New Hope Community Church - Our Church Blog

Can you explain what was happening? At the conclusion of the Sunday morning service, the pastor invited all those who were needing prayer to come forward. He then put some liquid on his fingers placed it on their forehead and then prayed for them.

3/26/2019

From what you described it sounds like the pastor was following the example given in James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Prayer for the sick is a part of what the Lord has called us to do. The anointing with oil is the liquid you saw the pastor put on his fingers. This is symbolic of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and of placing the person into the hands of God. The prayer and the anointing of oil is to be done in the name of the Lord. It is God who brings the healing not the person praying. The one praying is totally relying on the power of the Lord to bring the healing.

I know someone who got baptized as a baby and now they are an adult and getting baptized again. Should someone get baptized more than one time?

3/14/2019

Water baptism is one of the things Jesus told his followers in Matthew 28:19, to continue to do for all who would come to believe and accept Him as their Savior. The apostle Paul explained in Romans 6 the symbolism of how water baptism portrays the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Infant baptism is never mentioned in Scripture. Every account of water baptism is that of an adult making a decision to repent and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. We practice dedicating our babies to God, as Joseph and Mary did for Jesus and then performing baptism when a person is able to make their own decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Nebraska Senator Ernie Chambers recently called the American flag a rag and compared it to the swastika. How should we respond?

3/5/2019

This same Senator a few years ago filed a lawsuit against God over natural disasters. On another occasion he compared police officers to ISIS. This man has served in office since 1971 and is the longest serving state senator at 81 years old. The people of Nebraska apparently continue to support him by reelecting him into office. Our flag is not just a piece of cloth or a rag any more than a headstone is just a piece of granite. Our flag stands for freedom and represents this great nation and all who have suffered and died protecting us. Because of what the flag represents, we have proper protocol regarding how to fold it, how to raise it and lower it, how to display it. This Senator needs a lesson in showing honor and respect.

What happens when we die, some say we go into a soul sleep, some say we might go to purgatory and others say we go to heaven?

2/27/2019

God created us to live forever but because of sin our body will eventually die. But our soul will continue to live and will spend eternity somewhere. The only real answer we have on this must come from God's Word, the Bible. The Bible does not teach anything about purgatory or soul sleep. For the believer 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. Those who have not accepted Jesus as Savior will not enter heaven. There is no second chance, no redemption, no prayers for the dead to help them make it to heaven. Jesus makes it very clear in John 14 that it is only through belief in Christ that we can come to the Father, who is in heaven.

I was in a church, where a person in the row in front of me, between the songs being sung, spoke out in a foreign language. I was told this was speaking in tongues. Then another person immediately spoke telling us that God wants everyone to draw near to

2/25/2019

You experienced what the Bible calls in First Corinthians 12, two of the nine spiritual gifts that are mentioned. The first was tongues and the second was the interpretation of tongues. This is explained further in First Corinthians 14. Basically, it is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit bringing a message to the people that were present. The speaking in tongues is a sign to any unbelievers and the interpretation or prophesying is speaking forth the message that God had for the believers that were present.

Why do ministers always feel they have to “preach” at a funeral? I go to pay my respect and support the family not to hear a sermon.

2/13/2019

Funerals have changed a lot over the last few decades. Most families use to be connected to a church and their minister would be asked to officiate. Now it seems that I often officiate at a funeral where I have never met the person. The funeral is a time to share memories, say our goodbyes and contemplate the reality of life and death. I will always have a prayer, some scripture and make sure to mention that God is not willing for anyone to perish and miss heaven. That faith in Jesus is the only way for any person to see the kingdom of God. Yes, the funeral is for the family, but it is also a time to realize that there is also eternal life after death.

Abortion, homosexual and transgender issues, recreational drug use are all subjects that I have never heard addressed from the pulpit regarding what the Bible has to say. Are these subjects off limit?

2/5/2019

All of these things are areas that affect everyone of us in one way or another. I believe that Pastors have an obligation to address these issues and what the Bible teaches regarding the principles surrounding these very pressing concerns facing our society. The Word of God tells us in 2 Timothy 2:3 “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” Some people may not want to hear the truth about want God says concerning killing innocent children or how God made us male and female, or how the misuse of drugs can even be connected to demons, but it is my prayer that Pastor’s will preach and teach the truth.

If sin is so bad why does the Bile say that there is pleasure in sin?

1/30/2019

The Bible does say that there is pleasure in sin. Our own experience would confirm this as being true. But the rest of the statement in the Bible says that the pleasure only last for a season (Hebrews 11:25). When that season is over you are left bitter, broken and destroyed. The Bible also says that the wages of sin is death. Sin is nothing to take lightly. Sin will take your farther than you wanted to go. Sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay. Sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay.

What is the biggest problem facing the church today?

1/23/2019

I think that deception is the biggest problem. The devil has deceived many in the church into living like everyone is going to heaven, everyone can do what is right in their own mind and no one has the right to judge. The church needs to stand for what is true according to the Bible, God’s Word and not be deceived into trying to please a godless society who doesn’t believe in absolute truth. Sin is real, it will send people to Hell. The only remedy for sin is accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Everyone is going to spend eternity in one of two places, Heaven or Hell.
Don't be deceived!

Which Bible translation should I be using?

1/17/2019

Since 1611, for almost 300 years the main English translation used was called the King James Version (KJV) or Authorized Version of the Bible. Since that time there has been many very good translations that have tried to bring the Word of God into the language of today. The (KJV) is good but very challenging to read for the modern reader. Today I use the New King James Version updated in 1982 to our modern language. New Living Translation 1996 is also a very updated accurate translation. New English Translation 2006 is also highly recommended. Any of these Bibles would be excellent choices of reliable translations from the original languages of God's Word.