Highrock Church

After the Last Supper, Jesus warns his disciples that they will all fall away. Peter then insists he will never abandon Jesus — only for Jesus to predict Peter’s denial. When Jesus invites his closest disciples to pray with him, Peter's resolve fades into weary sleep, leaving Jesus alone in prayer. Unlike the bravado of the disciples, Jesus demonstrates true courage in the quiet of the garden; he...

As Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his imminent arrest, trial, and execution, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume as an act of extravagant love and devotion. The disciples criticize her for “wasting” it. Jesus defends her, revealing that her act points toward his burial and will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Meanwhile, Judas responds in completely opposite fashi...

Jesus describes the final judgment when the Son of Man returns in glory and separates people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The dividing line is revealed through compassionate action — feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the poor, and caring for the sick and imprisoned. Jesus teaches that love for him is demonstrated by loving those we are tempted to dismiss as “the l...

In the parable of the talents, Jesus describes a master who entrusts his servants with varying amounts of resources before leaving on a journey. Two servants faithfully invest what they are given and are celebrated for their dedication, while a third servant, driven by fear and laziness, hides his talent. Jesus invites us to be faithful with everything that has been entrusted to us by God. Looking...

“Don’t worry” can feel like impossible advice in an anxious world. Yet Jesus insists that freedom from fear is possible not because life is safe but because God is faithful. What might change if trust, rather than fear, had the final word? And how do we get there? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://t...

Jesus now addresses the Pharisee religious leaders directly, condemning their hypocrisy. While they obsess over relatively minor religious details, they neglect the more important aspects of God's law — justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Despite that harsh assessment, Jesus has no desire to condemn them. In fact, he finishes by lamenting the fact that they continually reject him and refuse to be lo...

Jesus turns to the crowds and warns against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who do not practice what they preach. Rather than loving others, they weigh them down with heavy burdens while lifting themselves up. Jesus calls us to a different kind of greatness — one marked by humility, integrity, and servant-hearted living. The greatest is the servant of all, and Jesus practiced what he preach...

After being tested by the Pharisees, Jesus turns the tables and asks them a question: "Why does David call his descendant his 'lord'"? Once again, Jesus is inviting them to understand that the Messiah is more than just a political heir to David's throne. Jesus is not only the "Son of David", he is the Son of God — Jesus is Lord! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start h...

The religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus with a dangerous question about whether to pay taxes to Caesar. Either answer will put Jesus in danger. Jesus reframes the question by looking at the Roman coin used to pay such taxes, a coin that bears the image of the emperor. The image on the coin is Caesar's, therefore give to Caesar what belongs to him – and answer that unlocks a much deeper truth a...

In the face of continued conflict with the religious leaders, Jesus tells the story of tenant farmers who rent the farmland. When it comes time to share the harvest, the renters refuse to share their harvest, killing the owner's messengers and ultimately the owner’s son as well. The landowner in that parable is God, the slaughtered messengers are the prophets, and the owner's son is Jesus. Jesus i...

Jesus says it plainly: no one can serve two masters. But most of us try, splitting our trust between God and the things that promise security, control, or comfort. When our allegiance is divided, which master is really shaping our lives? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd

Jesus describes a vineyard owner who pays all workers the same wage, even those who were hired only an hour before the end of the day. Those workers who worked the entire day complain that the vineyard owner was being unfair to them! The story reveals that God will bless us on the basis of God's generosity, not on our merit (or lack of it). That is the scandal of grace. Jesus invites us all to rej...

A rich young man comes to Jesus, wanting to know what he must do to enter eternal life with God. Though the man appears morally faithful, he walks away grieving when Jesus invites him to surrender what he treasures most – which is his money. Jesus then shocks his disciples by telling them that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into heaven. H...

The religious leaders try to pull Jesus into a debate about divorce but Jesus takes everyone back to the beginning and the purpose of being married at all (or not!). The disciples are shaken by Jesus' high view of marriage and declare, "it is better not to marry!" And Jesus agrees! The disciples are right, but for the wrong reasons. While everyone is thinking of themselves, Jesus shares a vision o...

In response to Peter’s question about forgiveness, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant who is forgiven an unpayable debt refuses to show even a fraction of that mercy to a fellow servant. Jesus makes clear that forgiven people are called to live as forgiving people, and people who refuse to extend God's grace to others are refusing to receive God's grace for themselves as...

Rather than ignoring wrongdoing or shaming people publicly, Jesus outlines a gracious process aimed at restoration and reconciliation. He emphasizes the serious responsibility of the community to reflect both God’s justice and God's mercy. We may need courage to lovingly restore lost sheep but Jesus assures us that he is present and actively at work in our midst when we do. Looking for a previous...

Prayer often feels awkward, performative, or quietly exhausting, like saying the right words while trying to stay in control. What if Jesus didn’t give us a prayer to make us feel safe but to confront our pride, expose our grudges, and rearrange our lives? This episode explores why the Lord’s Prayer may be far more dangerous and transformative than we’ve ever realized. · · 👉🏻 Check out other Hig...

Jesus encounters a desperate mother whose daughter is suffering, but this mother is a Canaanite – ancient enemies of the Jewish people. Jesus initially seems unresponsive but she remains humble and persistent. Jesus ultimately responds to her affectionately and with a rare level of praise for her faith, demonstrating that God's love extends to all who approach in faith. Looking for a previous devo...

The religious leaders challenge Jesus for ignoring tradition but Jesus turns the tables on them. He confronts these leaders for elevating human traditions above God’s commands, substituting outward religious practices for genuine inward obedience. By shifting the focus from external behavior to inner transformation, Jesus calls his followers to examine the condition of their hearts rather than rel...

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he finally finds time for solitude. Later in the night, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. Peter initially steps out in faith then begins to sink. Fear takes over when we focus on the storm but faith prevails when we fix our eyes on Jesus. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:...

After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdraws to a quiet place to grieve. The crowds follow him but instead of Jesus turning them away, he is moved to care for them. Despite his own deep and authentic need, he takes time to care for the needs of others. How do we respond when faced with a similar challenge? What might God have us do when our own needs collide with the needs of others?...

“Love your enemies” sounds beautiful on a coffee mug . . . until you’re the one being insulted, dismissed, or harmed. When outrage feels justified and revenge feels reasonable, what does real love look like without becoming passive or naïve? And what might loving your enemies actually change, both in the world and in you? · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n 👉🏻...

The Pharisees were trying to preserve their nation's Jewish identity in the face of Greek culture and Roman occupation. One of their cultural guardrails was the faithful observance of sabbath rest, an issue over which they repeatedly clashed with Jesus. In this encounter, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath. Did Jesus thus break God's sabbath laws, or was Jesus right to look for a deeper purpose in G...

Imprisoned in Herod Antipas' fortress, John the Baptist begins to doubt. He was the one who saw the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus but in the darkness of prison, he begins to ask some tough questions. One might expect Jesus to reprimand John. Instead, Jesus gives him reassurance and praise. Rather than silence doubt, Jesus treats doubt as a part of discipleship, especially for those who put ever...

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had encouraged his listeners to put God first and trust God for the rest. In this passage, Jesus extends that principle to putting Jesus first and the potential short-term costs, which may even include rejection from our families. For many, this price might seem too high but Jesus assures us that God will honor those who choose faithfulness! Looking for a previous...