Church of Hope

2.1.15 // Stay Focused

Be Blessed Attitudes – Part 3

Scott Young.com ~ Pastor of Hope

Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

• Meekness is not weakness – Meekness is focused strength!

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (KJV)

FOUR CHOICES THAT ARE ALWAYS UP TO YOU

1. Focus Your Thoughts

Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God … [7] made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant

2. Focus Your Words

Titus 3:2 - Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone. (GNT)

Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

3. Focus Your Feelings

Numbers 12:3 - Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. (ESV)

4. Focus On Your Actions

James 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (ESV)

Matthew 21:5 - “Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (NAB)

1.25.15 // NEVER GIVE UP

Be Blessed Attitudes – Part 2

Scott Young.com ~ Pastor of Hope

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

DON’T GIVE UP BECAUSE … 

1. Comfort Is Coming

Psalm 119:50 - This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (ESV)

2. Sorrow Is Just A Season

Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (ESV)

Psalm 126:5 - Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. [6] Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (NIV)

3. Joy Comes In The Morning

Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

4. Your Harvest Is On The Way

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  (NIV)

1.18.15 // Happiness in Humility

HAPPINESS IN HUMILITY 
Be Blessed Attitudes – Part 1
Scott Young.com ~ Pastor of Hope

Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is thekingdom of heaven.”

Makários ("blessed") (from the root “happy”) describes a believer in enviable ("fortunate") position from receiving God's provisions (favor) – which (literally) extend ("make long, large").

James 4:6 - (God) gives us more grace. That is why

Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (NIV)

HUMILITY BRINGS HAPPINESS

1. Happiness Is Doing Life Together

Humility Says, “I need you!”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. [10] If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble. (TLB)

2. Happiness Is Enjoying Life With God

Humility Says, “I Need God!”

1 Peter 5:6 - So, humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and in his own good time he will lift you up. [7] You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern. (PHILLIPS)

3. Happiness Is Making A Difference

Humility Says, “My Life Is Matters”

Moses
Numbers 12:3 - Now the man Moses was a quietly humble man, more so than anyone living on Earth. (MSG)

Jesus 
Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NIV)

1.11.15 // Year of God's Favor

Big Dreams for A Big Year
Scott Young.com ~ Pastor of Hope

Luke 4:18 - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (ESV)

THIS IS A BIG YEAR FOR YOU!

1. A Year Of Anointing

Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me.

Zechariah 4:6 - Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (ESV)

2. A Year Of Good News

Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ... to proclaim good news to the poor.

3. A Year Of Liberty

Luke 4:18 - He (God) has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives ... to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NIV)

4. A Year Of Open Eyes

Luke 4:18 - He (God) has sent me to proclaim ... recovering of sight to the blind.

Ephesians 1:18 - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. (NIV)

1.4.15 // Think BIGGER

THINK BIGGER

Big Dreams for A Big Year

Scott Young.com ~ Pastor of Hope

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him (God) who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

HOW TO THINK BIGGER

1. Look To The Lord

Ephesians 3:14 - For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

2. Be Strong From The Inside Out

Ephesians 3:16 - He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Ephesians 3:17 - That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ...

3. Be Secure To Soar Higher

Ephesians 3:17 - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— [19] to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

12.29.14 // Make Room For God's Blessings

1 Peter 4:7 - The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

HOW TO BE CLEAR MINDED

1. Think The Best Of People

1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins

2. Stay Away From Negative Conversations

1 Peter 4:9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

3. Give Grace To Others

1 Peter 4:10 - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

4. Speak God’s Word Into All Situations

1 Peter 4:11 - If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

12.14.14 // Images of Christmas - Sam Farina

IMAGES FOR CHRISTMAS

Sam Farina

Genesis 50:15-21 

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS IMAGES 

1. Avoid The Image Of Sitting In God’s Chair. 

 Genesis 50:19 - "Am I in the place of God?"

 Accept His Moral Authority.

 Let God meet other’s needs.

Trust His hand without worry.

 Let God judge.

2. Show The Image Of Seeing All Of Life From God’s View.

Genesis 50:20 - "You meant it for evil but God meant it for good ..."

3. Become The Image Of God’s Love.

Genesis 50:21 - "Don't be afraid, I will provide for you and your children."

Forgive and find a way to provide practical affection.

THE CROSS MAKES US GREATER THAN JOSEPH

Matthew 11:11 - "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has none risen greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

12.6.14 // Let it Go

LET IT GO

“Frozen” – Part 3

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

WHAT IS THE “IT” WE NEED TO LET GO OF?

1. We Should Let Go Of Past Hurts

Isaiah 43:18 - But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.[19] Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! (GNT)

1 Corinthians 13:4 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (NIV)

2. We Should Let Go Of Anger

Ephesians 4:26 - Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry. (CEV)

3. We Should Let Go Of Negative Attitude & Actions

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

4. We Should Let Go Of Doubts & Fear

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

WHEN WE LET “IT” GO 

WE HOLD ON SOMETHING BETTER

• Philippians 3:13 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (NIV)

• Philippians 3:12 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (NIV)

11.30.14 // Healing In Revealing

HEALING IN REVEALING
Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope
CREATING A HEALING ATMOSPHERE

“Frozen” – Part 2

1. Overcome Our Fear of Flaws

2 Corinthians 12:9 - Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. (TLB)

2. Believe That We Are Better Together

Acts 2:44 - All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another.

(GNT)

• Socializing Together

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. (TLB)

• Studying Together

Acts 17:11 - The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. (NCV)

• Serving Together

1 Corinthians 3:9 - We work together as partners who belong to God. (NLT)

• Suffering Together

Philippians 3:10 - That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

3. Love Sacrificially

John 15:12 - This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (NLT)

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

11.23.14 // Frozen Assets Don't Work

FROZEN ASSETS DON’T WORK

Scott Young.com – Pastor of Hope

Frozen – Part 1

UNFREEZE YOUR POTENTIAL 

1. See The Need

Mark 6:34 - "When Jesus ... saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them ... so he began teaching them. [35] By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him and said, `This is a remote place. [36] Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and buy themselves something to eat.' [37] But Jesus answered, `You give them something to eat!' They said to him, `That would take eight months of a man's wages!'" 

Needs Will Never Be Met By ... 

• Procrastinating - “By this time it was late in the day...”

• Passing The Buck - “Send the people away!”

• Worrying - “It would take 8 months of wages!”

2. See Your Gifts

Mark 6:38 - "`How many loaves do you have?' Jesus asked, `Go and see.' When they found out, they said, `Five small loaves of bread and two fish.'"

John 6:6 - "Jesus asked this only to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do."

3. See How To Give 

Mark 6:41 - "Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish ... 

He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people..."The boy gave what he had ... willingly, cheerfully and immediately.

4. See God’s Abundant Blessings

Mark 6:42 - After everyone had eaten all they wanted, [43] Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftover bread and fish.

Mark 10:27 - "All things are possible with God."