Hope Community Church

Origin Story – Week Five

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week five, we’ll examine: 

1. The major characters in the book of Esther.
2. The story in the Book of Esther. 
3. Principles and lessons to learn from Esther.

• There are five major characters in the book of Esther.

1st – Xerxes, King of Persia

2nd – Vashti, Queen of Persia

3rd – Haman, the Villain

4th – Mordecai, the Good Guy

5th – Esther, the Hero

After the Babylonians were overthrown by the Persians, some of the Jews chose to remain in Persia when Xerxes allowed them to go back to their homeland.

• The story in the Book of Esther reads like a Broadway play.

King Xerxes wanted to show off all his wealth and possessions including his beautiful wife, Queen Vashti. She refused and Xerxes became furious. (Esther 1:12) 

All the men were concerned that other wives throughout the empire would follow the queen’s example so Xerxes decided to make an example of her by removing her as queen. He made a proclamation that every man should rule his own house. (Esther 1:17-18, 19-20, 22)

They began searching for a new queen throughout the land. Esther, who had not revealed her nationality, was one of the women chosen to be presented to the king. (Esther 2:8, 10)

The king favored Esther above all others and made her the new queen. (Esther 2:17)

Mordecai overheard a plot to kill the king, and Esther warned the king, which saved his life. (Esther 2:21-22)

Haman became an elevated official in Xerxes’ court, but Haman hated Mordecai because he wouldn’t bow down to Haman. (Esther 3:1, 2, 5-6)

Haman plotted to get the king to make a decree that would eventually destroy the Jewish people. (Esther 3:8-9)

Mordecai enlisted Esther’s help, but Esther knew she could be killed for entering the king’s presence without being summoned. (Esther 4:11)

Mordecai reminded Esther that she too would be killed and that she might be in her position “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:12-14)

Esther asked for fasting and prayer from all the Jews and risked death to approach the king. (Esther 4:16)

Esther gained access to the king and invited him and Haman to a banquet. Then she invited them to another banquet. (Esther 5:1-2, 3-4, 5-8, 9-11)

Haman began setting up a execution pole for Mordecai. (5:14)

The king had overlooked that Mordecai had saved his life and decided to honor Mordecai. (Esther 6:2-3, 4-9, 10-11)

At the next banquet, Esther requested King Xerxes to save her life and her people’s lives. Haman was outed as the villain and died on the pole he had made for Mordecai. (Esther 7:1-4, 5-6, 9-10) 

• There are principles and lessons that can be learned from the Book of Esther.

We will never take the risk to do great things until we believe that one person can make a difference.

Refuse to settle for anything less than fulfilling God’s calling on your life.

When life doesn’t make sense, do you turn to God or away from Him?

Origin Story – Week Four

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week four, we’ll examine: 

1. The beginning section of Nehemiah, which showed the type of man he was.
2. The later sections of Nehemiah and the positions he held throughout his life. 
3. Three lessons from the book of Nehemiah.

• The beginning section of Nehemiah explained the type of person he was and what he wanted to accomplish in his life.

Nehemiah held a high position in the Persian King’s court as the cupbearer to the king. His heart was with his people back in Jerusalem because they had no wall of protection around the city. (Nehemiah 1:1-3)

Nehemiah 1:4  Nehemiah was devastated about the state of his homeland.

Nehemiah 1:11  He begged God for success with the king to able to go back to Jerusalem. 

Nehemiah 2:1-2  The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness.

Nehemiah 2:3-4  He told the king his plight. The king was moved because God moved his heart. (Proverbs 21:1)

Nehemiah 2:4-6  He asked the king for permission to return and help his homeland. He also asked for letters of protection to get there. (Nehemiah 2:7-10)

• The next sections of Nehemiah started his work as a builder and politician.

Nehemiah 6:15  The wall was completed in 52 days.

Those 52 days were full of opposition. (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 4) 

Nehemiah motivated the people to have faith in God and to fight for their families by building the wall even though there was opposition. (Nehemiah 4:14)

Nehemiah 4:16-17  He used half the men as soldiers to protect the other half who were working on building the wall.

There is nothing that will mute opposition like continued progress.

The opposition tried to meet with Nehemiah, but he refused. (Nehemiah 6:1-3, 4)

They tried writing a letter to question Nehemiah’s motives, but he dismissed them. (Nehemiah 6:5-7, 8-9)

They tried to threaten Nehemiah physically, but he wasn’t afraid. (Nehemiah 6:10, 11-12, 16)

The wall was finished and dedicated to God. The people rejoiced. (Nehemiah 12:43)

God is good; mankind isn’t. When the people went back to their evil ways, Nehemiah stopped it, sometimes brutally. (Nehemiah 13:25)

• Here are three lessons from the book of Nehemiah.

