Explore the true meaning of the holiday beyond the bunnies and eggs. Discover the joy and hope of Jesus' resurrection through a heartfelt sermon that delves into the Gospel of Luke. Learn about the women who first witnessed the empty tomb and how their message changed the world. Let's celebrate the transformative power of the resurrection and share its light with everyone around us. 

God has Hope for you here.
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If you had unlimited supernatural powers, how would you save the world?
(It wouldn't be like this.)

A dive into the powerful story of Jesus' crucifixion in Luke 23:33-56. We reflect on Jesus' prayer for forgiveness, the profound darkness that covered the land, and his ultimate trust in the Father. We also explore the impact of his death on those who witnessed it, including the repentant criminal, the centurion, and Joseph of Arimathea. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of the cross.

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Three very different parades. Jesus' humble entry, Pilate's grand procession, and the sad march to the cross. We are invited to walk alongside Simon of Cyrene, discovering the unexpected and life-changing nature of discipleship. The Daughters of Jerusalem's mourning prompts us to consider our own attitudes toward suffering and judgment. The sermon closes with an inspiring call to action: to carry our crosses daily, follow Jesus through life's trials, and find solace in the hope of His resurrection. This message challenges us to live each day with faith and hope in our hearts.

God has Hope for you here.
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The "Eagle Face" sermon concluded the "Four Faces of Worship" series by delving into the symbolism of the eagle in worship. 

The message began with a humorous reflection on how we often worship the wrong things, turning good things into idols that ultimately lead to our destruction. The sermon highlighted that worship is not optional; we are created to worship, and the only question is what we will worship. The eagle, a symbol of vision and soaring faith, reminds us that true worship involves trusting in God's strength and relying on His promises. 

The sermon also touched on the importance of worship in shaping our lives and culture, drawing on Luther's ideas about the centrality of God's Word and music in worship. 

The message concluded with a call to keep our eyes focused on God, reminding us that worship is a response to God's actions and is integral to our identity as His people.

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In this thought-provoking message, Kemper Crabb delves into the profound symbolism of the "Man Face" in the Four Faces of Worship series. Drawing inspiration from the song "One of Us" by Joan Osborne, Kemper explores the deep connection between humanity and divinity, and how the incarnation shapes our understanding of worship. Join us as we journey through this insightful sermon, uncovering the layers of meaning behind the "Man Face" of the cherubim in worship and its implications for our lives as followers of Christ. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of worship.

God has Hope for you here.
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People like to complain about church—both the people who go and the people who don't. There's no shortage of opinions. Irrelevant, boring, cliquey, too traditional, not traditional enough, judgmental—and then there's the music. 

But what does the Bible say about worship? What does "worship" even mean? Where is it supposed to take place? What is it supposed to look like?

This message is going stretch your imagination—maybe even give you nightmares. Picture it: thousands of angels in joyful assembly, proclaiming God’s holiness. It’s far more mysterious and powerful than we realize.

So, despite the complaints, worship is essential. It’s not about doing God a favor—He doesn’t need our worship. We need it. It sets the direction for our lives, bowing before God in everything we do. And it’s all because of Jesus, who became human to save us. That’s why we show up every week—to respond with thankful praise for what He’s done for us.

God has Hope for you here.
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This is a message that will challenge your perspective (especially those religious ideas that you think will save you), ignite your faith, and deepen your understanding of the Gospel. You will be transported to the foot of a mountain, where an extraordinary event unfolds before your eyes, revealing the very essence of who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish.

In this captivating narrative, we'll explore the Transfiguration story from the Gospel of Mark, unraveling its layers of meaning and drawing out timeless truths that resonate with our lives today. Join us as we embark on a transformative exploration of faith, encountering profound insights that will inspire, convict, and ultimately lead us to a deeper relationship with the Savior. Get ready to listen, to learn, and to be profoundly moved by the message of hope and redemption found in the person of Jesus Christ.

