As we look ahead to the new year, many people have New Years resolutions on the mind and are setting goals for the year. These goals are often centered around self-improvement, achieving new fitness or financial goals. But we wanted to take out some time on this podcast and encourage you to think about ways that you can improve your spiritual life …

Good is right around the corner. We expect good because God promises new things after every trouble. Waiting in hope provides new strength. It is not passive. It is praying, believing, running, and planting. Let’s get a fresh start together for 2021

What’s a “home wrecker”? There are spiritual and worldly influences inside and outside our home that can bring harm to our families and the people we love. Bad influences, the internet, alcohol, etc. How do we keep our homes safe? Join us and help your home avoid the “wrecking ball” and keep our homes safe.…

People have the tendency to create God in our own image. We amplify one trait of God at the expense of other traits of God. We create God according to our own liking and preference, which is the essence of idolatry. Often people think God is a loving grandpa in heaven who just overlooks our sin. Some people think God is a taskmaster who has outrage…

If we’re honest, most of us are dealing with some level of anxiety. Struggles with anxiety have been increasing for years, but the pandemic has accelerated it to new levels. What are we to do? At Hometown, we want to help. We’ve asked professional experts to help us figure out how to tackle this important issue. The good news is that there are Bibl…

Who are you? What is your purpose? When you put your faith in Jesus, something dramatic happened. Your identity changed! How we view ourselves persuades our behavior and decisions. Therefore, it’s important we grasp this new identity. This 3-week mini-series will be the first part of a comprehensive study of the book of Ephesians. Who are you? Let’…

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Like there was a barrier between you and others? Walls can be raised over gender, age, race, politics, or economic class. Everywhere we look, there are walls between people, creating “in-groups” and “out-groups”. The only hope for toppling these walls comes from our new identity in Jesus. For five weeks, we’re g…

4 Week Mini-series, July 11-August 1 Christians aren’t supposed to blend in. If we do, we’re doing it wrong. We’re supposed to stick out, but in a good way. When we follow Jesus, the result should be an uncommon life of humility, service, and resilient joy. Plus love…we should love people! Our lives ought to cause others to scratch their heads and …

It’s no secret that family life in America has become increasingly dysfunctional and we are paying a terrible price. Is there any hope? YES! God has timeless wisdom for today’s families. He cares for us and wants to bring a wonderful transformation to all hearts and homes. In this way, we can experience a wonderfully “uncommon” family life that the…

YOU HAVE A ROLE IN STRENGTHENING THE CHURCH BODY You have a body with all kinds of specific parts, each with distinct and important functions. Similarly, the local church is God’s body and is comprised of individuals with specific giftings. When each person exercises their gifting, the body is healthy and strong. You can flourish by being a part of…

SERIES OCTOBER 10-NOVEMBER 7 Wouldn’t your life be less stressful and more enjoyable if you didn’t have to worry about money? Now imagine not just having enough money for today’s bills, but enough to provide for a bright future…enough to help others and make an eternal investment through generosity. Wouldn’t that be exceptional…and fun?! Dave Ramse…

Most people will tell you they will go to Heaven someday, but this isn’t always true. Don’t take your eternity for granted! Not everyone who says, “I believe” will find peace and joy in Heaven later. You can know for certain for yourself and the people you love. Take the “certainty tests” we find in the book of 1 John. You CAN be sure!…

The Most Unlikely Hero Christmas is a time for surprises. An unexpected gift. A familiar carol that touches us in a new way. But the greatest surprise of Christmas is the unlikely hero we have in Jesus Christ. God entering this world as a humble child born into poverty? Who could have guessed? This Christmas, join us as we celebrate the most unlike…

Stay Strong, Live Ready 1 Thessalonians "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." -Jesus “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.” -Lynn Anderson, Country singer Just because you’re a Christian, God never promised you a simple existence on this planet. In fact, life can become harder when you follow Jesus. This was the e…

A therapist once said, “We are all carrying backpacks that we continually load up. We keep packing them full until one day they can’t zip and our stuff overflows all over the place.” Do you feel weighed down and spilling out? We all carry invisible emotional weights. Grief, anger, fear, regret, and more. Travel with us and learn how to finally ligh…

Even when our world seems in decline, God is working everything out for His purpose. Plus, He has created you to play an important part in His grand plan. Will Esther’s example inspire you during this time? Or will you miss the opportunity God has for you in favor of a “shadow mission”? Learn what all this means for you in our new series, “Esther”.…

