Hope Church Johnson City

Hope Church Johnson City
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  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Messages from Hope Church Johnson City! Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11am!

  1. 2D AGO

    Conformed

    This powerful message takes us deep into Romans 8:26-30, confronting us with a truth we often resist: we are weak. In a culture obsessed with self-improvement, organizational planners, and New Year's resolutions, we're reminded that genuine transformation doesn't come from our strength but from our surrender. The passage reveals that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't even have words to pray, when life feels insurmountable, and when our weakness is most evident. What's revolutionary here is the understanding that God's ways are not our ways—His plan for salvation didn't involve us climbing up to Him through good works or self-effort, but Him descending to us in the form of a baby in a manger. The sermon challenges our consumer Christianity, where we want church on our terms, faith that's comfortable, and a God who serves our agenda. Instead, we're called to embrace the stunning reality of foreknowledge and predestination—not as scary theological concepts, but as the beautiful truth that before time began, God knew us, called us, justified us, and will glorify us. This Christmas season, we're invited to shift from asking 'What can God do for me?' to 'What does God want to do through me?' The missionary story woven throughout reminds us that this isn't about our comfort zone—it's about conforming to the image of Christ and allowing His purposes to become our priority. **Sermon Notes:** **Introduction:** - Speaker: Pastor Will from Hope. - Call for congregation to accommodate latecomers by scooting in. - Announcement about children's events: CentraKid and Fuge camps. - Mission update from Steve and Kim Bradley, missionaries in Malawi, highlighting their work, challenges, and the opportunity to build a preschool to reach Muslim communities. - Church's support: $50,000 pledged for the school development. **Main Sermon - Romans 8:26-30:** - **Theme: Weakness and God's Sovereignty**  - Our Weakness:    - We are inherently weak and live in a world obsessed with self-fixation.   - As believers, we experience tension between faith and sin.   - We struggle in knowing how to pray; the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. - **Intercession of the Holy Spirit:**  - The Spirit helps in our prayers, understanding our hearts beyond words.  - Highlights the need for prayer aligned with God's will, not personal desires. - **God's Sovereignty:**  - Emphasis on Romans 8:28 – Misinterpretation risks focusing on personal benefit rather than God's purpose.  - Illustration using God's plan for Jesus' birth demonstrates His ways are superior to human understanding. - **Concept of Foreknowledge and Predestination:**  - Foreknowledge and predestination discussed as concepts that can be challenging but are crucial for understanding God's sovereignty.  - Explanation that God knew who would choose Him and orchestrated a plan accordingly.  - Focus on being conformed to the image of Christ through justification and glorification. **Practical Applications:** 1. **Recognize Weakness:** Accept and embrace your weakness as a believer. Depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. 2. **Align Desires with God's Will:** Regularly check if your desires align with God's purpose. Focus on serving His kingdom rather than personal dreams. 3. **Trust in God's Plan:** Have faith that God’s plans are higher than your own, especially in challenges. 4. **Be Open to God’s Calling:** Reflect on where God might be calling you to serve more significantly, whether locally or abroad. **Discussion Questions:** 1. What are some recent situations where you felt your personal weakness, and how did you witness the Holy Spirit's help? 2. How can Romans 8:28 be misinterpreted in today's Christian culture? In what ways can it be correctly applied? 3. How can you ensure your prayers and desires are in alignment with God's will rather than personal wants? 4. Discuss a time when you saw God's plan work out differently and better than what you had planned. What did it teach you? The sermon underscores the importance of focusing on God’s sovereignty and the Holy Spirit’s work in aiding believers through weaknesses, aligning with divine purposes over personal aspirations.

