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HOPE Sermons

Hope Church

Religion und Spiritualität

A weekly podcast with current sermons from HOPE Church in Richmond, Virginia.

197 - Trinitarian Love - David Dwight | Ephesians

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197 - Trinitarian Love - David Dwight | Ephesians
Trinitarian Love | Ephesians | Part 5 This morning, we continued our series on the book of Ephesians with a powerful message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. As followers of Christ, we are invited to reflect His love in every relationship—whether with friends, coworkers, family members, or our marriages. This calling isn’t just about action; it’s about embodying a heart that seeks to serve, elevate, and dignify others. Ephesians 5:21 (NLT) reminds us, “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” When we grasp the depth of Christ’s love for us—love that is wide and long and high and deep—the idea of submission becomes less intimidating. Instead, it offers us a glimpse into the Trinity’s perfect relationship, providing a beautiful model for how we are called to live and love in community. All messages from this series, including today’s, are available online on YouTube at @HopeChurchRVA and if you missed any, we encourage you to watch them back. Dive deeper with a discussion guide available at the link in our bio!
Tue, 19 Nov 2024 - 33min
196 - Doing My Part - David Dwight | Ephesians
Doing My Part | Ephesians | Part 4 When you think of the Church, what comes to mind? Is it just four walls and a roof? Or is it something more? This morning, we continued our series on the book of Ephesians with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul, who had suffered greatly for Christ, paints a beautiful vision of the Church. To be the Church is to live out our “yes” to Christ in an active, intentional way. It means coming together in unity as the body of Christ, equipping one another for works of service, and strengthening the Church through our unique gifts. It means reaching out to those who have not yet heard the good news and helping one another grow in spiritual maturity. We’re grateful to be the Church alongside you. If you haven’t taken the step to go deeper, we invite you to leave the sidelines and join us on the field. There is a role within the body that only you can fill — a role designed by God, who created you in His image and equipped you to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory.
Tue, 12 Nov 2024 - 37min
195 - Who Knew? - Pete Bowell | Ephesians
Who Knew? | Ephesians | Part 3 In a world marred by sin, we know that things will inevitably fall apart—relationships may disappoint, beauty fades, bodies wither and wane, and wealth never truly satisfies. Yet, in the midst of this brokenness, there is the Church. The Church—imperfect, yet radiant—stands as a community of brothers and sisters in Christ, shining like stars in a dark world. We are that Church. Together, as Jesus’ hands and feet, we are called to reveal His boundless love to others. As we step into this new week and the months ahead, let us pray that we become agents of reconciliation, grace, and light in a fallen world. Listen to this morning’s message from Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell and catch up with all messages from our Ephesians series at the link in our bio.
Mon, 4 Nov 2024 - 32min
194 - From... To - David Dwight | Ephesians
From… To | Ephesians | Part 2 We continued our sermon series on the book of Ephesians with a powerful message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. You can watch it online at the link in our bio! In Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV), Paul gives us a clear snapshot of the gospel, and we couldn’t summarize it any better: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We encourage you to dive deeper with discussion guides which are available weekly at the link in our bio and at hopechurchrva.com/moreresources
Mon, 28 Oct 2024 - 35min
193 - Guaranteed - David Dwight | Ephesians
It’s a beautiful fall day here at HOPE. The crisp air, blue skies, and changing leaves are only made better by the start of a new sermon series! This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight introduced us to the first chapter of Ephesians, the book we’ll be covering over the next five weeks. Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus gives us a robust vision of the church and this passage details the spiritual truths and blessings of being united with Christ and as one body. Contrary to our culture, our life is not found in material success, but the life that’s genuinely life is found in the person of Jesus Christ. We know this to be true because, in Ephesians 1:7-14, Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit — the seal with which we are marked when we say yes to Jesus — in us is the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. We’re excited to explore Ephesians, and we invite you to worship + dive into scripture with us each week. Join us on Sundays at: West Creek: 8am | 9:30am | 11:15am The Lodge: 9:30am | 11:15am Livestream: 9:30am | 11:15am
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 - 32min
192 - Beloved Words - David Dwight | When God Speaks
Beloved Words | When God Speaks | Part 5 Mark 1:9-11 says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” Over the past five weeks, we’ve journeyed through what it means when God reveals His name, how we can recognize His voice, and how He speaks to us. This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight wrapped up this series with a powerful message – when we are made new in Christ, the infinite, all-powerful, boundless, ever-present, everlasting I AM gives us a new name: beloved. This new name anchors our identity. It tells us we are adopted, forgiven, fully known, and deeply loved. And it’s a name we will grow into over the course of our lives. If you’d like to look back at previous messages from this series, click the link in our bio to watch on YouTube at @hopechurchrva
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 - 31min
191 - The God Who Whispers - Pete Bowell | When God Speaks
The God Who Whispers | When God Speaks | Part 4 This morning, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell shared a message on 1 Kings 19:9-15. He reminded us that to truly recognize God’s voice, we must first know His Word, for it is through scripture that He speaks to our hearts. Pastor Pete left us with three key takeaways to carry into the week: 1. Preach to yourself before your emotions preach to you – ground yourself in scripture, speaking God’s truth over your life first. 2. God’s “Plan A” is always His grace – no matter what happens, His grace is unwavering and always available to us. 3. Jesus has already borne the earthquake, the fire, and the wind on our behalf – so that we might receive the unshakable grace of God. This week, let’s ground ourselves in scripture, echo God’s love by offering grace to those around us, and reach out in love just as He reaches out to us. If you missed it, you can watch this message online at YouTube.com/hopechurchrva or click the link in our bio!
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 - 30min
190 - Learning God's Voice | David Dwight | When God Speaks
Learning God’s Voice | When God Speaks | Part 3 In this week’s message, Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our When God Speaks series with a powerful and practical teaching. Drawing from 1 Samuel 3:1-20, we see how the Lord calls Samuel to speak truth to Eli. Yet, at first, Samuel doesn’t recognize God’s voice. Like Samuel, many of us are still learning how to discern when God is speaking. So, how can we better understand His voice? How do we sense what He’s calling us to—whether in a specific moment or over the course of our lives? The key is remaining deeply rooted in Scripture and persistent in prayer. Above all, we are first called to an intimate relationship with God. From that place of closeness, we begin to recognize His voice more clearly. If you missed this message, we encourage you to watch it online at / hopechurchrva or click the link in our bio.
Mon, 30 Sep 2024 - 34min
189 - What's Your Name? | David Dwight | When God Speaks
What’s Your Name? | When God Speaks | Part 2 We continued our sermon series, When God Speaks, with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. In Exodus 3:7-15, God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity and into the promised land. Seemingly overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, Moses protests, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God’s response is profound, though not what we might expect. He doesn’t reassure Moses by addressing his doubts or limitations. Instead, God makes a promise: “I will be with you.” He then reveals His name, “I AM WHO I AM.” In Scripture, names carry deep meaning, often reflecting one’s essence. Here, God is revealing His character — boundless, all-powerful, ever-present, and existing beyond the limits of time. Like Moses, we often feel immobilized by our own fears, anxieties, and perceived inadequacies. Yet, in His grace, God lifts us beyond the tyranny of self-focus. He invites us to shift our gaze to Him — the God who was, who is, and who will always be — and to invest our energy in cultivating an intimate relationship with Him.
