Hope Community Church

When Storms Hit

Throughout life, we will all face trials of many kinds. Some are personal struggles while others can effect the community as a whole. What do we do in times of trouble? How do we lean on God when it counts? How do we keep ourselves resilient?

• Resiliency in difficult times is something we all can strive toward.

Difficult times can lead to discouragement. Discouragement, if left unchecked, can lead to destruction.

Resiliency in difficult times can help us lessen discouragement and ultimately avoid destruction.

Resiliency – “Not just acceptance of a situation but, rather, an expectation to persevere through, with steadiness, and come out better on the other side.

Three keys to resiliency in the midst of difficult times:

1. Stay Close to God. (Spiritual Strength)

2. Stay Calm. (Emotional Health)

3. Stay Connected. (Relational Stability)

2 Timothy 1:1-3 

1. Stay Close to God. (Spiritual Strength)

2 Timothy 1:5-7 

2 Timothy 2:1

John 15:4-5

*If you want to be resilient in difficult times, you have to stay close to God.

2. Stay Calm. (Emotional Health)

2 Timothy 4:5

2 Timothy 3:1-5

What’s that thing for you right now?

Joshua 1:9

Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is “Be still and know He is God.” (Psalm 46:10)

*If you want to be resilient in difficult times, you have to stay calm in the storm.

3. Stay Connected. (Relational Stability)

Staying connected to the church provides you with the relational stability you need to maintain resiliency.

Genesis 2:18

2 Timothy 4:9-11

*If you want to be resilient in difficult times, you have to stay connected to the church.

Week 3 – Healer

As people, we all know what it’s like to question who we are and what our purpose is. But what about the identity of Jesus? Do we know who He is? The real Jesus not just the image we have of Him? His identity changes everything about who we are trying to be as Christians.

• We all face hard moments in life when we need Jesus as a healer.

It’s in those moments where we start asking some hard questions.

Question 1.  God, why and why me?

Question 2.  Is God a healer or isn’t He?

Question 3.  What if I never get well?

Identity Crisis (who am I = my identity and who is God = His identity to me)

John 5:1-14 (NIV)  This is about a man who is wrestling through a disability and his identity crisis with Jesus.

Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed.

Getting well often requires something of us.

Getting well means change.

Getting well might mean that there is a God.

Getting well means that our condition cannot become our identity.

John 5:7  The man makes excuses.

The biggest obstacle between hurting and healing is a step of faith.

What about when we don’t get healed? 

In the Bible, Jesus didn’t heal everyone. So where is the fairness in that?

We find out what we really think about ourselves and what we really think about God.

In all of it, we’re reminded of the need for a Savior.

We have to trust God, but not for a moment, for all of eternity. 

Week 2 – Rescuer

As people, we all know what it’s like to question who we are and what our purpose is. But what about the identity of Jesus? Do we know who He is? The real Jesus not just the image we have of Him? His identity changes everything about who we are trying to be as Christians.

• Even as one of the top religious rulers in Jerusalem, Nicodemus knew he was missing something in his life.

John 3:2 Nicodemus sought Jesus out to gain some wisdom.

John 3:3 Jesus told him what he actually needed.

Jesus points out three things to Nicodemus:

1.  You need to be born again. John 3:4

2.  Jesus points out that you can’t understand this new birth, but you can see its effects. John 3:8

3.  You can’t cause it, but you do have a part to play. John 3:9, John 3:14, Numbers 21:6, Numbers 21:7-9

John 3:16  Because God loved the world, He gave us Jesus.

John 19:38-42  Nicodemus made a decision to align with Jesus as he openly cared for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion.

Just like in Nicodemus’ case, Jesus can be your Rescuer. He can fill the void that’s missing in your life.

Week 1 – Forgiven

As people, we all know what it’s like to question who we are and what our purpose is. But what about the identity of Jesus? Do we know who He is? The real Jesus not just the image we have of Him? His identity changes everything about who we are trying to be as Christians.

• You don’t work for your forgiveness. You work from your forgiveness.

Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT) God gave humans our intended identity from the very beginning.

We were created to know God, to be in relationship with God and to be like God.

Genesis 3:6-7 (NLT)  With sin, we replace the identity God gave us and trade it in for shame.

