Hope Christian Fellowship

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...

When we hear about a ‘good Samaritan’ we have this picture of someone happening upon a person in need and being kind-hearted enough to help. This kind of event brings warmth to our hearts and in some cases even reassures us about the state of humanity. But when Jesus first told the story, it was offensive, shocking, and scandalous. He told this story to challenge His listeners to a different way o...

FIND REST FOR YOUR SOUL SERIES

There is a saying often repeated that says, “Nothing worthwhile comes for free.” Your experience probably bears this out to a large degree. When we want something that actually has value, there is a price to pay. Of course, we don’t hold back from paying that price if we really believe that what we get in return is of much greater value. Jesus spoke to three men who offered to follow Him, and His...

Find Rest for Your Soul Series Topics: freedom , God's Plan , Rest

If you were going to make an investment, you’d probably want to be pretty careful about where you put your money. Throwing cash around randomly would not seem to be the best way to maximize your returns. But we read a very famous story today that Jesus told where He describes a farmer recklessly throwing seed everywhere. There was a good chance that several of the places where seed landed would no...

Are you constantly worn out and racing from one thing to the next? Maybe this has more to do with the condition of your soul than the overload of your schedule. Join us on Wednesday nights in January and February as we look at what brings rest to our hearts and souls. It may change your choices in scheduling stuff, but it will probably go much deeper than that and invite you to a completely differ...

As a church, we want to share Jesus.  Sometimes we think of that as sharing Him with people “out there.” But our greatest privilege is to share Him with the next generation of Hopers!  Today, we get to have our teens take over our service and to receive ministry from them.  It reminds us of what is at stake in our efforts to reach our own kids.  And it encourages us to think about how we’re influe...

Mark Hartwell  brings tonight's study Topics: bad things , God's Plan

Suppose you wanted to grow apples… You’d probably need some land and some equipment.  You’d definitely need some information and know-how.  But unless you actually got some apple trees, you’d never produce any apples.  This is such an obvious truth that Jesus uses it to explain a spiritual truth.  You get what you grow.  You grow what you plant.  If you plant an orange tree, you’re not going to ge...

Are you constantly worn out and racing from one thing to the next?  Maybe this has more to do with the condition of your soul than the overload of your schedule.  Join us on Wednesday nights in January as we look at what brings rest to our hearts and souls.  It may change your choices in scheduling stuff, but it will probably go much deeper than that and invite you to a completely different life! ...

Are you constantly worn out and racing from one thing to the next?  Maybe this has more to do with the condition of your soul than the overload of your schedule.  Join us on Wednesday nights in January as we look at what brings rest to our hearts and souls.  It may change your choices in scheduling stuff, but it will probably go much deeper than that and invite you to a completely different life!

Our mission for 2017 is to share Jesus.  We are asking God to teach us how to share Him with those who are lost and those who have lost their way.  Today we have the privilege of hearing from someone that God has called to share Jesus for their living!  Josh Hallahan is our missionary to Uganda (as well as the brother of our youth pastor!) and he will give us an update on what God is doing there,...

Have you ever wondered how many ‘judge’ shows are now on TV?  Long ago, “The People’s Court” made it popular to look in on the way a court works.  We heard the evidence from each side, and then came to an opinion on which side should win.  Others followed in Judge Wapner’s steps, and now we have had dozens of shows where the entire program is litigation. Maybe the reason this became so appealing i...

Are you constantly worn out and racing from one thing to the next?  Maybe this has more to do with the condition of your soul than the overload of your schedule.  Join us on Wednesday nights in January as we look at what brings rest to our hearts and souls.  It may change your choices in scheduling stuff, but it will probably go much deeper than that and invite you to a completely different life!

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. Our loved ones are what gives our lives a sense of depth and meaning.  Those we are...