Our Hope Podcast

For thousands of years, there have been many perspectives on the end times across different cultures and expressions of faith. Can we know for certain what is going to happen in the end, and what signs precede it? Are there events we can expect to take place before the Lord returns, and does He want us to be watching for them? As followers of Jesus, what should our response be when we encounter th...

What is the relationship between the sovereignty of God and human choice or free will? The Bible tells us God always accomplishes His plans according to His will. But it also tells us humans have a role to play in accordance with our choices. How can these two seemingly paradoxical ideas work simultaneously?   In this episode of Our Hope podcast, Dr. Gregory Hagg, who teaches at the Charles L...

Contemporary culture provides a variety of views of heaven—from pearly gates to sitting on clouds, strumming harps, and wearing wings. Different world religions offer an array of descriptions often characterizing heaven as a place of perfect peace and happiness, absent of pain and suffering, and the place where God dwells. But what does Scripture say?   In this episode, we will learn what the...

The Bible speaks of a place of judgment known as hell. This concept is difficult for those who believe the Scriptures and those who do not. Some reject the idea of a loving God sending anyone to such a place. Others fear they or those they love could end up there. Still, anyone who follows Jesus must grapple with God’s judgment and hell, which Jesus Himself spoke about (Matthew 5:22; Luke 12:5; et...

The apostle Paul said it best: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). As followers of Jesus, we recognize we are born into a war between good and evil. There is a good God who is our Father and an enemy who hates ever...

From grieving the death of a loved one to pondering our own mortality, death is a defining feature of human experience after sin entered creation. Death is ever-present in the world, but how should we think about it? Many people today view death as a normal, even good, part of the cycle of life. The thought of passing into oblivion may even appeal to some. In this episode, we discuss a biblical vi...

We naturally ponder what it means to be human. The biblical answer begins with this beautiful truth: all human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). This statement is incredibly rich and foundational to God’s work of redemption. Our guest is Rabbi Neal Surasky, who leads a Messianic congregation in Virginia and is pursuing a PhD in Bible Exposition. In this episode, we discuss the...

The Holy Spirit is prominent throughout the Bible. In the Hebrew Scriptures, He filled certain individuals for a specific time or task. He indwells followers of Yeshua, making us ever more like Him. The New Testament ascribes several roles to the Spirit, including revealing truth, interceding, and empowering. How do we honor Him in our journeys as followers of the Messiah? In this episode of Our H...

“Who is Yeshua?” is one of the most important and profound questions a person can ask. The Scriptures, in both Old and New Testaments, affirm He is both God and human. This truth may seem difficult to accept or even grasp, but it is essential to His role as Messiah. Only God incarnate could pay the penalty for humanity’s sin and reconcile us to the Lord. In this episode, we address crucial questio...

God’s triune nature is one of the most puzzling and misunderstood of biblical teachings. Many, especially within the traditional Jewish community, claim this understanding of God is idolatrous and contradicts the Hebrew Scriptures. Others condemn affirming God’s triune nature as just plain absurd. In this week's episode of Our Hope podcast , discover why the Trinity is foundational to who God is a...

From the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition to the indifference of many European churches during the Holocaust, Jewish people have historically experienced the pain of antisemitism from the church. This difficult history between the church and the Jewish community has caused many Jewish people to be hostile toward the gospel. Some will not even read the New Testament for fear it is a guidebook on...

April 25, 2023 will mark seventy-five years since Israel’s independence in 1948. Israel’s national rebirth after World War II is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to bring His people back to the land He promised them. To commemorate this historical milestone, we have invited a special guest, Pat Boone, to discuss a significant song he wrote in the 1960s: “The Exodus Song.”

God uses people with all kinds of different backgrounds, skills, and experiences. Wherever we live and work, He invites us to be part of His mission. We all have a role to play in bringing the good news of eternal life in the Messiah Yeshua to all the world. In this episode, we interview Tom and JoAnn Doyle. They founded Uncharted Ministries, an organization that focuses on making disciples among...

One of the most difficult challenges we face in life is losing someone we love. We all go through grief at some point. This necessary process allows us to express the pain we feel after loss. Healthy grieving helps us come to terms with what happened and move forward in life. This episode, featuring Ellis Goldstein , is a conversation between two people who have experienced bitter loss. They discu...

“How can God be loving and allow suffering?” is one of the most difficult theological questions there is. Though we may not know why we suffer, we do not suffer alone. Yeshua Himself is called “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). When enduring the inevitable trials of life, we are to trust in Him. In this episode, we speak with Carissa Kerstetter and Kim Surasky, who struggl...

Wondering how God can use the events of your life for His glory? Putting our trust in the Messiah is only one step in our spiritual journey. God is always at work, making us more like His Son, Yeshua. In this episode, we hear from three Messianic Jewish believers. ·     Len Rosenberg grew up in a family where there was a lot of anger. The Messiah taught Him how to forgive....

Time and again, Scripture tells us not to be afraid. Fear often stems from a lack of trust in God. Sometimes we need a reminder that the Lord loves us and is in control. Though we will certainly face pain and challenges, we need not give in to fear. We invited Darlene Line to discuss this difficult topic with us. She was a senior special agent for the Department of Homeland Security when 9/11 happ...

When we put our trust in Yeshua, we become part of the body of Messiah—the global community of people who believe in Jesus. It is also crucial to join a local congregation where we can worship together, study God’s Word, and love one another. Community can also be messy, and conflict is inevitable. To help us navigate conflict in our relationships, we invited back Scott Brown. He has served God’s...

The Bible depicts God in a way that leads to awe and worship. He is the king of the universe who is loving and merciful (Exodus 34:6–7). God is transcendent—yet He chooses to draw near to us. Worship, the natural response to God’s generosity, is central to who we are as human beings. In this episode, we discuss how to worship the Lord passionately, “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Our guest is Y...

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our faith in Messiah—and yet, it is often complicated and misunderstood. The same can be said for fasting, which is arguably the less popular spiritual discipline. If you have ever wondered how we should pray or why we fast, then you will definitely want to hear this episode of Our Hope podcast. We have invited back Fiona Sorbala, who serves God’s cho...

The Bible is a book like no other—it tells us who God is, who we are, and how to live. God said, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). In this episode, we go deep into why and how to study Scripture. We tackle topics including: ·  &n...

In the New Testament, many people are immersed (or baptized) after putting their trust in Yeshua. This practice today carries much historical baggage, especially for Jewish people, because of the church’s history of forced conversions. Immersion, however, is rooted in Old Testament purification laws. In this episode, we discuss the historical background of immersion and why it is important. We add...

Repentance—turning to God—is central to the gospel. This act may be difficult, as it means facing our sin and admitting we were wrong. Thankfully, repentance also paves the way for healing. God delights to forgive us and make us new (Isaiah 1:18). Repentance is part of starting to follow Yeshua, and it remains an important practice throughout our lives. In this episode, we discuss repentance with...

The Hebrew Scriptures tell us much about who the Messiah would be and what He would do. The prophet Daniel also foretold, with amazing specificity, when the Messiah would come. In just a few verses, he laid out God’s plan for Israel, including their return from exile, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the Messiah’s death. In this episode, we discuss Daniel 9:24–27 with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, profess...

References to Bethlehem often appear in Christmas songs, cards, and devotionals. The prophet Micah wrote that Israel’s future ruler would be born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2–5a). These verses, though, do much more than just name the Messiah’s birthplace. They also indicate the Messiah’s eternal nature and universal reign. In this episode, we discuss why Bethlehem is significant and what this prophecy te...