Hopewell Baptist Church

What are you wearing—spiritually? In Colossians 3:12–17, Paul unveils the Christian’s new wardrobe: not labels and layers, but a life clothed with Christ . Because we are chosen, holy, and beloved , we put on what He wears— compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness , and, over all, love (the garment that ties everything together). Then we let the peace of Christ...

How to Kill What’s Killing You (Colossians 3 – The Battle Against the Old Self) Sin isn’t something to manage — it’s something to kill. In this episode of The Sunday Rewind, Pastors Joel and Brandon unpack Paul’s call in Colossians 3 to “put to death what is earthly in you.” They talk about why true victory over sin begins with understanding who you are in Christ, how the Holy Spirit empowers dail...

What if holiness is less about gritting your teeth and more about getting dressed? In Colossians 3:5–14, Paul shows us how the gospel takes us from old rags to new robes—from the grave clothes of our past to the grace garments of our new life in Christ. Because we’ve been united with Jesus, our position (in Christ) reshapes our practice (like Christ). In this message you’ll learn: What to take off...

When life’s skies turn cloudy, your senses can lie—just ask a pilot. In Colossians 3:1–4 , Paul hands us the “instrument panel” for the Christian life: fix your mind on things above so you don’t drift below. This message unpacks the marks of the new man —who you are with Christ , how you think, and how you live. Scripture: Colossians 3:1–4 Title: Markers of the New Man Big Idea: Because you’re uni...

Pastors Joel and Brandon recap Hopewell’s biggest Family Fun Day yet—complete with fireworks, games, and (nearly) 5,000 gospel packets gone for Halloween outreach. Missed a packet? A shareable link to “The Story” film is coming this week so you can post it on social and even track global impact. They also unpack Sunday’s message from Colossians 2: Jesus sets us free from legalism—we’re made right...

Legalism is like an iron mask—you're breathing, serving, even “doing church,” but not living free. In Colossians 2:16–23, Pastor unpacks how false rules and rituals can hide the beauty of the gospel and drain our joy—and how Jesus tears the mask off. In this message: Shadows vs. Substance — why diets, days, and rituals were only pointers, and Christ is the reality (Col 2:16–17). Ritual vs. Re...

Pastors Matt and Joel recap a full Sunday at Hopewell—baptisms, global mission partners, and a big push to “redeem Halloween” with gospel giveaway packets. They unpack why evangelism must start earlier than John 3:16 in a post-Bible-Belt culture, how a 6-minute film (“The Story”) and QR code can multiply reach worldwide, and why Romans 8 keeps our eyes on future glory when today feels heavy. They...

“A Glorious Future” — Romans 8:18-23 “Toto, we’re not in the Bible Belt anymore.” Pastor Joel shares why effective evangelism in today’s culture starts with a clear biblical worldview and an unshakable hope in Christ (Romans 8:18–23). Instead of longing for yesterday, we’ll learn to meet our neighbors where they are and answer the big questions every heart is asking: Where did we come from? Why ar...

Pastor Brandon and Pastor Joel unpack Colossians and show how solid doctrine becomes everyday discipleship. Join a deep dive on Paul’s flow from indicative (what God has done) to imperative (how we live), this conversation gets practical fast: abiding in Christ (John 15), the Spirit’s life in us, the difference between justification, sanctification, and glorification, and what it really means to “...

“Established in the Faith” — Colossians 2:6–15 When false ideas sound persuasive and faith feels pressured, how do Christians stand firm? In this message, we unpack Paul’s call to be rooted, built up, and established in Christ. Colossians 2:6–15 anchors us in three essentials: 1) Grounded in His Truth (vv. 6–7) “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” A steady, everyday walk—with d...

In this Sunday Rewind, we unpack why we call it parent commissioning (not just baby dedication), how the church truly functions as family, and how Paul’s words in Colossians 2:1–5 call us from spectators to participants in the life of the body. We talk about Paul “agonizing” in prayer for believers he’s never met, being “knit together in love,” and pursuing the full assurance of our salvation. We...

“Paul’s Concern for the Church” — Colossians 2:1–5 In this message from our Foundations series, we explore the heart of the Apostle Paul as he shares his deep concern for the believers in Colossae. Though he had never met them face to face, his love for the church—and his desire for their growth in Christ—burned deeply. Paul’s words remind us that Christianity is not a solo journey. We need one an...

