Highrock Church

Having established the bad news, Paul finally begins to lay out the good news. No one comes to God through perfect obedience to the divine law, rather, we all come to God through God's mercy and grace! Not only is this truth fully revealed in Jesus but the clues were always there, even in the earliest writings of Moses. We all come to God as equals -- equally in need of God's grace! Looking for a...

Sermon #2 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Meghan DeJong from Revelation 2:12-17

Paul concludes that God's Law is good. However, the Law's goodness does not have the power to transform us and give us life. Rather, its goodness shows us how far we have to go and how powerless we are to make that journey on our own power. We are helpless -- that is the bad news -- but the good news is coming! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.h...

As Paul begins to wrap-up his discussion of the bad news, he begins to address some final objections and potential loopholes. For instance, if knowing all about God and being part of a community of such people does not make us good enough, then why bother? Paul is clear -- such things have great value! But they are a trust given to us to share with others, not something that makes us better than a...

Have you ever received a package in which the contents do not match the outer packaging or labeling? That outer label is unhelpful and might even be dangerous. Similarly, Paul tells his fellow Jews that their outward religious acts are valuable only if they come from the heart. Such integrity might be impossible without a God who grants us new hearts through the Spirit! Looking for a previous devo...

As Paul continues to explain the universal brokenness of all humanity, he anticipates and defuses potential excuses. In the previous passage, we saw how a lack of knowledge is not an excuse. In today's passage, we see the flip side -- that knowledge of God's instructions and even knowledge of God does not make us right if we are not faithful to what we know. Hypocritical religion hurts everyone an...

For this holiday, here's a replay in which Pastor Kim shares that people often say that they feel distant from God because of a self-critical spirit or an image of God that is harsh and condemning. In this Psalm, we see God as slow to anger and abounding in love, a parent who is compassionate and gentle. What experiences and assumptions do we carry with us that warp our sense of who God is? Lookin...

Sermon #1 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Dave Swaim from Revelation 2:1-7

Continuing to address a congregation divided by spiritual pedigree and ethnicity, Paul emphasizes that they all had a connection to God's law. Jews had the Scriptures and were educated to know the Lord from a young age. Gentiles, even without the written Law, have a sense of God's law written into their consciences. We thus all share a connection to God's law and we all share the experience of bre...

How can we help one another to become better versions of ourselves? Not by judgment, though that is often where we turn. Instead, God demonstrates that it is grace and kindness that leads to life change. Sin is real and harmful, but the path forward is the Good News of Jesus, not laying the bad news on other people's shoulders. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start he...

Paul has introduced himself as a chosen messenger of the Good News of Jesus. That Good News is an answer to some rather bad news, which he begins to lay out in today's passage. This bad news all starts when we are too proud to honor God and too entitled to be grateful for all that God has given us. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/d...

Paul's eagerness to visit the church in Rome will eventually end with his execution! Still, he is undeterred because he is unashamed of the good news of Jesus, for it is the power of God at work to save all. Are we similarly unashamed, or do we need to experience more of its power for ourselves? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/dail...

In his opening greeting, Paul declares that he is a bond-servant of Jesus, chosen to bring the Good News of Jesus to all people. This simple greeting hides a subversive message, that the love of Jesus challenges all other allegiances -- including loyalty to the emperor! What loyalties might the Good News challenge and transform in us? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? S...

Sermon #5 (and final) of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" by a guest preacher, Prashan de Visser, from Matthew 5:9. Prashan is the founder and president of Global Unites, an organization that facilitates peacemaking environments and conversations among conflict-ridden groups in often war-torn nations.

Paul asks us to join him in praying for everyone, everywhere. For himself, he asks for boldness and faithfulness in his present circumstances rather than ask for escape from those circumstances. May we pray for the boldness to make the most of every opportunity rather than escape from the challenges that God uses to create those very opportunities to glorify God! Looking for a previous devo? Want...

Paul tells us that we will need the full armor of God in order to resist the strategies of the Enemy. Just as God seeks to unite all things in Christ (Eph 1:10), the Devil's strategy is to sow division, distrust, and discouragement. To fight against such schemes is true spiritual warfare! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devot...

We are to submit to one another not only in our marriages but in all relationships, and always out of reverence for Christ. Like with wives and husbands, Paul addresses two other pairings -- children and parents, slaves and masters. Rather than support any inequalities, Paul continues to counsel mutual love and respect. As valuable as political freedom might be, spiritual freedom and personal dign...

Yes, wives are encouraged to submit to their husbands. However, that simplistic understanding misses the shocking truth that this passage also calls husbands to submit to their wives! While that might not seem shocking today, it was nothing sort of revolutionary 2,000 years ago! And it's not just husbands and wives -- we are all called to submit to one another, to serve one another, out of reveren...

The Bible continually contrasts the path of wisdom with the path of foolishness. Ultimately, to be wise is to live in a way that makes sense given what is real and true. Paul thus encourages us to make the most of every opportunity, shining God's light into the darkness around us. God is our ultimate reality, and worship is one of the most powerful ways we are reminded of this truth! Looking for a...

Sermon #4 of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" from Matthew 18:15-20

We often begin any pursuit by asking, "What would be pleasing to me?" When we start from such a place, it is hard to believe in limits to our lusts and greed. Instead, Paul reminds us that we are children of light and real life and joy is found in seeking what pleases God. Let us ask and explore what pleases God rather than just what pleases ourselves! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share on...

There are so many ways that we tear one another down through our words and actions. "Instead, be kind..." says Paul (v32). This exhortation is not just simplistic advice. Instead, Paul is reminding us to be like children who imitate our heavenly parent -- a God who has been incredibly kind and forgiving to us! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.hi...

What we wear (like a uniform, business casual, or a wedding ring) can powerfully shape our actions and attitudes, and even how we view ourselves. Paul uses this image of clothing to describe our new identity in Christ. We are called to take off the old clothing -- our old ways of thinking and living -- and to put on Christ, our new identity. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a fr...

Paul highlights what are sometimes called the A.P.E.S.T. gifts -- Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers. People sometimes mistakenly think that these people are supposed to do ministry while the rest of us support and cheer them on. Not at all! Instead, the role of these five gifts is to help ALL of us identify and activate our own gifts so that we all find our place in Christ's...

Paul reminds us that we are called to unity by reminding us of seven "ones" that unite us: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. We are one but not the same. God gives us each different gifts so we might all have an essential place in Christ's body! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock....