Hope Alliance Bethlehem

Joy

Joy, as a fruit of the Spirit, cannot be produced but can be promoted through our beliefs and the leading of the Spirit.  When we focus on God's faithfulness we find joy.  And when we focus our purposes and hope on Jesus and his mission, we find joy.  Doing this as individual persons leads us to be a church and people of joy.

Living with Expectancy

Exodus closes with the building of the tabernacle. Its a wonderful picture of generosity in sacrifice and service for the kingdom of God. It is also a tremendous act of faith and expectancy. Massive sacrifice and effort precedes God's fulfillment of his promise to dwell amongst them. And then the book closes with the glory of God in the midst of the people - a great announcement of their forgiveness. This is our hope and mission as the church too. And it is a mission worth our greatest and m...

Worship the God Who Forgives

After the massive failure of the golden calf, Moses enters into a lengthy negotiation with God about the future of Israel. Rather than father a new nation, Moses offers himself as a substitute sacrifice and leverages his relationship with God for the forgiveness and good of the people. This is exactly what Jesus has done for us in light of our rebellion and failures. As a result, we get to see the splendor of God's glory. And the only response is worship.

The Problem with Graven Images

The golden calf incident is a story of massive failure. More than simply making an idol, Israel was compromising the grandeur and totality of God with their local surroundings and embracing a pluralistic mindset. We tend to do the same things quite often. Like them, it typically comes from an impatience with God. Rather than embracing God for all of who he is, we take preferred slices and form a god in our own image. This always leads to self-indulgence and destruction.

Gifted by God

When it came time to actually build the tabernacle and its contents, God pointed Moses to a man named Bezalel. God had gifted him with the right talent and abilities and filled him with his Spirit. In many ways, Bezalel, like all of humanity, is acting as a mini-creator in the shadow of the Creator. We too have been gifted by God to join him in his mission to redeem and restore our world. And we work as agents of new creation in the shadow of Jesus, the author of New Creation.

The High Priest

If God is going to live amongst a broken people, then the role of the high priest is critical. He will represent God to man and he will represent man to God, cultivating the necessary balance. But standing in this gap is a dangerous job, especially for a human wearing diving splendor. Ultimately, God would take on human flesh and provide our ultimate high priest, Jesus.

A God Who Dwells Among Us

Among the first instructions God gives Moses, are those to build the tabernacle. This will be the place that God resides and from which he leads the people. This stunning revelation of God's intent to dwell with his people despite their failures should never cease to amaze us. What's more he invites the people themselves to build this mobile dwelling and in so doing calls them directly into his plan to establish his kingdom to restore the earth. 

Marked by Covenant Blood

After giving the law, God enacts a covenant with his people. He will lead them and defeat their enemies, but they must listen and obey his voice, staying true to him.  A sacrifice is made and the blood marks not only the altar, but the people as well. Then God descends to the mountain. Though the Israelites would fail to keep this covenant, the prophets looked forward to a new covenant, no longer written on stone but instead on human hearts. Jesus descended from heaven to initiate this new c...

The Covenant Code

The Covenant Code of Exodus is a series of laws and societal expectations that flow out of the Ten Commandments into the context of Israel forming as a nation. Through them we can see God's intent that his people live their lives on the basis of their identity as his rescued people, reconnected to their original purpose of worship and bearing his image within creation. This is our same purpose. And we need to constantly be thinking about how we embody that contextually in our world today.

Walk in Community

To walk with Jesus is necessarily to walk in community. The Bible portrays community as a state of togetherness - regular proximity - and intentionally meeting each others needs.  The blessing of community only happens when we individually commit ourselves to the centrality of the gospel, partnering in God's mission, breaking bread, and prayer.

Walk in Freedom

To walk in the light means to walk in purity and truth. Not only does sin separate us from God, but so too does deceit. When we deceive ourselves about our brokenness and faithfulness, we distance ourselves from God. Confession is a gracious gift that allows us to be reentered in the gospel and reconnected to God. Obedience allows us to walk and live where God is already walking and residing.