1st – Fixing problems begins with honest observation.

“I have never heard of a longstanding wrong quickly and easily corrected.” Mike Lee

2nd – Correcting wrong demands fearless conviction.

3rd – Honest observation and fearless conviction must be tempered with authentic devotion to 
God.

How’s your devotion to God?

1. You will become what you are passionate about.

2. If you want to become like Jesus, you will have to be passionate for Jesus.

Origin Story – Week Three

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week three, we’ll examine: 

1. The history of the times during the book of Ezra.
2. The breakdown of the parts of the book of Ezra, which highlight his objective in life. 
3. Ezra’s objectives.

• The history during the time of Ezra is a little complicated.

2 Chronicles 36:15  God looked on the nation of Israel with pity and compassion.

2 Chronicles 36:16  But eventually, God had had enough of their disobedience.

2 Chronicles 36:17-19  God gave them over to Babylon, and the temple was destroyed.

Jeremiah 29:1,10  The people had hope that they would be delivered from captivity after 70 years. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13  God wanted His people to know Him; and so, He would bring them home.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23  The king of Persia set the Jews free to go back to their homeland and rebuild the temple. The people were overjoyed.

They returned in three waves under three different commanders over a 95 year period.

The 1st group under the command of Zerubbabel came to rebuild the temple.

The 2nd group under Ezra came to establish worship about 80 years later.

The 3rd group under Nehemiah came to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem about 

12 years later.

• There were different sections to the book of Ezra, which highlights Ezra’s objective in his life and makes us question our own. 

Ezra 1-6  The main focus was the construction of the temple. 

Ezra 7  This picked up the story of Ezra himself.

The hand of God was on Ezra (Ezra 7:6, 9, 27-28) because Ezra devoted himself to the study and the observance of God’s law. He also taught God’s decrees and laws. (Ezra 7:10)

The Hebrew word for “devoted” means “to set your heart, to be firm, to direct, to arrange something.”

What is your objective in life?

“Life has value only when it has something as its object.” Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hagel

“Who keeps one end in view makes all other things serve.” Robert Browning

“When you determine what you want, you have made the most important decision in your life.”  

Dwight Pentecost

Your prayer should be, “God set my heart on the thing you have for me.”

• Ezra lived his life with specific objectives.

1st Objective: To study the Law of God

The Hebrew word for “study” means “to seek, to resort to, to consult, to inquire.”

2nd Objective: To teach the Law of God

3rd Objective: To observe the Law of God (practice what it taught)

The goal of studying the Bible isn’t to have more knowledge; it’s to have your life changed.

Ezra 9:1-2  The people began intermarrying with other people who worshiped many gods.

Ezra despaired over this and chastised the people for breaking God’s law. (Ezra 9:3, 10:10-12)

Ezra taught the Word of God after the wall was built around Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 8:1, 4, 5, 8) It changed their lives.

The teaching of God’s Word (the Bible) always changes people when it touches their lives.

What is your objective in life? 

Become an Ezra.

Origin Story – Week Two

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week two, we’ll examine: 

1. The principle 2 Kings revolves around.
2. The history found in 2 Kings.
3. Some relevant lessons to learn from 2 Kings.

• 2 Kings revolves around the principle that persistent sin may be forgiven; but often, the consequences can’t be erased.

Our sins may be washed away (forgiven); but often, we bear the consequences of those sins.

(Job 4:8, Galatians 6:7-8, Colossians 3:25)

• The history of 2 Kings is filled with stories of the rise and fall of the kings, and the fall of the nations of Israel and Judah.

2 Kings 1:1-2  There was rebellion and Satan worship in the first two verses.

At the end of chapter 17, the northern kingdom (Israel) fell. In chapters 18-25, the southern kingdom (Judah) fell.

2 Kings 2:11-12  Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, and the mantle passed to Elisha.

2 Kings 17:13-14  God warned Israel and Judah to turn from their wicked ways, but they didn’t.

2 Kings 17:17-18  They did such evil that God removed Israel from His presence. 

2 Kings 16:1-3, 7-8, 20   Ahaz, one of the kings of Judah, did terrible evil even sacrificing his son in the fire. He gave the temple treasures as a bribe to another king. His son, Hezekiah succeeded him.

