Hope Community Church

Reach The Triangle. Change The World.

Compassion

As Christians, is it enough to have compassion in our hearts? Or, do we need to do something more? We’ll answer these questions by studying:

1. The example of Jesus.
2. What we are doing.
3. Biblical commandments about being compassionate.
4. A final question about what we have done.

• Jesus gives us a strong example of how to be compassionate. 

Jesus came to earth not just to preach the gospel but to heal the brokenhearted and to set free those who were oppressed.

In John 14:12, Jesus told the disciples to follow His example. He commanded the church to follow Him. 

From the very beginning, the Church was actively involved in ministering to a hurting world.

It’s our job as the Church to address the hurts and needs that confront and surround us daily.

• What is our part?

What are you doing to be part of the solution?

If there is no compassion, there is no action.

Simply feeling compassion is not enough. True compassion requires that you get involved with real people.

• The writers of the Bible give commandments about being compassionate, which are fundamental calls to action.

Leviticus 19:18  

Matthew 22:34-36

Matthew 22:37-40

Leviticus 19:33

Leviticus 19:33-34

Leviticus 25:35

Leviticus 19:18  This means “to expend energy, give assistance.”

• What provisions have we made to ensure that we are practicing compassion?

What really generates compassion in us and makes it real and effective and ongoing is a relationship.

The great challenge of compassion is to make sure that what we say is connected to what we really do.

Future Tense – Week Five

Fear seems to surround us at every turn: the pandemic, the election, education, physical security and financial stability. With all the chaos surrounding us, our spiritual questions and fears can grow and distort. This week, we’ll address the fear of the future by examining:

1. What God expects of us to finish strong.
2. Commitments on how to finish strong.
3. How Jesus encourages us to finish strong.

• God expects us to finish strong. 

Vows and commitments are important to God. (Numbers 30:2)

When we make a vow or commitment to God, He expects us to follow through. 

2 Timothy 4:6-8  Paul speaks about how he fought the good fight and finished the race.

• There are four commitments you can make so you can finish strong.

Commitment #1: Do a reality check.

Face the facts of your life realistically. (2 Timothy 4:6)

This is important because denial weakens determination.

Commitment #2: If you are going to finish strong, you’ll have to finish what you start.

2 Timothy 4:7 tells us three things about Paul’s commitment.

1. The fact that Paul refers to it as a fight shows that to finish strong isn’t easy.

2. You’ve got to have a plan. (Isaiah 55:8)

3. You’ve got to walk with God.

Commitment #3: When the present is tough, focus on the future.

2 Timothy 4:8 tells us that there is a reward awaiting the faithful.

One of the best ways to focus on the future is through prayer because prayer always 

emphasizes hope.

Commitment #4: If you want to finish strong, don’t do it alone.

2 Timothy 4:8 tells us that the reward will be for all those who have been in this same 

fight/race.

• Jesus encourages us to finish strong.

Jesus is Coming! (Look busy)

Jesus tells the story about a rich man going on a journey in a parable about the end.

Matthew 25:15

Matthew 25:19

Matthew 25:21

Matthew 25:26

Matthew 25:29

The greatest way to finish strong is to invite others into the greatest gift ever given.

Future Tense – Week Four

Fear seems to surround us at every turn: the pandemic, the election, education, physical security and financial stability. With all the chaos surrounding us, our spiritual questions and fears can grow and distort. This week, we’ll address the fear of the future by examining:

1. The question of how could a loving God send someone to hell.
2. The condition of mankind.
3. That God is a loving God, and He wants a relationship with His people.

• “How could a loving God send someone to hell?”

God is a just God. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

God will never give an unjust judgment to any person.

“Would God send someone to hell who has never heard the gospel?” (John 14:6)

• Understanding the condition of mankind is necessary.

Romans 1:16-18  Paul speaks about the how the gospel is the power of God, and it’s for everyone. 

Paul used two Greek words to describe the wrath of God:

“thumos” – “to breath violently – to pant with a temper, anger.”

“orga” – “God’s holy aversion to all that is evil.”

Romans 1:18  God considers people who see the truth of His existence and turn their backs on it as ungodly.

Romans 1:19  God makes this obvious to people and puts the evidence of His truth in the conscience of everyone.

