HOPE Sermons

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Senior Pastor David Dwight concludes our sermon series reminding us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. We all can think of something - a past sin, shame, or regret that makes us wonder if God can love us. But in Christ, we can introduce our “something” to God’s “NOTHING” and invite him to bring reunion of our hearts to his intimate and complete love.

How do we know God is for us? He gave us Christ! Christ who suffered for us and entered into our own suffering so that we may have a deeper union with God. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

As believers we know that God works for the good of those who love Him, but is “the good” the apostle Paul speaks of the same as what we define “good” to be? Is it only happy, victorious endings to the strife and hardships in our lives? 

Missional Pastor Matt Hartman reminds us that we may not see resolution to life’s interruptions, closed doors, and heartaches. But when the spirit of Christ lives in us, God is using those messy, difficult situations to draw us closer to Him, conform us to His image, and grow in us a more Christlike compassion, boldness, and hope. 

Romans 8:28-32

This morning Worship + Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman explores the relationship between suffering and glory as we continue our series on Romans 8. 

God’s Word tells us that we are called to wait patiently, eagerly, and with hope for the future glory promised to us through Christ Jesus. This hope builds in us an ability to endure the suffering we experience here on earth. We can be assured that our present sufferings, while painful, are temporary and small in comparison to the glory of eternity with God.

Scripture referenced: Romans 8:18-27

Today, Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series and explores what Romans 8 says about the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a real person and the third member of the trinity. When we’ve accepted Jesus into our hearts, He is in us and with us always. He is the midwife of our birth, the companion in our growth, and the resurrector at our death. 

"To live in the Spirit is to have a heart yielded to God. Our hearts desire to love, serve, and honor Him because of the power of His spirit. To live in the flesh is to say we belong to ourselves, but when we live in the Spirit we are declaring that we are God’s alone." - Romans 8:9-17

Our new sermon series, 8, kicks off with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. When we are in true relationship with Jesus, we will be judged “not guilty” before the throne of God. We did not earn this verdict, Jesus did. He paid it all, so we can live joyfully and in gratitude for this incredible gift. This is grace. 

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1-4

To be human is to be made in the image of God, for our identity to be found in Jesus alone, to be separated from God because of sin, but reconciled through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to have eternity planted in our hearts.

Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell wraps up our sermon series, Being Human, with the poignant reminder that this vast, beautiful world and the things of it will never satisfy us. We will always be yearning for more because God placed eternity in our hearts. Eternity does not just await us after our physical lives end, but it is here right now through Jesus, our living hope. We may not fully understand the scope here on earth, but we can see a glimpse when we turn our eyes towards Jesus.

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." - John 17:3

We all face problems and challenges in our lives. The secular view says that our problems are caused by external factors. A biblical view of our problems tells us that our problems are caused by our internal sin. Senior Pastor David Dwight reminds us that God is offering us redemption from our brokenness and he offers us another way. God invites us to live in our present, imperfect circumstances with hope for eternal glory when we will not experience pain and suffering and brokenness, but joy and unity and love. 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:4

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." Psalm 139:13-14 

The human body is extraordinarily complex. We contain 35 trillion cells, each with its own specialized functions that contribute to keeping us alive. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series considering the great intentionality of the God who made us, designed us, and has purpose for our lives.

We are made in the image of God.  He calls us to display his characters and personhood.  When we reveal the goodness of his nature, we are bringing him glory. Senior Pastor David Dwight begins our series "Being Human" reminding us that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.