In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we continue our series titled "The Hero's Journey." Our focus today is on how ordinary people, called by God, learn new things together as they navigate their journeys.

We can find a transformative 'Hero's Journey" in the life of Apostle Paul, who transitioned from a zealous Pharisee to a passionate missionary. We explore Paul's significant teachings in the book of Romans, particularly his thesis on salvation, which emphasizes that all have sinned, but through God's grace and faith in Jesus, we can be reconciled with Him.

While the core concepts of sin, grace, faith, and reconciliation are not new—rooted in the Old Testament— Paul introduces elements, such as recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and the end of the need for animal sacrifices. We also discuss the unification of Jews and Gentiles in the early church and the revolutionary idea that all believers are now priests, called to share God's goodness.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. Have a great week, and remember, we are praying for you as you seek to embody Jesus in every aspect of your life.

This week, we examine the vital role of friendships in our spiritual journeys, emphasizing that discipleship is fundamentally about building authentic and transparent relationships. Drawing from the framework of the hero's journey, we explored how every adventure, including our own, is enriched by the friends we make along the way.

We discussed key characteristics of true friendships: they are encouraging and challenging, authentic and transparent, and they model and mirror one another. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are reminded to motivate one another to love and good works, highlighting the importance of meeting together and supporting each other. Conversely, Galatians 6:1-2 calls us to gently restore one another when we stumble, reinforcing that true friendship involves both support and challenge.

Authenticity and transparency are crucial for healing and growth. We cannot confess our sins and burdens without a safe space to do so, and this is where genuine friendships come into play. We must be willing to share our struggles and be there for one another, just as Jesus modeled for us.

As we move forward, I challenge each of you to reflect on your friendships within the church. Are they deep and meaningful? Are you fostering relationships that encourage growth and accountability? Let us strive to create a community where we can be transparent, support one another, and grow together in our faith. Remember, we are not meant to walk this journey alone; we need each other. Let's pray for the courage to build these authentic relationships and to care for one another as Jesus cares for us.

00:00:00 - Introduction to New Hope Church Podcast
00:00:42 - Zack's Personal Anecdote
00:02:02 - The Hero's Journey: The Role of Friends
00:05:11 - Encouragement and Challenge in Friendships
00:08:23 - The Importance of Meeting Together
00:09:46 - Support and Challenge Matrix
00:12:03 - Authenticity and Transparency in Discipleship
00:17:11 - The Need for Healing Through Confession
00:18:28 - Modeling and Mirroring in Relationships
00:24:19 - Commitment and Covenant in Friendships
00:29:22 - The Call to Genuine Community
00:35:09 - The Importance of Relationships Over Rituals
00:39:38 - Closing Prayer and Reflection
00:41:12 - Outro and Call to Action

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we continue our series titled "Hero's Journey," led by Pastor Randy Spacht. Pastor Randy explores the theme of responding to God's call, focusing on the biblical figure of Peter. He discusses how Peter, like many of us, initially hesitated to accept his calling due to feelings of inadequacy.

Pastor Randy references Jessie Cruickshank's insights on ordinary discipleship, emphasizing that many heroes of faith, including Peter, often refuse the call at first. He recounts the moments when Jesus first called Peter, highlighting the significance of Peter's name change from Simon to Peter, symbolizing his transformation.

The episode delves into the various instances where Peter followed Jesus but later returned to his old life as a fisherman, illustrating the struggle between our past identities and our call to discipleship. Randy emphasizes that Jesus's persistent calls ultimately led Peter to fully embrace his role as a disciple and leader.

We hope you find inspiration in this message and feel empowered to answer your own call to discipleship.

This week's episode of the New Hope Church podcast, Zack Killey kicks off an exciting new series titled "A Hero's Journey." In this episode, Zack explores the universal theme of the hero's journey found in literature, movies, and the Bible, emphasizing how ordinary people are called to extraordinary tasks.

Discover how characters like Frodo Baggins and Luke Skywalker mirror the biblical stories of Moses and the disciples, illustrating that anyone can be a hero in their own story. Zack highlights the importance of community, learning, and overcoming struggles together, reminding us that God often calls ordinary individuals to fulfill His extraordinary purposes.

As we dive into Matthew 10, Zack discusses how Jesus empowered His disciples to heal, proclaim the good news, and trust in God's provision, even when they felt unprepared.

