New Hope Church - Podcast

As things continue to open up, two things will be apparent. First, we have a bunch of new faces joining us. Second, some of the familiar faces may seem new because it’s been a while since we’ve been together. It will be great to bump elbows, wave, smile, chat, and get to know you! All of these things help us know each other better. The Bible introduces God by many different names – each displaying a different facet of His character. These names are important because they show us who our Creator and Savior is and how a relationship with Him can impact our lives.

For many years, we’ve wrapped up summer at New Hope with a series called, At the Movies. We use recent Hollywood releases to highlight important Biblical truths, similar to the way Jesus taught using parables. Given the lack of new releases over the past year, we’ve chosen to switch gears and look at what shows many of us have (binge) watched at home. Each week, we’ll look at a series that was very popular and entertaining, but hopefully this series will add another dimension -- enlightening. You may never see your favorite show the same way again.

The Christmas story is so much more than a baby in a manger with a supporting cast of characters. It is the unfolding of the single most important event in history. It is God coming to save a lost world. Not wanting us to miss the importance of this historic event, God orchestrated four written accounts to document the essential details and meaning of Christ’s coming. Each of these four accounts has a unique perspective and emphasis. Together, they paint a compelling picture of love and hope.

Every day you and I are faced with decisions to make. Some seem relatively small and others monumental. Over time we discover that some of the small ones had big-time ramifications we didn’t anticipate and the larger ones less so. At the end of the day, good decision-making is the result of latching onto a wise process. This wise decision-making process is one that can be employed regardless of the “size” or perceived importance of the possible choices. All of us have made dumb choices that we later regret. This new series will help reduce the poor decisions and increase the wise ones!

Simon was a partner in a family-owned fishing business. Everything changed, though, when Jesus invited him to join His team. Jesus gave him a new name, Peter, and as we follow his life in the Bible, we see him transform from a man often driven by his emotion and passion to a leader with great wisdom, courage and conviction. Peter’s life is an example for us all of the way God invites us as we are and then begins changes in us that allow us to discover potential we would have never imagined.

Love. It’s a word that we hear a lot. Often, it’s a simple expression of sentiment toward someone or something. Other times “love” is a statement of devotion and commitment to the needs of someone else. This is the highest form of love and is what makes relationships strong, resilient and genuinely fulfilling. Expressing love is not mechanical or one-size-fits-all. Instead, it requires understanding how others are wired to receive it. In this series, we’ll use God’s example of loving us as a model for how we can effectively love each other. It begins with the greatest single act of love in all of history.

At the Movies is a long-standing tradition at New Hope. Each summer we take a deep dive into a handful of blockbuster movies to discover spiritual truths for our lives. As crowds finally return to the theaters, we’re seeing a lot of sequels to some of our old favorites. What is it about these original movies that has us longing for more of the story?

It doesn’t take a degree in counseling or medical training to recognize that many of us feel stressed, tired, and struggling to find ways to cope with what feels like ever-changing demands on our lives. Followers of Jesus are not immune to the challenges, but we have resources that can give us perspective, power, and real hope as we face life head-on. In this message series adapted from a book called The Deeply Formed Life, we will discover five important Biblical values that when humbly adopted, can transform our lives from the inside out. Investing in our relationship with our Savior and others gives us strength and keeps us rooted in the best way.

New – it’s a simple word that conveys things like change, improvement, and hope. Often this word is used to persuade us to buy products, vote for a candidate or change jobs. When our lives become cluttered with disappointment, frustration, confusion, and heartache, the longing for something new is strong. But there is an even bigger story here. The Bible gives us a real and honest picture of how our lives, and the whole world, have been damaged by our estrangement from God. Instead of giving up on us, He did something radically unexpected and new to rescue us – He sent Jesus. Through a personal relationship with Him we can find peace, hope, and meaning that changes everything!

Jesus taught in a way that people of all ages, backgrounds, and education could grasp. He often used parables, which are simple stories with profound spiritual truths. After telling a story, Jesus would explain what He meant to those who truly wanted to understand. In this series, we’ll look at eight stories and discover the practical and timeless truth they give that can shape and change our lives for good.

When Jesus came to live among us, it seemed our troubles were over. After all, the Son of God came to conquer evil and rescue us. To say His followers were stunned when He died on the cross is a massive understatement. They were shocked, shattered, and lost. Their hopes and dreams were set on Jesus leading them immediately into a “happily ever after” life. Too often, we can fall into the same trap and miss the better plan God has for us. The message of Easter is that God has proven He will go way beyond giving us what we want. He gives us what we desperately need!

The Ten Commandments were given to us by God to show what He wants for the lives of those who follow Him. They provide a picture of faithful devotion to Him and others. If we are honest, none of us obey them faithfully, which is why we need a pathway to God. That is what Jesus provides us. Accepting Him as our Savior and Leader creates a new life fueled by gratitude and His Spirit. There’s more to the Ten Commandments than meets the eye. In this series, we’ll dig into them together to gain a better appreciation for God’s design for our lives.

