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This week we lit the fourth Advent Candle, remembering the Gift of Great Joy that Christ brought to the world at the first Christmas. Pastor Joel spoke about a joy that is deeper and longer lasting than merriment. Listen and be encouraged by these life-giving Biblical truths. 

One of the ways the New Testament describes the coming of the Messiah into the world is the light that he brought and continues to bring to us. The gift of light that Jesus brings us dispels darkness, reveals, and guides. Listen as Pastor Joel continues our advent series with a message on the the Light of Jesus. 

This week Pastor Joel continues our Advent Series around the theme of Hope. Hope is one of the profound gifts, presented to us by the coming of Christ. "Hope is not the absence of difficulties and suffering, it is the presence of something or someone that is not only good but strong enough to give meaning to our story." 

This Week Pastor Neil Clark began our Christmas series about the Gifts of Christmas. Throughout the Old Testament God made a consistent promise to His people--that someday He'd send a Messiah to save the world from sin. Listen as Pastor Neil unpacks this gift of Promise and what it means for us today. 

This week Pastor Joel concluded our Jars of Clay series from the book of 2nd Corinthians with a message about the sufficiency of God's grace for our sin, our shame, our sorrow,  and our service. 

Definition of MinistryChristian ministry is following the lead of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of others. It is the continuation of Jesus’ project of bringing heaven to earth--and we are all called to it. Distortions of helping others for their good: Helping others to feel good about myselfHelping others to gain their respect/attention/praiseHelping others to make sure they know I’m better than themHelping others so that they feel like they owe me something4 Distortions of Ministry by the False Apostles in CorinthDistorted Ministry Depends on an Attractive and Wealthy Lifestyle (2 Cor. 12:13,15)Distorted Ministry Depends on Crafty Persuasion (10:10)Distorted Ministry Depends on Authoritarian-Style Leadership (11:12)Distorted Ministry is Measured by Human Standards (10:12)4 Marks of Legitimate Ministry Demonstrated By PaulLegitimate Ministry is Aligned to God’s Will (10:13)Legitimate Ministry is Empowered by God (10:4)Legitimate Ministry is Approved by God (10:18)Legitimate Ministry is Marked by the Attitude of Christ (10:1, Mt. 11:29, Luke 6:20-26)“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you” (10:1)“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)Questions for ReflectionWhat kind of people do we look up to and learn from? Attractive, wealthy, powerful people? People who show off?People who use tricks, manipulation, or force to persuade us?What are some more humble sources from which we could learn? Those who have suffered much? The marginalized, colonized, underprivileged, persecuted?What does my ministry to others currently look like? Aligned to God’s will, or according to my own agenda?Empowered by God, or striving with my own strength?Approved by God, or comparing to others? Humble and gentle, or arrogant and forceful? 

This week Pastor Joel preached from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 about living a generous life. In these chapters, Paul is collecting money for Christians in need and writes compellingly about the joys of generosity. Listen as Pastor Joel shares insight into these passages and encourages us to step into that joy.  

This week Pastor Jelani Pinnock from Grace Church in Middleburg Heights, OH presented a thought-provoking message about handling conflict in a way that brings glory to God. This practical message comes from the Apostle Paul's discussion of his conflict with the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 7. 

This week Pastor Joel teaches from 2 Corinthians chapter 3 about the life that is available to us in the Spirit of God. God's Spirit inside of people enables them to live a life full of the fruit of God's Character in their life. 

This week Pastor Robert Brooks continued our Jars of Clay series with a message from 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. In this message, he shares important insights about our earthly bodies in contrast with the resurrection bodies we look forward to receiving one day. He helps us look forward with anticipation to the day we are at home in the presence of God. 

This Week Pastor Joel introduces a major faith step for Hope Community Church by reflecting on the unique faith journey of Gideon. God led Gideon one step at a time to accomplish his purposes. In this sermon, Pastor Joel recalls the step-by-step faith journey that has made up the 4.5-year history of Hope Community Church and shares the next major step of that journey. 

This week Pastor Jonathan Schaeffer preached through 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, explaining the importance of keeping our eyes "fixed on the unseen" rather than being overwhelmed by the troubles we face. 

This week Pastor Joel continues his series on ministering to others out of our weaknesses. Listen as he unpacks important themes from the 2nd chapter of 2nd Corinthians.  Transformational ministry only happens by the power of Christ in us. Christ in us brings love and truth. Christ in us is triumph. Christ in us changes the environment. 

"Spiritual ministry flows out of the life of God. It is not a vocation. It is the calling of all those who follow Christ. Ministry happens when the supernatural life of God is at work in my life in a way that brings growth and spiritual fruit in the life of others.The source of spiritual ministry is the Holy Spirit living through us. The context in which it takes place is in our weakness and troubles."

This weekend Pastor Joel shared with us the story of the twelve spies who were sent into the promised land in Numbers 13. In this message, he encourages us to embrace what God has promised, align with God's perspective, and embrace love, which is stronger than fear. 

This week Pastor Joel revisits the story of Joseph, highlighting the journey of Joseph's brothers toward true repentance and Joseph's incredible act of forgiveness.

Listen this week as Pastor Joel shares about a seemingly unlikely addition to the Hebrews 11 list of heroes of the faith: Rahab. In the story of Rahab we find the Scandelous Grace of God.

This week we learn faith from the life of Jacob. Jacob's story is not one of perfection but if deceit, striving, floundering, and, finally, a trusting faith. Listen as Pastor Joel shared a wealth of insight from this story.

This week Pastor Josiah Stumbo shares insight from the character of Moses, which remarkably resembles the character of Christ. Learn how Perceiving God-Ordained Potential, Incurring Personal Risk, and Unleashing Faith in others leads to a faith in God that is Evidenced by self-sacrificial love. Download the Elements of Cross-Shaped Faith image by clicking here: Elements of Cross-Shaped Faith

This weekend we were blessed to have Jeff Amstutz share some of the highlights from his amazing journey following the Lord. His story is filled with faith, encouragement, and even a few miracles along the way. Jeff is currently the director of Dental Residency Plus.