Church of Hope

11.22.15 // GRATEFUL OR GRUMPY?

Philippians 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Philippians 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOW TO GROW IN GRATITUDE THIS THANKSGIVING

1. Think Thankful Thoughts
Philippians 1:3 - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

2. Pray With Joy
Philippians 1:4 - Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

3. Find Good Friends 
Philippians 1:5 - For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

4. Trust In God’s Power
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

11.15.15 // A SPACE FOR GRACE

Grace & Gratitude – Part 1
Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through

 “Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.” (B.B. Warfield)
 “Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”
 “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl)
 “Grace is unmerited favor.

GRACE GROWS GRATITUDE
Living In A Space of Grace

1. Recognize Grace
2 Corinthians 12:8 - Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

2. Receive Grace
John 1:16 - For from his [Christ’s] fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

3. Release Grace 
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

11.8.15 // GOD’S SECRET WEAPON

Heroes – Part 9
Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. (Hebrews 11:31)

GOD USES BROKEN PEOPLE

 Peter Lost His Purpose
John 21:3 - Simon Peter said to the others, “I’m going fishing.”

 Thomas Lost His Faith
John 20:25 - But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

 David Lost His Integrity 
Psalm 51:1,2 - Wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again.

 Rahab Lost Her Reputation
Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab the prostitute …

GOD BLESSES BROKENNESS

1. Believe For Better
Joshua 2:9-11 - “I know the LORD has given you this land,” she told them … For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to … the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River … For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. (NLT)

2. Take A Step Of Faith
James 2:25 - The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? (MSG)

3. Upgrade Your Friends
Joshua 6:25 - So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Matthew 1:1,5,16 - This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of King David and of Abraham … Salmon was the father of Boaz (his mother was Rahab) … Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

11.1.15 // FAITH TO THE BONE

FAITH TO THE BONE

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

Heroes – Part 8

Hebrews 11:22 - By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

DEEP FAITH TAKES YOU HIGHER 

1. Dream Big

Genesis 37:19 - "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.

2. Persist Today

Genesis 39:2 - The Lord was with Joseph, and he [even though a slave] became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 

3. Forgive Everyone

Genesis 50:20 - But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

4. Live Beyond

Hebrews 11:22 - By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Genesis 50:24 - At the end, Joseph said to his brothers, “I am ready to die. God will most certainly pay you a visit and take you out of this land and back to the land he so solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” [25] “… take my bones with you as you leave here.”

10.25.15 // HOW TO BE A HERO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE A SIDEKICK

Heroes – Part 7

Pastor Holly Russo

IT’S ALL IN YOUR PERPECTIVE

1. Overlook Your Disqualifications  

    - What if they don’t believe me? Exodus 4:1

    - Who am I to go before Pharaoh? Exodus 3:11

    - I don’t know what to say! Exodus 4:13

    - I have never been eloquent. Exodus 4:10

2. See You’re No Ordinary Child 

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrew 11:23)

3. Look At What’s In Your Hand

So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” (Exodus 4:2)

4. See Potential In Your Past

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:10)

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)

5. Look Forward To Your Reward  

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater value than the treasure of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward. (Hebrews 11:25-26)

10.18.15 // OUR FINAL EXAM

Pastor Earl K. Young

“It is appointed for men to die once but after this – The Judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

The final judgment has nothing to do with Heaven or Hell.

WHAT THEN IS THE FINAL EXAM ALL ABOUT?

There are two distinctly different places and there are two distinctly different purposes where the final exams will take place.

One is at the Judgment Seat Of Christ and the other is at 

The Great White Throne.

The only identical feature is that the decisions made at both are final, without appeal, everlasting.

•The Judgment Seat Of Christ is totally about blessing, everlasting rewards, grace and mercy.

•The Great White Throne is totally without mercy and grace.  All about justice, punishment and pain.

