Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Pastor Will Stern
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the sermon podcast of Hope Presbyterian Church in Media, Pennsylvania. At Hope, we believe the Bible is God's Word and that it reveals the hope found in Jesus Christ. Each week, you'll hear verse-by-verse, gospel-centered preaching that explains the Scriptures, applies them to everyday life, and points us to Christ. Whether you're exploring Christianity, looking for a church home, or seeking to grow in your faith, we pray these sermons encourage you to know Christ more deeply and follow Him more faithfully. To learn more about Hope Presbyterian Church, visit our website. We would love to welcome you to worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Media, Pennsylvania.

  1. 2d ago

    John 7:25-34 | "Responses to Jesus"

    Everyone has an opinion about Jesus—but how are you responding to Him? In John 7:25–34, we see three different responses to Jesus: some are confused about who He is, some are opposed to Him, and many believe in Him. Jesus reveals that He is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly man, sent from the Father to be our Redeemer. The passage also reminds us that God is sovereign over the opposition His people face and that even weak faith can be genuine faith when its object is Jesus Christ. Most importantly, Jesus warns us not to delay our response to Him. There is such a thing as seeking Christ too late. Today is the day of salvation. Sermon Outline 1. Some Are Confused About Jesus John 7:25–29 The crowd misunderstands where the Messiah would come from. They are confused about Jesus’ earthly origin. More importantly, they do not understand His divine origin. Jesus reveals that He has come from the Father as the eternal Son of God. We must receive Jesus as He has revealed Himself, rather than creating our own idea of who He is. 2. Some Are Opposed to Jesus John 7:30–32 The religious leaders hear Jesus’ claims and oppose Him. They seek to arrest Him and silence Him. Yet they cannot touch Him because “his hour had not yet come.” God is sovereign over the opposition His Church faces. The Church continues because God sovereignly preserves His people and advances His gospel. 3. Many Believe in Jesus John 7:31 Many people believe in Jesus because of His teaching and mighty works. Their faith is still weak and somewhat uncertain. Yet weak faith can be genuine faith. We are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the object of our faith—Jesus Christ. We gather for preaching and the Lord’s Supper because our faith continually needs to be strengthened. 4. Believe in Jesus While There Is Still Time John 7:33–34 Jesus warns that He will not remain with them forever. There is such a thing as seeking the truth too late. We must not delay responding to Christ. Today is the day of salvation: repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus. Study Questions What are the three responses to Jesus described in this passage? Why were the people confused about Jesus? What did they misunderstand about the Old Testament and Jesus’ earthly origin? What does Jesus reveal about His true origin in verses 28–29? Why is it important that Jesus is both truly God and truly man? What are some ways people today misunderstand who Jesus is? How were the religious leaders different from the confused crowd? Why were they opposed to Jesus? What does verse 30 teach us about God’s sovereignty? How does this encourage us when the Church faces opposition? What does it mean that many people “believed in him” in verse 31? How can weak faith still be genuine faith? What makes faith effective—the strength of our faith or the object of our faith? Why do Christians need preaching and the Lord’s Supper to strengthen their faith? What warning does Jesus give in verses 33–34? What does it mean to seek Christ “too late”? How should this passage affect the way you respond to Jesus today? Are you confused about Jesus, opposed to Jesus, or trusting in Jesus? What would it look like to respond to Him rightly? What is one truth from this passage that you want to remember and put into practice this week? Key Takeaway Don’t remain confused about Jesus or opposed to Him. Believe in Him while there is still time. Today is the day of salvation.

  2. Sep 20

    John 7:1-13 | "Rejection... and Hope"

    Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected. In John 7, we see Jesus rejected by the religious leaders and even by his own brothers. Why do people reject Jesus? What happens when we reject him? And is there hope for those who have turned away from Christ? As we walk through John 7:1–13, we see three important truths: We shouldn’t be surprised that people reject Jesus. Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders and by members of his own family. Rejection can come even from people who are religious or very close to the things of God. We should understand why people reject Jesus. Jesus says that the world hates him because he testifies that its works are evil. Our sinful hearts don't want to have our sin exposed. We should see how Jesus responds to rejection. Jesus withdraws for a time, but rejection does not stop his mission. He continues toward the cross to redeem sinners—including people who once rejected him. The good news is that there is hope for people who have rejected Jesus. Paul once persecuted Christ’s church. Jesus’ own brothers once did not believe in him, yet James and Jude eventually became followers of Christ. And the same gospel offers hope to us: Jesus lived, died, and rose again to save sinners who once rejected him. Questions for Reflection Have you ever experienced rejection? How does Jesus’ experience of rejection encourage you? Why is it surprising that Jesus was rejected by religious leaders and even by his own brothers? What does John 7:5 teach us about being close to Jesus or close to Christianity without truly believing in him? According to John 7:7, why does the world reject Jesus? Why don't we like having our sin exposed? How can Christians respond when people reject Christ—or reject us because we follow Christ? What does Jesus’ willingness to continue toward the cross teach us about his mission? What do Paul, James, and Jude teach us about the hope of salvation for people who currently reject Jesus? Is there someone in your family or among your friends who is rejecting Christ? How should this passage shape the way you pray for them? How does the gospel give us hope for people who have rejected Jesus?

  3. Sep 14

    John 6:60-71 | "The Signs Before Apostasy"

    Just as Mount St. Helens showed warning signs before its eruption, Scripture reveals that there are often warning signs before someone walks away from a professed faith in Christ. In John 6, many who had followed Jesus turned back when confronted with His difficult teaching. This sermon examines the warning signs that precede apostasy: becoming fixated on the hard sayings of Scripture and beginning to grumble against the Word of God. Yet the passage also points us toward the proper response of genuine faith. Rather than turning away when we encounter difficult truths, we are called to cling to Christ, trusting that He alone has the words of eternal life. The sermon concludes by asking why some walk away while others remain, emphasizing both the sovereignty of God in salvation and the importance of genuine, persevering faith. Sermon Outline Introduction: Warning Signs Before an Eruption The warning signs preceding the eruption of Mount St. Helens Apostasy defined as abandoning a previously professed belief The importance of recognizing spiritual warning signs 1. Before Apostasy, People Often Become Fixated on the “Hard Sayings” of the Bible John 6:60 The disciples struggled with Jesus’ difficult teaching The danger of focusing on what is hard while neglecting what is clear Difficult passages in Scripture are real, but they must be approached humbly The Bible clearly reveals what is necessary for salvation The proper response: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” — John 6:68 2. Before Apostasy, People Often Begin to Grumble at the Word of God John 6:61 The disciples’ grumbling resembles Israel’s grumbling in the wilderness The danger of viewing God’s Word as outdated, unloving, or untenable Good questions can become sinful grumbling when we doubt God’s goodness The proper response: Rejoice in the Word as the living and life-giving Word of God Conclusion: Why Do Some Walk Away? John 6:62–69 The flesh cannot give life; the Spirit gives life Those who walked away never truly believed Genuine believers persevere because God’s grace sustains them The call is not merely to understand every difficult saying, but to look to Jesus Final confession: “You are the Holy One of God.” — John 6:69 Study Questions Understanding the Text What warning signs preceded the eruption of Mount St. Helens, and how do they illustrate the sermon’s main point? What is apostasy? How does the sermon distinguish apostasy from merely struggling with difficult questions? What specifically caused many of Jesus’ disciples to turn away in John 6? What does Jesus mean when He asks, “Do you take offense at this?” (John 6:61)? What is the difference between wrestling honestly with a difficult passage and grumbling against the Word of God? Examining Our Hearts Are there particular teachings of Scripture that you find yourself fixating on while neglecting the Bible’s clear message of the gospel? Have you ever found yourself thinking of God’s Word as outdated, unloving, or incompatible with modern life? What does that reveal about your view of God? How can good questions about Scripture gradually turn into grumbling? What are some warning signs that someone may be drifting spiritually before they openly abandon the faith? How should we respond when we encounter a passage of Scripture we do not understand? Looking to Christ Why is Peter’s response in John 6:68 such a powerful expression of faith? What does Peter recognize about Jesus that makes leaving Him impossible? How does the truth that Jesus has “the words of eternal life” shape the way we approach difficult doctrines? According to John 6:63–65, why is the work of the Spirit essential to genuine faith? How does 1 John 2:19 help us understand the relationship between outward profession and genuine saving faith? Application How can we lovingly come alongside someone who appears to be drifting from Christ? What practical steps can we take when we find ourselves becoming discouraged or troubled by difficult biblical teachings? How can we cultivate a posture of humility, trust, and submission toward God’s Word? What does it look like in daily life to say, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” What is one warning sign you need to take seriously in your own spiritual life, and how should you respond to it?

