Blessed Hope Chapel Treasure Valley Idaho Sermon Podcast

When talking about spiritual gifts it’s important to think of them in the context of The Greatest Gift. Jesus said in John 16:14, “He [the Holy Spirit]will glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.” The gifts are given to glorify Christ—to build up His body the church, and to show the power and truth of Christ to the unbelieving world. The gifts are vitally important, ye...

The Apostle Paul gives us six reminders regarding the worth and weightiness of the Lord’s Supper. What can sometimes turn into a monotonous ritual—with the right perspective—can be a transforming event helping us focus on our victory, forgiveness, and rest in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians Ch.11 the Apostle Paul embarks upon a new topic—head coverings. Many questions arise from the text lending one person online to do a six hour video on the topic. Which ever way our convictions take us, one thing is for certain—God is a God of order, and submission doesn’t begin with marriage or the church, it begins with God and his Son Jesus Christ.

We find in an Old Testament book a collection of sermons given during the last month of an old man’s life. In it we find his last words, his last statement to those who were in desperate need of the truth. They had been through a lot and needed encouragement and direction. If his message could be summed up in one word, one statement, it would be this: A Call To Remembrance. The preacher set before...

The magi from the east traveled a great distance bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the King of Kings. They were excited when they finally found Jesus, rejoicing exceedingly when the star they followed stood over the place where Jesus laid. Scholars surmise many things regarding the wise men, the star, the distance they traveled etc. But one thing is for certain. The King takes center stage...

Several times in the New Testament the Apostle Paul calls the churches to imitate him. Most athletes look to someone to model their game after, and as Christians we do well to do the same. Ultimately, Christ is our aim and giving up everything in pursuit of Him is the most noble and worthy cause.

Idolatry was rampant in the Roman Empire in the 1st Century. Pagans that were turning to Christ were tempted to go back to the same practices that they engaged in before. Could feasting in the idol temple really jeopardize one’s faith? Isn’t it just a dumb idol? Feasting with old friends and offering a sacrifice to a wooden pole isn’t hurting anybody is it? Surely the Corinthians asked questions l...

Some years ago a popular pastor told his congregation that Christians need to “unhitch” themselves from the Old Testament. His plea to his church and his listening audience was to put their focus mainly on Jesus and the New Testament because that Old Testament can’t really be trusted. Truth is satan loves to live in the realm of half-truths. Pointing people to Jesus, while telling them to avoid Hi...

The Apostle Paul lets us peer into his heart as he gives several reasons why he’s foregoing his rights in the gospel. He voluntarily served the church in many ways, and yet he said he will receive his wages. What are those wages? He goes into details as he explains the paradoxes of his life. Winning for Paul was everything, and he shows us his seemingly unconventional way of attaining that goal.

In Revelation 5:5 Jesus is referred to as, …”the Lion from the tribe of Judah.” Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Jesus is both the lion and the lamb, humble and courageous, gentle and fearless. As Christians we do well to learn from Him and emulate Him. Balancing boldness and gentleness is no ea...

The Apostle Paul continues on into 1st Corinthians Ch. 9 with the theme of Christian freedoms. The scene has the feel of a courtroom setting. Arguments ensue as the Apostle hammers the church with questions. They have withheld what was rightly owed to him, and their mouths have been stopped. What is the Apostle’s response? He gives an unforgettable answer that surely leaves most scratching their h...

The Apostle Peter in his final letter shares several crucial reminders for Christians living in the last days. His warnings culminate at the end of his letter with the warning of the great and terrible day of the Lord. A day in which the heavens, the earth, and ungodly will all be destroyed. In light of all these things Peter asks the question, “What sort of people ought you to be?

The Apostle Paul dives into the topic of Christian liberties as he introduces the topic of food sacrificed to idols. The Corinthians had knowledge in this area, but because it was void of love they once again were puffed up with pride. Paul implores the church to go the extra mile and show concern and care for the weaker brother among them. The applications of the text are numerous, and found unde...

The Apostle Paul gives 10 reasons as to why he believes singleness is the better option for those who were a part of the Corinthian church. He makes it clear it’s not a command but a deep felt desire he had for them in light of the situation of their day. After sharing his heart, he closes out the chapter with the humble words, “And I think I too have the Spirit of God.”

Sandwiched between a chapter all about marriage the Apostle Paul directs the Corinthian’s attention to their true calling in life. Socioeconomic status, ethnic identities, relationship status etc. all pale in comparison to the true calling upon the life of a Christian—knowing God and keeping His commandments. Paul wants the church to major on the majors and minor on the minors. May God help His Ch...

The word distraction can be defined as, “A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.” In our pursuit of Christ it’s easy to get distracted in the day and age in which we live. With so many things vying for our attention, it can make it hard to get alone and spend time with God. The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages 1st century Christians to fix their eyes on...

In Matthew Ch.22 an expert in the Mosaic Law comes to Jesus to test him asking, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus responded to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” According to Jesus, loving God with every part of your being is the greatest commandment. One may ask, “Wh...

The Corinthian church had questions for the Apostle Paul. Differing opinions circulated in their day as to exactly what God’s will looked like in marriage. Was divorce okay in any circumstance? What about if you’re married to a non-believer, what do you do then? Will a believing spouse be polluted by their unbelieving partner and therefore need to divorce them? In 1 Corinthians 7:10-17 the Apostle...

The Psalmist states in Psalm 119:75, “I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” At times the Lord afflicts His people for their good and His glory. That which makes his people weak paradoxically is that which makes them strong. Gideon is a prime example of strength perfected through weakness. Taken from the weakest clan in Manasseh, and being leas...

The Apostle Paul devoted one of the longest chapters in 1st Corinthians to advice on marriage and singleness. Throughout the chapter you see his heart show forth as he makes known his desire for all to be like him—undistracted and wholly devoted to the Lord. Yet, Paul knows he can’t make it a command in light of the God ordained and encouraged institution of marriage. The tension shows forth throu...

The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 6:19b,20, “You are not your own. For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” In the second half of 1 Corinthians Ch. 6 Paul addresses Christian freedoms, and focuses primarily on sexuality. The immorality of Corinth was so widespread that the Greek verb “korinthiazomai” was coined meaning “to act like a C...

Blessed Hope Chapel Simi Valley Associate Pastor Steve Aguilar visits and expounds on scriptures in the book of Mark beginning with Mark 8:34-38

It’s once been once said, “Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” The Corinthian church surely manifested its pride in a number of different ways—jealousy, strife, divisions, sexual immorality etc. In 1 Corinthians Ch. 6 we see their pride yet again show forth in another way—lawsuits and court cases. The Corinthians were eager to sue one another rather than se...

The Apostle Paul closes out 1 Corinthians Ch.5 with guidelines of Christian relationships inside and outside of the church. At face value, it seems pretty simple but when we dig a little deeper and begin to apply it to our lives we realize the struggle of being in the world but not of the world; of becoming all things to all men yet perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord; of wanting everyone...

As Jesus was leaving the temple towards the end of his earthly ministry he told His disciples in Matthew 24:2 “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” The temple which took 46 years to rebuild came tumbling down in 70AD just as Jesus had foretold. Under the New Covenant there is a new temple and this temple was being threatened during the minis...