    49 min

  2. DEC 14

    All Creation Groans

    Romans 8 invites us into a profound meditation on suffering, creation, and the hope of glory that awaits us. We discover that suffering isn't something God overlooks—it's actually a tool He uses to shape us into mature believers who reflect His image. Like a silversmith heating silver until he can see his reflection in it, God allows trials to remove the impurities in our lives. The passage reveals something remarkable: all of creation is groaning alongside us, waiting for redemption. From the moment sin entered the world in Genesis 3, the ground was cursed with thorns and thistles, and decay became part of our reality. But creation hasn't given up hope. The seas, rivers, trees, and mountains all long for Christ's return when everything will be made new. Even the darkness at Christ's crucifixion and the earthquake that split rocks testified to creation's recognition of its Creator. We're challenged to examine whether we share creation's eager longing for Christ's return, or whether we've become so comfortable with our earthly blessings that we've lost our heavenly focus. The promise is breathtaking: God will replace every thorn with a cypress, every briar with a myrtle. He's making all things new, and our suffering is producing an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison. **Sermon Notes:** **Introduction:** - Passage: Romans 8:17-25. - Central theme: The role of suffering in Christian maturity and the hope of future glory. **Key Themes:** 1. **Suffering and Growth:**   - Suffering is universal and disliked but essential for Christian growth.   - Suffering isn't elective; it's a part of spiritual maturation.   - Personal anecdote: Grandson's struggle during a hike symbolizes how suffering can lead to growth. 2. **Comfort and Complacency:**   - Modern comfort can lead to spiritual complacency.   - Reference to Revelation 3:14 (Laodicean church): They are lukewarm due to self-sufficiency and lack of spiritual hunger.   - Importance of recognizing need for God amid comfort. 3. **Creation’s Groaning:**   - Creation itself suffers due to sin and longs for redemption.   - Examples of nature's subjugation: thorns, decay, and futility.   - Biblical references: Genesis 3 (curse of the ground), and Isaiah's prophecy of renewal. 4. **God’s Sovereignty Over Nature:**   - God controls and commands creation.   - Examples: Darkness at Jesus' crucifixion, God stopping time for Joshua.   - Nature worships God through its existence and awaits His return. 5. **Hope of Redemption:**   - Believers are like creation, groaning for relief and renewal.   - Hope is anchored in God's promise of a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21). 6. **Practical Implications:**   - Self-reflection on spiritual readiness and eagerness for Christ's return.   - Challenge to embrace suffering as a path to spiritual growth. **Practical Applications:** 1. **Embrace Suffering:**   - View personal hardships as opportunities for spiritual growth.   - Reflect on how challenges can refine character and increase reliance on God. 2. **Combat Complacency:**   - Evaluate areas of life where comfort may have led to spiritual stagnation.   - Foster a genuine hunger for God through scripture and prayer. 3. **Focus on Eternal Hope:**   - Regularly meditate on the promises of a renewed creation and eternal life.   - Shift perspective from earthly concerns to heavenly expectations. **Discussion Questions:** 1. How has a specific period of suffering or hardship contributed to your spiritual growth? 2. In what areas might comfort be hindering your spiritual zeal or dependence on God? 3. How do you maintain hope and patience while waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises? 4. In what ways can you remind yourself and others that this world is not our ultimate home? 5. How do you actively prepare your heart and mind for Christ's return amidst the distractions of everyday life? By focusing on these themes and applications, we strive to not only understand the biblical text but also integrate its teachings into our daily lives, reinforcing our hope in Christ's imminent return and the inherent growth found through life's challenges.

