HersheyFree Podcast

Have you ever found yourself in a complicated situation and wondered: “How did I get here?” Sometimes those situations are the result of dramatic decisions, but in other cases, they may be the result of a series of minor choices. Over time, we simply drifted and somehow ended up at a place where we didn't want to be. This can be true in our work, it can be true in our relationships, and it can be true in how we engage God. As we continue our study of Hebrews, the author warns us about these kind of situations and tells us: “don't drift!”

Have you ever found yourself floundering in your work or in relationships that are important to you—wondering exactly what you should do next? If so, you know the experience of “losing the plot.” Even as that can happen in different dimensions of our lives, it can also happen to us spiritually. As we begin our journey through the book of Hebrews, the author invites us to look at Jesus carefully so that we don't “lose the plot.”

One of the most familiar themes associated with Christmas is peace. Yet, for some, that theme rings hollow this year due to the conflicts abroad and the cultural divisions at home. However, as we explore this theme more deeply, we will see that the biblical vision of peace is more than the absence of conflict. Rather, it is the presence of shalom, or wholeness, which only God can provide.

Despite the complexity and uncertainty that permeate the Christmas story, there is also another theme at work—the reality of joy! Furthermore, Jesus links the outcome of his work to the arrival of joy. In other words, you really can't understand the message of Christmas until you understand the nature of joy.

To some, faith is simply a character trait of religious people, and science has proven that we have no need of it. Yet, in reality, faith is operative in all sorts of ways for all sorts of people. As we look at the Christmas story, the actions of Mary and Joseph reveal the true nature of faith and what the different dimensions of faith look like.

Whether you realize it or not, you are designed for hope. In fact, your hopes for the future are shaping your life experience right now. Particularly when life becomes challenging, we need some sense of hope to keep moving forward. In the Christmas story, the experience of Elizabeth and Zechariah reveals why hope is important, and why hope sometimes fades. Nonetheless, in light of the message of Christmas we can now live as people of hope!

In some sense, Jesus saves the worst for last. The church that receives his most stunning rebuke in Revelation is the church at Laodicea. It's a church that's impressive on the outside, yet dreadful on the inside. What's the heart of their problem? Self-sufficiency. Their self-focus and self-confidence has produced a way of life that's unproductive—it's only lukewarm. Thus, in this last letter, Christ shows us how to move beyond ourselves in a way that embraces his vision for our lives.

Have you ever felt tired or weary? If so, you can identify with the church in Philadelphia. This was a group of people who were willing to endure the costs of following Jesus, yet they were worn down along the way. As we study this letter, we will see how Christ can meet us in those heavy moments and encourage us to keep moving forward.

Coming out of Covid we learned a new phrase—“quiet quitting”. It refers to people who are simply “going through the motions” at work; those who only do the bear minimum to keep their jobs. Even as that happens vocationally, it can also happen spiritually. In fact, that's exactly what happened in Sardis. In his words to this church, Jesus warns that complacency is not just a bad thing—it's a deadly thing. So, how can our faith be revitalized? How might Jesus want to reinvigorate you right now?

The church at Thyatira is commended for working hard and moving forward. Yet, their story of progress is also a story of compromise. In their desire to keep moving ahead, mistakes were made. As it turns out, compromises along the way can sabotage the journey of faith.

As Jesus addresses the Christians in Pergamum, he confronts their participation in the worship of idols. For us, idolatry may seem like a concept that's only relevant in other times or places. Nonetheless, even though our context is different, we can still develop the same unhealthy lifestyles that plagued this early church. So, join us as we discuss how to identify idols in our lives, and how to overcome them.

Unlike other letters in Revelation, the letter to the church in Smyrna contains no complaint, only commendation. These Christians are applauded for enduring hardship and opposition. This letter reminds us that Christianity can complicate our lives. So, how well do you handle adversity? How can God use difficulties in our lives? How might Jesus want to encourage you right now if your life isn't going according to plan?

In the midst of a large, hostile city, the church in Ephesus remained committed to the truth of Christianity. Yet, in the process of defending orthodoxy, they lost their ability to love. As we examine their experience, ask yourself this question: does my commitment to truth outpace my commitment to love?

In the midst of a large, hostile city, the church in Ephesus remained committed to the truth of Christianity. Yet, in the process of defending orthodoxy, they lost their ability to love. As we examine their experience, ask yourself this question: does my commitment to truth outpace my commitment to love? 

At different points in the storyline of Scripture, the message of Jesus crosses cultural barriers in dramatic ways. Even as that was true then, it's also true now. With that in mind, what might it look like for you to be involved in taking the gospel to another cultural context? Are you open to taking that kind of step? In this message, we will examine how you might become a part of God's global mission.

At different points in the storyline of Scripture, the message of Jesus crosses cultural barriers in dramatic ways. Even as that was true then, it's also true now. With that in mind, what might it look like for you to be involved in taking the gospel to another cultural context? Are you open to taking that kind of step? In this message, we will examine how you might become a part of God's global mission.

As it turns out, God's design for your life is not just about you! His plan is to work in you in such a way that his grace overflows into the lives of others. So, how does that happen? What are opportunities that God is giving you right now to be an agent of his grace among the people around you?

As it turns out, God's design for your life is not just about you! His plan is to work in you in such a way that his grace overflows into the lives of others. So, how does that happen? What are opportunities that God is giving you right now to be an agent of his grace among the people around you?

While we know what it means to grow up physically, we don't always know what it looks like to grow up spiritually? How do I know if I'm growing? What are the factors that lead to this growth? What gets in the way? We will work through those questions as we learn how we can grow deeper in our faith over this next year.

While we know what it means to grow up physically, we don't always know what it looks like to grow up spiritually. How do I know if I'm growing? What are the factors that lead to this growth? What gets in the way? We will work through those questions as we learn how we can grow deeper in our faith over this next year.

For those of us who are parents, we want to see our children maturing and growing spiritually. But what does that look like? What is our role in this process? In this message, we will explore the different stages of child development, and how we can engage each stage as parents. Likewise, we will describe how our church wants to partner with parents at every step along the way.

For those of us who are parents, we want to see our children maturing and growing spiritually. But what does that look like? What is our role in this process? In this message, we will explore the different stages of child development, and how we can engage each stage as parents. Likewise, we will describe how our church wants to partner with parents at every step along the way.

Often when we talk about “grace,” we emphasize the fact that it is “free.” But is that really the case? As it turns out, the answer to that question is more complicated than you might think. While we don't earn grace, it does come with expectations. To understand this, we must see how God's grace restores and transforms. As it turns out, we can't live in God's grace without being changed. Are you experiencing that transformation right now?

Often when we talk about “grace,” we emphasize the fact that it is “free.” But is that really the case? As it turns out, the answer to that question is more complicated than you might think. While we don't earn grace, it does come with expectations. To understand this, we must see how God's grace restores and transforms. As it turns out, we can't live in God's grace without being changed. Are you experiencing that transformation right now?

Unfortunately, some people simply view grace as if it's a transaction—you give God your faith, and he gives you his grace. Yet, that's not the biblical concept of grace. In the Scriptures, grace is not transactional—it's relational. Grace brings us into a new set of relationships. It changes our relationship with God, and it changes our relationships with others. So, in what sense is grace influencing your relationships?

Unfortunately, some people simply view grace as if it's a transaction—you give God your faith, and he gives you his grace. Yet, that's not the biblical concept of grace. In the Scriptures, grace is not transactional—it's relational. Grace brings us into a new set of relationships. It changes our relationship with God, and it changes our relationships with others. So, in what sense is grace influencing your relationships?

What comes to your mind when you hear the word grace? While the concept of grace may be very familiar to us, what is familiar can also become what is easily misunderstood. If we are not careful, there are ways in which we can neglect, diminish, or misunderstand grace. As we begin to unpack this concept, we must first understand how radical it really is. With that in mind, are you living in the radical reality of God's grace?

What comes to your mind when you hear the word grace? While the concept of grace may be very familiar to us, what is familiar can also become what is easily misunderstood. If we are not careful, there are ways in which we can neglect, diminish, or misunderstand grace. As we begin to unpack this concept, we must first understand how radical it really is. With that in mind, are you living in the radical reality of God's grace?

One day, Jesus was asked to teach on prayer. After a short example, He continued with a strange story of a person who knocked on his friend's door in the middle of the night asking for a loaf of bread. As we read this story together, we will learn about asking and receiving through prayer.

One day, Jesus was asked to teach on prayer. After a short example, He continued with a strange story of a person who knocked on his friend's door in the middle of the night asking for a loaf of bread. As we read this story together, we will learn about asking and receiving through prayer.

Most of us aren't accustomed to using words like kingdom. But the “Kingdom of Heaven” was Jesus' primary message. Today we will hear two short, related parables Jesus told about the Kingdom of Heaven, and discover why the reward is worth sacrificing everything in order to gain it.

In our society, it is easy to practice reciprocity: “You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.” What isn't easy is receiving grace, and then extending grace to someone else. In today's parable, we will hear a descriptive story of grace and responsibility. If grace defines one's relationship with God, then grace ought to define one's relationship with others.

In our society, it is easy to practice reciprocity: “You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.” What isn't easy is receiving grace, and then extending grace to someone else. In today's parable, we will hear a descriptive story of grace and responsibility. If grace defines one's relationship with God, then grace ought to define one's relationship with others.

We all understand that there is a difference between hearing and listening. But we do not always recognize that understanding what is said, and believing it, always result in action. In today's message, we will learn a parable Jesus told that illustrated the absurdity of placing one's faith in Jesus without rearranging one's life around his call to discipleship.

We all understand that there is a difference between hearing and listening. But we do not always recognize that understanding what is said, and believing it, always result in action. In today's message, we will learn a parable Jesus told that illustrated the absurdity of placing one's faith in Jesus without rearranging one's life around his call to discipleship.

Starting today, Hershey Free Church will spend five Sundays studying parables. The first is a story Jesus told after being accused of befriending undesirable people. They said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” Jesus did not defend himself, but rather told three parables about those who lost something valuable and searched assiduously until it was found. 

