Hope Alliance Nazareth

In this first message of the Be Wise series, Pastor Jim explores why wisdom is not only helpful but commanded by God. Drawing from Proverbs 3 and 9, Jim teaches that wisdom begins with fearing the Lord and trusting in Him rather than leaning on our own understanding. He illustrates how wisdom is more than just intelligence or kindness—it is truth applied to the complexities of real life. Jim challenges listeners to consider what shapes their identity and how that identity leads to either foolishness or a life marked by peace, humility, and eternal perspective. As he unpacks the fruit of wisdom, he points to Jesus as the ultimate source and model, the one we must cling to if we want to walk wisely in this world. The invitation is clear: root your life in the gospel and drink deeply from the spring of Christ, the one thing that makes the rest of life possible.

In this final message of the Come and See series, Pastor Jim invites listeners to respond to Jesus's call not only to come and see, but to come and go. Drawing from Luke 10, Jim explores how Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him into everyday places to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. He challenges listeners to wake up to a greater purpose beyond comfort and consumerism, embracing a life of missional living that reflects the presence of God through everyday friendship, hospitality, healing, and courage. Jim shares that being sent by Jesus is not about having all the answers, but about trusting God to work through us as we proclaim good news, display the fruit of the Spirit, and bring wholeness to a broken world. The invitation to join Jesus on His mission is not an optional extra to the Christian life, but the very purpose of it.

Pastor Jim walks through Jesus's teaching in Matthew 16 where the invitation shifts from “Come and see” to “Come and die.” After Peter boldly confesses Jesus as the Messiah, he quickly resists the idea of a suffering Savior. Jim unpacks how we often do the same, embracing belief in Jesus but resisting the cost of following Him. The message explores how the call to discipleship includes denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and daily choosing God's kingdom over our own comfort, safety, and self-worship. Jim challenges listeners to examine the version of Jesus they follow. One who aligns with personal ambition, or the true King who calls us into suffering that leads to life. Through stories, Scripture, and honest reflection, the message re-frames death to self as the path to healing, wholeness, and full life now and forever.

In this message, Pastor Jake opens with the call to follow Jesus from Matthew 4:18 to 22, reframing “follow” not as passive observation but as an invitation to apprenticeship, a daily, personal journey of becoming like Christ and doing what He does. Jake explains that Jesus does not choose His disciples based on qualifications or perfection but on their willingness to say yes. Following Jesus means offering every part of our lives to Him, embracing self-denial, and learning to walk in step with His Spirit. It is a call that continues through every season of life, and Jake reminds us that Jesus meets us in the mundane, the messy, and the meaningful. Ryan also shares personal stories of following Jesus through marriage, parenting, and career, showing how apprenticeship to Jesus can shape every corner of ordinary life. Together, the message challenges us to ask not just what we believe, but how we live in response to the ongoing call to follow Him.

Pastor Jim explores Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well in John 4, revealing worship as a response to encountering God in truth and spirit. Jim challenges listeners to see how true worship is more than ritual or location. It is a response to the presence of Jesus that transforms our identity, confronts sin with grace, and overflows into proclamation. The woman's story illustrates how our thirst for belonging, healing, and spiritual vitality is met in Christ alone. Whether we are skeptical, ashamed, or stuck in patterns of religious routine, Jesus invites us into a deeper, everyday rhythm of worship that flows through our entire lives.

Pastor Jim shares a moving message about the universal longing for belonging, drawing from the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jim explores how Jesus invites outsiders into the family of God, offering acceptance before transformation. While the world often demands people change before they are welcomed, Jesus reverses this by seeing beyond brokenness and offering identity through relationship. Jim challenges listeners to consider where they find their worth, what false identities they chase, and whether their lives are pointing others toward Jesus. This message is a call to embrace God's invitation to belong and find true significance in Him.