  4. Sep 6

    John 6:52-59 | "How Do We Have Life?”

    We all desire to live forever. We look for eternal life through science and technology, through religion and good works, and through various ideas about what happens after death. But how do we actually take hold of eternal life? Jesus gives us a startling answer: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” What does Jesus mean by this shocking statement? Is he talking about physically eating his body and drinking his blood? And if not, what does it mean to “feed on Christ”? In this sermon, we consider what Jesus does not mean, what he does mean, and how we are called to feed upon Christ by faith. Eternal life is found not merely in knowing about Christ, but in being united to Christ by faith and continually drawing our life and nourishment from him. Sermon Outline 1. What Jesus Does Not Mean Jesus is not commanding us to physically eat his body and drink his blood. His language points to a spiritual reality rather than a literal, physical act. 2. What Jesus Does Mean To eat and drink Christ means to receive and rest upon Christ by faith. Through faith, we are united to Christ, receiving all the benefits of salvation and finding our life in him. “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” — John 6:54 3. How Do We Do It? We feed upon Christ by faith. Repent and believe in Jesus. Cultivate an appetite for Christ. Feed regularly on God's Word through private, family, and public worship. Seek solid biblical teaching that strengthens and matures our faith. Grow in our delight in Christ. The Lord's Supper then gives us a visible sign and seal of this spiritual reality: Christ is spiritually present with his people, strengthening our faith as we receive the sacrament. Study Questions Understanding the Text What does Jesus say is necessary for us to have eternal life? (John 6:53–54) Why would Jesus' words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood have been so shocking to his original audience? What did the crowd misunderstand about Jesus' words? Why should we understand Jesus' language about eating and drinking spiritually rather than physically? How does John 6:35 help us understand what Jesus means by “eating” and “drinking” him? What does it mean to receive and rest upon Christ by faith? Union with Christ What does it mean for a Christian to be “united to Christ”? How does Galatians 2:20 describe the Christian's relationship with Christ? What does Colossians 3:3–4 mean when it says, “Christ who is your life”? How is being united to Christ different from simply believing facts about Jesus? Feeding on Christ What is the difference between believing that food can nourish you and actually eating it? How does this help explain faith? Why is spiritual appetite important in the Christian life? What are some “holy habits” that help cultivate our appetite for Christ? How do Scripture, prayer, worship, and the life of the church nourish our faith? What does it mean to pursue a healthy spiritual diet? Why do we need solid biblical teaching as we grow in Christian maturity? Application Are you trusting in Christ himself for eternal life, or are you trusting in something else—good works, religious activity, or simply knowing about Christianity? What might be weakening your appetite for Christ? What is one practical way you could feed more regularly on God's Word this week? Are you merely going through Christian habits, or are you growing in delight in Christ? What does it look like for you to continually “feed on Christ” throughout an ordinary week? For Reflection “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” — Psalm 34:8 Christ is not merely someone we know about. Christ is our life. How would your life change if you increasingly lived as though that were true?

  5. Aug 31

    John 6:36-40 | "Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility”

    Why do some people believe in Jesus while others remain in unbelief? In John 6, Jesus gives us two truths that we must hold together: God is sovereign in salvation, and we are responsible to believe. Jesus teaches that the Father gives a people to the Son, that everyone the Father gives will come to Christ, and that Christ will never cast out or lose those who come to him. Yet Jesus also gives us a clear command and invitation: look to him and believe. This passage gives both humility and assurance to the Christian—and a clear call to faith for those who have not yet believed. Outline Divine Sovereignty — The Father Gives a People to Christ “All that the Father gives me will come to me.” — John 6:37 Human Responsibility — Come to Christ and Believe “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life.” — John 6:40 Divine Sovereignty — Christ Will Lose None “I should lose nothing of all that he has given me.” — John 6:39 Human Responsibility — Believe in Jesus “Whoever believes has eternal life.” — John 6:47 Questions for Reflection Why does Jesus say that some people do not believe? What does John 6 teach about God's sovereignty in salvation? What does John 6 teach about our responsibility to believe? Why should God's sovereignty eliminate boasting? How does Christ's promise that he will lose none of his people give you assurance? If you have not yet trusted in Christ, what is Jesus calling you to do? How should these truths affect the way we pray for unbelieving friends and family? How can we hold together God's sovereignty and human responsibility without denying either one?

