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Pastor Randy walks through the ten plagues of Exodus and reveals a pattern: Pharaoh, the new serpent, brings chaos on God’s people, while God brings order through judgment. Each plague confronts one of Egypt’s gods, showing that the Lord is greater than every false god. Today, we live in a world of polycrisis, and the gods of self, entertainment, possessions, and even family or church can take the throne in our hearts. Drawing from Psalm 46, Pastor Randy calls us to “be still and know that I am God,” trusting Him daily to bring order to our chaos. The good news: Christ has already won the victory over chaos on the cross.

Pastor Zack explores Exodus 3-4 where Moses encounters God in a burning bush and is called to lead Israel out of slavery. But Moses is an unlikely hero, an outsider raised in Pharaoh’s household yet knowing he’s an Israelite. When God calls his name, the proper response is “Here I am,” which signals availability, willingness, and trust. Through Moses’ objections and God’s reassurance, we learn that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. The sermon challenges believers: God works through ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The question isn’t “Am I the right person?” but “Am I willing to trust God and step out in faith?”  0:00 - Introduction: Setting Up Moses' Story2:30 - Moses the Outsider: Raised in Egypt, Israelite by Birth5:00 - Moses on the Run: A Fugitive in the Wilderness7:00 - The Burning Bush: God Calls Moses by Name10:00 - "Here I Am": The Proper Response to God's Call13:00 - Holy Ground: Understanding God's Holiness15:30 - God Reveals His Mission: Free My People From Slavery18:00 - Moses' Objections: "Who Am I?" and "They Won't Believe"22:00 - God's Reassurance: Signs and Wonders (The Serpent and Blood)25:00 - "Step Out in Faith": God's Greatest Works Through You28:30 - The Challenge: Are You Living Out Your Commission? (Closing Prayer)

The start of our new sermon series on Exodus, beginning with Chapters 1-2. Understanding Genesis 1-3 and 11 is essential to grasp the deeper story: Pharaoh is like the serpent, using shrewd tactics to pull God's people into his system of oppression and control. Despite Israel's faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, the world—and Pharaoh—intensifies the pressure. Yet God hears, sees, and has already provided a solution in Moses. This sermon challenges believers to remain obedient and faithful even when God seems distant, trusting that He is sovereignly at work, even when we can't see it.

The conclusion of the Book of Ruth with Chapter 4, revealing how the entire story points to Jesus as our ultimate Redeemer. When Boaz steps up to redeem Ruth and Naomi, sacrificing his resources and breaking cultural barriers, he foreshadows Christ's redemptive work on our behalf. The story culminates in the genealogy showing Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus. This isn't just an ancient love story, it's a gospel narrative about redemption, willingness, and divine purpose. The final challenge: Just as Ruth and Boaz were willing to break tradition and sacrifice for love, are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus and let Him be the Lord of your life? 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Are you willing to follow Jesus? becomehope.com

Pastor Randy explores Ruth Chapter 3, where Ruth makes an unprecedented move, she proposes to Boaz. This "soap opera moment" reveals what true virtue looks like: boldness, breaking traditions, and pursuing what's right even when it's unconventional. Ruth risks everything by approaching Boaz at the threshing floor and asking him to "spread his wings" over her, an ancient marriage proposal from a woman who has no cultural right to do so. Yet Boaz recognizes her virtue and agrees, opening the door to redemption for both Ruth and Naomi. The lesson: Being virtuous sometimes means breaking traditions. It means being bold enough to step out, have difficult conversations, and pursue what's right regardless of what's culturally "normal." True virtue isn't passive, it's courageous. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 When have you had to be bold to do the right thing? becomehope.com 0:00 - Introduction: "Ruth Proposes" - A Soap Opera Moment2:00 - Naomi's Matchmaking Plan: The Cultural Setup4:00 - Ruth's Bold Move: An Unprecedented Marriage Proposal6:00 - "Spread Your Wings Over Me": The Marriage Idiom9:00 - Boaz Recognizes Ruth's Virtue: Living Above the Law12:00 - The Guardian Redeemer Problem: Another Relative's Rights15:00 - Boaz's Promise: "I Will Provide for You"18:00 - Breaking Tradition: The Cost of Boldness21:00 - Mutual Respect, Love, and Submission in Relationships24:00 - The Challenge: Find Your Naomi, Be Bold, Break Traditions27:00 - Closing Prayer: Living Virtuously Through Bold Love

Pastor Zach dives into Ruth Chapter 2, where we meet Boaz and discover that virtue isn't about following rules, it's about reflecting God's heart. When Ruth arrives at Boaz's field, two virtuous people from completely different economic situations demonstrate what it means to go beyond the minimum. Ruth doesn't have to care for Naomi, yet she sacrifices everything. Boaz doesn't have to provide for a foreigner gleaning his fields, yet he goes far beyond the law's requirements. The radical lesson: Virtue transcends cultural boundaries and economic status. It's reflected in how we treat others when nobody's forcing us to, in the resources we share, and in the heart posture behind every action. Whether you're Ruth with nothing or Boaz with resources, you're called to the same virtue, using what you have and who you are to bless others. Because when ordinary people choose obedience, God uses it for His extraordinary purposes. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Who has shown you virtue when they didn't have to? becomehope.com

Pastor Randy introduces a new sermon series on the Book of Ruth, exploring how Ruth is the answer to Proverbs' ancient question: "A virtuous woman, who can find her?" Ruth embodies four qualities of virtue: presence (showing up for others), identification (entering into their pain), sacrifice (giving up her own future), and prioritization (making others more important than herself). Her story reveals that virtue isn't about perfection, it's about being willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of someone you love. From Naomi's loss and bitterness to Ruth's radical commitment ("Wherever you go, I will go. Your God will be my God"), we see what virtue looks like. And it changed everything, Ruth became the grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus. The challenge: Who is your "Naomi"? Who in your sphere of influence needs someone to be present, to sacrifice, and to make them feel valued? Jesus did exactly that for us. Today, we're invited to do the same for others. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Who is your Naomi? becomehope.com

Pastor Zack explores Jesus' radical command to "become like little children" if we want to understand God's kingdom, revealing how the qualities we abandoned growing up are exactly what Jesus wants us to reclaim. Jesus repeats this command across all four gospels: "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." It's not about being childish (selfish, impulsive), but childlike possessing humility, trust, wonder, curiosity, dependence, and teachability. As we grow up, we lose these qualities. We trade dependence for self-sufficiency, trust for suspicion, wonder for boredom, humility for status. We fill ourselves with pride and knowledge, thinking we can control our world. Jesus is calling us back. He wants us to hit reset, to recognize our dependence on God, trust Him like a child trusts their father, reclaim wonder, and approach Him with the simple faith of "Our Father in heaven" (Abba-Daddy). The challenge: What childlike qualities have you abandoned that Jesus is calling you to reclaim today? 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Which childlike quality do you need to reclaim? becomehope.com

Pastor Randy challenges believers to seek God's kingdom first, and reveals what that really means in a culture obsessed with control through hoarding, selfishness, and worry. THE PROBLEM WITH EARTHLY TREASURE: Matthew 6:19-20 - "Don't store up treasures here on Earth where moths eat them and rust destroys them and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven where moths and rust cannot destroy." Jesus' point is two-fold: (1) It's stupid to hoard because you can't take it with you when you die, and (2) When you store things up on earth, you become consumed with the desire for things. THE RICH FOOL STORY: Luke 12 - A rich man had a fertile farm producing fine crops. He said, "I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room to store all my wheat and say to myself, 'I have enough stored for years. Take it easy, eat, drink, be merry.'" God said to him: "You fool. You'll die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?" THE REALITY: One-third of Americans use storage facilities. There are 50,000 storage facilities in the US, MORE than the total number of McDonald's and Starbucks combined. That's 2.1 billion square feet of storage space. We're holding onto things we don't use, don't need, and will never use again, because they're OURS. THREE WAYS WE TRY TO CONTROL: Hoarding - Storing up treasures on earth; holding onto possessionsSelfishness/Tightfistedness - "What's mine is mine; I'm keeping it"Worrying - Thinking about and trying to maintain control over our worldAll three center around SELFISHNESS. We want more and more, and what we have, we want it to be ours. Then we worry we don't have enough. THE REAL ISSUE: Jesus says: "Seek God's kingdom first." But most people think of "kingdom" as territory, possessions, things. That's not what it means. King Herod was king over territory, but he didn't possess it, the Romans did. Herod just made the laws and collected tribute. Kingdom of God is not about earthly things. It's about God's kingly rule over your life. When Jesus says "Seek God's kingdom first," He's saying: "Seek first that God is in control of your life." NOT A PRIORITY LIST: If God is priority #1, there's a #2, #3, and #4. When you do those things, you forget about #1. Jesus is saying: Let God be the ONLY priority in your life. When you do that, everything else falls into place, running a distant second. THE CHALLENGE: Are you a hoarder? A tightwad? A worrier? Most of us are at least one of these. First, recognize it. Tell the Lord: "I worry. I know I shouldn't, but I do." Then, stop trying to retain control, whether through hoarding, selfishness, or worrying. Let God take control. He knows better anyway. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Which control habit do you struggle with most? becomehope.com

