Hope Fellowship Teaching Podcast

During the second week in our Series "Ekklesia," we talked about the importance of community and fellowship, drawing inspiration from the early church as depicted in Acts 2:42-47. We were encouraged to engage in community through participation in group activities, shared interests, and dedicated prayer, mirroring the early church's devotion to teachings, mutual support, and joyful generosity. When we commit to following Jesus' teachings and live out our faith in supportive and connected fellowship, we can deepen our relationship with God and others.

To wrap up our Upside Down series, Pastor Zach explores the concept of "strength in weakness" through the apostle Paul's writings, arguing that acknowledging and surrendering our weaknesses to God can lead to true strength. He shares his personal story, emphasizing that admitting we are not enough allows God's power to work through us, which is a key principle of the "upside-down" kingdom of God.

In this message, Pastor Eric emphasizes that true happiness comes from recognizing our spiritual poverty and complete dependence on God, not from our circumstances or possessions. We are encouraged to embrace our need for God daily and to put Jesus' teachings into practice, as this is the foundation for experiencing the abundant life He offers.

This message focuses on embracing and applying the teachings from the Book of Colossians by responding intentionally through four key areas: prayer, lifestyle, words, and community. Pastor Zach encourages us to integrate these responses by being people of prayer, living wisely, speaking with grace, and participating in community, ultimately allowing the Holy Spirit to guide actions and deepen our relationships with Jesus.

In this message, our Online Campus Pastor, Mary Solis, focuses on the importance of deep relationships with others as part of our faith journey. She explains that God not only commands us to love others, but also designed us for meaningful relationships and has a purpose for us in connecting deeply with people. She encourages listeners to open up their lives to God first and then gradually to others, offering practical steps for building community within the church and beyond.

In this message, Pastor Eric encourages us to move into a deeper, more committed relationship with Jesus. He emphasizes that following Jesus is for everyone and requires intentionality, particularly in spending regular time alone with God. The reward for following Jesus deeply is Jesus himself and the abundant life He offers, beyond just belief to a transformed way of living.

This message focuses on the ninth commandment and expands on the importance of using words to build others up rather than tear them down. Pastor Broc shares some of his personal struggles and outlines his steps to improve, including seeking counseling, dealing with root issues, finding a supportive community, and creating space for God to work on his soul. The sermon reminds us that uplifting speech can help others recognize their inherent worth as beings created in God's image.

This message unpacks the seventh commandment: "You must not commit adultery." We explore Jesus' teachings on faithfulness and purity of heart, emphasizing that unfaithfulness starts in the heart and that God's design for relationships is greater than our desires. Pastor Eric stresses the importance of fleeing temptation and pursuing righteousness while highlighting Christ's constant faithfulness to us despite our shortcomings.

In this message, Pastor Zach walks us through the Third Commandment, "Do not take the Lord's name in vain," emphasizing that it means more than just avoiding profanity. It calls Christians to bear God's name well by living in a way that glorifies and represents Him to others. He further explains that bearing God's name involves living an "unusual" life of love, integrity, justice, and holiness that stands out from the world around us.

In this message, we unpack the Second Commandment, "You shall not make for yourself an idol." Pastor Robert emphasizes that this commandment is about more than just physical idols. He highlights that idolatry can also present itself in other ways - getting impatient with God's process, making good things required rather than following God's guidance, and adding man-made rules or requirements to the worship of God. We are challenged to examine our lives for areas where we may be exhibiting these symptoms of idolatry and realign our focus on loving God and others, rather than following a checklist mentality.