Walk in Step with God

Everyone is looking for the full life. Jesus said it is only found in knowing God. And that the only way to God is through him. For all those who are weary and burdened from trying to find a full life on their own, Jesus calls us to be yoked to him and experience life the way it was meant to be lived - in connection with God. Then you will find true rest for your soul.

New Creation

Easter is at its core an announcement of new creation in and through Jesus. It is also an invitation for us to join him and embrace our true identity. The old (past) is gone, the new is here!

Re-embracing a Creational Identity

To truly understand the Ten Commandments, we have to see them in the context of covenant and creation. In fact, at their core, they are an invitation by God for his people to reassume their identity they were created for - worshippers and image bearers to the world. This is why Jesus would later summarize the law in two big ideas: love God and love your neighbor. And at the center of this call to true identity is heart transformation, not simply external obedience.

Betrothed to God

As Israel finally makes it to Mt. Sinai, God reasserts the covenant to them. They will be his special possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. Accepting this covenant, the people are consecrated and cleansed and come to the foot of the mountain to be joined to God - a wedding betrothal. However, the need for cleansing can only be fully undone with an even greater act of covenant grace by God. It is Jesus who brings the ultimate union and closeness to God.

The Lord is my Banner

Almost to Sinai, Israel is attacked by the Amalekites. While Joshua leads the battle on the field, Moses lifts his staff on the hill. The battle is fought in the valley, but won on the hill. So too in our lives as we battle sin and evil, we are called to get dirty and fight, even while the victory is ultimately won by Jesus on the ultimate hill. We fight not for victory, but from victory. And like the Israelites, we should be regularly collecting memorials and building altars. 

An Important Reminder to Leaders

Jethro comes to an overwhelmed Moses with some practical and important advice. Raise up and equip leaders who can carry the ministry with you. But that alone is simply an organizational strategy. Leaders can't simply trust in their talents or their capacity. They need the power of the Spirit to help guide the people of God to embrace his covenant and find transformation. And even then the grace of God is sufficient for all our failings as leaders.

Grumbling and Grace

Right on the heels of their miraculous crossing of the sea, the Israelites are grumbling.  Why? They don't trust God because they don't know God. Yet God responds in grace, teaching them the posture of dependence. He is leading them to full life. Ultimately, full life is found in Jesus, the bread of heaven who brings life to the world.

Identity Crisis at the Red Sea

As Pharoah's army approached the people have an identity crisis. But God fights in their silence and reminds them who they truly are. and the follow him into the Red Sea - a place of simultaneous judgment and salvation.  The ultimate place of deliverance and judgment is the cross of Christ where God makes an unexpected way to new creation and new identity. And our only response is worship.

Death in Egypt

The final plague that God brings on Egypt is stunning. The death of the firstborn throughout the land. A better understanding of Sin, family, and judgment can help us situate this plague contextually. And God provides another option for all who listen - a substitutionary sacrificial meal could mark the family instead. This would be the very meal that Jesus redefined around himself, embodying God's ultimate Passover. * Our apologies, the very beginning of the talk was cut off.

A Snake that Swallows All Others

The story of the plagues God brings on Egypt is well known. But why do they come? Exodus gives us two reasons. First the reality of the hardness of heart. Second, so that the power of God might be on display. Temporary chaos brings creation order out of the ongoing chaos of the world. The people of god belong to him, not to Pharaoh.

Work or Worship?

The difference between God and Pharaoh is deep and consequential. To put it simply, it is the difference between work and worship.  Which one is our identity? Pharaoh and all the proverbial pharaohs since enslave us, while God offers a freedom that restores us to our original created identity.

Excuses, Excuses

Moses has lots of reasons why he shouldn't embrace God's call. But his real issue was that his focus was on himself and the task, not on God and his call. This would not be accomplished by the power of Moses, but by the power of God. And even in his frustration, God shows his persistent graciousness toward Moses (and us) as he wrestles with the call. 

