Hollywood Community Church

Grace and Peace

In the first message of our Identity: My New Life in Christ series, we begin our journey through Ephesians by looking at the opening greeting in Ephesians 1:1–2. By exploring the author, the audience, and the message of this letter, we see how God transformed Paul from a persecutor of the church into an apostle of Christ, and how believers are described as “saints”—people set apart for God through faith in Jesus. At the heart of Paul’s greeting is the powerful message of grace and peace, reminding us that our identity is not built on our feelings, relationships, or accomplishments, but on who we are in Christ. In a world full of confusion about identity, the gospel offers something far better: a secure identity received through the grace of God and the peace that comes from being reconciled to our Father through Jesus.

Salvation and Baptism

In this message from Romans 6:1–8, we examine the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection and what it means for those who place their faith in Him. Paul teaches that believers are united with Christ—His death becomes our death to sin, and His resurrection becomes our new life. Baptism serves as a visible sign of this reality, symbolizing the burial of the old self and the raising of a new life in Christ. Join us as we walk through this passage to better understand salvation, the significance of baptism, and the important question every believer must consider: Is the old self still your current self?

Hearing and Doing

In a world of instant information and self-proclaimed expertise, this message challenges us to move beyond merely knowing God’s Word to actually living it. Drawing from Book of James 1:22–25, we explore the danger of hearing without doing, the spiritual amnesia that comes from forgotten conviction, and the call to become faithful doers of the Word. Grounded in the finished work of Jesus and echoed in Gospel of Matthew 7:24–27, this sermon invites us to practice real obedience—through action, community, and dependence on Christ—so that our lives are built on a foundation that will stand when storms come.

How to Read the Bible

In this message from Psalm 1:1–6, we see a vivid picture of the blessed life—one rooted in and shaped by the Word of God. Like a tree planted by streams of water, the person who delights in and meditates on Scripture is purposeful, resilient in suffering, and successful in what truly matters. We’re encouraged to build a daily rhythm of meeting with God through His Word using a simple framework—Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer—while remembering that context matters, Scripture interprets Scripture, and not every passage is prescriptive. As Psalm 100 reminds us, our time in the Word ultimately leads us to joyful worship of the Lord who is good and faithful.

What is the Bible?

In this message from 2 Peter 1:16–21, we explore what the Bible is and why it matters for our lives. Looking at the apostle Peter’s eyewitness testimony and his teaching on Scripture, we see that the Bible is uniquely inspired by God, carries His authority, and is reliably true. Because it is God’s Word—spoken through human authors and confirmed in the person and resurrection of Jesus—we can trust it, submit to it, and look to it as a steady light in a dark world.

This Matters

In this message from Joshua 24:14–15, Pastor Arthur Connor calls families to take faith seriously by choosing to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and making that commitment visible at home. We’re reminded that faith must be proclaimed, taught consistently, and modeled daily, as families honor God, remove rival idols, and live in ways that reflect a Kingdom-centered legacy across generations.

Live in the Power of the Spirit

In this message from Romans 8:1–4, we’re reminded that life in Christ means freedom from condemnation and power to live differently through the Holy Spirit. Paul shows us that while we cannot overcome sin by our own effort, God has done what the law could not by sending His Son and giving us His Spirit. As believers, we are invited to walk in true spiritual victory—not by the flesh, but by daily surrender to the Spirit who gives life.

The Purpose of Fasting

In this message, we explore the biblical practice of fasting through Ezra 8 and discover how fasting helps us draw nearer to God through prayer. Fasting is not about health trends or self-denial for its own sake, but a spiritual discipline that expresses our dependence on God, humbles our hearts, and leads us toward freedom from sin. As Ezra and God’s people sought the Lord before a major step of faith, we’re invited to see fasting as a regular rhythm that reorients our lives toward God’s presence, power, and sustaining grace.

The Role of Faith in Prayer

In this message, we learn from Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 1 and discover the deep connection between faith and prayer. Hannah’s persistent, raw, and honest prayers show us that prayer that touches heaven flows from trust in God, seeks His glory above our own desires, and remains faithful even in long seasons of waiting—ultimately pointing us to a God who hears, cares, and answers in His perfect time.

Praying Your Burdens

In this message, we explore the prayer life of Nehemiah and learn how God shapes history through the prayers of burdened, faithful people. Nehemiah responds to Jerusalem’s brokenness with fasting, confession, and bold prayer rooted in God’s promises, showing us that great prayer always comes before great action—and ultimately points us to Jesus, our perfect Intercessor.