Hosanna Christian Fellowship

How did we become so divided?When Noah and his sons left the ark after the great flood, God made a covenant with them and blessed them to multiply and fill the earth the same way He blessed Adam and Eve to fill the earth. How do 8 people who left the ark become 8 billion alive on the earth today?This week we continue our study in Genesis 10 and look at this list of nations that came from Noah and his sons. We'll study why the Bible records all these genealogies for us and discover what we can learn from them today. And we'll look at what can unite a humanity divided from each other and from God.

A new world but the same old problem.Noah and his family stood on dry ground once again after the floodwaters receded. With the world made new, Noah built an altar to worship God and God confirmed a covenant with Noah and all his descendants after him. But though Noah's work of ark-building was over, he would go on to live for centuries after the flood. So what comes next?This week we continue our study in Genesis 9 and look at the end of Noah's life. We'll see what Noah and his three sons did after the flood and what impact their actions would have on their descendants after them. We'll look at the what the Bible has to say about drinking and drunkenness and learn how we are saved by faith even as we continue to struggle with our own sinful natures.

Noah found grace in God's eyes!And God commanded Noah to build an ark to save Noah, his family, and every kind of animal, so they might be spared from God's act of judgement on His rebellious creation: a world-wide flood. God miraculously sealed the ark by His hand before the floodwaters came, and over a year later, Noah was still waiting inside the ark to hear a word from God. When would God remember Noah?This week we continue our study in Genesis 8-9 and the next section of Noah's flood. We'll see God remember Noah and his family, call them out of the ark, and make an important covenant with Noah and his descendants as He restructures creation and nature and society. And along the way we'll learn how this covenant with Noah still has ramifications in our world to this day.

Do you really know Jesus......Or do you only know about Jesus. In our troubled world, what we really need more than anything is an encounter with the real Jesus. This week, Jonathan Domingo from Far Reaching Ministries shares a message with us out of Luke 5. Together we'll look at the story of Peter's personal encounter with Jesus through a great catch of fish and we'll study four things we can learn from this miraculous story.

Was there really a global flood?The story is familiar to many. Wickedness was everywhere on the earth and God judged mankind by bringing a global flood that killed every living creature. But not before He commanded Noah to build an ark to save his family and two of every land animal and bird. But is that just a simple Sunday School story, or is there more to the Genesis account of the great flood than we've heard before? This week for our Baptism Service, we'll continue our study in Genesis 7 and look at the events of Noah's Flood and how they relate to the sacrament of baptism. We'll look at some questions like: was the flood worldwide or only local to Mesopotamia, where did all the water for the flood come from, and did the Bible borrow the story of the flood from other flood stories? Most importantly we'll learn what Noah's experience in the flood can teach us about living in Christ today.

How can Noah be righteous if God said that no one is righteous?Within ten generations from the creation of the first man and woman, the wickedness of mankind had become so prevalent on the earth that God grieved over His creation and determined to judge the world by a great flood. But the story of the flood teaches us about more than God's justice and judgment, because through the faith of Noah who believed God and built the ark in obedience to God's word, we see a demonstration of God's mercy and grace to those who believe God. This week we continue our study through Genesis 6 and Noah who found favor with the Lord. We'll look together at why God saved Noah and how God saved Noah from the great floodwaters. We'll see how Noah preached righteousness to a world that was coming under judgment and how we today are called to believe God and preach righteousness in our modern world that will someday come under the final judgment of God.

Why won't God answer my prayers?How many times in our lives have we asked this question? What does it mean when when we cry out to God and all we receive is silence? What do we do when we have no clear direction from God? This week, Elder Ron Love shares a message of encouragement with us about what seasons of silence mean as we walk with God and how we can still learn and grow through these seasons.

