Hope Church (Dubuque)

This week, Pastor Sean Holloway walks us through the Sixth Commandment, showing that it’s more than just avoiding physical harm—it’s a call to value every human life. Jesus teaches that even anger and contempt break this command. We’re reminded that all people are made in God’s image, and we’re called to reflect His heart by cherishing life in both our actions and attitudes.

This week in our “Etched in Stone” series, we reach the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and mother.” It’s a turning point in the list—moving from loving God to loving others. But honoring parents isn’t always straightforward, especially in a world where not all parents live honorably. Mark walks us through what biblical honor truly means: valuing, respecting, and showing appreciation across...

This week in our Etched in Stone series, we explore the 4th commandment—Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. In a culture that runs on busyness and burnout, God calls us to a different rhythm—one of rest, remembrance, and renewal. We see that Sabbath is not a burden but a blessing, rooted in both creation and redemption. It reminds us that our identity is not in what we produce but in what Chris...

As we continue through the Ten Commandments, we explore the weight and wonder of the third: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” This message challenges us to consider how we speak—and live—in light of God’s name. His name isn’t just a label; it represents His character, His blessing, His authority, and His salvation. Misusing it—through cursing, casualness, or contradiction—dimin...

In week two of our Etched in Stone series, Mark unpacks the Second Commandment—“No Idols”—by reminding us that the Ten Commandments aren’t a way to earn God’s favor, but a path to walk in relationship with Him. Just like a train needs tracks to move forward, our lives were designed to flourish when aligned with God's ways. Idolatry isn’t just an ancient problem—it’s a human one. Whether it’s our p...

Ross kicks off our new series Etched in Stone by reframing the Ten Commandments not as restrictive rules but as gracious words from a personal, redeeming, and ruling God who desires relationship with His people. In this week’s message from Exodus 20:1–3, we explore the foundational first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ross shows how God gives His law after rescuing His peop...

In this message from our One Another series, Pastor Ross unpacks what it means to handle one another’s maturity in Christ—not as a solo journey but a shared one. Drawing from Romans, Colossians, and Galatians, he shows how spiritual growth happens in community when we are devoted to one another like family, teaching one another the Word of Christ, and serving one another humbly in love. These aren...

Marty walks us through four often-overlooked “one another” commands in Scripture that are essential for how we handle sin—in ourselves and each other—as a church. In a culture that resists accountability and avoids the topic of sin, we’re called to something deeper: to submit to one another, admonish one another, spur one another on, and forgive one another. These practices are uncomfortable, but...

Mark challenges us to “handle one another’s differences” by living out the “one another” commands of Scripture—not just tolerating each other’s quirks, but actively choosing humility, love, and honor in the midst of our differences. Using the metaphor of cartilage in a knee, he explains that these biblical instructions—like patience, gentleness, and forgiveness—keep our relationships from becoming...

In this message, Mark unpacks Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28—the Great Commission—as both a call and a promise. After exploring the life-changing invitation to follow Jesus, Mark challenges us to embrace the next step: making disciples. He reminds us that this command isn't just for the spiritually gifted, but for all who follow Christ. Mark identifies two common missteps—reversing the order of...

Today, Caleb, our Student Pastor, shares a powerful message on identity, walking us through Psalm 139 and reminding us that our true worth is found in Christ alone. Drawing from conversations with students and personal stories, Caleb challenges us to recognize how often we chase after false identities rooted in appearance, status, wealth, or skills—and how easily we let the world define us. Instea...

Ross’s Easter 2025 message invites us to experience the resurrection of Jesus not as a past event, but as a present reality that changes everything. He unpacks how the risen Christ gives us new life—a new position with God, a new perspective on the world, a new purpose for living, and new power through His Spirit. Through the lens of Scripture and real-life baptism, we’re reminded that this life t...

In this week’s message, Pastor Mark walks us through the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, contrasting him with the unlikely team Jesus builds—fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and outcasts. This man seems like the perfect candidate: wealthy, respected, and moral. Yet when Jesus invites him to follow, the cost—giving up his wealth—is too great. Mark unpacks the invitation through thre...

In this message, Marty continues the Easter series Follow Me by focusing on Jesus’ call to Matthew in Matthew 9:9. He reminds us that the same invitation extended to a despised tax collector thousands of years ago is still being offered to us today. Jesus—who holds power over creation, the spiritual realm, and sin—sees us in our brokenness and calls us to follow Him, not because of our worthiness...

In this Family Worship message, Ross opens a new series leading to Easter by unpacking the simple yet life-changing invitation of Jesus: “Follow Me.” Looking at Matthew 4:18–22, we see Jesus call His first disciples—ordinary fishermen—to respond in faith, rely on Him completely, and step into a new purpose: reaching the world. Ross challenges us to consider what it truly means to follow Jesus—not...

Ross concludes the Galatians series by walking us through Paul’s closing words in Galatians 6:11–18, where we’re invited to consider what we truly boast in—ourselves or the cross of Christ. In a world that often encourages us to find identity, comfort, and purpose in our own efforts, Paul makes a bold declaration: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ross highlights th...

Mark’s sermon draws from Galatians 6:1-10, comparing Paul’s exhortation to a coach’s halftime speech—motivating, instructing, and calling believers to action. He highlights how true freedom in Christ is lived out by walking in step with the Holy Spirit, leading us to carry each other’s burdens with love and humility. Paul’s message is clear: believers are not lone pioneers but a team, responsible...

True freedom in Christ is not about indulging in sin but walking by the Spirit. In Galatians 5:13-26, Paul warns against two dangerous extremes—legalism and license—and calls us to a life led by the Holy Spirit. Freedom in Christ is not an excuse to follow our sinful desires but an invitation to be transformed by His grace. As we walk by the Spirit, we bear the fruit of God’s character—love, joy,...

Marty challenges us to consider the question, “What’s the big deal?” as he unpacks Paul’s passionate warning in Galatians 5. The Galatians had been led astray by false teaching, believing they needed to add religious works to their faith in Christ to be truly accepted by God. Paul makes it clear—if you add to faith in Jesus, you risk losing everything. Marty walks us through five powerful truths t...

Ross's sermon on Freedom in Christ: Galatians 4:8-5:1 calls us to stand firm in the gospel, rejecting any attempt to earn salvation through works. He emphasizes Paul's warning to the Galatians, who were turning back to legalism and idolatry instead of embracing the freedom found in Christ. Paul reminds them that salvation comes by faith alone, not by obeying the law. Using the story of Abraham, Ro...

Mark's sermon focuses on Paul’s message in Galatians 3:26–4:7, emphasizing our new identity in Christ. Through faith, we are no longer slaves to sin but have been adopted as children of God and made heirs to His promises. Paul highlights that the law once enslaved us, revealing our inability to meet God's standard on our own. But through Christ’s redemption, we are not just freed from sin—we are w...

Ross's sermon on Galatians 3:15-25 explores the relationship between God's promise to Abraham and the Law given through Moses, emphasizing that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works. He explains how the law reveals our sin and points us to our need for a Savior, serving as a guide until Christ fulfilled it. Through vivid illustrations, he highlights God's unchanging promise, the law...

Ross’s sermon, “Freedom in Christ: Galatians | Galatians 3:1-14 | Relying on the Gospel,” underscores that our salvation is secured solely through faith in Jesus and not by our own works, yet genuine faith naturally produces good works as a response to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. Drawing on Paul’s urgent rebuke to the Galatians for turning to the law, Ross emphasizes that relying on human effor...