Welcome to Hope City Church!

Sermon Guide

A New Normal - Part 3: Make Room

1 John 2:26

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit (NIV and Greek say the anointing from him) and he lives within you

Anointing = to smear or rub with oil

Ephesians 5:18

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit:

Draws us to God (opens our hearts to believing in him)

Saves us (gives a new heart)

Seals us (Keeps us saved)

Lives in us (help us live day to day)

Fills Us (Fills us up like and empty cup)

Joshua 3:5

Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among 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!

Sermon Guide

A New Normal Part 2: Spiritual Renewal

Renewal = the replacing or repair of something that is worn out, run-down, or broken.

John 21:1-9

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire and some bread.

4 Steps for Spiritual Renewal

1. A Slide

John 21:3a - Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat,

2. A Disappointment

John 21:3b - So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

3. A Call

John 21:4-6 - At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

4. A Response

John 21:7 - Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

Welcome to Hope City Church!

Sermon Guide

A New Normal - Part 1: Don’t Be a Normal Christian (2 Corinthians)

Big Idea: Following Jesus isn’t normal.

2 Corinthians 5:14-18

Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.

4 Ways You Can Know You Are a New Person.

1. You believe Christ died.

v. 14 “Since we believe that Christ died for all…”

2. You don't want your old life anymore.

v. 14 “we also believe that we have died to our old life…”

3. You don’t live for yourself.

v. 15 “Those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves…”

4. You know Jesus differently.

v. 16 “At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him 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!

Sermon Guide

Blind Spots: Pastor Miles McPherson - Rock Church, San Diego, CA

Big Idea: Your blindspot is the gap between the intent of what you say or do and the impact of what you say or do

Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Jeremiah 17:9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Mark 8:22-26

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

3 Things To Help Us Address Our Blind Spots

1) Admit there is a plank. (Jeremiah 17:9)

2) Understand the nature of the plank. (Proverbs 27:17)

3) The removal, not protection of the plank, nurtures unity. (Mark 8:22-26)

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!

Sermon Guide

Thriving in Babylon Week 3: Wisdom (Book of Daniel)

Big Idea: Influence is earned.

Daniel 2:46-49

Then King Nebuchadnezzar threw himself down before Daniel and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him. The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.

2 Ways Wisdom Prepared Daniel for Influence

1. The wisdom to prepare for his opportunity.

Daniel 1:17-20

God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

2. The wisdom to fight the right battles.

-Our job is not to win the battle our job is to follow Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1) Is there someone you know that exhibits hope, humility and wisdom? Describe how they interact with people.

2) Talk about a time when you struggled with “participating in the world but not endorsing it”.

3) Do you struggle with “choosing your battles” and feel like everything is a fight? How would it help to consider whether it’s just something you don’t like or God forbids it?

4) Name an area in your life where you want more influence. Which one of the 3 characteristics (hope, humility, wisdom) do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop, so that you can earn more influence?

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!

Sermon Guide

Thriving in Babylon Week 2: Humility (Book of Daniel)

Big Idea: You’re only as spiritual as the kindness you show to those you disagree with.

Daniel 1:5-15

The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.” Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.

3 Questions to Ask about Your Interactions with Others

1. Is my tone about culture/people angry or respectful? (James 1:19-20)

2. Do I focus on the hypocritical areas of my life as much or more than I focus on other people?

3. Are there any non-christians in your life who disagree with your beliefs but respect you as a person? (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Discussion Questions

1) What words would you use to describe “Christianity”? Has your definition changed over time?

2) Do you find it hard to show kindness and respect to someone who disagrees with you? Do you feel like there are situations when you don’t have to show kindness or respect?

3) Of the 3 questions asked about your interactions with others, which one do you struggle with the most?

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!

Sermon Guide

Thriving in Babylon Week 1: Hope

Big Idea: God is in control of who is in control.

Daniel 1:1-7

During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Discussion Questions

1) What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen in social media regarding our current situation?

2) Talk about a time when you didn’t feel like God was in control.

3) Are you willing to take the 7 day challenge? If yes, which one of the 3 “noises” will you struggle with giving up? (social media, text with friends, news)

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!

The Blessing - Mother’s Day 2020 - The Book of Ruth

Big Idea: I am blessed when I am fully satisfied in God.

Ruth 4:13

So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Ruth 1:6-18

Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. “No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.” But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.” And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

3 Ways to be Satisfied in God:

1. See our belief as a blessing - John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

2. See our benefits as a blessing - What do you have now that you saw as blessing when you first received it?

3. See our burdens as a blessing - Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Matthew 5:3-11 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

Blessing is whatever God wants to give me so that I will be fully satisfied in Him.

Welcome to Hope City Church

Sermon Guide- Five for Five

PASTOR MICAH PELKEY- Storyside Church, Bellville OH

God is still with you.

Mark 14:32 - They came to a place called Gethsemane.

Matthew 14:15 - When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late.

Luke 10:32 - Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

Luke 19:5 - When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw Zacchaeus.

Matthew 27:33 - They came to a place called Golgotha.

DISCUSSION:

What is the place that you find yourself in right now?

Do you see every obstacle as a difficulty or an opportunity?

PASTOR JC WORLEY- GO Church, Cleveland TN

You can count on a storm showing up, but you can also count on God being right there with you when it does!

Mark 4:35-41 (TLB)

As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took him just as he was and started out, leaving the crowds behind (though other boats followed). But soon a terrible storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink. Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet down!” And the wind fell, and there was a great calm! And he asked them, “Why were you so fearful? Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?”And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, “Who is this man, that even the winds and seas obey him?”

John 16:33

In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.

DISCUSSION:

Do you have an expectation not to have troubles because of Jesus?

Are you struggling to find Jesus in the storm of this pandemic?

PASTOR PAUL TAYLOR- Rivers Crossing Community Church, Mason OH

God calls us to change our perspective because of Christ.

Colossians 3: 1-4 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

DISCUSSION:

When this pandemic overwhelms you, what are you setting your heart and mind on?

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

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/20660...

SALVATION

If you made the decision to follow Jesus click the link below.

https://realhopenow.churchcenter.com/...

CARE

If you or a loved one 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/

or you can use text to give by texting "give" to 84321

Sermon Guide

Long Story Short Part 10 - The Revelation (Book of Revelation)

Big Idea: Jesus promises something better than better. Jesus promises to make things perfect.

Revelation 1:1-2

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:3-5

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared…... He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.

Matthew 7:22-23

On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.

Discussion Questions

1) Talk about a time you approached a goal with the end in mind.

2) What stories or ideas have you heard about the Book of Revelation?

3) Name something you are looking forward to Jesus making perfect.