New Hope Bend

As this Come to Jesus Moment series comes to a close, we’re reminded that we can trust Jesus and walk faithfully in all He has for us.

In this week’s Come to Jesus Moment, we explore the transforming power of forgiveness through Romans 5:6–8 and Luke 7:36–50. What does it really mean that Christ died for us while we were “utterly helpless” and “still sinners”? At a dinner party filled with tension, Jesus confronts pride, exposes hidden sin, and extends radical forgiveness to a broken woman whose love proves she understands grace. Through the story of Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, we are reminded that until we see our own sin, we will only see the sin of others. Forgiveness isn’t earned by love — love flows from being forgiven. When we truly grasp that Jesus died for us in our worst condition, worship becomes natural and love becomes evidence. If you’ve ever wondered whether grace applies to you, this message will challenge and encourage you: forgiven people love well.

What does real repentance actually look like? In Luke 19:1–10, we meet Zacchaeus—a wealthy, hated tax collector whose encounter with Jesus proves that repentance is more than words. As the saying goes, “When the heart is right, the feet are swift.” Zacchaeus didn’t just feel remorse—his life changed. He ran, he climbed, he repaid, and he restored. This Come to Jesus Moment reminds us that faith without action is empty, but a transformed heart produces visible fruit. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and that includes people others have written off. If pride, fear, or image has kept you from fully pursuing Jesus, this message challenges you to stop standing back and start moving forward. Real repentance moves fast—and real grace meets us right where we are.

Prayer doesn’t come naturally to everyone—even those who know how to talk about God. In Luke 11, the disciples watched Jesus pray and realized there was something different about it. After witnessing miracles, healings, and power, it was Jesus’ private prayer life that caught their attention. When they asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Jesus responded by inviting them into something radically personal: prayer rooted in relationship with a loving Father. In this Come to Jesus Moment, we explore how Jesus reframes prayer—not as performance or pressure, but as trust, persistence, and intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Discover why persistence in prayer matters, how it shapes our hearts, and why prayer is less about getting what we want and more about knowing the God who loves us and meets our deepest need through Jesus.

Storms are unavoidable — but they are never meaningless. In this powerful message from Matthew 14:22–33, we walk with the disciples into the middle of a raging storm and witness Jesus doing the impossible: walking on water, strengthening faith, and rescuing Peter when doubt takes over. This Come to Jesus Moment reminds us that sometimes God allows storms to correct us, grow us, and deepen our trust in Him. Even when we feel overwhelmed, afraid, or far from shore, Jesus sees us, prays for us, and comes to us right on time. If you are facing uncertainty, suffering, or spiritual struggle, this message will encourage you to cry out, “Lord, save me,” and discover the peace, hope, and worship that comes when we place our faith fully in Christ.

In this message, Climbing Life’s Tallest Mountains, we walk through Matthew 16:21–17:13 and explore how Jesus faced suffering, rejection, and the road to the cross with unwavering purpose and hope. From Peter’s resistance to Jesus’ mission, to the breathtaking moment of the Transfiguration, this teaching reminds us that following Christ often involves hardship — but glory is coming. Discover how God uses mountaintop moments to strengthen us for the valleys, why suffering is not wasted, and how fixing our eyes on Jesus gives us endurance, peace, and joy even in painful seasons. If you’re facing trials, uncertainty, or spiritual exhaustion, this message will encourage you to listen for the Father’s voice and keep climbing with faith.

What really matters in life—and what happens when money takes the lead? In Luke 12, Jesus confronts greed head-on through a startling encounter and a powerful parable that exposes the danger of storing up earthly wealth while neglecting a rich relationship with God. In a culture driven by spending, saving, and striving for more, Jesus reminds us that life is not measured by what we own. This message challenges us to examine where our trust, priorities, and treasure truly lie, especially after the busiest spending season of the year. Discover why greed is an “uncontrolled longing for more,” how surplus can quietly shape our hearts, and why being rich toward God is the only investment that lasts.

What does it really mean to become your best self in a new year? In this message, “A Daily Decision… A Come to Jesus Moment,” we look at Psalm 1 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 to discover that lasting change doesn’t come from self-help strategies, resolutions, or motivation alone—it comes from daily time with Jesus. As we choose what influences shape us and delight in God’s Word, our lives become rooted, resilient, and fruitful, like a tree planted by streams of water. This sermon invites us to build our lives on a solid foundation by not just hearing Jesus’ words, but putting them into practice—so that when storms come, we stand strong and grow into who God designed us to be.

In this message Moments with the Master from Mark 1:40–45, we explore the unforgettable encounter between Jesus and a man suffering from leprosy—a moment that reveals Jesus as a compassionate rebel who refused to bow to rules that wounded rather than healed. As we walk through the history, stigma, and emotional devastation surrounding leprosy, we see the depth of isolation this man endured and the radical love Jesus demonstrated in touching, healing, and restoring him. This story invites us to rethink our assumptions about suffering, challenge harmful judgments, and follow Jesus into places of human pain with courage, tenderness, and grace. Whether you’re feeling lonely, unseen, or weighed down by shame, the heart of Christ moves near, heals deeply, and calls us to do the same for others. Keywords: Jesus heals leper, Mark 1 sermon, compassion of Jesus, moments with the Master, Christian encouragement, loneliness and faith, healing and restoration.

