We Are Hope Church

We Are Hope Church

by We Are Hope Church

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Religion

Imogen concluded our series “Smash the Idol, Build an Altar”, focusing this week on the subtle idol of religion. Drawing from Mark 2:23–28, she showed us that religion can appear, on the surface, to be about Sabbath observance. At a deeper level, it’s about recognising Jesus’ authority. But ultimately, Imogen reminded us that true faith is about wholehearted devotion to God — not devotion to religion.

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Approval

Diane continued our series “Smash the Idol, Build an Altar”, focusing this week on the idol of approval. She reminded us that every one of us is created with deep emotional needs — security, self‑worth, and significance — and that we naturally seek human approval, no matter our stage or status in life. Diane gently invited us to shift our focus and find: our security in God’s love our worth in God’s grace our significance in God’s calling

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Self

Joey continues our series Smash the Idol Build an Altar speaking about the challenge of 'Self'. She speaks from Genesis 11 verses 1 to 9. The tower of Babel. We live in a world of it's all about me, getting human praise and building something for ourselves - live in comfort and entitlement. Joey explains that when we are at our most uncomfortable we call on God and listen to His voice.

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Money

Sam continued our series “Smash the Idol, Build an Altar”, focusing this week on the idol of money. He reminded us that the real issue isn’t our money — it’s our worship. Money itself isn’t bad; it’s the love of money that takes God’s place in our hearts. Sam explored the story of the rich man in Mark 10:17–27, showing how Jesus calls us to wholehearted devotion: to love God fully and to love our neighbours well. We were challenged to reflect honestly: What do we worship — God or money? Choosing God gives us true value, power, identity, and status. Jesus invites us to surrender, not by focusing on the amount we give, but by offering Him our whole heart.

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Control

Steve speaks from Matthew 6. Worry is what happens when control becomes my idol. Steve guides us through verses 25 to 34, asking us why do we worry, look at the birds v26, look at the flowers v28-30. Worry is the illusion of control but it can not give you peace. We can trust the Father with our tomorrow, God gives us the grace for today.

Smash the Idol Build an Altar - Introduction

Imogen opened our new series on Smashing Idols and Build an Altar, explaining that each week we will identify the personal idols in our lives, tear them down, and reveal & return to God. She reminded us that everything is at stake if we don’t fully consecrate our lives to God and make Him our Number One. Reading from 2 Kings 22, Imogen highlighted how King Josiah chose God even when his forefathers hadn’t. He destroyed every idol in the land and ultimately led the people back to wholehearted devotion. We were left with a challenging question to reflect on: If God asked me to lay everything down, could I?

A Prayer Shaped Life - To Sit at Your Feet

Nicola concludes our series about prayer. She shows us examples of how Jesus struggled to find a place alone to pray: Mark 1: 9-13,32,35; Luke 10: 38; Matthew 6: 6 In Luke 5 verse 16 we are told Jesus intentionally retreated to pray Nicola encouraged us to prioritise time in His presence, building habits and learning to be still.

A Prayer Shaped Life - The Presence Centred Life

Steve continues our series A Prayer Shaped Life looking at the second half of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 verses 9 - 15. He challenges us to consider how surrender is letting go of the thing that we hold on to that we think keeps us safe and fully giving it all to Jesus. Steve speaks about God's daily provision; God's pardon for our debts but asks us to forgive others debtors no matter how hard that is; God's protection when we are tempted to chose love and not be tempted. Our final question to consider is 'What is the thing we are clinging to that is keeping us stuck?'

A Prayer Shaped Life - Prayer as “Your Will be done”

Steve continues our Prayer-Shaped Life series looking at Matthew 6 and Luke 10. He starts by asking the question - How do we stay compassionate and pray Your will be done? We are asked to remember that prayer doesn't make us responsible for everything, it makes us available for something. Compassion fatigue looks like still helping but without tenderness; giving but only giving the least. To stay compassionate without being crushed, we need Jesus to teach us how to pray. The story of the Good Samaritan demonstrates how he did the extra, stayed committed and gave costly mercy. Jesus tells us to go and do likewise. The outcome belongs to God the obedience belongs to us

A Prayer Shaped Life - Prayer as Be, Become, Do

Joey speaks to us from Colossians 4 verses 2 - 6. We are encouraged to devote ourselves to being in the presence of God, spending time in prayer, being thankful and laying everything aside. The more time we spend with God means we will become more like Him and our conduct becomes more Christ-like.

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