Welcome to Hosanna- your church! This morning, we are joined by guest speaker Anthony Rogers, an apologist with Ministry 2 Muslims who shows the parallels between Exodus and the gospels and shows Jesus is God. To learn more about this ministry, go to https://www.ministrytomuslims.com/

What did the world look like before the flood?God created a perfect paradise on earth and made Man and Woman in His image to rule over that paradise. As His crowing creation, humans had the ability to hear the voice of God and follow His moral commands. But after creation is cursed in response to human's moral rebellion to God, how deep can their depravity go before God says, "Enough"?This week we begin studying through Genesis 6 and get a glimpse of what the world looked like before the flood. We'll answer questions like "Who are the sons of God?" and "Who are the Nephilim?" And if God knew the choices mankind would make before He made them, how could He regret creating them?

The way of Cain or the way of the Lord?Within six generations after the fall of man, though people are prospering building cities and making technological advancements in agriculture and art and metallurgy, the culture has become one of violence and pride for those who follow the way of Cain. Are there any left who follow the way of the Lord?This week we study through Genesis 5 and the genealogy of Seth. We'll look at the contrast of those born in a land of wandering and those who call on the name of the Lord. And we'll learn what walking with God looked like then and what it looks like today.

Why do the wicked prosper?Cain refuses to obey God when he offers a sacrifice to God from his own works and not from faith. Cain again refuses to obey God when he fails to heed God's warning to rule over his sin and instead kills his brother. What happens when Cain continues to rebel in his banishment from the Lord's presence, even while bearing God's mark of protection? This week we finish reading Genesis 4 and study through the genealogy of Cain. We'll look at how Cain's rebellion had long-term repercussions on his children's children and beyond as well as answer age-old questions like "Where did Cain get his wife?" and "Why do the wicked seem to prosper?" And right at the very end of Genesis 4, we'll see if there is indeed any hope for a world in rebellion to God.

I've done so much for God, why won't He accept it?The good creation God made has been corrupted by sin, and lest Adam eat from the tree of life and live forever in in his sinful state, God chases the man and woman from their home in paradise. Though hope is soon heard in the cries of a baby boy born to Eve, the mother of all, that hope would be short lived as the sins of the father would soon become the sins of the son. This week we begin studying in Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel. We'll answer the question of why God didn't accept Cain's offering and learn what it means that God wants obedience over sacrifice. We'll see again God's amazing grace for sinful man and ask ourselves what great evil each of us could be capable of without Jesus Christ in our lives.

Why is work so hard?When God made Adam and placed him in the paradise of the garden, He gave Adam charge over the garden to work it and watch over it. God then made the woman, taken from Adam's side, and charged them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. That first couple would go on to rebel against God, and when God brought judgment on the woman, He made the process of being fruitful and filling the earth more painfully laborious. Now as God concludes His judgment on the rebellion of Adam and Eve, He'll bring judgment on the man and make his work and care for creation a painful labor. This week we finish studying Genesis 3 and the fall of man. We'll see God's judgment on Man, and by extension mankind, when He curses the ground and makes work laborious. And as we've seen already in this chapter, we'll see God's grace in the midst of the judgment. It's easy to see God's grace when He makes a sacrifice to cover their sins; but is there also grace when God exiled the first man and women from their home in paradise?

"You can't judge me...""...Only God can judge me!" "Christians are so judgmental!" We've all heard accusations like this before. Or maybe even said them ourselves. Jesus had a lot to say about judgment and discernment. But when He said, "Judge not, lest you be judged," was He really giving us license to be judgmental of those who judge others? This week, John Stephens shares a message from Matthew 7, looking at the context of Jesus's command to "judge not" and helping us to use discernment to see the difference between condemning and evaluating.

Is there any hope when God judges?The serpent deceived the woman. Man rebelled against the order God ordained for creation. In judgment for that rebellion, God first cursed the serpent and the one who used the serpent: Satan. Next God deals with the sin of the woman, who listened to the serpent rather than the word of God. This week we will continue our study through Genesis 3 and the curse on God's creation. We'll look deeper into the curse on the woman and its effects on the world today and find the grace of God in the midst of His judgment.