Do you ever wonder what God thinks of you? Or if He even thinks about you at all? The Bible tells us that not only does He think about us (a lot), but when we accept Jesus as our Savior, He delights in us as a father for his child. You were uniquely created with great love and purpose. God’s plan for you already takes into account the mistakes you will make along the way. He has seen every moment of your life – every failure, sin, and heartache – and still, He loves you beyond measure. What does it look like to take a step forward to pursue His plan for you? We’ll explore that together as we learn to better understand how we were all created to dream.

We don’t know every detail about the night Jesus was born. We do know it was in a barn on the outskirts of town, free of the noises of a crowded city. We also know it was dark and clear enough to see the stars. Aside from the sounds of a few farm animals, a historical and miraculous thing happened in the still of the night. He was the answer to the prayers of many, wrapped in a bundle that didn’t exactly meet expectations. God’s plan and His timing are perfect. The impact of Jesus is seen in ripples throughout history. And He is STILL the answer to our prayers today.

We live in a world filled with fear, waiting, and brokenness, yet the story of Christmas reminds us that God has not left us there. In the birth of Jesus, God stepped into our ordinary lives with extraordinary hope. From those who waited for years, to those whose lives were disrupted, to those who felt unseen, the message is the same. Hope has come for all people. This Christmas we will rediscover the life changing promise that the Savior has been born, and that His hope is still for us today.

A new year invites us to a new way of thinking. Our minds are the control center for our beliefs, values and attitudes, shaping how we see ourselves and the world around us. This is a moment to pause and look honestly at the thoughts that have been guiding us. When we begin to replace false information with truth, rewire unhealthy patterns, reframe our perspectives, and rejoice in what is good, we open the door to real change in how we live and who we are becoming. Starting the year with a renewed mind sets the foundation for a year marked by clarity, strength, and a deeper sense of purpose.

Drama often grows from avoidance, assumptions, and payback. Jesus challenges us to live a different way. When we move first toward reconciliation, choose trust, and offer grace, we begin to taste the peace He offers. These three weeks walk through a practical recipe for calmer and healthier relationships.

A woman had been dragged into public view accused and exposed with no mercy. Religious leaders gathered around her using her shame as a test and her life as leverage. A crowd stood ready to condemn. But when Jesus exposed their self-righteousness, the stones began to fall. Each one hitting the ground became a picture of grace overcoming judgment. Jesus invites us to respond the same way by letting go of the stones we cling to in our hands and in our hearts.

We want growth without loss and change without surrender. But real transformation often begins where something ends. What looks dead is not always finished. Sometimes it is the space where new life is just beginning. Letting go creates room for renewal, and release can lead to growth that would never happen if we kept holding on.

The Easter story is filled with people who were not heroes. Many were self-centered, manipulative and power hungry. Religious leaders protected power. Followers tried to control outcomes. Criminals faced the consequences of their choices. God worked through every failure and attack to accomplish His greatest act of love. Through it all God shows His love and offer of forgiveness and grace.

Sometimes the issue is not belief but surrender. We say we trust God, yet we keep certain things in our own hands. We follow Jesus with limits and obey only to a point. This message uncovers the quiet resistance that keeps us stuck and invites us to release the habits, comforts, identities, and securities we hold onto most tightly. Real freedom begins when we stop negotiating and open our hands to God.

Our lives are full of noise, schedules, and endless to-do lists. Yet what we prioritize reveals what we value most. This message encourages you to slow down, create margin, and give God your first moments not your leftovers. When you give time to God, He gives clarity, rest, and renewal in return.

Money has a way of revealing what we trust most. We say, “It’s mine,” but God calls it a resource to be managed, not owned. This message shows how generosity isn’t about loss it’s about liberation. When you give freely, you discover that God provides more than enough.

It’s easy to believe you don’t have much to give. But God didn’t create you empty He created you equipped. This message challenges you to see your time, talent, and story as gifts God can use to bless others. The question isn’t whether you’re gifted it’s whether you’ll give.

We all hope to live the life God wants for us. What if the only thing holding us back is a single but. We all have them. The reasons we wait, the excuses we lean on, the things that keep us stuck right where we are instead of stepping into something more. This series challenges us to confront what’s holding us back and discover that freedom begins when we stop making excuses and start taking steps of faith. Bring your buts and let’s kick them to the curb. It’s time we ditch the excuses.

Jesus told the story of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to go after the one that was lost. His love is not cautious or convenient. It is personal, sacrificial, and relentless. Jesus went out of His way to dignify the unseen. He elevated the abused, maligned, and marginalized. He sought out the rebellious. We are called to reflect that same love and compassion in our everyday lives and through opportunities God places before us to serve our neighbors and bless the world.

What if the path to a better world and a happier, more meaningful life is the opposite of everything we expect? We’re exploring what Jesus taught about life, love, truth, and transformation. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just curious about what Jesus taught, this series is an opportunity to wrestle with some big ideas that can change your life forever!

Life doesn’t always go as planned. A layoff. A divorce. A diagnosis. A death. A dream that crumbles. A relationship that falls apart. In those moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by disappointment, doubt, or even cynicism. We wonder where God is and how to move forward when everything feels uncertain. But what if those unexpected turns aren’t the end of the story? What if God is still present, still working, even in the mess we didn’t choose? This is about finding hope when life breaks from the script and learning to trust God with the life we didn’t expect.