Come to Jesus Moment • Seeds of Greatness — In a world driven by status and achievement, Jesus offers a radically different vision of greatness rooted in humility, service, and a transformed heart. In this message, Pastor Steve takes us back to the Upper Room where the disciples argued about who was greatest, even as Jesus prepared to give His life. Through His shocking act of washing their feet and through the surprising, imperfect people in His genealogy—Abraham, David, Tamar, Rahab, Manasseh, Josiah, Peter, Paul, and more—we see that God’s story has always been written with flawed but willing people. Their stories remind us that God works in us, through us, and often in spite of us as He shapes our lives for His purposes. This message invites you into your own Come to Jesus Moment, remembering that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and that true life is found in His name.

In “Called to Follow,” we look closely at Luke 5:1–11 and the powerful moment when Jesus called Peter to leave everything and follow Him. Pastor Steve shares his own come-to-Jesus story and how an unexpected encounter changed the direction of his life. Through Peter’s journey—from the miraculous catch, to his fears and failures, to his restoration in John 21—we see how Jesus meets us with grace and invites us into a deeper, wholehearted commitment. This message challenges each of us to consider what we might still be holding back and reminds us that when Jesus says, “Follow Me,” it’s a call that transforms everything.

Silent Night wasn’t nearly as quiet as we imagine. On the night Jesus was born, ordinary shepherds were doing what they always did—working, watching, and tending their sheep—when heaven broke into their normal routine. In Luke 2:8–20, God chose common, hardworking people to be the very first witnesses of the Savior’s birth, revealing that His good news is for everyone. As angels filled the sky with glory and proclamation, fear turned into faith, and ordinary men became bold messengers. The shepherds searched for Jesus with urgency, found Him just as they were told, and couldn’t stop telling others what they had seen and heard. This message reminds us that encountering Jesus doesn’t just change our schedule—it changes our lives. Have you found Him? And if you have, is His presence still showing in your life today?

In this Advent message from Pastor Steve we look closely at the often-overlooked human story behind the birth of Jesus by exploring the willingness of Mary and Joseph. Through Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 2:1–7, we see two ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances—unexpected pregnancy, public misunderstanding, physical hardship, and profound uncertainty—yet choosing obedience at great personal cost. Mary’s humble surrender, “May your word to me be fulfilled,” and Joseph’s quiet, faithful obedience reveal what true willingness looks like: being ready and eager to trust God even when the path is unclear. As we reflect on the humble birth of Jesus—Immanuel, God with us—we’re invited to ask a deeply personal Advent question: Have we made room for Him? This sermon challenges us to consider whether we, like Mary and Joseph, are willing to follow Jesus daily, surrender our plans, and trust God’s purposes no matter the cost.

In this message from Pastor Steve, we look at the moment when the angel Gabriel breaks hundreds of years of silence to visit a young woman in Nazareth—a humble, ordinary girl named Mary who is greeted as “highly favored.” Together we explore Luke 1:26–56 and the wonder of God choosing Mary to carry Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose name means “The Lord Saves.” Through Mary’s fear, questions, courage, and surrender, we see how God enters the lives of those who are willing to say, “I am the Lord’s servant…have Your way with me.” This Christmas season, we’re invited to behold the Light, trust God beyond our understanding, and remember that His Kingdom and His promises never fail.

Your workplace is not just where you earn a living—it’s where you can live out your witness. When you shine Christ’s light at work, people see His glory in your everyday faithfulness.

Pastor Connor delivers a message from Colossians 3:23-24. Work becomes worship when we see our true Boss isn’t human—it’s Christ Himself. This week, we’ll explore how to serve God in everything we do with integrity, excellence, and passion.

Pastor Brandon kicks off a new series. Work was part of God’s perfect design before sin entered the world. But work was never meant to be our master. God calls us to enjoy the dignity of work without letting it define our worth.

What kind of legacy will your life leave? John ends with a reminder that faithfulness today shapes someone else’s tomorrow. Our presence, peace, and consistency ripple across generations. A faithful life, even in the small things, builds a foundation that outlasts us.

What does true greatness look like? In a world that measures success by fame, power, or influence, Scripture reminds us that greatness is found in faithfulness. In 3 John, we see a powerful contrast between Gaius, who quietly and humbly serves God and others, and Diotrephes, whose pride and opposition disrupt the church. This week, we’re talking about what it means to walk faithfully in God’s truth, even when no one is watching, and how small acts of service can have an eternal impact. Join us as we learn how to remain steadfast, overcome opposition, and follow Jesus’ example of humility and service.

In 2 & 3 John, we see that real love doesn’t always mean open doors—it sometimes means setting boundaries. John writes with a heart of love, warning the church about deception and urging them to guard their understanding of Jesus. Love without boundaries isn’t compassion; it’s compromise. True growth is not moving beyond Jesus but going deeper into Him, and joy is preserved when we hold fast to Christ together. In this message, we explore how to spot counterfeit love, draw wise boundaries, and pursue fellowship rooted in both truth and love, because real love isn’t neglect—it’s discerning, courageous, and anchored in truth.