    37 min

  3. DEC 10

    Building a Foundation

    What does it take to build a life that withstands the storms? This exploration of Proverbs 14 takes us deep into the architecture of a godly life, revealing that everything begins with the foundation we lay. Just as a construction crew wouldn't dream of placing a building on unstable ground, we cannot expect our lives to flourish without first establishing ourselves on four critical foundations: reverence, wisdom, stability, and character. The opening verse presents us with the image of a wise woman building her house—a powerful metaphor for how we construct our entire existence. When we fear the Lord with deep respect and reverence, we're not cowering in terror but standing in awe of His majesty, much like children who have a healthy respect for loving parents. This fear becomes the bedrock upon which everything else is built. The message challenges us to move beyond impulsive living toward discernment, to establish consistent rhythms in our spiritual lives rather than chasing perfection, and to recognize that our character—how we treat the McDonald's employee during a frustrating wait or how we speak to our neighbor—matters eternally. The truth is, more is caught than taught. Our lives become living testimonies, and when we root ourselves deeply in God's Word, we create a foundation that cannot be shaken, even when the winds blow and the floods come. **Sermon Notes: Building a Foundation (Proverbs 14)** **Detailed Notes:** 1. **Introduction to Proverbs 14:**   - The speaker notes a shift in Proverbs' structure and approach to this chapter.   - A thematic exploration of Proverbs 14, focusing on building a foundation. 2. **Four Foundations:**   - **Reverence:**     - Defined as a deep respect/fear of the Lord.    - Wisdom and reverence set as crucial for a strong spiritual foundation.    - Proverbs 14:1-2 discusses the wise woman building her house with reverence.    - Verses 26-27 highlight the benefits of revering God (confidence and refuge).   - **Wisdom:**    - Emphasizes discernment over impulses.    - Wisdom involves prudent decision-making (Proverbs 14:8, 15).    - A caution against following worldly wisdom rather than God's wisdom.   - **Stability:**    - Importance of a stable foundation likened to Matthew 7's parable of building on a rock.    - Proverbs 14:11 contrasts the house of the wicked with the tent of the upright.    - Encourage development of healthy rhythms and consistency in spiritual practices.   - **Character:**    - Focus on speech, compassion, and peacefulness (Proverbs 14:3, 21, 30).    - Character impacts how we treat others and respond to life situations. 3. **Summary of Proverbs 14:**   - A reader's perspective after detailed examination: listen through the lens of building a strong foundation.   - Establishing life on God’s word forms a foundation that influences personal life and those around you. **Practical Applications:** 1. **Reverence:**   - Cultivate a daily practice of reflecting on God's greatness to foster a respectful fear and deepen your spiritual foundation. 2. **Wisdom:**   - Practice discerning choices by consulting scripture and seeking godly counsel before making significant decisions. 3. **Stability:**   - Establish consistent spiritual habits, such as daily devotionals or attending church, to create a stable foundation. 4. **Character:**   - Be intentional about speaking truthfully and acting compassionately, reflecting Christ-like behavior in your daily interactions. **Discussion Questions:** 1. **Reflection on Reverence:**   - How do you currently demonstrate a fear of the Lord in your daily life? In what areas can this be deepened? 2. **Gaining Wisdom:**   - Can you share an instance where discernment triumphed over impulse in your life? What was the outcome? 3. **Building Stability:**   - What are some spiritual rhythms you have established or plan to establish to ensure stability in your faith? 4. **Character Development:**   - In what ways can you improve how you represent your character at work, home, or community, ensuring it aligns with your faith? This structured approach (detailed notes, practical applications, and discussion questions) keeps the message focused while encouraging reflection and action.

    38 min

  4. DEC 7

    The Incarnate Christ

    At the heart of Romans 8:10 lies a profound truth that reshapes our understanding of salvation: whatever God creates, the devil corrupts, and whatever the devil corrupts, God counteracts. This message takes us back to Genesis 3, where sin entered humanity through Adam's choice in the garden. We see a devastating pattern emerge—desire, taking, shame, hiding, and fear. Yet God's response reveals His unchanging character: He calls, inquires, addresses, and corrects. He doesn't abandon us in our shame; instead, He walks through the garden asking, 'Where are you?' This first question in Scripture echoes through eternity, reminding us that we are the ones who hide, not God who abandons. The prophecy in Genesis 3:15 about the woman's seed crushing the serpent's head set in motion a cosmic battle that would culminate in the cross. Through one man's body, sin infected all humanity; through another man's body—Jesus Christ—righteousness was restored. The incarnation wasn't just a beautiful Christmas story; it was God's strategic counterattack against sin. Jesus didn't come merely to teach or inspire; He came to have His body broken, His blood shed, and His life poured out so that we could be reconciled to the Father. When we truly grasp this, worship becomes inevitable, and the words 'paid in full' echo through our souls with transformative power. **Sermon Notes:** **Main Scripture:** Romans 8:10 - "But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." **Themes:** - The dual reality of human existence: physical death and spiritual life. - The pattern of God's creation being corrupted by sin and counteracted by God's redemption.    **Genesis Account:** - Reference to Genesis 3, the onset of sin through Adam and Eve. - The pattern of temptation: desire, sin, shame, and hiding. - God's response: Calling humans back to Himself despite their shame and fear. **Sin and Redemption:** - Sin as humanity’s incurable disease, entering through Adam. - The prophecy and enmity (Genesis 3:15) between the serpent and the woman's seed, highlighting the battle between good and evil. **Jesus as Redeemer:** - Jesus' coming as the ultimate counteraction to sin. - His sacrificial death as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.    **Practical Applications:** 1. **Awareness of Sin Patterns:** Identify areas in life where temptation leads to shame, and actively seek God’s redemption.    2. **Embrace Redemption:** Celebrate the complete work of Jesus, not just as a historical event but a personal salvation story. 3. **Live as Children of God:** Adopt a mindset of a beloved child, not a servant, understanding your position and rights in God’s family. 4. **Stand against Fear:** Confront fear and anxiety with the truth of being adopted into God's family and living under His grace. **Discussion Questions:** 1. What are some ways you see the pattern of creation, corruption, and redemption in your personal life?    2. How does understanding the full narrative of sin entering through Adam and redemption through Christ change your perspective on personal struggles? 3. In what ways can you practically live out your identity as a child of God in your daily life? 4. How can we as a community support each other in moving from a mindset of fear to one of sonship and confidence in God’s promises? 5. Reflect on God’s persistence in pursuing humanity despite their sin. How does this impact your understanding of God's love and grace toward you? By focusing on these key areas, you can reflect deeply on the transformative power of Christ's atonement and its implications for your life and the broader community of believers.

