Hope Alliance Bethlehem

The people of God are called to be generous because God is generous.  But living in generosity can be a challenging reality because we often have misplaced hope.  It is only through hope rightly placed in God that we can take hold of true life and live in generosity rather than conceit.

Elders are entrusted to oversee the church toward gospel fidelity, doctrinal purity and fulfilling Jesus' mission for the church.   They do this not for personal gain or positions of power and status, but rather to serve.  They are shepherds not members of a corporate board.  And the church is blessed to have them.

In the same way as gathering is an important part of our identity as the people of God, so too is our scattering.  We have been commissioned to make disciples and this takes place literally "as we are going."  In other words, we intentionally scatter for mission.  This is the call on every follower of Jesus and our embrace of it gives glory to God.

The people of God have always been meant to be a people of prayer.  So it is no surprise when we read the book of Acts that we find the church continually being described by a devotion to prayer.  As God's people we pray to worship, to be formed in the gospel, to hear from God, to receive power and to advocate for one another.  This is our vision for prayer at Hope.

The Bible is critical to our identity as the people of God.  It speaks his word to us with authority by relaying the gospel and its implications on our lives.  When we embrace it with an open heart as a church and as individuals, God uses it to teach us the gospel, rebuke and correct us when we embrace false gospels, and train us in how to live in light of the gospel.

Being the people of God means that we are committed to regularly gather for worship.  This is so significant because it recanters our hearts on Jesus and realigns our lives to the gospel.  From its inception the church has done this through teaching, worship and togetherness.  Teaching and worship are central to this.  But it equally clear that this is a "one another" reality, not just s...

The New Testament picture of the church is near universally in the first person plural - "we" rather than "me."  In a decidedly isolated and individualistic culture, why and how can we lean into biblical community?  The gospel brings about the experience of togetherness and our togetherness actually deepens our understanding and commitment to the gospel.

The church is like an orchestra playing the symphony of gospel music composed by Jesus and conducted by the Spirit.  And each person plays an incredibly significant and unique part.  Our giftedness is actually a means of grace and power to strengthen and mature the church.  So, to not embrace our uniqueness and to not embrace and serve the church intentionally is to actually withhold the grace and...

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul makes it clear that we ARE one in the Gospel, and can maintain that same oneness through the Gospel rather than our own efforts or legalism.  And when we are one, God gets the glory!

Jesus is the head of the church.  He is the one who brings about and sustains the church through his good and gracious rule and direction.  And if Jesus is the head, that means no on else is.  There are roles and functions in the church, but all in subjection to the headship of Jesus.

To a scattered church in turmoil, Peter reminds them of their God-given identity through four powerful statements.  They are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God's special possession.  All of this has been proven by the ultimate rescue Jesus had provided over sin and death.  This identity gave them, and gives us, not only hope for the future, but the truth around which w...

In Hebrews 10 the author encourages us that in the midst of struggle and turmoil to not turn back to religion, but instead rely on our relationship with Jesus to draw near to God, hold on to hope, and encourage one another.

After Jesus ascends to heaven, Peter assumes the role of being the rock of the early church that fishes for people.  And rather than trying to gain power to control a physical empire, Peter tells a new story of the power of the resurrection...and it changes the course of history.

Peter's stunning and dramatic fall is met by the even more stunning and dramatic forgiveness of Jesus.  In this story we see the incredible reversals that happen in Peter through the reconciling and restoring work of Jesus.

Peter's self-confidence led him to follow Jesus at a distance as he was led away to trial.  But it also set him up for a dramatic and stunning fall.  He would deny Jesus not once, but three times and not in high profile circumstances, but amidst accusations from a servant girl.  But, as the gaze of Jesus catches his eye it not only exposes his failures and brokenness, it also offers and equal...

As he toils in the garden, Jesus asks Peter to keep watch with him.  In so doing, he's redirecting a self-confident Peter away from self effort and toward dependence upon God. It the presence of God and through prayer, our intentions becomes conformed to God and his kingdom.

In John 13, Peter learns what it means to be cleansed by Jesus and to join him in serving others.  We learn that when our identity is rooted in the Gospel, we can join Jesus in serving others, too.

Jesus' cursing of a fig tree is meant to show his disciples the danger of external religion.  This story, married with the cleansing of the temple, points out that while everything might look good from a distance, the truth is that religion cannot produce what God desires - a heart bent toward him.  

Contrary to Peter's inquiry, forgiveness is not a religious action to be counted.  Instead it's the natural overflow of the gospel in our lives.  The King has infused his kingdom with a culture of forgiveness.  And when we are truly impacted by his forgiveness, we cannot help but forgive as well.

In a strange story that seems to center on a fish with a coin in its mouth, we actually find that Jesus is revealing to Peter that "the family of the King is free."  In Peter's context and ours, this means we are free from religion, free to worship in the true temple, and free to act in love.

When Peter and two other disciples witness the transfiguration of Jesus, they are overwhelmed and want the experience to continue.  But Peter's offer of building three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah is quickly corrected by God.  Too often we cloud the gospel with spiritual experience, futurism and religion and in so doing miss the sufficiency of Jesus only.

When Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, he believes Jesus is the rightful king.  And he's exactly correct.  What he misses is just how Jesus is going to establish his kingdom - through sacrifice instead of through power.  And he is calling all who follow him to do likewise.

Jesus miraculously walking on water was an act of power, but even more so an act of love.  It demonstrates God's willingness to come from the security of the mountaintop into the storm to rescue humanity.  And Peter models for us the exact right response - to abandon our manmade protections and go to Jesus.

In the midst of racial strife and injustice in our country, we can find hope in a God who is impartially aware and moving to bring healing.  As the church, we should embody this as a way of life.

One of the earliest lessons Peter and the disciples learn from Jesus is how he prioritizes his time with the Father.  Even after a long and exhilarating day of ministry, Jesus retreats to meet with God showing the disciples (and us) the power of regular meetings with God to realign our identity, purpose and direction.