Starting today, Hershey Free Church will spend five Sundays studying parables. The first is a story Jesus told after being accused of befriending undesirable people. They said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” Jesus did not defend himself, but rather told three parables about those who lost something valuable and searched assiduously until it was found.

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. The idea of heaven is so mystical, so unknown. And the thought of what happens after death is confusing at best; petrifying at worst. How do we know that heaven is where we'll end up? What will a believer's inheritance be in heaven, anyway? In today's message, we will explore questions like these, discovering what is the end of our salvation.

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. The idea of heaven is so mystical, so unknown. And the thought of what happens after death is confusing at best; petrifying at worst. How do we know that heaven is where we'll end up? What will a believer's inheritance be in heaven, anyway? In today's message, we will explore questions like these, discovering what is the end of our salvation.

Becoming a Christian is a life-altering decision that changes a person from the inside out. The change begins on the inside, influencing one's thinking and desires, and works its way out into actions. In this message, you will learn what it means to be in Christ while also having Christ in you.

Becoming a Christian is a life-altering decision that changes a person from the inside out. The change begins on the inside, influencing one's thinking and desires, and works its way out into actions. In this message, you will learn what it means to be in Christ while also having Christ in you.

“Believe in Jesus, and you'll have eternal life.” That is easy to say but hard to fathom. For starters, what is eternal life? Furthermore, all we have to do is believe in Jesus? In this message, we will take the time to unpack these themes from scripture. Belief can mean different things: understanding something, acknowledging something, or trusting in something. Life also brings up different pictures for most of us. As you listen, we hope you grasp how life changing this text can be for the present and the future.

“Believe in Jesus, and you'll have eternal life.” That is easy to say but hard to fathom. For starters, what is eternal life? Furthermore, all we have to do is believe in Jesus? In this message, we will take the time to unpack these themes from scripture. Belief can mean different things: understanding something, acknowledging something, or trusting in something. Life also brings up different pictures for most of us. As you listen, we hope you grasp how life changing this text can be for the present and the future.

The death of Jesus was a bloody, gruesome, shameful event. Why was this necessary? And what did this accomplish? The writer of Romans says his death was substitutionary in that Jesus' death paid a moral debt. This event was the means by which mankind can have a right relationship with God, having his or her sins atoned. In this message, we will acknowledge the gruesome event of Jesus' crucifixion and discover how this sacrifice made a way for us to be justified in our sinful condition.

The death of Jesus was a bloody, gruesome, shameful event. Why was this necessary? And what did this accomplish? The writer of Romans says his death was substitutionary in that Jesus' death paid a moral debt. This event was the means by which mankind can have a right relationship with God, having his or her sins atoned. In this message, we will acknowledge the gruesome event of Jesus' crucifixion and discover how this sacrifice made a way for us to be justified in our sinful condition.

The writer of Ephesians has some pretty sour things to say about mankind: we are enslaved to unfiltered desires and thoughts, attempt all means to gratify our cravings, and live in perpetual moral failure. To top it all, he declares we are “dead in transgressions” and, therefore, “deserving of [God's] wrath.” This is a serious spiritual heart condition. The cure only comes by God's grace. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for our sin, taking the brunt of that wrath; therefore, by faith in Jesus we can cure spiritual death and be made alive. In this message, we will explore the decaying effect of our sin, learning how the death and resurrection of Jesus can reverse these effects.

The writer of Ephesians has some pretty sour things to say about mankind: we are enslaved to unfiltered desires and thoughts, attempt all means to gratify our cravings, and live in perpetual moral failure. To top it all, he declares we are “dead in transgressions” and, therefore, “deserving of [God's] wrath.” This is a serious spiritual heart condition. The cure only comes by God's grace. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for our sin, taking the brunt of that wrath; therefore, by faith in Jesus we can cure spiritual death and be made alive. In this message, we will explore the decaying effect of our sin, learning how the death and resurrection of Jesus can reverse these effects.

Finally, after years of waiting, Abraham's wife has a son. Yet, just when the story reaches the “happy ever after” stage, there's a new complication—God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Why does this happen? How does this fit into Abraham's story, and what does this say about our story? Join us this Sunday as we conclude our study of Abraham's journey of faith.

Finally, after years of waiting, Abraham's wife has a son. Yet, just when the story reaches the “happy ever after” stage, there's a new complication—God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Why does this happen? How does this fit into Abraham's story, and what does this say about our story? Join us this Sunday as we conclude our study of Abraham's journey of faith.

In response to Sarah's laughter, God asks: “is anything too hard for the Lord?” The term 'hard' communicates the idea of wonder. In other words, her daily grind has robbed her of her awareness of God's awe and transcendence. When God does provide a child, Sarah laughs again. Robert Alter notes that this text implies that Sarah has the freedom to laugh at herself. She has discovered the joy of God working through the daily grind.

In response to Sarah's laughter, God asks: “is anything too hard for the Lord?” The term 'hard' communicates the idea of wonder. In other words, her daily grind has robbed her of her awareness of God's awe and transcendence. When God does provide a child, Sarah laughs again. Robert Alter notes that this text implies that Sarah has the freedom to laugh at herself. She has discovered the joy of God working through the daily grind.