  6. Aug 24

    John 6:29-35 | "You Don’t Need a Sign. You Need a Savior."

    What are you working for in life? We spend our time, energy, and resources pursuing many things—health, wealth, achievement, pleasure, and success. But Jesus warns us that these things ultimately perish. In John 6:26–29, Jesus calls us to stop living for what cannot last and instead to work for the food that endures to eternal life. That food is ultimately found in Christ Himself, and we receive it by faith. How should faith then reshape the way we spend our lives?  Outline I. What We Shouldn’t Work For: Food That Perishes — vv. 26–27a The crowd was looking for Jesus. They were looking for Him for the wrong reason. Jesus warns us not to make perishable things the primary goal of our lives. How can we tell if we're living for what perishes? II. What We Should Work For: Food That Endures to Eternal Life — vv. 27b–29 Jesus is the giver of the food that endures. Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life. We receive this gift through faith. Faith becomes the foundation for a life devoted to what endures: God's Word Prayer People Conclusion: Look to Jesus Repent of living for what perishes. Trust in Jesus Christ. Live for what endures to eternal life. Study Questions Why was the crowd seeking Jesus in John 6:26? What does Jesus mean by “food that perishes”? What are some good things that can become wrong priorities when we begin living for them? What are some things in your own life that are easy to make more important than they should be? What does your use of time, money, and worry reveal about your priorities? How does the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13–21 illustrate Jesus' warning? What is the “food that endures to eternal life”? Why is it significant that Jesus says this food is something He gives? What does Jesus mean when He says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29)? How does faith differ from trying to earn salvation through our works? How should faith change the way we prioritize God's Word, prayer, and other people? What is one perishable thing you are tempted to live for? What would it look like this week to look to Jesus and work for what endures?

  7. Aug 17

    John 6:26-29 | "What Should We Work for in Life?"

    What are you working for in life? We spend our time, energy, and resources pursuing many things—health, wealth, achievement, pleasure, and success. But Jesus warns us that these things ultimately perish. In John 6:26–29, Jesus calls us to stop living for what cannot last and instead to work for the food that endures to eternal life. That food is ultimately found in Christ Himself, and we receive it by faith. How should faith then reshape the way we spend our lives?  Outline I. What We Shouldn’t Work For: Food That Perishes — vv. 26–27a The crowd was looking for Jesus. They were looking for Him for the wrong reason. Jesus warns us not to make perishable things the primary goal of our lives. How can we tell if we're living for what perishes? II. What We Should Work For: Food That Endures to Eternal Life — vv. 27b–29 Jesus is the giver of the food that endures. Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life. We receive this gift through faith. Faith becomes the foundation for a life devoted to what endures: God's Word Prayer People Conclusion: Look to Jesus Repent of living for what perishes. Trust in Jesus Christ. Live for what endures to eternal life. Study Questions Why was the crowd seeking Jesus in John 6:26? What does Jesus mean by “food that perishes”? What are some good things that can become wrong priorities when we begin living for them? What are some things in your own life that are easy to make more important than they should be? What does your use of time, money, and worry reveal about your priorities? How does the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13–21 illustrate Jesus' warning? What is the “food that endures to eternal life”? Why is it significant that Jesus says this food is something He gives? What does Jesus mean when He says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29)? How does faith differ from trying to earn salvation through our works? How should faith change the way we prioritize God's Word, prayer, and other people? What is one perishable thing you are tempted to live for? What would it look like this week to look to Jesus and work for what endures?

  8. Aug 10

    Philippians 1:27-30

    Philippians 1:27-30 Pastoral Intern Colin Sareyka

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About

Welcome to the sermon podcast of Hope Presbyterian Church in Media, Pennsylvania. At Hope, we believe the Bible is God's Word and that it reveals the hope found in Jesus Christ. Each week, you'll hear verse-by-verse, gospel-centered preaching that explains the Scriptures, applies them to everyday life, and points us to Christ. Whether you're exploring Christianity, looking for a church home, or seeking to grow in your faith, we pray these sermons encourage you to know Christ more deeply and follow Him more faithfully. To learn more about Hope Presbyterian Church, visit our website. We would love to welcome you to worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Media, Pennsylvania.

Information

  • Creator
    Pastor Will Stern
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA)
  • Show Website
    Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA)

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