Ep 20 - Give a reason 

In the New Testament, Christians are told they should be able to give a reason for their hope. So in this final episode of the series, George does that. He gives a reason for the hope he has. 

Check out George’s other podcast ‘The Seven-Minute Sermon’ 

https://omny.fm/shows/the-seven-minute-sermon 

Keep up with all the content he publishes through his Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/revgeorgepenk 

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This week we’re talking about the Cross of Christ. Because when it comes to Christian hope, we can’t really overstate the significance of the Crucifixion. 

Watch NT Wright teaching about the Cross 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGJ7M1CDhBU 

Read Andrew Wilson’s article about Barabbas 

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/april/andrew-wilson-barabbas-story-prisoner-swap.html 

Check out Amy Orr-Ewing’s ‘Good Friday Reflections’ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TozlBSfH1q8 

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Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, and his followers are called to reflect that light. This week we hear stories of people who have done so in amazing ways. 

Listen to Nicky Gumbel’s ‘Money: A Blessing or a Curse?’ commentary 

https://bibleinoneyear.org/en/classic/220 

Check out Daneen Akers’ profile of Florence Nightingale 

https://www.holytroublemakers.com/florence 

Read Lynne McDonald’s article about Nightingale’s faith 

https://cwfn.uoguelph.ca/spirituality/florence-nightingale-faith-and-work 

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In this episode we look at the concept that our identity is ultimately defined by God. Who we are in his sight is who we really are. 

Connect with ELEVATE Christian Disability Trust 

www.elevatecdt.org.nz 

Read Ellery Sadler’s article about calling and identity 

https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/your-calling-doesnt-define-you 

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Sometimes it’s really hard to trust God. But even when life makes it difficult, we can always trust him. This week we look at some reasons why. 

Watch Trillia Newbell’s ‘A Moment of Steadfast Hope’ video 

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/romans-8-a-moment-of-steadfast-hope 

Read Thomas Christianson’s book ‘The Unreasonable Jesus’  

www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Jesus-Becoming-Person-Made/dp/1470748630 

Check out Shane Pruitt’s book ‘9 Common Lies Christians Believe’ 

www.amazon.com/Common-Lies-Christians-Believe-Infinitely/dp/0735291578 

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God uses people for good. Throughout the Bible, the Lord involves people in his work, and he does so in surprising ways. These stories give hope that he’ll use us, too. 

Check out Nicky Gumbel’s ‘How Your Life Can Make a Difference’ commentary 

https://bibleinoneyear.org/en/classic/246/ 

Watch Bishop Barron talking about the Woman at the Well 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N862lyF8KtU 

Read Stephanie Jane Judd’s article about women and the Resurrection 

https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/historys-biggest-hoax-women-as-resurrection-witnesses/ 

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We can’t ignore the Old Testament, because Jesus certainly didn’t. In fact, it provided the background and context to everything he did. This week we’re looking for hope in the Hebrew scriptures. 

Watch Glen Scrivener’s video about Abraham 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2em1M6fJWI&t=28s  

See Glen’s video on the sacrifice of Isaac 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYcPfySl-y8 

Watch Amy Orr-Ewing’s ‘Good Friday Reflections’ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TozlBSfH1q8 

Check out Jon Coombs’ article on the Servant Songs 

https://rootedministry.com/blog/remembering-the-servant-songs-and-the-greatest-service-of-all/ 

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The Lord’s Prayer is not only a prayer, it’s also a summary of Christianity. That means there’s a lot of good news in it, because the Christian message is one of hope. 

Read Rowan Williams’ reflections on the Lord’s Prayer 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/prayer/lordsprayer_1.shtml 

Watch Bishop Barron talking about the Our Father 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ysPSuz7_U 

Check out Meda Stamper’s article on the prayer 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-17-3/commentary-on-luke-111-13-2 

See the banned cinema ad from the Church of England 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgN0s2xmCuM 

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When we’re faced with problems, we can be real and honest with God about them. This week we look at three common struggles and see how, through them, we can find some hope. 

Check out Rebecca Rene Jones’ book ‘Broken for Good’ 

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Good-Grief-Awoke-Greatest/dp/1455538078 

Read Aaron’s Loy’s article ‘Confessions of a Depressed Pastor’ 

https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/confessions-depressed-pastor/ 

Find Erica Barthalow’s book ‘Holy Doubt’ 

www.goodreads.com/book/show/35103707-holy-doubt 

Get support for mental health-related issues at https://1737.org.nz or https://www.lifeline.org.nz 

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We can sum up the story of the whole Bible by talking about the kingship of Christ. In this episode, we explore what it means for Jesus to be king, and why it’s an idea that gives a lot of hope. 

Watch NT Wright talk about Jesus and the Kingdom 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXgLCK5ogOo 

Listen to Bishop Barron’s sermon about Christ the King 

https://www.wordonfire.org/videos/sermons/march-in-the-army-of-the-true-king/ 

Read Susan Hylen’s article about Jesus’ kingship 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christ-the-king-2/commentary-on-john-1833-37-3 

Support The Hope Files: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

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