Pastor Jim reflects on Jesus' invitation to “Come and see” in John 1:35–51, emphasizing that God is not a platform, performance, or political position, but a person who invites us into relationship. He explores how the first disciples, ordinary people seeking approval, security, and significance, were met by Jesus not with demands but with an invitation. Through vivid storytelling and personal reflection, Jim reveals how Jesus continues to invite us to journey with Him, revealing both God's identity and our own. Regardless of our skepticism, search, or seasoned faith, the call remains the same: come, follow, and be transformed.

Pastor Jim concludes the True King series by walking through 2 Kings 24 and 25, where the southern kingdom of Judah falls and the people are exiled to Babylon. Jim explains that exile is more than the loss of land or a destroyed temple; it is life without God's presence and glory. Despite the devastation, he points to the glimmer of hope left in the story and connects it to the arrival of Jesus, the better temple, the better King, and the better Israel. Through the lens of exile, Jim reminds listeners that Jesus took on the true exile of sin and death, offering restored identity, renewed presence, and unshakable hope to all who turn their face to God. The message calls us to examine the idols that rename and mislead us, and to receive the forgiveness and life Jesus secured through his death, resurrection, and the indwelling of the Spirit.

Pastor Jim shares the story of King Josiah from 2 Kings 22 and 23, drawing out how a true encounter with the Word of God leads to repentance and reform, even when the outcome doesn't change. Jim shows how Josiah responds to God's Word not with despair over Judah's coming exile, but with deep humility and conviction, modeling what it looks like to follow God because He is worthy. The Word becomes the center of the story, not the king, and Jim challenges listeners to consider whether their lives reflect a daily posture of repentance shaped by God's truth. Pointing to Jesus as the better Josiah who reveals the fullness of God in flesh, Jim reminds us that the reward of obedience is not comfort or control, but communion with God Himself.

In this message, Pastor Jim explores the leadership of King Hezekiah and what it looks like to align our lives with God as ultimate reality. Jim shows how worship and obedience help life “fit together,” even when counterfeit pieces try to slip in. Walking through 2 Kings 18–20 and 2 Chronicles 29–32, he traces Hezekiah's reforms, the Assyrian threat, a shocking illness, and Isaiah's encouragement to trust God's promise and power. Jim reminds us that faithfulness does not guarantee a painless life, but it does anchor us in the presence of God. The message culminates in how Jesus is the better Hezekiah, whose third-day victory frees us to live as temples of the living God and to worship in everyday life.

Pastor Jim walks through the fall of the northern kingdom in 2 Kings 17, tracing Israel's exile back to a long history of idolatry, broken covenants, and corrupt leadership. Jim weaves together the story of Eden, Egypt, and the kingdom to show how exile is not just a political event but a spiritual consequence of rejecting God's presence and purpose. Through vivid examples, he explains how idolatry shapes our identity, leading us away from the life God intends and into emptiness, corruption, and disconnection. Jim highlights the warning signs God repeatedly gave His people and challenges us to consider what false gods we serve today. Ultimately, the message points to Jesus as the true King who enters our exile, takes on our punishment, and restores us to God's presence. Rather than settling for temporary substitutes, Jim invites listeners to turn again and again to the King who brings us home.

Pastor Jim walks through the reign of King Ahaz and the nature of fear in leadership. Unlike his ancestor David, Ahaz responds to threats with frantic fear rather than trust or "faithful fear", leading to idolatry, poor alliances, and the abandonment of God's worship. Jim challenges us to examine how we respond to fear: do we panic and grasp for control, or do we redirect that fear toward deeper reliance on God? Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, listeners are reminded that God is present, faithful, and calling His people to trust Him even when life feels overwhelming. This message offers a clear call to be impressed by God's faithfulness rather than intimidated by present threats and encourages us to build regular rhythms of prayer and reflection so that fear becomes an invitation to faithful obedience.

In 2 Kings 11 and 12, Pastor Jim unpacks the story of young Joash, who is hidden, preserved, and crowned as Judah's rightful king in the midst of political upheaval and widespread idolatry. He shows how God works through unlikely people to protect His promise and draws a clear connection between Joash's flawed reign and Jesus as the greater and perfect King. Jim challenges us to examine the false kings we elevate in our lives and calls us to re-center our worship on Jesus, the true King who brings lasting peace and Shalom.

