Hope Church Podcast

This message takes us deep into Matthew chapter 9, where we encounter Jesus challenging the old religious systems and introducing a radically new kingdom. The teaching explores three interconnected stories that reveal something profound about how Jesus transforms everything He touches. We see John's disciples questioning why Jesus' followers don't fast according to tradition, and Jesus responds wi...

In this message, Aaron explores the difference between self-control and self-discipline, showing how true self-control is developed through a life surrendered to God. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:23, he reminds us that every person is made up of body, soul, and spirit—and whatever we consistently feed is what will grow. The Bible tells us that the acts of the flesh are obvious, so the question b...

In a world drowning in conflicting voices about what it means to be faithful, we're invited to discover something beautifully simple yet profoundly challenging. The fruit of faithfulness isn't about perfect church attendance or flawless performance - it's about confidence and reliability in our relationship with God. Drawing from Paul's letter to the Galatians, we see a church community much like...

What if the most powerful expression of strength isn't found in force or dominance, but in restraint? This message challenges our cultural assumptions about power by exploring gentleness as a forgotten virtue of the Christian life. Drawing from Ephesians 4:1-3, we're invited to examine whether our lives truly reflect the gentle heart of Jesus. The ancient Greek word for gentleness was actually use...

What does it truly mean to be good? This powerful exploration of goodness as a fruit of the Spirit challenges us to reconsider everything we thought we knew about this seemingly simple word. We discover that biblical goodness is not the watered-down, mediocre version our culture has settled for. The Greek term 'agathosune' that Paul uses in Galatians represents something far more profound: a disti...

This message of kindness challenges us to move beyond simple niceness into biblical kindness that transforms relationships and reflects God's character. We discover that true kindness isn't merely being pleasant to those who are pleasant to us—it's active benevolence toward those who oppose us. The message draws us into the difference between cultural politeness and Spirit-led kindness, reminding...

This exploration of peace as a fruit of the Spirit takes us beyond surface-level tranquility into the profound Hebrew concept of shalom—wholeness, completeness, and perfect harmony under God. We discover that biblical peace isn't merely the absence of conflict but the very presence of God in our lives. The message walks us through three essential dimensions of peace: peace with God through Jesus C...

This exploration of joy challenges us to reconsider what we truly mean when we talk about being joyful. Drawing from Galatians 5:22, we discover that joy is fundamentally different from happiness. While happiness depends on what happens to us—our circumstances, successes, and comforts—joy is a settled assurance rooted in knowing who God is. The message takes us into the lives of two remarkable wom...

 This sermon launches a nine-week series on the Fruit of the Spirit, focusing specifically on love as the foundation of all spiritual fruit. Pastor Jeff challenges the congregation to move beyond passive Christianity to active, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's love for us. He contrasts the "acts of the flesh" (plural, scattered, self-gratifying) with the "fruit of the Spirit" (singular, unif...

This message takes us into Matthew chapter 8, where we encounter an unexpected hero of faith: a Roman centurion. What makes this story remarkable is not just the healing that occurs, but Jesus' amazement at the faith displayed. Have we become so familiar with Jesus that we no longer truly believe in his power? Are we comfortable with our patterns of sin, our coping mechanisms, our busy schedules t...

This powerful message draws us into the transformative encounter between Jesus and a man suffering from leprosy in Matthew 8:1-4. We're invited to understand leprosy not just as a physical disease, but as a profound metaphor for isolation and lost identity. Just as the leper experienced progressive separation from family, community, and worship, we too can find ourselves isolated by circumstances,...

Easter isn’t just another holiday—it’s the day that changed everything. On this Resurrection Sunday, we unpack the miracle of the empty tomb and invite you to discover what it truly means that Jesus is alive. Through Mary Magdalene’s encounter and the story in John 20, you’ll see how: Because He lives, I am free—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV); Be...

This week on the Hope Church Frankfort podcast, Pastor Jeff brings a fresh word for Palm Sunday with his message, "The Lord Needs It." As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds were filled with holy anticipation and hope for the Messiah. But, like waiting for that long-desired gift only to find it isn’t what you expected, Pastor Jeff challenges us: What if what Jesus wants most is our obedience and s...