Romans 1:20  The evidence of God is all around in nature, and people have no excuse not to believe in Him.

Psalm 19:1  The heavens and skies tell of God’s existence.

Every person who seeks God will find God. (Proverbs 8:17, Jeremiah 29:13, Acts 17:26-28)

• God is a loving God, and He wants a relationship with His people.

This brings us back to the question, “How could a loving God send someone to hell?” (Matthew 25:41)

Have you ever been rejected?

For there to be an authentic relationship between man and God, God had to give mankind the freedom to choose or reject God. 

When someone loves you who doesn’t have to love you, it’s meaningful.  

You have a free will. You can choose to love God or you can choose to reject God.

So, why would God send someone to hell? People send themselves to hell. 

You have a choice. You will choose your eternal destination, not God.

God chose everyone. (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:19) People must choose Him back.

The hard question isn’t, “How could a loving God send someone to hell?” The tough question is, “How can anyone reject a loving God?”

Future Tense – Week Three

Fear seems to surround us at every turn: the pandemic, the election, education, physical security and financial stability. With all the chaos surrounding us, our spiritual questions and fears can grow and distort. This week, we’ll address the fear of the future by examining:

1. The statistics about hell.
2. What Jesus has to say about hell.
3. Four common misunderstandings about hell.
4. Two lessons to remember.

• There are interesting statistics about the topic of hell.

The Bible talks about hell 167 times.

Many Christians do not believe in a literal hell and have been distancing themselves from it in recent years.

Jesus addresses the topic of hell 33 times in three years of ministry.

• Jesus teaches about some aspects of hell.

Luke 16:19-21 – Jesus begins with two main characters: an unbelieving, rich man and a believing, poor man. 

Luke 16:22-23, Luke 16:24-31

• There are four common misunderstandings about hell.

1st – “Hell is just something that ministers use to scare people; when we die, we will feel and know nothing.”

Luke 16:23 – The rich man is able to see in his conscience state. 

Luke  16:25, 27-28 – He remembers his life.

2nd – “If I go to hell, I’ll be there with all my buddies.”

Ephesians 4:8-9 – Jesus descended to the place where the Old Testament saints stayed 

until His resurrection so that He could ascend with them.

3rd – “Hell will be a relief compared to the suffering I’ve endured on earth.”

The Greek word for torment appears four different times. (Luke 16:23, 24, 25, 28)

Torment has three meaning in Greek.

1. “acute pain from debilitating disease”

2. “an implement designed to torture”

3. “fire that’s hot enough to melt metals”

4th – “After I’ve served my time in hell, somebody will pray me out.”

Luke 16:26

Revelation 14:11

Luke 16:27, 29, 30, 31

• There are two lessons we can learn and remember from this weekend.        

1st – The Bible is the most important evidence a person can examine.

Sense and Nonsense about Heaven and Hell

2nd – We need to tell people about the reality of hell.

Romans 10:13-15

Future Tense – Week Two

Fear seems to surround us at every turn: the pandemic, the election, education, physical security and financial stability. With all the chaos surrounding us, our spiritual questions and fears can grow and distort. This week, we’ll address the fear of the future by examining:

1. One of the main questions we’re addressing in this series and a review of last week.
2. What the Bible says about heaven.

• It’s important to think about some of the questions we’re addressing in this series and to remember last week’s message.

One main question we’re addressing is, “What if this is the end of the world?”

Other questions we address are: “What is it that we need to know?” and “What does the future look like?”

Last week, we discussed that there will be two judgements when Jesus returns.

1st – The Judgment Seat of Christ (for Christians) – Eternity in Heaven

2nd – The Great White Throne (for those who never responded to the gospel) – Eternity in Hell

Perspective changes everything. 

When we face difficulties with the future, these topics have an entirely different impact than when life is easy.

“God whispers to us in our pleasure, but he shouts to us in our pain.” A.W. Tozer

• The Bible speaks about some aspects of heaven.

The #1 question Mike gets asked the most by women about heaven is, “Will my pets be in heaven?”  

The #1 question Mike gets asked the most by men about heaven is, “Will we have sex in heaven?”

Here are 10 facts about heaven:

1.  Heaven is a real location. (John 14:2, Revelation 6:9-11)

2.  We will have bodies in heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

3.  When we die, we go to heaven immediately. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

4.  We will have emotions in heaven. (Luke 15:7, Revelation 21:4)

5.  We will not know everything in heaven. (Revelation 6:10, Mark 13:32, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 John 3:2)

6.  We will know what’s happening on earth. (Hebrews 12:1, Luke 15:7, Luke 15:10)

7.  We will remember our lives on earth. 

8.  We will know other people in heaven. (1 Corinthians 13:12, Matthew 8:11)

9.  Heaven will not be boring. (Revelation 21:1-3, Revelation 21:4) 

10. Not everyone will go to heaven. (John 14:6, Matthew 7:22)

We must think seriously about heaven.

Future Tense – Week One

Fear seems to surround us at every turn: the pandemic, the election, education, physical security and financial stability. With all the chaos surrounding us, our spiritual questions and fears can grow and distort. This week, we’ll address the fear of the future by examining:

1. Reactions when it comes to how we handle our fear.
2. What Jesus said about the future and His return.
3.  The ways in which we will be judged.

• There are all kinds of reactions when it comes to how we handle our fear.

“Show me a man who doesn’t know the meaning of fear and I’ll show you an idiot that gets beat up a lot.” Dean Martin

2 Timothy 1:7 – The Holy Spirit doesn’t make us fearful but gives power, love and self-discipline.

“Fear not” appears 189 times in the Bible.

• Jesus spoke and taught about the future and His return.

Matthew 24:3-8 – Jesus says that we will hear about wars, rumors of wars, pestilence, disease, famines and earthquakes. But, it doesn’t mean it’s the end.

Matthew 24:12-14, 36 – The end will not come until the gospel has been preached to the whole world, but the time will be unknown.

Can we speed up the return of Jesus? 

2 Peter 3:10-12 – People should be living a holy life and trying to hasten the coming of the Lord.

The Greek word, “spuedo,” means “to cause something to happen soon; to hurry something up.” Don’t waste your time talking and worrying about how and when the end will come. You should focus on spreading the gospel. 

The return of Jesus is mentioned more than 300 times in the New Testament. 

“The trouble with the world is not people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain’t so.” Mark Twain

Jesus is Coming! This is the main thing to know and remember.

• There are ways in which we will be judged.

After Jesus’ return, there will be a believer’s judgment, and there will be an unbeliever’s judgment. (Ecclesiastes 12:14, Revelation 20:13, 1 Peter 1:17, Matthew 16:27, Revelation 22:12)

“Can we work our way into a relationship with God based on doing good deeds? NO! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

We must distinguish between Belief and Behavior. Our belief determines where we spend eternity (heaven/hell). Our behavior determines how we spend eternity.

There will be two judgments. The Judgment Seat of Christ is for the believers, and The Great White Throne Judgment is for unbelievers.

1st – The Judgment Seat of Christ (for the believers/Christians)

2 Corinthians 5:10

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Matthew 6:1-4

1 John 2:28

Matthew 6:19-20

If you are a Christian, you’re either laying up treasure on earth, or you’re laying up treasure in heaven.

Luke 19:11-21

Luke 19:24-26

As Christians, the more responsible you are on earth with what God has given you, the more responsibility you will have in heaven.

2nd – The Great White Throne Judgment (for the unbelievers)

Revelation 20:11-13

The unbeliever will be judged on his/her life and will go to hell, but there are degrees of punishment in hell.

Matthew 11:21-24

Even though this is our future, Jesus has given us the cure. We will all face judgment, but we can choose which judgment we attend. (Hebrews 9:27) Jesus is the answer.

Home – Week Three

This series is so necessary for us right now because of the upheaval and chaotic times in which we live. We face crises of health, race, economic concerns and political uncertainty. In this state, we long for the feeling and comfort of “home.” To better understand how to find that feeling, we’ll examine: 

1. The four attitudes found in the Story of the Prodigal Son beginning with the Attitude of Rebellion.
2. The Attitude of Repentance.
3. The Attitude of Pride.
4. The Attitude of Redemption.

• There are four attitudes found in the Story of the Prodigal Son beginning with the Attitude of Rebellion.

Luke 15:12-13 – The younger son wanted his inheritance and squandered it.

When you begin to plan sin, you are on your way to rebellion.

“You’ll never get away with sin.”

