By Mike Wilson (Elder)

What do we believe?
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Scriptures and enables men to understand
truth. That He convicts men of sin, regenerates the heart to believe, and is the means by which the
believer is sealed until the day of final redemption. That He dwells within believers, empowering,
guiding, and equipping them toward holiness.

Why do we believe this?
Ephesians 1:13-14 – In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the
guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Why does it matter?
Whenever we make a purchase, particularly a large one, we like to know that we
have a guarantee to go along with the product or service we acquire. It gives a feeling
of security and confidence in knowing that there is a promise of restoration should
anything go wrong. In much the same way, Holy Spirit comes along side us as a
promise of not only His presence in this life but also as a sign of better things to come.
We can have the assurance of our salvation and our standing before God if we listen to
Holy Spirit telling us of our guarantee on something far greater than an automobile or
appliance. We can face the challenges of today knowing that regardless of the outcome,
our eternity is secure. That is the ultimate in customer satisfaction!

by Don Brown (Elder)

What do we believe?

We believe in Jesus Christ, the one and only eternal Son of God, who, while fully divine, became a man that He might reveal God and redeem mankind. That He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. That He lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death in order to serve as the one and only mediator between God and man. That He was buried and then physically resurrected from the grave and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, where He remains as an intercessor for His people until the day in which He will return to judge the living and the dead. That His judgment is final, resulting in those who are righteous in Christ spending eternity with the Lord and the unredeemed spending eternity in Hell.

 Why do we believe this?

 Colossians 1:15-17- He is the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 Why does it matter?

We cannot save ourselves. We cannot become righteous by ourselves, meaning right with God. Paul says in Romans 3:10 that nobody is righteous, no, not one. We may summarize the biblical teaching about the person of Christ as follows: Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, and will be so forever. Scripture clearly asserts that Jesus was conceived in the womb of his mother, Mary, by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and without a human father (Matthew 1:18-24, Luke 1:34-35).

Jesus was human. He grew through childhood to adulthood just as other children grow (Luke 2:40). He had the same human needs that we have. He hungered (Matt 4:2), he was thirsty (John 19:28), he was weary (John 4:6), he cried (John 11:35). He grew in stature and wisdom and began His formal ministry at around the age of thirty.

Jesus was sinless. Jesus made an amazing proclamation. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). If we understand light to represent truthfulness and moral purity, then Jesus is here claiming to be the source of truth and the source of holiness in the world- an astounding claim, and one that could only be made by someone who was free from sin. Jesus said that He always did what was pleasing to the Father (John 8:29).

This all culminated in a perfect redemptive work. By being all God and all man, Jesus became a perfect sacrifice for us. He had no sin, therefore, he was blameless. He was the spotless Lamb of God slain for the forgiveness of our sins. This is the definition of substitutionary death. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).

Wednesday by Mike Lewellen (Elder)

What do we believe?

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, holy, and loving being, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-wise. We believe that He sovereignly reigns over the affairs of this world, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Why do we believe this?

Ephesians 1:11-12 – In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Why does it matter?

I was recently listening to a man who was describing how big our God is.  He used the word ‘star-breather’ to describe our God.   If you stand in the middle of a field on a clear night and consider the stars above you, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by His creation.  When you learn that there are galaxies that are light years away and you learn that a light year is the distance light travels in one year you quickly lose the ability to wrap your head around it all.    If the earth was the size of a golf ball, then the sun would be a fifteen foot sphere.  That golf ball would fit inside that sphere 960,000 times.  Our closest star—the sun, is very big!  It just so happens that this huge sun is 93 million miles from our golf ball, the earth.  This distance is perfect for us to live comfortably on our golf ball.  God knew that when He designed it all.  God does care about us.  God does care for us.  Just as God knows the exact distance needed between the sun and the earth, He knows all there is to know about you, and He cares.  You existed before the beginning of time in the mind of God.  God created you to bring glory to Him.  He gave you the ability to walk through any circumstance, no matter how difficult, in a manner that will give Him glory.  Walk in such a manner.

Tuesday by Jason Pettus

What do we believe?

