Hope Church (Dubuque)

What does it look like to live as free people in Christ? In a world filled with division and disagreement, Peter calls believers to honor those in authority, do good, and reflect Christ in how we treat others. Join Pastor Ross as we explore how our freedom in Christ allows us to serve others, respect our leaders, and ultimately honor God above all else.

In 1 Peter 2:4–12, Peter reminds believers that although the world may reject them, God calls them chosen and precious. Through Jesus—the living Stone and cornerstone—God is building His people together into a spiritual house set apart for His glory. As those who have received His mercy, we are called to come continually to Jesus, live out our new identity, and reflect Him in a way the world can s...

Peter gives believers two clear commands: love one another deeply and crave the Word of God. The same Word that gave us new life is the Word that continues to grow us—and it calls us to a sacrificial love for the family of God. When everything around us fades, God’s Word endures forever.

Holiness isn’t something we achieve to earn our place with God—it flows from who we already are in Christ. In 1 Peter 1:13–21, Peter gives us a blueprint for pursuing holiness: prepare our minds, live differently as God’s children, and remember the priceless redemption we have through Jesus. Because Christ has made us holy, we can learn to live holy lives that reflect the character of our Father.

Trials are never easy, but they are not wasted. In 1 Peter 1, we see how God uses hardship to strengthen our faith, remind us of the priceless salvation we have in Jesus, and prepare us for the glory that is still to come. Because we know the outcome, we can walk through trials with hope, trusting that God is at work in us even when life is hard.

In 1 Peter 1:3–5, Peter calls suffering believers to praise—not because life is easy, but because of what God has secured for them through Jesus. Our hope is alive, our inheritance is secure, and we are guarded by God’s power. Because of the risen Christ, even in seasons of hardship and uncertainty, we have every reason to praise.

Before life gets hard, we need to remember who we are. In 1 Peter 1:1–2, we’re reminded that followers of Jesus are exiles in this world—but we are also God’s chosen people. The Father chose us, the Spirit set us apart, and Jesus bought us with His blood. We are not defined by how the world receives us, but by the God who chose us. When hardship comes, we can hold tightly to Him, knowing we belong...

Vision Sunday is a chance to celebrate what God has done, look ahead with faith, and remember the mission He has given us: Raising up disciples who surrender their lives to Jesus. Through generous giving, intentional ministry, missions, and everyday obedience, God is changing lives. And every one of us has a part to play. How is God calling me to help make the mission happen?

As we close out our summer in the Psalms, we end exactly where the book of Psalms ends: Praise the Lord. Psalm 150 gives us a simple command, but it also helps us understand what praise really looks like. Praise is more than a quiet thought or a churchy phrase—it is making much of God. It shifts our focus away from ourselves and toward Him, and it moves us to respond. In this message, Mark walks t...

What would it take to truly upgrade your life? In Psalm 132, we see three things that transformed Israel—and still shape a life of blessing and purpose today: seeking God’s presence, following our righteous King, and living with the awareness that wherever we go is sacred ground. Jesus fulfills the hope of this Psalm. Through Him, we are invited into God’s presence, set free to follow a righteous...

Who is leading your life—and what are they shaping you to become? In Psalm 23, David describes the Lord not as a distant advisor, but as a Good Shepherd who provides what we need, guides us along the right path, stays with us through the darkest valleys, and pursues us with His goodness and love. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. Whether He is leading ahead of us, wa...

Most people don’t change when they sin—they change when they get caught. But Psalm 51 shows us a better response. Through David’s prayer of repentance, we see that sin must be honestly confessed, only God can clean what sin has corrupted, and forgiven people become worshippers and witnesses. The healing begins where the hiding ends. God is not looking for perfection, performance, or appearances. H...