Jesus came to fix the world. 

John 8:1-2 (NLT)

John 8:2-3 (NLT)

John 8:4-6 (NLT)

John 8:6 (NLT)

John 8:7-8 (NLT)

John 8:9 (NLT)

John 8:10-11 (NLT)

Jesus said, “Neither do I (condemn you),” which is Grace.

Jesus said, “Go and sin no more,” which is Truth.

Here are a few lessons from this passage:

1. Put down your rock.

2. Eventually, it’s going to be just you and Jesus standing together.

3. Jesus does not punish you because he was punished for you.

4. Jesus forgives sin.

You don’t work for your forgiveness. You work from your forgiveness.

DNA: Week 6 – In It Together

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• A core value of ours is that we are In It Together. 

For a team or a family to be at its best, everyone must think ‘we over me’.

John 17:20-23  Jesus wants us to be unified so that the world would know God sent Jesus and that God loved us.

The story of Nehemiah gives us some essential ideas to bring us together.

Nehemiah 1:3

Nehemiah 1:4

 There are four essentials to be In It Together.

1.  We have to CARE ‘about it’.

  Know what your ‘it’ is and care about it.

2.  We have to be Courageous for it.

Nehemiah 2:9-10

Nehemiah 4:1

Nehemiah 4:14

3.  We have to be Selfless to it.

“If you want to achieve anything in life worth achieving, it will cost you something.”

Nehemiah 3:1

Nehemiah 3:8

Nehemiah 3:13

Nehemiah 7:70

“If you want to achieve anything in life worth achieving, it will cost you something.”

We want to reach the triangle and change the world.

4.  We have to ‘Seek God through it’.

Chase after big things but only do so while seeking God through it.

Here are a few questions to ask:

1. What do we really care about? What’s our ‘it’?                                                     
2. Where do we need to be more courageous for our it?
3. Where do I need to be more selfless in it?
4. Am I seeking God in it?

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• We need to be as relevant as possible to as many as possible and to be as effective as possible at leading as many to Jesus as possible. 

We strive to be Relevant and Effective.

Jesus often told stories using relevant examples from His culture. His healing and miracles helped people in their greatest needs.

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)  The last words Jesus said to the disciples were about going out into the world and making disciples of all people.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 (NLT)  Paul gave a short resumé of who he was, but it wasn’t enough.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)  Paul tried to do everything he could to find common ground with everyone, so he could share the Gospel with them.

Paul tried to be as relevant as possible to as many as possible and to be as effective as possible at leading as many to Jesus as possible.

Eugene Peterson wrote this in the message: “I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ – but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.” 1 Corinthians 9 (MSG)

Two observations from Paul:

1. We contextualize the Gospel. We don’t compromise it.

Reject

Receive

Redeem

2. Our mission stays the same. The methods need to change.

The bottom line is that we need to be as relevant as possible to as many as possible and to be as effective as possible at leading as many to Jesus as possible.

What can we do? 

1. Be relevant and effective in our Church.

2. Be relevant and effective in our Community.

DNA – We exist for those who aren’t here yet.

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• We exist for those who aren’t here yet. 

We need to be a place where people can belong until they believe.

Why is it that the fastest growing religious group in the country right now are the “nones” (nothing). Why is it that people love Jesus, but they don’t want to follow him?

Do christians and churches make Jesus look confusing or make Him look bad?

Matthew 23:13 (NLT)  Jesus gave a clear warning to the religious people of His day.

Mark 2:17 (NLT)  All Jesus ever wanted was to help people who were far from God to know that God hadn’t given up on them. 

An important value at Hope: We exist for those who aren’t here yet.

This impacts why we do some things the way we do.

Mark 2:1-12 (NLT)

Thought 1: If the Church is about sharing and showing Jesus…we should be people that 

people want to be around.

Thought 2: We can’t be the kind of crowd that keeps people from Jesus.

Mark 2:3-4 (NLT) 

Can we resolve today that we will give up our preferences so people far from God could 

find a place to belong (meet Jesus) even before they believe?

Thought 3: Sometimes you have to get “dirty” to help people get to Jesus. 

Mark 2:4 (NLT)

Thought 4: My faith impacts others.

