HOPE Sermons

Trinitarian Love | Ephesians | Part 5 This morning, we continued our series on the book of Ephesians with a powerful message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. As followers of Christ, we are invited to reflect His love in every relationship—whether with friends, coworkers, family members, or our marriages. This calling isn’t just about action; it’s about embodying a heart that seeks to serve, elevate, and dignify others. Ephesians 5:21 (NLT) reminds us, “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” When we grasp the depth of Christ’s love for us—love that is wide and long and high and deep—the idea of submission becomes less intimidating. Instead, it offers us a glimpse into the Trinity’s perfect relationship, providing a beautiful model for how we are called to live and love in community. All messages from this series, including today’s, are available online on YouTube at @HopeChurchRVA and if you missed any, we encourage you to watch them back. Dive deeper with a discussion guide available at the link in our bio!

Doing My Part | Ephesians | Part 4 When you think of the Church, what comes to mind? Is it just four walls and a roof? Or is it something more? This morning, we continued our series on the book of Ephesians with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul, who had suffered greatly for Christ, paints a beautiful vision of the Church. To be the Church is to live out our “yes” to Christ in an active, intentional way. It means coming together in unity as the body of Christ, equipping one another for works of service, and strengthening the Church through our unique gifts. It means reaching out to those who have not yet heard the good news and helping one another grow in spiritual maturity. We’re grateful to be the Church alongside you. If you haven’t taken the step to go deeper, we invite you to leave the sidelines and join us on the field. There is a role within the body that only you can fill — a role designed by God, who created you in His image and equipped you to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory.

Who Knew? | Ephesians | Part 3 In a world marred by sin, we know that things will inevitably fall apart—relationships may disappoint, beauty fades, bodies wither and wane, and wealth never truly satisfies. Yet, in the midst of this brokenness, there is the Church. The Church—imperfect, yet radiant—stands as a community of brothers and sisters in Christ, shining like stars in a dark world. We are that Church. Together, as Jesus’ hands and feet, we are called to reveal His boundless love to others. As we step into this new week and the months ahead, let us pray that we become agents of reconciliation, grace, and light in a fallen world. Listen to this morning’s message from Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell and catch up with all messages from our Ephesians series at the link in our bio.

From… To | Ephesians | Part 2 We continued our sermon series on the book of Ephesians with a powerful message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. You can watch it online at the link in our bio! In Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV), Paul gives us a clear snapshot of the gospel, and we couldn’t summarize it any better: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We encourage you to dive deeper with discussion guides which are available weekly at the link in our bio and at hopechurchrva.com/moreresources

It’s a beautiful fall day here at HOPE. The crisp air, blue skies, and changing leaves are only made better by the start of a new sermon series! This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight introduced us to the first chapter of Ephesians, the book we’ll be covering over the next five weeks. Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus gives us a robust vision of the church and this passage details the spiritual truths and blessings of being united with Christ and as one body. Contrary to our culture, our life is not found in material success, but the life that’s genuinely life is found in the person of Jesus Christ. We know this to be true because, in Ephesians 1:7-14, Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit — the seal with which we are marked when we say yes to Jesus — in us is the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. We’re excited to explore Ephesians, and we invite you to worship + dive into scripture with us each week. Join us on Sundays at: 
West Creek: 8am | 9:30am | 11:15am The Lodge: 9:30am | 11:15am Livestream: 9:30am | 11:15am

Beloved Words | When God Speaks | Part 5 Mark 1:9-11 says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” Over the past five weeks, we’ve journeyed through what it means when God reveals His name, how we can recognize His voice, and how He speaks to us. This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight wrapped up this series with a powerful message – when we are made new in Christ, the infinite, all-powerful, boundless, ever-present, everlasting I AM gives us a new name: beloved. This new name anchors our identity. It tells us we are adopted, forgiven, fully known, and deeply loved. And it’s a name we will grow into over the course of our lives. If you’d like to look back at previous messages from this series, click the link in our bio to watch on YouTube at @hopechurchrva