God has Hope for you here.
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Ever thought about how our bodies are like precision instruments, and a tiny fever can throw everything off balance? It's crazy how delicate the whole setup is. Today, we're delving into the nitty-gritty of life's intricacies, from fevers to demons, and how it all ties into the big picture.

We will ponder the marvel of our existence. The Goldilocks Zone, where everything has to be just right for life to thrive.

Now, imagine this: God, way out there at the edge of space, taking a close look at us. From the vastness of the cosmos outside the created reality, all the way in to the microscopic details of our lives, it's a mind-boggling shift from the infinite to the intimate.

Today, we're digging into the Gospel of Mark, checking out how Jesus handled fevers and demons, bringing divine authority into the world. It's not just a historical account; it's intimately connected to the things we deal with today.

From fevers to faith, we're navigating a journey that starts at church but echoes through our everyday lives. 

Have you experienced the frustration of trying to follow Jesus while juggling the demands of work, family, and life in general? Discover how to find clarity in this week's message. Explore the connection between worship, love, and service in a way that goes beyond the Sunday service.

We’re like secret agents. Gospel ninjas. Our ultimate loyalty is always with the kingdom of heaven which gives new meaning to all the important things we do in our ordinary lives.

God has Hope for you here.
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God knows every detail about you, including your thoughts and secrets. Is that comforting or unsettling? This Psalm is a prayer for facing darkness and difficult times—God promises constant presence and guidance, even in your darkest moments. This sermon will consider God's intricate involvement in creating you and having a plan for your life. There is also a twist ending to this Psalm having to do with enemies—understanding that your main adversaries are spiritual forces like sin, death, and hell. However, sometimes your enemies will be people. How should Christians deal with their enemies? Love them? Hate them? The passage concludes with a bold prayer for your self-examination, expressing confidence in God's forgiveness through your connection with Jesus, offering hope in challenging circumstances.

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God has Hope for you here.
Join us: https://www.NewChurch.Love

Please support NewChurch by texting the word “Give” to 832-400-5299.

1. Sin and Repentance:

• The sermon emphasizes the reality of sin and the need for repentance.
• It criticizes the cultural trend of denying sin and argues that ignoring sin leads to worse outcomes.
• It contrasts two approaches:
  • One condemning sin and shaming people, which is ineffective and harmful.
  • The other offering forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ, which is loving and leads to peace.

2. Jesus' Baptism and Its Significance:

• Jesus' baptism is not for Himself, but to connect with our baptism and take on our sin.
• Through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, receiving forgiveness and new life.
• This connection gives us grace and freedom from the power of sin, although we may still struggle with temptation.

3. Responding to Doubts and Criticisms:

• The sermon acknowledges the hurt caused by the church and the struggle many have with reconciling their faith with negative experiences.
• It calls for understanding, compassion, and gentle words to help restore those who have doubts.
• It encourages individuals to seek answers on their faith journey and suggests that Jesus will ultimately be the satisfying answer.

4. Baptism and Christian Identity:

• The sermon celebrates baptism as a defining moment in the Christian life.
• It emphasizes the significance of being adopted into God's family, cleansed from sin, and made part of the global Christian community.
• It concludes by reminding listeners of God's declaration over them in baptism: "You are my beloved child in whom I am well pleased."

Overall, the sermon presents a strong message about sin, forgiveness, grace, and the importance of Jesus Christ and baptism in the Christian life.

God has Hope for you here.
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Pastor Frank’s NewChurch Resolution Suggestions:

• Attend Sunday Worship Faithfully.

• Be Faithful in Your Tithes and Offerings.

• ???

What's the third one? Hmm. 
You'll never guess. Even if I told you.

This is how Christians are made.

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A description of Christmas at the Hart house in 1971, the first year Pastor Frank had a new step dad—and his mom had a little money.

A confession that he wants Christmas to be perfect but is always tempted to ruin it with selfish emotions and being too irritable. 

A solid plan for how to approach holiday expectations with the wisdom of Jesus.

Colossians 3:12-14: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

"People seem to view God as either a mighty and powerful terrifying being who must be feared and reverently respected—or as gentle Jesus, meek and mild, a hippy shepherd philosopher who couldn’t hurt a fly.