Sacred Rescue, Sacred Call

In the famous story of the burning bush, we see a God willing to come down from his mountain in order to initiative a dramatic rescue of his people.  If we look a little closer, we also see the imagery of God working to reverse the curses of the Fall. This would lead to the great Exodus and allow the people to once again dwell with God. Of course, this ultimately points to a far greater exodus, initiated when God came to earth in the person of Jesus. Like Moses, God is calling us to be agent...

A New Kind of Ark

In the midst of pain and oppression, God begins his rescue with a new kind of ark. This vessel not only preserves Moses, but allows the patient goodness of God to be injected into the very court of Pharaoh and we see the plans of Pharaoh undone. This though is only a microcosm of what is to come. By the middle of the chapter, Moses chooses into his Hebrew identity and by the end of the chapter the people are ready for God's rescue.

God Fulfills His Promises

In Exodus 1, we find the people of God enslaved and in trouble.  But the author wants us as readers to know that despite their troubling circumstances, God cannot be stopped from fulfilling His promise to multiply and grow them.  And, He will not be stopped from liberating them to worship Him in their own land.

Joseph

Joseph was not just the earthly father of Jesus. He was an incredible example of humility. His care for Mary, obedience to God, and embrace of Jesus show us what love looks like. Jesus, though, is the ultimate embodiment of humility and love in his journey to the cross for our protection. And he is the rightful king that neither Joseph, nor any of us, could ever be.

Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel was the leader of the first group of Israelites to return from exile.  He led the people to rebuild the temple in the midst of persecution and enemies. But this temple, and Zerubbabel himself were actually signs pointing forward toward something greater.  Jesus would lead the ultimate return from exile and rebuild the temple in his death and resurrection.

Solomon

Solomon was the son of David who presided as king over a time of great peace and prosperity in Israel. Though he was famous for his wisdom and discernment, pride and power got the best of him and led to total corruption. What about God's promise for a son of David to sit on the throne forever? His ultimate answer is Jesus, the better Solomon. His kingdom is forever and brings the true peace and justice that we long for.

David

Though an unexpected choice, David was empowered by the Spirit and killed the giant. God promised him an eternal throne and reign of peace and prosperity. David's story is not just triumph though, its equal parts prideful tragedy. For their to be an eternal reign of peace, Israel would need a new David. Jesus is the ultimate David who killed the ultimate giant and brings peace once and for all.

Ruth and Boaz

The story of Ruth and Boaz is a story of unexpected kindness. Kindness that lays down one's life for another to protect and preserve them. In all, this kindness finds its source in God himself who is providentially meeting his people. And Jesus is the ultimate Boaz who not only lays down his life for us, but marries us into the family of God.

Rahab

As two spies blow their cover, they are surprisingly protected by a Canaanite woman named Rahab.  Why? Because she had experienced a transformation and her faith was now in the God of Israel.  As a result, her house would be marked by God and she wold be preserved. Rahab appears in the genealogy of Jesus because he is the ultimate fulfillment of this story. We find refuge in Jesus and are marked by God and welcomed into this family.

Judah and Tamar

Why include such a horrible story in the genealogy of Jesus? Matthew does so to remind us of the destructive power of sin and the redemptive power of grace. Grace is greater than sin. And he shows that Jesus came right into the mess of this world in order to rescue it.

Jacob

Isaac

Isaac arrived as an unexpected joy to his parents and the world. But at the climax of his story, in faith he willingly laid down his life.  God supernaturally intervened to provide a sacrifice.  Isaac story foretells the story of Jesus - an unexpected to joy to his parents and the world who willingly laid down his life and was supernaturally raised from the dead.  Jesus is the ultimate Isaac.

Abraham

God gave Abraham an outrageous call.  He was to leave home for a foreign land where he would become a great nation to bless the world.  Abraham's faithful response is amazing, but it is also faulty.  But ultimately Jesus would fulfill this great call and covenant to launch a family that blesses the world.  And we get to be part of it!