Mon, 23 Sep 2024 - 34min
188 - The God Who Asks & Seeks - David Dwight | When God Speaks
The God Who Asks + Seeks | When God Speaks | Part 1 This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked off our new sermon series, When God Speaks, with a message on Genesis 3:6-11. Have you ever wanted God to speak to you personally? To speak into your life and your circumstances? The Bible tells us that our God speaks to us and that His word is powerful and personal. He listens, asks, and seeks us out like a loving father would his child. We invite you to join us for the next four weeks as we explore the times throughout scripture when God speaks! Join us on Sundays at: West Creek at: 8 | 9:30 | 11:15am The Lodge: 9:30 + 11:15am Livestream: 9:30 + 11:15am
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 - 36min
187 - Esther - Pete Bowell | Walk On
Esther | Walk On | Part 10 Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell concluded our Walk On sermon series with a powerful message on the life of Esther — an ordinary woman used by an extraordinary God. Though God’s name isn’t mentioned in the entire book of Esther, His providence is evident. Through Esther, God worked to protect His people in a time of darkness and brokenness. With her Jewish heritage hidden, she was elevated from orphan to royalty and made queen to the king of Persia. After an order to kill all the Jews in Persia is enacted, she is faced with a conflict that would impact herself and her entire family. In her pivotal moment, Mordecai’s words still resonate today: “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NLT) As God’s handiwork, we too were made for such a time as this. Right here, right now, with the gifts and talents God has entrusted to us — He is weaving a story of restoration in our broken world. There’s a purpose behind where He’s placed each of us. As we often remind one another at HOPE, “You go nowhere by accident.” God isn’t sending Esther, Daniel, or Moses back to accomplish His work in 2024. Today, He’s calling you and me — with Christ alive in us — to step into this moment. To be agents of reconciliation in a world that longs for healing and to bring glory to Him alone. So rise up, church, and walk on. We were made for such a time as this.
Mon, 9 Sep 2024 - 27min
186 - Daniel - Kyle Freedman | Walk On
Daniel | Walk On | Part 9 This morning, Worship + Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman delivered a poignant message on the life of Daniel — a Hebrew exile in Babylon. The story of Daniel showcases a man, who even in exile, stayed faithful to God in a nation that desperately needed to see + experience Him. In fiery trial with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he miraculously withstood the flames, confidently displaying God’s rescuing grace to the king. In the lion’s den, Daniel trusted God to keep him safe and by morning, emerged unscathed, impressing the king to decree that all should fear and revere the living God. Daniel embraced the circumstances he was placed in and allowed God to use him to reach the people of Babylon. He stood confidently in his beliefs, but built bridges, not walls, along the way. Through deep relationships and genuine connection, the impact of his testimony spread far and wide. Like Daniel, we can stand confidently on the promises of the Lord and trust Him in any circumstance. We can embrace our circumstances and display the love and character of God within them. Like Daniel, we can build bridges, share our story, bless those around us, and represent the Lord well where He’s placed us.
Tue, 3 Sep 2024 - 32min
185 - Elijah - Matt Hartman | Walk On
This morning, Missional Pastor Matt Hartman continued our sermon series, Walk On, with a message on Elijah – a prophet called to lead the people of Israel back to the Lord. During Elijah’s time, civil war had divided Israel and the hearts of many had wandered and began to worship different gods and idols. Elijah, called by God, challenged the people for their divided loyalties and urged them to return to the Lord. Their pursuit of multiple gods left them aimless, hopeless, and without clear purpose. Rather than relying on the Lord, they placed their trust in idols and their self-sufficiency—seeking from themselves what only God could provide. It is not so different for us. How often do we turn inward to ourselves instead of upward towards God? How often do we allow our attention to drift and linger on earthly things instead of the things of above? How often do we place our trust and rest our security on things that will tarnish and fade? Just as God used Elijah to turn Israel’s hearts back to Him, He worked through Jesus to do the same for us. He restores us, often disrupting our path to redirect our hearts towards Him. He finds us in our darkness and our sin and because of His great love and mercy, makes us new through the blood of Christ.
Mon, 26 Aug 2024 - 31min
184 - Ruth - Catherine Turner | Walk On
Ruth | Walk On | Part 7 The story of Ruth, set against a backdrop of both spiritual and physical famine, is a powerful picture of redemption—a vivid snapshot of the gospel message. It reminds us how God often uses the most unlikely individuals to demonstrate faithfulness in the face of uncertainty. Amid grief and despair, Ruth became a source of hope and strength for her mother-in-law, Naomi, whose heart was broken by loss. Despite the unknowns that lay ahead, Ruth walked forward in obedience, embracing Naomi’s God as her own and journeyed to a foreign land. Her faithfulness and trust in God as her sustenance were richly rewarded. Today, we may find ourselves in a season of spiritual famine, navigating through a wilderness of uncertainty. Yet, the only true sustenance for us in the midst of our hardships—and our victories—is Jesus, the bread of life. Discipleship Pastor Catherine Turner offers a simple “bread recipe” to help us return to the basics in these times: Be anchored in Biblical truths. Recognize your need. Eat His words daily. Align your will to His. Do the next thing.
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 - 33min
183 - David - Wes Peterson | Walk On
The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 offers a powerful illustration of how God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people. David, just a 15-year-old shepherd, found himself on the frontlines of battle after consistently saying yes to the tasks laid before him. With unwavering courage and faith, he defeated Goliath using only a sling and a stone—a mighty act that showcased God’s glory. But before this remarkable moment, David's life was filled with the simple, everyday responsibilities of a shepherd. David’s daily life involved tending a flock of sheep, a task far removed from battling giants. He had no idea that such a challenge awaited him — he was simply being obedient to the duties before him. Through his routine, he cultivated a deep relationship with God, drawing nearer to Him in the quiet moments of his life. Executive Pastor Wes Peterson reminded us this morning that there is profound purpose in the ordinary. Just as David’s faithfulness in the small things grew his relationship with the Lord and prepared him for a great challenge, our daily tasks offer us the opportunity to grow closer to God. He calls us to engage with Him — not someday, not later, but right now. Through David’s story, we learn the importance of loving God and tending to the “sheep" entrusted to us. Jesus asks us to be faithful in the everyday moments, trusting that our obedience, even in the mundane, opens the door for Him to work in extraordinary ways
Thu, 15 Aug 2024 - 28min
182 - Gideon - Drew Paulette | Walk On
Gideon | Walk On | Part 5 We’re halfway through the Walk On series! This morning our Outreach Director, Drew Paulette, shared a powerful message on Gideon + how God called him to a mission and purpose bigger than himself. Gideon, a member of one of the weakest clans, led an army of just 300 soldiers against 135,000 Midianites with a seemingly ridiculous plan. Against the odds, they won the battle, not by their own might, but by the Lord’s. If we were to place ourselves in this story, we’d probably wonder if there was a better way. We’d ask, am I the right person? How is this a good plan? Is this possible? Judges 6-7 reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. God continues to choose strategies and methods that require Him to show up in big ways so that He is glorified and our dependence + faith upon Him are strengthened. The Lord is calling all of us into the same story + mission that He called the heroes of the faith. We can move forward confidently + courageously in that call because He is with us, as He was with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and Gideon. The Lord is with you so walk on.
