Living Hope's Podcast

How do we read the Bible? Is the law we keep one of rules and stipulations or one of blessing, breaking, and giving ourselves to the world? In this next sermon of our Still Starving series, Pastor Jess challenges us to consider how Jesus redefines the way we read and apply the Bible, from hearts of religious law to true fidelity that love Him deeply. 

Did you know that you’re a pastor? Yep, we’re talking to you. You, exactly where you are today, are called to love and care for those around you with such Jesus depth that people lean in to learn more about how you walk with Him. In the second sermon of our Still Starving series, Ten Men, Pastor Jess explains how we are living in days of great restoration, where God is bringing all things to Himself and He is using us to do so. 

Who are we and what do we run with? Is our message our own voice, agenda, or insight? As we begin our Still Starving journey, Pastor Jerushah challenges us to consider what it looks like to be those who live with the ministry of preparation, clearing out a pathway to announce the arrival of King Jesus. She invites us to consider what it means to be those who live in the wilderness as voices with a message. This sermon will set the tone for our Still Starving season, so listen today!

We grow together as we follow Jesus together and whether you have only heard about fasting or have joined us in Starving before, this journey is for all of us! Listen to Pastors Ben and Jerushah interview a few of our Pastoral Team members regarding their process in our prayer and fasting season over the years. You’ll likely find yourself in one of their stories as you look ahead to the coming fasting experience. As we prepare for Still Starving, be greatly encouraged! 

Have you ever found yourself asking any of these questions: Where is God? Why did He let this happen? Don’t let these questions scare you—you’re actually getting closer to Him than you realize. In the third sermon of our Advent series, Breakthrough to Presence, Pastor Jess explains how God is present in His absence. Our job is to ask questions, lean into Him, search for Him, and then become lost in a moment of His presence. 

There’s nothing quite like a street with homes lit up for Christmas, a gleaming symbol of the joy and hope of the season. Now here’s the question—have you turned your light on? We’re not talking about the lights on the tree or the ones that line your roof. As Pastor Jess explains in this sermon, Breakthrough to Mystery, we are meant to be those who turn on the light again and again and again. What light? That’s what you’ll discover in this sermon. 

First fruits…you’ve heard the phrase at least a few times by now. But what exactly is a first fruits offering? How is it different from tithe and alms? Guest Pastor Brad Neuschwander joins us with a sermon that brings a great explanation of how we participate in first fruits with holy expectation. He shares how first fruits strengthen and stretch us for the multiplication work of the Kingdom of God. Whether you are new to the first fruits concept or ready for a refresher on the idea, this sermon is one we all need to hear as we prepare for our first fruits offering! 

We treat it as something delicate, as if it can easily break, but it’s a strong and fierce thing—holiness. Holiness does not melt in the heat of the world's chaos, but withstands. In this  sermon, He Gave Gifts, Pastor Jess discusses what it means to be those who walk in the gifts from Ephesians 4. He explains how the gifts equip saints for the work of building the body of Christ for allegiance to Him. If you long to have a deeper familiarity of His voice, to be one who walks into your community, workplace, and home with Him, listen to this sermon! 

What is the longing of your soul? What does that longing propel you to do or say? Our guest speaker and long time friend, Pastor Matt Molt, shares an incredible sermon on what it means to be people of ascent, those with lives on a pilgrimage of our longing to know God. Are you ready to anticipate what God wants to do among His people and participate in His movement? 

Our lives are noisy. We are filled with constant coming and going and every opportunity to consume. Even if we have a moment alone, our minds fill with the to-do lists, new ideas, concerns, and anxieties. In the hussle and rush, the practice of solitude has become a far-off-in-the-distance idea. As we continue in our sermon series, unCOMMON Together, Pastor Jess challenges us to think about solitude as a near and necessary practice. 