“I can give you more. More stuff, more power, status…and safety”. Money does talk, and it talks loud! But should we listen? Why not? Don’t we all want what money offers? Isn’t that the point of earning and saving more? Money talks, but so does our Lord. In this 4-part series, we’ll discover what God’s Word has to say about money.…

Have you ever felt like you’re taking God for granted? Maybe losing sight of his magnificence, glory, and majesty? Many of us need to recapture our holy fear and reverence of God. Everyone’s soul longs for to experience something bigger and greater than ourselves. The answer is to remember we have a God who should be revered. That’s why we are taki…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Did anything stand out to you? How have you adjusted to each other in the past? How might God be calling you, today, to adjust to harmonize with your spouse in this season of life?Av Jon & Terri Schelkoph

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Have you been quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger? If not, what do you need to confess to both God and your spouse in terms of your tongue? And your listening? What do you specifically need to “make every effort to put on” in your marriage…compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness or patience? What does this loo…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What are your communication tendencies in marriage? In what ways have you learned to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn?” In what ways do you feel God calling you to grow in your marital communication?Av Deacon & Rosanne Ales

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What are we doing out of a sense of obligation that’s actually draining the life out of our marriage? What limits do we need to embrace in our marriage?Av Mark & Deb Stiglicz

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How has your past influenced how you deal with conflict? How have you struggled as a couple with unresolved conflict in your marriage? What is currently unresolved? Looking at I Peter 3, what are you learning that might help?Av Tim & Brita Weber

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Have you had any "leave and cleave" issues in your marriage? Each of you try to think of at least 1 example. Why do you think this is an important principle in your marriage? What are some ways you apply the "leave and cleave" principle in your marriage? Currently, what would you say are the biggest challenges in creating some…

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do each of you like sex? What factors are affecting your desire for sex? Have you given authority over your body to your spouse?Av Brent & Mary Knox

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Wives, what are some ways your husband has grown in understanding since you got married? Wives, what are some areas that you could use a little more understanding from your husband? Be as specific as possible with things you have gone through or are going through. If there are any ways that either of you (husbands included) ha…

How can we continue going deeper in our awe of God, now that “40 Days of Awe” is over? To grow in any area of life, we develop new practices for growth and progress. Experiencing deeper faith is no different. Spiritual disciplines are age-old habits to strengthen and magnify our daily lives with Jesus. Enjoy your journey through "40-Days of Awe"? L…

Sermon in a sentence: “When we see ourselves as a NEW citizen with a NEW allegiance then we experience a NEW freedom." Action Step: Pray the Lord’s Prayer.Av Brent Knox

This week we wrap up our series on Apologetics with a conversation about what makes Christianity unique from every other world view. Why can there only be one true religion? What is the difference between objective and subjective truth? Why should someone choose Christianity?

Sermon in a sentence: 'Freedom flows when we feel we are passionately loved despite what we see in the mirror." Action Steps: 1. Sing. 2. Pray the Psalms. More verse references: Job 38:4–7 Psalm 33:1 Psalm 98:4 Colossians 3:16Av Brent Knox

This week the team dives into the question of whether faith and science contradict each other. The idea that faith and science oppose each other has grown in popularity, but is that really true? Do we have to choose between faith and science or can they be compatible? How do we address popular scientific theories such as evolution and the age of th…

Sermon in a Sentence: "To live free means accepting that we are innocent no matter how much we fail." Application: 1. Call yourself a “saint.” 2. Make the choice to worship. Additional verses used: John 11:43-44, NLT Romans 1:7, NIVAv Brent Knox

This week we circle back to a question that was briefly touched on a few weeks ago. For many, the problem of evil is the biggest issue preventing them from believing in God. How can an all-good and all-powerful God allow evil and suffering in the world? What does the Christian faith say about the origin and purpose of evil and suffering? How does C…

Sermon in a Sentence: "Get involved, persevere, be a light."Av Spencer Bernard

This week we continue our examination of Jesus of Nazareth by looking at the evidence for the resurrection. What is the significance of a physical resurrection? What are the basic facts of the pre and post resurrection scene? What are the alternative theories of Jesus rising from the dead? Contact: podcast@hometownchurch.com…

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If God is BIG in our mind, we are driven by hope. If God is SMALL in our mind, we are driven by fear."Av Brent Knox