Hope Church - Fort Worth, TX Hope Church

In this video, we explore the profound meaning behind two essential practices in the Christian faith: the Lord's Supper and baptism. These symbolic ceremonies, given by Jesus Himself, convey the transformative power of His sacrifice and the inner change experienced by every believer.
We begin by delving into the Lord's Supper, also known as communion, the Lord's Table, or the Breaking of Bread. This special ceremony is a time for Christians to remember and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. In Luke 22, we witness Jesus sharing bread and wine with His disciples during the last Passover meal before His crucifixion. He explains that the bread represents His body and the wine His blood, given for us. When partaking in the Lord's Supper, believers symbolically remember Jesus' broken body and shed blood, proclaiming His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a powerful moment to reflect on God's love and grace, available to any believer who has put their faith in Christ. However, Scripture advises examining one's heart first to ensure being right with God and others (1 Corinthians 11:28).
Next, we examine the significance of baptism, an outward demonstration of the inward change that occurs when someone trusts Jesus as their Savior. The ceremony involves briefly submerging a person under water and bringing them back out, symbolizing the death of the old way of life and the rising to a new life in Christ. The Apostle Paul describes this beautifully in Romans 6:4, stating that we are buried with Christ through baptism into death, and just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too can walk in newness of life. Baptism powerfully illustrates the spiritual reality of being united with Jesus.
It is crucial to understand that while baptism does not save a person, as salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), it is a vital first step of obedience after choosing to follow Jesus. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts, we see the pattern of people believing in Jesus and being baptized as a public declaration of their faith (Acts 2:41, 8:12).
For those who have put their faith in Jesus but haven't yet been baptized, we encourage you to take this next step. It is a way to personally identify with Christ, obey His command, and publicly declare your faith to others. If you are interested in learning more about baptism and preparing for this important step of obedience, we invite you to sign up for our next baptism class. The class covers the meaning of baptism, what to expect, and how to share your story about your new faith in Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, the Lord's Supper and baptism are rich with meaning, connecting believers to Jesus' death and resurrection. They unite Christians throughout history who have shared in these practices and set them apart as belonging to God. If you have given your life to Jesus, celebrating the Lord's Supper and being baptized are powerful next steps to grow in your faith. For more information on the Lord's Supper, baptism, and other aspects of the Christian faith, please visit our website or contact us directly. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and support you on your journey of faith.
https://hopeinsider.com/baptism

Are you feeling stuck in life and looking for lasting hope and purpose? In this message from Hope Church, Pastor Matt explains how following Jesus is the key to moving forward and experiencing transformation.
Many people think that being a Christian is just a one-time decision. But as Pastor Matt shares, it's actually a lifelong journey of obedience and taking next steps with Jesus. Lordship means recognizing Jesus' authority over every area of our lives. It's not always easy, but it's the path to true life change.
Discipleship is the process of growth as a follower of Jesus. It means becoming more like him in our character, knowledge, and actions. God works to transform us from the inside out as we walk with him.
So how does this change actually happen? Pastor Matt highlights several tools God uses to help us grow:
1. The Bible - God's word is the ultimate source of truth that guides and shapes us 
2. Prayer - Talking to God honestly and listening to him 
3. Community - We can't grow spiritually in isolation; we need other believers 
4. Suffering - Trials humble us and make us more dependent on God 
While these tools are essential, our response is what matters most. Pastor Matt challenges us to obey what God has already shown us. Large or small, look for the next step God is calling you to take - and then take it! Over time, these daily steps of obedience add up to incredible transformation.
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, God invites you to experience the abundant life Jesus offers. It won't always be easy, but you don't have to stay stuck. If you feel God nudging you to trust Jesus for the first time, declare it publicly through baptism, get connected in community, or something else - take that step!
Don't wait for a dramatic one-time experience. Commit to the ongoing, daily process of obedience and watch how God will grow you in ways you never imagined. Your next step matters, and Pastor Matt and Hope Church are cheering you on.
ABOUT HOPE CHURCH At Hope Church, we're all about helping people take next steps in their relationship with God. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or have been following Jesus for decades, you're welcome here. Visit our website to learn more or get connected in an upcoming event or small group. We can't wait to meet you!
https://www.hopechurch.com

Are you feeling stuck, discouraged, or even hopeless? In this Easter sermon, Pastor Matt from Hope Church shares an encouraging message about how Jesus' resurrection offers us a lasting hope that can transform our lives.
 
The story of Easter is not just a nice holiday tradition—it's about the most important event in history that changed everything. When Jesus' followers discovered his empty tomb that first Easter morning, they went from being totally devastated to having a new, unshakable hope.
 
Why? Because Jesus rising from the dead proved that he has power over sin and death. His resurrection invites us to move from hopelessness to hope, doubt to belief, and defeat to victory. We don't have to stay stuck no matter what we're going through.
 
We often feel hopeless because we're putting our hope in the wrong things. Pastor Matt explains how there are two main kinds of hope:
1.    Fleeting hope - This is when we place our hope in temporary things that ultimately disappoint us and don't last. Whether it's our circumstances, abilities, or
relationships, nothing in this world can provide a firm foundation for hope.
 
2.     Lasting hope - This is the unshakable hope that comes from putting our trust in Jesus. When we have a relationship with him, we're connected to the God of the universe, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and eternal. His perfect love secures our hope.
 
So, how do we find this lasting hope? Pastor Matt shared the good news that Jesus offers us peace with God, not based on our efforts, but through faith in what Jesus did for us.
 
On the cross, Jesus took the consequence of our sins - death and separation from God. He died in our place so that through trusting him, we can be forgiven and made right with God. Three days later, Jesus rose again, proving that he conquered sin and death for us.
 
