Highrock Church

Jesus had to go through Samaria (v4). But why? Jews almost always avoided traveling through Samaria, even though it might add several days to their journey. We're left to guess that this apparently chance encounter with a woman at a well was actually an appointment that Jesus felt he had to keep. What might it mean for us to follow Jesus by crossing boundaries that carry risk or cost for us? Looki...

One of the most important and paradoxical spiritual truths is that that we do not climb a ladder of success but instead descend into greatness! John the Baptist understood this truth, but how was he able to celebrate the success of another - a success that came at his own expense? Today we explore the powerful principle declared by John, that he - Jesus - must become more and we must become less....

Nicodemus had asked Jesus how he might be born again. Jesus here explains that the Son of Man must be raised up, hinting at his coming crucifixion. "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Just like the bronze serpent raised up on a pole in Number 21, Jesus must be raised up and we must look to...

The idea of being "born again" is one that caused controversy and confusion from the very beginning! Jesus himself introduced this idea and language in his conversation with Nicodemus, the religious leader who had come to Jesus under cover of darkness. But what does it mean to be born again? And how does it happen? Are there limitations to what we can understand about this work of God's Spirit? Lo...

Sometimes, following Jesus feels complicated or confusing, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this sermon #2 of Highrock's winter sermon series, Pastor Richard shares 4 insights from that can re-ignite your passion to follow Jesus.

The first sign, wine at a wedding, hints at Jesus' pursuit of his bride, the people of God. Immediately afterwards, we see Jesus squaring off against people who would stand in the way of that pursuit. The terrible irony in this case is that it is the religious leadership who stands in the way of this connection! Jesus demonstrates that true religion should never put a barrier between people and Go...

The Gospel of John highlights seven signs that are meant to reveal Jesus to us, and the first is the turning of water to wine at a wedding at his mother's suggestion. Mary never seems to doubt what Jesus will do. Her only request is for others to do whatever Jesus tells them. Mary's words call to us as well. If you want to see the blessing of God unleashed in your life, do whatever Jesus tells you...

Jesus selects his first disciples and we can discern a pattern in his approach. Jesus starts with the question, "What do you want?" and to each question or objection, a simple answer is offered: "Come and see!" What do you want from Jesus? Are there others whom you might invite to come and see? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily...

Today's passage continues the interaction between John the Baptist and Jesus. John uses two images that both point to something that we need but cannot provide for ourselves. First, as the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus will fully remedy our brokenness and sin. Second, Jesus offers us a baptism, a cleansing rebirth, that is not only of water, but of the Holy Spirit of God. Both images point to a r...

John the Baptist had an important role to play, but he understood who he was and who he was not. He was not the Messiah. Instead, he was one who was to help people connect with Jesus, the only one who truly had the power to rescue people from their own darkness. There is a tremendous temptation for us to play messiah but tremendous freedom when we remember who we are, and who we are not! Looking f...

Sermon #1 of Highrock's winter series, "Witness: John's Firsthand Faith," by Pastor Dave Swaim from John 1:1-14

Happy New Year, and welcome to the start of our journey through the Gospel of John. In the beginning, God created us, hoping for the image of God to be revealed in us. Our sin made a mess of those plans. This time, God enters into our humanity as Jesus. Like light entering into our darkness, God the Son reveals to us who God is and what God is truly like. Jesus is truly God with us! Looking for a...

In this replay from July 10th of 2024, we were exploring love as a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus loves us unconditionally, so why does he say that we must obey his commands? Is God's grace conditional? Or is the demand that we hear is actually more of an invitation? An opportunity more than an obligation? Tomorrow, we will begin exploring John's Gospel in tandem with the upcoming sermon series! Looki...

Struggling to find peace in the chaos of the holidays? In this sermon, Pastor Ryan Marshall dives into Psalm 131 to show us how to embrace contentment in the present moment, despite the pressures of past regrets or future anxieties. Tune in for a powerful message on trusting God's love and finding real rest - right here, right now.

In this replay from May 20, 2022, we conclude our walk through the Lord's Prayer. This prayer closes with a request for God to guide us and protect us. We may think of our lives as small and of no consequence but the God who created the universe is deeply invested in each step of our journey! Happy New Year! We look forward to returning this Friday with new devotionals on the Gospel of John to acc...

In this replay from May 19, 2022, we continue our verse-by-verse exploration of the Lord's Prayer. In today's verse, we ask for forgiveness. It should be no surprise that Jesus taught us to ask for forgiveness. What might be surprising is that he instructed us to ask God to forgive us only to the extent that we forgive others! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start her...

In this replay from May 18, 2002, we consider the third verse in the Lord's Prayer. When Jesus instructs us to pray for our "daily bread," he's encouraging us to turn to God every day with our needs -- and not just for food. It is a prayer for enough to satisfy but not so much that we can stop depending on God. The prayer for daily bread is an invitation to a sustained relationship of gratitude, a...

In this replay from May 17, 2022, we consider the second verse of the Lord's Prayer. When do you feel the need to pray? Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God's will to be done, not ours. Do we pray more when we see that God's will is not being done, or when our will and desires are not being carried out? Jesus lived a life in service to God's will, not his own, and he calls us to join him! Lo...

In this replay from May 16, 2022, we consider the Lord's Prayer. Jesus' prayer was so revolutionary that it has been repeated across the world for two-thousand years, and people are still being challenged and transformed. We'll look at this prayer throughout this week, one verse at a time. Today we consider why Jesus teaches us to start by approaching God as beloved children in whom God delights....

Signs are the not the destination. A sign is valuable inasmuch as it point us to the right destination, and even then, we have to go where it leads. There are many signs that might point us to Jesus but do we follow through with them? The sheperds were given a sign -- a baby lying in a manger, and so they went to see what the angels had told them about. This Christmas, let's not just admire all th...

Joseph faced a difficult choice -- the woman he loved was pregnant and the child was not his. What should he do? Though he likely felt betrayed, he chose a path that would spare Mary of any additional shame, even at great cost to himself. God gave Jesus parents who would raise Jesus in the path of true righteousness, a path of faith, mercy, and self-sacrificial love. Looking for a previous devo? W...

Zechariah's mouth is unsealed and he offers a prophetic word about his newborn son John. But this word about John the Baptist is actually much more about Jesus and how John will point others to him. Truly, this word is meant for us all -- to see our stories in light of the role we might play in the larger story of God! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https...

Sermon #4 of Highrock's Advent series, "Expecting: Awaiting the Birth of Jesus," by Pastor John Mury from Luke 1:46-56 NIV

The angel Gabriel twice addresses Mary as the "favored one" or the one who has found favor with God. The second half of Gabriel's word to Mary explains the way in which she has found favor or grace -- the Lord is with her! Truly that is the ultimate grace that is offered to all of us, that they Lord would be with us. And, of course, that truth is the very heart of Christmas! The Lord is with you!...

As a priest, Zechariah speaks for the people to God and for God to the people. However, Zechariah is silenced when he fails to listen to the voice of the angel of the Lord. Still, God is able to speak through Zechariah even in his silence, perhaps even moreso through his temporary disability. How might God give you a voice and what might God have you say, and to whom? Looking for a previous devo?...