Pastor Zack explores Jesus' challenging command about the narrow and wide gates, false prophets, and what it truly means to do the will of the Father, revealing three essential steps every believer must understand. THE NARROW AND WIDE GATES: Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." This passage is heavy. It can either terrify us (questioning our salvation) or seduce us (making us think we're already fine). But Jesus wants us in the middle—wrestling with Him, not panicking or becoming complacent. FALSE PROPHETS AND FRUIT: Matthew 7:15-20 - "Watch out for false prophets. They come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them." You can identify false teaching by examining the fruit it produces. An apple tree doesn't grow oranges. A false prophet's actions will be out of step with Scripture. THE HARD TRUTH: Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Many will point to their prophesying, demon-casting, and miracles—but Jesus says "I never knew you." They were relying on their works instead of Jesus' completed work on the cross. THE REAL GOSPEL: This isn't about earning heaven through goodness. This is about faith in Jesus leading to a transformed life. The gospel is: You don't deserve it, so Christ did it for you, and He gives it to you freely if you believe. THREE STEPS TO WALKING THE NARROW WAY: Step 1: Be SavedJohn 6:38-40 - Put your faith in Jesus Christ. Believe in His completed work on the cross. This isn't just head knowledge, faith like trusting a parachute leads to action. Step 2: Do Good, Abstain from Evil1 Thessalonians 4:3 + Galatians 5:19-26 - Stop living for yourself. Kill the old self and pick up your cross. Bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This isn't about perfection today, it's about direction and desire for change. Step 3: Make DisciplesMatthew 28:18-20 - Jesus has all authority. He commands you to go make disciples of all nations. Once you're saved and being sanctified, don't keep it to yourself. Tell others about the God who saved you. THE FOUNDATION: Matthew 7:24-29 - Build your house on the rock (Jesus and His ways) not on sand (worldly ways). A house built on rock stands firm against storms. A house on sand crumbles. THE WILL OF THE FATHER: When you hear that "still, small voice" calling you to something good, something that doesn't feel like you, that's often God. The flesh always wants what's easy and destructive. The Spirit invites us to what's difficult but life-giving. THE CHALLENGE: Live like a saved person. Lay down your way for His way. Teach others to do the same. Don't waste the short time you have on this earth. The stakes are high, and people are waiting to hear about Jesus. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 What step are you struggling with? becomehope.com 0:00 - Introduction: Baby Announcement & The Narrow Gate2:00 - False Prophets, Fruit, & The Hard Truth About Works6:00 - The Gospel: Jesus Did It For You, Not About Your Works10:00 - Step 1: Be Saved - Faith in Jesus & His Completed Work14:00 - Step 2: Do Good, Abstain from Evil - Identity in Christ18:00 - Step 3: Make Disciples - The Great Commission22:00 - Building Your House on Rock vs. Sand: Security in Jesus26:00 - Discerning God's Voice & Living as a Saved Person28:00 - Final Challenge: Live It Out, Teach Others, Don't Waste Time30:00 - Closing Prayer