2 Kings 18:3-4  Hezekiah did what was right in God’s eyes. He was remarkable and had great faith in God. (2 Kings 19:19, 35)

2 Kings 20:1  Hezekiah became ill and was about to die, and he begged for his life. The prophet Isaiah spoke to him about God giving him 15 additional years to live. (Isaiah 38:4-5, 7-8)

Hezekiah did remarkable things with those added years:

1. He took on a project to preserve the Old Testament Scriptures.

2. He is associated with 10 ascent psalms.

3. He created a water source under the city of Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 32:30)

2 Kings 20:21, 21:1-3, 10-11  Hezekiah died, and his son, Manasseh, did evil in the eyes of God.

2 Kings 25:7, 9, 11  The final king of Judah was Zedekiah. The Jews were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. (Psalm 137:1-4)

Disobedient Christians don’t sing (worship).

• There are some incredibly relevant things to learn from this ancient book. 

J. Sidlow Baxter said, “We cannot read 2 Kings without thinking of Solomon’s proverb, “The way of transgressors is hard.”  Paul’s words, “The wages of sin is death,” is here demonstrated on a national scale in clearly declared terms of poetic justice for all to see and heed.  Sinning, despite warning, brings ruin without remedy.  Inexcusable wrong brings inescapable wrath.  Abused privilege incurs increased penalty.  The deeper the guilt, the heavier the stroke.  Correction may be resisted, but retribution cannot be evaded.  All these thoughts crowd in our mind when we read 2 Kings as we see the battered, broken tribes of Israel and Judah dragged behind the chariots of their heathen conquerors.  We surely cannot fail to see the central message of the book, “Willful sin brings a willful end.”

Could we be modern day prophets warning our country to return to God?

1.  If you are a Christian and you love your neighbor, you will wear a mask.

2.  If you are a Christian and you love your neighbor, you will share the gospel.

Origin Story – Week One

This is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week one, we’ll examine:

1. Why we’re doing this series.
2. The history found in 1 Kings.
3. Some relevant lessons to learn from 1 Kings.
4. A few words to parents.

• Why are we doing this series?

You can’t really appreciate the New Covenant that Jesus ushered in unless you understand the harshness of the Old Testament Law that we’ve been saved from.

• The history of 1 Kings is filled with stories of the rise and fall of the kings of Israel.     

1 Kings 1:5-6  David’s home and children were falling apart despite all his success as a leader of Israel.

1 Kings 2:1-4  David gave Solomon advice right before his death.

1 Kings 2:10-12  David died, and Solomon began his rule when he was 20 years old.

God appeared to Solomon three times:

1. 1 Kings 3:5-7,9  Solomon asked for wisdom to lead his people, and God gave him

                 wisdom and great knowledge. (1 Kings 4:29-30,32,33-34)

                  – Solomon built a temple and dedicated it to God. (1 Kings 5-8, 8:66)

1. 1 Kings 9:1-3,5,6  God promised that David’s line would continue forever. But, Solomon had to stay with the Lord. Solomon was vulnerable to stray.

                  – When life is a bowl of cherries, you’re not aware of the pits.

                  – “The long, dull, monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged

                  adversity are excellent campaigning weather for the devil.” C.S. Lewis

                  – 1 Kings 9:6-7 God warned what would happen if they turned away from Him.

                  – 1 Kings 9:7-8 Israel would be ridiculed, and the temple would be destroyed.

                  – 1 Kings 9:10 After 20 years, Solomon hit a midlife crisis.

                  – 1 Kings 11:1-2,3 He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and they led him astray.

                  – Berkeley Translation says that “They perverted his mind…”

1. 1 Kings 11:9-10 God became angry with Solomon for worshipping other gods.

                  – 1 Kings 11:11 God said that He would tear the kingdom away from Solomon’s

                 descendants.

Kings Chart

The Kingdom of Israel divided into the North called Israel and the South called Judah. (1 Kings 15:1, 2-3)

Deuteronomy 5:9  God told His people that sins followed down the line to the 3rd and 4th generations.

1 Kings 16:29-30  The story of Ahab and Elijah began.

• There are some incredibly relevant lessons from this ancient book.

We are most vulnerable when we least expect the temptation.

God always has the right person to match the hour.

When life seems especially dark, God comes especially close.

Unchecked sinful bents are passed from the parent to the child.

• There are a few words for parents who have, like David, blown it (all of us).

1st – We are all imperfect…and that includes our kids.

2nd – We can’t change the past…and that includes the way we reared our children.

3rd – When we blow it as parents, we’re personally responsible…and that includes mistakes made in ignorance.

4th – Because of grace, we have the hope of healing…even when we fail as parents.

Obstacle Course – Week Four

When we begin to live life according to the path we believe God is leading us toward, we can face many obstacles along the way. We’ll discuss what God is teaching us through these obstacles by examining: 

1. The last temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.
2. Two aspects of testing.
3. The characteristic of trust.

