Hope Church

In week two of our Etched in Stone series, Mark unpacks the Second Commandment—“No Idols”—by reminding us that the Ten Commandments aren’t a way to earn God’s favor, but a path to walk in relationship with Him. Just like a train needs tracks to move forward, our lives were designed to flourish when aligned with God's ways. Idolatry isn’t just an ancient problem—it’s a human one. Whether it’s our preferences, feelings, or a distorted view of God, anything that replaces or reshapes Him in our hearts becomes an idol. But God hasn’t left us guessing about who He is—He’s revealed Himself in creation, His Word, and ultimately in Jesus. When we truly see Him, we can worship Him rightly and live with purpose.

Ross kicks off our new series Etched in Stone by reframing the Ten Commandments not as restrictive rules but as gracious words from a personal, redeeming, and ruling God who desires relationship with His people. In this week’s message from Exodus 20:1–3, we explore the foundational first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ross shows how God gives His law after rescuing His people—not to earn freedom, but to teach them how to live as His own. The commandments reveal who God is, who we are, and how we are to relate to Him—with undivided worship. Ultimately, they point us to our deep need for Jesus, the one who fulfilled the law perfectly and enables us, by grace, to live for God’s glory.

In this message from our One Another series, Pastor Ross unpacks what it means to handle one another’s maturity in Christ—not as a solo journey but a shared one. Drawing from Romans, Colossians, and Galatians, he shows how spiritual growth happens in community when we are devoted to one another like family, teaching one another the Word of Christ, and serving one another humbly in love. These aren't just spiritual tasks to check off, but the relational soil where discipleship takes root. When we live this way, we reflect the very heart of Jesus—who was perfectly devoted, the ultimate teacher, and a servant to all.

Marty walks us through four often-overlooked “one another” commands in Scripture that are essential for how we handle sin—in ourselves and each other—as a church. In a culture that resists accountability and avoids the topic of sin, we’re called to something deeper: to submit to one another, admonish one another, spur one another on, and forgive one another. These practices are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary for us to grow in holiness, protect each other from sin’s destruction, and reflect the grace and power of the Gospel together.

Mark challenges us to “handle one another’s differences” by living out the “one another” commands of Scripture—not just tolerating each other’s quirks, but actively choosing humility, love, and honor in the midst of our differences. Using the metaphor of cartilage in a knee, he explains that these biblical instructions—like patience, gentleness, and forgiveness—keep our relationships from becoming painfully abrasive. While it’s natural to get annoyed with others, especially in close community, we’re called to bear with one another in love, not isolate or grumble. This isn’t extra-credit Christianity—it’s the outflow of God’s work in us. As we clothe ourselves with compassion and put on sincere love, we reflect God’s grace and put the gospel on display in a broken world.

In this message, Mark unpacks Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28—the Great Commission—as both a call and a promise. After exploring the life-changing invitation to follow Jesus, Mark challenges us to embrace the next step: making disciples. He reminds us that this command isn't just for the spiritually gifted, but for all who follow Christ. Mark identifies two common missteps—reversing the order of discipleship and believing evangelism is only for experts—and replaces them with a clear, grace-filled path: be a disciple and make disciples. It starts with understanding our own need for rescue and continues as we share the hope we’ve found in Jesus with those around us. And through it all, Jesus assures us of His presence, power, and partnership.

Today, Caleb, our Student Pastor, shares a powerful message on identity, walking us through Psalm 139 and reminding us that our true worth is found in Christ alone. Drawing from conversations with students and personal stories, Caleb challenges us to recognize how often we chase after false identities rooted in appearance, status, wealth, or skills—and how easily we let the world define us. Instead, he points us back to the unshakable truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, known intimately by a God who sees our hearts, not our performance. As we explore what it means to live out our spiritual identity—beloved, righteous, heirs of God, and equipped by His strength—Caleb invites us to step out from behind the masks we wear and fully embrace the freedom and calling we have in Christ.

Ross’s Easter 2025 message invites us to experience the resurrection of Jesus not as a past event, but as a present reality that changes everything. He unpacks how the risen Christ gives us new life—a new position with God, a new perspective on the world, a new purpose for living, and new power through His Spirit. Through the lens of Scripture and real-life baptism, we’re reminded that this life transformation is available not just historically, but personally, today. The empty tomb isn’t just proof of victory over death—it’s an invitation to step into life with Christ right now.

In this week’s message, Pastor Mark walks us through the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, contrasting him with the unlikely team Jesus builds—fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and outcasts. This man seems like the perfect candidate: wealthy, respected, and moral. Yet when Jesus invites him to follow, the cost—giving up his wealth—is too great. Mark unpacks the invitation through three parts: the character, the call, and the cost. In the end, we’re challenged to consider what we might be holding onto that keeps us from fully surrendering to Jesus.

