Our Church Blog - New Hope Community Church

Does the Koran talks about Jesus Christ?

8/15/2019

Yes, it does. The Koran was written over 600 years after the death of Christ. Although there are several references to Christ being the son of Mary, a prophet, one who brings revelation of God. It does not teach that Jesus was God in the flesh, crucified, buried and resurrected as all major Christian beliefs agree on. The Koran calls Jesus a true prophet but it was Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. The Koran does not agree that salvation from sin comes only by grace through faith in Jesus. Jesus is either the Lord or a liar, He can’t be both. Jesus said, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”. The Koran is a false teaching and is opposed to the true teaching of the Bible.

In light of these mass shootings what should be a Christian’s response to carrying a weapon?

8/8/2019

These shootings are terrible and our prayers are with the families that have suffered loss. When Cain killed Abel, God didn’t blame the rock, He held Cain responsible. The rock, the weapon didn’t do anything. The problem was with the heart of Cain. When Jesus was approaching the end of His earthly ministry this is what He told His disciples. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!” Luke 22:36. Jesus encouraged them to carry a sword apparently because where they would go could be dangerous. This world is filled with evil people who will try to hurt or even kill you and your family. We have the responsibility to do all we can to protect ourselves and the people we love. We must always take a stand against evil and stand for what is good.

What does it mean “Generational Curse”?

8/1/2019

Jesus said that the thief, speaking of the devil, “comes to steal, kill and destroy”. There are times when the enemy, the demons of hell, bring curses and calamity upon a life or into a family. Unless a person rebukes and renounces that demonic presence not only can they continue to be active but they can even be passed on to the next generation. To stop this ”Generational Curse” takes a true born again believer who will pray with power and authority in the name of Jesus commanding all demons and curses to be broken and removed. These curses can be manifested as addictions, negative mindsets or other such things as reoccurring sickness etc. The good news is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy.

I was at a church and I heard the pastor say that “Everyone needs to be justified and sanctified.” What does that mean?

7/25/2019

Both of those words are used in the Scripture but are not common phrases in everyday conversation. I try to practice what I call the K.I.S.S. method when preaching, Keep It Spiritually Simple. Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” To be justified using the K.I.S.S. method means “just-as-if-I-never-sinned”. 1 Corinthians 6:11 “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Sanctified means “set apart for God.” To put these two together, justified and sanctified means that by putting your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are forgiven just as if you never sinned and are now to be set apart to live your life for God. I hope that helps.

How concerned do I need to be regarding dealing with demons? Isn’t that something that Pastors or Priests should handle?

7/17/2019

Demons are a very real entity that Jesus said are seeking to steal, kill and destroy. While it is true that Pastors and Priests do deal with demonic presence, it is also true that every believer has been given power to do the same. Jesus also said in Luke 10:17-20 that He has given his followers power over the enemy. The seventy believers that he sent out, came back rejoicing that the demons were subject to them by using the name of Jesus. James 4:7 tells us to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I would urge you to take seriously the presence of demonic activity when you see the works of the enemy concerning your life and family. Take the authority given by Jesus and rebuke the enemy and command any demon that is present to leave immediately in the name of Jesus. It is only by prayer that demons will leave. If you need more information contact me.

While checking out the total came to $6.66. The person working there said, “Wow, that’s an evil number!”. Why did they say that?

7/11/2019

More than likely the person was referring to a Bible verse found in Revelation 13 where the number 666 is called the number of the beast or the mark of the beast. This beast is thought to be the Antichrist who shows up during the Great Tribulation that begins immediately after the Rapture. This beast who has the number 666 represents all that is evil and that is opposed to God. We are living at a time where these events could happen at any moment. First the Rapture, this is when all born again believers are caught up to meet Jesus when He returns in the clouds. Next begins a seven year period called the Great Tribulation. This is when the wrath of God will be poured out upon the earth. The only way to escape this time is to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord today.

I have been invited to attend the same sex wedding of a relative. I love my relative, but I don’t support same sex marriages. What should I do?

6/25/2019

Attending a marriage ceremony is an invitation to come and witness and celebrate the union of two people in marriage. For the Christian from Genesis to the teachings of Jesus marriage has always been about the joining together of one man and one woman. Same sex marriages have never been acceptable by God. It is very challenging when a culture accepts practices that are contrary to the Judeo-Christian teaching that has existed for thousands of years. Whether it is this sin or any other sin, we are told to love the person but to not condone or excuse the sin. Tell them you love them, God loves them but you can’t endorse or celebrate this decision that they have made. They will probably get married anyway and you then show them the same love just like anyone else who chooses to not obey God.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

6/20/2019

When I read this question immediately dozens of verses began to race through my mind. There has been different many different verses that have been my favorite depending on what was happening in my life. If I had to choose only one it would be hard but I guess I will go with John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." This verse tells me that God wants to save us and not condemn us. The following verse 18, tells us that without Christ we are already condemned because of sin. Every person needs to hear that God has provided the only way to be saved from sin. The only way to be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. This one verse tells the gospel story pretty well. It gives me hope for today and hope for tomorrow. God wants you and I to not be condemned but to be saved.

What does it mean that there is going to be a new heaven and a new earth?

6/13/2019

There is a series of events that are yet to take place according to the Bible. At any moment we could experience what is called the Rapture. This is when Jesus returns and all the believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Next, the 7-year Great Tribulation will happen on earth, in which the judgment of God will come to all those still here. At the conclusion of this 7-year period Satan is bound, the earth is judged and a 1000 year reign of peace will take place. Next there will be a Great White Throne Judgment and anyone not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. God will then cause this earth to pass away and He will create a new heaven and a new earth. All sin, sorrow, death, pain will not be a part of this new earth. This is where God will dwell with man for all eternity.

I heard that this Sunday June 9th is Pentecost Sunday. What does that mean?

6/6/2019

Pentecost Sunday is always celebrated 50 days after Passover. Passover was the Jewish feast that was happening when Jesus was crucified. The next major Jewish feast was the one called Pentecost or Feast of First Fruits. Both of these feasts have a Jewish significance but they also have a clear Christian significance. The Passover required an innocent lamb to die and the blood was applied so that the wrath of God would "Passover". For the Christian, Jesus was the lamb that was slain to take our sins upon himself. Pentecost was the Jewish celebration of the "First Fruits" of the harvest. For the Christian, it was during the feast of Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the believers. Many scholars call this the birthday of the church. This was the celebration of the first fruits of those who would come to believe and receive Jesus as their Savior and be filled with the Holy Spirit. On that day 3000 were added to the church. Today for the Christian church, Pentecost is the celebration of the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit being given on all those who will believe. To this day it is the Holy Spirit that is working in and through the lives of those who will accept Christ as their Savior. There are more Holy Spirit filled believers on the earth today than at any time in Christian history.