Highrock Church

Sermon | The Distance Between Us (Matthew 5)

It’s possible to worship God . . . while still avoiding people we need to forgive. But what if those two things are more connected than we think? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons [https://www.highrock.org/sermons-services?type=sermons] 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals [https://www.highrock.org/dailydevotionals]

Daily Devo | It's Who You Know (New Testament in a Year, John 8:37-59)

After Jesus challenges whether the people know God at all, they respond by accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed. They are especially offended by Jesus' claim to know Abraham, their forefather who lived almost two thousand years before. Jesus responds, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” (v58). The crowd attempts to stone Jesus for making such a divine claim. They hear a threat in Jesus' divine claim but it is the reason Jesus can promise what he does, "anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” (v51). Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] Resources for "New Testament in a Year" https://www.highrock.org/newtestament [https://www.highrock.org/newtestament] For Reflection: - What do you learn about Jesus in this passage? What questions does it raise for you? - Why was Jesus’ statement “Before Abraham was, I am” so shocking to his listeners? - Jesus' claim to be eternal and divine created anger and condemnation in them. What reaction does it create in you, and why? - Prayer: Jesus, thank you for revealing who you truly are, and that you have the power to deliver on the promise of eternal life that you extended to them, and to us.

Daily Devo | The Truth Will Set You Free! (New Testament in a Year, John 8:21-36)

As the conversation continues, Jesus explains that they do not understand who he truly is. He hints that when he is crucified, they may finally understand. Some begin to believe in him, and he promises that those who follow his teachings will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. When the people insist that they are already free because they are descendants of Abraham, Jesus reveals a deeper kind of bondage — the slavery of sin. He explains that true freedom is found only through the Son, who has the authority to set people free completely. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] Resources for "New Testament in a Year" https://www.highrock.org/newtestament [https://www.highrock.org/newtestament] For Reflection: - How is spiritual freedom different from political, social, or personal freedom? How would you define or explain "freedom in Christ"? - What truths from Jesus’ teaching have brought freedom into your life? - In what ways are you tempted to relate to God as a boss or a manager rather than as a loving parent? What might help your perspective change to that of a "son"? - Prayer: Jesus, thank you for offering us the right to become children of God.

Daily Devo | Go and Sin No More! (New Testament in a Year, John 8:1-20)

The religious leaders expose a woman caught in adultery, hoping to trap Jesus between the demands of the law and his reputation for mercy. Instead of responding immediately, Jesus calmly exposes the hypocrisy of her accusers by saying that the one without sin should cast the first stone. One by one, they leave, and Jesus, left alone with the woman, offers both grace and truth: he does not condemn her, but he also calls her to "sin no more". Jesus sees our sin as something to heal rather than condemn. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] Resources for "New Testament in a Year" https://www.highrock.org/newtestament [https://www.highrock.org/newtestament] For Reflection: - Imagine you are teaching this passage in Sunday school and someone asks you, "What does Jesus think about me and my sin?" How might you discuss or address that question? - These leaders were almost blind to their own sin while exposing the sin of this woman. What can you do to guard against this kind of self-righteousness (which is not righteous at all)? - Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being the Great Physician who seeks to heal our sins rather than condemn us because of them.

Daily Devo | Rivers of Living Water? (New Testament in a Year, John 7:32-53)

On the final day of the week-long Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come to him and drink. He promises that those who believe in him will experience “rivers of living water” flowing from within them, referring to the Holy Spirit who would later be given to believers. In so doing, Jesus declares that he is the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles — that the life and fellowship hinted at in the feast are fulfilled in Jesus, and that we can all come to him to receive this life in us! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ [https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/] Resources for "New Testament in a Year" https://www.highrock.org/newtestament [https://www.highrock.org/newtestament] For Reflection: - We all know what physical thirst looks like. What are some of the signs of unmet spiritual thirst that you see in people today? - What does Jesus mean by offering “living water”? - How have you experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways has God used you as a spring to refresh the spiritual thirst of others? - Prayer: Jesus, pour out the living water of your Spirit on me, to satisfy my thirst and so I might help to satisfy the thirst of others for you!