• The last temptation of Jesus from His time in the wilderness involved testing God.

Luke 4:9-10   In this temptation, Satan tells Jesus to throw himself off the temple to see if the angels will save Jesus.

This would be a shortcut for Jesus to bring God’s Kingdom to earth without having to go through the agonies of the cross. It would be a huge spectacle and would amass a huge following.

Psalm 91:9-13,14   Satan twists Old Testament Scripture out of context.

Luke 4:12   Jesus responds by repeating the command to not put God to the test.

• There are two aspects of testing we can see from this temptation.

1st – Expecting God to bless disobedience.

“Don’t expect the blessing of God if you disobey the principles of God.” Mike Lee

2nd – Don’t test God.

Deuteronomy 6:16   Jesus replies to Satan with Scripture to not test God.

Exodus 17:1-4    The Israelites bring a legal complaint against Moses where the punishment could be death.

Moses replies, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

Exodus 17:5    God answers that Moses should take some elders and the staff and go.

At the end of the story we get a picture of how God is good.

Exodus 17:6-7   God is better than we could imagine. He took the punishment the 

Israelites deserved and gave them what they didn’t deserve…water.

1 Corinthians 10:2-4   This story from Exodus was a foreshadowing of Christ.

• The characteristic that God wants to develop in His followers is trust.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom

Luke 4:13   While successful in resisting this last temptation in the wilderness, it didn’t mean that Jesus wouldn’t face these temptations again. (Matthew 16)

Jesus’ victory is our victory.

Obstacle Course – Week Three

When we begin to live life according to the path we believe God is leading us toward, we can face many obstacles along the way. We’ll discuss what God is teaching us through these obstacles by examining: 

1. A key principle in this series.
2. How there is more to temptation than we realize.
3. The story of Jesus’ second temptation.
4. A statement of trust.

• There are key principles to learn from this series.

God’s primary means of expanding His Kingdom is you.

God uses obstacles as a way to prepare and grow us to make the biggest impact possible.

• There is always more to temptation than what we consider in the moment.

In every temptation, there’s always more at stake:

– the choice between the immediate and the important,

– to do the right thing, in the wrong way or the wrong time.

What if we could develop a new habit to help us remember there is more at stake, avoid the shortcuts and remember that God can be trusted in the moment?

• The second temptation Jesus faced revealed another truth we can learn.

Matthew 3:13-17   The baptism of Jesus proclaimed to the world who Jesus was, God’s Son.

Luke 4:1-2   Right after the baptism, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted for 40 days.

3 Truths about temptation

1. It’s not a sin to be tempted.

2. God doesn’t tempt you.

3. God may leave you in a place where you will be tempted.

Luke 4:2-4   This is the first temptation Jesus faced.

When you discover the truth about temptation, it will give you power over it. Jesus came to the world to die for your sins and to break the power of sin in your life.

Luke 4:5-6   Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offered Jesus authority over them.

When sin entered the world, man lost authority over everything. Jesus reclaimed all authority on earth through His death and resurrection. Matthew 28:18

If Jesus took the shortcut Satan offered, Jesus would not have had to suffer and die for our sins.

Luke 4:7   Satan wanted Jesus to worship him to set aside Jesus’ devotion to God temporarily. The lie was that it would only be for a moment.

“Temptation is always more than just a test of your self-control…it’s a test in your trust in God.” –Andy Stanley

Can you trust God? Satan used a similar pattern of tempting Eve with rewards by making her think it’s just a little compromise. Genesis 3:1-6  

Luke 4:8  Jesus quoted the Bible in answer to the temptation. He said that He would worship God only. Deuteronomy 6:10-13

Jesus was able to resist temptation because He knew His identity, and He knew the truths He had from Scripture. Jesus showed us how to respond to temptation. Luke 4:8, Matthew 6:33

• When tempted to take a shortcut, trust God and do the right thing the right way.

Obstacle Course – Week Two

When we begin to live life according to the path we believe God is leading us toward, we can face many obstacles along the way. We’ll discuss what God is teaching us through these obstacles by examining: 

1. The temptation of Jesus and the characteristic of dependence.
2. The story of Gideon.
3. Where we struggle the most.

• Jesus’ ministry began with His temptation where we learn about the characteristic of dependence.

James 1:13-14 This tells us that God doesn’t tempt anyone, but God can use temptations in our lives to teach us something or to grow us.

Venn diagram 

The circumstances where God can prepare you the best are also the circumstances where Satan can tempt you the most.