Pastor Randy explores Jesus' most famous command, the Golden Rule, and reveals what it actually means to live it out in a self-centered world. THE GOLDEN RULE:Matthew 7:12 - "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. That's the essence of all that's taught in the law and the prophets." It's so famous it's known even outside Christian circles. But do we understand what Jesus really meant? WHERE IT'S ROOTED:The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains nine commands about how to treat others: Work for peace (5:9)Let your good deeds shine (5:16)Be reconciled to those who have something against you (5:24)Don't resist an evil person (5:29)Love your enemies (5:44)Give to those in need (6:2)Forgive those who sin against you (6:12)Don't judge others (7:1)Treat others like you want to be treated (7:12) WHAT IT DOESN'T SAY:The Golden Rule does NOT say: "Do to your friends whatever you'd like them to do to you""Do to others what you would like them to do to you so that they'll be nice to you later" There is no promise of reciprocity. Jesus doesn't say "if you treat them well, they'll treat you well." He says treat them well regardless. THE SOURCE:God started the blessing first. In the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12), God says: "I will bless you""You will be a blessing to others" The movement continues: God blessed Abraham → Abraham blessed the nationsGod blessed Jacob → Jacob blessed LabanGod blessed us through Christ → We bless others In Ezekiel, there's a beautiful pattern: God reveals Himself to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 6-7)Ezekiel reveals God to Israel (7:12-20)Israel reveals God to the nations (7:25-26) THE PRINCIPLE:Everything flows from God's blessing. We receive blessing, then we pass it on. THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY: The essence of sin: Self-centerednessThe essence of Christianity: Others-centeredness Jesus says: "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 14:34). Paul says: "Don't look to your own interests. Look to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4). John says: "He laid down His life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for brothers and sisters" (1 John 3:16). THE QUESTION:Someone in your sphere of influence has been waiting for someone like you to come along. Someone who will serve them selflessly. Someone who will treat them the way they want to be treated. Are you that person? THE CHALLENGE:God is bringing someone to your mind right now. Someone who's not easy to love. Someone who's not easy to serve. Ask yourself: What one thing could I do this week that would really help them? A text?A meal?Just listening and helping them explore their options? Don't look to your own interests. Look to theirs. THE HEART:The Golden Rule isn't about keeping score. It's not about earning reciprocity. It's about becoming others-centered instead of self-centered. It's about recognizing that God has blessed you infinitely, and now you get to bless others. That's the essence of Christianity. 0:00 - Introduction: The Golden Rule2:00 - Matthew 7:12: Do to Others as You Want to Be Treated3:00 - Nine Commands About Treating Others6:00 - What the Golden Rule Does NOT Say8:00 - The Foundation: God's Judgment on How We Treat Others9:00 - God Started the Blessing First: Abraham's Covenant11:00 - Through Your Descendants, All Nations Will Be Blessed12:00 - Jacob and Laban: The Blessing Movement Continues13:00 - Laban Recognizes He's Blessed Because of Jacob14:00 - Ezekiel's Revelation Pattern: Ezekiel → Israel → Nations15:00 - Jesus Sums It Up: Love Each Other as I've Loved You16:00 - Paul's Version: Look to the Interests of Others17:00 - 1 John 3:16: We Ought to Lay Down Our Lives for Others18:00 - The Center of Christianity: Others-Centeredness20:00 - The Caricature vs. The Reality of Christians21:00 - The Challenge: Who Is God Calling You to Serve?23:00 - Practical Application: What Can You Do This Week?24:00 - Prayer and Closing: Help Us Live for Others 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Who is God calling you to serve this week? becomehope.com

Pastor Randy explores Jesus' command to "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:10), and what it really means in a culture of anger and reactivity. THE CONTEXT:Jesus sends out His disciples as "sheep among wolves." They'll be arrested, flogged, betrayed, hated, and persecuted. In the middle of these warnings, He says: "Be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves." THE GREEK WORD:Shrewd (phronimos) doesn't mean intelligence in the abstract sense. It means practical wisdom, thinking things through before you act. It's the same word Jesus uses for the wise man who built his house on the rock and the wise bridesmaids who prepared themselves. THE SERPENT REFERENCE:The only serpent called "shrewd" in Scripture is Satan in Genesis 3:1. Before approaching Eve, he had a plan. He knew what he'd say, how he'd say it, and when to say it. Jesus wants us to think things through like that, but for good purposes. NOT A CALL TO DECEPTION:Jesus is NOT saying "behave like Satan." He's saying: think strategically. Plan your responses. Don't react emotionally when you're under attack. Instead, be assertive, not passive, not violent, but deliberate. THE CURRENT PROBLEM:We live in an age of anger: FBI reports twice as many hate crimes in 2026 as in 201522% of Americans experience anger dailySocial media amplifies every emotional outburst But is there more actual anger, or just more visibility? The data suggests it's visibility. We broadcast our anger 24/7. TYPES OF ANGER:Exasperated anger - frustration that builds over repeated behaviorSlow burn - simmering resentment that can create "roots of bitterness"Violent anger - verbal or physical (Jesus would say: never justified)Assertive anger - thinking things through, responding calmly but firmly THE JESUS EXAMPLE:When arrested and flogged before Pilate, Jesus stayed silent. When it was time to speak, He spoke deliberately. He was always in control, always thinking things through. He modeled assertive anger. HOW TO HANDLE ANGER: Step 1: Take a Deep BreathDon't just let your mind wander, think about what's happening. Anger is rarely the first emotion. You feel frustration, disrespect, shock, or fear FIRST. Deal with the root emotion. Step 2: Talk Directly to the PersonDon't go to third parties. Confront the person who caused the anger. (Unless the third party is part of the solution.) Step 3: Use "I" StatementsDon't: "You did this and you're horrible."Do: "I felt disrespected when you did X. Then I got angry because I felt disrespected." Step 4: Be Concrete About What You WantDo you want them to be aware of your feelings? Change behavior? Make amends? Let them know specifically. THE BOTTOM LINE:Be wise (think things through). Be harmless (don't respond with violence or reactive anger). Don't be a doormat, but don't lose control either. That's assertive anger, and it leads to reconciliation. THE COMMUNION REMINDER:Jesus didn't get angry about what you did to Him. He gave His life for your sins instead. He chose love over anger. So can you. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 How will you handle your next conflict?becomehope.com