Freedom…what is it and what does it mean for you and me? In the second sermon of our unCOMMON Together series, The Way of Love, Pastor Jess explains how freedom in Christ may not look like we expect it to. In fact, it may have a lot less to do with “my” freedom and so much more to do with walking in the way of love together, with our hearts set on being the in-Jesus people we were created to be. 

Are you tired of the ordinary? Feeling over the usual?t’s time to be unCOMMON, to live as a church set apart for the purposes of God. Join us for the first sermon of our new series, unCOMMON Together, where Pastor Jess explains how the church of Thessalonians lived contrary to culture and expectations. 

What is the voice of God like? Is it a loud shout, a boisterous call, or something more…still? In the final installment of our Slow Your Soul sermon series, Reflect, Pastor Jess explains how the voice of God is like the wind, but is often drowned out by our constant busyness, notifications, alerts, and obligations. Only when we enter into silence do we begin to hear His voice, to capture it in our minds and delight in the very sound. Pastor Jess explains how Sabbath is where we learn how to linger, where we still ourselves enough to know His voice and to sharpen our listening skills. Sabbath is where we hear Him and we begin to hear what He has to say about others. 

“I have to get this done in time.” “I’ve got to catch up on…” “I need to get better at…” Sound familiar? You’re not alone if you find these statements ruling your days, turning even leisure into work. What would it look like to have time that doesn’t require filling? In the second sermon of our Slow Your Soul series, Refresh, Pastor Jess dives into the concept of the Sabbath Sacred Time Zone—where the week-end is the end of the work week and the beginning of time that is free from obligation and full of enjoyment. 

What time is it? When do we need to be there? What’s after this? … Ever feel like you’re in the time zone of crazy, busy, and rushed? Hear the invitation to enter an entire new zone—God’s Sabbath Standard Time Zone—where living depleted is replaced with restful purpose. In the first sermon of our new series, Slow Your Soul, Pastor Jess explains how Western life has become dominated by an obsession with building, mastering, and conquering to such a degree that it turns life dim. Enter Sabbath, God’s gift of holy rest. 

Chosen…what if it’s not just about me? What if, in the incredible scope of God’s plan, it’s about God putting His glory and mercy on display through us? When we think about the concept of election, our minds often go to individual selection, but in his sermon, The Universal King, Pr Dave Fields encourages us to think about how we, together, were created to be representatives of God’s story. Spoiler alert—there has always been a remnant and we’re a part of it! 

Ever feel like there are too many ups and downs? Like the highs and the lows of life are making it hard to slow down…to catch your breath? As we continue in our summer series, When In Rome, Pastor Jerushah Tanner explains how we live in constant tension—in one hand we hold the consequences of a fallen world and in the other, great hope in new creation glory. If you find yourself longing for a deep breath of hope renewed, this is exactly what you need to hear today!

Ever feel like there are too many ups and downs? Like the highs and the lows of life are making it hard to slow down…to catch your breath? As we continue in our summer series, When In Rome, Pastor Jerushah Tanner explains how we live in constant tension—in one hand we hold the consequences of a fallen world and in the other, great hope in new creation glory. Listen here and share it with a friend!

God created us to hunger; it’s in our very design. Yet, we crave and consume the things that curse and destroy. Why? This sermon, The Immortal King, is where Pastor Jess explains how sin created an entire sphere of hunger without the dominion of God—a reality that separated us from our original design to take, bless, break, and give back to the world. Don’t worry, this is just where the story gets started. Pr Jess goes on to share how Jesus gets His physical hands on us and we are sanctified, devoted to our original hunger—God. 

Listen up, families—this one is for the whole crew! In this special Family Service edition of our When in Rome summer sermon series, Pr Jess illustrates what it looks like to be made NEW in Christ. Baptism is a familiar term, but do we really understand what it means? Pr Jess gets down to the specifics, explaining for all ages to understand the purpose and power of baptism. Grab the family, get cozy on the couch, and get ready to understand baptism on a whole new level!