In this message, Marty continues the Easter series Follow Me by focusing on Jesus’ call to Matthew in Matthew 9:9. He reminds us that the same invitation extended to a despised tax collector thousands of years ago is still being offered to us today. Jesus—who holds power over creation, the spiritual realm, and sin—sees us in our brokenness and calls us to follow Him, not because of our worthiness but because of His grace. Marty challenges us to reflect on who Jesus is, why He would choose someone like us, and what it truly means to follow Him—leaving our past behind, living in a new identity, listening to His voice, serving with our gifts, and surrendering control of our lives to Him.

In this Family Worship message, Ross opens a new series leading to Easter by unpacking the simple yet life-changing invitation of Jesus: “Follow Me.” Looking at Matthew 4:18–22, we see Jesus call His first disciples—ordinary fishermen—to respond in faith, rely on Him completely, and step into a new purpose: reaching the world. Ross challenges us to consider what it truly means to follow Jesus—not just in word, but in daily surrender and obedience—and invites us to reflect on the character, call, and cost of discipleship in our own lives.

Ross concludes the Galatians series by walking us through Paul’s closing words in Galatians 6:11–18, where we’re invited to consider what we truly boast in—ourselves or the cross of Christ. In a world that often encourages us to find identity, comfort, and purpose in our own efforts, Paul makes a bold declaration: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ross highlights the danger of relying on our own achievements and the freedom that comes when we root our identity in what Jesus has done, not what we do. In Christ, we are a new creation—set free to live a life of transformation, not performance.

Mark’s sermon draws from Galatians 6:1-10, comparing Paul’s exhortation to a coach’s halftime speech—motivating, instructing, and calling believers to action. He highlights how true freedom in Christ is lived out by walking in step with the Holy Spirit, leading us to carry each other’s burdens with love and humility. Paul’s message is clear: believers are not lone pioneers but a team, responsible for confronting sin with grace, supporting one another in struggles, and faithfully carrying their own load without comparison. The sermon emphasizes perseverance—continuing in obedience, sowing to the Spirit, and committing to doing good to all, regardless of differences. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we grow in love, endurance, and selfless service, reflecting Christ’s sacrifice in our daily lives.

True freedom in Christ is not about indulging in sin but walking by the Spirit. In Galatians 5:13-26, Paul warns against two dangerous extremes—legalism and license—and calls us to a life led by the Holy Spirit. Freedom in Christ is not an excuse to follow our sinful desires but an invitation to be transformed by His grace. As we walk by the Spirit, we bear the fruit of God’s character—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This transformation not only strengthens our relationship with God but also impacts how we love and serve others.

Marty challenges us to consider the question, “What’s the big deal?” as he unpacks Paul’s passionate warning in Galatians 5. The Galatians had been led astray by false teaching, believing they needed to add religious works to their faith in Christ to be truly accepted by God. Paul makes it clear—if you add to faith in Jesus, you risk losing everything. Marty walks us through five powerful truths that are lost when we stop fully trusting in Christ: His obedience, His grace, His righteousness, His love, and His truth. In the end, he calls us to treasure Jesus above all else, recognizing that our faith in Him is the biggest deal in our lives.

Ross's sermon on Freedom in Christ: Galatians 4:8-5:1 calls us to stand firm in the gospel, rejecting any attempt to earn salvation through works. He emphasizes Paul's warning to the Galatians, who were turning back to legalism and idolatry instead of embracing the freedom found in Christ. Paul reminds them that salvation comes by faith alone, not by obeying the law. Using the story of Abraham, Ross illustrates the contrast between trying to take control and relying on God's promise. His message is clear: we must let go of idols, relinquish control, and cling to Jesus, standing firm in the freedom He has secured for us.

Mark's sermon focuses on Paul’s message in Galatians 3:26–4:7, emphasizing our new identity in Christ. Through faith, we are no longer slaves to sin but have been adopted as children of God and made heirs to His promises. Paul highlights that the law once enslaved us, revealing our inability to meet God's standard on our own. But through Christ’s redemption, we are not just freed from sin—we are welcomed into God’s family, given the Holy Spirit, and granted the full rights of an heir. This transformation calls us to live with confidence, not as fearful slaves, but as beloved children assured of our Father’s love.

Ross's sermon on Galatians 3:15-25 explores the relationship between God's promise to Abraham and the Law given through Moses, emphasizing that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works. He explains how the law reveals our sin and points us to our need for a Savior, serving as a guide until Christ fulfilled it. Through vivid illustrations, he highlights God's unchanging promise, the law’s purpose, and the freedom found in Jesus. The message calls us to trust in Christ alone, leaving behind the burden of works-based righteousness to embrace the rest and assurance found in Him.