Highrock Church

Daily Devo | What is Truth? (John 18:33-40) The Roman governor Pilate takes Jesus inside for a private conversation. Pilate asks Jesus two questions: "What have you done?" and "What is truth?" Pilate is looking for a way to get himself and Jesus out of this situation but Jesus' isn't helping. In the end, he offers Jesus of Nazareth to the crowds, but they call for Jesus Barabbas instead -- someone...

The Jewish leaders know they are not in charge as they do not have the legal power to execute Jesus. They go to the Roman governor, Pilate, who alone has the power to have Jesus killed. But is Pilate truly in charge? He is in a weaker position than most realized. In the end, they are all moving according to the plan of God, the only one who is truly in control of these events. Looking for a previo...

Daily Devo | Getting Back Up Again (John 18:15-27) Jesus predicted Judas' betrayal and he also predicted Peter's as well. One of the biggest differences was that Peter wanted to be restored while Judas ran and took matters into his own hands. We will all fall. The question is whether we will trust that Jesus is ready to restore us. Yes, we all fall, but will we trust Jesus enough to get back up ag...

As Judas arrives with the soldiers to arrest Jesus, Jesus comes forward asking who they are looking for. When the soldiers say that Jesus is the one they're looking for, Jesus answers, "I am he" -- I am the one. In some sense we're all looking for Jesus -- tne one who will bring us true freedom and life, even if we do not recognize who he is or why we're ultimately looking. Looking for a previous...

At the end of his prayer, Jesus moves beyond himself and his closest disciples to all those who will believe because of their message. In other words, he prays for us! He prays that we would be one, just as he and the Father are one. Apparently, even Jesus must be patient in prayer! In the meantime, are we taking seriously this earnest desire of Jesus? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share on...

In the second part of his extended prayer, Jesus prays for those closest to him, referring to them as those whom God had given him. He prays for their unity and their protection. Who has God given you to love? How might God want you to care for them and protect them from the forces that threaten to tear us apart? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www...

This chapter is one of the rare insights we have into how Jesus prayed. That insight is also an invitation for us to join Jesus and make his prayer our own. Like Jesus, we can bring glory to God by completing the work that God gives us to do and also to give others a clearer picture of God by how we live and love. Jesus gave glory to God in these ways and we can play our part as well! Looking for...

Building on his desire that his disciples would not lose their faith or their joy, Jesus reveals an even greater truth to them. He declares that after he returns, they will be able to ask the Father anything in Jesus' name, and the Father will hear them! There is a shocking revelation hidden in this promise, one that we will explore today! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a frie...

Even relatively minor pains that lack purpose and predictability can cause intense suffering -- chronic headaches, for instance. In contrast, much greater pains can actually lead to joy. Jesus uses the example of childbirth. Thought very intense, it is only for a time and it leads to something wonderful! In the same way, Jesus wants his disciples to know that their pain will end and lead to even g...

Jesus continues to warn his disciples that bad times are coming. This warning is not meant to help them avoid the danger -- that would be impossible. Instead, they might remember that God is in control even in the darkest times. In fact, it is better that Jesus should leave because it is the only way for us to receive God's Spirit. That promise sounds very important, but what does it truly mean? L...

Jesus warns his disciples that they will face persecution. The same world that persecutes Jesus will also persecute his followers. This prediction of persecution might sound paranoid, but history has demonstrated its truth. More importantly, paranoia would be an excuse to retreat from the world but Jesus encourages us to continue loving others and bearing witness to the loving faithfulness of Jesu...

Feeling stuck in a season of spiritual winter? When life feels overwhelming, and hope seems distant, what does it mean to stay connected to the Vine? In this sermon, Pastor Meghan DeJong unpacks John 15:1-8, exploring how true growth sometimes requires dormancy, pruning, and trust in the Gardener. If you’re longing for renewal but struggling to see the fruit, this conversation is for you. · · · 👉...