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Learn more about New Hope Church at becomehope.com
Check out our companion podcasts: "Let's Find Out Together" (daily devotional) and "Salty Saints" (apologetics).

Subscribe for more content and join us as we strive to be like Jesus in ever corner of our city!

Join us for this inspiring episode of the New Hope Church podcast, where Pastor Randy Spacht. wraps up our short series on "Live, Love, and Go." In this episode, we dive deep into the Great Commission from Matthew 28, exploring what it truly means to "go and make disciples."

Randy emphasizes that this command is not just for missionaries but for all of us, encouraging listeners to share the gospel in their everyday lives. He discusses the importance of baptism and teaching, outlining practical steps to help others grow in their faith.

Discover how to incorporate disciple-making into your daily routine, whether at home, work, or in your community. Learn about the resources available at New Hope Church, including the Hope Dealers class and Simple Communities, designed to equip you for this vital mission.

As we reflect on the call to be disciple-makers, Randy reminds us that we don’t need all the answers to start; we just need to begin where we are.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! If you have any questions, reach out to us at questions@becomehope.com.

Website:becomehope.com
Companion Podcasts:
Daily Devotional: Let's Find Out Together
Apologetics: Salty Saints

Join us as we seek to be Jesus in every corner of our world!

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we take a closer look at the theme of "Love" as part of the ongoing series "Live, Love, and Go." We explore what it truly means to love like Jesus, emphasizing the importance of unconditional love, sacrificial love, and being present and available for others.

We begin by discussing the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. I highlight the challenge many of us face in truly loving ourselves, which can hinder our ability to love others effectively. It's crucial to understand our identity in Christ, as this shapes how we interact with those around us.

Throughout the episode, I outline three key aspects of Jesus' love: unconditional love, sacrificial love, and being present and available. We explore the concept of unconditional love, or "no condition love," as Jesus demonstrated by loving even those who rejected Him. I encourage listeners to reflect on their own relationships and consider who they find hardest to love.

Next, we discuss sacrificial love, drawing parallels between Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross and our own willingness to sacrifice for others. I challenge listeners to evaluate their priorities and consider how they can incorporate sacrificial love into their daily lives.

Finally, we examine the importance of being present and available for others, using the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well as a powerful example. I stress that loving like Jesus requires intentionality and a willingness to be interrupted in our busy lives.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share! If you have any questions or want to learn more about New Hope Church, reach out to us at questions@becomehope.com.

Visit us online at becomehope.com for more resources and information about our community.

Stay connected:

Daily Devotional Podcast: Let's Find Out Together

Apologetics Podcast: Salty Saints

Thank you for tuning in, and remember, we are praying for you as you seek to be Jesus in every corner of your world!

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we dive into the theme of "Live, Love, and Go," focusing specifically on what it means to "live" like Jesus. Pastor Randy Spacht, emphasizes that being a disciple and a disciple maker is not about rituals or appearances, but about genuine obedience to God's Word.

We explore a pathway to discipleship based on Acts 2, which outlines seven key facets of being a disciple maker: learning, connecting, praying, giving, worshiping, serving, and sharing. Each facet is discussed in detail, highlighting the importance of engaging with Scripture, building relationships, and actively participating in the community of believers.

We invite you to join us in this journey of discipleship and to engage with the resources available, including our daily devotional podcast, "Let's Find Out Together."

Thank you for tuning in, and we hope you feel inspired to live out your faith in every aspect of your life!

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, I, Randy Spacht, reflect on the significance of Christmas and the ultimate gift we receive from God: Jesus Christ.

I delve into the well-known passage of John 3:16, emphasizing that God's love is demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son. This leads to a discussion about the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, where Jesus uses the metaphor of being "born again" and references the bronze snake lifted by Moses in the wilderness. I explain how this Old Testament story illustrates the importance of facing our fears and recognizing our need for salvation.

As I explore the implications of Jesus' crucifixion, I highlight how, when we look at the cross, we confront our sin, shame, and weakness. However, through Jesus, we find forgiveness, honor, and strength. I encourage listeners to receive God's incredible gift, whether they need forgiveness, empowerment, or honor.

Together, we pray for the courage to accept God's gifts and to follow Him more closely in the coming year. Thank you for tuning in, and I encourage you to like or subscribe.