In this message from 2 Kings 9 and 10, Pastor Jim unpacks God's justice through the rise of Jehu and the downfall of Ahab's family. Even as chaos unfolds, the narrative reminds us that God is fully in control, bringing justice for idolatry, restoring peace, and defending the persecuted. Pastor Jim reflects on how idolatry still disrupts peace today and reminds listeners that God works despite human flaws. In the end, God is the true hero and the only source of lasting justice and hope.

Pastor Jake compares life with God to floating down a river, peaceful when we trust His guidance, but exhausting when we fight for control. He shares stories from 2 Kings, such as Elisha's protection by angel armies and the salvation of Samaria, to remind us that God is the one who saves; we simply receive His grace. Jake encourages us to stop paddling against God's current, embrace the life Jesus offers, and, like the lepers in 2 Kings, share the good news with joy.

Pastor Jim explores the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, highlighting how God's mercy extends to even those perceived as outsiders or enemies. Through the humility of a young servant girl and Naaman's eventual surrender, we see that salvation comes not through power, wealth, or status, but through simple, obedient faith. Jim challenges listeners to lay down self-reliance and pride, receive God's free gift of grace, and become conduits of mercy, even toward those we consider enemies.

Pastor Jim walks through a series of Elisha's miracles in 2 Kings, revealing how God shows up not only in national crises but also in everyday needs. From multiplying oil for a widow, to reviving a child, to recovering a lost axe head, each story testifies to God's compassion and power in the lives of His faithful remnant. Jim encourages listeners to bring both their biggest fears and smallest concerns to God, trusting in Jesus, the greater Elisha, who meets us in the details with resurrection hope, daily provision, and steadfast love.

Pastor Jim walks through 2 Kings 3 and challenges listeners to consider whether they are living with full faith or half-hearted belief. Highlighting the flawed leadership of King Jehoram, who blends partial obedience with idolatry, Jim contrasts human faithlessness with God's enduring faithfulness. Even when the people stray, God provides water in the desert and victory over their enemies. Ultimately, Jim points to Jesus as the fully faithful one, whose sacrifice brings lasting hope and calls us to a life of daily surrender and wholehearted trust.

Pastor Jim explores the powerful transition from Elijah to Elisha in 2 Kings, highlighting Elisha's wholehearted commitment to God's call. From leaving behind wealth and comfort to asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, Elisha models the cost of discipleship and the necessity of divine empowerment. Jim parallels Elisha's story with Jesus, the true and better prophet, and invites listeners to reflect on their own surrender to God's Spirit. This message challenges us to daily clothe ourselves in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and live lives marked by bold faith and confession.

Pastor Jim transitions from First Kings into Second Kings, highlighting how the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah reflects the spiritual fractures that led to exile. He contrasts the partial faithfulness of King Jehoshaphat with the outright rebellion of King Ahaziah, showing how both compromise and idolatry have consequences. Through Elijah's confrontation with Ahaziah and the powerful reminder that “there is a God in Israel,” Jim calls listeners to examine where they turn in distress, and to respond to God's word with repentance rather than resistance.

Pastor Jim unpacks the story of Naboth and King Ahab in 1 Kings 21–22, highlighting the spiritual battle between righteousness and corruption. Naboth stands firm on God's promises, refusing to trade away his inheritance—even at the cost of his life. Ahab's abuse of power and Jezebel's manipulation lead to judgment, but not before exposing how the schemes of the enemy mirror our own modern temptations. Jim points us to Jesus, the better Naboth, who stood firm in obedience, was falsely accused, and secured victory through the cross and resurrection.

Pastor Jim explores the surprising grace God extends to King Ahab in 1 Kings 20, despite Ahab's corruption and idolatry. Through prophetic warnings, unlikely military victories, and divine patience, God continues to pursue Ahab, offering opportunities for repentance. Jim emphasizes that God still uses the small and unexpected—junior officers, obscure prophets, even our own mustard seed faith—to accomplish His purposes. The message points to Jesus as the true King who defeats sin and death, calls us to repentance, and invites us into a kingdom that belongs to the Father.

