Hope Alliance Bethlehem

Advent is a season that often gets overshadowed by the festive celebrations of Christmas. However, it holds a profound significance in the Christian calendar, inviting believers to reflect on the anticipation and hope that precede the arrival of Jesus Christ. Here we take a deeper look at the meaning of Advent through the lens of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. This isn't just a distant histo...

We look at Jesus' final warnings to his followers: be careful the path you are following, the voices you are listening to, and ultimately the state of your heart toward God. We consider the importance of these three realities as we conclude our study of this famous teaching from Jesus.

Did you know Jesus' command "do not judge" is an often-misunderstood teaching from the Sermon on the Mount? This command still aligns with other New Testament teachings–if we understand the crucial difference between harmful judgment and righteous discernment. Listen now as we examine our own hearts, and build relationships that reflect Christ's love.

Jesus calls his followers to not be overly consumed with their own lives, but instead to value life in the kingdom of God. The prior can be clouded by worry, while the later affords a certain freedom. Is worry a sin? Where does it come from? And how do we shift out of it? In this teaching we aim to answer those questions and others as we look internally at our hearts and consider their condition.

We look at Jesus' teaching on the reality and location of our treasures. Rather than entrusting our treasures to this earth, Jesus calls us to place them in heaven. What does this mean and how do we do it? We will aim to answer those questions and others as we look internally at our hearts and consider their condition.

We continue our look at the Sermon on the Mount by considering Jesus' teaching on how to carry out our spiritual disciplines (Matt 6:1-18). While the Pharisees and religious leaders liked to flaunt their spirituality, Jesus is calling his followers to a heart-based spirituality that seeks God's glory above man. 

How are we supposed to love those who are not so easy to love? We look at Jesus' teaching from Matthew 5 about loving your enemies–a command that challenges everything our culture tells us about relationships and justice. It offers a fresh perspective on handling conflict, rising above division, and experiencing true spiritual transformation in your daily life. Love can help you break cycles...

What if true strength meant responding to wrongs with grace? Here we look at Jesus' teachings on retribution and mercy from the Sermon on the Mount. Find out why how "turning the other cheek" isn't about weakness, but a powerful transformation of the heart. We also cover what it means to go the extra mile in a world fixated on fairness. This isn't about following rules—it&...

How do Jesus' comments on divorce go beyond marriage? We take a deeper look at Matthew 5:31-37, beginning with the historical context of divorce laws and the importance of truthfulness and fidelity in all relationships. Jesus urges us to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." So listen now and be inspired to build a life and community defined by h...

What if Jesus' teachings on lust could change our view of desire? Let's look at the Sermon on the Mount's radical perspective on adultery and the heart. We cover how God supports us even in our struggles, and why desire itself isn't the enemy. This isn't about guilt—it's about finding true fulfillment in Christ. Listen now and be inspired to align your desires with Go...

What if anger was just as serious as murder in God's eyes? We continue to explore Jesus' radical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. Listen now and be inspired to embrace a new way of living, rooted in love and grace, that starts with genuine heart change and impacts every relationship in your life.

How does Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament law change our understanding of righteousness? Here we explore a righteousness that goes deeper than simply following rules. It's about embracing a profound shift from self-reliance to Christ-dependence. Listen now and explore how Jesus' grace can reshape your approach to faith and daily living. 

What does it truly mean to be salt and light in today's world? We take a deeper look at the Sermon on the Mount and unpack the profound wisdom of the Beatitudes. Learn how mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking can shape your character. This sermon will challenge you to live boldly, embracing Kingdom values in a world that often pushes against them. You'll gain practical insights on how...

Are you building your life on solid ground or shifting sand? Join us as we kick off an exciting new series on the Sermon on the Mount, exploring Jesus' powerful metaphor of life foundations. This sermon digs into what it means to intentionally construct our lives based on Christ's teachings, and the stark contrast with lives built on shaky ground. We'll unpack how Jesus himself is t...

What if God's generosity doesn't match our ideas of fairness? This sermon looks at the provocative parable of the workers in the vineyard, wrapping up our summer journey through Jesus' teachings. This story challenges our notions of reward and calling. And we can contrast it with the rich young ruler's struggle to follow Jesus. At its heart, this parable invites us to rethink w...

What does it truly mean to forgive? This episode explores the parable of the unmerciful servant from Matthew 18, using relatable experiences with financial debt as a metaphor for sin and forgiveness. True forgiveness involves releasing someone from the obligation to repay a debt, often requiring us to absorb the cost of the wrong done. The parable challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towa...

What makes the Kingdom of God so valuable that one would give up everything for it? This episode explores the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13:44-46. The Kingdom of God is both a future promise and a transformative present reality. Some discover it by chance, others through active seeking, but both require radical commitment to fully embrace it. These pa...

How does the parable of the mustard seed explain the nature of God's Kingdom? This sermon looks at Matthew 13, exploring the themes of growth, hope, and inclusivity. Like the mustard seed, the Kingdom of God starts small but grows significantly over time. The expansion is gradual yet unstoppable. Through biblical stories and historical references, we examine how this divine process unfolds an...

What does the parable of the talents teach us about stewardship and faith? This episode examines Matthew 25:14-30 and its far-reaching impact on our lives. God places immense trust in us by investing gifts, abilities, and relationships in our care. It is crucial to actively engage with these investments, overcoming fear and laziness. We can use our talents for God's glory, to invest in our co...

Jesus told a story about a persistent widow who pleaded with a judge and finally received justice. And Jesus told his disciples this is how they should pray. Persistent prayer is important. More specifically, though, he is urging them to pray persistently for the return of Jesus and the fullness of the kingdom of God. Persistent kingdom prayers should be part of the rhythm of life for all of Jesus...

Jesus tells a compelling story of an entitled and prideful son who demands his inheritance, runs away and spends himself into poverty. Upon his return home, he is met in compassion and abounding grace by his father. Far from humiliating, he is welcomed by a celebration. His brother, however, is irate. Unlike his brother he was being a "good" son, but just like his brother he was trying t...

Wealth can certainly be dangerous, but it is not wrong, nor does Jesus condemn it. Rather this parable is about greed, thinking only of self and hoarding. And while greed certainly pertains to money, it also pertains to every facet of our lives. Jesus shows us that greed actually comes from our inner soul talk about what we need to be satisfied. The gospel is its only antidote. 

Pastor Jim explores the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan, cautioning against the oversimplification of its message and stressing the importance of understanding its deeper meanings and context. He discusses how the parable intertwines the law, eternal life, and the notion of being a good neighbor, urging listeners to reflect on their relationship with God and their behavior towards others....

Jesus tells the parable of the sower to show two important truths. First, God faithfully and generously sows the seed of the gospel for all of humanity, without precondition or prejudice. Second, the soil, or human heart, on which a seed lands is important for its growth. The faithfulness of the sower is a constant, but the human heart is not. What type of soil is your heart? And what are you doin...