Hope Downtown Minneapolis Podcast

Every belief system has some form of prayer, but Christian prayer is unique in its form and placement of prayer, not at the center — but in response to what God has said. And yet, prayer is still commedically difficult, which is why we’re beginning a new sermon series looking at various prayers that have been written down in the Scriptures for our benefit. This week, we explore the prayer “I believe, help my unbelief!” Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

This week concludes our Made for God sermon series. A lot of ground has been covered to this point. Looking ahead, what does it look like to take the requisite time to understand the problems we currently face and the ones still to come from a biblical perspective and to respond appropriately? Each of us, ultimately, is made for God. And that truth makes all the difference when we consider the future of Hope as it relates to identity, gender, sex, and human dignity. Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Gender dysphoria is a term which describes the unease or distress due to a perceived incongruence between one’s biological sex and an internal sense of gender identity. Does the bible speak of such realities? And what is a gospel approach to those who respond to dysphoria with hormone treatment or surgery? And is it possible for the church to enter into their distress with a message of hope and help rather than demonstrations of neglect or harassment? For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The American Church has expressed different opinions about the nature, response, and implications of same-sex attraction. How does the bible square with these varied approaches? Is identity rightly tied to one’s attractions as some suggest or are such beliefs misguided? This week’s message will look more deeply into the realities of same-sex attraction. What does the gospel proclaim amidst same-sex attractions? Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The list of sexual sins is long. For every good and perfect gift that God has given, we have been quick to dishonor him and tarnish the gift of sex. This week’s message will not shrink back from addressing the ugliness and idolatry of sexual sin. But it will not leave us hopeless. The gospel speaks a better word than the empty claims of sexual sin. We hope that many will turn from sin to God and trust him for health and holiness. Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

From "your soulmate is waiting!" to "you complete me", the messages that surround romantic relationships often create unrealistic and burdensome expectations. Is there a better approach to these topics? This week, we continue our Made For God series, exploring singleness, dating, and marriage in light of the gospel. For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Let the Holy Spirit renew you as you consider the four aspects of gospel sexuality: IDENTITY in Jesus Alone, CLEANSED completely for all sin, especially sexual sin, FORGIVEN in Christ so that it was as if you have never sinned once in your life, and allowing the Sexual Integrity that the Gospel informs us to be your GUIDING PRINCIPLE moving forward. For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

There are two undeniable realities which emerge from the earliest pages of the Bible–God is Creator of all things and his work of creation is good. Given our current series, this means gender and sexuality are created by the Lord and, in an unblemished state, they are unquestionably good. So, we must first begin by acknowledging God’s initial design and intent for sex, gender, and human sexuality. Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What comes to mind when hearing the word “authority”? Most of us become uneasy because we’ve either observed or been hurt by someone who has misused authority. So how could it be that God’s authority is good news for us? In this first message of our new fall sermon series, we’ll take a closer look at God’s authority to answer that question. Questions to consider: God is asking us, “Do you trust me?” What’s your answer? If your answer is “no”, what is keeping you from trusting God’s authority in your life? Can you affirm from the onset of this series, prior to discussions of gender and sex, that God’s authority toward us is in these matters is good? For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The absolute center of human history happened over 2,000 years ago, on the very first Easter Sunday. Come, hear how the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the culmination of the story of Scripture as well as shouting a victory cry for us as well! Gospel Application – A thoughtful reflection on the five implication of Christ’s resurrection: 1) He is the One! 2) He is the first fruits! 3) The cross worked! 4) He is alive! 5) That same power is available to us today! Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Nothing speaks to the heart of Christianity and the storyline of the bible quite like the cross of Jesus Christ. Yet countless times we’re misled into thinking otherwise. We might think what is most important is our faith or our work to complete what has been left undone. This week we will see hear the good news that, on account of the cross, “It is finished!” Questions to consider: Are you thirsty for righteousness? Do you believe it’s finished? Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

“Our hope is lost.” This is the point we are at in God’s story. Is this the end? What is to happen next? Is it true that all hope is lost? You may feel similarly. If so, this sermon is for you. Questions to consider: 1) Are you feeling hopeless? If so, have you expressed this to God and at least one other person? 2) What has been your response to these feelings? In other words, what have you turned to for hope and life amidst your hopelessness? 3) Is it possible–here and now–that we let Jesus do a work of unwinding us, bit by bit, that we might be “dissevered” from those things in order to be reunited with the Lord of life and hope? Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

A key part of the Gospel is The Great Exchange, where Jesus takes our sin and we gain his righteousness. On an intimate level though, a large implication of that is that Jesus is able to relate to us in everything we go through. For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

If you were to ask 10 people on the street “what is the Kingdom of God?” you can expect to hear 10 different answers. After all, the phrase is used hundreds of times in the Scriptures. This week, we continue our summer series through the big story of the Bible, exploring what is and isn’t the Kingdom of God and why it matters in light of the gospel. Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

We see how God uses the 10th plague of the Passover to deal the final blow to the false Egyptian gods and as a result Moses and the Children of Israel are released.  Through the Biblical theme of Sacrificial Atonement the many parallels between this historical event and Jesus' death on the cross are quite obvious and demonstrate clearly that the Gospel was God’s first plan.  But how Jesus chose to teach his disciples about the greatest Passover in history may surprise you.  For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

If we pause and take a real look at the lineage of Jesus, it is quite shocking. Join us this week as we explore that Jesus is called the Lion of Judah. Really… Judah?? Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.