Is there any hope in the midst of judgement?The woman deceived by the serpent, Adam in rebellion to God. Unable to hide their sin, God confronts the first couple and is met with blame-shifting and unrepentance. Is there anything left besides judgement?This week, we continue our study through Genesis 3 and the fall of man. We'll focus in on the curse on the serpent and on Satan. And we'll see the first recorded words of the Gospel in the whole Bible, a glimmer of hope on a dark day.

Is prayer really all that powerful?Pastor Mark Finnigan from Harvest Christian Fellowship shares from Scripture and from personal testimony the power of prayer and the importance of small acts of faithfulness in sharing the gospel with the lost world around us. We can't all preach to huge crowds at evangelistic crusades. But we can, each of us, share the gospel with the individuals we meet throughout the day and pray consistently for our friends and family who need God's great salvation.

This week for our Baptism Service, Pastor Nathan shared a message on baptism: what baptism is and why it is an important step in the life of every believer.

"It's not my fault!" and other dumb lies we tell ourselves...When God made the first man and woman in His image and gave them authority over the plants and animals on the earth, there was peace and unity in creation. Then in one act of rebellion, the harmony in the world turned to separation, trust turned to distrust, and life turned to death. This week, we continue our study through Genesis 3 and the fall of man. We'll look at the response of the first man and woman when God graciously confronted them in their sin and reflect on our own responses when God asks us today, "Where are you?"

Don't be ignorant of Satan's schemes!In the creation of the world, God demonstrated His power and His might as He created by His Word. God demonstrated His tender love in the creation of mankind, and His generosity by abundantly providing for all of man's needs. After declaring all of creation good, what happened that led to the chaotic state of disarray that our world is plagued with today?This week we will begin our study in Genesis 3 and the fall of man. We'll see how the order of creation was turned upside-down in one conversation and how the same tactics the Serpent used to deceive Eve are the same tactics that he uses to attack and deceive mankind today.

God, what do You want from me?Has this question ever haunted your prayers? When the enemy whispers: "You are alone; you are not enough," how do we combat the lies and take up the armor that God has provided for us? This Father's Day, Elder Ron Love shares a message of encouragement for all men (and women too). We'll study through Micah 6 and Ephesians 5-6 to learn what God wants from us and how we can stand firm and hold our ground in the midst of a culture rebellious to God. And we'll answer what it means when God says He wants all of you.

What is a woman?God created man in His own image, personally breathing life into the lungs of the first man, Adam. God provided Adam a place to live in a beautiful garden to provide food and shelter and work. And God saw that all of creation was good, except for one thing: Adam was alone. In this week's study, we will finish Genesis 2 and look at how God meets Adam's greatest need in the creation of woman. We'll look at what it means that she was created like man but also his opposite, and why God is the one with the ultimate right to define things in His creation like gender and marriage.

Why are there two creation stories?Before creation, God already was. And then, by His Word, God created all things. He formed the earth and the heavens and filled the sky with stars and planets and the earth with plants and animals. And when He completed His work of creation, God rested from His creative work. After writing this overview of the creation account, Moses will next zoom in to one particular part of the process and highlight the specific way God created Man in His image. This week we continue studying through Genesis 2 and look in depth at the intimate creation of mankind. We'll look at the significance of God forming man from the dust of the earth and what it means that God breathed life into man. And in looking at the unique way God provided for man during his creation, we'll learn about the unique way God provides for us today.

Did God abandon Israel?This is one of many questions the Apostle Paul answers in his letter to the Romans. If Jesus came and gave us a new covenant of salvation based on faith in the sacrifice of Christ, what does that mean for the nation of Israel under the old covenant? This week we will study through Romans 11 with Pastor Rik. We'll learn why Israel still matters in the New Testament and today, and the importance of letting God's Word inform our lives and worldview rather than fighting against God's Word and plan.

