Hope Downtown Minneapolis Podcast

An Old Testament figure named Naaman appeared to have it all––riches, power, favor. But he encountered a problem he couldn’t fix. And through his story we see how God often operates in unexpected or (from a worldly perspective) upside-down ways. Would Naaman (and will we) trust in the solution God offers? Cloud of Witnesses Drew Heindel Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

An Old Testament figure named Hagar identifies God as the One who sees her. As part of our cloud of witnesses, she encourages us to believe that God sees all the details of our lives including those parts we’re ashamed of. More than that, as Tim Keller said, God loves us “all the way to the bottom” seeing all of our unlovable parts yet declaring “I love you anyway.” Cloud of Witnesses Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

It starts with two brothers and two offerings. One is accepted, the other isn’t, and what unfolds exposes something hidden in all of us—a quiet comparison, a craving to be enough, a soul that won’t settle. You can’t outwork that restlessness, but you can let better blood speak. Cloud of Witnesses Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Our current cultural moment lends itself to highly narrated identities. What is a highly narrated identity? It’s a self-conception that is shaped, curated, and reinforced through continuous personal storytelling. Essentially, you’re the author. Scripture confronts this thinking and invites to embrace a new author and new identity, one beyond your ability to manufacture. Cloud of Witnesses Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently overturns people’s expectations and reshapes their understanding of who God is and what He is doing. He flips the script by working in unexpected places, changing lives, and transforming the world through a group of the most unlikely people. In the most surprising act of all, he dies and rises again—so that now through the good news of the gospel, he can rewrite any story. Cloud of Witnesses Paul Stiver Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

This passage is filled with perils, promises, and planks. The bible often uses narrative to communicate spiritual realities. In this story, a ship is destroyed and those unable to swim cling to wood planks eventually arriving safely ashore. Isn’t that our spiritual story—awash in sin and death until a wooden plank in the form of a cross surfaces and saves us? Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Through four “snapshots” we cover a lot of the middle of the book of Acts, allow us to reflect and enjoy all the beauty of wonder of the gospel’s spread on Paul’s second missionary journey. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In our study of Acts so far, we have seen a lot of things. In chapter 15 we see this new movement of the followers of Jesus facing a very real threat, that, if not handled correctly, would be the end of true Christianity! Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In faith, and in life, we keep score. I’m winning. Ope, I’m losing. Nope, I’m back to winning. Oh, I think I just lost. The great relief we find in the bible is that Jesus has played the game and won. Dear friend, relax…do away with the many scorecards of life…and trust afresh in the good news of Jesus. Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Some words stretch over time -- literally, awesome, curated, decadent. The word Christian may fall into that category too, loaded with assumptions, baggage, and cultural shorthand. But in Acts 11, we see its very first use in history not to describe the squeaky clean or hyper-religious, but those rescued by Jesus, relieved by grace, and racing to the bottom with love. Being a Christian isn’t about climbing higher, but living in light of the storm that’s already passed. Grace is the big relief at the heart of Christianity -- and it changes everything. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In the longest narrative in the book of Acts, we see a twist to the story of Scripture that for us, seems like no big deal, but for the early church was earth shattering. The Gentiles are to be included in the church WITHOUT having to convert to Judaism. And, there are plenty of applications for us today as well. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Early in Scripture, our ancestors were told not to eat from one tree—but they did. Since then, nothing has been as it should be. We keep seeking life and fulfillment in ways we weren’t made for. Is there hope? Yes—through another tree. The cross, a tree of death, has become for us the tree of life. How can we be sure? The resurrection of Jesus is our proof. Easter 2025 Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In your sphere of influence, who is the person who comes to your mind as “the very last person who would ever become a follower of Jesus?” If you were to ask the early church that, they would have said, “Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the church.” And yet, in God’s ironic economy, Saul not only is converted to following Jesus, he becomes the most influential person ever as a spokesperson for Jesus. Hear how Jesus’ work in Saul’s life transformed him to be this person. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What kind of power really changes a person? In Acts 8, we meet two forces most of us know well: the pressure to follow the rules and the drive to prove ourselves through performance. One scatters the church through fear. The other tries to buy the Spirit like a promotion. But what if real transformation comes not through control or success, but through weakness? Acts 8 isn’t just a story of power, but a quiet confrontation of how the gospel flips our idea of strength upside down. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In the production of Hamilton, Aaron Burr reflected that he is the villain in American history due to his killing of Alexander. It could be argued that Burr is not the only villain in the story. Similarly, in this biblical passage, Stephen recounts many villains within the biblical story. Who are they and why does it matter? Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In this passage, a group of Christians come together to solve a problem…and they do it without issue. What!? Is that even possible? If so, how? That’s what this sermon spends time dissecting and contemplating. Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In one of the most difficult passages in the book of Acts, we can find real hope in developing a fear of the Lord that drives us TO Jesus, as opposed to away from him. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The book of Acts is written as story, with all of the details being relevant for us to ponder. This week, in Acts 4:1-31, we will exam those details and let God work in our lives through the telling of this amazing account! Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What if miracles aren’t about breaking the laws of nature but about restoring what’s broken? In Acts 3, a lame man was hoping for spare change and God gave him something far greater. We tend to look for quick fixes, but the real miracle isn’t just walking; it’s being made whole. The healing we need most isn’t physical but spiritual. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The Early Church devoted themselves to certain practices. What were they? And, more importantly, why were these spiritual practices their priority? Because physical practices reveal spiritual priorities. Through this passage, we (re)examine what our own physical practices may be revealing about our spiritual priorities. Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.