Real Hope Podcast

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With Pastor Tim Hohm and Pastor Josh Herndon.

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•    WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT DEATH AND ETERNITY WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU LIVE.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT DEATH?

1)    DEATH IS CERTAIN.

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

2)    THE SOUL AND THE BODY SEPARATE.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

…He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26

3)    YOU WILL FACE THE JUDGMENT.

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment… Hebrews 9:27

•    GREAT WHITE THRONE.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-12, 15

•    JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Romans 14:10b

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.  2 Corinthians 5:10

•    Incorruptible Crown 1 Cor. 9:25-27
•    Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim 4:8
•    Crown of Rejoicing 1 Thes 2:19-20
•    Crown of Glory 1 Pet 5:4
•    Crown of Life Ja 1:12, Rev 2:10

(A person’s) work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

1)    How does your belief about eternity affect the way you live today?

2)    Reread 1 Cor 3:13-15. If you died today and stood at the judgment seat of Christ, when your works and motives are revealed, would you feel good about your life? Why or why not?

3)    Since you still have an opportunity to change, what is God showing you to do differently?

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PRACTICAL ATHEIST – 4 — I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I DON’T KNOW HIM

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:16

SOME BELIEVE IN GOD

•    BUT DON’T KNOW HIM.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:3-4

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

•    AND KNOW HIM, BUT DON’T KNOW HIM WELL.

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:8-9

•    KNOW HIM INTIMATELY AND SERVE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19

Discussion Questions

1)    Some people believe in God, but don’t know Him. Some know Him, but not well. Some know Him intimately and serve Him wholeheartedly. Which one are you?
2)    Some people don’t know how go get to know God better? Discuss some ways one can become more intimate with God.
3)    What is the biggest thing God has shown you through the series Practical Atheist?

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PRACTICAL ATHEIST – 3 — I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I TRUST IN MONEY

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

WE TRUST MONEY TO PROVIDE

· HAPPINESS.

· SECURITY.

THE #1 COMPETITOR FOR OUR HEARTS IS MONEY.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6: 10

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:13

TWO RICH MEN ENCOUNTER JESUS

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:8

WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS

1) YOU BECOME STRANGELY CONTENT.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

2) YOU BECOME IRRATIONALLY GENEROUS.

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 1:8

…No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Discussion Questions

1) Practical atheists tend to trust money to provide happiness and/or security. Which is true for you and why?

2) When you grow closer to Christ, you become strangely content with what you have. As you drift from Christ, you become less content. Are you more or less content today than last year? What does this say about your relationship with Christ?

3) Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Describe a time you gave sacrificially and how it blessed you as the giver. How can you give even more sacrificially?

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PRACTICAL ATHEIST â 1 —
I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I DONâT FEAR HIM

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its powerâ 2 Timothy 3:1-5

PRACTICAL ATHEIST:
SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESNâT EXIST.

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
Psalms 36:1-2 NLT

WHEN YOU TRULY FEAR GOD

â YOUâLL SERVE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITHOUT ANY CONDITIONS.

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Genesis 22:12

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15

â YOUâLL BE FOREVER RUINED.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

Discussion Questions

1) A practical atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He doesnât exist. In what area of your life are you a practical atheist? Be specific.
2) How can you develop a more healthy fear of God?
3) Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Do you see any of these qualities in your daily life? What are you going to do about it?

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Recorded face-to-face with Earl Creps,
Janet Creps, Kurt Harlow, and RevTim in Sacramento, California. Earl
and his wife, Janet, are preparing to plant a church in Berkeley,
California. This is chapter 3 of a journal which will chronicle steps
taken, challenges, and opportunities that will be discovered along the
way.

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against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world..." (Eph 6:12, NLT). In this message we cover the subject of demons and the devil.

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