The attitude of entitlement is an attitude of rebellion.

When you feel like you’ve earned something, remember one thing. You haven’t earned anything. It all comes from God.

• The second attitude is the Attitude of Repentance.

Luke 15:17-19 – After realizing his mistakes, the younger son wanted to return home and beg his father’s forgiveness.

When you make excuses for your sin, you’re not owning it.

Everyone gets caught.

When you sin, there are always consequences. (Luke 15:14)

• The third attitude is the Attitude of Pride.

Luke 15:29 – The older brother was upset that his father easily forgave and celebrated the return of the younger son.

What is pride? Pride is when we look down on others who have made mistakes, and we see ourselves as better.

The root of pride is deception.

Avoid using the words “never” and “always.”

Luke 15:11-12

• The fourth attitude is the Attitude of Redemption.

Luke 15:20 – The father had compassion for the younger son and forgave and welcomed him home.

God is merciful, and God is still just.

How can God be merciful to us and still be a just God?

God loves you.

Home – Week Two

This series is so necessary for us right now because of the upheaval and chaotic times in which we live. We face crises of health, race, economic concerns and political uncertainty. In this state, we long for the feeling and comfort of “home.” To better understand how to find that feeling, we’ll examine: 

1. How God wants you to enjoy your life.
2. Three things that are keeping you from experiencing joy.
3. How you can strive for joy in life.

• God wants you to enjoy your life; and if you’re not, there’s a blockage somewhere.

Paul wrote from prison that you can have joy even in hard times, persecution and suffering.

1 Peter 1:8 – Even without seeing, you believe and are filled with love and joy.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 – There is nothing better than to be happy, to do good and to find joy in hardship.

John 15:11 – Jesus wants the joy of God to remain in His people.

Galatians 5:22-23 – Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit, which is from the Holy Spirit.

• If we’re not experiencing joy, what’s preventing it?

1st – Actions

Acts 8:9-24 – The story of Simon, a man who practiced sorcery, teaches us how sin can 

hold us captive and keep us from experiencing joy in our lives.

Acts 8:23 – Peter makes the statement that Simon is full of bitterness and captive to sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – We’ve become new creations in Jesus.

There are sins that might be holding you captive:

1. Outbursts of Anger

2. Severe Rejection

3. Irrational Fear

4. Sexual Sin

5. Pride

6. Lying

David is a great example of this. In a matter of days, he commits adultery and murder, which was totally out of his character. After his confession, he asks God to restore the joy of God’s salvation to him. (Psalm 51:12)

The opposite of joy is grief. The Holy Spirit is grieved because of our sin. (Ephesians 4:30)

When we sin, we need to repent. “Change your mind.” 

Think differently; live differently! (Romans 12:2)

2nd – Attitude

Acts 8:23 – Peter could see that Simon from Samaria was full of bitterness.

When God blesses people in your life, how do you respond?

If we get upset when someone else is blessed, maybe that’s the reason we’re not blessed.

Acts 8:23 – The definition of bitter is “a sour taste.” Let the bitterness go so that you can be free and find joy. 

3rd – Attacks (from the enemy)

“Is there an open door?” An action or attitude that you’re not dealing with is giving Satan an open door to attack you.

“It’s much more difficult to fight the enemy when he’s in the house than when he’s outside the house.”

Acts 8:24 – Simon asks for prayer because he has some bad stuff in his life, and he needs help.

• You can strive for joy in your life.

Is there an open door for attacks in your life? Are you struggling with actions or attitudes you need to deal with?

You need to repent, ask for forgiveness and let it go.

Get the poison out so that the poison won’t kill the fruit of joy in your life.

Home – Week One

This series is so necessary for us right now because of the upheaval and chaotic times in which we live. We face crises of health, race, economic concerns and political uncertainty. In this state, we long for the feeling and comfort of “home.” To better understand how to find that feeling, we’ll examine: 

1. How a Christian life should reflect the feeling of “home.”
2. Three environments where we can enjoy our relationship with God. 
3. The role of the church in creating a “home” feeling.

• A christian’s life should reflect the feeling of “home” to those around him/her.

That feeling of “home” should be in every aspect of the Christian life. God wants us to enjoy life. “Home is where the joy is!”

When it comes to our relationship with God, we should feel the joy of being at home.