Mark 2:4-5 (NLT)

We need to be a place where people can belong until they believe.

So how do we do this?

1. We ARE a church that is willing to give up our preferences for others.

Every weekend ministry is Designed with those who aren’t here yet in mind.

2. We need to be roof wrecking friends.

DNA – Equip the Church

Léonce Crump, Renovation Church & Jason Gore, Lead Pastor of Hope Community Church

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• We are meant to “Equip the Church” so that everyone can become who God intended him/her to be. 

Ephesians 4:11-16  God gives gifts to different people for different purposes.

We question whether we have anything of worth to contribute.

The church is mobilized and catalyzed by the gifts God gives it—and He has wired you to be one of those gifts. (Ephesians 2:10)

Ephesians 1:22-23  The church is meant to be the fullness of Christ in the world, and we have a part in that.

Ephesians 4:10  Jesus ascended and took His place of authority beside God.

Jesus will fill all things through His church by filling His church with gifts and powers that allow God’s people to not only be who they are called to be, but to do what they are called to do! (Ephesians 1:23)

All people will be activated in the church by using their specific gifts. (Ephesians 4:11)

Gifts given to the church:

1. Apostolic Gift – Apostles are pioneers, risk-takers, movement starters and architects of systems that either produce or promote new and different.
2. Prophetic Gift – Prophetically gifted people tend to have a keen interest in justice, mercy and a vision for a better world.
3. Evangelistic Gift – Evangelists are particularly gifted at enthusing others about what excites them.
4. Shepherds/Pastors – Shepherds, beyond being activated in the church, are those who show a special concern for seeing and affirming what is human within others and caring deeply for people.
5. Teachers – Teachers are those who make incredible instructors and naturally inspire learning.

This five-fold paradigm applies to all Christians, not just to paid staff or leaders.

Jesus redeems what is already present, and realigns it with His restoration plan, giving each of us renewed and redemptive significance.

Every single person in this church is called to full-time ministry, we all just get paid from different places! (Ephesians 4:12)

This is so we can become unified. (Ephesians 4:13)

This matters because every person has a part!

____________________________________________________________________________

The mission of our church is to love people where they are and to encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Why is it important to grow? It’s because Jesus came to bring us an abundant life. (John 10:10)

For you to experience abundant life, you have to grow in your relationship with Jesus.

DNA – Grace & Truth

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• The characteristic of “Grace & Truth” is the most important characteristic we can have. 

John 1:14  Jesus was full of grace and truth.

Jesus wasn’t grace or truth. He was full of grace and truth.

Grace comes first.

Genesis 3:8-9 NIV

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

Romans 12:1  “…in view of God’s mercy…”

God knows that a heart must be prepared to receive truth.

Romans 2:4  Kindness leads to repentance.   

Grace prepares a heart to receive truth.

Romans 15:7  Accept others because Jesus accepted you.

Every church has certain aspects of mission and vision that are unique to each church. At Hope, we’re discussing the things that make us who we are at our very core, our DNA as a church.

• The Bible shows us that, aside from creation, all the amazing things God has accomplished on this earth the past few thousand years have been through people with big faith though the power of a big God. 

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the faith chapter.

Hebrews 11:7a

Hebrews 11:8

Hebrews 11:29-30, 32-35

We get to decide how much of God’s power and blessings we experience in our lives depending on whether we are willing to step out in faith.

Luke 7:1-10  Jesus was amazed at the faith of a Roman officer. Why?

1. He had costly faith.

2. He had selfless faith.

3. He had expectant faith.  

What you ask God for reveals what you think God can do.

4. He had humble faith.

5. He had limitless faith.

Luke 8:45-46, 48  A woman reached out in faith and was healed.

Mark 6:3-6  Jesus was amazed at people’s unbelief.

Where faith is expressed, God moves.

Don’t let fear decide your future.

You have to step out to find out.

______________________________________________________________________________

James 1:27  God tells us to look after orphans and widows.

We’re launching a new initiative called ‘Fostering Hope,’ and we’re stepping out in faith. 

Sometimes you go before you fully know…that’s big faith.

Take a bag. Fill a bag. 

To Donate items/Volunteer/Give Financially go to gethope.net/fosteringhope. 

There is something we can do, but we have to lead with Big Faith.