Jeremy Hoover

 
 
Too often, church relationships contain conflict. In Philippians 2:1-11, the apostle Paul teaches us how to overcome conflict and live like Jesus by working for oneness with one another, looking to others' interests first, and becoming obedient through service.

Sermon: How to Have the Mind of Jesus
 
 
In this 10 minute audio post, I summarize our discussion of 1 Timothy 2:8-15. This often-contentious passage details some of Paul's instructions about both worship and teaching leadership and authority in the church.
 
 
The church is "one heart" when everyone works together for the greater good and to glorify God. That heart is broken whenever someone acts selfishly for their own benefit. Are you mending the church's broken heart or breaking it?

Sermon: Broken Heart

Sermon Slidecast

 
 
I read a report of a survey that indicated, out of 800 people, only 16 percent viewed churches as a place to meet up with or make friends. As a minister, this disturbs me. In this 8 minute audio, I discuss the survey, my thoughts about it, and a way forward. Please leave your comments below, on Facebook, or at Twitter.

Group Publishing Survey: The Friendliest Place in Town
 
 
Another angle, this time on how temptation opens a door for sin, which grows larger and larger until it becomes a huge problem for us, unless we turn it away.
 
Perseverance 02/02/2010
 
Not everything is as it seems. Sometimes, there are deeper spiritual realities at work beneath the surface of what we see. We need to trust God, remain faithful, and persevere through challenges and trials.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finis its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4, TNIV).
 
 
This is an audio recap (approx. 6 minutes long) of our adult bible study from Sunday, January 10, 2010. The text we studied was 1 Timothy 1:1-7.
 
 
God established Jesus as the True King and the True Servant in Jesus' baptism (with reference to promises from the First Covenant). Likewise, in our baptisms, we covenant with God to submit to Jesus' authority, to live like him as a servant, even in suffering, and to follow him into ministry.

Watch a slideshow presentation of Sunday's sermon, or listen to or download just the sermon audio below.
Sermon: Submit to Jesus' Authority and Live Like Him
 
 
In this audio introduction to 1 Timothy, I lay out the uniqueness of this letter from Paul, the major themes of this letter, and the problems Paul desires to correct with the power of the gospel.

After listening to the introduction, think about and meditate on the study questions for chapter 1. Please leave some input, either about the introduction or your answers to the study questions.

Study Questions for 1 Timothy 1

1. What is the goal of Paul's command (1:3, 5)? How do the sub-elements listed in 1:5 relate to each other and to Paul's goal? How do you relate to these?

2. What is the purpose of the law (1:8-11)? Who is the law for?

3. How is a Christian to live (1:10-11)? What is the general concept of "sound doctrine" (1:11)?

4. What was the purpose for God showing mercy to Paul (1:12-17)?

5. How will Timothy be able to "fight the battle well" (1:18-20)? How do these two elements relate to each other?
 
 
Paul urges Timothy to teach the church to watch their lives and doctrine closely, staying pure.