The God Who Whispers | When God Speaks | Part 4 This morning, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell shared a message on 1 Kings 19:9-15. He reminded us that to truly recognize God’s voice, we must first know His Word, for it is through scripture that He speaks to our hearts. Pastor Pete left us with three key takeaways to carry into the week: 1. Preach to yourself before your emotions preach to you – ground yourself in scripture, speaking God’s truth over your life first. 2. God’s “Plan A” is always His grace – no matter what happens, His grace is unwavering and always available to us. 3. Jesus has already borne the earthquake, the fire, and the wind on our behalf – so that we might receive the unshakable grace of God. This week, let’s ground ourselves in scripture, echo God’s love by offering grace to those around us, and reach out in love just as He reaches out to us. If you missed it, you can watch this message online at YouTube.com/hopechurchrva or click the link in our bio!

Learning God’s Voice | When God Speaks | Part 3 In this week’s message, Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our When God Speaks series with a powerful and practical teaching. Drawing from 1 Samuel 3:1-20, we see how the Lord calls Samuel to speak truth to Eli. Yet, at first, Samuel doesn’t recognize God’s voice. Like Samuel, many of us are still learning how to discern when God is speaking. So, how can we better understand His voice? How do we sense what He’s calling us to—whether in a specific moment or over the course of our lives? The key is remaining deeply rooted in Scripture and persistent in prayer. Above all, we are first called to an intimate relationship with God. From that place of closeness, we begin to recognize His voice more clearly. If you missed this message, we encourage you to watch it online at / hopechurchrva or click the link in our bio.

What’s Your Name? | When God Speaks | Part 2 We continued our sermon series, When God Speaks, with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight. In Exodus 3:7-15, God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity and into the promised land. Seemingly overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, Moses protests, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God’s response is profound, though not what we might expect. He doesn’t reassure Moses by addressing his doubts or limitations. Instead, God makes a promise: “I will be with you.” He then reveals His name, “I AM WHO I AM.” In Scripture, names carry deep meaning, often reflecting one’s essence. Here, God is revealing His character — boundless, all-powerful, ever-present, and existing beyond the limits of time. Like Moses, we often feel immobilized by our own fears, anxieties, and perceived inadequacies. Yet, in His grace, God lifts us beyond the tyranny of self-focus. He invites us to shift our gaze to Him — the God who was, who is, and who will always be — and to invest our energy in cultivating an intimate relationship with Him.

The God Who Asks + Seeks | When God Speaks | Part 1 This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked off our new sermon series, When God Speaks, with a message on Genesis 3:6-11. Have you ever wanted God to speak to you personally? To speak into your life and your circumstances? The Bible tells us that our God speaks to us and that His word is powerful and personal. He listens, asks, and seeks us out like a loving father would his child. We invite you to join us for the next four weeks as we explore the times throughout scripture when God speaks! Join us on Sundays at: West Creek at: 8 | 9:30 | 11:15am The Lodge: 9:30 + 11:15am Livestream: 9:30 + 11:15am

Esther | Walk On | Part 10 Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell concluded our Walk On sermon series with a powerful message on the life of Esther — an ordinary woman used by an extraordinary God. Though God’s name isn’t mentioned in the entire book of Esther, His providence is evident. Through Esther, God worked to protect His people in a time of darkness and brokenness. With her Jewish heritage hidden, she was elevated from orphan to royalty and made queen to the king of Persia. After an order to kill all the Jews in Persia is enacted, she is faced with a conflict that would impact herself and her entire family. In her pivotal moment, Mordecai’s words still resonate today: “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NLT) As God’s handiwork, we too were made for such a time as this. Right here, right now, with the gifts and talents God has entrusted to us — He is weaving a story of restoration in our broken world. There’s a purpose behind where He’s placed each of us. As we often remind one another at HOPE, “You go nowhere by accident.” God isn’t sending Esther, Daniel, or Moses back to accomplish His work in 2024. Today, He’s calling you and me — with Christ alive in us — to step into this moment. To be agents of reconciliation in a world that longs for healing and to bring glory to Him alone. So rise up, church, and walk on. We were made for such a time as this.

