Living Hope Bible Church

Paul faces increasing pressure from being put on trial, false accusations, and the threat of death. But we also learn that God is with Paul in the midst of these troubles. Through it all, Paul demonstrates how we should react when we are under pressure. Not in explosions of emotion, but it peace, trust, and patience.

In this chapter, Paul retells the story of his conversion. He shares what he was like before Jesus, how he was transformed by obedience to Jesus, and ultimately points people towards Jesus. People may argue against the Bible or our theology, but they cannot argue against how God has changed our life.

When Paul returns to Jerusalem, many Jews misinterpret his message and seek to arrest him. When they see him in the temple, they try to kill him, but a Roman officer takes him away. Through it all, Paul remains patient, trusting that God will make things right in His timing.

Movements depend on a influential leader, human effort, and strive to change systems. How could Christianity spread when Jesus did the opposite? There is only one answer, because it is the truth. Christ is the answer to the mystery of history.

In the final leg of Paul's third missionary journey, he sets a course for Jerusalem. Many believers warn him of the trouble that awaits him their and try to persuade him not to go, but Paul knows that is where God is leading him. He follows God's will, and he won't be persuaded by man's wisdom.

In this chapter, Paul bids farewell to several groups as he heads to Jerusalem. He knows this will likely be the last time he sees these churches, and so he gives them many instructions on how they should act. We learn that as the church, we are called to practice true hospitality and share with those in need around us.

In this passage, we see how the spiritually blind lead others into further blindness. They defend their idols, find comfort in them, and completely miss how God is at work, but in the end, all of their efforts amount to nothing.

In this passage, we learn the difference between authentic faith and a counterfeit. Jesus' name has power over every other name, but the power of prayer comes in a relationship with him, not in a method of praying. The word of the Lord continues to prevail in Ephesus as people turn from sin to follow Christ.

Paul finishes his second missionary journey and begins his third journey in this passage. In the process of strengthening the churches, he encounters several believers who follow the baptism of John but haven't received the Holy Spirit. When they do, the Spirit works in mighty ways through them, and in the church of Ephesus.

In this passage, we see how Paul is encouraged in Corinth after a difficult time of ministry. God protects him, provides support for him, and opens the hearts of those who are listening to him, and the church of Corinth grows because of it.

Paul preaches about the true God amidst the thousands of idols in Athens. He explains that we need to turn to the God who is near and has made himself known to us. Some mocked him, others waited to hear more, but some began to believe and follow Jesus.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy continue on their missionary journey. They preach the Gospel in two cities; one refuses to listen and opposes the believers, but the other looks into God's Word and realizes the truth of their message. How will we respond when we are challenged by God's Word and how it calls us to live?

In this chapter, we see how God closes the doors on some of Paul's good plans in order to point him in an even better direction. Chapter 16 displays three different stories of transformation, all because of Paul's obedience to trust that God was using closed doors.

In this chapter, the Jews try to add to the message of salvation. They claim that the Gentiles must follow the laws of Moses in order to be saved, but the church in Jerusalem decides that we are saved through faith in Jesus by God's grace alone.

In this chapter, we see how a miracle done by Paul leads to misunderstanding by the gentiles. The Jews continue to persecute them, but nothing can stop the message of the Gospel from spreading.

In this chapter, Paul addresses the Jews and Gentiles in Pamphylia with a message of God's faithfulness throughout the Old Testament and in sending Jesus as the messiah. We are reminded that we can trust God because He has been faithful in the past, and He continues to be faithful to us today.

The Holy Spirit calls Paul and Barnabas to their first missionary journey. In the first phase of this journey, they encounter difficulty on the island of Cyprus. But, through the hardship, God's will is still done and many come to faith in Jesus.

Romans 5 and 6 remind us of our call to completely surrender to God. We no longer live in sin, but we strive to live for God in all that we do. 

