Highrock Church

Pastor Taylor Burgoyne preaches on Luke 16:1-15 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

Continuing his teachings on money, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived his life in comfort while Lazarus suffered, but in death it is Lazarus who is comforted while the rich man suffers. The rich man begs for Lazarus to go back to the living in order to warn the rich man's family. Healing our addiction to money might take nothing less than a miracle, and even th...

Continuing to speak about money, Jesus exhorts us to exert control over our money. If we can be faithful with our money, we will be entrusted with much greater things. If we are not faithful, if we let our money take control of us, it will even lead us to resent God. Money is spiritual and it can bear incredible spiritual dividends if handled faithfully. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share...

Pastor Dave Swaim preaches on Luke 12:13-24 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

Jesus tells the story of a manager who is about to be fired. He quickly uses his remaining time to cooks the books for people who might help him after he loses his current position. Why would Jesus use such a dishonest person as an example to us? Jesus is not commending his dishonesty but his shrewdness. Even more than the manager, there is a way that we can use what we cannot keep in order to gai...

The prodigal son had much to repent. The older brother needed to repent as well -- not of his badness, but of his "goodness." It is his self-righteousness and entitlement that leaves him outside of his father's house and far from his father's heart. The father treats the elder son much like the younger one. He humbles himself and goes out to him, and us, in the loving hope that we will take our se...

What is God like? How does God feel towards us, especially when we turn our backs on God? Jesus tells the story of a wayward child while highlighting the extravagant love of the father towards this prodigal son. The father in the story, who represents God, runs to his children who turn towards him, embracing them with lavish love and joy! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a frien...

The religious leaders persistently attacked Jesus for associating with the "wrong" people. This time, Jesus answers their failure to understand God's hear with not one, not two, but three parables about God's heart. In these first two parables, Jesus makes it clear that you matter to God deeply, and that God delights in recovering that which was lost, including you. Looking for a previous devo? Wa...

Turning to the crowds, Jesus warns them to "count the costs." Better to not begin the journey at all than to start something, only to turn away in shame later. Following Jesus means that everything else must take second-place to God. The journey is more that worth the cost but Jesus wants us to know the challenges ahead. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: htt...

While eating dinner at the home of a religious leader, Jesus continues to develop the image of the kingdom of God as a great feast to which all are invited -- especially the last, the lost, and the least. God's invitation continues goes out into the world through us. To whom might Jesus want you to extend that invite and welcome? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start...

Luke 14:1-11 : "I don't deserve to be here!" It could be a proud demand to be elevated to a better place or it could be a humble statement of gratitude and wonder that we were included at all. Jesus tells the Pharisees and us to take the second approach. Elevate others, bring them closer to God, and that Jesus-like posture of humility will bring us closer to God than any effort at self-promotion!

Pastor John and Dave on Luke: 13:31-35 : Jesus is warned that Herod is coming for him to take his life. Rather than react with fear, Jesus displays resolve. He will complete the purposes that God has given him. Yes, he will give his life like a hen that protects her chicks, but it will be in according to God's will, not anyone else's, not even Herod's.

Pastor Walt Quick preaches on Luke 12:13-26 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

John Mury and Greg Hsu discuss Luke 13:22-30 : "On the way to his destiny in Jerusalem, Jesus is asked a question: 'Lord, will only a few be saved?' Rather than satisfy this curiosity, Jesus directs this person to turn their attention to their own walk with God. This invitation is for us all — we are all invited, right now, to pursue God rather than worry or wonder what God has in store for everyo...

Pastors John Mury and Chris Gredenius discuss Luke 13:10-21 : "After a confrontation over healing on the Sabbath, Jesus tells two stories—one about a mustard seed that grows into a great tree and the other about a pinch of yeast that transforms the entire mound of dough. Both stories illustrate how God uses small things to make big impacts. Jesus is pointing out that he (and we) might seem small,...

Pastors John Mury and Chris Gredenius discuss Luke 13:1-9 : "In the musical "Hamilton" (and in actual history), George Washington refers to a hopeful vision of peace and delight under one's own vine and fig tree. This image actually comes from the Bible, referred to in numerous places in the prophets. God is the gardener and God's people are the fig tree, intended to supply sweetness and delight t...

Pastors John Mury and Taylor Burgoyne discuss Luke 12:49-59 : "The moment of decision can be difficult. Choosing one path can mean separating with people who choose a different path. Jesus warns us that following him is like choosing a path will often bring division between friends and family. In the meantime, we must leave no debt of love or forgiveness unpaid as we never know when our paths will...

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 12:35-48 : "On this final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus knows that he will soon leave his disciples. He teaches them to be watchful for his return. In the meantime, what we do matters. How we treat one another, especially how leaders treat everyone else, matters. Rather than living for our own advantage, the example of Jesus is to humble ourselves and se...

Pastor Taylor Burgoyne preaches on Luke 10:25-37 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 12:13-34 : "Rather than give in to our worries about money, Jesus encourages us to remember our value to God and God's faithfulness to us. Just as importantly, Jesus encourages us to provide for one another rather than simply worry about ourselves. Faith can transform worry into genuine care for one another!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 12:1-12 : "As the surrounding crowds grow in size, Jesus warns his disciples of the real danger of the Pharisees. A hypocrite is an actor, a person wearing a mask and playing a part. The Pharisees had fallen into this trap and Jesus warned his disciples that this trap threatens all of us. Attention and the approval of others can easily lead any of us i...

Pastors John Mury and Taylor Burgoyne discuss Luke 11:42-54 : "Perhaps one of the greatest challenges Jesus had with the religious leaders who opposed him was how they had twisted God's Law into an excuse to condemn rather than love others. They were engaged in a culture war and anyone who didn't fall in line was an enemy to be judged and punished. Are we so different? Does our version of faith pr...

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 11:29-41 : "The Pharisees seem to see everything Jesus does in a negative light. Jesus explains that the darkness they see is really the darkness in them. For this reason, Jesus tells them (and us) that we must allow God to clean the inside, and then the outside might finally be clean as well."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 11:14-28 : "In the first of several hostile encounters, Jesus squares off against a group of Pharisees — popular religious leaders who opposed Jesus. Their accusation might sound silly to us but it was the worst of all possible slanders at the time, that Jesus was in league with the Devil himself!"

Pastor Dave Swaim preaches on Luke 9:23-25, 57-62 (NIV) to launch our new sermon series, Luke: Kingdom Costs .