But He is both. He’s always both."

"The difference between a wise person and a fool boils down to whether talking to them helps or not. A wise person can hear what you tell them, see the error of their ways, and change. A fool doesn’t listen, won’t listen, and doesn’t learn without consequences. Talking with a fool is a waste of time, they’re just waiting for you to stop talking so they can get back to their foolishness."

"It’s my hope that you can hear what I’m saying today, I mean really hear it, not like a fool who’s just waiting for the preacher to stop talking—but as a wise person who will listen and let what they hear make a difference."

"Comfort, comfort for my people. Prepare the way for the King. The Messiah. So powerful, but so gentle. Almighty God came to earth but He came as the Good Shepherd. He came to find you and pick you up—carry you back home where you belong."

God has Hope for you here.
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First Sunday in ADVENT.

"Don’t you ever think, “Good grief, Lord! Can’t you see what’s going on down here? The way people are acting? Do you get MSNBC in heaven? Do You see the way they mock Your name and Your people?"

"This passage has a very interesting movement to it: It starts with a prayer for God to come down here and destroy our enemies, then behold, we realize we would also be destroyed because we are also sinners, then it ends in a surprising glimpse of Jesus—Behold! The divine Son of God who did come down here but instead of destroying all the sinners, He saved them. He saved us. He didn’t show up angry, instead He made it so our sins wouldn’t be remembered any more."

God has Hope for you here.
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"Love is not how you feel about someone."

"When we love people we’re going to feel it, but the feeling isn’t what love is—it’s a byproduct."

"Jesus is not telling you to feel a certain way about God or to feel a certain way about your neighbor. It’s not about feelings at all."

Do you know how to love people the way God told you to love them?

"How can we create heaven on earth? How can we treat people on earth the way they are treated in heaven?"

"God is love. He loves you perfectly because that’s who He is."

God has Hope for you here.
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Courtroom drama retelling of Jesus on trial.
Are you a yappy religious know-it-all who thinks you understand why Jesus is not the divine Son of God who commands your attention? Or are you Barabbas. Those are the only two choices.
Jesus is still on trial today in our culture—for the same reasons.
He's call you to be a witness, to testify, what kind of witness are you going to be? Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

God has Hope for you here.
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The Lord's Prayer—66 words in English. But the actual prayer is even shorter, 57 words in Greek. Most of us don’t really pray like this, unless we’re just reciting the Lord’s Prayer. We use a lot more words. We don’t feel like we “really” prayed if we keep it that brief. 

I’ve come to understand that the Lord’s Prayer can be prayed in basically three ways. As a petition, as the Law, and as the Gospel. Petition meaning asking for things, Law meaning what God told us to do, commandments, and then Gospel—what Jesus has done and continues to do for us.

God will always answer your prayers. Sometimes the answer is maybe later, sometimes it’s no—but He always answers.

Jesus said, “Pray like this: Our Father.” This is Jesus sharing His Father with us—it’s Jesus talking and He says. “When you pray, from now on call Him what I call Him—from now on you’re my brothers and sisters, so just call Him “Father,” like I do. Ever had a friend you were so close to you called their father dad? You do now. 

So, mix it up. Pray asking for what you need. Then maybe meditate on what God wants you to do with your life. And sometimes, just bask in the joy of everything you have to be thankful for.

God has Hope for you here.
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"Ever do something that couldn't be undone?"

"How often do we find ourselves in places we shouldn’t be? Doing things we shouldn’t be doing? Acting like unbelievers—as if we’ll get away with it."

"For a while, when I was in my 20s, I wouldn’t call myself a Christian."

"Someone has a different idea about one of your favorite theological nit picks! Surely you can’t let that just exist out there uncorrected!"

"Jesus asks for the third time, “Do you love me, Simon?” 
He’s not asking how Peter feels about Him. Love isn’t a feeling, it’s a commitment, it’s how you treat someone—it’s your actions toward them and about them."

"Three denials. Three affirmations. This wasn’t penance, this was kindness. Mercy."

"You’re forgiven because Christ forgives you. Do you feel the weight being lifted off you? No more guilt. No more condemnation. You are free. Do you feel it?
Maybe you do, maybe you don’t. It doesn’t matter. Forgiveness isn’t a feeling either. Like God’s love, like His mercy, it’s something He does for you."

"This is not cheap grace, it’s easily the most expensive thing in the universe."

God has Hope for you here.
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Do you ever feel anxious? Worried?
Is it a sin? Is it a lack of faith?
Was it a sin when Jesus was so anxious in the Garden of Gethsemane that He sweat blood? (Of course not.)
It's not a sin to be anxious. When Jesus tells us not to worry, that's a word of comfort, not a word of law and condemnation.

Also, did Jesus tell His followers to carry a weapon?

Big questions are answered in this message.

God has Hope for you here.
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"This is going to be a good reminder that God didn’t call any of us to follow Jesus because He thought we’d be so dang good at it."

"What does it mean that they’ll sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel?"

"It’s a lot easier to die for someone than to live for them—it’s in the little moments when our love is actually put to the test."

"Also, mom and dad, apply this at home—don’t hide your sin from your kids. Don’t pretend like everything is perfect—they will eventually find out, and it’s going to be bad if they think you’ve been lying to them. Show them what it looks like to confess and repent."

God has Hope for you here.
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If you've ever wondered what the big deal about Communion is...

This is how Jesus saves the world with bread and wine.

"The God who spoke the universe into existence is the One who said, “This bread is my body given for you. This cup poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Is my body, is my blood. Is means is. We take Jesus at His word. It's a miracle. It’s a mystery."

The blood of the Passover Lamb has to be applied if the person is going to be saved—this is how Jesus makes His body and blood present to save His people. 

When you eat the bread and drink the wine, Jesus has made this miracle so you also receive His body and blood. It’s how grace is given to you. It’s how forgiveness of sin is applied to you. 

'Not symbolically. It happens miraculously. It happens for real. We call it “Real Presence.” Because Jesus has spoken, it’s as real as the blood that was on the door frames of those houses in the first Passover. We make no attempt to explain how it happens. It’s not transubstantiation, it’s not consubstantiation, it’s not symbolic, not a memorial. It just is. We take Jesus at His word. Would you rather it was actual cannibalism? Of course not. Embrace the mystery.'

"The Last Supper is really four meals layered on top of each other. It’s the last Old Testament Passover meal. It’s the first New Testament Lord’s Supper. It’s what every Holy Communion celebrated throughout the church looks back to in remembrance. And it’s a glimpse of the future heavenly feast at the end of time when Christ returns in glory and we all sit down to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb."

"The gift of His body and blood—given for us on the cross, and given to us in the bread and wine."

"To partake in this meal, to accept the cup and drink it is to accept Jesus’ suffering and death as the atoning sacrifice for your sins. Not automatically, there has to be faith, has to be trust—you have to believe the promise Jesus made to you, that it’s for you. But it doesn’t take much faith—just enough to lift that bread to your mouth and the wine to your lips—the smallest amount will do."

“What’s the point of this (New)Church thing? Why does it matter?”

" I want to propose something completely nuts. Something totally off-menu.”

"Every church thinks they have the corner on the truth, like they’re the only ones who really know Jesus. Can we not be like that, please?"

"It’s so sad to me when someone says, “Nah, I already tried that Jesus thing and it didn’t work for me. I went to church for a while. Wasn’t my thing.”

"They met some church people but they didn’t meet Jesus. I don’t want that to happen here. Can we make sure that doesn’t happen here?"

"No one follows Jesus alone."

"As the church goes, so goes our culture. And for many people, church has already gone."

"Your faith doesn’t really become your own until you share it with someone else. You have to share your faith. And you have to let people share their faith with you."

"This is the vision of NewChurch. A way to worship God and love people. I hope you’re starting to see it."

God has Hope for you here.
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