What is the church really all about, and why does being “planted” matter? Drawing from Psalm 1, Pastor Jeff unpacks how church is meant to be more than a place to attend—it’s where we’re invited to deep-rooted health, wholeness, and holiness. Just as healthy things grow and growing things change, discover why being planted in God’s Word and among God’s people leads to true spiritual flourishing. W...

In this message, we looked at Jesus’ final words in the Sermon on the Mount, where He shares the illustration of two builders. One builder builds his house on a solid foundation—the rock—while the other builds on a weak foundation—the sand. Aaron used the picture of ancient Israel’s dry riverbeds to help illustrate what Jesus was describing. When the ground looked firm on the surface but had no re...

In this message, we walk through Matthew 7:1-6 (ESV), where Jesus warns against judging others without first examining our own hearts. Pastor Jeff shares a powerful illustration about the dangers of focusing on someone else’s faults while ignoring our own, urging us to seek spiritual growth from the inside out. The sermon highlights the need for discernment over distraction, encourages daily Bible...

In this sermon, Pastor Jeff Lister explores what it means to truly impact the world for God as a “Kingdom Builder.” Drawing from Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 10:13-15, and 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (ESV), he outlines three essential qualities: a willing heart, a committed heart, and a generous heart. Using biblical examples and modern missionary stories, Pastor Jeff challenges listeners to make themselves avail...

This Sunday message, Pastor Jeff begins our Kingdom Builders vision series with part one from Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus warns us that whatever we treasure shapes our hearts, and He challenges us to invest in “treasures in heaven” rather than earthly possessions that fade. Through real-life stories, biblical context, and practical teaching,We unpack why following Jesus with our finances, focus, and de...

Pastor Jeff continues our series on prayer and fasting, exploring Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV) about the heart and purpose of fasting. This message, "When You Fast," emphasizes that fasting isn’t optional for believers—it's essential for spiritual growth, but it must be done authentically, seeking God’s reward rather than recognition from others. Drawing from biblical examples like Mos...

This weekend we dove into the importance of authentic, heartfelt prayer based on Matthew 6:5-14. We believe prayer isn’t just a ritual, but a daily conversation with our Heavenly Father that transforms our lives and deepens our faith. The Lord’s Prayer guides us to seek God’s will, ask for our daily needs, pursue forgiveness, and trust His guidance. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you’...

Over the past few weeks we’ve been anchored in Isaiah 9:6, and today we focus on Jesus as our Everlasting Father—a promise spoken into a time of fear and uncertainty, pointing to a King who would protect, provide, and care for His people forever. Unlike broken earthly leaders or even broken family relationships, Jesus shows us the compassion of a perfect Father, invites us to come to Him for rest,...

Isaiah 9:6 reveals Jesus as Mighty God, a title that points to His unmatched power and authority. In Matthew 14, we see this might on display as Jesus walks on water and steps into the storm to be near His disciples, showing that His power is not distant but personal. Peter’s faith reminds us that we are not meant to face storms in our own strength, but to move at Jesus’ command and trust His powe...

As we begin our Christmas series, “Who is This?”, we’re exploring the question that everyone must answer: Who is Jesus, and why does it matter? Like the days before Caller ID, when you’d nervously answer the phone and wonder, “Who is this?”, we all have to answer that about Jesus. Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) gives Jesus four unique titles—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of P...

The message focuses on Matthew 5:33–37 and Jesus’ teaching about oaths within the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew, writing to a largely Jewish-Christian audience, emphasizes Jesus as King and the character of His advancing kingdom. In this section, Jesus challenges the traditional practice of swearing oaths to prove one’s honesty, teaching instead that kingdom people should be so truthful that oaths...

The sermon welcomed the congregation and introduced teaching from Matthew 5:27-32, where Jesus addresses lust and divorce in the Sermon on the Mount. It was emphasized that Jesus’ message goes beyond outward actions to examine the attitude of the heart, challenging everyone to take personal responsibility for their own thoughts and desires regarding lust. We talked about the dangers of unchecked l...