Pastor Jim explores Elijah's journey in 1 Kings 19, where despair follows his mountaintop victory. After Jezebel's threats, Elijah runs away feeling hopeless and alone. Yet God meets him in his weakness, providing food, rest, and eventually speaking not through dramatic signs but through a gentle whisper. Jim reflects on how God works both through and in us, even in our wandering and despair. He reminds listeners that the Christian life isn't just mountaintop experiences but also seasons of silence where God continues His faithful work.

Pastor Jim walks through Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18, challenging listeners to stop “dancing” between idols and wholehearted devotion to God. He highlights how striving for success, approval, and security often becomes modern idolatry, exhausting us without satisfying our deepest needs. Jim calls believers to trust in the true sacrifice—Jesus—and to rely daily on the Holy Spirit for life, provision, and lasting peace.

Pastor Jim shares a powerful Easter message centered on the resurrection of Jesus and its relevance in the midst of daily chaos and brokenness. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 10, he challenges listeners to reflect on who they declare as Lord and what they do with the reality of the empty tomb. Jim emphasizes that belief in the resurrection brings not only forgiveness but also the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—transforming believers now and promising renewed life in the future.

Pastor Jim explores the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17, emphasizing what it means to follow God with costly obedience. From hiding in enemy territory to relying on miraculous provision, Elijah's journey reflects deep trust in God's faithfulness. The widow, too, demonstrates courageous faith in offering her last meal. Jim connects this story to Jesus, the better Elijah, who enters enemy territory, speaks truth to power, and draws near to death to bring hope and restoration to the powerless.

Pastor Jim explores the human obsession with winning and control, drawing from the story of Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings. He highlights how the relentless pursuit of power leads to idolatry, paranoia, and destruction. Through Elijah's challenge to God's people, Pastor Jim calls listeners to reevaluate what they're truly chasing—and to redirect their hearts toward worshiping the one true God for lasting spiritual growth and wholeness.

Pastor Jim explores 1 Kings 15, focusing on King Asa. He highlights the importance of dethroning and resisting idols inherited from our families of origin and remaining devoted to God, even when it's hard. Pastor Jim encourages listeners to examine family patterns, and to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit through Gospel community, Scripture, and prayer. A life fully aligned with Jesus not only brings personal transformation but also empowers mission and impact in the world.

Pastor Jim explores the stories of Jeroboam and Rehoboam in 1 Kings, highlighting the dangers of hiding from God and the destructive path of disobedience. He contrasts their downfall with David's example of honest confession, emphasizing that true transformation comes through vulnerability before God. Jim encourages listeners to step out from behind their facades, embrace confession, and experience the fullness of life, grace, and strength found in Jesus.

Pastor Jim explores the story of King Jeroboam's disobedience in 1 Kings 13, highlighting the dangers of self-made religion driven by fear and control. He examines how convenience and self-righteousness distort faith, contrasting them with true obedience to God's word. Through the story of the two prophets, Jim challenges all to reject consumer-based religion, align their lives with Jesus as the final authority, and walk in faith-driven obedience.

Pastor Jim examines the leadership crisis in 1 Kings 12, exploring Rehoboam's unwise decisions that divided the kingdom. He highlights the tension between human leadership and God's sovereignty, emphasizing the call to follow the true servant King, Jesus. In a world of turmoil, Jim encourages listeners to seek wisdom, remain faithful to God's principles, and find rest in Christ, the King who serves.

Pastor Jim explores Solomon's downfall in 1 Kings 11, where his idolatry leads to God's judgment and the division of the kingdom. Despite Solomon's wisdom and success, his disobedience brings adversaries and consequences, yet God remains in control. Jim highlights the dangers of idolatry, the necessity of judgment for restoration, and Jesus as the one who bears the consequences of sin to bring true peace. He calls listeners to confess, trust in God's providence, and remain committed to Jesus.

