Highlands Baptist Church Sermons (Centennial, CO)

The eternal Son of God, "the Word" (John 1:1-3, 14), took on flesh and lived among us. He ate our food, breathed our air, walked our paths, suffered, and died. He was full of grace and truth. God's gracious disposition towards sinful humanity was most clearly seen in his sacrificial death for us. Not only do we have life in Christ, but we can know the joy of having the same mind of Christ as we fo...

On Sunday, we learned from Daniel 6, how Daniel's habit and dependance on God through prayer enabled him to live faithfully as an exile. We, too are exiles — citizens of Heaven who live in a sin cursed world. As exiles in this world, Daniel 6 teaches us that we must cultivate a life of prayer for three reasons: To live with faithfulness to our calling and to the word of God (vs. 1-5). To live in c...

It's often easier for us to believe God's sovereignty when things go well in our life. But, when things go bad, when there is lying and mistrust, and betrayal and death, then our confidence in God's invisible purposes starts to get shaky. In Acts 1:15-26 we learn the ugly and tragic story of Judas's betrayal and death was actually part of God's invincible purposes in accomplishing salvation. The S...

What truths and realities lay behind and motivated the first century Christians into the risky and courageous obedience of spreading the message of Jesus to the ends of the known world? In Acts 1:1-14 we learn about the launchpad of Christianity. The launchpad of Christianity is uniquely built by God on the historic fact of the resurrection of Jesus, the priority of God’s kingdom, the empowerment...

On Sunday we looked into the exciting story book of Acts. The death of Jesus is a main emphasis in the book, but even more so is the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples spread the message of Jesus far and wide. But, they did more than speak about Jesus. The message of Jesus was accompanied by the honest, gentle, cheerful, and courageous lives that compelled the attention of thei...

The picture of a shepherd with his sheep is a beautiful image of our relationship with God. Thankfully, the metaphor is not a cowboy rounding- up cattle, or a bookish theologian merely providing right answers. We don’t need to be driven like cows and we desperately need more than accurate information. We need the experiential loving care of a good shepherd. In Jesus, we have a good shepherd who ca...

In Luke 15, Jesus teaches a trilogy of parables. In each parable, something is lost (a sheep, a silver coin, a wayward child). In each parable, there is also great rejoicing (the shepherd, the woman, the father). In the third parable, the wayward son returns home and is joyfully received by and restored to the father. The older son, however, who remained geographically near is also distant from th...

In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, we learn how the early church worked through internal controversies about religious convictions on disputed matters. Instead of dividing and polarizing around our specific convictions, the welcome we have received by God in Christ enables us to live in peace and serve together in love. The gospel of Jesus enables us to study the Bible together, worship together, a...

In Philippians 4:15-23 we learn about the importance, the joy, and the promise of financial ministry partnership. The Christians in Philippi did more than support Paul's efforts to advance the gospel. Their gifts would actually be a means God would use to provide them a reward of increased spiritual fruitfulness. In addition, as they give, they can trust God to provide for their needs in accordanc...

King Solomon enjoyed honor, fame, and extraordinary wealth as arguably one of Ancient Israel's greatest kings. While everyone bowed to him, there was one person to whom he bowed — his mother, Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:19). In Proverbs 1 Solomon specifically warns the reader not to forsake their mother's teaching. Motherhood is one of God's ordained means to teach children in the "fear of the Lord" (Pro...

In Ephesians 4 we find three attributes or attitudes that are necessary to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - humility, gentleness, and meekness. It's important to understand unity does not hinge on uniformity or unanimity. Nor does disagreement demand disunity. Doctrine rightly divided does divide, but it should divide between believers and unbelievers, between false teachers...

In Philippians 4:10-14 as Paul gives thanks for the ministry partnership of the Christians in Philippi he writes about a secret he has learned. It is the secret of Christian contentment — learning how to be content whether experiencing a little or a lot, whether facing plenty or poverty. Paul explains the only way this is possible is through the strength found in Christ (Phil 4:13). 