In this week’s Sunday Rewind , Pastor Brandon unpacks Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28— “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Together we look at why both warning against lies and teaching the truth are essential for spiritual growth, and how community, accountability, and discipleship lead us to maturity in Christ....

What does a healthy, Christ-centered ministry look like? In Colossians 1:24–29, Paul lays out his model of ministry—marked by suffering, stewardship, and Spirit-empowered labor. His example reminds us that ministry isn’t about ease or comfort, but about joyful sacrifice, proclaiming Christ faithfully, and depending wholly on His power. We’ll also look at the life of missionary Adoniram Judson, who...

This week on Sunday Rewind , Pastor Brandon and Pastor Joel reflect on a powerful Sunday at Hopewell, celebrating six baptisms and what it means to go public with your faith. They dive into Colossians 1:15–23, exploring how Christ’s supremacy shapes our worldview, discipleship, and daily walk. From the symbolism of baptism and the Lord’s Supper to the weight of being made in the image of God, this...

Hymn About Him Colossians 1:15–23 | Foundations (Week 3) In a culture that says we need “Jesus plus something,” Paul gives the church a first-century worship song that says Jesus is everything . This passage lifts our eyes to the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ—and shows why a truly Christian worldview keeps Him at the center . What you’ll hear Why worldview matters: Colossae’s “mix-and-match”...

In this Sunday Rewind, Pastor Brandon and Joel process a heavy week and talk about how Christians can respond with truth, grace, and courage. Through Colossians 1:9–14, they unpack how prayer shapes perspective , why a biblical worldview treats every person as an image-bearer, and how disciples of Jesus engage the public square without hatred—full of conviction, civility, and hope. What we cover:...

Prayer Shapes Perspective Colossians 1:9–14 | Foundations Series Prayer isn’t just words we speak to God—it’s how God reshapes our perspective. In Colossians 1, Paul prays for the believers to grow in wisdom, walk worthy of the Lord, bear fruit, endure trials with joy, and give thanks for redemption in Christ. In this message, we’ll see how prayer acts both as a thermometer —revealing the temperat...

In this episode of the Sunday Rewind, Pastor Brandon and Pastor Joel recap a powerful start to the new Colossians series and the Foundations discipleship groups. Together, they unpack why Colossians is so relevant for today—reminding us that Christianity is not Jesus plus something else, it is Jesus period. They also discuss the importance of developing a biblical worldview in a culture full of co...

The Foundations of a Christian Worldview Colossians 1:1–8 In a world crowded with -isms, hot takes, and shifting headlines, what holds? Paul’s letter to the Colossians gives us a clear lens. In this kickoff to our Foundations series, we explore how a biblical worldview answers life’s biggest questions—and why Jesus at the center changes everything. Big idea: A Christian worldview is rooted in Chri...

Pastor Brandon and Pastor Joel close our Joseph series with the big takeaways we all felt: forgiveness over vengeance, humility in promotion, and living with our eyes on eternity—“don’t leave your bones in Egypt.” We also tee up what’s next at Hopewell: Foundations , a church-wide journey into a Christian worldview (creation, fall, redemption, restoration) and why it matters right now. Plus, how t...

What if the hardest miles of your journey were part of a higher trail you can only see from the summit? Joseph’s story—betrayal, slavery, prison, then reconciliation and honor—shows a God who weaves every twist into redemptive purpose. Today we close our Joseph series with the mountaintop view: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Gen. 50:20) In this message: Lessons: Forgivene...

In this week’s Sunday Rewind , Pastor Brandon and Pastor Matt reflect on Joseph’s powerful story of forgiveness in Genesis 45. Instead of choosing vengeance against his brothers who betrayed him, Joseph extends grace and reconciliation—a picture of how God calls us to forgive those who hurt us. We talk about the challenge of releasing resentment, the beauty of God’s providence in painful moments,...

The Road to Reconciliation (Pt. 2) Genesis 45:1–15 What happens when forgiveness replaces vengeance? In Genesis 45, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers—the very ones who betrayed him more than 20 years earlier. In that powerful moment, instead of revenge, Joseph extends forgiveness, reconciliation, and grace. This message explores three life-changing truths about forgiveness: Forgivenes...

This week at Hopewell, we celebrated an incredible move of God— 12 people baptized in one Sunday! Pastor Matt reflects on how these moments are never routine, but powerful reminders of God’s hand at work in every story. In this episode, we dive into John 15 and what it means to remain connected to the vine. Pastor Matt shares how seasons of pruning—though often painful—are actually God’s preparati...