    39 min

  5. NOV 30

    No Condemnation

    Imagine standing before a judge, knowing you're guilty, the evidence overwhelming, your failure undeniable. Just as you're about to confess, someone steps between you and the bench, declaring 'not guilty' on your behalf. This is the breathtaking reality Romans 8 reveals to us. We journey from the depths of Romans 7, where we wrestle with our own wretchedness and ask 'who will deliver me from this body of death?' to the triumphant declaration that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. This isn't just theological theory—it's the lived tension we all experience. We're still in the flesh, still breathing sinful air, still struggling with why we do what we don't want to do. Yet the Spirit of the living God dwells within us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in our mortal bodies. We're called to set our minds not on the flesh, which leads to death, but on the Spirit, which brings life and peace. This means diving deep into God's Word, letting it dwell richly in us, gathering with other believers to encourage one another, and learning to cry out when we don't even have words—trusting that the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for utterance. We're not elevated or special; we're simply people in whom God chooses to dwell, and that changes everything about how we live each ordinary day. **Sermon Notes:** **Introduction:** - The speaker, Pastor Will, introduces the series on the book of Romans, specifically focusing on Romans chapter 8. - Emphasizes the significance of Romans 8 as one of the most important chapters in the Bible. **Key Points:** 1. **Courtroom Analogy:** - Illustration of a courtroom scene where one is guilty but Jesus steps in, declaring "not guilty." - Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." 2. **All Are Guilty:** - Romans 3:23 states all have sinned and fall short. - No hierarchy in Christianity; all are equal before God. 3. **No Condemnation:** - Only those in Christ are free from condemnation. - The law exposes sin, highlighting the need for Jesus. 4. **Freedom in Christ:** - Those in Christ are set free from the law of sin and death. - Galatians 2:20 discusses living by faith in Christ, not by flesh. 5. **Spirit vs. Flesh:** - Believers live in the tension between flesh and Spirit. - Setting the mind on the flesh leads to death, the Spirit leads to life and peace. 6. **Holy Spirit's Presence:** - Romans 8:9 emphasizes the Spirit dwelling in believers. - The Spirit is essential; without Him, one does not belong to Christ. 7. **Dwelling in the Spirit:** - The Spirit wants to dwell in us, impacting every aspect of life. - Importance of being in God's Word and fellowship for spiritual growth. - Colossians 3:16 encourages letting the word of Christ dwell in us. 8. **Prayer and the Spirit's Help:** - The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t have the words. - Romans 8:26 highlights the Spirit's aid in our weakness. **Practical Applications:** 1. **Embrace Your Position in Christ:** - Live with the assurance that you are no longer condemned if you are in Christ. - Reflect on the courtroom analogy when guilt arises. 2. **Cultivate Mindset on the Spirit:** - Regularly engage with scripture; let it shape your thoughts and actions. - Seek spiritual fellowship and accountability within the church community. 3. **Invite the Holy Spirit to Indwell You:** - Begin each day in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence. - Make time for worship and reflection, allowing God to dwell in your daily life. 4. **Rely on the Spirit in Weakness:** - When struggling, trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes even when words fail. - Be persistent in prayer and quiet time with God. **Discussion Questions:** 1. How does the imagery of the courtroom help you understand your position in Christ? 2. What practical steps can you take to shift your mindset from the flesh to the Spirit? 3. In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to dwell more fully in your life? 4. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's intercession in times of weakness or uncertainty? 5. How can the community of believers support you in living according to the Spirit?

