http://www.nhcf-bedford.org New Hope Christian Fellowship Podcasts en New Hope Christian Fellowship Podcasts New Hope Christian Fellowship no New Hope Christian Fellowship it@nhcf-bedford.org ℗ & © 2010 New Hope Christian Fellowship 720 David Branon, a writer for Our Daily Bread, wrote an interesting thought about the focus of our worship. He writes: “When a publishing company asked me to write an endorsement for a new book, I said I’d be glad to. It appeared to be a helpful effort directed to young people, challenging them to live for God in a changing world. But as I read the book, something troubled me. Although it had lots of Scripture and great spiritual advice, it didn’t explain that the starting point for any relationship with God is salvation through Jesus Christ. The writer seemed to imply that the essence of living spiritually in modern society is based totally on action—good deeds—and not on saving faith in Christ. I didn’t write the endorsement. The culture of the church is changing rapidly. Often left behind in the rush to find exciting new ideas is the essential nature of the gospel.” (Based upon Galatians 1:6-12)[1] http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/trusting-in-christ-alone http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/trust-in-christ-alone.mp3 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:39:49 GMT Bob Kruger David Branon, a writer for Our Daily Bread, wrote an interesting thought about the focus of our worship. He writes: “When a publishing company asked me to write an endorsement for a new book, I said I’d be glad to. It appeared to ... death,glory,jesus,names_of_god 30:20 WHO IS YOUR FATHER? Introduction: Mart Dehaan, a writer for RBC Ministries relates the following information about fathers: Some of us have a hard time relating to God the Father. We sing to the Son, pray to the Son, and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” But when Jesus talks about His Father, He touches issues that may be affecting us more than we realize. Maybe our problem is that His Father doesn’t answer our prayers as we want Him to. Or we think of Him in terms of the human fathers we have known. Many of us have never even heard our biological father say, “I love you.” Some have inherited a legacy of abandonment, addiction, and even abuse. Even the best of fathers fail us in life and leave us in death. In one way or another, all of us have been affected by what the Bible calls “the sins of the fathers.” The Father of Jesus Scripture doesn’t tell us much about the relationship between Jesus and Joseph, the man who married Jesus’ mother and raised Jesus as his son. Instead, even at the age of 12, Jesus is found relating to His eternal Father. After staying behind in Jerusalem following the Feast of the Passover, Jesus said to Mary and Joseph, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). Years later when Jesus went public at about the age of 30, He talked a lot about the Father. He told His disciples that He had come to bring them to His Father who was speaking and working through Him (John 14:8-11). When one of them asked Him to show them the Father, He said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (v.9). Then, as He was about to complete the work that He said His Father had given Him to do, Jesus told His friends that He was leaving to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house (John 14:2). He said, “I am going to the Father, for My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). From all that Jesus says about His Father, it’s clear that He wants us to love and trust His Father as He does. Background thought: Verses 31-36 of chapter 8 reveal the type of belief that Jesus requires for those who claim to be His followers, a faith which required abiding in His word. Today’s text continues the dialogue from last week. Jesus is addressing the assertion of His Jewish audience that they did not need to be set free from bondage. Text: John 8:37-47 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/who-is-your-father http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/who-is-your-father.mp3 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:29:58 GMT Robert Kruger WHO IS YOUR FATHER? Introduction: Mart Dehaan, a writer for RBC Ministries relates the following information about fathers: Some of us have a hard time relating to God the Father. We sing to the Son, pray to the Son, and ask ... 39:25 THE KEY TO TRUE FREEDOM Introduction: Some people think that freedom exists in the absence of authority. Unfortunately, without the presence of authority, there is no way to preserve the freedom we think that we have. Others can take our freedom away from us. Some people think that money is the answer. If they had enough money, they could buy their freedom. We can certainly look at many who have walked into a large some of money through an inheritance or winning a lottery and see that it’s not long before they are more miserable than before they received the money. In both situations, it appears that if one can obtain a lasting freedom in one’s life, they would experience contentment and long term happiness. Is a peaceful freedom available that every person can experience, a freedom that results in joy like nothing else can offer? The Bible tells us that there is. Turn with me in your