Hope Church (Dubuque)

Peter gives believers two clear commands: love one another deeply and crave the Word of God. The same Word that gave us new life is the Word that continues to grow us—and it calls us to a sacrificial love for the family of God. When everything around us fades, God’s Word endures forever.

Holiness isn’t something we achieve to earn our place with God—it flows from who we already are in Christ. In 1 Peter 1:13–21, Peter gives us a blueprint for pursuing holiness: prepare our minds, live differently as God’s children, and remember the priceless redemption we have through Jesus. Because Christ has made us holy, we can learn to live holy lives that reflect the character of our Father.

Trials are never easy, but they are not wasted. In 1 Peter 1, we see how God uses hardship to strengthen our faith, remind us of the priceless salvation we have in Jesus, and prepare us for the glory that is still to come. Because we know the outcome, we can walk through trials with hope, trusting that God is at work in us even when life is hard.

In 1 Peter 1:3–5, Peter calls suffering believers to praise—not because life is easy, but because of what God has secured for them through Jesus. Our hope is alive, our inheritance is secure, and we are guarded by God’s power. Because of the risen Christ, even in seasons of hardship and uncertainty, we have every reason to praise.

Before life gets hard, we need to remember who we are.

In 1 Peter 1:1–2, we’re reminded that followers of Jesus are exiles in this world—but we are also God’s chosen people. The Father chose us, the Spirit set us apart, and Jesus bought us with His blood.

We are not defined by how the world receives us, but by the God who chose us. When hardship comes, we can hold tightly to Him, knowing we belong to Him and are secure in His grace.

Vision Sunday is a chance to celebrate what God has done, look ahead with faith, and remember the mission He has given us: Raising up disciples who surrender their lives to Jesus.

As we close out our summer in the Psalms, we end exactly where the book of Psalms ends: Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150 gives us a simple command, but it also helps us understand what praise really looks like. Praise is more than a quiet thought or a churchy phrase—it is making much of God. It shifts our focus away from ourselves and toward Him, and it moves us to respond.

In this message, Mark walks through four questions Psalm 150 answers about praise: Where should we praise God? What should we praise Him for? How should we praise Him? And who should praise Him?

God is worthy because of all He has done and because of who He is. Wherever we are, however God has gifted us, and with everything we have, we were created to declare His praise.

What would it take to truly upgrade your life?

In Psalm 132, we see three things that transformed Israel—and still shape a life of blessing and purpose today: seeking God’s presence, following our righteous King, and living with the awareness that wherever we go is sacred ground.

Jesus fulfills the hope of this Psalm. Through Him, we are invited into God’s presence, set free to follow a righteous King, and called to live lives that reflect His holiness.

The greatest upgrade isn’t better circumstances—it’s a life surrendered to Jesus.

Who is leading your life—and what are they shaping you to become?

In Psalm 23, David describes the Lord not as a distant advisor, but as a Good Shepherd who provides what we need, guides us along the right path, stays with us through the darkest valleys, and pursues us with His goodness and love.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. Whether He is leading ahead of us, walking beside us, or chasing us down with grace, there is nowhere we can go where He is not present.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” — Psalm 23:1

Most people don’t change when they sin—they change when they get caught. But Psalm 51 shows us a better response.

Through David’s prayer of repentance, we see that sin must be honestly confessed, only God can clean what sin has corrupted, and forgiven people become worshippers and witnesses.

The healing begins where the hiding ends. God is not looking for perfection, performance, or appearances. He welcomes broken and repentant sinners—and through Jesus, He forgives, restores, and makes us new.