In this message, Pastor James shares a powerful word from the Jesus Is series: Jesus Is the Carpenter. In Mark 6, Jesus was called “the carpenter,” and what some people used to reduce Him actually reveals something beautiful about His nature. Jesus is the One who restores design, rebuilds what has been broken, and finishes what He starts. This sermon explores how Jesus is not distant from pain, failure, weakness, or unfinished places in our lives. He is hands-on. He cuts with purpose, heals what has been damaged, wastes nothing, and knows how to turn broken places into testimonies of His grace. If you have ever felt stuck, overlooked, wounded, or discouraged, this message will remind you that your life is still in the hands of the Master Carpenter.

In today’s “Jesus Is…” message, we discover why the Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)—and why peace is not just a feeling, but a foundation. Real peace is built on the finished work of Jesus at the cross. When Jesus cried “It is finished” (John 19:30), judgment was satisfied, your salvation was secured, and peace became your covenant reality. This sermon walks through the powerful sequence in John’s Gospel: “It is finished” (John 19) → “Peace be with you” (John 20) → “Do you love Me… follow Me” (John 21). Peace is not something you earn—peace is something you receive because Jesus finished the work. 

This sermon is a call to examine our hearts and our church life through one urgent question: Are we useful to God? Jesus cleanses the temple because His house was meant to be a house of prayer, not a place of empty religion, entitlement, or spiritual robbery. If you’ve ever felt spiritually “out of place,” distracted, numb, or stuck in a season where God feels distant—this message will challenge and awaken you.
You’ll also hear Jesus’ repeated warnings from Scripture about the danger of being blessed but useless, and why God blesses His people: not for self-centered comfort, but to love others and advance His Kingdom. This message closes with the powerful reminder that God specializes in taking what feels “useless” and making it useful—the miracle of dirt.

In Week 2 of our “Who Is Jesus? — Encounters That Ignite Revival” series, Pastor James preaches from Mark 5:1–20 (NLT) and reveals Jesus as Deliverer. This is the powerful story of the man living among the tombs—tormented, isolated, and bound—until Jesus crossed to “the other side” and set him free. If you’ve been battling anxiety, torment, shame, addiction, destructive cycles, or heaviness that won’t lift, this message will strengthen your faith and point you to the authority of Jesus. You’ll learn the difference between oppression and possession, how trauma can become a pressure point that the enemy tries to exploit, and how freedom is maintained through truth, healing, and closing doors to the enemy.

In Week 2 of our “Who Is Jesus? — Encounters That Ignite Revival” series, Pastor James preaches from Mark 5:1–20 (NLT) and reveals Jesus as Deliverer. This is the powerful story of the man living among the tombs—tormented, isolated, and bound—until Jesus crossed to “the other side” and set him free. If you’ve been battling anxiety, torment, shame, addiction, destructive cycles, or heaviness that won’t lift, this message will strengthen your faith and point you to the authority of Jesus. You’ll learn the difference between oppression and possession, how trauma can become a pressure point that the enemy tries to exploit, and how freedom is maintained through truth, healing, and closing doors to the enemy.

In this powerful Week 1 message of our “Who Is Jesus?” series, Pastor James teaches from Luke 5:1–11 and unpacks the moment Peter moved from disappointment to breakthrough with one simple phrase: “But if You say so.” If you’ve been weary, stuck in routine, or discouraged by “empty nets,” this sermon will strengthen your faith and show you how obedience to Jesus’ voice opens the door to supernatural results. You’ll learn why routine matters, how habits shape your spiritual life, and what it means to let Jesus get in your boat—not as a visitor, but as Lord. 

Join us in exploring the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19, a narrative of persistence, faith, and transformation. Discover how Zacchaeus, despite his stature and societal perception, sought a higher perspective to see Jesus, illustrating the importance of spiritual pursuit. This sermon delves into the challenges and rewards of seeking Jesus in our everyday lives, emphasizing the significance of fervency, prayer, and community in our spiritual journeys. Learn how to overcome life's distractions and limitations to truly encounter God.