Bibles to the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John. Background thought: As we continue in our study in John’s gospel, Jesus is continuing to confront those who refuse to accept His offer of life. Jesus is now talking to Jews who allegedly believed in Him. As we begin our walk through today’s text, we will see that Jesus clarifies what it means to be His follower. Let’s look together at verses 31-36. Text: John 8:31-36 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-key-to-true-freedom http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-key-to-true-freedom.mp3 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:02:33 GMT Bob Kruger THE KEY TO TRUE FREEDOM Introduction: Some people think that freedom exists in the absence of authority. Unfortunately, without the presence of authority, there is no way to preserve the freedom we think that we have. Others can ... 28:27 John 8:12-30 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/john-812-30 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:11:45 GMT David Ricard John 8:12-30 PEACE AT CHRISTMAS Introduction: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Background thought: The Gospel of John continually relates the assertion by Jesus to be the Son of God, and the rejection of those who refused to believe Him to be the Son of God. John 7:25-36 demonstrates another perspective about where Christ came from and where He would ultimately return, to the One who had sent Him. Because of disbelief, many in His listening audience discovered that they really did not know God, but would not go to be with Christ at their point of death. Such thinking can really cause anxiousness in the hearts of man today. Today’s text enables us to see that Jesus did not leave them without a way to escape the attitude of disbelief. Text: John 7:37-52 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-peace-of-christmas http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-peace-of-christmas.mp3 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:01:53 GMT Bob Kruger PEACE AT CHRISTMAS Introduction: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Background thought: The Gospel of John continually relates the assertion by Jesus to be the Son of God, and the rejection of those who refused to ... 33:49 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS? Background thought: Jesus, continuing to follow God’s timing for His life and ministry, continues to proclaim His message of salvation for all who would believe. As we have seen, since Jesus’ healing of the paralytic on the Sabbath, the dialogue of John’s gospel continues to reveal the hostility of those who do not believe in Christ toward His own testimony. Over and over again Jesus tells them who He is, where He is from, and today, Jesus will tell His audience where He is going. Text: John 7:25-36 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-meaning-of-christmas http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/what-is-the-meaning-of-christmas.mp3 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:33:37 GMT Bob Kruger WHAT IS THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS? Background thought: Jesus, continuing to follow God’s timing for His life and ministry, continues to proclaim His message of salvation for all who would believe. As we have seen, since Jesus’ ... 34:19 THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS GIFT One of the difficulties in purchasing a gift for others is trying to figure out what they would like. An additional consideration is the cost of the gift. I have, at times, wondered how much value the individual would place on the gift they receive. If the receiving person doesn’t place any value on the gift they receive, the gift won’t hold their attention long. In thinking about Christmas gifts, what would be the greatest gift you could give? The Bible teaches us about a gift that God has given to every one who would be willing to receive it (John 1:12), the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23b). Scripture relates that there is only one way to receive this precious gift, by choosing to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Scripture also teaches us that there are many who don’t believe that Jesus is God’s Son, and, therefore, miss out on the eternal gift God offers. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-greatest-christmas-gift http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-greatest-christmas-gift.mp3 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:12:19 GMT Bob Kruger THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS GIFT One of the difficulties in purchasing a gift for others is trying to figure out what they would like. An additional consideration is the cost of the gift. I have, at times, wondered how much value the ... 