    49 min

  6. NOV 23

    Thanks Giving

    This message challenges us to examine where our treasure truly lies and whether God holds the preeminent place in every area of our lives. Drawing from Matthew 6:21, we're reminded that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. The sermon walks us through the biblical foundation of generosity, starting with Cain and Abel's offerings in Genesis, where we see that God desires our first and best, not our leftovers. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock in faith, while Cain brought what remained after the harvest. This principle echoes throughout Scripture: God gave first, loved first, and came first. Through Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek and the Old Testament practice of tithing, we see a consistent theme that giving isn't about God needing our resources, but about our hearts being aligned with His. The most powerful insight comes from recognizing that we are merely stewards of what belongs to God anyway. As Psalm 24:1 declares, the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. When we grasp that every breath we take, every dollar we earn, and every blessing we receive comes from Him, giving becomes an act of worship and gratitude rather than obligation. The question isn't whether God needs our money, but whether we trust Him enough to put Him first in all things. **Sermon Notes:** **Introduction:** - Pastor Rick introduces himself and mentions the church's journey through the book of Romans. - He shares an impactful experience from a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, led by Pastor Joby Martin and Church of 1122. **Main Themes:** - **Culture of Generosity:** Pastor Rick felt corrected and inspired regarding his approach to giving. - **Importance of Giving:** Emphasis on giving as a reflection of gratitude and faith rather than obligation. **Key Scriptures:** - **Colossians 1:15-18:** Jesus is the image of the invisible God, preeminent in all things, emphasizing His centrality. - **Psalm 24:1:** Everything belongs to God; all creation and ownership are His. - **Matthew 6:19-21:** Storing treasures in heaven; where your treasure is, there your heart will be. - **1 Timothy 6:6-10:** Warning against the love of money and its destructive potential. **Principles of Giving:** - God wants the first and best of what we have as a demonstration of our faith, not leftovers (Genesis 4: Cain and Abel). - The story of Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14) as an example of purposeful giving. - **Old Testament Tithe:** Explained as giving the first 10% of one's earnings for the support of the temple and community (Malachi 3). **New Testament Insights:** - **Matthew 23:23:** Jesus acknowledges the importance of tithing but prioritizes justice, mercy, and faith. - **New Testament Giving Principles (1 Corinthians 16):** Giving should be periodic, personal, planned, proportionate, and plentiful. **Pastor Rick's Personal Reflection:** - Rick shares his own journey in understanding and practicing generosity, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness in giving. **Conclusion:** - The ultimate model of giving is Jesus, who gave everything for humanity, prompting us to mirror that generosity in our lives. **Practical Applications:** 1. **Evaluate Priorities:** Reflect on where your financial resources go, as it indicates where your heart truly lies. 2. **Plan Your Giving:** Set a regular time to tithe or give, ensuring it is a thoughtful and purposeful act, not an afterthought. 3. **Start Small if Necessary:** If a full tithe is daunting, begin with a smaller, consistent amount, and increase as your faith grows. 4. **Teach Generosity:** Share the principle of giving with your family, emphasizing its importance and spiritual basis. **Discussion Questions:** 1. How does recognizing God’s ownership of everything change your perspective on your resources? 2. In what ways can you ensure that your giving is from a place of gratitude and not obligation? 3. Reflect on the principle "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What does this reveal about your current heart posture? 4. What steps can you take to make Jesus preeminent in all areas of your life, including your finances? 5. Share a personal experience where you felt called to give. What was the impact of your obedience? By exploring these concepts, the sermon encourages personal reflection and practical steps toward embodying a culture of generosity in personal and community life.