Did God rest because He was tired?God spoke and the heavens and the earth existed out of nothing. God formed the earth that was formless and void into a place that would be habitable to support life. God filled the skies with stars and planets and filled the earth with plants and animals. God breathed life into the first humans, who would bear His image in creation. And then when He saw that all this was very good, He rested. This week we begin reading through Genesis 2 and learn about this seventh day which God blessed and declared holy. We'll study what it means that God rested, what that rest represents, and most importantly, how we can enter into that rest today!

What is the worth of a woman? This Mother's Day, join us for an encouraging message for all women from Elder Ron Love. We'll look at the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1-2 and see the unique way women can relate to the struggles and trials of life and testify to the glorious work of God as He shows up in the middle of our trials to give us strength and victory.

God formed, then God filled.As God's Spirit hovered over a formless and void earth, He spoke and separated the light from the darkness, the oceans from the atmosphere, and the land from the sea. With this form and structure on the earth, His next step in creation is to fill the void. This week we will conclude Genesis 1 and study through the next three days of the creation account. We'll see God fill the sky with light bearers, and the earth and sea with all kinds of living creatures. We'll look at the implications of what it means when God speaks, and it is so, as well as what it means to be made in the image of God.

The earth was formless and voidBut God's Spirit hovered over the earth. That's where we left off our study of the creation story in Genesis. Before time and space began, God already was. And then into the chaos of a dark and empty earth, God spoke and brought order and life. In this week's message, we will continue in Genesis 1 and study through the first three days of the creation account. We'll study what it means when the Scripture uses the word "day" and how each day of creation counters a pagan belief of the origins of creation. And we'll see how the God who spoke order into the chaos of the earth is the same God who can speak order into the chaos of our broken lives.

The universe had a beginningAnd when the universe began, God already was. He is separate from the universe and therefore He is not subject to the constraints of time and space. But what does it mean that God created the heavens and the earth? And why is the origin of creation relevant to us today?In this week's sermon, we will study Genesis 1:1-2 and look at the significance of God as Creator of the heavens and the earth. We'll consider some of the objections to the Biblical creation account as well as some theories and speculations about the first chapter of Genesis. But more importantly we'll see that just like the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of an unformed and chaotic earth, so too does God's Spirit hover over our chaotic lives and call light into the darkness of our souls.

In the beginning God...Those are the opening words in the best-selling book of all time. If you can believe those four words, you can believe the rest of the Scriptures. While it can be easy to quickly skip over the opening words and move on to the rest of the creation account in Genesis 1, we can find great value in pausing and considering what it means that when all of time and space began, God already was. In this week's sermon, we begin with an overview of Genesis and then a deep dive into Genesis 1:1. We'll learn who wrote the book of Genesis and the background in which it was written, as well as how this book serves as the foundation for the rest of the Bible. And we'll see what learning about the beginning can teach us about the gospel itself, and search through the Scriptures to see if we can answer the question, what was God doing before creation?

What's the big deal about truth?Every group today--from political parties to religious organizations to online influencers--claims to know the truth. But when every truth they claim is different, how can we know what is truly true? And is it even important to know the truth in the first place?This week for our Baptism Service, John Stephens shared a message on the Truth from John chapter 8. We looked at how truth relates to belief and discipleship and a saving faith. And we dug into the importance of what it means to know the truth, live the truth, and share the truth, the truth that is ultimately wrapped up in Jesus Christ.

Today, we celebrate Good Friday by examining why Jesus had to die and honoring His sacrifice as we take communion.

He is Risen!Enjoy this message for Resurrection Sunday as we examine evidence for the resurrection.

