Hope Alliance Bethlehem

In the midst of racial strife and injustice in our country, we can find hope in a God who is impartially aware and moving to bring healing.  As the church, we should embody this as a way of life.

One of the earliest lessons Peter and the disciples learn from Jesus is how he prioritizes his time with the Father.  Even after a long and exhilarating day of ministry, Jesus retreats to meet with G…

In Luke's gospel, Jesus' call of Peter is preceded by his miraculous catch of fish.  In this seeming intrusion of Jesus, we see Peter's process of embracing Jesus.  He defers which leads to worship. …

To an exiled prophet and people, the vision of a valley of dry bones coming to life must have brought unthinkable hope.  And to those who have realized their brokenness and that of this world, the li…

The story of Esther reminds us that we all have a divine purpose and have been providentially placed by God.  So in this midst of a broken world, and now a community quarantined by pandemic, could it…

Jeremiah's letter to the exiles was both good and bad news.  Seventy years of captivity, but even that could not rescind God's faithfulness.  His plan for them was a certain future and it brought wit…

The story of Joseph shows us two seemingly contradictory and yet equally true realities.  This world is broken and so there is pain and suffering.  But God is committed to restoring all things and th…

After the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, three young men found themselves in exile - a whole new world with all new challenges.  They even found themselves on the very precipice.  And yet, their fa…

The eyewitnesses accounts of the centurion and Mary to the crucifixion and resurrection are so informative to us.  They show us the significance of a real encounter with Jesus that leads to a whole n…

To finish his later to the Galatians, Paul takes the pen himself to write the conclusion.  Those who oppose the gospel boast in their fleshly self-effort, but Paul aimed to boast only in the cross.  …

Our view of ourself drastically affects our relationships with others.  A flesh-centered view leads to love of self and ends up in provoking and envying others.  A gospel-centered view leads to love …

There is an ongoing battle in the life of the Christian between the flesh and the Spirit.  The flesh is our sinful self that craves control, power and the right to be king.  The Spirit glories Jesus …

Religion has no power to gain us access to God or to transform us.  It is on the gospel that can set us free into God's family and unto a whole new experience of life.  So, stand firm in this gospel!

In Israel's history, Abraham famously had two sons.  Ishmael was born out of human effort, but Isaac was born out of God's promise.  Paul uses this example allegorically to show us that faith in huma…

Paul, as their founding pastor, offers a plea for the Galatians who he clearly loves.  His desire is that they would not fall trap to idols, even religious ones, but rather that they would be formed …

The glorious truth of the gospel is that in Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith.  What was once just a promise hoped for has now been fulfilled and realized by Jesus' redemption of …

Paul makes it very clear that the promises of God have always been the point, not the Law of Moses.  But if that's the case, what was the Law for?  Was it a trick?  Was it simply to preoccupy the Isr…

As Paul redirects the Galatians to the gospel of faith in Christ alone, he uses the example of Abraham.  Going beyond Moses and the law, he shows that entrance into the family of God has always been …

The purity of the gospel is so significant that Paul was willing to boldly confront Peter, who had been hypocritically proclaiming the gospel with his mouth, but not backing it up with his actions.  …

Paul uses a previous experience in Antioch to demonstrate the methods of false teachers in forcing gospel compromise.  And he reminds the Galatians and us how important it is to give no ground to any…