Posts by Hoover Church of Christ

Posts by Hoover Church of Christ

Poor male beggar asking for charity money and help

Penniless

I was getting off the interstate a while back when I saw a man at the bottom of the exit ramp holding a “NEED FOOD” sign. I’m always stirred by different feelings when I see this—compassion, a bit of guilt, curiosity, shame. Why doesn’t he have food? Should I give him money? But it’s also interesting to recognize that this is the image Jesus used to start the most famous sermon ever preached. Most people in his nation thought the…
Faith

Prayer works

Maybe you’ve occasionally wondered if there’s any point in prayer. Does it work? Is God listening? Does he even care? Whenever I start doubting, I go back and reread James. Here are a few translations of the end of James 5:16: ‎The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (ESV). The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (NKJV). The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (NASB). The prayer of…
Scene in cafe - couple conflict arguing during the lunch.

Why We Argue

Been in a fuss lately? Maybe it was with your spouse or kids. Could’ve been a co-worker or neighbor. Maybe even someone at church. It doesn’t really matter what it was about, or who the person was, but I can predict a couple of things: One, it was unpleasant, and two, somebody was being selfish. Those two facts are amazingly consistent. Something pretty bad was going on in the church James was writing to, and he gives us several hints.…

Resources for Discussion Class Hour on November 20, 2019

Sermon Title: Faith Works Text: James 2:14-26 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body,…

Resources for Discussion Class Hour on November 13, 2019

Sermon Title: Which one do you want? Text: Matthew 27:15-23 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he…

Resources for Discussion Class Hour on November 6, 2019

Sermon Title: This is my body . . . my blood Text: Matthew 26:26-29 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,…