What do you reach for when life feels dry? In Psalm 63, David finds himself stranded in the wilderness—thirsty, hunted and far from the sanctuary. Yet he declares that God’s steadfast love is better than life. His circumstances had not changed, but his thirsty soul found satisfaction by remembering God, clinging to Him and trusting that God’s right hand would uphold him. Ultimately, Jesus entered...

When the wicked seem to prosper, it can cause our faith to slip. In Psalm 73, Asaph discovers that his security is not in his grip on God, but in God’s grip on him. Through Jesus, we can trust that we are forgiven, held, and guided forever. “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:26

What voices are shaping your life? In Psalm 19, David reminds us that God is speaking—and He is speaking clearly. Creation declares His glory, His Word revives the soul, and His Son reveals the fullness of His love and redemption. This message challenges us to slow down, listen, and respond to God’s voice with faith, repentance, surrender, and worship. From the heavens above to the Scriptures befo...

In this final message from Psalm 46, we look at one of the most familiar commands in Scripture: “Be still, and know that I am God.” But Psalm 46:10 is not simply an invitation to slow down or relax—it is a command to let go, surrender control, and look up to the God who is exalted over all the earth.

Psalm 46 invites us to “come and see what the Lord has done.” In this message, Ross continues our Summer in the Psalms series by looking at Psalm 46:8–9 and the mighty invitation to behold God’s works—not with a quick glance, but with a fixed gaze. When the world feels chaotic, God calls His people to remember His faithfulness, see His power, and trust the One who makes wars cease. Ultimately, Psa...

In this sermon, Mark explores Psalm 46 by highlighting three powerful contrasts that reveal the comfort found in God's presence. While nations rage and kingdoms fall, God's people stand secure because the Lord is with them. While earthly cities crumble, the City of God remains unshaken because God dwells within her, giving His children confidence to call Him Father. And while chaotic waters symbol...

The world feels unstable. Circumstances change, fears rise, and the things we trust can disappear in an instant. Yet Psalm 46 reminds us that when everything around us shakes, God remains steadfast. In this message, we begin our Summer in the Psalms series by exploring how God is our refuge and strength—an ever-present help in trouble. Discover how we can face fear with confidence, not because lif...

Many people use the phrase, “God just wants me to be happy,” to justify whatever choices seem best in the moment. While God does delight in our joy and has filled creation with good gifts for us to enjoy, true happiness is never found apart from Him or by making happiness itself our highest pursuit. Instead, happiness is a byproduct of something greater. God calls us into a relationship with Him t...

Caleb reminds us that God’s will is not a hidden blueprint we have to decode, but a faithful path we are invited to walk. When we believe “God has a specific plan for my life” means there is only one perfect choice for every decision, it can lead us into pressure, paralysis, and a distorted view of God’s character. But Scripture shows us that God has already made His will clear: act justly, love m...

Mark reminds us that one of the most misunderstood phrases in culture is, “Christians shouldn’t judge.” Looking at Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, we see that Jesus isn’t forbidding discernment or correction — He is confronting hypocritical, self-righteous condemnation. Because God’s Word is absolute truth, Christians are called to judge appropriately: first examining our own hearts, then lovingly help...

This week, Ross continues our Bumper Sticker Theology series by tackling the phrase, “We’re All God’s Children.” Looking at John 1:9–13, we see the important difference between being created by God and becoming a child of God through faith in Jesus. While every person bears God’s image and has value, Scripture teaches that adoption into God’s family comes through receiving and believing in Christ....

Marty challenges the common phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” showing that Scripture paints a different picture. He explains that suffering, trials, and temptations don’t always come directly from God, but can result from living in a broken world, the choices of others, spiritual opposition, or our own decisions. Rather than promising an easy escape, God invites us to depend on...

Mark challenges the common phrase “everything happens for a reason” by showing that it is an oversimplification that raises difficult questions about suffering and evil, and he grounds the discussion in key truths that God is sovereign, holy, and will be glorified. Using the story of Joseph in Genesis, he explains that events in life come from a mix of causes—God’s sovereign work, human free will,...