Hillside Community Church

One of the biggest mistakes when trying to read the Bible is taking something out of context. In this episode we are joined by Tucker Parman and talk through 3 different types of context that are important lenses when trying to properly understand Scripture.

John summarizes his letter in his conclusion, and shares with us the marks of what a believer looks like. He doesn't say these things are how we become a child of God, but are the spiritual birthmarks of those who are children of God.

God is love. This is more than an abstract theological truth, it also means that the natural outflow of experiencing God's love is extend that love toward others. We see that the reality that God defines love is actually really good news for us.

How can we know what is true instead of what is deception? Critical to the Christian faith is the claim of truth, yet people often try to skew truth and deceive others. In this passage John explains how we can be confident of the truth.

The Bible was written for ordinary people in the ordinary language of the day. But yet it can seem confusing to modern readers. It's important that we learn to read it for ourselves as a means to get to know God and the redemptive story we are living into. Today we begin a multi-part series on how to do just that. Recommended Resource: The Bible Project

What is love? In this passage John tells us that our love for others is what can reassure us of our status before God. But love is lot more complex that empty words and heartless actions.

What great love the Father has poured out that we should be called children of God. In this passage, we see a warning from John about false teachers who deny Christ, but then John comforts us with the truth and beauty of being able to be called children of God.

We are all seeking fulfillment in this life. But John warns us to choose carefully what we love. He gives us a loving warning to not fall for the marketing of the world, but to realize that true joy is not found apart from God but with Him.

How do I actually disciple someone? What does that look like practically? To answer that question we brought on the discipleship master, Todd Auch of Missoula Alliance Church. Don't Know Where to Start? Check out our Discipleship Guide Learn More About Missoula Alliance Church

How can we have assurance the we really know God? In this passage, John gives us two tests of faith to examine ourselves. These tests reveal the posture of our heart towards God.

How can we have confidence in our faith? In chapter 1, John writes about the historical reality of Jesus as well as the forgiving reality that brings us out of darkness and into fellowship with a holy and loving God.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable contrasting the prayers of tax collector and that of a Pharisee. In it we see the self-righteous of one and the humility of the other. We are reminded that our righteousness comes from Christ not from our own status, which should lead to a humility before God and before others.

In Luke 18 Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow. Many of have prayed earnestly for something, but yet it never came. Or if it did, it likely came later than we had originally hoped. What are we to make of that? How should we continue to pray when they continue to be unanswered?

Who disciples who? Who should I be looking to disciple? In this episode we talk all about discipleship relationships, and how to find someone to come alongside in their faith. DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE : Why and How To Disciple Someone

What does God do when we seemingly ruin our life with sin? One might assume God gives up on us, to teach us a lesson. But instead we find a gracious Father who runs toward the sinner and throws a party in his honor when he returns home. No one is too far for the grace of God, all they must do is repent and come back.

In Luke 15, Jesus gives 3 parables that show the heart of God for those who are lost. This week we focus in on the lost sheep and the lost coin. We learn that our God actively seeks sinners because of His great heart for them.

You have a ministry. You are called to ministry. The question is, do you believe it? So often we sideline ourselves from discipleship and ministry because we think we need a platform. But ministry is not a microphone, and impactful discipleship can happen wherever your feet are. All it requires is intentionality.

Is God unfair? Why does he gives his grace and good things to those who don't deserve it? In Matthew 20, Jesus gives a parable about vineyard workers who work different hours but all receive the same wage. The workers who worked a full day, complain that they should get more. While it's true that others don't deserve God's grace, the sobering reality is neither do we. 

Discipleship. It's a word thrown around in the church a lot. Some churches have specific discipleship programs and even pastors. So what does that word even mean? What is a "disciple"? In this episode we unpack the basic foundation of discipleship to set the tone moving forward about how we can start living into it well as followers of Jesus.

If there is any sin more corrosive and a root toward other sin, it's coveting. But at the same time, if there is any sin more widely acceptable in our time, it's coveting. What's the big deal? In this parable of Jesus in Luke 12 we learn about the true cost of coveting in our life.

What is a parable, and why did Jesus choose to use them in his teaching? The disciples asked this very question, when they noticed the crowds seemingly not understanding Jesus when he used parables. So why did He choose to use them? His answer may surprise you.

In this passage of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus concludes his manifesto with a sobering examination of true vs false disciples. In Matthew 7:21-29 Jesus says that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. The one who builds his life on Jesus will withstand the storm of judgement in the end.

Have you ever asked yourself why you believe what you believe? Or maybe you've had a friend challenge your beliefs and it left you feeling disoriented in not knowing how to answer. In this episode we are joined by Cassie Lahm to discuss the importance of apologetics and being able to "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.&quo...

In a world of misinformation and everyday claiming "their truth", how can we know who is actually right? How can we discern one voice from the next? In Matthew 7, Jesus gives us two tests in how to recognize true teachers from those that are false; the doctrinal test and the practical life.

As we near the end of the sermon on the mount, Jesus brings us to a fork in the road. We have to decide which we are going to go. One way is popular but leads to destruction, while one way is unpopular but leads to life. In a world of relativity, Jesus claims that all roads in fact don't, lead to heaven.