Mon, 5 Aug 2024 - 31min
181 - Joshua - David Dwight | Walk On
Upon his passing, Moses’ assistant, Joshua, was called by the Lord to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. We can imagine how daunting stepping into his predecessor’s role may have felt for Joshua, but the Lord promised His presence and commanded him to be strong, courageous, and obedient God’s Word.
To be obedient, whether in leadership or not, means to seek the Lord, hear Him, and act according to His will. Thankfully, He gifts us the law, which instructs us how to love Him, love people, and live to the full intention of His design.
Senior Pastor David Dwight shared five big-picture foundations that God is bringing about through the obedience of Biblical figures like Joshua:
A faith: a trusting relationship with God
A doctrine: the way of life with this God
A place: a homeland where they live this life with God
A savior: the one who is life, gives life, and in whom life is found
A living hope: a life in loving relationship with God, anticipating the joy that’s to come
Wed, 31 Jul 2024 - 32min
180 - Moses - David Dwight | Walk On
Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our series on ordinary people called by an extraordinary God with a message on Moses. The Lord called on Moses to ask Pharoah to free the Israelites, but Moses felt he was inadequate for the job. He even asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” The Lord answered him, not with precise answers, but by promising His presence. This passage tells us that the good news is that it’s not so much about us, but God with us. It’s not that we have all the perfect character traits, strengths, and abilities to do the job, but that we faith in the Lord. The common thread between Abraham, Joesph, Moses, and all the other people we will cover in Walk On, is that they were faithful + obedient in saying yes to Him.
Mon, 22 Jul 2024 - 22min
179 - Joseph - Pete Bowell | Walk On
This morning, we continued our Walk On series with a message on Joseph — a man who suffered mistreatment at the hands of his own loved ones, but would later offer reconciliation that could only be possible by being deeply rooted in the Lord. Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell shared three poignant questions we can ask ourselves in relation to Joseph’s remarks in Genesis 50:19-21: Who is in my chair? What is in my view? Who writes my story? We encourage you to listen to the entire message, available online at youtube.com/hopechurchrva and at the link in our bio.
Mon, 15 Jul 2024 - 35min
178 - Abraham - David Dwight | Walk On
Abraham | Walk On | Part 1 Today we began Walk On — a series on Old Testament figures that said yes to God in faithfulness + obedience. Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked us off with a message about the father of our faith, Abraham. Genesis 12:1-4 shows Abram's obedience to God's call. He stepped out in faith without knowing the full plan, but trusting in God's promise, “I’ll be with you.” True faith doesn't need complete understanding—it's about small, faithful steps. God calls us to obedience in this moment and each moment of putting God’s interest above our own builds upon each other into the bigger vision: God is our ultimate reward. We invite you to join us as we study the lives of these heroes of the faith on Sundays at 8am | 9:30am | 11am at West Creek and 9:30am + 11am at the Lodge! You can also watch via livestream at 9:30am + 11am at @hopechurchrva on YouTube.
Mon, 8 Jul 2024 - 33min
177 - Vision for Heaven - David Dwight | Abundant
Vision for Heaven | Abundant | Part 7 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 If we pursue God’s vision for abundant life, it will be anchored in a robust vision for Heaven. Senior Pastor David Dwight concludes our sermon series with a focus on eternity. If we are seeking an abundant life, we must make our vision about our heavenly eternity, not our earthly temporality. We are prudent to prepare for the realities of life here on earth, but it is all the wiser to focus on the eternal life that is waiting for us. The Bible tells us our citizenship is in heaven and our time on earth is temporary. If we are seeking an abundant life, we will align our decisions to that reality.
Tue, 2 Jul 2024 - 37min
176 - Committed Relationships - David Dwight | Abundant
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. - John 15:4 We all long for relationships in which we can know and be known, but we sometimes struggle with how to find the true intimacy we are seeking. Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series, “Abundant,” reminding us that the way to be fully known in relationships starts with remaining in Jesus. In our relationships with Jesus, we learn transparency, honesty, humility, forgiveness, safety and love. As we grow in this rich depth, we are equipped to live out the same characteristics in our human relationships. We all want easy steps towards unity, particularly in the close and hard relationships of life, but the truth is, relationships are hard work. The best way to come into honest and loving relationships is to model our relationship with Jesus, “remain in me, and I will remain in you.”
Mon, 24 Jun 2024 - 36min
175 - Humble Learner - Pete Bowell | Abundant
Thu, 20 Jun 2024 - 20min
174 - Resource Generosity - David Dwight | Abundant
Resource Generosity | Abundant | Part 4 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Our Father gave us His only son. His only son gave His life for us. The very foundation of our religion is radical generosity. So, it is no surprise that when we have abundant life in Christ, we have the opportunity and the joy to be generous. For the more we understand the magnitude of God’s love, the more our hearts come alive in gratitude for Him, and the more generous we become. We encourage you to watch Senior Pastor David Dwight’s message from this morning to learn more about how our generosity is not about the specific amount of money we give but the heart behind it. You can find our latest messages on YouTube at @hopechurchrva and at the link in our bio.
Mon, 10 Jun 2024 - 34min
173 - Sacrificing for Bigger - David Dwight | Abundant
Sacrificing for Bigger | Abundant | Part 3 Our God, the Lord of the universe, tells us that abundant life is found in serving. He says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He’s telling us, like He told the rich, young leader, to get rid of whatever is in our lives that has come first before Him. What earthly ideal have we elevated to the place of God in our hearts? Is it our money, social status, power, politics, or material goods? Our God desires to set us free from a life striving for what we can get out of it. Instead, He desires that we would have a heart that asks, “What do I get to give?” When we truly understand the gospel we will be grateful for all the Lord has done for us. When we are filled with gratitude we will naturally overflow generosity. We will delight in giving our time, energy, and money to the people and Kingdom of God. Senior Pastor David Dwight called this a “Three G Christian” — Gospel Gratitude Generosity. All we can truly give God are our hearts. This week, we encourage you to pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your heart that is before God and to ask Him to help you grow in gospel knowledge, gratitude, and generosity.