Daniel | Walk On | Part 9 This morning, Worship + Family Ministries Pastor Kyle Freedman delivered a poignant message on the life of Daniel — a Hebrew exile in Babylon. The story of Daniel showcases a man, who even in exile, stayed faithful to God in a nation that desperately needed to see + experience Him. In fiery trial with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he miraculously withstood the flames, confidently displaying God’s rescuing grace to the king. In the lion’s den, Daniel trusted God to keep him safe and by morning, emerged unscathed, impressing the king to decree that all should fear and revere the living God. Daniel embraced the circumstances he was placed in and allowed God to use him to reach the people of Babylon. He stood confidently in his beliefs, but built bridges, not walls, along the way. Through deep relationships and genuine connection, the impact of his testimony spread far and wide. Like Daniel, we can stand confidently on the promises of the Lord and trust Him in any circumstance. We can embrace our circumstances and display the love and character of God within them. Like Daniel, we can build bridges, share our story, bless those around us, and represent the Lord well where He’s placed us.

This morning, Missional Pastor Matt Hartman continued our sermon series, Walk On, with a message on Elijah – a prophet called to lead the people of Israel back to the Lord. During Elijah’s time, civil war had divided Israel and the hearts of many had wandered and began to worship different gods and idols. Elijah, called by God, challenged the people for their divided loyalties and urged them to return to the Lord. Their pursuit of multiple gods left them aimless, hopeless, and without clear purpose. Rather than relying on the Lord, they placed their trust in idols and their self-sufficiency—seeking from themselves what only God could provide. It is not so different for us. How often do we turn inward to ourselves instead of upward towards God? How often do we allow our attention to drift and linger on earthly things instead of the things of above? How often do we place our trust and rest our security on things that will tarnish and fade? Just as God used Elijah to turn Israel’s hearts back to Him, He worked through Jesus to do the same for us. He restores us, often disrupting our path to redirect our hearts towards Him. He finds us in our darkness and our sin and because of His great love and mercy, makes us new through the blood of Christ.

Ruth | Walk On | Part 7 The story of Ruth, set against a backdrop of both spiritual and physical famine, is a powerful picture of redemption—a vivid snapshot of the gospel message. It reminds us how God often uses the most unlikely individuals to demonstrate faithfulness in the face of uncertainty. Amid grief and despair, Ruth became a source of hope and strength for her mother-in-law, Naomi, whose heart was broken by loss. Despite the unknowns that lay ahead, Ruth walked forward in obedience, embracing Naomi’s God as her own and journeyed to a foreign land. Her faithfulness and trust in God as her sustenance were richly rewarded. Today, we may find ourselves in a season of spiritual famine, navigating through a wilderness of uncertainty. Yet, the only true sustenance for us in the midst of our hardships—and our victories—is Jesus, the bread of life. Discipleship Pastor Catherine Turner offers a simple “bread recipe” to help us return to the basics in these times: Be anchored in Biblical truths. Recognize your need. Eat His words daily. Align your will to His. Do the next thing.

The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 offers a powerful illustration of how God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people. David, just a 15-year-old shepherd, found himself on the frontlines of battle after consistently saying yes to the tasks laid before him. With unwavering courage and faith, he defeated Goliath using only a sling and a stone—a mighty act that showcased God’s glory. But before this remarkable moment, David's life was filled with the simple, everyday responsibilities of a shepherd. David’s daily life involved tending a flock of sheep, a task far removed from battling giants. He had no idea that such a challenge awaited him — he was simply being obedient to the duties before him. Through his routine, he cultivated a deep relationship with God, drawing nearer to Him in the quiet moments of his life. Executive Pastor Wes Peterson reminded us this morning that there is profound purpose in the ordinary. Just as David’s faithfulness in the small things grew his relationship with the Lord and prepared him for a great challenge, our daily tasks offer us the opportunity to grow closer to God. He calls us to engage with Him — not someday, not later, but right now. Through David’s story, we learn the importance of loving God and tending to the “sheep" entrusted to us. Jesus asks us to be faithful in the everyday moments, trusting that our obedience, even in the mundane, opens the door for Him to work in extraordinary ways

