In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, Pastor Randy Spacht, welcomes our listeners to a special family worship service. Every fifth Sunday, we invite children to join us in the sanctuary, creating an opportunity for both kids and adults to learn how to worship together. Today, we find ourselves in between two sermon series: we just wrapped up a series on grief and will soon begin a new series titled "Between Kingdoms," which aims to guide us as we approach the upcoming elections.

In this transitional moment, we are going to focus on the theme of wisdom, a topic that naturally brings to mind the biblical figure of Solomon, King David's son. Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, but he is also known for having a thousand wives. I delve into both aspects of his life, starting with the context of his reign. Solomon became king during a tumultuous time when the kingdom of Israel was divided, and he faced challenges, including a rival brother who sought the throne.

I recount the pivotal moment when God appeared to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he desired. Instead of asking for wealth or power, Solomon humbly requested wisdom to govern his people effectively. This request exemplifies true wisdom—recognizing one's limitations and seeking guidance. I share the story of how Solomon demonstrated his wisdom through a remarkable judgment involving two women and a baby, which left the people in awe of his ability to render justice.

As we explore Solomon's wisdom, I draw parallels to the New Testament, specifically the book of James, which encourages us to ask God for wisdom. I emphasize that God is generous and willing to provide wisdom to those who seek it, but we must approach Him with unwavering faith.

However, I also highlight the tragic turn in Solomon's life. Despite his wisdom, he ultimately strayed from God's commands, influenced by his many foreign wives. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of not just knowing what is right but also acting on that knowledge. I challenge our listeners to reflect on their own lives—how often do we know the right thing to do but fail to follow through?

Thank you for tuning in to the New Hope Church podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking or subscribing on your favorite platform. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at questions@becomehope.com. Have a great week, and remember that we are praying for you as you strive to be a reflection of Jesus in every corner of your world.

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, I, Randy Spacht, begin by reflecting on the past few weeks, where we've explored various aspects of grief. We discussed how grief is a natural response and does not indicate a lack of faith. We examined the story of Job and the five stages of grief, looked at Jesus' own experience of grief at the death of his friend Lazarus, and analyzed the Psalms to understand the different forms of grief expressed by David.

Today, I focus on the commonality of grief, highlighting that it is a shared human experience. I remind listeners that even Jesus experienced profound grief throughout his life—losing his earthly father, facing rejection from those he came to save, and enduring the betrayal of his closest friends. I reference Isaiah's description of Jesus as "a man of sorrows acquainted with deepest grief," underscoring that suffering is an integral part of the human condition.

As we delve deeper, I share Jesus' teachings on suffering, noting that he prepared his disciples for the inevitable hardships they would face. From the Sermon on the Mount to his final instructions before the Last Supper, Jesus consistently warned his followers about the persecution and suffering that would come as a result of their faith. I draw parallels to the Apostle Paul's journey, illustrating how he transitioned from being a persecutor of Christians to suffering greatly for the sake of the Gospel.

I acknowledge that while we may not face the same level of persecution as early Christians, we still experience suffering in various forms—misunderstanding, alienation, and rejection. I encourage listeners to embrace their suffering, not as something to welcome, but as a reality to accept, reminding them that Jesus foretold these challenges.

However, I emphasize that suffering is only part of the story. I conclude with a powerful message of hope from the book of Revelation, where God promises to wipe away every tear and make all things new. This promise serves as a reminder that our current struggles are not the end of the story; there is a future where suffering will cease, and we will dwell in the presence of God.

As I lead us in prayer, I invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences of suffering and to hold onto the promise of renewal and restoration that God offers. I encourage everyone to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of adversity, and to remember that we are not alone in our grief.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the New Hope Church podcast. If you found this message meaningful, please consider liking or subscribing on your favorite platform. We are here to support you as you navigate your journey of faith.

00:00:00 - Introduction to New Hope Church Podcast

00:00:42 - Randy's Unexpected Preaching

00:01:39 - The Journey Through Grief

00:02:14 - Understanding Grief is Normal

00:04:09 - Commonality of Grief

00:05:52 - Jesus and His Grief

00:07:48 - Suffering as a Reality

00:10:06 - Jesus Prepares His Disciples for Suffering

00:12:12 - The Transformation of Paul

00:15:12 - Paul's Suffering and Trials

00:18:03 - Modern-Day Suffering

00:20:29 - Embracing Our Suffering

00:21:30 - The Promise of Renewal

00:24:20 - Closing Prayer and Reflection

00:26:12 - Outro and Invitation to Connect

In this episode of the New Hope Church podcast, we delve into the profound and often challenging topic of mourning. I, Randy Spacht, one of the pastors at New Hope, share how our sermon series on mourning has become particularly timely in light of recent events within our church community, including the passing of our friend John Kellams and the loss experienced by several members of our congregation.

We begin by exploring the biblical foundation of grief, highlighting that the Old Testament, particularly the book of Psalms, contains a significant number of psalms of lament—62 out of 150, to be exact. I read Psalm 13, which exemplifies the structure of a lament: a complaint, a plea, a confession of trust, and a concluding praise. This psalm reflects the deep anguish and sorrow that can accompany mourning, a sentiment that resonates with many of us.

Throughout the episode, I discuss various reasons for mourning, drawing parallels between David's experiences and our own. David mourned when faced with enemies, injustice, a sense of abandonment by God, his own sinfulness, and the loss of loved ones. I emphasize that while we may not face the same enemies as David, we can relate to feelings of being attacked, experiencing injustice, or feeling distant from God.

I also touch on the personal nature of mourning, discussing how it can stem from various life circumstances, including the loss of relationships, the challenges of parenting, and the grief that comes with fostering children. Each of these experiences can lead to a sense of loss and mourning, even when they involve positive changes.

As we navigate through these themes, I pose critical questions for reflection: Where are you mourning today? Has your mourning caused you to doubt God? How can you learn to trust amidst your grief? I encourage listeners to reach out for support, whether through pastoral staff or small community groups, emphasizing that mourning is a natural and valid response to life's challenges.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the New Hope Church podcast. If you found this discussion meaningful, please consider liking or subscribing on your favorite platform. We are here to support you as you seek to embody the love of Jesus in every aspect of your life.