What's the big deal about Palm Sunday?Early on in Jesus's ministry, after performing a healing Jesus would often admonish those around Him not to tell anyone about the miracle. And when the masses wanted to make Him the King after He miraculously fed the thousands, Jesus went away by Himself because it was not yet His time. Then at the end of His ministry, Jesus would enter Jerusalem before the Passover riding on a donkey as the crowds around proclaimed "Blessed is the King of Israel!" So why was this day different from all the times before? This week we will look at John 12 and study this triumphal entry of Christ Jesus into Jerusalem at the start of the Passover festival. We'll look at the significance of this day on God's prophetic calendar as well as the reason why Jesus would weep and wail as the crowds around rejoiced at the coming of their Messiah. Join us as we look at the beginning of what has become known today as Holy Week and the path that would lead to cross and the empty tomb.

Do you get your financial advice from the world or from the Word?Over the past few weeks in our study on generosity, we've looked at the purpose of the Church as the hands and feet of Christ in the world and how we fit into that body of Christ. We learned about the generous heart of our God for us and how that should be the basis for our own generosity. And we looked through passages of the Old and New Testament to see what the Bible actually says about tithing and giving and how we should live in light of the fact that everything we have is from God. As we finish up our series on Biblical Generosity, we'll look at practical advice from the Word of God on financial stewardship, as well as stewardship over our time and talents. We'll see what the Bible says on topics like budgeting and debt, and learn about multiplying our resources in order to be able to give as generously as God gives. 

What DOES the Bible actually say about giving?Last week we continued our series on Generosity, looking at the foundations of giving by learning from the heart of God. The heart of our loving Father who gives to us a new heart when He makes us a new creation in Christ. He calls us to follow His example, so how do we live generously in light of that? This week we will dig into the principles from the Old and New Testaments to see how God wants us to live generously. We'll look at the Old Testament to learn what the tithe and first fruits are; and we'll look at the New Testament to learn how God wants us to live in light of Christ fulfilling all of the law. 

How do we have a heart like God's?Last week as we began our new series on Generosity, we spent time looking at what the Church is and how we're supposed to function as members of the Church. We learned that everyone--sinners and saints alike--needs the Church, and we talked about how gathering together as the Body of Christ fulfills our needs for God's people, God's principles, God's purpose, and God's presence. This week we will look at the foundations that must be in place before we answer the practical questions about the nuts and bolts of giving: to have a heart like God's is to have a generous heart. We will study how God shows His generosity to us and how in return He calls us to be generous. God is a giver, and calls us to follow His example. 

Talking about money isn't spiritual!This week we begin a 4-part series looking at what the Bible has to say about generosity and giving, and we will discover that it is indeed a very spiritual topic. Together we will look at what God has to say to his people about why we give, what we give, and how we give. But it all starts with understanding what this thing called Church really is. The Church is called the Body of Christ. What does that even mean? Is the Church more than the building that we meet in? In this first message of our series we dig into this foundational topic answering questions like: what is the Church, who needs the Church, four reasons why every believer is called to not neglect gathering together, and ultimately what generosity and giving has to do with any of it.

Welcome to this last study in our series through Revelation.How has the study of Revelation changed you? Back in Revelation 1:3, before John began writing down his apocalyptical vision of the Day of the Lord, he wrote down a special blessing on those who listen to the words of this final book of the Bible. As we come to the last chapter of Revelation, let's spend some time reflecting on our study through this book and practice having "ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches."In this week's sermon, we study through the end of Revelation 22 and see the final words that Jesus has for His church and for the world. We'll look at four responses that we should all have to these prophecies, and answer that age-old question: what did Jesus really mean when He said He's coming soon? May God bless you as you spend some time reflecting on this prophecy from the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ!

Is Jesus your source?In John's vision of what is to come after the great and terrible Day of the Lord, John has seen heaven and earth remade and watched the glorious city of New Jerusalem descend out of heaven from God. A city whose foundations were made of vibrant jewels and whose gates are made of precious pearls and whose inhabitants are the Bride of Christ. But what more is there to the city where the redeemed of Christ will live with Him forevermore? This week we'll keep studying through Revelation 21-22 and John's description of the New Jerusalem. We'll learn what John finds in the city when he searches for the Temple of God, and look again at what it means to have our names written in the Lamb's Book of Life. And we'll see how Jesus is the unveiled source of all light and life in the New Jerusalem and how to make Him the source of our life today, even if now we can only see and know in part. 