Mon, 3 Jun 2024 - 25min
172 - Purposeful Vision - Matt Hartman | Abundant
Purposeful Vision | Abundant | Part 2 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 Have you ever thought about your vision for your life? What do you hope to accomplish? Missional Pastor Matt Hartman continues our sermon series, “Abundant,” and teaches that when we invite God to reveal his vision for our lives, we start to work with him for a greater and higher calling. Our vision will expand when we embrace God’s vision - and he will include us in his work for much greater purposes.
Tue, 28 May 2024 - 29min
171 - A True Faith - David Dwight | Abundant
True Faith | Abundant | Part 1 In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Where do we find life? Is it in our financial security, popularity, the causes we support, passions, or personal happiness? Where can we find life that’s truly life? John 1:4 says, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” We know that our souls were made for more than what this earthly life has to offer because God has placed eternity on our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were made for Jesus. So, what does that abundant life in Him look like? How do we get it? How do we do it? For the next seven weeks, we’ll explore these questions and learn what it means to have life in Christ in our new sermon series, Abundant.
Mon, 20 May 2024 - 33min
170 - Redemption - David Dwight | Peter's Story
Thu, 16 May 2024 - 38min
169 - Crisis - Pete Bowell | Peter's Story
Crisis | Peter’s Story | Part 5 Peter’s story tells us that, like him, we will mess up and we will face failure. His story tells us that we have the choice to either live in the condemnation and shame of our mistakes or let them drive us back into the arms of Christ. Jesus sees our mess, knows all our past, present, and future mistakes, and loves us still. Romans 5:6-8 says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Peter’s denial of Christ was not the end of the story. Your failures are not the end either. God transformed Peter from a man who denied Christ to save his own skin into the rock of the Church. Imagine what God can do through you. Turn to Christ, for in Him there is love and forgiveness that have no earthly match. He alone can redeem you. To listen to the full sermon from this morning or past messages from this series, visit the link in our bio or find us on YouTube at @hopechurchrva.
Mon, 6 May 2024 - 25min
168 - Passion - David Dwight | Peter's Story
Passion | Peter’s Story | Part 4 As we read about Peter it becomes clear that a story of a man transforming from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness is unfolding. He, like us, begins as rough rock under the chisel of Christ. He was brash and outspoken. He inserted himself into conversations + situations that did not necessarily need his input. He stumbled, tripped, and failed tremendously along the way. Peter is like us and we are like him. Over time, he entrusts his shortcomings, failures, and disappointments to the Lord, and his character + faith are refined. And as believers, we have the same opportunity to take our failures and disappointments and submit them to Christ. We can ask, “God, what do you have for me in this? How can I grow deeper in intimacy with Christ through this?” In doing so we allow Christ to lead us out of the captivity of a self-centered life and into the freedom of Christ-centered life.
Mon, 6 May 2024 - 31min
167 - Concern - Wes Peterson | Peter's Story
How often do we find ourselves amid something grand + important, but are unaware of it until we look in hindsight?
This morning, Executive Pastor Wes Peterson shared with us the story of the Last Supper in Luke 22:21-24, 31-34. The disciples argued with each other about who was the greatest among them all the while sitting in the presence of Jesus Christ, the greatest of all time!
It was there Jesus shared that Peter would betray Him, not once, but three times. Jesus was not shocked, was not surprised, and was not concerned because He had and still has a greater plan.
Jesus would use the failures of Peter to redeem him + sanctify him. He would use Peter’s future faith-testing trials and pain to give him greater purpose. It is the same for us now. Jesus is Lord over all. He can redeem the pain of your struggles + failures for a greater purpose. He can give you a redemption story that could only point to the Father, and strengthen those around you.
To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Connect with us at:
www.hopechurchrva.com
Facebook: @HopeChurchRVA
Instagram: @hopechurchrva
Tue, 23 Apr 2024 - 28min
166 - Vision - Drew Paulette | Peter's Story
In thin spaces, where the veil between heaven and earth is almost translucent, we’re able to see a vision of goodness + glory. Maybe it’s beholding an unending landscape of peaks and valleys or basking in the joy + warmth of laughter with your dearest friends. In God’s incredible kindness, He shows us these glimmers of glory. Yet, in all their beauty, they are not enough. They point to a vision more powerful and enduring. Jesus alone.
As Peter stood atop the holy mountain witnessing Jesus’ face shining like the sun in Matthew 17:5, God says, “…’This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” God told Peter, as He tells each of us today, to fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus alone is the vision that will carry us through our mountaintops and valleys. Jesus alone is the better plan.
Anything else is simply too small. Our plans, our careers, our lives, our bodies; they’re all too small. Fleeting. Look up, Jesus alone is the vision worth beholding.
To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Connect with us at:
www.hopechurchrva.com
Facebook: @HopeChurchRVA
Instagram: @hopechurchrva
Tue, 16 Apr 2024 - 28min
165 - Easter | Life Over Death | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 8
HOPE Church celebrates the joy of the resurrection with services from the Altria Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. Senior Pastor David Dwight reminds us that the truth of Easter changed the lives of his disciples in Jesus’ time and it is no less radical for us today. This is the conclusion of our sermon series on the meaning of miracles. The resurrection is the ultimate miracle which gives us confidence that death has truly been defeated!
He is risen indeed!
To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Tue, 16 Apr 2024 - 17min
164 - Call | Peter's Story | Part 1
Spring brings warmer air, brighter days, fresh blooms, and a new sermon series! Today, we began Peter’s Story — a series about the making of an apostle.
Jesus calls us, like He called Peter on the shores of Galilee, to come and follow Him. He asks us not just to follow at a distance, but to walk with Him, leaving our preoccupations behind, taking up our cross, and becoming His disciples.
We invite you to join us on as we study the life of Peter, a man transformed by the goodness and glory of God. Join us on Sundays at 8am / 9:30am / 11am at West Creek, 9:30am + 11am at the Lodge! You can also watch via livestream at 9:30am + 11am at @hopechurchrva on YouTube.
Mon, 8 Apr 2024 - 33min
163 - Yielded Will | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 7
This Palm Sunday morning, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell, shared with us the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:39-48.
When we hear “miracle” many of us may think of physical healing, but have we considered the miracle of praying “not my will, but Yours be done” amid sorrow and anguish? Jesus uttered this prayer We are thankful for a savior who, in His own pain, yielded to the will of the Father so that there would be an empty grave on the other side of the cross.
So that His redemption plan would come to pass. So that it would be possible for us to be made alive when we were spiritually dead.
As we enter into Holy Week, we pray that we will have the wisdom and humility to yield our will to God. To relinquish our grip on being the potter instead of the clay.

To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Thu, 28 Mar 2024 - 37min
162 - Righteous Restoration | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 6
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues the sermon series, “The Meaning of Miracles” by examining Jesus’ healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. Our current culture tells us that we can experience self-managed conversions, in pursuit of health, fitness, and the lives that we want to have. However, true transformation and healing can only take place through the intervening work of God. This conversion of the human heart is the most common miracle, experienced by every believer. Jesus’ healing of this invalid restores him to wholeness and full health. No less miraculous is the return to wholeness that Jesus offers each one of us in his redemptive offer of salvation. We will never be ready for the full transformation that life in Christ means, but when we say yes, we grow into this new reality and he walks with us in all that is to come.
