The story of Zachariah is amazing. He's a priest who has prayed for a son for decades and at a crucial moment in history, God answers his prayer in dynamic fashion. Zachariah's journey is not just one of fertility for his wife. It is really a journey of faith in the moment. He goes from doubting God to singing praises to God for his greatness. Perhaps you've been waiting on God for a long time or perhaps faith is difficult for you. Either way, this story of Zachariah is so important for all of u...
Dec 14, 2014•50 min
Christmas is way more than a baby in a manger. It is the incarnation of God into the mess of humanity. Christmas is when Jesus sets aside the comforts of heaven to pursue rebellious humanity. In so doing, the law is fulfilled, love is presented in its fullness and life is offered to the fullest.
Dec 07, 2014•44 min
The gospel when we understand it well reframes our whole perspective on life from entitlement to grace and mercy. And when we view our existence through this lens the natural byproduct is joy which leads to gratitude.
Nov 30, 2014•43 min
When Jesus established the communion meal, he urged his followers to share in it regularly. Why? Because it offers union to Jesus, union to the story of God and union to others for those who receive it.
Nov 23, 2014•50 min
The simple answer is that God says so. The more compelling answer is the gospel. We have been the recipients of grace and mercy from God himself and therefore are called to demonstrate it in our world so the story of God is told. If we learn to love the gospel deeply, live without ignorance and leave the corners of our lives for others we will be orienting our lives in the way honoring to God.
Nov 16, 2014•49 min
Far too many people give their money out of obligation - because they feel like they have to. The fact is that tithing is no longer an obligation. In its place stands the gospel which is a whole new orientation. We are now asked to form our lives around what Jesus has done for us. In this way, we are truly called to give of what we have based on our opportunity.
Nov 09, 2014•48 min
The church is not a building. And it isn't a Sunday morning gathering. The church is a dynamic community of people centered on Jesus who care for each other and make the gospel real in each other's lives. Without community, we can't be all that God intends us to be and that's why the Bible is so adamant about Christians living in community.
Nov 02, 2014•49 min
Making disciples is something everyone who follows Jesus is called to do. And when we're all doing it, it becomes a multiplying reality that results in new followers of Jesus, maturing followers of Jesus, and even new churches.
Oct 12, 2014•51 min
What does God want from you? Many answer obedience, but that's not correct. The answer is affection. From true affection for God comes obedience. That's why at Hope we are passionate about creating genuine connection to God and each other as we seek to live the life God is calling us to.
Oct 05, 2014•53 min
It shouldn't be hard to meet Jesus, but it isn't easy to stay with him. These two realities demand that the church and followers of Jesus create atmospheres and relationships that don't create unnecessary boundaries to Jesus while urging people to go deeper in order to solidify their faith in him.
Sep 28, 2014•46 min
The gospel is not just an entry ticket to the family of God. It's a whole new way of life. So, we need to be constantly saturated in the gospel in order to be all that God intends us to be. In it we find rescue and renewal, as well as a desire to share it with everyone.
Sep 21, 2014•43 min
There is a statement at the end of the transfiguration in Matthew's gospel that is so profound and so important - "they looked up and saw no one except Jesus." Even though Moses and Elijah made an appearance, when the moment was over it was simply Jesus. For Hope Alliance, we want this to be a way of life. Simply Jesus.
Sep 14, 2014•45 min
This famous psalm ends with imagery of the shepherd and his flock's difficult journey from their home pasture to the high ground. The journey to the mountaintop is always out of our comfort zone. David reminds us here of why we should take the journey.
Sep 07, 2014•45 min
This Lord is my shepherd is a statement of pride written by a man (David) who knew what it meant to be a good shepherd. Those who are led by the Lord are marked by contentment, rest, refreshment and restoration. How would you describe your life? And who is your shepherd?
Aug 31, 2014•45 min
How do we stand strong in the midst of spiritual warfare? It starts with the perfect defense of the armor God has given us - our identity in Christ. And it continues with the right offense of our authority through God's word and our access to God himself.