Are you living as the Bride of Christ?The City of Jerusalem, the city of peace that has seen wars and conflict and strife, the center of so many Old Testament prophecies, the city Jesus wept over and the city Jesus will reign from when He comes again. When God makes a new heaven and a new earth, will the City of Jerusalem still have a place of significance in eternity? This week we'll continue our study in Revelation 21 and read the description of the New Jerusalem. We'll ask the questions, is this New Jerusalem a real city or only symbolic, and what's the significance of the twelve foundations and the pearly gates? And as we look ahead to the city prepared for the bride of Christ, we'll ask ourselves what it means to live as the bride of Christ today.

What Makes a Home, Home?This week we will continue to study through Revelation 21 and the new heaven and new earth that God will make. We'll see what kind of words God uses to describe our eternal home and look at what kind of people will be there--and what kind won't be there. And finally we'll learn the importance of continually evaluating our own lives according to the eternal truth of the Word of God.

What will Heaven really be like?After John saw a vision of Jesus walking among His churches on earth, John was caught up into the heavens where he sees God on His heavenly throne. He then observes the events of the last days from that perspective of heaven: the great tribulation, the return of Christ to earth, the millennial reign of Christ, then the final judgment over all creation. But when God's purposes with heaven and earth have finally concluded, what will come next on God's heavenly calendar?This week we'll begin to study this new heaven and new earth that John describes in Revelation 21. We'll look at the differences and similarities between the old heaven and the new heaven and answer questions like: Is there time in heaven? and What will heaven look like? And we'll learn how this knowledge of heaven should influence our lives for God today.

Which resurrection will you be a part of?This week we will continue our study through Revelation 20, and compare and contrast the two resurrections that take place before and after the Millennial Kingdom. We'll look at Old and New Testament verses that teach on both resurrections and study the final judgment that is coming for all mankind. We'll see a resurrection to eternal, abundant life and a resurrection to second death and ask ourselves: which will I be a part of?

Why do you love?When we talk about love in the Bible what Scriptures come to mind? Perhaps Jesus's words that love is the greatest commandment. Or the famous definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13. But how much do we really know about our calling to love God and love others? And what can we do in the areas where we are falling short?This week we start off 2024 with a study on Biblical love from Pastor Rik Ice. We'll look together at what the whole Bible teaches on the topic of love. Why do we love? How do we love? And most importantly we'll take some time to self-reflect to see where we're loving well, and where we might have some room to improve.

This week for the New Year, we looked together at the work that God has done here at Hosanna Christian Fellowship over the past year, and then we looked ahead at the upcoming opportunities we have to work the works of God. Then we studied through a portion of Philippians 3 to learn from God's Word how to pursue the ultimate goal: Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!In this special Christmas message, we will earn about Christmas from Mary's perspective as we study the gospel of Luke.

Merry Christmas!In this special Christmas Eve message, we learn about Christmas from Joseph's perspective by studying Matthew 1:18-25.

Why does a loving God allow evil in the world?In this week's message, we'll continue studying Revelation 20 and look again at what the Bible teaches about the millennial kingdom of Christ in regards to the imprisonment of the serpent of old, Satan. What will a world ruled by righteousness look like, and why would God allow Satan to be loosed again to lead one last rebellion in the earth? And if hell was made for Satan and his angels, why would God send anyone there?

Are you watching for the coming kingdom?In this week's message, we'll begin looking at Revelation 20 and study through all the Scriptures to piece together what the coming kingdom of Christ will be like. We'll look at the difference between the Millennial Kingdom and our eternal state, whether 1000 years really means 1000 years, and what the earth will be like during this time. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!