Pastor Jim reflects on King Solomon's journey, highlighting the struggle between flesh and spirit. Despite God's blessings, Solomon's pursuit of wealth and power leads to a divided heart and eventual downfall. Jim warns against prioritizing material gain over faithfulness to God, emphasizing the dangers of idolatry. He encourages listeners to rely on God's presence, resist worldly temptations, and find true fulfillment in Jesus, the ultimate source of life.

Pastor Jim explores the significance of God's presence in Solomon's temple as described in First Kings. He highlights Solomon's awe as God's glory fills the temple and his recognition that God cannot be contained by human structures. Pastor Jim connects this to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice and priest, who brings God's presence to humanity. Through Jesus, religious duties are fulfilled, and believers are invited into a deeper relationship with God through His eternal sacrifice.

Pastor Jake explores the construction of the temple in 1 Kings, comparing the kingdom of God under the reign of Solomon to that of Jesus. He examines the ethical complexities of Solomon's leadership and the temple's deep symbolism, connecting it to the Garden of Eden and God's presence among His people. Jake highlights Jesus as the true King, emphasizing how believers, through faith, become vessels for God's Spirit and pointing to the future hope of dwelling with Him in His perfect kingdom.

Pastor Jim reflects on Solomon's flourishing kingdom in First Kings 3 and 4, highlighting his wisdom, justice, and governance. While Solomon's reign brought peace and prosperity, it also sowed doubt through flawed human systems. Jim contrasts this with Jesus, the righteous and eternal King who brings true Shalom—a right relationship with God and others. He emphasizes Jesus' resurrection as the beginning of a new creation, calling listeners to obedience and faith in the King who offers lasting peace.

Pastor Jim explores the story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3 asking God for "a heart that hears", highlighting the importance of aligning with God's reality to make just decisions and build a kingdom of peace. He emphasizes how wisdom is also an act of worship while contrasting Solomon's journey with Jesus as the ultimate example of wisdom and obedience. Pastor Jim encourages listeners to seek God's wisdom, embrace true worship, and reorient their lives around glorifying Him through the new covenant in Christ.

Pastor Jim reflects on David's advice to Solomon, emphasizing the importance of covenant obedience for prosperity and strength in God's kingdom. Highlighting the contrast between human kingship and God's rule, he explores the already-present but not fully realized kingdom of Jesus. Jim challenges listeners to repent, believe in Jesus as the better King, and live in obedience while trusting Him to build His kingdom.

Pastor Jim introduces a new series on First Kings, exploring Israel's rejection of God as their king and the consequences of flawed leadership. Through the stories of Adonijah and Solomon, he highlights themes of brokenness, God's faithfulness, and the importance of trusting His promises. Pastor Jim challenges listeners to reflect on their choice of king—following the world's taskmasters or the true King, Jesus, who offers life and salvation.

Pastor Jim explores the transformative concepts of redemption, adoption, and inheritance through Jesus. He emphasizes how believers are redeemed from sin, adopted into God's family, and given a new identity and inheritance. Highlighting the union with Christ as the foundation of true spiritual freedom, Pastor Jim reflects on the atonement, the gift of Christmas, and the significance of communion in connecting past redemption, present identity, and future promises.

Pastor Jim explores the profound concept of the incarnation, highlighting how Jesus closed the gap between God and humanity by taking on flesh. Through His humble beginnings and sinless life, Jesus fulfilled the law and led humanity out of sin into righteousness. Pastor Jim reflects on the compassion and faithfulness of God, urging listeners to embrace the transformative power of Jesus during this season of reflection and hope.

Pastor Jim introduces The Child of Promise series, exploring Galatians 4 and humanity's deepest struggle: the spiritual struggle with sin, idolatry, and religious legalism. He highlights God's redemptive plan, from Noah to Abraham, culminating in Jesus as the promised Savior who arrived at "just the right time." Focusing on the Advent season, Pastor Jim emphasizes shifting from idols and legalism to true life and freedom in Jesus, encouraging a deep, expectant connection with Him for transformation.