Multiplication Mindset

God’s gifts are meant to be shared.  With this in mind, our aim at Hope is to see people come to embrace Jesus and grow, while investing themselves to make this happen in others as well.  In the same way, we want to see our ministries and even our church reproduced.  We have a multiplication mindset.

Genuine Connections

Too much in life is artificial!  At Hope, our desire is to see people make a real connection to God and real connections to each other.  We also want to help people connect to their unique, God-given calling so they can pursue it.

Casual Depth

At Hope we believe it should not be hard to meet Jesus, but it is hard to stay with him.  So, we are guided by a key priority we call casual depth.  That means we want to create environments were everyone is welcome without expectation.  But when we gather, we also intend to to go deep in the gospel and in relationships to find the true life that Jesus offers.

Gospel Saturation

At Hope we value gospel saturation.  Everything we do is saturated with the gospel because it is our true message and the only way we can bear fruit.  The gospel is not just an entrance into faith, it is the ongoing basis of faith.   

Simply Jesus

At Hope, we are defined by the statement Simply Jesus.   Jesus is first.  Everything else is second.  It's that simple.  The story of the transfiguration helps remind us that our role is to point people to Jesus only and avoid the common pitfalls and traps of religion.

The LORD is My Shepherd

Everyone has a shepherd.  In Psalm 23, David is telling us that God is the best shepherd.  Why?  He lead us to true contentment.  He nourishes our soul and gives it true rest.  He directs us toward God, even through dark seasons.  And he is a covenant companion with us.  

The LORD is My Strength

The psalmist says that one day in God's presence is better than a thousand elsewhere.  Why?  Because in God's presence we find strength.  The presence of God is our true home where we experience his genuine care, are restored by his grace and are redirected to worship.  In God's presence we are immersed in his goodness and even the valleys of weeping become blessings.

The LORD is My Refuge

The psalmists love to remind us that God is our refuge.  That amidst the darkness of the night and terror of the day, God is our shield and protector.  However, this is not simply a call to hide in fear, but rather an assurance to keep moving forward.  And as we engage the world around us, we do so with God as our refuge when we trust, love and call on him.

The LORD is Compassionate

When David says that God is compassionate, he is reminding his forgetful soul of what God has done and who God is - his character and his covenant.  This is the God who forgives and restores us. The God who redeems and rescues us.  The God who crowns us with his love and adorns us with his goodness.   This is a God to be feared and praised.

The LORD is Good

In the course of life, just like David, we run into fears, pain, loneliness, guilt and uncertainty.  Often beneath these feelings are deep questions in our soul.  David asked those same questions.  Will I be ashamed?  Can I trust God?  Is God good?  But he knew the Lord was good because he had experienced his guidance, his forgiveness, his protection and his comfort.

The LORD is Holy

The holiness of God represented by the ark of the covenant was an anchor for the people of God.  No matter their circumstances or the powers that threatened them, the holiness of God meant that his just and equitable reign not only existed but would prevail.  How do we live in a broken, unjust and inequitable world today?  The resurrection of Jesus is our anchor, a fulfillment of the ark's promise of God's presence and victory.  

The LORD is God

Psalm 95 reminds us that the LORD is God.  He is the God far above any would be gods and he is our God who shepherds us through this life.  Our only response, no matter the current circumstances of life, is worship.  Worship is both an emotional and a volitional response to the realization that God is both the God and our God.

The Way of Love

Paul tells the church at Ephesus to walk in the way of love.  What does this mean and how can we do it?  Perhaps the best answer comes from another letter of Paul to the church at Corinth.  In his famous poem on love, Paul shows us the volitional and active nature of love that we have experience from God and that we are called to exhibit in our lives.  

Love Listens

Central to loving another person is listening to them.  When we genuinely listen to each other, we affirm our shared humanity.  In an age of shouting over each other and the polarization that brings, Christians ought to lead the way in loving by listening.  We listen to understand.  And we listen to prepare ourselves to speak well if prompted.  In so doing, we follow the example of Jesus.