To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Facebook: @HopeChurchRVA
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Thu, 21 Mar 2024 - 28min
161 - For Her Dignity | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 5
This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our series on the meaning of miracles with a message on the bleeding woman in Luke 8:40-48.
She had suffered from a deeply personal medical disorder for twelve years. She was outcast by her culture because she was deemed unclean. Then amongst the throngs of people, Jesus restored her. He healed her in public where she was not welcomed.
Miracles demonstrate the kingdom of God and reveal His glory. Miracles are more about God, rather than they are about us. What does this miracle tell us about our God? It tells us that Jesus wanted the crowds to know she was made clean and whole. That she was a daughter of God. It tells us that He values our dignity, that He loves us, and that we are His children if we place our faith and trust in Him.
If you want meaning, you want Jesus. If you want wholeness, you want Jesus. If you want life and dignity, you want Jesus. If you want to be a daughter or son of God, you want Jesus.
To listen to past sermons from this series, visit hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Tue, 12 Mar 2024 - 30min
160 - Restoration in Gadara | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 4
This morning, Worship + Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman shared with us the story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20.
This man was tormented by a legion of demons, cast out by the Gentile society, living among the dead, and roaming the hills + caves throughout the night like an animal. Upon seeing Jesus’ boat approach shore, he ran to Him. There Jesus cast out the demons, setting the man free. He was commanded to stay in the Gentile society to share the story of his restoration.
He was to share the good news. The good news is that no one is too far gone for the grace of Jesus. Even in our worst moments, there’s nothing we can do that would make Jesus leave us.
He bore our sin and our shame on the cross. He paid the price we could never pay on our own so that we could enter into relationship with Him. We’re excited to share the good news, the story of redemption, with you as Easter approaches!
On Sunday, March 31 at 9:30am + 11:30am we will have our Easter services at the Altria. Free, general admission tickets will be available to reserve at hopechurchrva.com/easter at 1pm TODAY. To find out about our other Easter events like Springle Jam and our Maundy Thursday service, head to hopechurchrva.com/easter
Dive deeper by listening to past sermons at:
www.hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Mon, 4 Mar 2024 - 1h 01min
159 - Healing on the Sabbath | The Meaning of Miracles | Part 3
Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our sermon series, The Meaning of Miracles, with a reading from Matthew 12.
In this passage of scripture, Jesus heals a man with a crippled hand on the day of the Sabbath. It is no coincidence that Jesus healed on this day and did so six other Sabbath days.
This day was for God’s people to rest from their labor, but also to connect with God more than the rest of the week. The Sabbath was and is an invitation to wholeness and oneness with God Himself.
Jesus, restoring wholeness to the man with the crippled hand, was pointing to His Father. Jesus was displaying the character of God to the world. Our God is a god of wholeness, dignity, light, and love.
He is a God of restoration and redemption. He desires to restore our wholeness. He is inviting us to connect with Him deeply and fully so that we would be restored, renewed, and fulfilled.
Dive deeper by listening to past sermons at:
www.hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Mon, 4 Mar 2024 - 34min
158 - Stilling the Storm | The Meaning of the Miracles | Part 2
But soon a fierce storm came up…Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series about miracles, focused on the reality that when we are praying for miracles, we are often in the most challenging circumstances of our lives. Like the disciples in Mark 4, we ask God, “Don’t you care….?”
We cannot predict or understand when God will intervene in the natural order of things to work a miracle. Our faith rests in the knowledge that he can and the trust that his purposes will be realized, no matter the outcome of the situation we are in.
Dive deeper by listening to past sermons at:
www.hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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Tue, 20 Feb 2024 - 33min
157 - Wedding at Cana | The Meaning of the Miracles | Part 1
This morning, Executive Pastor Wes Peterson kicked off our new sermon series, The Meaning of Miracles, with the story of the wedding at Cana.

In one of the most recognizable miracles in the Bible, Jesus turned water into wine. Why? Not to simply fill the cups of the wedding guests for a single event, but to reveal His own glory for the first time.

This supernatural act was a sign pointing to something else. Pointing to Him, His love, and His glory. It was pointing to the spiritual redemption Jesus would later accomplish at the cross. It was inviting those who witnessed it to see Him, know Him, trust Him, and have a relationship with Him.

Dive deeper by listening to past sermons at:
www.hopechurchrva.com/sermons
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www.hopechurchrva.com
Facebook: @HopeChurchRVA
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Mon, 12 Feb 2024 - 28min
156 - Perspective | Wise & True
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our series, Wise & True, with a reminder that the fear of the Lord, our reverent devotion to Him, is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is: To be carried and considered and wrestled with. Wisdom isn’t: A good luck charm, a fortune cookie, or superstition. Wisdom is: An important element of your relationship with God. Wisdom isn’t: Ever to become your God, or your heart’s focus and devotion. Wisdom is: Something that over time leads you to make better decisions based on what is true; decisions that are better than you would have otherwise made. Wisdom isn’t: Protection against pain, or a bargaining chip with God. Wisdom is: For the long haul of life, a long-term companion that plays the long game. Wisdom isn’t: A quick fix, an easy answer. Wisdom is: Invitation, consideration, mystery. Wisdom isn’t: A self-help, self-centered, fix-it tool. The way to wisdom is a growing intimate relationship with God himself. Not God + something. Not God for something.

Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 5 Feb 2024 - 28min
155 - Motives, Plans, and Steps | Wise & True
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our series, Wise & True, with a reminder that the fear of the Lord, our reverent devotion to Him, is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is: To be carried and considered and wrestled with. Wisdom isn’t: A good luck charm, a fortune cookie, or superstition. Wisdom is: An important element of your relationship with God. Wisdom isn’t: Ever to become your God, or your heart’s focus and devotion. Wisdom is: Something that over time leads you to make better decisions based on what is true; decisions that are better than you would have otherwise made. Wisdom isn’t: Protection against pain, or a bargaining chip with God. Wisdom is: For the long haul of life, a long-term companion that plays the long game. Wisdom isn’t: A quick fix, an easy answer. Wisdom is: Invitation, consideration, mystery. Wisdom isn’t: A self-help, self-centered, fix-it tool. The way to wisdom is a growing intimate relationship with God himself. Not God + something. Not God for something.
Stay connected to HOPE!
Find us online at: hopechurchrva.com
Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: @hopechurchrva
Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 34min
154 - True Discernment | Wise & True
We continued our sermon series this morning with Senior Pastor David Dwight. He painted a picture of the tree of life. Its roots, character; its trunk, wisdom; its four main branches, truth, trust, humility, and discipline. The book of Proverbs invites us to seek wisdom and to see ourselves in a true and accurate light. Acquiring the truth about who we are can be painful, but it is humbling, edifying, and it is wise. Proverbs tells us that the wise person seeks correction, insight, and shaping. This shaping, this transformation is not possible without love. A love that is so wide, long, high, and deep. How beautiful it is that our God is love.
Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 38min
153 - Above All Else | Wise & True
Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell continues our sermon series reminding us of these words in Proverbs 4:23. We guard our hearts because they are valuable to God, they are the source of our words and actions, and they are often under attack from the enemy. Pete reminds us that Christ is in us, and with us always. He will help us to guard our hearts and cultivate wisdom in us.
Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 31min
152 - The Best Advice | Wise & True
There are thousands of voices telling us what to do to lead a better life. The Bible tells us that we need to get wisdom to live a better life. It tells us that if we are to pursue anything, we are to pursue wisdom. This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked off the new year + a new sermon series exploring the book of Proverbs. The invitation of this book is to trust God, yield to Him, and make Him the foundation of our life. We can do this with confidence because God has a pure and spotless character. He has all knowledge of all things throughout all time. His intentions are purely love. When we trust in Him and His word, not ourselves, we will get wisdom. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 35min
151 - New Year's Eve 2023
HOPE Church's 2023 NYE special Sunday Service.
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 15min
150 - Christmas Eve | Behold
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Isaiah 60:1-6 Merry Christmas Eve from the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 23min
149 - Behold the Lamb | Behold
God is inviting us to behold and to pay attention to Him. But His ways are not our own. While we may be looking for God to move in extravagant ways, His handiwork can often be found in the modest and small. The Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, bringing justice, peace, and reconciliation, was born a baby in a humble dwelling. The birth of a baby, an everyday miracle, was how God chose to bring heaven to earth. Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our sermon series, Behold, sharing that when we earnestly seek God, we will find Him. If we seek Him in our every day, we will see more clearly how He is weaving His story. If we behold Him, we can discover how we can love God with our lives.
Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 34min
148 - Behold the News | Behold
Executive Pastor Wes Peterson continues our sermon series, Behold, reminding us that the event of Jesus’ birth, the good news, is not just something that happened long ago. It is a personal invitation from God into His story. The good news is for ALL people, right where they are and in all the challenges they are facing. Behold the joy that this news brings the world and share that joy with someone this Christmas season. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11
Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 26min
147 - Behold God’s Glory | Behold
It can be hard to behold God in all His glory when we are consumed by ourselves and our circumstances as we live in the darkness of this world. Yet, we can find God’s glory all around us when we stop for a moment and behold His kindness, His mercy, His grace, His peace, and His love. Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell invites us to behold God’s glory throughout Advent, even if only for the amount of time it takes to sing the doxology below. Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Luke 2:8-9
Stay connected to HOPE!
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Mon, 29 Jan 2024 - 31min
146 - Behold a Son | Behold
Our Advent sermon series, Behold, commences with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. God invites us to behold – not merely look, but to pay attention, to notice, and to take in the beauty + magnitude of the birth of Jesus Christ. Everything changed when He entered into the world fully man and fully God. Religion turned into a relationship with the person of Christ. Together, as a community of beholders, we can bring our distractions and our wounds to Jesus this Christmas, so that nothing would stand in the way of our beholding and entering into relationship with the Son of God.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name “Jesus.’” - Luke 1:31
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 - 33min
145 - Love’s Win | Romans 8
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
Senior Pastor David Dwight concludes our sermon series reminding us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. We all can think of something - a past sin, shame, or regret that makes us wonder if God can love us. But in Christ, we can introduce our “something” to God’s “NOTHING” and invite him to bring reunion of our hearts to his intimate and complete love.
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 - 30min
144 - No Means No | 8
How do we know God is for us? He gave us Christ! Christ who suffered for us and entered into our own suffering so that we may have a deeper union with God.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Thu, 16 Nov 2023 - 32min
143 - Since God is for Us | 8
As believers we know that God works for the good of those who love Him, but is “the good” the apostle Paul speaks of the same as what we define “good” to be? Is it only happy, victorious endings to the strife and hardships in our lives?
Missional Pastor Matt Hartman reminds us that we may not see resolution to life’s interruptions, closed doors, and heartaches. But when the spirit of Christ lives in us, God is using those messy, difficult situations to draw us closer to Him, conform us to His image, and grow in us a more Christlike compassion, boldness, and hope.
Romans 8:28-32
Thu, 16 Nov 2023 - 35min
142 - Hopeful Endurance | 8
This morning Worship + Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman explores the relationship between suffering and glory as we continue our series on Romans 8.
God’s Word tells us that we are called to wait patiently, eagerly, and with hope for the future glory promised to us through Christ Jesus. This hope builds in us an ability to endure the suffering we experience here on earth. We can be assured that our present sufferings, while painful, are temporary and small in comparison to the glory of eternity with God.
Scripture referenced: Romans 8:18-27
Mon, 30 Oct 2023 - 30min
141 - Life in the Spirit | 8
Today, Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series and explores what Romans 8 says about the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a real person and the third member of the trinity. When we’ve accepted Jesus into our hearts, He is in us and with us always. He is the midwife of our birth, the companion in our growth, and the resurrector at our death.
"To live in the Spirit is to have a heart yielded to God. Our hearts desire to love, serve, and honor Him because of the power of His spirit. To live in the flesh is to say we belong to ourselves, but when we live in the Spirit we are declaring that we are God’s alone." - Romans 8:9-17
Thu, 26 Oct 2023 - 39min
140 - Without Condemnation: Not Guilty | 8
Our new sermon series, 8, kicks off with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. When we are in true relationship with Jesus, we will be judged “not guilty” before the throne of God. We did not earn this verdict, Jesus did. He paid it all, so we can live joyfully and in gratitude for this incredible gift. This is grace.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1-4
Mon, 16 Oct 2023 - 34min
139 - Eternity Seekers | Being Human
To be human is to be made in the image of God, for our identity to be found in Jesus alone, to be separated from God because of sin, but reconciled through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to have eternity planted in our hearts.
Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell wraps up our sermon series, Being Human, with the poignant reminder that this vast, beautiful world and the things of it will never satisfy us. We will always be yearning for more because God placed eternity in our hearts. Eternity does not just await us after our physical lives end, but it is here right now through Jesus, our living hope. We may not fully understand the scope here on earth, but we can see a glimpse when we turn our eyes towards Jesus.
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." - John 17:3
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 - 27min
138 - Separated from God | Being Human
We all face problems and challenges in our lives. The secular view says that our problems are caused by external factors. A biblical view of our problems tells us that our problems are caused by our internal sin. Senior Pastor David Dwight reminds us that God is offering us redemption from our brokenness and he offers us another way. God invites us to live in our present, imperfect circumstances with hope for eternal glory when we will not experience pain and suffering and brokenness, but joy and unity and love.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:4
Thu, 5 Oct 2023 - 36min
137 - God Made and Loved | Being Human
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." Psalm 139:13-14
The human body is extraordinarily complex. We contain 35 trillion cells, each with its own specialized functions that contribute to keeping us alive. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series considering the great intentionality of the God who made us, designed us, and has purpose for our lives.
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 - 34min
136 - Image Bearers / Being Human
We are made in the image of God. He calls us to display his characters and personhood. When we reveal the goodness of his nature, we are bringing him glory. Senior Pastor David Dwight begins our series "Being Human" reminding us that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Mon, 18 Sep 2023 - 36min
135 - Constructing a Life / The Sermon
Senior Pastor David Dwight concludes our series "The Sermon." The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus Christ teaching us how to live a simple human life: how to focus on what matters; how to live with God and people; and how to arrange our priorities to yield a life of wholeness, meaning, and influence; and leave a legacy of love and grace. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the author of life, teaches us how to truly live.
Mon, 11 Sep 2023 - 32min
134 - Eyes Open / The Sermon
When we hear the word "sin," we may think of a list of bad behaviors. We'll compare our behavior to others and be left feeling puffed up or deflated. These "sins," wherever we rank them are really the symptom of a greater problem - separation from God.
We've all fallen short and the good news is that Christ has closed the gap. The deep heart problem, the barrier, the separation has been taken care of through Christ's work on the cross. Will we open our eyes? Will we say yes to this offer of complete forgiveness? Will we, through Jesus, believe in our new identity?
No longer condemned, no longer separated, but free. This belonging will help us extend forgiveness and love to ourselves and our neighbors.
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 - 35min
133 - Keep It Simple / The Sermon
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell continues our study of the Sermon on the Mount by reminding us that God cares about the things that we worry about. We are not wrong to be concerned about the things of this world, but Jesus invites us to rest in him and seek first the kingdom of God.
Mon, 28 Aug 2023 - 30min
132 - Don't Show Me The Money / The Sermon
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Executive Pastor Wes Peterson continues our study of the Sermon on the Mount with an exploration of how we are called to think about money. Money is useful here on earth, but will have no value in eternity. In his teaching, Jesus encourages us to fix our eyes on the eternal and use our resources here on earth to invest in things that will pay dividends beyond our earthly life.
Mon, 21 Aug 2023 - 30min
131 - Honest Prayer / The Sermon
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
In the Greek, the word "hypocrite" is most accurately translated to mean "the pretender" - someone who plays the part of a religious person to perfection, but internally does not have sincere faith. Missional Pastor Matt Hartman reminds us that a sincere heart posture before the Lord is the first step to intimacy with him. As we continue to explore The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, Matt helps illuminate how the Lord's prayer is an expression of what it means to live in God's kingdom.
Mon, 21 Aug 2023 - 30min
130 - Behind the Scenes / The Sermon
Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven...when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our study on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:1-4. What does it look like to live life once we have a heart for God? Jesus is teaching us how to be set free from the law and free from the trappings of religion. Can we do the heart of it without the show of it?
Mon, 7 Aug 2023 - 36min
129 - Getting Along / The Sermon
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... Loving our enemies doesn't come easy, but it is the path Jesus calls us to.
Executive Pastor Wes Peterson encourages us to the radical reconciliation that can only come from Jesus. When we treat our enemies as well as we treat our friends, we recognize their humanity and offer dignity to them and to ourselves. It is a hard and worthy pursuit.
Mon, 31 Jul 2023 - 30min
128 - Hidden Qualities / The Sermon
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our journey through The Sermon on the Mount with a teaching from Matthew 5: 21-37, exploring Jesus' teaching on the value of human life, the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of marriage, and the integrity of our promises.
These four topics interact and hold each other up like the four legs of a table. They speak to our integrity as people and we bring glory to God when we offer this integrity to each other.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Mon, 24 Jul 2023 - 34min
127 - Pure Devotion / The Sermon
Mon, 17 Jul 2023 - 33min
126 - Blessed Weakness / The Sermon
The Beatitudes are first for people in bad situations, not for people with good attitudes. Jesus is on our side. Jesus blesses people not because of their virtues but because of their inadequacies. This is the first part of our Summer series on the Sermon on the Mount.
Mon, 10 Jul 2023 - 26min
125 - Freedom + Joy / Freedom People
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. These words in Galatians 5 remind us that our salvation is in Christ alone.
Senior Pastor David Dwight concludes our sermon series with the reflection that we remain yoked in slavery when we try to portray a certain image to the world that our internal lives do not reflect, but this is not part of freedom in Christ. When we receive liberation in Christ, our hearts are set free to worship him.
Wed, 5 Jul 2023 - 37min
124 - Children of Inheritance / Freedom People
Children who are set to receive an extraordinary inheritance cannot prove themselves worthy to receive it by their own actions. Their best posture is to live humbly, gratefully, generously. In the forth sermon of "Freedom People," Senior Pastor David Dwight reminds us that through adoption as children of God, we can claim the extraordinary inheritance of salvation in Jesus and eternal life to come. In the knowledge of this gift, we can live free.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons.
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 - 38min
123 - Faith From Start to Finish / Freedom People
"Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ." In the third sermon in our series, Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman reminds us of Paul's words to the Galatians.
In our faith journey, we can start to believe that our faith is based on an "if I...., then you will..." exchange, but this is patently false. We remind ourselves that the gospel is complete and our salvation is through Christ alone. We have been credited as righteous by Jesus's death on the cross and we can rest there.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons.
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 - 33min
122 - His Gift, Our Faith / Freedom People
“We...know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell continues the sermon series in Galatians 2, reminding us that we are set free from the law and are justified by Christ alone.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Let us live in this power and dwell in the freedom Christ offers us.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 - 28min
121 - Staying True / Freedom People
What is the gospel and what does it mean for us? Romans 1 tells us, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Senior Pastor David Dwight kicks off a new sermon series examining the full reality of what the gospel of Jesus offers us and what it means for our lives. Over the next five weeks, "Freedom People" will explore what the gospel means for those of us who have been set free in Jesus.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 - 38min
120 - Spread the Gospel / Anchors
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit." Missional Pastor Matt Hartman reminds us that as Christ-followers, we are called to go and share the gospel with others.
Rounding out our series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, Matt speaks on the seventh essential of our faith, inviting us to consider the commandment that we go and share the good news of Jesus with the whole world.
Find a copy of the Apostle's Creed: https://tinyurl.com/2ht9z6e4
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Wed, 31 May 2023 - 38min
119 - Christ's Return / Anchors
The second coming of Christ matters in the everyday matters of life. In the midst of our day to day lives, we don't always stop to reflect on the return of Christ. We can become so preoccupied with the urgency of our to-do list, that we forget to have a heart fixed on eternity. As we wait for the second coming of Christ, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell invites us to watch, wait, work, forgive and hope.
Continuing in our series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, Pete speaks on the sixth essential of our faith, inviting us to consider the reality that "Jesus is coming and it might be today."