Gideon | Walk On | Part 5 We’re halfway through the Walk On series! This morning our Outreach Director, Drew Paulette, shared a powerful message on Gideon + how God called him to a mission and purpose bigger than himself. Gideon, a member of one of the weakest clans, led an army of just 300 soldiers against 135,000 Midianites with a seemingly ridiculous plan. Against the odds, they won the battle, not by their own might, but by the Lord’s. If we were to place ourselves in this story, we’d probably wonder if there was a better way. We’d ask, am I the right person? How is this a good plan? Is this possible? Judges 6-7 reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. God continues to choose strategies and methods that require Him to show up in big ways so that He is glorified and our dependence + faith upon Him are strengthened. The Lord is calling all of us into the same story + mission that He called the heroes of the faith. We can move forward confidently + courageously in that call because He is with us, as He was with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and Gideon. The Lord is with you so walk on.

Upon his passing, Moses’ assistant, Joshua, was called by the Lord to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. We can imagine how daunting stepping into his predecessor’s role may have felt for Joshua, but the Lord promised His presence and commanded him to be strong, courageous, and obedient God’s Word. To be obedient, whether in leadership or not, means to seek the Lord, hear Him, and act according to His will. Thankfully, He gifts us the law, which instructs us how to love Him, love people, and live to the full intention of His design. Senior Pastor David Dwight shared five big-picture foundations that God is bringing about through the obedience of Biblical figures like Joshua:A faith: a trusting relationship with God A doctrine: the way of life with this God A place: a homeland where they live this life with God A savior: the one who is life, gives life, and in whom life is found A living hope: a life in loving relationship with God, anticipating the joy that’s to come

Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our series on ordinary people called by an extraordinary God with a message on Moses. The Lord called on Moses to ask Pharoah to free the Israelites, but Moses felt he was inadequate for the job. He even asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” The Lord answered him, not with precise answers, but by promising His presence. This passage tells us that the good news is that it’s not so much about us, but God with us. It’s not that we have all the perfect character traits, strengths, and abilities to do the job, but that we faith in the Lord. The common thread between Abraham, Joesph, Moses, and all the other people we will cover in Walk On, is that they were faithful + obedient in saying yes to Him.

This morning, we continued our Walk On series with a message on Joseph — a man who suffered mistreatment at the hands of his own loved ones, but would later offer reconciliation that could only be possible by being deeply rooted in the Lord. Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell shared three poignant questions we can ask ourselves in relation to Joseph’s remarks in Genesis 50:19-21: Who is in my chair? What is in my view? Who writes my story? We encourage you to listen to the entire message, available online at youtube.com/hopechurchrva and at the link in our bio.

Abraham | Walk On | Part 1 Today we began Walk On — a series on Old Testament figures that said yes to God in faithfulness + obedience. Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked us off with a message about the father of our faith, Abraham. Genesis 12:1-4 shows Abram's obedience to God's call. He stepped out in faith without knowing the full plan, but trusting in God's promise, “I’ll be with you.” True faith doesn't need complete understanding—it's about small, faithful steps. God calls us to obedience in this moment and each moment of putting God’s interest above our own builds upon each other into the bigger vision: God is our ultimate reward. We invite you to join us as we study the lives of these heroes of the faith on Sundays at 8am | 9:30am | 11am at West Creek and 9:30am + 11am at the Lodge! You can also watch via livestream at 9:30am + 11am at @hopechurchrva on YouTube.