As Jesus continues to share with the disciples after the last supper, he shares his deepest desire is that they remain in his love (v9). They don't have to enter his love or earn his favor -- they already have it! Jesus chose them, and chooses us, long before we ever choose him. Our task is to stay connected and to allow his love to change us and everything we do and desire. Looking for a previous...

Jesus proclaims to his disciples that he is the true vine, we are the branches, and God the Father is the gardener who tends the vine. Some branches fail to produce fruit and are cut away. Some branches produce fruit and are pruned to produce even more. Either way, you're going to get cut! But connection to the life found in Jesus determines the outcome of that pruning. Looking for a previous devo...

As the "ruler of this world approaches" (v30), Jesus tells his disciples to not be troubled or afraid. How could they overcome their fear in such a moment? Jesus promises them peace, a kind of peace that only he can give. What is this peace and how can we find it when darkness approaches? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devot...

As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples, he makes several promises of what will happen in his absence. First, his disciples will do even greater things than Jesus. How is that possible? Second, he promises to answer any prayer in his name. Really, any prayer? Third, he promises to send us the Holy Spirit, through whom he will be with us always. How do we understand and live into these incredible...

Jesus has already said that he is the "resurrection and the life" (John 11:26). Here he claims also to be "the way" -- the only way to the Father. But what does it mean that he is "the truth"? A listener today might also find Jesus' claim to be the only way to be offensive and close-minded. Is Jesus' declaration meant to be divisive, or invitational? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one...

Jesus gives his disciples a new command -- to love one another as he has loved them. They had already known God's command to love one another. What was new about the command was Jesus' example. They were not only to love one another, but love one another in the way that Jesus was loving them. It is a command to love, but one that proceeds out of first receiving the life-transforming love of Jesus....

John's portrayal of the Last Supper began with the declaration that Jesus loved his disciples to the very end (v1). These final moments of love are embodied in Jesus washing their feet, but perhaps even more in his extension of grace and friendship to the one who would soon betray him! We may be tempted to feel that we are beyond hope but Jesus continues to extend grace and friendship to us as wel...

If Jesus offered a hidden antidote to all your fears and worries, would you pay attention? What if the key wasn’t found in understanding your present struggles, but in seeing heaven more clearly? In this sermon, Pastor Dave invites us to shift our perspective and embrace a life transformed by eternity. · · · 👉🏻 Sermons in the "Witness" series: https://tinyurl.com/3c8564ku 👉🏻 Dive deeper into J...

Jesus is our teacher and lord -- that is true. But Jesus is also our servant, which he proves by washing the feet of the disciples. Every good thing finds its fullness in Jesus and he wants us to share in this ultimate blessing, which is why he calls us to do likewise. Jesus calls us to humbly serve one another, which is the path to both closeness with Jesus and blessing from the Father (v17). Loo...

"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table... and began to wash the disciples' feet." Jesus knew who he was, whose he was, where he had come from, and where he was going. This significance and security enabled him to serve. What is the foundation of our significance and security? Looking for...

Many did not believe. Some did believe but remained hidden for fear of what others might think. Jesus addresses them all by reminding them that he is the light sent into the world to lead people out of darkness. They must choose. Will they remain in darkness? Or will they trust Jesus enough to lead them to light and life? That choice is ours as well. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one...

Despite all that people had seen, despite the seven signs by which Jesus had demonstrated his identity and power, most of the people still did not believe. Seven hundred years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah had predicted this very outcome in the beginning of Isaiah 53. What or who had hardened their hearts against Jesus? Isaiah gives us both a clue and a warning. Looking for a previous devo? Wan...

Jesus is deeply troubled by the dark path ahead. This path comes to a fork and he must choose. One path is to pray, "Father, save me from this hour" (v27), that is, do not let me suffer. The other path is to pray, "Father, bring glory to your name!" (v28), even if it means suffering. Jesus chooses the second path and invites us to follow him. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a f...