Hope Christian Fellowship

Each year, we give it everything we have. We want this week of Vacation Bible School to be the most fun, the best experience, and some of the greatest memories our kids every have. But all of that is because of our purpose – as believers, as a church, and certainly as we pour out our energy this week. We want our kids (and everyone else) to know Jesus. We want homes to be changed by His power. We...

Because we trust and follow Jesus, we thought it would be a great idea to take a walk through the gospel of Luke and dig into the words of Jesus Himself. We’ll find them challenging and full of insight. And with open hearts, we’ll allow the Spirit to instruct us on how we should walk as Christians in this world. The Temptation of Jesus ( Luke 4:1-13 ) The biggest mistakes we make are usually drive...

Competition is everywhere in our lives. Our kids join various teams and compete against one another. As we grow up, we find many different playing fields, from social to academic to career. We talk about political races and our culture seems obsessed with sports. Since we’re all well acquainted with trying to come out on top, we all understand the discussion that the disciples have with Jesus. The...

This is going to be a very special Sunday. Our entire service is going to be built around the words of Jesus as He gives us the Lord's Supper. Over the centuries, Christians have used these symbols to remember Jesus. Our morning will be filled with music and reflection and we'll share communion together. How are you doing at Jesus admonition to remember Him and His sacrifice? Has it shown...

Do you remember what it’s like to be a kid? Everything is an adventure. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, forming hopes and dreams. Think about how the unfolding of your childhood effected the outcome of your adulthood. Dr. Tim Kimmel says having children is like “being handed a piece of history in advance – a gracious gift you send to a time you will not see – and you play the b...

Have you ever thought about the ‘power of Dad’? Certainly both parents are vital to God’s design for home, but there’s something unique about Dad’s voice. When it is time to discipline the kids, what Dad has to say makes a large difference. And statistics show the undeniable spiritual impact that Dad has on his children – both positive and negative. So it isn’t surprising that God is presented as...

Have you ever loaned out something you really value? If you trust the one you’ve given it to, you can rest easy unless you receive some kind of news of trouble. But if you don’t know or trust that person, you will not have a moment’s peace until you have your valuable back in your hands again. It would be a huge problem if those to whom you’ve loaned decided to think and act like they were in fact...

Have you ever been asked to watch a friend’s pet while they are away? Depending on the pet, it can be a minor effort or a major one! The friend trusts you enough to ask you to take on their role in caring for their pet and ensuring that their home isn’t wrecked while they are away. Knowing that they will come home is the filter through which you see your role. You know it isn’t permanent and that...

Wednesday Bible Study – 1 Corinthians

High school social circles generally include groups of people who are ‘popular’. You know the type; everyone wants to be around them and they are always in demand. Of course, that also means there are other people who are less desirable. These kids are on the outside looking in. The difference is probably something to do with appearance or athletic skill. It could also be based in social skills. B...

One story line that we see over and over again is the situation where a king or someone in great power is disguised as just a regular person. Movies have had ‘hidden kings’ as part of the narrative, and there has been a recent TV series based on the boss working alongside regular employees. The surprise factor embedded in this situation is a great tool for storytelling. Jesus uses a similar techni...

Wednesday Night Bible Study Topics: God's Plan , Our Plans , Spirit Leading

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed as a parent? Maybe you found yourself in a dark moment where you were convinced that you are a failure as a parent. But if you put that ‘feeling’ aside for a moment, what would you use to measure the success or failure of your parenting? The Bible contains many different passages that touch on parenting. Some are direct and others are implied. Today, we wa...

Have you ever heard of a Brazilian steakhouse? There are a few different ones in the area and they vary in quality, but the point is the same at all of them. They are basically meat buffets with the added bonus of the food being brought to you instead of you having to get up and get it. Basically, the things dreams are made of. I had the luxury of eating at one of these establishments several year...

Why does it seem that keys are always lost just when you’re about to leave? Whether you’re already running late or have given yourself extra time, it is a deflating and frustrating experience to be ready to go but find yourself unable. TV remotes seem to have a similar talent for hiding. So what do we do when we lose something we need or really want? We go looking for it. Jesus uses this natural r...

Why does it seem that keys are always lost just when you’re about to leave? Whether you’re already running late or have given yourself extra time, it is a deflating and frustrating experience to be ready to go but find yourself unable. TV remotes seem to have a similar talent for hiding. So what do we do when we lose something we need or really want? We go looking for it. Jesus uses this natural r...

A study in 1 Corinthians Topics: Eternal Life , Heaven , Promises , Victory

In a world of credit, how do you not allow yourself to be drowning in debt? One offer after another winds up in your ‘inbox’ or your mailbox. Each invites you to buy now and pay later. Of course, you have years to pay without any interest, so how could you not take advantage of this moment? Besides, you REALLY want what they are selling. It’s very easy to understand how so many of us find ourselve...

Because we trust and follow Jesus, we thought it would be a great idea to take a walk through the gospel of Luke and dig into the words of Jesus Himself. We’ll find them challenging and full of insight. And with open hearts, we’ll allow the Spirit to instruct us on how we should walk as Christians in this world.

There’s something about food that makes everything feel better. How could you have a party or a celebration without food? If you’ve ever planned a wedding, you know that one of the most expensive and involved parts of the day is the part where everyone shares a meal together. Jesus uses this well-known experience in discussion the Kingdom of God. He compares it to a banquet thrown by a wealthy man...

Who doesn’t like a surprise? Maybe that’s an unfair question. Surprises come in all shapes and sizes. The perfectly executed surprise party filled with laughter and fun is a great experience. But surprise car repairs or illness or unemployment wind up on the other end of the spectrum. Jesus makes the point to His disciples that the Kingdom of God is a huge surprise. It doesn’t always look like wha...

THE WORDS OF JESUS SERIES (A Study from Luke) Because we trust and follow Jesus, we thought it would be a great idea to take a walk through the gospel of Luke and dig into the words of Jesus Himself. We’ll find them challenging and full of insight. And with open hearts, we’ll allow the Spirit to instruct us on how we should walk as Christians in this world. March 26 – Do Not Worry About Your Life...

Have you ever been called a ‘fool’? If you haven’t, many of us can report that it does not feel good. Sometimes you know you’re acting foolish, so you’re not overly surprised when you get that feedback. But when you’re making decisions and choices that you think are good and that anyone else would make, getting called a ‘fool’ can be hard to take. In this passage, we have this exact scenario. And...

When you’re watching an action movie, one of the ways the story creates drama and tension is by placing the hero in a situation that seems hopeless. No matter what he tries, there seems to be no way to overcome the problem. And then, in spite of all opposition and with seemingly no answer, the hero finds a way out. Some of what makes that work as entertainment is that every one of us knows what it...

When we talk about prayer, we have to start by recognizing that people come from all different kinds of backgrounds and traditions. Some have been in very formal religious practices and others have barely ever walked into a church. However, almost everyone prays at some point in their life. Whether it is simple desperation or a daily choice, people pray. One prayer has been repeated over and over...