Living Hope Bible Church

In Exodus 33 and 34, God reveals His character to sinful people. We learn that no gift God can give us is as important as dwelling in His presence. In order to draw closer to God, we need to change to become more like Him and follow His commandments.

In John 15, Jesus teaches us the importance of abiding in Him. He is our source, and without Him, we can do nothing. As we abide with Jesus, it changes the way we treat those around us and causes us to be different from the world. In Jesus, we produce fruit that brings glory to our heavenly Father.

In Luke 10-11, Jesus teaches us several important elements of what life as a Christian should look like. Looking at the story of Mary and Martha, we learn that doing things for Jesus is not a replacement for a relationship with Jesus. We are called to be worshippers first, and workers second.

When we look at the way Jesus lived on earth, we see many instances where He withdraws from the crowds in order to pray. This is not an escape from people, but a time to realign with the Father. In solitude, the noise from the world is taken away, and we have a chance to hear what God saying to us.

In Matthew 11, Jesus calls out the sin and unrepentance of those around Him. Jesus shares His heart with those listening to Him. He teaches them that the rest they're looking for is found in drawing closer to Him.

In the final chapter of Acts, Paul finally arrives at Rome. He proclaims the Gospel boldly to the Jews, but many still refuse to believe. Paul's final argument to them is that the healing they need comes only in repenting and turning to God.

Because of Christ, Paul is brought to strange circumstances, he is transformed radically, and he is called insane. Paul is on trial because of the calling he has received, and even though it may seem crazy, he is obedient to God through it all.

In this chapter, Paul is once again on trial. Using discernment and relying on the disciplines that have helped him to grow strong in his faith, Paul is able to stand firm in God's will. He isn't pushed by the winds of pressure, but trusts that God is working in the seasons of waiting.

Paul is put on trial before the governor of the region, and the Jews continue their false accusations against him. In the face of injustice, Paul doesn't respond in anger, but he is slow to speak, he speaks the truth in love, and he is faithful even when leaders are unfaithful. 

Paul faces increasing pressure from being put on trial, false accusations, and the threat of death. But we also learn that God is with Paul in the midst of these troubles. Through it all, Paul demonstrates how we should react when we are under pressure. Not in explosions of emotion, but it peace, trust, and patience.

In this chapter, Paul retells the story of his conversion. He shares what he was like before Jesus, how he was transformed by obedience to Jesus, and ultimately points people towards Jesus. People may argue against the Bible or our theology, but they cannot argue against how God has changed our life.

When Paul returns to Jerusalem, many Jews misinterpret his message and seek to arrest him. When they see him in the temple, they try to kill him, but a Roman officer takes him away. Through it all, Paul remains patient, trusting that God will make things right in His timing.

Movements depend on a influential leader, human effort, and strive to change systems. How could Christianity spread when Jesus did the opposite? There is only one answer, because it is the truth. Christ is the answer to the mystery of history.

In the final leg of Paul's third missionary journey, he sets a course for Jerusalem. Many believers warn him of the trouble that awaits him their and try to persuade him not to go, but Paul knows that is where God is leading him. He follows God's will, and he won't be persuaded by man's wisdom.

In this chapter, Paul bids farewell to several groups as he heads to Jerusalem. He knows this will likely be the last time he sees these churches, and so he gives them many instructions on how they should act. We learn that as the church, we are called to practice true hospitality and share with those in need around us.

In this passage, we see how the spiritually blind lead others into further blindness. They defend their idols, find comfort in them, and completely miss how God is at work, but in the end, all of their efforts amount to nothing.

In this passage, we learn the difference between authentic faith and a counterfeit. Jesus' name has power over every other name, but the power of prayer comes in a relationship with him, not in a method of praying. The word of the Lord continues to prevail in Ephesus as people turn from sin to follow Christ.

Paul finishes his second missionary journey and begins his third journey in this passage. In the process of strengthening the churches, he encounters several believers who follow the baptism of John but haven't received the Holy Spirit. When they do, the Spirit works in mighty ways through them, and in the church of Ephesus.

In this passage, we see how Paul is encouraged in Corinth after a difficult time of ministry. God protects him, provides support for him, and opens the hearts of those who are listening to him, and the church of Corinth grows because of it.

Paul preaches about the true God amidst the thousands of idols in Athens. He explains that we need to turn to the God who is near and has made himself known to us. Some mocked him, others waited to hear more, but some began to believe and follow Jesus.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy continue on their missionary journey. They preach the Gospel in two cities; one refuses to listen and opposes the believers, but the other looks into God's Word and realizes the truth of their message. How will we respond when we are challenged by God's Word and how it calls us to live?

In this chapter, we see how God closes the doors on some of Paul's good plans in order to point him in an even better direction. Chapter 16 displays three different stories of transformation, all because of Paul's obedience to trust that God was using closed doors.

In this chapter, the Jews try to add to the message of salvation. They claim that the Gentiles must follow the laws of Moses in order to be saved, but the church in Jerusalem decides that we are saved through faith in Jesus by God's grace alone.

In this chapter, we see how a miracle done by Paul leads to misunderstanding by the gentiles. The Jews continue to persecute them, but nothing can stop the message of the Gospel from spreading.

In this chapter, Paul addresses the Jews and Gentiles in Pamphylia with a message of God's faithfulness throughout the Old Testament and in sending Jesus as the messiah. We are reminded that we can trust God because He has been faithful in the past, and He continues to be faithful to us today.