Hope Downtown Minneapolis Podcast

Some words stretch over time -- literally, awesome, curated, decadent. The word Christian may fall into that category too, loaded with assumptions, baggage, and cultural shorthand. But in Acts 11, we see its very first use in history not to describe the squeaky clean or hyper-religious, but those rescued by Jesus, relieved by grace, and racing to the bottom with love. Being a Christian isn’t about climbing higher, but living in light of the storm that’s already passed. Grace is the big relief at the heart of Christianity -- and it changes everything. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In the longest narrative in the book of Acts, we see a twist to the story of Scripture that for us, seems like no big deal, but for the early church was earth shattering. The Gentiles are to be included in the church WITHOUT having to convert to Judaism. And, there are plenty of applications for us today as well. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Early in Scripture, our ancestors were told not to eat from one tree—but they did. Since then, nothing has been as it should be. We keep seeking life and fulfillment in ways we weren’t made for. Is there hope? Yes—through another tree. The cross, a tree of death, has become for us the tree of life. How can we be sure? The resurrection of Jesus is our proof. Easter 2025 Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In your sphere of influence, who is the person who comes to your mind as “the very last person who would ever become a follower of Jesus?” If you were to ask the early church that, they would have said, “Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the church.” And yet, in God’s ironic economy, Saul not only is converted to following Jesus, he becomes the most influential person ever as a spokesperson for Jesus. Hear how Jesus’ work in Saul’s life transformed him to be this person. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What kind of power really changes a person? In Acts 8, we meet two forces most of us know well: the pressure to follow the rules and the drive to prove ourselves through performance. One scatters the church through fear. The other tries to buy the Spirit like a promotion. But what if real transformation comes not through control or success, but through weakness? Acts 8 isn’t just a story of power, but a quiet confrontation of how the gospel flips our idea of strength upside down. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In the production of Hamilton, Aaron Burr reflected that he is the villain in American history due to his killing of Alexander. It could be argued that Burr is not the only villain in the story. Similarly, in this biblical passage, Stephen recounts many villains within the biblical story. Who are they and why does it matter? Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In this passage, a group of Christians come together to solve a problem…and they do it without issue. What!? Is that even possible? If so, how? That’s what this sermon spends time dissecting and contemplating. Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

In one of the most difficult passages in the book of Acts, we can find real hope in developing a fear of the Lord that drives us TO Jesus, as opposed to away from him. Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The book of Acts is written as story, with all of the details being relevant for us to ponder. This week, in Acts 4:1-31, we will exam those details and let God work in our lives through the telling of this amazing account! Acts: The Story Continues Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What if miracles aren’t about breaking the laws of nature but about restoring what’s broken? In Acts 3, a lame man was hoping for spare change and God gave him something far greater. We tend to look for quick fixes, but the real miracle isn’t just walking; it’s being made whole. The healing we need most isn’t physical but spiritual. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The Early Church devoted themselves to certain practices. What were they? And, more importantly, why were these spiritual practices their priority? Because physical practices reveal spiritual priorities. Through this passage, we (re)examine what our own physical practices may be revealing about our spiritual priorities. Acts: The Story Continues Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What if Pentecost isn’t a distant, hard-to-relate-to supernatural event but a picture of how grace breaks through our confusion? Babel’s division is undone and the law’s burden is lifted as the gospel is proclaimed to all people. The Holy Spirit chases our shadows away not by giving tools for labor or weapons for battle, but by empowering tongues to declare the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. The result? Clarity, grace, and the promise that God’s kingdom rests on His mighty deeds, not our efforts. Acts: The Story Continues Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The book of Acts is an amazing continuation of the story of Jesus Christ. After his death and resurrection, he hangs out with his disciples for 40 days, preparing them for the amazing ride that is about to begin - the age of the church! Acts Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Where are ~~you~~ we going? This week we consider the significance that all things are from, through, and to Jesus. You, me, the Church, and Hope Community Church were all created by God to showcase how great and good he is. So, this year, in light of Jesus being the head of our church, may our ministry efforts in community, church planting, and the God is Moving campaign hit us with the force of joy! Vision Series Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

Quit Day -- the second Friday of January -- is the perfect picture of why so many of our plans fall apart: big ambitions meet the unpredictability of real life. But it’s not just bad luck or lack of effort -- the world’s brokenness and our own misplaced desires often derail us before we even begin. Learning how to plan from a greater sense of purpose while understanding our place within the bigger story allows us to move through the world with hope, especially when our plans fall apart. Vision Series Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

What if heaven is less about escaping to the clouds and more about being with Jesus, who is making everything new? The purpose of heaven is to undo death in all its forms—restoring what was lost and healing what was shattered. If this is true, then heaven's power isn’t just for someday but is also here and now, as we're set free from trying to make heaven on earth because this world is not our home. Isaiah Davis Johnson Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The Bible is an unfolding of a huge mystery. This week, we will unfold the largest mystery in Scripture, and see how Jesus Christ is the final “reveal” of all!The Bible is an unfolding of a huge mystery. This week, we will unfold the largest mystery in Scripture, and see how Jesus Christ is the final “reveal” of all! Isaiah Steve Treichler Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

We would like to believe that we know how God operates. It gives us an illusion of control and predictability. He feels safer that way. But God does not act in keeping with our directives. Rather his ways are higher than our ways. And what this means might surprise you. It means that he is far more loving and forgiving and merciful than you and I imagine. Isaiah Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

It's easy to think of a cosmic God who is very "other" than us. Yet, do we also God as one that is near, and can actually relate to everything we're going through? Discover how an Ethiopian eunuch not only finds acceptance and inclusion, but also a savior that can relate to his inner struggles. Isaiah Jon Neal Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” These words would later be understood as clear reference to Jesus. He is the awaited Son. He is the one who is “God with Us.” This Christmas, we will consider afresh how we are a waiting, wondering, and worshiping group of people in light of the news that the Savior has been born to us, who is Christ the Lord! Isaiah Cor Chmieleski Hope Community Church - Downtown Minneapolis Download Message Slides For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.