Find a copy of the Apostle's Creed: https://tinyurl.com/2ht9z6e4
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Mon, 22 May 2023 - 32min
118 - The Church / Anchors
"God does not have a mission for his church; God has a church for his mission." The church is a body with many parts and it exists to accomplish the work of God here on earth. We may have complex feelings about the church as an institution, but if we align with God's work here on earth, we have the chance to cooperate in the work God has here on earth through the church.
Continuing in our series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, Senior Pastor David Dwight speaks on the fifth essential of our faith, inviting us to ponder the complexity and mystery of the church and God's calling to us to be a part of it.
Find a copy of the Apostle's Creed: https://tinyurl.com/2ht9z6e4
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Thu, 18 May 2023 - 35min
117 - Sin, Grace + Salvation / Anchors
The gospel is just "one beggar showing another beggar where to find some bread." No matter how long we walk in faith and how mature we might like to think we are, we are all beginners in the gospel because we are working to understand the magnitude, bigness, and beauty of God.
Continuing in our series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, Senior Pastor David Dwight speaks on the fourth essential of our faith. We are reminded that on our own merit, we are all sinful, but that God's perfection offers us redemption, adoption, and acceptance in his family. Our faith journeys are a life-long pursuit of the understanding of that truth.
Find a copy of the Apostle's Creed here.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons.
Mon, 8 May 2023 - 35min
116 - The Holy Spirit / Anchors
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our sermon series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, with a thoughtful exploration of the Holy Spirit and our relationship with him.
Wed, 3 May 2023 - 37min
115 - Jesus: Son of God / Anchors
"Doing God's will is adopting Jesus' way." Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman continues our series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, with the reminder that Jesus came to earth to show us how to live.
Tue, 25 Apr 2023 - 32min
114 - One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit / Anchors
"We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Senior Pastor David Dwight begins a new sermon series, Anchors: Seven truths about the God who made us and loves us and intends for our flourishing, with this first essential of our faith.
Mon, 17 Apr 2023 - 38min
113 - Everything New / Anticipation
In the final sermon of our Anticipation series, Discipleship Pastor Dan Yoon reminds us that we like new things: new houses, new cars, new relationships, new babies...and the list goes on. And while we love the feeling of "new things," we live in a reality that our earthly lives are often challenging, tiring, and full of ways things can break down.
Mon, 3 Apr 2023 - 26min
112 - The Shape of Things to Come / Anticipation
"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing." Preaching from the opening verses of 2 Corinthians 5, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell reminds us that our earthly bodies are temporary tents and our heavenly bodies will be permanent dwellings.
Pete speaks of the tension of this series between a vision for heaven and knowing the painful reality of death in our present world. While we live in this present world, we can balance looking forward to heaven with the pleasure of this life: extending kindness to ourselves because God has been kind to us, celebrating the joys of life on this earth, and living in the fullness of this life as we prepare for the greatness of eternal life with God.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Tue, 28 Mar 2023 - 27min
111 - Joyful Suprise / Anticipation
Senior Pastor Dr. David Dwight continued our series on heaven with an exploration of the realities of our heavenly lives.
Tue, 21 Mar 2023 - 38min
110 - Anticipation / Finally Home
"Are we too heavenly-minded to be useful on earth or too earthly-minded to be useful in heaven?" In the first sermon of Anticipation: Just Beyond the Door, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell leads us to ponder whether our heart posture focused on present earthly concerns instead of our heavenly future.
In John 14, Jesus tells us, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." With this assurance, we can set our hearts on our future in heaven and offer proper perspective to the concerns of our earthly lives. As we live in the hope of our future in heaven, we have greater joy and peace here on earth.
Find all sermons from this series at hopechurchrva.com/sermons
Mon, 13 Mar 2023 - 25min
109 - Lament / The Way Through
What is your vision for the pain in your life? David Dwight asks this provocative question as we closes out the sermon series with a focus on lament.
Mon, 6 Mar 2023 - 32min
108 - Anguish / The Way Through
When we experience suffering and anguish, we are tempted to wonder "what's the point of living a "good life" if hardship comes to us anyway?" David Dwight reminds us that many of us experience this kind of frustration.
Wed, 1 Mar 2023 - 34min
107 - Blessing and Comfort / The Way Through
Pete Bowell continues "The Way Through," a sermon series about grief, with the reminder that we are blessed in hardship.
Wed, 22 Feb 2023 - 33min
106 - Take Heart / The Way Through
David Dwight begins "The Way Through," a sermon series about grief, with the encouragement that our hardships are normal.
Wed, 22 Feb 2023 - 35min
105 - One Another / Breathe
Matt Hartman shares reflections on the power and beauty of praying for one another from Colossians 1:9-13.
Mon, 6 Feb 2023 - 29min
104 - Forgiveness / Breathe
Pete Bowell shares reflections on the holy ground of forgiveness from Psalm 51:1-12; 17.
Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 29min
103 - Intimacy, Unity, Glory / Breathe
In the third teaching for our series, Senior Pastor Dr. David Dwight explores prayer in three different dimensions. All our prayers are valued and received by God, but he most desires immersive prayer in which we are fully present and vulnerable before him, when we can grow in intimacy with him. Intimacy with God creates a deep desire for unity, which leads us to God’s glory.
Mon, 23 Jan 2023 - 29min
102 - Lordship / Breathe
In the second teaching for our series, Senior Pastor Dr. David Dwight explores the concept of Lordship, starting in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. In Lordship, we align our lives in submission to the things that are most important to us. Through prayer, we align our hearts to God's Lordship, which leads to life and pursuit of our highest calling.
Tue, 17 Jan 2023 - 38min
101 - Knowing God, His Hope, His Inheritance, His Power / Breathe
Start the new year with a deep breath. Senior Pastor Dr. David Dwight kicks off a new sermon series, Breathe, with an invitation to explore prayer as described in Ephesians 1:15-20. Prayer is an invitation to an intimate relationship with the creator of the universe who offers us his hope, his inheritance, and his power.
Mon, 9 Jan 2023 - 37min
100 - The Big In The Small / The Surprise of Christmas
Senior Pastor David Dwight continues our Advent sermon series The Surprise of Christmas with a message called "Big in the Small."
Mon, 19 Dec 2022 - 31min
99 - Shepherds / The Surprise of Christmas
It's week three of our Advent sermon series, and today's sermon from Senior Pastor David Dwight focuses on the humble shepherds - the disregarded ones whom God chose to tell first about the birth of Jesus.
Mon, 12 Dec 2022 - 35min
98 - Manger / The Surprise of Christmas
In week two of our Advent sermon series The Surprise of Christmas, Senior Pastor David Dwight teaches on the manger — the feed trough where our newborn Savior was laid in place of a crib or cradle. There's something significant about this, though... the modest being used for the most majestic, this space where food was placed being used for Jesus, who we know as the Bread of Life, the Passover Lamb, the Giver and Sustainer of Life in ways not even Mary could have known or understood when she laid her baby down to sleep.
Mon, 5 Dec 2022 - 36min

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