    36 min

  7. NOV 19

    Living For God Like The End Is Near

    What if Jesus walked through the doors today and told us He was returning exactly one year from now? How would that change everything about the way we live? This powerful message from 1 Peter 4:1-11 challenges us to examine whether we're truly living like the end is near or just going through the motions of faith while our hearts remain tethered to temporary things. The passage confronts us with uncomfortable questions about idolatry in our modern lives, reminding us that anything elevated above God, whether it's sports, relationships, approval, or even our own families, can become an idol that steals our worship. Peter urges believers to arm themselves with Christ's attitude toward suffering and to be anxious to do God's will rather than chase our own desires. The text reveals ten diagnostic questions to identify idols in our lives, from what dominates our thoughts to what we defend excessively. But this isn't just about what we avoid; it's about what we pursue. People who live like the end is near are earnest and disciplined in prayer, show deep unconditional love that covers a multitude of sins, and actively use their spiritual gifts to serve others. The challenge isn't to live in fear, but to live with purpose, knowing that opposition will come when we choose to follow Jesus faithfully, yet pressing forward anyway because eternity is what truly matters. **Sermon Notes:** **Title:** Living Like the End is Near  **Speaker:** Jesse  **Text:** 1 Peter 4:1-11 (NLT) **Detailed Notes:** 1. **Introduction:**   - Jesse expresses gratitude for the opportunity to lead a student takeover and highlights how student ministry serves as a bridge from kids' ministry to adult services.   - The series has been based on 1 Peter, focusing on the call to live in light of the living hope through Jesus.    2. **Theme of 1 Peter:**   - The book emphasizes living in response to the living hope given through Jesus.   - Christians should live with an awareness that this world is temporary. 3. **Passage Overview:**   - Jesse reads 1 Peter 4:1-11, highlighting the call to arm ourselves with Christ's attitude, be prepared to suffer, resist sin, and live for the will of God. 4. **Main Points:**   - **Arm Yourself with the Attitude of Christ:**    - Be ready to suffer as Christ did and cease following your sinful desires.    - Prioritize living for God's will over worldly pursuits and pleasures.   - **Understanding Idolatry:**    - Anything elevated above God can become an idol (e.g., power, pleasure, money).    - Evaluate priorities to ensure they are aligned with God's will.   - **Expect Opposition:**    - Faithful following of Jesus will likely lead to slander or rejection by former friends or worldly influences.    - Opposition is a normal part of sincerely following Christ.   - **Stay Eternally Focused:**    - Be earnest and disciplined in prayer.    - Show deep love to others, practicing hospitality and using spiritual gifts for service.      - **Utilize God's Gifts:**    - Recognize and actively use the spiritual gifts God has bestowed for the benefit of others and God's glory. 5. **Concluding Story:**   - Jesse shares an experience of witnessing baptisms and the heartfelt reminder that choosing to follow Jesus is the most significant decision in life.   - Encourages living every day with the urgency that the end is near. **Practical Applications:** - **Evaluate Priorities:**  - List and rank your current priorities. Align them with God's will, ensuring that none take precedence over your relationship with Him. - **Identify Idols:**  - Reflect on what you might be elevating above God in your life. Commit to submitting these areas to Him. - **Face Opposition with Grace:**  - Prepare for slander or rejection by grounding your identity in Christ. Maintain love and grace towards those who oppose you. - **Enhance Prayer Life:**  - Set a daily routine for earnest and disciplined prayer, focusing on God's guidance and interceding for others. - **Use Your Gifts:**  - Identify your spiritual gifts and find ways to serve in your church community or local area, contributing to God's work. **Discussion Questions:** 1. **Idolatry Reflection:**   - What are some potential idols in your life that can interfere with your relationship with God? How can you ensure that God remains your top priority? 2. **Handling Opposition:**   - How have you experienced opposition when trying to live out your faith? What strategies have you found effective in maintaining faithfulness to Christ in these situations? 3. **Prayer and Urgency:**   - How does the idea of living like the end is near change your approach to prayer and interaction with others? 4. **Gifts and Service:**   - What gifts has God given you? How can you begin or continue to use them to serve others and glorify God within your church and community? By focusing on these elements, individuals can be encouraged to align their lives more closely with biblical teachings, fully utilizing their spiritual gifts, and living with an eternal perspective.

