Sermon Guide

Living on Empty Part 4 - Rule of Life

Big Idea: Whatever made you empty can’t refill you.

John 15 : 1-5

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Three steps to experience the life Jesus wants for you

1. Go to Him

2. Trust in Him

3. Learn from Him

Discussion Questions

1. What are some rules that you are following in your life? What are some habits you wish you could change?

2. What’s your rope? What do you grab when you feel lost or out of control?

3. What would your life look like if you “remained in Jesus” when you felt lost or out of control?

4. Which of the 3 steps (Go, Trust, Learn) do you want more of in your rule of life?

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SERMON GUIDE

Living on Empty Part 3 - Mental Illness

1 Kings 19:1-10

1When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done…. 2So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3Elijah was afraid and fled for his life….. 4Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”5Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

4 Questions to Ask Yourself If You’re Feeling Depressed

1. Am I physically healthy? (1 Kings 19:5-8)

2. Am I being honest with God about how I feel? (1 Kings 19:10)

3. Am I experiencing God’s presence? (James 4:7-8)

4. Am I allowing God to use my life? (1 Kings 19:15)

Discussion Questions

1. Has there been a season when you held on to bitterness, despair, or fear and allowed it to shape your perspective?

2. What healthy ways did you use to resolve this? What unhealthy ways?

3. What areas in your life could be made better by getting physically or spiritually healthier or by drawing closer to others?

4. Have you discovered your purpose and the direction that God has for your life? How can knowing your purpose give perspective to your life regardless of the season?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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SERMON GUIDE

Living on Empty Part 2 - Peace

Big Idea: Stillness is a choice. Prayer is a gift. Peace is a promise

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:7

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Mark 4:35-41

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind. But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God!

Discussion Questions

1. What immediately comes to mind when you think of the word “peace”?

2. Who do you know that seems to have “peace beyond understanding”, regardless of their circumstances? What do you think they do to have this peace?

3. Talk about a time you experienced unexplainable peace.

4. What are some obstacles that keep you from being still? What would stillness look like for you?

5. What are some things you can be thankful for that will help you overcome a lack of peace? How can your group be praying for you?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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SERMON

Pastor Jason begins a new sermon series this week from the book of Matthew called , "Living On Empty: How To Refill Your Soul When Life Is Overwhelming." In part 1, "Underestimating Prayer," Pastor teaches us this big idea: "How I react is much more honest than how I act" and gives us six lessons that only failure can teach us. Come join us as we lean in and learn how prayer can help us when life becomes overwhelming.

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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SERMON GUIDE

"On The Other Hand" by Pastor Ethan Boggs of Storyside Church

Mark 3:1-5 NKJV

"And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other."

Have you ever lived between two hands?

What has withered in your life over time?

Withered people are welcome.

God will not heal what we continue to hide.

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

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SERMON GUIDE

"Love Isn’t What You Thought"

Big Idea: A heart changed by Jesus shows love like Jesus.

John 13:33-36

Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

Loving Like Jesus Looks Like...

1. Compassion (Luke 7:11-14)

2. Forgiveness (Luke 6:27-29, Luke 23:34, Ephesians 4:32)

3. Sacrifice (John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25, 1 John 3:16)

Discussion Questions

1. When you think about this love of compassion, forgiveness and sacrifice, what person in your life do you think of (besides Jesus)?

2. Talk about a time you experienced the Holy Spirit helping you love someone like Jesus.

3. Which of the 3 qualities of love do you struggle with the most?

4. What is God asking you to do for another person that you make excuses for? How can your group be praying for you in this?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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SERMON GUIDE

Truish Part 4 - Good Is Better Than True (Moralism)

Big Idea: The biggest threat to your faith is not bad behavior but bad beliefs.

Moralism = a strong belief that moral, usually traditional behavior, should be shared by all.

Romans 3:9

“No one is righteous—not even one.”

Philippians 3:9

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Luke 23:32-43

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33When they came to a place called Calvary, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It doesn’t get more fair than Christianity….