In Psalm 86, David cries out to God with a heart distressed by trouble and anguish. Yet, woven through this cry are confessions and celebrations of God's graciousness, goodness, and steadfast love. The attributes of God provide David comfort, joy, and thankfulness even though he faces times of trouble. In this prayer David shows how God wants us to pour out our hearts to him and to rely on his per...

The Christian life is a battle. Believers must be prepared to fight every battle that life brings and the Apostle Paul knows that many of life's battles are fought in the mind. Philippians 4:8-9 is a call for Christians to do battle in their minds. In these verses, Paul has given a list of virtues that Christians are to think on, which in turn will result in peace; the God of peace being with them...

Goodbyes are difficult and often a source of sorrow. In John 16:16-22 the disciples were wrestling with a goodbye of their own as they pondered Jesus's announcement that they will not see him for a little while. Jesus encourages them by giving them a promise. He promises to turn their sorrow into joy (vs. 20). This is the power of the resurrection. The eternal joys offered by God and promised in C...

The "Palm Sunday" events recorded in John 12:9-19 happen shortly after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus enters the city declaring his kingship by fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. Riding into the city on the "colt of a donkey" instead of a war horse showed he is a gentle and lowly king. And yet, He is the powerful king we all need. He alone can overcome the curse and condemnation...

In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul gives some direct instruction that both amazes and irritates, "Do not be anxious about anything." He goes on to explain the way we obey that command is by "praying about everything." This is the only path to experiencing the peace of God (vs. 7) in the midst of anxious circumstances. God's peace is what we need most because it alone is able to "guard our hearts and minds...

In Philippians 4:2-5, Paul entreats two ladies who were leaders in the church to put aside their differences and agree in the Lord. In addition, despite being imprisoned, he exhorts Christians to rejoice in the Lord at all times. Finally, he encourages Christians to have a reasonable or gentle spirit, knowing that the Lord's presence is near.

In Philippians 3:17-4:1, Paul invites his readers to imitate his example and not be deceived by other so-called Christians who show their spurious faith by living as "enemies of the cross." Instead of having a mind "set on earthly things" true Christians live with a conscience awareness their "citizenship is in heaven." In other words, Paul wants Christians to primarily live according to the polit...

In Philippians 3:12-16 we learn Paul's "pressed on" and "strained forward" for the "prize" and "goal" of knowing and enjoying Jesus more fully. Why did Paul have such single-minded focus to press on to know Christ? Because Christ Jesus had made Paul his own (3:12). God's gracious pursuit of us through Jesus's saving power and love is what secures and motivates our energetic pursuit of Christ. Here...

The focal point of Philippians 3:8-11 is Christ. What a privilege we have to know Jesus in a personal and relational way. The value of an abiding relationship with Jesus should greatly surpass the value of all things in this present age (Phil 3:8-9). Verse 10 tells us we can know Jesus by experiencing the power of his resurrection (through his indwelling Spirit), and by sharing in Christ’s sufferi...

In Philippians 3:1-11 Paul gives harsh warnings against putting any confidence in the flesh concerning one's relationship with God. Paul had an impressive resume of his own that he once thought were spiritual assets (Phil. 3:4-6). That all changed when he encountered the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:7-8). The perfect resume of Jesus Christ is what we need, and that i...

In Philippians 2:19-30, Paul gives an update about the travel plans for two of his ministry partners. By doing this, Paul provides two practical examples of what it looks like to "live worthy of the gospel" (1:27). Both Timothy and Epaphroditus model in different ways what it looks like to "look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (2:4). We see a picture of true bib...

Philippians 2:14-18 teaches us several truths that are vital to the Christian life. We are told to do all things without grumbling and disputing, while living a life that is blameless, innocent and without blemish. Doing so will produce a testimony that will be a light to the world. Paul emphasizes also to treasure the Word of God and share it with others. Ultimately doing all of these things is p...

Philippians 2:12-13 is a very important text relating to Christian sanctification. This text does not indicate that salvation can be earned or worked for, but that God expects those who have  been saved through faith alone, to live out that salvation through obedience to Christ and his word. Our joyful, faith-filled obedience is motivated by Christ’s example of obedience, and the knowledge that Go...