1. For all unbelieving – Great White Throne.

Revelation 20:11,12,13

Daniel 7:9,10

Matthew 10:26

I Corinthians 4:5

Luke 12:3

Revelation 20:15 – “Anyone not found written in the Book of 

Heaven was cast into the Lake of Fire.”

Hebrews 2:2

2. For all believers – Judgment Seat of Christ.

“For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so each of us, shall give account of himself to God.” 

(Romans 14:10&12)

“For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ – that each one may receive the things one in the body according to what he has done whether good or bad.” 

(II Corinthians 5:10&11)

This Judgment is not about retribution but rewards.

The Believers Judgment – I Corinthians 3:8-15.

Vr. 8 – “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

Vr. 14 – “If your work which you have built, endures you will receive a reward.”

Vr. 15 – “If your work is burned up – you will suffer loss, but you will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

JESUS SAID

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Where your treasure is your heart will be also.” 

(Matthew 6:20-21)

WHERE WILL YOU TAKE YOUR FINAL EXAM?

1. Without Jesus – at the Great White Throne?

2. With Jesus – at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

You are deciding now!

10.11.15 // BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

Heroes – Part 6

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

Hebrews 11:17 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, [18] of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” [19] concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. [20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. [21] By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Genesis 12:2 - I will make you a great nation; I will bless you; And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.

BECOMING A BLESSING

1. To Bless Others Give Them To God

Hebrews 11:17 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

2. To Bless Others Talk About Things To Come

Hebrews 11:20 - By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

3. To Bless Others Cross Your Hands

Hebrews 11:21 - By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Genesis 48:14 - But Jacob crossed his hands, and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, even though he was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, who was the older. (GNT)

9.27.15 // FAITH AND FAMILY

Heroes – Part 4

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

GOD LOVES THE FAMILY

1. God Wants To Bless Your Families

1 Chronicles 17:27 - You have chosen to bless my family. Let it continue before you always. LORD, you have blessed my family, so it will always be blessed.

2. God Wants To Protect Your Families 

Psalm 102:28 - Our families will continue; generation after generation will be preserved by your protection.

3. God Wants To Save Your Families 

Acts 16:31,33 - They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved … The jailer and his entire family were baptized immediately.”

WALKING BY FAITH IN YOUR FAMILY

1. Talk About Things That Are Eternal

Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen …  

2. Dare To Be Different

Hebrews 11:7- By faith Noah… condemned the world … 

Hebrews 11:7 - Noah showed that the world was wrong … (NCV)

3. Build An Ark 

Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah … built an ark to save his family.

10.4.15 // THE POWER TO CHANGE

Heroes – Part 5

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

WHY SOME PEOPLE RESIST CHANGE

Fear Of The Unknown

James 4:14 - How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone.

Fear Of Loss

Philippians 3:7 - But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Fear Of Failure

Proverbs 24:16 - For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

FAITH BRINGS CHANGES

1. Faith Moves Forward

Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

2. Faith Holds Things Lightly

Hebrews 11:9 - By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; [10] for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

3. Faith Believes And Receives The Miraculous 

Hebrews 11:11 - By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

9.20.15 // Walking With God

Hebrews 11:5 - By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 
Genesis 5:24 - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

WALKING WITH GOD MEANS …

- Taking One Step At A Time 
Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

- Always Moving Forward Into New Things
Exodus 14:15 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!”

- Being Patient With The Process
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

HOW TO WALK WITH GOD

1. W - Worship: Walking A God Centered Life
Psalm 44:8 - We will praise God every day; we will praise your name forever. 
John 4:23-24 - The Father is looking for people like that to worship him. God is a spirit. Those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

2. A - Attitude: Walking With The Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5 -Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 
v. 4 – Selfless v. 7 – Service v. 8 – Sacrifice

3. L - Light: Walking In The Light 
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

4. K - Knowing: Walking In The Light Of Heaven
1 John 5:13 - I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.