Romans 8:15 – When we become Christians, we are adopted into the family of God. We should feel the security and joy of being His child.

• There are three environments where we can enjoy our relationship with God in such a way that it feels natural (home).

1st – You can enjoy God when you are alone.

Genesis 28:16-17 – Jacob had an encounter with God.

God knows people make mistakes. But because He loves us, He wants to help us get 

over those mistakes so we can have a one-on-one relationship with God.

2nd – You can enjoy God in a crowd.

Psalm 68:26 – Israel praised God in a great congregation.

Revelation 7:9 – A great multitude gathered before the throne and before Jesus.

Some of the most powerful times we can have with God is when we’re together for a weekend service.

3rd – You can enjoy God with a few.

Matthew 18:20 – God will be there when two or three gather in His name.

Acts 2:46 – The early Christians met everyday in the temple and broke bread in their 

homes together.

• The role of the church is pivotal in creating that “home” feeling.

“Who knows who you really are?”

Our mission at Hope is to love people where they are and encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what the local church is supposed to provide for people.

“Who am I going to do life with?”

James 5:16 – Confess your sins to other people and pray for healing. This verse continues with saying that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 – Let’s figure out how we can help each other be better people.

Galatians 6:1-3 – Correct sin gently, watch for temptation and carry each other’s burdens.

“Who’s helping you carry the burden that’s causing the gap between what you want to be known for and what you really are?”

Romans 15:7 – Because Jesus accepted us, we need to accept others.

You will never influence anyone who doesn’t feel accepted by you. (Romans 8:1)

Here’s Mike’s question to you: “I know who you’re doing image management with, but who are you doing life with?”

Community message 

This message is timely because of the upheaval and chaotic times in which we find ourselves living. We face health, racial, economic and political concerns. We need community now more than ever. This week, we’ll examine: 

1. That we are created for community.
2. How community is difficult. 
3. How community reveals.
4. How community redeems.

• God created us to live in community with one another.

Genesis 1:26-27 – God said He created mankind in OUR image. The God of Christianity is different than any of the gods people have made up. God is community (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

People were created in that image of community. 

Genesis 2:18 – God said that it wasn’t good for man to be alone so He created Adam and Eve to live together.

One of the biggest effects of sin was the breakdown of community. We’ve lived with that breakdown ever since.

We live our lives chasing things that don’t matter. Social media might give us connections but not true community. It cheapens relationships.

“We are lonely, but fearful of intimacy. Digital connections may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. Our networked lives allow us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other. When technology engineers intimacy, relationships can be reduced to mere connections. And then, easy connection becomes redefined as intimacy.” Sherry Turkle, Alone Together

Ephesians 2:13-14 – Paul spoke about how Jesus and the gospel reconciled the Jews and Gentiles back into community with one another.

1 John 1:14 – The ability to love, serve, forgive, bear with and connect with other sinners like ourselves is a defining characteristic of what it means to be a Christ follower.

John 13:34-35 – Christ commanded us to love one another as He loved us. That love would show people we are Christ followers.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – Being in intentional community is good for every single human being especially Christ followers.

• Community is difficult.

Sherry Turkle defines community. “Communities are constituted by physical proximity, shared concerns, real consequences, and common responsibilities.”

“Part of the very essence of Christianity is to be together in a concrete community, with all the real human faults that are there and the tensions that this will bring us. Spirituality, for a Christian, can never be an individualistic quest, the pursuit of God outside of community, family, and church. The God of the incarnation tells us that anyone who says he or she loves an invisible God in heaven and is unwilling to deal with a visible neighbor is a liar since no one can love a God who cannot be seen if he or she cannot love a neighbor who can be seen. Hence a Christian spirituality is always as much about dealing with each other as it is about dealing with God.” – Ronald Rolheiser

Jesus’ disciples were diverse and being together as a community would have been challenging. (Matthew 10:1-4)

“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

• Community reveals.

Being a part of a community will eventually reveal who you really are. It is through those revelations that you can see your faults and work on them.

• Community redeems.

Community heals us. It’s a big part of how God transforms us.

“Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Longterm interpersonal relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay grow. People who leave do not grow. It is a simple but profound biblical reality that we both grow and thrive together or we do not grow that much at all. – C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison, Slow Church