How do we combat the need for perfection? Follow along as Pastor Steve Anderson interviews the founders of Land of Hope Ministry. They share stories of brokenness and hope!

“Rich” is a moving target.

Then he said to them, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)

The good news is you’re rich! (Eccl. 5:10) 

The bad news is you’re rich! (Lk. 18:24-25) 

Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. (Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788)

The more God enables us to earn, the more we invest in God’s work in this world.

Next Step: 

• Replace greed with thanksgiving!

Watch me!

Fame (1 Chron. 14:16-17; Acts 16:14; John 3:30) 

A question of motive.

Who are you representing? (2 Cor. 5:20) 

Whose approval matters most? (Prov. 29:25; 1 Thess. 2:4,6; Eph. 1:4-5)

We are not called to be famous. We are called to be faithful!

A story.

Next Steps: 

• Read Eph. 1:4-5 every morning.
• Say before you eat each meal – I am Christ’s ambassador.

"God defines a leader as someone who should be humble, dependent, alert, tenacious, prepared and confident."1. The Posture of a Leader: Humble & Dependent (v. 5–7)Godly leaders do not wear a crown of pride; they clothe themselves in humility.We cannot carry the weight of leadership until we learn to cast our anxieties on Him.Key Truth: Independence leads to burnout, but dependence on God brings peace.2. The Protection of a Leader: Alert & Tenacious (v. 8–9)The enemy is not a myth; he is a prowling lion looking for a distracted leader.Spiritual alertness requires us to be sober-minded and watchful at all times.Key Truth: We resist the enemy by standing firm and remaining tenacious in our faith.3. The Promise of a Leader: Prepared & Confident (v. 10–11)Our confidence does not come from our talent, but from the God of all grace.Hard times are guaranteed, but God promises to personally restore and establish us.Key Truth: We can lead boldly because our eternal victory is already secure.Next Steps:1. The Humility Shift2. The Alertness Audit3. The Tenacity Target

What do you expect? (John 16:33) 

We focus our attention on living for God! (1 Peter 4:1-3)

We’re prepared for the final judgment! (1 Peter 4:5-6)

We build a strong IN into community rhythm! (1 Peter 4:7-11)

We’re not surprised when we face challenges and suffering. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Next Step: 

• Shift the puzzle of your life so following Jesus is in the center.

A question and answer. (1 Peter 3:13-17) 

Alice’s Story

God created us to be with Him

Our sins separate us from God.

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. 

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. 

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. 

Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. 

Jesus Christ’s suffering. (1 Peter 3:18)

The risen, ascended Jesus Christ has all authority. (1 Peter 3:22)

Prayer:

Jesus, you died for my sin and rose again so you could bring me safely home to God. When facing challenges, I remind myself that you, Jesus, have all authority. You are the Good Shepherd who will bring me safely home to the Father. Amen. 

Hope empowers respect for people in authority. (1 Peter 2:13-17)

There are exceptions…

A word about spiritual authority. (1 Cor. 14:29; 2 Cor. 13:10) 

Hope empowers respectful behavior during suffering. (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Hope empowers wives’ respectful behavior. (1 Peter 3:1-6)

Hope empowers husband’s respectful behavior. (1 Peter 3:7)

Hope builds a Jesus centered community! (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Next Steps:

• Remember to “salute” people when you interact with them. 
• If married ask your spouse how you can honor them.  

Reframing out lives from "rejected" to "chosen."

What is honorable behavior?

Next Steps:

- Jesus: Yes or No?

- Shift your identity to being chosen by God the Father through Jesus.

- Ponder: How does my behavior honor Jesus Christ?

Our hope motivates us to serve Jesus! (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Put all your hope in… (Rev. 21:1,3-4)

Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires…

You must be holy in everything you do…

HOLY = WHOLLY

Dedicate yourself to serving God in your daily life!

Next Steps:

• Choose to put all your hope in Jesus Christ. 
• Shine the light of God’s hope into the life of a person who is in a dark place. 
• Choose to be wholly holy.

Different kinds of bodies. (Paul – 1 Cor. 15:35-41) The difference! (Paul – 1 Cor. 15:42-44)The earthly body and the heavenly body. (Paul – 1 Cor. 15:45-49)The wonderful secret! (Paul – 1 Cor. 15:50-53)Jesus wins! (Paul – 1 Cor. 15:54-58)