38:54 TIMING IS EVERYTHING Introduction: As we draw near to the season of Christmas, it is important to think about the relationships we have with others. It is out of these relationships and the love we have for others, that we are compelled to go out and search the stores in our community or on the internet to find that special gift for them that says I love you and that you are important to me. It is a special time of year. Some people become offended, when such a special time of year comes and passes and they don’t receive anything from those whom they love. In essence, the timing for shopping to find the right gifts, wrapping them, and have them ready to present to our loved ones on Christmas is of the utmost importance. When it comes to thinking about God, being the One in charge of time, as we know it, He has fashioned the perfect gift for us and for those we will see at Christmas this year. God also did not have to shop for this gift, but sent it at the perfect time for man to discover its offer, accept it, and experience eternal joy from it. The unfortunate fact is that man finds it difficult to accept this gift as well as the timing of God’s work. Our message for today out of John 7:1-13 will help us to see this difficulty and how Jesus responds to it. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to John 7. Background thought: The pretext of our message portrays a difficult moment in the life of Jesus, or so it seems. The last part of John 6 reveals that in response to Jesus’ teachings about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many of His “alleged” disciples had turned away from Jesus, choosing not to follow Him anymore. I don’t know of many today who enjoy the experience of rejection. As we begin our study for today, we see that Jesus is still experiencing other forms of rejection. One of these forms is that the Judeans were seeking Jesus to kill Him. Instead of listening to Jesus and doing what He says, others are trying to control Jesus, thus presenting Jesus with a temptation to disobey His Father’s will. Let’s look at our text to see how Jesus handled the temptation to violate His Father’s timing. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/timing-is-everything http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/tiing-is-everything.mp3 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:48:49 GMT Bob Kruger TIMING IS EVERYTHING Introduction: As we draw near to the season of Christmas, it is important to think about the relationships we have with others. It is out of these relationships and the love we have for others, that we are ... 40:20 The Wordsof Eternal Life - John 6:60-71 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-words-of-eternal-life http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-words-o-eternal-life.mp3 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:28:33 GMT Tom Dennison The Wordsof Eternal Life - John 6:60-71 32:20 EATING TO LIVE Introduction: An article written by M. J. Stephey, a writer for Time Magazine, reveals some interesting information about hunger strikes. The date of the article is 03 May 2009. An excerpt from the article states: For nearly two weeks, Roxana Saberi has been refusing food. The jailed Iranian-American journalist, who was sentenced by Iran's Revolutionary Court to 8 years in Tehran's Evin prison on charges of spying for the U.S., continues to proclaim her innocence while both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continue to call for her release. So far, the case's presiding judge has not been moved, calling the fast a ploy for propaganda purposes. One judiciary spokesman denied the news altogether: "She is in good physical condition and not on a hunger strike," Ali Reza Jamshidi told the country's official news agency on April 28, two days after Saberi's 32nd birthday and a week after she told her parents she had stopped eating. (The Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders said Saberi was briefly hospitalized after she began refusing water too). When it comes to publicity stunts, it doesn't get much more desperate — or dangerous — than a hunger strike. From college campuses in the Midwest to the oil fields of Kazahstan, the practice has become a daily, global phenomenon that has been by turns successful, gruesome, tragic and sometimes all of the above. In 1981, a 27-year-old member of the Irish Republican Army named Bobby Sands led a hunger strike at Her Majesty's Prison Maze in Belfast, where he was serving time for gun possession, and used the attention to win a seat in the British parliament. He never served his term, though; he starved to death after 66 days without food. (See pictures of how Northern Ireland has transformed itself.) As the article relates, when someone chooses to refuse food and / or water, the results of such action can be very hurtful to the individual. It often affects loved ones as well. As we continue our study in the Gospel of John today, we will see once again God’s offer for man to be nourished for eternity through feasting on the bread of heaven. Let me ask you a simple question. Are you on a hunger strike? Have you chosen to feast on the Bread of Life, or have you decided that you don’t need it, and have chosen something else as your source of nourishment? Our text for today comes from John 6:51-59. If you have your Bible, please turn there with me. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/eating-to-live http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/eating-to-live.mp3 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:03:48 GMT Bob Kruger EATING TO LIVE Introduction: An article written by M. J. Stephey, a writer for Time Magazine, reveals some interesting information about hunger strikes. The date of the article is 03 May 2009. An excerpt from the article ... 42:53