What did Jesus need to learn?
Aug 30, 2010
Have you ever wondered what it was like for Jesus to be both fully divine and fully human?
Was He born with “perfect knowledge”?
Was there anything He had to learn?
Hope Community Church
Our Blog
Why is it so hard for us be honest with God?
Aug 21, 2010
We say “right things” to God . . .
. . . not “real things.”
Why is it so hard for us be honest with God?
What do we do when we’re sick and tired of being “sick and tired?”
Aug 10, 2010
Wouldn’t it be nice if God always made our lives easier?
What do we do when we’re sick and tired of being “sick and tired?”
Isn’t the Christian life supposed to make our load lighter?
Aug 2, 2010
Jesus said that His “yoke is easy and his burden is light.” Apparently, the Christian life is supposed to make our load lighter.
If it’s making our burden heavier, what are we doing wrong?
Where can we find the energy to keep going?
Jul 23, 2010
Walking with God is a marathon, not a sprint.
Where can we find the energy to keep going?
How can Jesus help us deal with temptation?
Jul 13, 2010
Temptation.
We can’t escape it.
We need help to deal with it.
How can Jesus help us deal with temptation?
Message Series - Lost in Translation
Jul 8, 2010
Have you ever tried to communicate with someone who speaks a different language? Language barriers can be challenging.
The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Translating these languages into English is challenging. Shades of meaning can be lost.
In this series we will look at words whose meanings help us more clearly understand God and His will for us. We will recover valuable insights that are often lost in translation.
What was Christ trying to tell us from the cross?
Jun 21, 2010
God is always speaking to us.
He speaks to us through creation.
He speaks to us through Jesus Christ.
What was Christ trying to tell us from the cross?
Did God change?
Jun 14, 2010
God seems to change in the Bible.
In the first half He seems angry and unforgiving.
In the second half He seems loving and forgiving.
Did God change?
If Jesus came to save us . . . why do some peole ignore Him?
Jun 5, 2010
If Jesus came to save us . . .
. . . why do some people ignore Him?
What is God really like?
May 28, 2010
God is . . .
. . . harsh, frightening, violent?
. . . gentle, fatherly, peaceful?
Both lists are biblical.
What is God really like?
The Base for Grace - a study of the book of Hebrews
May 28, 2010
Christianity was birthed from Judaism. Our understanding of Jesus and His message is enhanced as we examine the cloth from which Christianity was cut.
The letter to the Hebrews helps us understand our Jewish roots. For many of us the rituals and practices of Judaism feel strange and unfamiliar. The understanding you will gain from these studies will give you a deeper appreciation for Jesus’ message and mission.
Does God turn His back on disobedient children?
May 21, 2010
It’s easy to believe that God loves us when we’re “good.”
It’s hard to believe that He loves us when we’re “bad.”
Does God turn His back on disobedient children?
Current Message Series - Undivided
May 19, 2010
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28
Walls divide us. Walls created by differences in race, class and gender separate us from one another.
God sent His Son to tear down these walls. Racism and chauvinism are out of character with the mission of Jesus Christ.
In this series we will look at discrimination in Jesus’ day and today. We will learn how faith in Christ influences us to be “undivided.”
God’s ticket to heaven?
May 14, 2010
Righteousness is God’s “ticket to heaven.”
Find righteousness and you find eternal life.
What sin do religious people commit most often?
May 5, 2010
Both religious and irreligious people sin.
What sin do religious people commit most often?
Will God judge us for not trying hard enough?
Apr 24, 2010
Trying to walk with God can be tiring.
What will happen if we can’t keep up?
Will God judge us for not trying hard enough?
Message Series - The Fruit of Transformation
Apr 17, 2010
Like the process that changes a caterpillar into a butterfly, transformation is not the result of our determined effort but is the by-product of God’s power.
The studies in this series will identify four qualities that emerge as God transforms us: empathy, mastery, self-esteem and self-control.
In this series you will learn about each of these fruits of transformation and come to understand how they grow from the soil of secure connection with God.
What does God do when we no longer want to connect with Him?
Apr 16, 2010
At first it’s easy for us to put forth the effort to connect with God.
As time goes on it’s harder to maintain the desire to put forth the same effort.
What does God do when we no longer want to connect with Him?
Is God holding out on us?
Mar 19, 2010
God can do whatever He wants.
We certainly don’t get whatever we want.
Is He holding out on us?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Mar 12, 2010
If God is good . . .
If God is in control . . .
. . . why do bad things happen to good people?
Does God help those who help themselves?
Mar 5, 2010
“God helps those who help themselves.”
This isn’t in the Bible, but . . .
. . . is it true nonetheless?
Does God help those who help themselves?
When will we find what we’re looking for?
Mar 1, 2010
We look in different places, in different ways . . .
. . . but we’re all looking for the same thing.
Contentment!
When will we find what we’re looking for?
Aren’t we supposed to “fear God”?
Feb 19, 2010
Isn’t all this talk about God’s love a bit unbalanced?
What about obedience? Doesn’t God judge disobedience?
Aren’t we supposed to “fear God”?
What happens if the Spirit of God lives in you?
Feb 12, 2010
If the Spirit of God lives in you . . .
. . . do you become some kind of “super Christian?”
. . . do you still struggle with sin?
What happens if the Spirit of God lives in you?
Do we really need to be saved?
Feb 6, 2010
People need to be saved when . . .
. . . they have come under the control of someone whose power exceeds their own.
. . . they have lost the freedom to implement their own will and decisions.
. . . they can only gain their freedom by the intervention of a third party.
Do we really need to be saved?
“Dead Man Talking” - Current Message Series
Jan 30, 2010
A prison inmate, walking from death row to the place of execution, is referred to as a “dead man walking.”
As Jesus walks from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, He is a “dead man talking.” A record of Jesus’ conversation with His disciples en route to His death is preserved for us and recorded in John chapters 15 and 16.
During this message series we will study these words. Being able to listen to what was on Jesus’ mind as He made His way to the cross will help us to know how much God loves us and know how to channel the love He has for us to others.
Why doesn’t our “walk” match our “talk”?
Jan 22, 2010
We know what we should do.
We want to do what we should do.
We don’t do what we should do.
We do what we shouldn’t do.
Why doesn’t our “walk” match our “talk”?
How does God improve spiritual performance?
Jan 15, 2010
Car mechanics know cars. They can figure out why a car is performing poorly. They know how to improve the car’s performance.
God knows people. When we are “not firing on all cylinders” spiritually, He knows why. He also knows how to improve our spiritual performance.
Why do we do things that we end up regretting?
Jan 8, 2010
"I never imagined that I could do something like that!”
We like to believe that we can “keep ourselves in line.”
When we “get out of line” we feel ashamed of ourselves.
Why do we do things that we end up regretting?
January Message Series: Spiritual Breathing
Dec 31, 2009
God encourages us to be confident in approaching Him. He wants us to be open and honest in our conversations with Him. In this message series you will learn how to relax in God's presence, express your concerns to Him and rest in His commitments to you.
January 3- "At Ease"
January 10- "Permission to Speak Freely"
January 17- "Breathing for Dummies: Exhale"
January 24- "Breathing for Dummies: Inhale"
Why is it so hard to believe that God loves us?
Dec 18, 2009
We love people because of what they do. We love people because of what they think. Our love is “because of” love.
God loves people in spite of what they do. God loves people in spite of what they think. His love is “in spite of” love.
It’s hard for us to believe God loves us because it is hard for us to trust “in spite of” love.
Does God love us when we sin?
Dec 11, 2009
We were powerless.
We were ungodly.
We were sinners.
We were loved.
Which statement is out of place?
How can a loving God allow people to suffer?
Dec 3, 2009
How can a loving God allow people to suffer?
If God is all-powerful, He could do something about suffering.
If God is all-loving, He would do something about suffering . . . wouldn’t He?
Peace That Warms the Heart
Dec 3, 2009
December Message Series
In the midst of harsh, wintry realities, God’s peace warms the heart. The peace that God gives does not remove tension and conflict. It enables us to hold on to hope in the midst of tension and conflict.
We hope you’ll join us for the December message series Peace that warms the Heart.
December 6th: “The Path of Peace”
December 13th: “Peace of Mind”
December 20th: “Peace in the Heart” (following the Children’s Christmas Program)
December 24th: “Peace on the Earth”
December 27th: “Peace in the World”
How can we have faith in God when there are reasons to doubt?
Nov 24, 2009
Doubt 25
Faith 0
When Abraham turned 75, God promised him that he would become a father. He turned 80 . . . still no children. He turned 90 . . . still no children. He turned 100 . . . still no children.
Abraham had 25 good reasons to doubt God . . . 25 birthdays sitting across from a chair as empty as the promise that pledged to fill it with a son.
How can faith survive when reasons not to believe are piling up?
Is God counting your sins?
Nov 18, 2009
3,000,000,001 . . . 3,000,000,002 . . .
Is God counting your sins?
What is a Christian?
Nov 10, 2009
It all depends on who is answering the question.
“Someone who is a good person.” “Someone who is a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.” “Someone who is at war with Muslims.”
There are lots of answers.
What is God’s answer? How does He answer the question?
Is God “bloodthirsty?”
Nov 5, 2009
Imagine God frowning.
Now imagine Him smiling.
A “sacrifice of atonement” is the reason for the smile. It is the means by which God’s favor is restored.
How good is “good enough?”
Oct 30, 2009
Can anyone live a life that meets God’s approval?
Let the bar a high jumper must clear represent the standard of performance God would determine to be acceptable.
“Clearing the bar,” means that you made it! God accepts you! You have been “good enough” to merit God’s approval.
The question is, how high do we need to jump in order to clear the bar? The Ten Commandments are an enduring description of God’s will for our lives. How well do we need to keep them before God says we have “cleared the bar?" How good is “good enough?”
Why did God give us the Ten Commandments?
Oct 23, 2009
Laws clarify conduct. We stop at a red light because we know the law.
Laws also clarify consequences. We stop at a red light because we know the consequences of violating that law. Some of us know this firsthand!
While laws can influence us to observe traffic rules, their ability to influence us to observe God’s will is far different.
Feeling Guilty?
Oct 15, 2009
Why?
Each of us has a moral code. While our codes might differ, they serve to give each of us a sense of right and wrong. They provide us with a standard of behavior to “aim at.” Guilt becomes an issue because we don’t always “hit” what we “aim at.” When we fail to live in line with our standard, we feel guilty.
We have a moral code.
We break it.
We feel guilty for breaking it.
If sexual immorality is not God’s “pet peeve” . . . what is?
Oct 10, 2009
We divide people into “good” and “not good” categories. It comes naturally. Judging feels good to “us” . . . at least temporarily. When we judge “them” it makes “us” feel more secure.
God does not want “us” to judge “them.”
Is sexual immorality God’s “pet peeve?”
Oct 1, 2009
What makes God angry?
It’s not hard to come up with an answer, is it?
Most of us have a well-developed list of “do’s and don’ts.” And while our lists may differ, sexual immorality appears on most of them. Whether it be “cruising the net" or “playing the field,” we sense that recreational sex, wrenched from the context of a committed relationship, crosses a line . . . and makes God angry!
The Bible in one word?
Sep 25, 2009
Have you ever tried to read through the Bible? Ever make it all the way through? The Bible is a pretty thick book. Not a “quick read.”
Some parts of the Bible seem easy to understand. Other parts are difficult. Some parts appear friendly and inviting. Others seem hostile and frightening.
What exactly does God want to say in the Bible? Is there an underlying message?
The message of the Bible can be summed up in one word . . .
“Do we keep our commitments to God?”
Aug 5, 2009
Tough question! We would like to say, “I certainly do!” but since God doesn’t like lying we are stuck having to admit the truth. We don’t keep our commitments to Him and this creates problems for us.
Suggestions for Using Our 40 Days Book
Jun 24, 2009
The 40 readings that follow will familiarize you with ten commitments God makes to us. The first ten readings will introduce each of these commitments. The remaining readings will focus on each commitment three more times, giving you the opportunity to look at each in more depth.
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