For the final Sunday of Advent, join us as Pastor Mark shares how love is at the heart of Christmas. God is the source of love, and He gave us the gift of love through Jesus. Jesus demonstrated love for us, and our challenge is to follow the greatest commandments to love God and to love others. Not just for the holiday season, but all year long.

Joy is not a product of our circumstances, it is a gift from God and it comes from being in His presence. Join us as Pastor Mark unfolds eight biblical ways to experience joy in your life.

Pastor Nate Young of Crossbridge Church in Long Island shares the truth about peace found in Philippians 4:4-9. Jesus is the only one who can bring us peace, and this peace produces perseverance so that we can live the way God calls us to, no matter how bad the situation might be.

In this chapter, we continue to see persecution against the church as James is killed and Peter is imprisoned. But, through it all, God shows that He is in control as Peter is freed and Herod is humbled.

In this chapter, we see the power encouragement can have. We see why Barnabas is known as a good man throughout the church. As the church in Antioch grows, the believers become known as Christians, or "little Christ's".

In this chapter, we see how God works through a Centurion and through Peter at the same time. The result is the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles and the door opening for Gentiles to become Christians.

Peter performs two miraculous signs, and as a result, many come to know the Lord. The extraordinary life of Tabitha leads us all to question what kind of legacy our lives will leave once we're gone.

In this story, we hear the dramatic turn of events around Saul's conversion. Saul, one of the largest opponents of the Christian faith is now an adamant follower of Christ, shocking Jews and Christians alike.

After Stephen is killed, persecution breaks out against the early church. The believers are scattered, but they take the Gospel with them as they go. We see a stark contrast between those who truly believe and those who do not, and we are left asking ourselves how completely will we follow Jesus?

In this chapter, Stephen preaches on how God was at work through many people throughout Israel's history. These people were rejected, and all point to Jesus who was rejected by the religious authorities. Stephen's faith, knowledge of the Bible, and courage are a remarkable example to all believers today.

This chapter of Acts covers the first seven Deacons chosen to serve the church and to keep the church unified. Stephen is one of them, and he is put on trial for speaking in the name of Jesus.

The disciples are once again confronted because of the Gospel message. The sick are healed and the Lord opens up prison doors to release those wrongfully imprisoned, and it is clear that God is at work through the apostles.

The story of Ananias and Saphira teaches us the importance of honesty and humility in our faith. Their punishment was a lesson to the early church and is a lesson to us about how seriously God takes sin, but again we see how God works it for good.

In this sermon, we see the unity of the church in response to persecution. They are unwavering in their devotion to the Gospel, they're generous with those in need, and they love one another deeply.

Peter and John are confronted and put on trial because of the Gospel message. They show us the Biblical way to respond to confrontation and unjust punishment while staying faithful to the truth.

The book of Acts connects the ending of all four of the Gospels with the upcoming epistles. In the first chapter, we learn about our role of being witnesses of what Jesus has done to the very ends of the Earth.

The final week of the 10 words series explains what happens when our earthly lives come to an end. This message covers the difficult, but important, topic of what will happen to Christians and non-Christians after they die.

This weeks message discusses how fellowship with God and with other believers has helped the church to remain strong and even to grow in times of persecution.

This message shares the importance of commitment and includes the students who went on the summer mission trip talking about their commitment to serving God.

In the 7th week in the 10 Words series, we dive into the process of sanctification and how it draws us closer to God.

In this sermon, we learn the definition of justification and six elements of how this relates to our walk with Christ.

The fourth week of the 10 words series illustrates the importance of faith, our biblical examples in the faith, and the great God we put our faith in.

The third word in the 10 word series, reconciliation, walks through the story of the Bible is focused on the restoration of a right relationship with God and with others. 

This sermon centered on Ephesians 2 illustrates the importance of keeping grace in balance with the law. Too much grace leads makes grace cheap, but too much law will lead to legalism.

The Bible is unlike any other book, and this message displays the importance of trusting and establishing God's Word as our guide to life.

The third chapter of Ruth tells us the story of Ruth's bold proposal to Boaz on the threshing floor.