Aug 03, 2014•52 min
In our world, we often talk about demons as a way of expressing bad stuff in our personal history. However, the Bible shows us that demons are real spirit beings who oppose the kingdom of God at every turn. So, we have to know their methods, how they attack us and how we should respond.
Jul 27, 2014•48 min
Peter tells us that the devil is roaming like a roaring lion looking for people to devour. His charge to us is to be alert to the devil and to resist the devil. Be alert to his reality, his nature and his schemes. And resist him through your dynamic connection to Jesus.
Jul 20, 2014•54 min
What does the Bible mean when it suggests that we are in a battle against the world? It isn't people, nations, or governments. Rather, it is the systems and structures that are in opposition to the kingdom of God. This battle is real and for us to engage effectively in it we need to be have a right definition and a correct posture. In the same way, we need to know where we've been affected and how to reclaim that ground.
Jul 13, 2014•44 min
Our flesh is the rebellious part of us that is still seeking to control and rule our own life. And our battle against it is spiritual warfare. Rather than always being reactionary to sin in our life, a victorious posture seeks to confront temptation, confess sin and choose forgiveness.
Jul 06, 2014•54 min
Every follower of Jesus has a remarkable standing "in Christ." We are forgiven - no sin or penalty held against us. We are free - no longer bound by sin and the devil. We have the fullness of Christ - empowered for the advance of God's kingdom. Through faith, we embrace this victorious standing in the midst of spiritual warfare.
Jun 29, 2014•49 min
Spiritual warfare is real. Satan and his demons, what Scripture calls "the world" and our flesh comprise the kingdom in conflict with the victorious kingdom of God where Jesus rules. We are called to be keenly aware of this battle and ready to stand with Jesus.
Jun 22, 2014•45 min
When Paul tells the Romans to greet each other with a holy kiss, his mind is immediately stirred back to Judas' betrayal of Jesus with a kiss. And so he launches into a short plea to beware those who would lead the church astray. Paul reminds us that we will know them by their message, motivations and methods.
Jun 08, 2014•43 min
As Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he demonstrates three distinct qualities of mission - boldness, boasting and big dreams. Paul models a boldness to keep the gospel the center, a right boasting in Jesus and a big dream to go to Spain. Each of us are called to be on mission with God - with boldness, boasting (in Christ) and big dreams for the kingdom.
Jun 01, 2014•40 min
How should a follower of Jesus handle those "grey areas"? Paul spends a good bit of time pleading for acceptance of one another - different viewpoints and all! Weak and strong, both laying it down for the sake of the forward move of the kingdom of God. This is a natural outcome of a genuine love for each other and a prioritizing of the mission of God.
May 25, 2014•51 min
Sometimes it is so easy to get consumed with life and walk around aimlessly. Paul's urge to us is to wake up! We were meant to live for so much more. And as we understand the world around us, his central call is for us to take up our standing in Jesus.
May 18, 2014•51 min
Authority. Even mentioning the word makes us cringe sometimes! But the call of Paul is to live in submission to the authority over us because God has established it and because it is the natural outflow of our command to love others.
May 11, 2014•49 min
Love is not a performance. It is the natural reaction of a heart overcome by the gospel. Understanding this changes how we approach our call to love God and love others.
May 04, 2014•50 min
Unity is enabled by humility and achieved through shared mission. It is the gospel that can transform us in these realities and create what the church is intended to be - a unified group of diverse people. Humbled by God's love for us and propelled by His love for the world.
Apr 27, 2014•44 min
God keeps his promises. Promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and promises to you. How does he do it? It's all about Jesus. It our unbelief that keeps us from realizing the promises of God.
Apr 13, 2014•50 min
Life is hard. There is not getting around this. But in the midst of a broken world, we are buoyed by the goodness of God. The full glory awaits us, but in the meantime the Spirit is a present help. In all the good purposes of God will advance and those who have received Christ will be seen through to the end.
Apr 06, 2014•48 min
