Highrock Church

In this flashback to July 15, 2022, we see Jesus perform a miracle that reveals his unique authority. Not only does he have authority to heal, he is able to command the elements of both the physical world (wind and waves) and the spiritual world (demons). In this passage, Jesus goes a step further and shockingly claims an authority reserved for God alone! The people are filled with fear but some a...

In this flashback to March 1, 2023, we consider what it takes to be the G.O.A.T -- the Greatest Of All Time. Jesus challenges the very idea of greatness that we seek. Instead, he says that the greatest among us must be the servant of all. Jesus demonstrates his greatness by pouring out his life in service to us all, and he invites us to join him in this life together. Looking for a previous devo?...

How do we get people to do better? How does God get people to change? We are told that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance, and it is for this very reason that we should not judge one another. Sharing God's kindness is one of the most revolutionary things we could ever do! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotion...

How do we practice kindness in an unkind world? Whatever challenges we experience today with kindness today, they ancient Roman world was far more troubled! But being kind doesn't mean being passive. Kindness can lead to limits that hold people accountable for how we treat one another. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotion...

How do you respond to hostility, suspicion, apathy, and ingratitude? Paul and his companions faced all those reactions, even from those they loved. Instead of responding in kind, they responded with kindness and love. How?! By remembering who they were (servants) and whose they were (infused with God's Spirit). Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.h...

Do you keep any trophies, certificates, diplomas, or awards on display? What important events or achievements do they commemorate? God, too, has trophies. We are trophies of God's grace and kindness. What are some of the ways that you display God's kindness to the world? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

In this flashback to March 29, 2022, we see King David, having been richly blessed by God, wanting to build a better dwelling for God's presence. Even the prophet Nathan thought that God would surely approve. As is often the case, God had different plans. Faithfulness is often a matter of seeing and taking the next right step, not knowing where God might lead us. Looking for a previous devo? Want...

The Apostle John spoke often and eloquently about love. He spoke about love so much that there are church traditions that say he refused to talk about anything else! And why not? If God is love, then what else could show more clearly that we have encountered and been changed by God? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals...

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? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

What is love? God's love is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demanding, irritable, and keeps no record of wrongs. It rejoices when the truth wins; it never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. God's love is so unlike all other loves and we must experience it so we might begin to share it with others! Looking for...

God's agape love -- the first fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) -- is so different from all the other kinds of love that we might experience. Not only is it so much different, it is so much better! But in order to understand it and share it with others, we must first receive it ourselves. It is a fruit of the Spirit, not our own efforts! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a...

Sermon #1 of Highrock's summer sermon series ("Flavor: Taste of the Fruit of the Spirit") from 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV

This flashback to March 8, 2022, brings us back to a discussion about the core of the Gospel. Ancient Greek culture found it easy to believe in the immortality of the soul but incredibly hard to believe in the resurrection of the body. Despite their difficulties, Paul is clear -- the resurrection of Jesus' physical body is the core of the good news and central to our hope. Looking for a previous d...

We all seek to control life and secure its outcomes through the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, power, or even wisdom. Instead, the Teacher counsels us to entrust our lives to God in faithfulness. What are the ways you are tempted to trust in yourself rather than in the Lord? What are the lessons and questions you will continue to carry with you? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a...

In light of our mortality, the Teacher dispenses with wisdom for both young and old. Each stage has blessings for us but our destiny with death should remind us that we each will have to account for the choices we make. Love life, but live for more than just this life! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The Teacher explains that we should not just hold onto our treasures. Instead, we should 1) invest, 2) diversify, 3) read the signs, 4) act now, and 5) work hard. No doubt, these are wise financial guidelines, but is there a deeper spiritual principle as well? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #5 of Highrock's summer sermon series ("Dual Citizens: Living Between Two Kingdoms") from Rom 14:1-10

This flashback from March 23, 2022 was part of our Lent series. Abraham's original name was Abram and in those early days, he struggled to trust and believe God. God assured Abram by making a covenant -- literally, cutting a deal with him. This same deal is the covenant that is offered to us today through what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a f...

A little foolishness can ruin a lot of wise choices -- especially when that foolishness comes from our leaders! How can we live wisely under unwise leaders? The Teacher explores the path that wisdom carves through such unpredictable times. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Wisdom can be more powerful than invading armies, yet wisdom can also be easily ignored or forgotten. What should we do in response to this paradox? We must seek to listen to the often quiet voice of wisdom, and also ask why we seek wisdom at all. If we want to be appreciated, we will likely be disappointed. Thankfully, there is a much deeper reason to seek wisdom! Looking for a previous devo? Wan...

We are not in control. The Teacher reminds us that death overtakes us all, and even in life, chance often determines the course of our lives. How can we live meaningfully in such a world? Do we feel as if God owes us something more? It is sometimes a step of faith to let go of control and simply enjoy what God has given to us. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start her...

The raw pursuit of pleasure obviously led to bad places but the pursuit of wisdom also seems to lead to a dead-end. The Teacher explains that wisdom never seems to secure true justice, and true understanding seems always out of reach. Is there a better way? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #4 of Highrock's summer sermon series ("Dual Citizens: Living Between Two Kingdoms") from Rom 12:9-21

This flashback from March 24, 2022 was part of our Lent series. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son, and then stop him just as he was raising the knife? Almost 2,000 years later, God would provide for us on that very mountain through the sacrifice, not of Abraham's son, but of his own son, Jesus! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highr...

What if we serve under an authority that is unwise or even ungodly? The Teacher's first reason to submit to such authorities is because of our submission to God, the ultimate authority. The Teacher assures us that wickedness will fall and the wise will find a way to do what is right, and at the right time. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highro...