Pastor Zach tackles one of Jesus' most uncomfortable commands: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), exploring the tension between an impossible calling and God's impossible grace. THE GREEK WORD: Teleios means: complete, mature, fully developed, whole, brought to its intended end. It can mean perfect, and honestly, it probably does here. THE PROBLEM: Jesus calls us to perfection. Every New Testament author echoes this command. Yet we all fail constantly. So what gives? THE PARADOX: You're called to live perfectly, but you're saved by someone else's righteousness (Jesus'). You must pursue perfection, but you can't earn favor through perfection. Truth AND grace. HOW CAN YOU BE PERFECT? 1 John 4:4 - "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." You can only be perfect through Christ's power working IN you. When you get out of the way and let Him take the reins, He makes you perfect. But the moment you grab the reins back, you derail it. TWO CRUCIAL STORIES: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18): Pharisee: "Thank you, God, for making me so great. I do all these good things." Tax Collector: On his knees, beating his chest, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Jesus: The tax collector leaves justified, not the Pharisee. The starting point of your journey with God is on your knees, seeing God as He is and yourself as you truly are. The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8): Jesus doesn't just forgive, He says: "Go and sin NO MORE"  (not sin less). THE THREE STEPS: Step 1: Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This is your foundation. When you fail (and you will), remember this first. Step 2: Luke 18:13 "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Get real about your sin. Confess it. But don't grovel or dwell there. Step 3: Matthew 5:48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Go walk it out. Pursue righteousness. Live like Jesus. Let Him work through you. THE BALANCE: You live in a culture with two ditches: Ditch 1: Free Grace (no accountability) "Jesus saved me, so I can do whatever I want. God doesn't judge me." Ditch 2: Legalism (all accountability, no grace) "I have to earn God's love through my works." The Bible's Path: Truth + Grace You pursue perfection not to earn favor, but because you're already favored. When you fail, there's no condemnation, but don't stay there. Get back up and keep going. THE PURPOSE: "Live such honorable lives that even the pagans will glorify God when He comes." People need to see Jesus in you. Your perfection pursuit saves lives. THE REALITY: Can you be perfect? Biblically, yes, through Christ. Will you be perfect? Probably not all the time. But here's what matters: When you fail, remember Romans 8:1, confess like Luke 18:13, and pursue it like Matthew 5:48. Push on. Believe you can. Get back up. Don't dwell. Move forward. That's the Christian life. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 How are you pursuing perfection? becomehope.com

