Life is hard. Everything is expensive, sickness is everywhere, injustice is reigning, the wicked and the already-rich-and-powerful are getting ahead even more. Elections mean nothing, laws are getting dumber, screens are rotting our brains. And to top it all off, it’s winter in Simcoe County.

Do I seem pessimistic yet?

We’re people who know we shouldn’t be lacking hope. But most weeks, hope, even where it exists, feels far away from us. The resurrection feels theoretical and largely irrelevant.

It doesn't have to be this way. In Acts 26:1-11, we'll see that Paul refers to his hope of resurrection three times in just a few verses. For him, it's real. It's relevant. It's close. And it changes things. That's something I want to experience. And I believe you do too. That's why I'm excited that we get to dig into God's Word together. After all, is there anything we need in the midst of a dark, wintry season more than hope?

Series: The Book of Acts

Message: 65 – Because of My Hope

Text: Acts 26:1-11

Julian Freeman

Harvest Bible Chapel

January 18, 2026

A Christian’s hope is the confident expectation and desire for good things in the future grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

- Pastor Todd

I need resurrection hope, so I will…

…keep looking to Jesus

Colossians 3:1-4

Hebrews 12:1-2

…take heart in resurrection all around me

Romans 6:3-4, 11

…risk loving others

Luke 2:34-35

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket (or coffin) of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.

- C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves