In times like we are in now, it is best for us to look back upon the past and gain wisdom from the throngs of humanity that have endured such disruptions. We look to history. And as we look to history we might find that we are in a history making moment. A pivot. A time in which future citizens of the world will look back and draw upon our wisdom and our responses. We can be remembered for wisdom, courage and faith or we can be remembered for foolishness, fear and panic.

Let us take up an ambition to be wise, courageous and full of faith, as we do we shape history.

Jesus begins his great Sermon on the Mount by describing postures that lead to our flourishing. Jesus surprises us as he begins because what he says flourishing comes from is so different than that of the world. But, in order for us to follow through with following his ways, we need to have this vision set for us. Believing and trusting the opening of the sermon on the Mount is pivotal for when we seek to follow the challenging commands of the Sermon on the Mount, we will see that we are brought back to these postures in which we flourish.

Jesus says:

Matthew 5:37

“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”

Our word and commitment seems to be really important.

Learn how our idealisms keep us from follow thru. We must kill our idealisms: the Unicorns we dream of that can never be found.

The teachings and works of Jesus are so vast that they are able to dominate every area of our lives. But, not because they are simply grand: but, because the teachings of Jesus have everything to do with every human’s life. The way of Jesus is relevant to every area of life.

Jesus said about this life:

John 6:27–29 (NLT)

27 “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Our belief is expressed by TRUSTING him—by BELIEVING him by learning from Him. And being guided by him. And dreaming of Him. And his work and plan in our lives. To have our imaginations fully captured by Jesus, the Son of God.

This is why learning and applying the teachings of Jesus are so important.

As we talk about the BIG and encompassing dynamic of BELONGING, we ask the Lord to open our eyes—we will observe the intent of the enemy and the intent of Jesus and then talk about HOW we remain with Jesus so we can be fruitful.

We were made for God and our souls will be restless until we find our home in him. Listen to what Jesus said.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Here at New Hope, we are endeavoring to discover this way of Jesus. To be taught and led by him. Last year we introduced this idea that we are apprenticing to the Way of Jesus. An apprentice is one who learns under the tutelage of the Master. Jesus is our Lord and Master and Rabbi.

As the lead pastor here, Isaac is simply the lead apprentice. And, as the lead apprentice, he is charged with designing and organizing our efforts to the end of us all having the best opportunities to Find and Follow Jesus.

It is leadership by revelation. Isaac didn’t come to NH with a grand strategy, but with a commitment to follow as best as he could the leading of the Holy Spirit.

With the Spirit’s leading, we've discovered three really important words: BELONG, BELIEVE, BECOME. We had an inkling that these three paradigms provided the conceptual space we needed to construct our efforts to the end of FINDING and FOLLOWING Jesus.

To find our Home in Him. Find out more in our Vision 2020 series!

This “I’ll be happy when” mentality drives us this time of year. As we begin to make our plans and plot our course it is easy to begin to think we are the ones who will gain and earn our worth, our sense of satisfaction, and ultimately our peace. But ultimately we are trying to place ourselves in the role of God; but without the credentials, (spoiler, we’re not God) we end up still wanting rather than finding ourselves in a place of satisfaction.

This morning we are going to be in John Chapter 4 and we will look at Jesus’ encounter with a woman at a well in Samaria. Like us she thought she knew what she wanted, but God had other plans for her.

The coming of innocent baby Jesus can serve to remind us that compared to his innocence, there is darkness in each of us. Some of us are good at masking our addictions or our hidden bitternesses. Or, we have come to the conclusion that we are good people without any need for allegiance to any God.

I suggest that our culture is living this way—without any true allegiance. So, if that is you—you’re living and thinking just like everyone else. Let’s take a look at how this working out for us.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness

The overall suicide rate has risen 31% since 2001.

31% Perspective: if 1000 people committed sucide in 2001, than 1,300 committed sucide in 2019.

17% of High School Students have SERIOUS thoughts about suicide.

Something is wrong.

It may be difficult to hear about this brokenness at Christmas—but, that is what Christmas is: Christmas is the celebration of God coming into our darkness with light, with hope, with mercy.

The Women of Advent - Taught by the Women of New Hope. This Christmas season, we are focusing on the Women of Advent. In God’s faithfulness, some amazing women get to be a part of Jesus coming to be with us. As a matter of fact, women are so prominently featured in the account of the incarnation that we would be foolish not to ponder God’s choice of women during the Christmas Season.