This means we can have a living hope in Jesus no matter our situation. We're invited to come to him in our brokenness, be made new, and experience a transformed life in our relationship with him.
 
Following Jesus doesn't mean we won't have problems, but it means we won't face them alone. With Jesus, we can find the hope, security, peace, and joy we seek. We're no longer defined by our pasts but by who we are in him.
 
So, if you're looking for hope this Easter, we invite you to consider trusting Jesus. Come visit us at Hope Church - we'd love to help you learn more about the hope Jesus offers and support you on your spiritual journey.
 
You don't have to stay stuck in hopelessness any longer. Lasting hope is available to you today through Jesus. He's inviting you to come to him, be made new, and experience the full life he has for you. Will you put your hope in him?
 
Website: https://hopechurch.com
Interested in Baptism? https://hopeinsider.com/baptism
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Want to reach out? You can email us at info@hopechurch.com
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One type of pressure we all face is injustice. God has given us an innate sense of right and wrong, so when we experience injustice, it stirs strong emotions. The challenge is handling it correctly so we don't lose sight of our goals to live for God and share Christ with others.
It's important to remember that God's patience with injustice in the world now doesn't mean He tolerates it. There will be a day when He makes everything right. In the meantime, injustice will happen because we live in a broken world with broken people.
James warns that God will bring consequences to those who are unjust, especially those who use wealth and power to take advantage of others. He hears the cries of those who have been mistreated. While good people should step up to address large-scale injustices, James focuses on the everyday wrongdoings between individuals that we must navigate.
When someone wrongs us, we want them to pay. But trying to get revenge only makes things worse. Instead, we must let God deal with it and say, "Enough." Just as Jesus bridged the gap between us and God, we can stop the cycle of retaliation and allow for possible reconciliation.
So, how do we handle the pressure of injustice? James gives four key ways:
Be patient and keep working faithfully, like a farmer waiting for his crops. Justice is God's job, not ours. Strengthen our hearts by staying committed to doing right, even when treated wrong. Setting our hope on Jesus' return empowers us to endure. Refuse to complain, which only magnifies the problem. Remember, Jesus is always near, hearing everything. Follow the examples of the prophets and Job, who endured suffering by keeping their hope in God. While waiting on God amid injustice, we may be tempted to look to others to rescue us, escape through unhealthy means, try to fix it ourselves or get discouraged to the point of giving up. But God wants us to turn to Him so He can train us to be stronger and transform us to be more like Christ. That's His purpose in allowing us to go through pressures.
Remember, the pain and pressure we experience in life have a purpose. Look to God first and let Him grow and change you through it. Trust Him to deal with injustice in His perfect way and time. Let's pray for a great turnout next week to celebrate our risen Savior!

In this sermon, Pastor Jeremy delves into the roots and destructive nature of conflict, using a unique onion analogy. Just as an onion has layers, conflict has layers that need to be peeled back to uncover its underlying causes of quarrels and fights.
On the surface, conflict manifests as visible arguments. But digging deeper stems from coveting and desiring what others have. This leads people to rely on themselves instead of turning to God. When people pray, it's often with selfish motives, seeking to fulfill their passions rather than aligning with God's will.
At its core, conflict arises from the sin of pride. Pride says, "I deserve this," and "I'm right no matter what." It elevates the self above God. The Bible says God actively opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
However, there is a way out of this destructive cycle. It starts with humility - submitting to God, resisting the devil, repenting of wrongdoing, and mourning over the damage caused by conflict. When we humble ourselves and turn to God, He promises to lift us up and guide us toward resolution.
Pastor Jeremy shares a historical example from his family heritage to illustrate how unresolved conflict escalates with devastating consequences over time. The Proctor and Beck families, both part of the Cherokee nation, ended up in a deadly feud known as the Goingsnake Massacre - all because pride and grievances were left to fester. I
n closing, Pastor Jeremy underscores the unique role of Christians in conflict resolution. We must choose humility, speak well of each other, and trust God as the ultimate judge. While the world will always have conflict, the church, as a beacon of peace, should be different. Humility is not just a starting point for reconciliation but a way of life that reflects God's peace.

Jared Jeffries, the director of student ministry at Hope Church, spoke about the power of words as part of a series on the Book of James and dealing with life's pressures. The sermon focuses on the power of words and how they relate to the pressures we face.
Jared begins by discussing his love for construction and how powerful tools like excavators can be used to build up or tear down. He draws a parallel to the power of words, citing Proverbs 18:21, which states that the tongue has the power of life and death. He then explores two ways in which pressure and words are related: pressure points can lead to words that reveal our hearts, and our words can escalate or alleviate life's pressure points.
Jared uses examples from his own life and a clip from the movie "Toy Story" to illustrate these points. Diving into James 3, Jared highlights three sobering perspectives on words:
Words are hard, and we all make mistakes with them. Words are powerful; small words can have a big impact. Words are untameable; no one can control their words on their own. However, he emphasizes that with Jesus, there is hope and help. Our words can be forgiven and controlled with Jesus. Jared then provides three practical guidelines for using words:
Words should be used for building up, as stated in Ephesians 4:29. Words can be forgiven and controlled with Jesus by confessing Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection. Words should be filtered through God's wisdom, which is pure, peace-loving, gentle, humble, merciful, and accompanied by good deeds (James 3:17). To gain wisdom, Jared encourages daily Bible reading, prayer, spending time with godly people, and asking God for wisdom (James 1:5).
He concludes by urging the congregation to put what they've learned into practice, suggesting actions such as memorizing verses, seeking forgiveness for hurtful words, and writing encouraging notes to others. Jared emphasizes the importance of relying on God to help control and guide one's words. 
Woody and Buzz at the Gas Station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt6PL26aJNY
Words by Hawk Nelson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anVweXDcxhA