Luke 4:1-2 God’s plan was for Jesus to go into the wilderness where He would be tempted.

  –  Jesus was hungry at the end of the 40 days. He is fully God and still fully human.

  –  Jesus was tempted over and over again for 40 days.

Luke 4:3 Satan is trying to get Jesus to question God, to doubt God’s goodness.

  –  Satan wants Jesus to provide for Himself and not depend on God.

  –  This is a tactic used on us all the time.

  –  This brings us to the characteristic of dependence and how we need to depend on God.

• The story of Gideon shows us how the Israelites learned to depend on God.

Judges 7:1-3 God reduces the army of Israel by 22,000 until only 10,000 remain.

Judges 7:4-6 God reduces the army again until only 300 remained to fight a massive army. 

God showed them how He would take care of them no matter the circumstances. 

(Back to the temptation of Jesus)

Luke 4:4 Jesus knew that it didn’t matter how hungry or weak He was because He was depending on God.

Judges 7:17-21 Gideon and the Israelites won through no skill of their own. It was because God provided, and they depended on Him.

(Back to the temptation of Jesus)

Luke 4:14 Jesus returns to begin His ministry in the power of the Spirit.

  –  Through weakness, God provides strength. God accomplishes His plan through the dependence of His followers.

• The areas in your life that you are struggling in the most are not the areas where you are too weak. They are the areas that you are still too strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 … “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Obstacle Course – Week One

When we begin to live life according to the path we believe God is leading us toward, we can face many obstacles along the way. We’ll discuss why this happens by examining: 

1. Acts 19:8-10.
2. Truths about God and His plan for you.
3. How to prepare your mind to embrace obstacles.
4. A final question about why you might not believe in God.

• Acts 19:8-10 speaks about how Paul shared the Gospel.

The Gospel was shared to all the Jews and Greeks living in the province of Asia.

The Word of the Lord is spread by believers, and we all play a part in that.

• Here are some truths about God and His plan for you.

1. God’s primary means of expanding His Kingdom is you.

    Ephesians 2:8-10 – God has an amazing purpose for your life.

“God’s plan for your life necessitates that you change.” (Galatians 2)

2. Between God’s promise and God’s payoff, there’s always a process.

    The main way that God prepares us is through trials. 

• There are ways to ready your mind to embrace obstacles, which is how God prepares us for His Will.

James 1:1 Seasons of preparation can either create perseverance or anger, maturity or bitterness towards God.

James 1:2-4 God says to consider/count it joy (be thankful) to face obstacles or trials.

“What could God be achieving through this?”

James 1:3-4 James gives us a list of things that God is working in us.

1. A greater awareness of our faith (testing)

2. Perseverance

3. Maturity

4. Completeness

5. Gaining something we lack

Venn diagram 

“God will allow evil only to the degree that it brings about the very opposite of what it intends.”  — Tim Keller

James 1:5 Draw near to God to lay down your anger against Him. 

James 1:5b God can handle your questions. He answers without hesitation over and over again.

  2 Corinthians 4:16-17

• Here’s a final question to ask yourself if you don’t believe.

Could it be that the very experiences you’ve used as proof that God doesn’t exist are actually the uncomfortable mercies of God trying to draw you into a relationship with Him?

Lessons From a Quarantine – Week Five 

This has been a crazy few months for all us because of Covid-19, the quarantine and racial tensions. There are so many emotions and fears, which leave us with many questions. We’ll tackle some of these concerns by examining: 

1. A recap of our series, “Lessons From A Quarantine.”
2. 6 stages to rebuild after difficult times.
3. An application to rebuild.
4. Letting your difficulties be your opportunities to rebuild.

• Here is a recap of the series, “Lessons From A Quarantine.”

Where is God in all of this chaos?

How do we deal with conflict?

How do you grow your faith in your fears?

How do we slow down in the busyness and stress and find real rest?

Let your difficulties be your opportunities to rebuild.

• There are 6 stages to rebuild after difficult times.

1. Shock

    Nehemiah 1:2-3

2. Sorrow

    Nehemiah 1:4-6 (He mourned. He fasted. He prayed.)

3. Struggle

    Nehemiah 2:1-2 

4. Surrender

    Nehemiah 2:2-5 (Then I prayed to the God of heaven and THEN I answered the king.)

5. Strategy

    Nehemiah 2:6-8 (“And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted 

    my requests.”)

6. Surround Yourself

    Nehemiah 2:11-18, Nehemiah 2:20

• There is an application to rebuild, which is actually the 7th step.

7. Start

• Let your difficulties be your opportunities to rebuild.

You can have a changed life, a changed family and a changed community.