What if the enemy’s greatest fear isn’t your success, your intelligence, or your resources… but your consistency? In this message from Esther 5, we zoom in on the repeated phrase “the king’s gate” and the moment that changed everything: everyone bowed… but Mordecai wouldn’t.

In 1 Samuel 21, David is running for his life—tired, hungry, overwhelmed—and he runs to the house of God. What he receives isn’t hype or advice… it’s a weapon: the sword of Goliath. David’s response becomes our response: “There is none like it—give it to me.” (ESV) In this message, we unpack why the Word of God is a proven, battle-tested sword for every season—how Jesus used Scripture in spiritual warfare (“It is written”), why Jesus and the Word are inseparable, and why we must put the Bible back into the daily rhythm of our homes—especially with our children. You don’t face giants with opinions. You face giants with the Word. 

What if the breakthrough you’ve been praying for is attached to a weapon you’ve been underestimating? In Judges 15, Samson wins a supernatural victory with something that looks unimpressive—a donkey’s jawbone. And then, after the battle, God brings water from the hollow place and Samson is revived. That’s a picture of what God can do through fasting and prayer: breaking bonds, crushing strongholds, building spiritual momentum, and bringing refreshing after the fight. As we step into a new year, Hope City is climbing “Jawbone Hill” together—setting aside time to fast and pray, asking the Holy Spirit to break what’s been holding us back and fill us with strength for what’s ahead. If you’re ready to break free, pick up the weapon, and swing it with passion—this message is for you. 

God wants to speak to you personally—about your calling, your next steps, and His plans for your life. In this message, we learn how to recognize God’s voice through Scripture, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and a posture of intimacy. Using Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27, we see that sometimes God preserves the promise while allowing the “ship” (the method) to break—teaching us to hold the vehicle loosely and obey the voice of the Lord faithfully.

You were never meant to be limited by your past, your pain, or the labels spoken over you. In this powerful message, Pastor James Epperly teaches how the Prayer of Jabez reveals a God who breaks limitations, enlarges territory, overturns generational patterns, and releases supernatural blessing. Discover how to pray bold prayers, how to step into God’s purpose with confidence, and how to overcome every lie that has tried to define your life. God wants to bless you, develop you, advance you, and move you beyond where you started. This message will show you how to partner with Him through prayer. 

When the favor of God finds you, everything changes. In this powerful message from the book of Ruth, Pastor James Epperly reveals how God flips the script, shifts your position, breaks generational patterns, and moves you from picking up scraps to owning the whole field. Just like Ruth, you may feel overlooked, underqualified, or stuck in a hard place — but favor is already going ahead of you.

Favor is preparing blessings you didn’t earn, doors you didn’t knock on, and opportunities you never imagined. If you’ve been walking through disruption, difficulty, or delay, this word is for you. God is positioning you. God is protecting you. God is promoting you. When favor finds you, nothing can stop what God is about to release in your life.

Free can hold us back from moving forward in the call God has on us. While we see throughout scripture the call to not fear, it can become a stronghold that potentially causes us to miss out on a powerful move of God. It is important that while fear can be debilitating, we have a power within us that helps us to lay down fear and become fearless in walking in faith and trust. .

Freedom isn’t passive—it’s taken. This message unpacks how “proximity creates permission” (Proverbs) and why leaving the back door open (Nehemiah 13) lets the enemy move into places reserved for worship, peace, and purpose. Learn the three-pronged response: Evict the squatter, Purify the room, Refill the storehouse—so joy, wisdom, and strength return.

Comparison kills calling. In this powerful message, Pastor James Epperly of Hope City Church Lancaster, PA, exposes the spirit of envy that destroyed King Saul’s destiny and teaches how to keep your focus on Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 73:2-5, 13-14, 21 (NLT) and 1 Samuel 18, this sermon reveals how jealousy blinds us to our blessings and how faith restores our focus.

This sermon explores the spiritual pitfalls faced by biblical kings, focusing on the subtle sin of sloth. Through a retrospective look at King David's life, the message highlights how spiritual apathy can lead to significant downfalls. It urges believers to stay engaged in their divine purpose, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual habits and resisting distractions. The sermon encourages listeners to evaluate their lives, stay focused on their mission, and embrace a life of purpose and activity.