That these three persons are equal in divinity and glory and yet each has personal attributes and distinct functions. Because of His triune nature, God is both transcendent over all of creation and personally involved in this world as the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Ruler of the universe.

Why do we believe this?

Matthew 3:16-17 – And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Why does it matter?

The mystery of the nature of God is beyond what anything of us can comprehend. We can apprehend or get a sense of God, but we can never fully understand Him completely. He has revealed Himself in a way that we do not have categories to put Him in.

He is one. There is only one God who is holy, just, love, and a host of other amazing and wonderful things. And yet, He is three.  He is one God that exists in three distinct persons. He is Father, Son, and Spirit.

It is glorious to consider how He is able to be who He is, but it vital that we not merely try to understand God.  God wants us to experience Him.  Yes, our experience must be based on our understanding of the truth of who He is, but we must not limit what God can do and be in our life to what we can only understand Him to do and be.

God has the ability as the Sovereign King and Father over all to be at work in every part of the universe. There is not a star shining, a planet turning, a blade of grass growing, or a mosquito dying that He is not aware of and working for a purpose in it. That almighty powerful God is available to us through His Son who came to die for us and give us access to the Father through His victory over death and sin. It is through the Holy Spirit that we commune with God and feel His convicting power and guiding influence. He knows and impacts our every thought and intention.

By Gary Hughes (Elder)

What do we believe?

We believe in one God, who exists eternally in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Why do we believe this?

Deuteronomy 6:4 – Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one

Why does it matter?

From the time of ancient Israel until today, one of the most honored verses in the Old Testament by the Jewish people is the “shema,” so called because that is the first Hebrew word in the verse. It is also the verse that comes immediately before what Jesus identified as the greatest of all the commands in the Old Testament: to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength.

Although the verse is short (only six words in Hebrew), it packs a lot of power. The hearers/readers are commanded to pay attention: this is important. Next, we find God identified. The proper name that he revealed to Moses from the burning bush is used (Yahweh, or the LORD), and then He is called “our God.” In the Hebrew, the word for God used here (and most other occurrences in the Old Testament) is a plural noun. Although it is plural, throughout the Old Testament when the word refers to God it is treated as a singular. Finally, to emphasize the fact, the proper name of God is used again and followed by the word for “one.” It is not until Jesus and the teachings of the New Testament that we understand how this verse is truly to be understood: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as three persons, but God is still One, both in number and in priority.

How can this mystery help you to reflect on the awesome nature of God while thanking Him for remaining so near?

Please be in prayer today as Pastor Jason continues in the Renew Your Belief series.  Today he is talking about the Trinity. For many, this doctrine is very difficult to understand.  Pray that those listening will be open minded and hearted as Pastor Jason shares what Living Hope believes about the Trinity.

Please pray for these requests from our prayer cards:

Pray for a mom and three children to continue to place Christ at the center of their lives.

Pray for a family to sell their house quickly.

Pray for a member’s son to open up his life and let the Spirit work.

Pray for a friend that suffers from chronic pain.  Pray specifically for relief of this pain, wisdom for doctors, and stamina for her husband as he cares for her.

Pray for Nate, father of a friend, that is in the hospital due to heart, lung, and kidney failure.

Pray for Mary as she is recovering from chemo for her lung cancer.  She is 87 years old.

Pray for Will to quickly connect to a solid group of Christian men in his new church out of town.

Pray for Wade as he just found out he has lung cancer.

Pray for a friend Julie that has a serious case of meningitis.

Pray for Jan’s health to improve.  Her kidneys are failing.

Salvation for Bob, Steve, Matt, BJ, Ron, Tyler, Missy, Joe, Meadow, Frank, Lenny, Owen, Joe, and Dennis.

Praise for Gennie, her school is paying for half her tuition for her masters.  Pray for God’s guidance as she seeks ways to pay for the other half.

By Gary Hughes (Elder)

What do we believe?

That it is without error in the original manuscripts, worthy of our trust, sufficient for explaining salvation, and authoritative for faith and life. Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is the focus of divine revelation.

Why do we believe this?

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Why does it matter?

In New Testament times there were few things of which one could imagine that was as sharp as a well-forged and honed double-edged sword. When used as intended, it could quickly cut, penetrate, and divide that which was struck and expose what was beneath. In our own day, one of the sharpest items we can think of might be the surgeon’s scalpel. It, too, can quickly cut, penetrate, and divide for the benefit of the one on which it is used, helping to reveal what is below the surface, both good and bad.

As human beings, we try to put up a good front, as we seek to be self-sufficient and proud of ourselves, but the word of God exposes exactly who we are before the eyes of the Lord. The Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures is also the one who brings understanding of them. As the Holy Spirit leads us to understand the Scriptures, who we really are is laid open before our eyes just as it is to the Lord, and all of our Sin is exposed. Our thoughts, our intentions, and who reigns in the heart as the seat of our will, become as evident to us as it is to the Lord Jesus. Finally, after being convicted of our sinful estate, these same Scriptures lead us to the One who gives salvation and eternal life, Christ Jesus our Lord.

As you read the Scriptures, what sin has God exposed to you that you need to repent and hand over to Him?

Thursday by Jason Pettus

What do we believe?

That it is without error in the original manuscripts, worthy of our trust, sufficient for explaining salvation, and authoritative for faith and life. Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is the focus of divine revelation.

Why do we believe this?
Psalm 19:7-10 – The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Why does it matter?
If the Word of God is not true, trustworthy, evangelistic, and authoritative, then we have no means of having certainty about what it is we believe. Our faith would have to rely upon our feelings, which won’t do because feelings change. The Christian faith is far from being void of feelings, but the affection we gain from and give back to God is based upon clear facts presented in the Bible.

How could we know that God alone is worthy of worship? Yes, we could look at the world around us and see the order and the beautiful design of all things and deduce that God is wonderful.  Thankfully, the Scripture gives us details. The Bible tells us that God is not simply an amazing artist, but also a warrior and almighty King. It is through the Word that we understand that God is complete and whole and just fine without us and that His love and acceptance of us comes not from a need in Him, but through His unconditional love and grace that He chose to give us in Christ.

If the Word of God is not about Jesus, then the themes of covenant, grace, sacrifice, and atoning sacrifice make no sense. It is through the Scriptures that we understand that God is holy and all-powerful and yet, willing to love sinful finite creatures.

What God offers to sinful man makes no sense to a natural materialistic mind. This is the stuff of great fairy tales and dreams. It is the stuff that gives life joy and meaning. The fact that the Bible is true makes dreams and desires practical and reasonable and good. Because God has revealed Himself through His Word, we can understand not only who He is, but why we are the way we are, and how it is we can be re-made through rebirth in Christ. The Word shows us how our ultimate dream to be free and good and confident and at peace and full of joy can happen.

By Matt Haste

What do we believe?
That it is God’s only written revelation of Himself and His standards for mankind.

Why do we believe it?
Revelation 22:18-19 – I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:
if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if
anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his
share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Why does it matter?
The Bible is God’s ONLY written revelation of Himself. This is a simple statement but it presents a profound reality. This means that if anyone wants to know about God, they have to turn to God’s Word. Spiritual experiences may lead you to think certain thoughts about God but those ideas have to ultimately be weighed against God’s revelation of Himself in the Scriptures. Revelation 22:18-19 reminds us that God takes this matter very serious. Though originally spoken specifically about the book of Revelation, the final warning of this passage is applicable to all of Scripture. We cannot add to it or take anything away from it. It is not ours to mess with. It is God’s revelation of Himself.

The third president of the United States was famous for his disregard of this verse. Thomas Jefferson constructed the “Jeffersonian Bible” by cutting out the portions of the Gospel narratives that contained any aspect of the supernatural. As you can imagine, this greatly changed the story! Jefferson though wouldn’t have it any other way. He just simply couldn’t believe that something miraculous could happen and so he removed all evidence of it from his “Bible”. The result was a Jesus who told thoughtful stories and shared helpful advice but was undeserving of anyone’s worship.

This story may sound outrageous but we do the same thing when we explain away a command of God or justify our own disobedience today. Let’s be careful to heed the warning of Revelation 22. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and we should receive it as such.