Today we start a new sermon series titled "The Disconnect"
We say we believe in God—but does the way we live reflect what we say we believe?
We believe in Jesus, but do we truly know Him? We know God loves us, yet we worry and doubt. We believe He is working, yet wonder where He is. We receive forgiveness but struggle to forgive. We justify sin, hide our faith, and convince ourselves we don’t really need the church.
There’s often a disconnect between what we believe and how we live.
The Disconnect confronts those gaps with the truth of Scripture—challenging us not just to believe in God, but to live like we believe Him.

Jesus gives one of His most unsettling warnings in Matthew 7:21–23: it’s possible to believe in God, talk about God, even do things for God—and still not truly know Him.
They called Him Lord. They pointed to their accomplishments. They looked religious. But Jesus exposed the disconnect between outward belief and a genuine relationship with Him.
Faith isn’t simply knowing the right words, attending church, or doing good things. It’s about knowing Jesus—and being known by Him.
What if the greatest danger isn’t rejecting Jesus…but believing we know Him when we really don’t?

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

• Invest in what lasts. Earthly possessions fade, but heavenly treasure has eternal value.
• Your money reveals your heart. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• You can't serve both God and money. Eventually, one will become your master.
• Don't let worry control you. If God cares for the birds and flowers, you can trust Him to care for you.
• Put God's Kingdom first. Instead of being consumed with getting more or worrying about having enough, seek God first and trust Him to provide.
• Live one day at a time. Don't allow tomorrow's worries to steal today's faithfulness.

The world says, "Hold on tightly to what you have." God says, "Trust Me enough to let it go." In 2 Corinthians 9: 6–15, Paul reveals a kingdom principle that turns human thinking upside down: those who sow generously reap generously. God doesn't bless generosity because He wants something from us—He blesses generosity because He wants something for us. As we trust Him with open hands, He supplies, multiplies, and uses our lives to meet needs, produce thanksgiving, and bring glory to His name. The Blessing Principle reminds us that generosity is more than giving—it's an act of faith in the God who always provides.

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

Today we welcome to Hope the leader and front man of Denver Bierman and the Mile High Orchestra, Denver Bierman. Denver and the MHO bring a sound to Christian music that is truly their own. This Nashville-based, horn-driven band blends big band, jazz, funk, pop, and gospel into an energetic style they call “power funk.” Since forming at Belmont University in 1999, they’ve performed around the world, from churches and conferences to national television and even the Olympic Games.
But behind the big sound is an even bigger purpose. Denver sees music as a ministry—a way to encourage the Church, inspire musicians, and remind people of the hope, grace, strength, and love found in Jesus Christ. The mission is simple: use the gifts God has given them to connect people with His love, grace, and mercy.

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

***Audio from this service was used with expressed permission from Denver Bierman with intent to publish to multiple platforms***

Jesus saw the crowds—but He saw more than faces. He saw the hurting, the wandering, the forgotten, and the spiritually lost. Matthew 9:35–38 tells us that when Jesus looked at them, He was moved with compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He didn't see interruptions or problems—He saw people desperately in need of a Savior. And then He turned to His disciples and said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Seeing People Through the Eyes of Jesus challenges us to look beyond appearances, see the spiritual need around us, and allow the compassion of Christ to move us from simply noticing the lost—to loving them, praying for them, and reaching them.

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

Everyone wants a blessed life, but God begins where most people never expect. Before He blesses what we do, He calls us to surrender who we are. In Romans 12:1–2, Paul urges us to place our entire lives on God's altar—not as a one-time sacrifice, but as a daily act of worship. As our minds are renewed and our hearts are transformed, we begin to see life, money, relationships, and purpose through God's eyes instead of the world's. The path to God's best doesn't start with getting more—it starts with giving Him everything. The Starting Point of a Blessed Life is a life fully surrendered to the One who changes us from the inside out.

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

The world doesn't need more hidden faith—it needs followers of Christ who shine. In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus calls His people the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves what is good. Light pushes back the darkness. Our faith was never meant to stay private; it was designed to transform the world around us. As we continue Exploring Faith in 3D, discover what it means to live a faith that can't be ignored—a faith that shines so brightly that others see Christ and glorify the Father. It's time to Shine Bright.

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

Hope Wesleyan Church
505 4th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644

• Jesus is the true vine, and His followers are the branches.
• Branches that remain connected to Him bear much fruit; apart from Him they can do nothing.
• God lovingly prunes His people so they become even more fruitful.
• Remaining in Christ means obeying His Word and living in His love.
• Jesus' greatest command is to love one another as He has loved us.
• He calls His followers friends, not servants, because He has revealed the Father's heart to them.
• The world may reject Christ's followers just as it rejected Him, but the Holy Spirit will testify about Jesus and strengthen them.