Hope Church (Dubuque)

When someone asks, “What do you do?” our answer often shapes how people see us—and how we see ourselves. But Romans 8 reminds us that when we are in Christ, everything about our identity changes. We are no longer slaves to sin but children of God—adopted, loved, and given a purpose. This week, we’re reminded that our new identity also comes with a calling: to follow the Spirit, to put sin to death...

In Romans 8:5–11, we explore Paul’s “if/then” reality: if Christ is in us, then the Spirit reorients our minds and governs our lives. A mindset on the flesh leads to dead ends; a mindset on the Spirit brings life and peace. We see how belonging to Christ means the Spirit lives in us now—reshaping our desires, relationships, and choices—and guarantees our future: the same Spirit who raised Jesus wi...

We step into Romans 8:1–4 to see the good news that there is no condemnation, real freedom in Christ, and Spirit-led power to live. God does what the law and our effort never could—He condemns sin in Jesus and fulfills righteousness in us so we can walk a new way.

As we close our Becoming Disciples series, we’re reminded that discipleship is a lifelong surrender to Jesus—every part of who we are and what we do. In this message, Pastor Ross invites us to surrender our purpose to Him. We all want our lives to matter, but true purpose begins when Christ’s love compels us to live for Him, not ourselves. Through 2 Corinthians 5, we see that the gospel changes wh...

In John 13:1–17, Jesus shocks His disciples by stooping to wash their feet, showing us that true greatness is found in humble, sacrificial service. As disciples, we are called to step off the path of self-interest and take up the towel, living with a new heart of love, a new posture of humility, and a new witness that shines His light into the world. Following the example of Jesus, who gave His li...

In Becoming Disciples, we look at what it means to surrender our relationships to Jesus and relate graciously to one another. From Colossians 3:12–15, we’re reminded that as God’s chosen, holy, and beloved people, we are called to reflect Christ’s grace in every relationship. Ross shows us that disciples put on Christ’s character—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love—pract...

God invites us into a deep, life-giving relationship with Him, but experiencing His fullness takes intention. In this message, Marty challenges us to surrender our habits and cultivate spiritual disciplines—like prayer, Scripture, fasting, worship, and serving—that open us to God’s presence and help us grow together as disciples.

On Vision Sunday, we celebrate all God has done this past year and look ahead with boldness to the year to come. Together, Ross, Mark, and Marty walk us through our vision of “Raising up disciples who surrender their lives to Jesus”—a vision not about producing busy churchgoers, but wholehearted followers who give their lives fully to Christ. We are reminded of the simple but powerful steps of Con...

In this final message of the Etched in Stone series, Pastor Mark walks us through the Tenth Commandment: “You shall not covet.” We learn that coveting is more than simply wanting something—it is a restless longing for what God has given to someone else. This heart issue distorts our contentment, damages our relationships, and distracts us from worshiping God. Ultimately, coveting exposes our need...

In a world filled with hype, spin, and half-truths, the ninth commandment calls us back to honesty: “You shall not give false testimony.” Marty shows us how lying—whether outright, through gossip, exaggeration, half-truths, excuses, flattery, or false accusations—destroys trust, damages relationships, and reflects the character of the enemy rather than God. We are invited to choose truth, confess...

This commandment goes beyond bank heists—it exposes how we take more than we give, whether through time, effort, or trust. Mark reminds us that God gives good gifts, calls us to work with integrity, and invites us to live generously. Stealing reveals a heart that doesn’t trust God to provide—but as His people, we’re called to reflect His generous nature.

Marty unpacks the seventh commandment by reminding us that God's laws are not just rules—they are protections for what is precious. This command protects the sacred gift of sex and the covenant of marriage. God gave sex as a good gift—for creating life, cultivating pleasure, and bonding two hearts as one. When misused, that gift can deeply damage trust, intimacy, and our ability to connect. From a...

This week, Pastor Sean Holloway walks us through the Sixth Commandment, showing that it’s more than just avoiding physical harm—it’s a call to value every human life. Jesus teaches that even anger and contempt break this command. We’re reminded that all people are made in God’s image, and we’re called to reflect His heart by cherishing life in both our actions and attitudes.

This week in our “Etched in Stone” series, we reach the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and mother.” It’s a turning point in the list—moving from loving God to loving others. But honoring parents isn’t always straightforward, especially in a world where not all parents live honorably. Mark walks us through what biblical honor truly means: valuing, respecting, and showing appreciation across...

This week in our Etched in Stone series, we explore the 4th commandment—Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. In a culture that runs on busyness and burnout, God calls us to a different rhythm—one of rest, remembrance, and renewal. We see that Sabbath is not a burden but a blessing, rooted in both creation and redemption. It reminds us that our identity is not in what we produce but in what Chris...

As we continue through the Ten Commandments, we explore the weight and wonder of the third: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” This message challenges us to consider how we speak—and live—in light of God’s name. His name isn’t just a label; it represents His character, His blessing, His authority, and His salvation. Misusing it—through cursing, casualness, or contradiction—dimin...

In week two of our Etched in Stone series, Mark unpacks the Second Commandment—“No Idols”—by reminding us that the Ten Commandments aren’t a way to earn God’s favor, but a path to walk in relationship with Him. Just like a train needs tracks to move forward, our lives were designed to flourish when aligned with God's ways. Idolatry isn’t just an ancient problem—it’s a human one. Whether it’s our p...

Ross kicks off our new series Etched in Stone by reframing the Ten Commandments not as restrictive rules but as gracious words from a personal, redeeming, and ruling God who desires relationship with His people. In this week’s message from Exodus 20:1–3, we explore the foundational first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ross shows how God gives His law after rescuing His peop...

In this message from our One Another series, Pastor Ross unpacks what it means to handle one another’s maturity in Christ—not as a solo journey but a shared one. Drawing from Romans, Colossians, and Galatians, he shows how spiritual growth happens in community when we are devoted to one another like family, teaching one another the Word of Christ, and serving one another humbly in love. These aren...

Marty walks us through four often-overlooked “one another” commands in Scripture that are essential for how we handle sin—in ourselves and each other—as a church. In a culture that resists accountability and avoids the topic of sin, we’re called to something deeper: to submit to one another, admonish one another, spur one another on, and forgive one another. These practices are uncomfortable, but...

Mark challenges us to “handle one another’s differences” by living out the “one another” commands of Scripture—not just tolerating each other’s quirks, but actively choosing humility, love, and honor in the midst of our differences. Using the metaphor of cartilage in a knee, he explains that these biblical instructions—like patience, gentleness, and forgiveness—keep our relationships from becoming...