    43 min

  8. NOV 16

    I Don't Understand

    Romans 7 presents us with one of the most raw and vulnerable passages in all of Scripture, where we encounter the apostle Paul wrestling with a tension that every believer knows intimately: the struggle between who we are in Christ and the sin that still clings to our flesh. This passage doesn't offer us a polished, perfect Christianity—instead, it invites us into the messy reality of spiritual transformation. We discover that being saved doesn't make us perfect; it makes us forgiven. The profound truth here is that we are no longer 'in the flesh' but we are still 'of the flesh'—we've been freed from sin's dominion, yet we still battle its presence. Paul's honest confession 'I do not understand my own actions' resonates deeply because it mirrors our own experience. We find ourselves doing the very things we hate and failing to do the good we desire. This isn't a sign that our salvation is invalid; rather, it's evidence of the spiritual war raging within every Christ-follower. The beauty emerges when Paul asks not 'what will deliver me?' but 'who will deliver me?'—pointing us away from self-help solutions toward the only One who can truly save us. The answer comes thundering through: 'Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord,' followed immediately by the liberating declaration of Romans 8:1—'There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' We're reminded that our Father stands with arms wide open, not waiting to condemn us for our failures, but inviting us to run to Him with every struggle, every sin, every moment of weakness. ### Detailed Sermon Notes **Introduction:** - Pastor Will introduces himself and shares his recent mission trip to Malawi and South Africa. He emphasizes the gratitude for the church's support, which enables partnerships and gospel sharing in extremely impoverished regions. **Scripture Focus (Romans 7:13-25):** - **Struggle with Sin:**  - Paul’s honesty about his battle with sin highlights a universal Christian experience.  - Believers are of the flesh yet in Christ, creating a tension of living according to the Spirit while wrestling with sinful nature.  - Paul’s question, "Why do I do what I don’t want to do?" resonates with many believers. **Life as a Journey:** - **Analogy of the River:**  - Life's path before Christ is like flowing downstream. Conversion is the turning point, representing the choice to paddle upstream against worldly currents. **Personal Story:** - Will shares a story of his son breaking a TV and promptly confessing, illustrating how God desires us to come to Him after we fail, instead of trying to fix things on our own. **Main Points:** - **Human Nature vs. Divine Calling:**  - Despite being saved, Christians have an ongoing struggle with sin due to their fleshly nature.  - Quoting John MacArthur, Will explains that believers are not "in" the flesh but "of" it, highlighting the continuous internal conflict. **Closing Message:** - Only Jesus, not human efforts, can deliver from sin’s power. - Encourages transparency within the church, fostering a community where individuals can confess struggles without judgment. ### Practical Applications 1. **Embrace Transparency:**   - Cultivate authentic relationships within the church by admitting and discussing personal struggles. 2. **Run to God:**   - Develop a habit of confessing sins to God promptly and seeking His strength to overcome, rather than relying on self-improvement techniques. 3. **Rely on Grace:**   - Focus on understanding and relying on God’s grace through Christ, rather than attempting to achieve righteousness through personal effort. 4. **Scripture Engagement:**   - Regularly read and meditate on Scripture to reinforce the truth of God’s grace and the ongoing internal battle with sin. ### Discussion Questions 1. **Personal Reflection:**   - Describe a time when you felt like Paul, struggling between your desires and your actions. How did you handle it? 2. **The Role of Grace:**   - How can embracing God’s grace daily help you in your struggle against sin? 3. **Community Support:**   - In what ways can you contribute to making the church a more open and accepting environment for vulnerability and authenticity? 4. **Prayerful Dependence:**   - What steps can you take to run to God and seek His help whenever you face temptation or failure?

    43 min
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Messages from Hope Church Johnson City! Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11am!

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  • Creator
    Hope Church Johnson City
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    588
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Hope Church
  • Show Website
    Hope Church Johnson City