Pastor Jim highlights the importance of cultivating a life centered on intentional organization for spiritual growth. He emphasizes obeying Jesus' command to make disciples by recognizing unique callings and living them out through prayer, listening, sharing meals, serving others, and spreading the gospel. Pastor Jim encourages building relationships, serving the community, and sharing the transformative power of Jesus in everyday life as part of a fulfilling walk with Christ.

Pastor Jim explores the importance of using our gifts to serve one another in the church, calling for unity and strength of combined talents. He emphasizes sacrificial living as a response to God's grace and the need to incorporate serving into our daily rhythms as an act of worship. Pastor Jim encourages listeners to reflect on how God has uniquely wired them to contribute to the church, build up the body of Christ, and spread His grace to the world.

Pastor Jim explores the connection between the gospel and generosity, encouraging believers to develop a rhythm of life centered on intimacy with God. He emphasizes the importance of stewardship, being intentional with resources, and practicing open-handed generosity with finances, possessions, and hospitality. By managing wealth wisely and trusting in God, Pastor Jim shows how we can break free from wealth's hold, live fulfilling lives, and draw closer to God. 

Pastor Jim discusses the importance of gospel-centered relationships for personal growth and God's glory. He highlights how believers are adopted into God's family, called to love and support one another as part of one body. Emphasizing forgiveness, humility, and commitment to community, Pastor Jim encourages listeners to prioritize relationships that reflect Jesus and foster spiritual maturity. He also discusses the need to turn from individualism, embrace community, and set boundaries to nurture healthy, Christ-centered connections.

In this episode, Pastor Jim delves into the essence of prayer as a heartfelt conversation with our loving Father rather than a time to use fancy words to impress God or others. Exploring elements like worship, confession, supplication, and submission, he shares insights from Jesus' teaching on prayer using the Lord's Prayer as a framework. Pastor Jim encourages listeners to move to a deeper relationship with God, like a child moves on to a deeper relationship with a parent over time.  (Special testimony from Dick and Nancy Heaney)

Pastor Jim explores the significance of cultivating a rhythm of life that leads to intimacy with God through engaging the scriptures (the Bible). He highlights how engaging with the Bible goes beyond reading, encompassing the person of Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The teaching discusses the authority and inspiration of scripture, emphasizing its role in guiding believers, not as a set of rules but as a revelation of Jesus throughout the whole Bible. Practical tips, including resources, are offered to help listeners engage deeply with God's Word.

Pastor Jim explores the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude, emphasizing its importance in today's noisy world. He shares how calming the mind and being alone with God can lead to healing, spiritual growth, and deeper intimacy with Him. Drawing from Jesus' example, Pastor Jim highlights the need for quiet time with God amidst the busyness of life and offers practical tips for incorporating silence and solitude into daily practice.

Pastor Jim explores the value of work in a Jesus-centered life, highlighting how all work can be holy when done for God's glory. He discusses finding identity in Jesus, not job roles, and avoiding stress by working for the Lord rather than earthly recognition. Jim emphasizes a healthy balance between work, rest, and relationships, showing how work is a way God shapes and walks with us.

Pastor Jim discusses the importance of Sabbath as a foundational element in forming a healthy rhythm of life for disciples of Jesus. He emphasizes that Sabbath is more than just a day of less work; it is an act of worship and a time for rest, reflection, and restoration. Jim highlights the restorative power of Sabbath in knowing God amidst the busyness of life and addresses why people often struggle to observe it. He explains that Sabbath is about enjoying God's creation, worshiping, and stepping away from the constant need to work and perform. Jim also touches on issues like injustice and identity crises that disrupt rest, clarifies misconceptions of Sabbath as merely a break or indulgence, and underscores its role in celebrating freedom from spiritual slavery. He emphasizes that Sabbath is a personal and vital aspect of worship, not bound by legalism, serving as a foretaste of the restoration to come when Jesus returns. Through practicing Sabbath, believers are reminded of their identity as children of God and their redemption in Jesus.