WestGate Church Teaching

David Tieche

Hope is about a feeling. It’s a strong desire for a certain thing to happen. But it’s also about having grounds to believe that something good will happen. In this sermon, Steve explains how what happened that first Christmas morning is really - first and foremost - about hope. And how in the birth of Jesus, every man, woman and child on planet Earth has real reasons to feel incredible hope.

Hope is about a feeling. It’s a strong desire for a certain thing to happen. But it’s also about having grounds to believe that something good will happen. In this sermon, Steve explains how what happened that first Christmas morning is really - first and foremost - about hope. And how in the birth of Jesus, every man, woman and child on planet Earth has real reasons to feel incredible hope.

As we continue in our study of Acts, we come to Acts 10-12 where a mighty question is raised: are people from different races, backgrounds, nationalities and ethnicities invited into this new community of God, and if so, how are they going to live together? This weekend, join us for a special message from Bryan Loritts, who is the senior pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, CA and a thought-leader and author about the topic of race-relations in the Church.

As we continue in our study of Acts, we come to Acts 10-12 where a mighty question is raised: are people from different races, backgrounds, nationalities and ethnicities invited into this new community of God, and if so, how are they going to live together? This weekend, join us for a special message from Bryan Loritts, who is the senior pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, CA and a thought-leader and author about the topic of race-relations in the Church.

In Acts 9, Luke tells us the amazing (miraculous!) story of Saul’s dramatic encounter with the risen Christ.  In fact, Luke is so mesmerized with this incredible story of complete transformation that he tells the story three times in one short 28-chapter book.  What is Luke trying to say?  Lead pastor Steve Clifford explains that Luke’s answer might be that stories of how Jesus changes people...well...changes people.  Maybe even *your* story.

In Acts 9, Luke tells us the amazing (miraculous!) story of Saul’s dramatic encounter with the risen Christ.  In fact, Luke is so mesmerized with this incredible story of complete transformation that he tells the story three times in one short 28-chapter book.  What is Luke trying to say?  Lead pastor Steve Clifford explains that Luke’s answer might be that stories of how Jesus changes people...well...changes people.  Maybe even *your* story.

In Acts 8, we get a chance to eavesdrop into a conversation and interaction between Philip, one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus and a high-ranking government official from Ethiopia.  In this conversation, we find out that God often is doing some expected work in some very unexpected places (and people).  And the story challenges all of us ask ourselves, “Who around me might God be working in, and how might God want me to help them in their unique journey?”

In Acts 8, we get a chance to eavesdrop into a conversation and interaction between Philip, one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus and a high-ranking government official from Ethiopia.  In this conversation, we find out that God often is doing some expected work in some very unexpected places (and people).  And the story challenges all of us ask ourselves, “Who around me might God be working in, and how might God want me to help them in their unique journey?”

In Acts 7, Stephen is brutally murdered because of his beliefs about Jesus Christ, marking him as the first martyr in the Christian faith. But before he’s killed, Stephen gives an epic 53-verse speech that shows us something amazing: that God’s been on a mission to rescue humanity since the very beginning. South Hill Campus Pastor Andy Gridley says that it’s time we paid attention to Stephen’s final moments because they are filled with hope for all of us, even today.