Everybody is welcome, everybody gets in the same way, everybody can meet the requirement.

Discussion Questions

1. What are your biggest motivations for going to church?

2. Do you feel like Christianity is fair? Why or why not?

3. Do you know anyone that found Jesus after a life of “bad behavior”, like the thief on the cross? What’s your reaction to that?

4. How does it make you feel that getting into heaven doesn’t depend on your behavior, but on what Jesus did for you?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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SERMON GUIDE

Truish Part 3 - The Truth Will Speak to You (Mysticism)

Big Idea: The biggest threat to your faith is not bad behavior but bad beliefs.

Mysticism- The belief that mystical experiences convey knowledge that our rational faculties cannot grasp.

Galatians 1:6-8

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

How can I know if my spiritual experience is good for me?

1. Does it confirm the truth of the Bible?

2. Does it make me prideful?

3. Does it cause me to trust something more than Jesus?

Discussion Questions

1. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever prayed for?

2. Would you describe yourself as a mystical person? Can you give an example of a way that you are mystical?

3. Have you ever felt like God used your life to be a miracle for someone else?

4. What miracles are you praying for right now?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

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If you are new to Hope City text “HCNEW” to 33777

SERMON GUIDE

Truish: Part 2 - Your Heart Will Tell You the Truth (Emotionalism)

Big Idea: The biggest threat to your faith is not bad behavior but bad beliefs.

Emotionalism: the tendency to rely on or place too much value on emotion.

Matthew 7:24-28

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jeremiah 17:9

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”

James 1:14-15

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

What Do We Trust Instead of Our Heart?

1. The Bible

2. Wise Friends

3. Waiting

Discussion Questions

1) When you buy something that needs assembly, do you look at the directions first, or assume you can figure it out?

2) Do you have wise friends? Who do you talk to before making a decision?

3) Is there a part of the Bible you struggle to accept or obey because it goes against how you feel?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!

Welcome to Hope City Church!

NEW

If you are new to Hope City text “HCNEW” to 33777

SERMON GUIDE

Truish Part 1 - You’re Wrong to Tell Me I’m Wrong (Relativism)

Big Idea: The biggest threat to your faith is not bad behavior but bad beliefs.

Galatians 1:6-7

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth…

Judges 19:22-25

While they were enjoying themselves, a crowd of troublemakers from the town surrounded the house. They began beating at the door and shouting to the old man, “Bring out the man who is staying with you so we can have sex with him.” The old man stepped outside to talk to them. “No, my brothers, don’t do such an evil thing. For this man is a guest in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. Here, take my virgin daughter and this man’s concubine. I will bring them out to you, and you can abuse them and do whatever you like. But don’t do such a shameful thing to this man.” But they wouldn’t listen to him. So the Levite took hold of his concubine and pushed her out the door. The men of the town abused her all night, taking turns raping her until morning. Finally, at dawn they let her go.

Relativism: the belief that truth and right and wrong can only be judged in relation to other things and that nothing can be true or right in all situations.

Orthodoxy- the commonly held historical beliefs of the Church regardless of time, culture and geography.

Heresy- any belief or theory that is strongly opposed to established beliefs or customs.

Romans 12:9

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Discussion Questions

1) What’s something you were sure of 10 years ago that you aren’t sure of now?

2) When you try to decide what’s right or wrong, what do you trust more - your feelings, friends or the Bible?

CONNECT

We created a Facebook group to help stay connected while we aren’t meeting in person for service. Click the link below to join the Hope City Church Online Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/206609247109415/

CARE

If you or a loved on is in need of prayer or care, we would love to help! Drop a comment down below, send us a direct message, or send your care request to [email protected].

GIVE

Our heart is to share as much hope with as many people as possible, and you make that happen because of your generosity. Click the link below to give.

http://www.realhopenow.com/give/

Thank you for tuning in to today's service. We'll see you soon!