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 TRANSFORMING SORROW INTO JOY How do you deal with sorrow, when it comes your way? Do you ignore it? Do you find yourself sometimes asking why you have to be a bearer of it? David Brenon, a writer for Our Daily Bread, provides some insight into recognizing what can make us sorrowful. He says: One of my friends was in tears on a beautiful summer day, unable to deal with life’s difficulties. Another could not look beyond the life-altering sadnesses of her past. Still another struggled with the closing of the small church he had pastored faithfully. A fourth friend had lost his job at a local ministry. What can our struggling friends—or any of us—do to find hope? Where do we turn when tomorrow offers no happy promises?[1] http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/transforming-sorrow-into-joy http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/transforming-sorrow-into-joy.mp3 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:00:36 GMT Bob Kruger TRANSFORMING SORROW INTO JOY How do you deal with sorrow, when it comes your way? Do you ignore it? Do you find yourself sometimes asking why you have to be a bearer of it? David Brenon, a writer for Our Daily Bread, provides some ... GOD’S GUIDE INTO ALL TRUTH As I was growing up, I was taught the importance of telling the truth. I was told that telling the truth is always better than lying about something. If you tell a lie, it won’t be long until you have to tell another lie to cover the previous one up. I have observed a number of times on television as well as in life itself that it pays to tell the truth. Unfortunately, the world in which we live does not always give us the truth about situations we face or to the questions we ask. What’s the solution? Is there a truth that we can count on? Is there a truth that will not only enable us to be set free from deception, but will also contribute to our eternal future?!! The Word of God has the answer to this question. The reality is that there is only one source of truth in which we must abide. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/gods-guide-into-all-truth http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/gods-guide-into-all-truth.mp3 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:49:41 GMT Bob Kruger GOD’S GUIDE INTO ALL TRUTH As I was growing up, I was taught the importance of telling the truth. I was told that telling the truth is always better than lying about something. If you tell a lie, it won’t be long until you have ... A HEALTHY WALK WITH GOD I’d like to begin this message with a brief thought from a devotion written by Bill Crowder concerning a believer’s confidence in serving God. He writes: “While walking through a home-improvement store, I saw a man wearing a bright red T-shirt bearing this melancholy message: “Confidence: The feeling you have just before you understand the situation.” I laughed at this humorous concept, but I also realized that the shirt carried a sane and sound warning. It’s a reminder to all of us who try to get things done through confidence in our own ability or credentials but without consciously trusting in the strength of God. If we think we can accomplish life’s tasks in our own strength, that false confidence will inevitably become our undoing—and we’ll collapse under the weight of our own failings.”[1] Based upon the context of the passage we will be studying today, the disciples were not displaying the greatest confidence in the testimony of Jesus. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/a-healthy-walk-with-god http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/a-healthy-walk-with-god.mp3 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:04:43 GMT A HEALTHY WALK WITH GOD I’d like to begin this message with a brief thought from a devotion written by Bill Crowder concerning a believer’s confidence in serving God. He writes: “While walking through a ... Do you ever think about what it must feel like to tell someone about Jesus? I recall a number of opportunities to tell someone about Jesus, and chose to pass up the opportunity. Why would I do that? After all, when you think about it, a person, according to scripture, is separated from God because of his or her sinful state. If that person doesn’t recognize the state he or she is in and make the decision to accept the gospel, they will pass on from this life into utter torment for eternity. However, I have been afraid, at times, to speak due to the possibility of rejection and / or being subjected to verbal abuse. At other times, when I recognize the opportunity and feel fear, I pray that God will give me the courage to share His gospel. The result is God’s enabling me to use the fear to move me to do what I must, and often times God gives me the privilege of leading people to Christ, in spite of my weakness and fear. Fear strikes at the heart of many, when the opportunity to tell others about Jesus becomes available. What is one to do? How can a person have confidence and courage in such circumstances and be willing to boldly share the truth of Jesus with others? Scripture has a powerful answer to these questions. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/telling-others-about-jesus http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/telling-others-about-jesus.mp3 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:01:07 GMT Bob Kruger Do you ever think about what it must feel like to tell someone about Jesus? I recall a number of opportunities to tell someone about Jesus, and chose to pass up the opportunity. Why would I do that? After all, when you think about it, ... THE FRIENDS OF JESUS What does it mean to be a friend? The Merriam Webster Dictionary on line relates that a friend is defined as “1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : acquaintance; 2 a : one that is not hostile b : one that is of the same nation, party, or group; 3 : one that favors or promotes something (as a charity); 4 : a favored companion. As noted, a friend is someone who cares about you, and, in many respects, your feelings are mutual. Such friendship normally grows or struggles depending on the degree of contact between friends. A good example of a true friendship is presented in 1 Samuel 18-20. The context of these chapters reveals that Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a strong friendship with David, the son of Jesse. The context also identifies that Jonathan’s friendship with David was so strong, he took action to protect David from being murdered by Saul. Their relationship demonstrates what it means to be a true friend with your fellow man, but what about being friends with God? Is it possible to be friends with the maker of heaven and Earth? What does it mean to be friends with someone you cannot see nor have interactive communication? Our study today in the Gospel of John will enable us to see how we can establish friendship with God. Additionally, we will discover some powerful blessings that await those who actively participate in being friends with God. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-friends-of-jesus http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-friends-of-jesus.mp3 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:04:53 GMT Bob Kruger THE FRIENDS OF JESUS What does it mean to be a friend? The Merriam Webster Dictionary on line relates that a friend is defined as “1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : acquaintance; 2 a : one that is not hostile ... BEING ROOTED IN JESUS INTRODUCTION We had the wonderful opportunity to be visited by a mission team from Kenner, Louisiana. The team consisted of approximately 15 people. This team had come, following God’s leading, to assist churches in New England in a variety of needs from helping with vacation Bible schools to conducting ESL (English as a second language) classes for ethnic people groups in New England, and assisting churches in getting the gospel of Jesus into the local community (ies) through prayer walking and distribution of bags with church materials inviting the community to visit their local church. One of the ways this group of short-term missionaries was helpful to us was by helping improve the appearance in and around our church building. The tough task for them to tackle on the exterior of our building was to remove weeds that had taken root and had grown to the point of where it was hard for people passing by the church to know that we are here. This group did a phenomenal job in removing the weeds and stacking them in the corner of our parking lot to be hauled away. Needless to say, the weeds were useless to us, and, therefore, needed to be removed. Our message today addresses a similar kind of growing process that prompted Jesus to warn His disciples about proper growth. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/being-rooted-in-jesus http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/being-rooted-in-jesus.mp3 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:00:35 GMT Bob Kruger BEING ROOTED IN JESUS INTRODUCTION We had the wonderful opportunity to be visited by a mission team from Kenner, Louisiana. The team consisted of approximately 15 people. This team had come, following God’s leading, to assist ... ERASING YOUR DOUBT ABOUT JESUS INTRODUCTION As we begin this morning, I’d like to read a Psalm that is instrumental in providing clarity to a believer’s walk with God, when doubt is overtaking our faith (Read the Psalm). Psalm 42 relates a powerful truth that every believer should strive to meditate upon. In the midst of adversity, the Psalmist calls to his soul asking why it is downcast. He challenges his soul to hope in God. It appears that the Psalmist makes such a statement in the midst of recalling the joy of walking with and being blessed by God. What can such a Psalm say to you and me today? The disciples that were with Jesus on the night before His death must have been heavy –hearted and downcast. What would they do in the absence of their Savior? How could they gather the courage to persevere in carrying on the mission Jesus was entrusting to them? I can imagine the question being asked then as I have heard it today, “Where is your God?” Jesus had an answer for all who would believe on His name. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/erasing-your-doubt-about-jesus http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/erasing-your-doubt-about-jesus.mp3 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:32:57 GMT Bob Kruger ERASING YOUR DOUBT ABOUT JESUS INTRODUCTION As we begin this morning, I’d like to read a Psalm that is instrumental in providing clarity to a believer’s walk with God, when doubt is overtaking our faith (Read the Psalm). Psalm ... The pre-text of today’s passage reveals that Jesus has an intimate love for those who are His. The disciples were discovering through the testimony of Jesus and the unfolding events that Jesus would not be with them much longer. To reassure them of His love and give them confidence to be obedient in His absence, Jesus had provided them reason to continue His ministry upon His departure to be with His Father in Heaven. Jesus told them of the hope they needed to focus on (they would one day be with Him in Heaven), they had chosen the way to follow Jesus there (14:6), God the Father is and would be with them (14:7-9), they had the rich resource of prayer (14:10-12), and that God would soon give them His Holy Spirit, which would enable them to live the life Jesus had called them to. With all of these rich blessings being shared, there is no reason why the disciples, nor anyone who puts their faith in Christ, should not experience the next supernatural blessing Jesus would give them. If you have your Bible with you, turn with me to John 14:27. It will be the focus of our message today. SCRIPTURE: John 14:27 http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-peace-that-gives-freedom http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-peace-that-gives-freedom.mp3 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:28:17 GMT Bob Kruger The pre-text of today’s passage reveals that Jesus has an intimate love for those who are His. The disciples were discovering through the testimony of Jesus and the unfolding events that Jesus would not be with them much longer. To reassure them ... THE BLESSINGS OF LOVING JESUS INTRODUCTION Deuteronomy 6 gives us some fresh insight for today’s message. I’d like to share with you some of its content, seeing that it provides direct application for the text we will be studying today. Deuteronomy 6:1-12 tells us that the people of God were to love the Lord with all of their hearts. The direct indication of that love was their willingness to obey His commandments. In response, God would provide them with physical blessings they could not imagine. A tremendous future of prosperity and blessings awaited God’s people, as long as they kept the blessings they received in the right perspective. The condition for this glorious future rested on their willing obedience of God’s commands. If you read the historical context of the Israelites entering the promise land, it was a time of fear. How could they obtain all of the physical blessings God was promising them? How would God accomplish this great endeavor? It was a time of fear and anxiety for the Israelites. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/the-blessings-of-loving-jesus http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1403/the-blessings-of-loving-jesus.mp3 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:52:46 GMT Bob Kruger THE BLESSINGS OF LOVING JESUS INTRODUCTION Deuteronomy 6 gives us some fresh insight for today’s message. I’d like to share with you some of its content, seeing that it provides direct application for the text we will be ... REACTING TO GOD’S GLORY INTRODUCTION As we begin our service this morning, I’d like to share with you an excerpt from a meaningful thought about Easter written by David Egner, a writer for RBC Ministries. “When the dark day of Jesus' crucifixion drew to a close, it seemed that the most wonderful of all lives had come to an end. For a few brief years, Christ had astounded the crowds and His followers with the wisdom of His teaching and the wonder of His miracles. But Jesus chose not to save Himself from the cross, and now His life was over. It seemed that nothing more could be expected of Him.” Many people today still have doubts about Jesus and what He could do for them. If man could arrest Jesus, beat Him senseless, and crucify Him without a moment of resistance from the Savior of the world, how could He do anything for mankind today? As we return to the gospel of John in chapter 11, we will see the continual contrast of those who believe with those who don’t believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. http://www.sermoncloud.com/new-hope-christian-fellowship/reacting-to-gods-glory Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:01:10 GMT Bob Kruger REACTING TO GOD’S GLORY INTRODUCTION As we begin our service this morning, I’d like to share with you an excerpt from a meaningful thought about Easter written by David Egner, a writer for RBC Ministries. “When ...