that lead to thanksgiving to God for what he…
Repentance and Opposition
Sunday, we worked through Ezra and and focused on the litmus tests of genuine repentance. We skipped on last point though that happens to revolve around one of the most difficult verses in Ezra. Today we explore that verse and expound on that last point as we continue looking at genuine repentance. Thanks for watching! “Is It the Real Deal?” (Ezra 10)
Hopeful Mourning – A Path Preventing Despair
Yesterday, we looked at these questions: “To what degree should we mourn over the sins of others? Are we supposed to go around depressed all the time?” As I finished up and posted yesterday’s vlog though, I realized that I forgot an important part. To prevent entering a constant state of despair, let’s look at hope and how it correlates with mourning. “Because of Our Wicked Actions…” (Ezra 9)
New Game. Same Results. (GPS #16)
It amazes me at times the decisions people make expecting different results. I don’t plead innocence in that at all. I’ve been there. Done that. My son, who is learning to crawl, keeps get getting stuck in a corner of the room. He enters it the same way every time, but somehow I think he is expecting different results each time. We see that between Modernism & Postmodernism which have essentially the same results as we get rid of God.…
Gender & Sexuality Questions – Part 3 (GPS #10)
The subject of gender and sexuality host to a plethora of questions as one seeks to understand it biblically and have a Christ-like response to this social issue of our day. For three sessions, we’ll explore some pertinent questions that will add to the sermons on July 3rd and 10th as we seek to gain a God-Positioned Stance on it. “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made” (Part #2) – Psalm 139 “Messy Grace” by Caleb Kaltenbach “God & the Transgender Debate” by…
Gender & Sexuality Questions – Part 2 (GPS #9)
The subject of gender and sexuality host to a plethora of questions as one seeks to understand it biblically and have a Christ-like response to this social issue of our day. For three sessions, we’ll explore some pertinent questions that will add to the sermons on July 3rd and 10th as we seek to gain a God-Positioned Stance on it. “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made” (Part #2) – Psalm 139
Gender & Sexuality Questions – Part 1 (GPS Vlog #8)
The subject of gender and sexuality host to a plethora of questions as one seeks to understand it biblically and have a Christ-like response to this social issue of our day. For three session, we’ll explore some pertinent questions that will add to the sermons on July 3rd and 10th as we seek to gain a God-Positioned Stance on it. “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made” (Part #1) – Psalm 139
Thoughts on Death
Death is a reality for all of us. Unless Jesus comes again before we enter the grave, we will all die. And death is one of those odd subjects that people don’t like to talk about but yet commands interest as well. There are all sorts of stories on YouTube about people’s after-death experiences. I was watching a video today asking “What happens when we die?” Looking to Scripture, what does it have to say about death and hope for…
Paradise…It’s More Than You Think (GPS #5)
You hear or read reports about mortality rates from time to time. The mortality rate for mankind is 100%. Death is a part of life that many are not comfortable talking about. It is a necessary conversation though particularly because there are only two destinies for us as we die: 1) eternal separation from God or 2) eternal fellowship in the presence of God. There are many misconceptions about heaven. We’re going to right a few of those today and…
Do You See the Grace of God? (Rom 8)
The great hymn of the faith comes to mind today – “Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin…” Are you singing the rest of the verse now? But it’s true. God’s grace is wonderful and Romans 8 highlights (and not just the chapter but the whole book) the grace of God for us. How do you see the grace of God as you read through it? Take a moment today to watch and then reflect on the wonderful…
Dual Citizenship (GPS Vlog #2)
Christians have a unique identity. Not only are we citizens of our respective countries of origin (or more generally citizens of earth), but we are also citizens of heaven. I find that when it comes to hot topics as we are discussing in our new sermon series that we tend to side with the earthly rather than heavenly citizenship. Today, we’re diving into this subject of dual citizenship and what it means for us in our interactions with others and…
Learning from Others on Suffering
James encourages us from ch. 5 to look to the examples of the prophets and Job as we encounter suffering in life. Their testimony is meant to encourage us, particularly in being patient, having endurance, and God’s purpose and care. The Scriptures isn’t just a random collection of writings. There is purpose, even instructing us in how to endure suffering. I’d like to encourage you not only with this text, but with the lessons and example Paul Tripp learned through…
Vertical Vision (Jas 5)
In James 5, we see both oppression and injustice. As James tells his readers to “be patient” in 5:7, he calls them to a different perspective. And that perspective that he calls them to is meant to impact their everyday life. Thanks for watching as we explore these subjects together! “One Response” (Jas 5:7-12)
What Are the Odds?
What are the odds? Ever used the phrase. Sometimes it is in astonishment at what just happened or we are shrugging off something and don’t even consider it a possibility. Today we’re looking at some statistics that should give us confidence in the faithfulness of God to his Word and strengthen our hope in Christ. Thanks for watching!