Hope Alliance Bethlehem

The Israelites were called to engage the Canaanite enemy and lay claim to the entire land of promise on the basis of God's faithfulness. Though they fell short, Jesus came and announced the defeat of the actual enemy - sin and death. And on the basis of our union with him, he calls us to engage in the battle against sin. This fight is largely fought, as the apostle Paul reminds us, through the renewal of our minds.

The New Testament picture of the church is near universally in the first person plural - "we" rather than "me." In a decidedly isolated and individualistic culture, why and how can we lean into biblical community? The gospel brings about the experience of togetherness and our togetherness actually deepens our understanding and commitment to the gospel.

To a scattered church in turmoil, Peter reminds them of their God-given identity through four powerful statements. They are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God's special possession. All of this has been proven by the ultimate rescue Jesus had provided over sin and death. This identity gave them, and gives us, not only hope for the future, but the truth around which we ought to order our lives in worship.

At Hope we value gospel saturation. Everything we do is saturated with the gospel because it is our true message and the only way we can bear fruit. The gospel is not just an entrance into faith, it is the ongoing basis of faith.

After the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, three young men found themselves in exile - a whole new world with all new challenges. They even found themselves on the very precipice. And yet, their faith preserved them in the midst of their fear. Like them, we can have hope in the midst of real struggle and separation.