The Hope Valley Podcast

In part 40 of our study through the book of Acts, we unpack the encouragement Paul and Barnabas gave the disciples on their return journey: “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Struggle was expected. It wasn’t a sign to them that things had gone badly. In this lesson, we explore how the Christian life isn't about making things easier - it is about making...

In part 39 of our study through the book of Acts, we consider what Paul and Barnabas say to the crowds who were stuck in their pagan thinking. God had “left Himself a witness” by giving humanity many blessings, and yet the Lycaonian people kept attributing these things to lesser beings and idols of their own making. We must learn to identify and correct this error in our own lives, so we are ready...

In part 38 of our study through the book of Acts, we focus on the description of the lame man in Acts 14:8-10: he "had faith to be healed." In this lesson we'll explore why faith is critical to receiving anything from God, but also wrestle with the difficult reality that God doesn't always give us what we ask for - even when we pray in faith. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.chu...

In part 37 of our study through the book of Acts, we focus on Paul and Barnabas’ persistence in evangelism. Previously we noted how they turned from the Jews to the Gentiles, when the Jews rejected the message. But here, we don’t see them turn from the Gentiles - instead they persist because of their faithfulness to God’s assignment for them. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on...

In part 36 of our study through the book of Acts, we focus on Paul and Barnabas’ clear devotion to the assignment God had given them. They were willing to lose people (their own fellow Jews) in order to be obedient to God. As a result, God’s work was clearly done in the people that He had sent Paul and Barnabas to reach (the Gentiles). The lesson for us is that we must be led by God and understand...

In part 35 of our study through the book of Acts, Pastor Sam explores a different way of encouraging people, than what we might normally think of. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devotionals at https://www.hopevalley.church/devo

In part 34 of our study through the book of Acts, Pastor Sam talks about learning to identify the voice of the enemy, so we can discern when the devil is bringing confusion and confront his lies with the clarity and authority that comes from the Holy Spirit. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devotionals at www.hopevall...

In this week's message, we resume our study through the book of Acts by picking up where we left off at the end of Acts 12 in November. Pastor Sam explores how the church in Antioch had incredible unity with one another and the Holy Spirit, while themselves being culturally and racially diverse, such that they and the Holy Spirit were described as having the same action. Visit us online at www...

In this first message of 2024, Pastor Sam explores parts of 1 Corinthians 10, 11, & 12 to think more deeply about what is being offered to us in the act of Holy Communion - the bread and cup. And how Communion is designed to unite us with Christ and with His Body: our brothers and sisters in the church. #eucharist #HolyCommunion #churchunity #closeness #bodyofChrist Visit us online at www.hope...

During this Christmas season, we have been going verse-by-verse through the first chapter of Luke to learn how to receive the promises we have in Christ by the Incarnation. In this final part, we consider the conclusion to Zechariah's story and how he was finally able to experience the same joy that Mary, Elizabeth, and others had already been experiencing. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.ch...

During this Christmas season, we are going verse-by-verse through the first chapter of Luke to learn how to receive the promises we have in Christ. In this third part of the series, we examine Mary's song - historically known as the Magnificat - and see how Mary put her reception of God's promises into words. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/h...

During this Christmas season, we are going verse-by-verse through the first chapter of Luke to learn how to receive the promises we have in Christ. In this second part of the series, we look at how Mary responded to God's promises despite her capacity. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devotionals at https://www.hopeva...

During this Christmas season, we are slowing down to receive the many promises embedded in the Incarnation - which is what Christmas is really about. In this first part, we begin our journey through Luke 1, and learn from the story of Zechariah that our own capacity is not a factor in God's ability to carry out His promises. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at fa...

In part 32 of our study through the book of Acts, we look at the story of King Herod in Acts 12 and explore the implications for our own lives. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devotionals at https://www.hopevalley.church/devo

In part 31 of our study through the book of Acts we look at how the church continued to pray for Peter during his imprisonment, even when they didn't seem to think those prayers would be answered - and we consider the implications for our own approach to prayer in our daily lives. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devo...

In part 30 of our study through the book of Acts, we look at the spread of the Gospel to Antioch in Acts 11, and consider how Barnabas and others took a team approach to ministry. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq Find our weekly devotionals at https://www.hopevalley.church/devo

In part 29 of our study through the book of Acts, we explore the conversation that Peter has with other Jews back in Jerusalem, when they confront Him about receiving the Gentiles believers as brothers - and we contemplate the question: "How do you know when you're standing in God's way?" Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 28 of our study through the book of Acts, we explore the rest of Acts chapter 10 and unpack the implications of what happens in Cornelius' house when Peter gets there, and what it means for all people, as we understand the heart and mission of God to reconcile people to Himself. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 27 of our study through the book of Acts, we explore the implications of the vision that Peter has on the rooftop in Joppa, and challenge our thinking on who gets to define us. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 26 of our study through the book of Acts, we start into chapter 10 and examine the implications of God's message to Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, who had somehow gained God's attention without being a Christian or even Jewish. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 25 of our study through the book of Acts, we slow down to consider the synergy between having faith in God and love for one another, as evidenced by the incredible request of the believers in Joppa.

In part 24 of our study through the book of Acts, we look at Saul's first visit back to Jerusalem after his incredible conversion, and how Barnabas leveraged his reputation and relationships in the church to advocate for Saul and gain acceptance for him in the church community. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 23 of our study through the book of Acts, we look at the story of Jesus sending Ananias to Saul to minister healing and bring about transformation in Saul's life - after Jesus had confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. We consider the question "Why Does Obedience to Jesus, matter?" and what it means to partner with God his work in the lives of others.

In part 22 of our study through the book of Acts, Pastor Sam looks at Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus to explore the question of what happens when we choose to be stubborn. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq

In part 21 of our study through the book of Acts, we look at the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Official in Acts Chapter 8, and reflect on the real impact that our personal Bible-study time has on the people around us. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hopevalley4sq