Pastor Zach challenges a dangerous assumption: that salvation is the final destination. He reveals what Jesus actually commissioned us to do and why all believers, not just missionaries, are called to the harvest. THE REAL PURPOSE OF HUMANITY: Jesus summarizes it in two commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strengthLove your neighbor as yourselfThat's the purpose. But what does it look like in action? GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING: Genesis 1:26-28 - God gives mankind four things: Be fruitful - multiplyMultiply - increase in numberWork (abad) - serve, cultivate, ministerKeep (shamar) - guard, watch overThese aren't random commands. "Work and keep" is the exact same language God uses when He establishes the Levitical priesthood. Adam is given a priestly commission. THE PROBLEM: Sin entered the world. Humanity failed the commission. The entire Old Testament points to Jesus, who comes to fix what we broke. But here's the lie: "I'm saved. Done." SALVATION ISN'T THE END, IT'S THE BEGINNING: Ephesians 2:8-10: "You are saved by grace through faith, not by works. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." You're saved FOR a purpose, not just FROM sin. WE'RE ALL PRIESTS NOW: 1 Peter 2:9 - "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood... that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." That's evangelism. That's what priests do. 1 Peter 2:11-12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God." THE HARVEST IS READY: Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus says: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field." He's not saying the harvest needs more time. He's saying: It's ready NOW. We just need MORE WORKERS. THE GREAT COMMISSION IS FOR EVERYONE: Matthew 28:19-20 - "As you're going, make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I've commanded you." The original Greek is "as you're going" (wherever you're at), not "go." This commission replicates itself on every believer. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE QUALIFIED: The 12 disciples were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots. One betrayed Jesus. Yet He sent them out anyway. Why? Because it's not about your abilities. It's about the Holy Spirit's power (Acts 1:8). YOU'RE THE METHOD: "You were snatched from the fires of hell by Jesus Christ. But I venture to say—He didn't just show up in your bedroom. Someone told you about Jesus." Now it's your turn. You're how Jesus brings His gospel to people. THE FINAL PICTURE: Revelation 5:9-10 - All of creation singing a new song: "You've purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You've made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God." The story ends exactly where it began: humanity as priests, working and keeping, ruling on the earth with God. YOUR JOB NOW: Make sure as many people as possible are part of that priesthood. Do you love people enough to snatch them from hell? Do you love Jesus enough to go and make disciples? 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 What's holding you back from the harvest? becomehope.com

Pastor Randy explores Jesus' command to repent, challenging the common assumption that repentance is only about giving up sin. THE GREEK WORD: Repent (Greek: metanoeo) is a compound word: Meta = a change (as in metamorphosis) Noia = a manner of thinking (as in paranoia) Together: A radical change in the way we think and live. It's not just a simple change of mind. It's completely reorienting how you think about life. JESUS' TEACHING: When Jesus says repent, He often doesn't add "of your sins." He says "repent and believe" or "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." The point: Turn around. Change your perspective. Reorient your life. MORE THAN JUST SIN: Jesus tells His disciples: "If you want to follow Me, give up your own way." This includes: Giving up your own sins (yes) Giving up your own aspirations (they may not be sinful, just not His best) Giving up your own goals (they may be good, but not God's goals) Giving up your own perspective THE HEBREWS ILLUSTRATION: "Strip off every weight that slows you down, and especially the sin that easily trips us up... Run with endurance the race God has set before us." A runner removes every weight, not because extra clothing is sinful, but because it slows them down. Similarly, there are things you may need to give up that aren't sinful but ARE slowing you down. EXAMPLE: THE PHARISEES: The Pharisees washed their hands ritually before eating. Nothing sinful about hand-washing. But when they relied on that ritual as a symbol of their relationship with God instead of focusing on God Himself, Jesus said they needed to repent, reorient their priorities. THE TEDDY ROOSEVELT EXAMPLE: Born severely asthmatic, Roosevelt's father told him: "You have the mind, but not the body. Without the body, the mind can't go as far as it should." Roosevelt didn't just give up being sickly (not a sin). He radically changed his life: Lifted weights daily Took boxing lessons (and later jujitsu) Took "point-to-point walks" crossing creeks and climbing cliffs Developed "the strenuous life" He changed from a sickly child to leading the charge up San Juan Hill and becoming President. His rule: "Comparison is the thief of joy." When the Republican Party asked him to control his rebellious daughter Alice, he refused, saying "I cannot be president AND control Alice. I will not compare my daughter to yours." THE FOUR-STEP PROCESS FOR CHANGE: Identify what you want to stop doing - Name it specifically Learn what Scripture says about what you want to change Identify what you want to begin doing - Don't just stop; start something new Learn what Scripture says about what you want to begin EXAMPLES: Stop: Excessive screen time → Start: Two meaningful conversations daily Stop: Eating processed sugar → Start: Eating more vegetables and fruits Stop: Sedentary lifestyle → Start: Walking 8,000 steps daily THE BOTTOM LINE: Repentance isn't just about sin. It's about change, real, radical change in how you think and live. Maybe it's giving up something good for something better. Maybe it's redirecting your energy toward God's aspirations for you, not yours. Jesus says repent. He means change. Actually do something different. 🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 What do YOU need to repent of and change? becomehope.com