Hope Alliance Nazareth

In this sermon, Pastor Jim delves into the profound role of being disciple-makers as an integral part of the Christian identity. Emphasizing that discipleship is a continuous, 24/7 calling for every Christian, Jim stresses that it transcends specific locations or occupations. He underscores the importance of making disciples of Jesus, rather than of a church, brand, or subculture, defining discipl...

In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores the vital role of our new identity as witness to showcase God:  emphasizing the declaration of God's sovereignty and the truth of salvation through Jesus, Pastor Jim highlights Jesus as the faithful witness and stresses the need to live lives reflecting God's character. He discusses the failures of Israel in this role and urges followers of Jesus to sh...

In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores believers' role as a royal priesthood in Jesus. From Old Testament to New, the people of God are part of God's rescue plan. Reflecting on the Israelites as God's chosen priests, Jim emphasizes representing God to the world, bringing Him near, and embodying His character. With Jesus as the ultimate high priest, the sermon underscores the new identi...

In this sermon, Pastor Jim Entwistle explores the concept of inheritance for believers in Jesus, emphasizing our status as adopted children of God and co-heirs with Christ. Jim draws from Romans 8 to illustrate the entitlement of believers to an inheritance and how it should impact their lives in the present, including navigating challenges and joys. The sermon also highlights the connection betwe...

In his loving grace and joy, God chose to redeem us, forgive us, and adopt us into his family through Christ!  Our identity and purpose are no longer slaves to sin and fear but instead are alive again because of Jesus.  

We are all made in the image of God to live for God's glory.  That's our God-given identity!  But we all also have an identity crisis that causes separation between us and God.  We try and find our identity in ourselves.  We have a taste FOR God that becomes a desire to BE God.  We need salvation!  Thank God for the Gospel and the salvation it brings.

As people made in God's image, we are called to bear the image of God to one another and all of creation.  We represent God and reflect God's character as care-takers through our creative words and work.

Scripture tells us clearly that God created humanity with intentionality, with great value, and with a purpose.  

Genuine faith leads to obedience.  And obedience leads to friendship with God...and the thriving life...the way it's supposed to be!

Through the Gospel, God has "planted" us in a new kingdom, a new family, and into eternal life.  We now continue on in a Gospel centered rhythm of life to remain planted and thriving!

Psalm 1 says that the way of blessing and thriving in God is found through delighting in and meditating on His ways and words.  There is no surer way to hear God's words than in the Scriptures.  

Psalm 1 makes it clear that we can find fullness of life through walking in God's wisdom, ways, and worship.  But often we go the opposite direction away from blessing.   Thank God for His covenant faithfulness to us in Jesus!

Spirit-led self-control is really the brush with which all of the elements of the fruit of the Spirit are painted.  In controlling our fleshly desires for self-indulgence by worshipping God we give freedom to the Spirit to lead us into freedom and full life.

Gentleness is a humble, confidently content, tender disposition.  Followers of Jesus are called to be gentle in community, in confrontation, and in the Great Commission.  

God's faithfulness TO us motivates faithfulness IN us.  As we grasp more of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, we become more and more faithful to God, the Gospel, and other people.

The life of a Jesus-follower is to be one typified by Spirit-led goodness...a life of virtue and integrity for the sake of others.  But that integrity does not mean perfection; it means living in the goodness and grace of God rather than our own righteousness.

Kindness is love in action; blessing someone by dignifying them and meeting their needs in a useful way.  But too often we are stuck in a scarcity mindset physically and emotionally and it hinders kindness.  We find in the Gospel, though, the abundance needed to change our minds and lean into kindness.

Patience is a choice to take the long view. In our patience, we trust God as judge and we join him in taking a posture of redemption and restoration in our world. Waiting, humility and forgiveness are all examples of patience in action. 

The Gospel leads us to a relationship with God that impacts us in a very personal way, producing deep peace in our real lives.  But that peace is not to remain personal, but is to show itself in how we have peace with others in our lives and church community.

Covenant Member Dennis Hendershot shares a message on having joy based on our relationship to God as Father.  We find this joy through cultivating childlike faith and trust.

Deep affection for God and the Gospel leads to a healthy love of others.  Meaning, to foster the fruit of the Spirit of love in your life, it takes being led by the Spirit to crucify our selfish love through understanding God's selfless love.  

God indwells His people with His very Spirit to call a people to Himself that look like His son Jesus.  When we are led by the Spirit we grow in Christlikeness...producing the fruit of the Spirit and finding the full life.

The book of Exodus finally reaches its desired end: the glory of God descending to dwell in the midst of the God's people.  But as we see in chapters 35-40, God's glory "shows up" because the people are worshipping and obeying because of God's grace and mercy.

Moses intercedes for the people of God after their sin of worshipping the golden calf.  God relents from destroying the people and decides to go with the people "in their midst".  He honors the faith of one over the faithlessness of many; the righteousness of one over the sins of many.  For us today, Jesus is the better Moses that lives to intercede for us! 

While waiting for Moses to come down off Mt. Sinai, the people of God grow worried and restless.  They decide to pick a new leader, fashion a new image of god(s), and decide on a new code of conduct.  They forget God's past provision and lose hope in the future He's promised them.  We have a tendency to do the same thing today!