Hope Alliance Bethlehem

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 affect...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.