PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH

In this very brief letter from the Apostle John, we discover the true nature of following Jesus and the characteristic of a godly friend and leader. The post That's what friends are for (3 John) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

“Sunshine, Storms, Solace: Ministering to MKs” by Michele Phoenix.   The post Sunshine, Storms, Solace: Ministering to MKs appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In this very brief letter, we discover the depth of compassion John has for the people to whom he felt responsible. We also discover the vital importance of balancing truth and love. The post What’s Love Got to Do With It? (2 John) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the most personal letter we have from the pen of the Apostle Paul we discover the power of grace, mercy, and forgiveness as we let Gospel influence our lives. The post Welcome Home (Paul's Letter to Philemon) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

The prophecy of Obadiah speaks out against the pride and cruelty of the Nation of Edom. It is a warning to any person or nation who in arrogance, thinks they don’t need God. The post You're So Vain (The Prophecy of Obadiah) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the Epilogue of John’s Gospel we discover the risen, living, Jesus Christ forgives and restores The post In The Shadow of the Cross: Jesus Forgives and Restores appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the shadow of the cross, Jesus prays. The prayer recorded in John 17 precedes the prayer in the garden and reveals the heart, mission, and desire of Jesus. The post In the Shadow of The Cross: Jesus Prays (John 17) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In his final statement to his followers in John 16:33, Jesus offers a promise, a reality, an encouragement, and an assurance that will ultimately empower them and can empower us. The post Jesus Empowers (John 16:33) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As they make their way to the garden and to his betrayal, Jesus uses every opportunity to instruct and guide his disciples. There are important lessons in this section for all of us. The post Jesus Instructs (John 15:1-17) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As Jesus continues the final instructions to his followers, he makes a series of “I will” statements. We learn in John 14:15-31 that Jesus promises presence, relationship, and peace. The post Jesus Promises (John 14:15-31) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In words that have become familiar to many, Jesus refocuses the attention on his followers from the impending loss, to the comfort of knowing him and knowing that he can be trusted in uncertain times. The post In the Shadow of the Cross: Jesus Comforts (John 1.1-14) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Jesus shows Authentic Leadership in the washing of the feet of his disciples, including Judas. We learn five lessons about leadership in this sermon. The post Jesus shows Authentic Leadership (John 13:1-17) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the final words of 1 John, the Apostle wants his recipients to be confident that they know Jesus, have a hearing God, and are investing in a relationship with Jesus. The post Final Thoughts (1 John 5:13-21) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In 1 John 5:1-12, the Apostle John shares his closing arguments, regarding the fact that we know Jesus is God the Son who died for our sins. The post How do you really know? (1 John 5:1-12) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Jesus really did come as a human and God really did send Jesus to die for us and God is our true source for love. The best and in many ways, clearest way to love God is to love others. These truths are reflected in 1 John 4:1-21. The post “Transforming Love” 1 John 4:1-21 appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Beginning in 1 John 3:11 we are looking at the true definition of love. Love is displayed first by the work of Jesus on the cross and is lived out in our lives by loving others. The post Love Matters (1 John 3:11-24) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In this passage John is reminding his readers and those of us today, that we are to reflect the characteristics of our Heavenly Father, to whose family we belong. These traits include righteousness, and love. The post Family Traits (1 John 2:28-3:10) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Guest speaker and former PHCC Youth Director, Pastor Joel Sisson reminds us from 1 John that we are to continue faithfully living the gospel despite challenges. The post Words of Enouragement and Warning (1 John 1:12-27) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

John minces no words to remind his audience that if we claim to have a relationship with Jesus, we need to live a life that reflects that relationship, beginning with how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. The post Safe People, Safe Community (1 John 2:3-11) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In this section of 1 John, we are reminded that we all need the atoning work of Jesus Christ for our salvation and the forgiveness of God when we mess up and sin. The post No Perfect People (1 John 1:5-2:2) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In these opening verses of 1 John, we are introduced to the reality of Jesus and the importance of living our shared life in Jesus. The post It’s Always About Jesus (1 John 1:1-4) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Sometimes it is in the very familiar Bible stories that we learn new lessons. This story gives us some lessons on faith as we approach a new year. The post Check the back of the boat (Mark 4:35-41) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent we focus on Love. Pastor Scott opens the Word of God to focus on the fact that God is the one who initiated Love to us. The post Love That Lasts (1 John 4:9-12) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

The Angels announced good news of great joy. Jesus promised to give complete joy. Today we consider what real joy is and how to find it. The post Real Joy (Luke 2:8-11; John 15:9-13) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

This sermon examines several key passages that reveal the depth of peace we have in Jesus Christ. We discover that Peace on Earth is not just a wish for the Christ follower; it is a reality. The post Peace on Earth (Isa 9:6; Luke 2:14; John 14:27) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Hope for the one who trusts God is more than a wish or a dream. It is a certain expectation that God will do what God has promised. On this first Sunday of Advent we rest in the hope we have as promised in the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to die that we […] The post Hope for All (Isaiah 40) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Nehemiah discovers that all the reforms instituted after the completion of the project were not followed. Sometimes all we can do as leaders is our best, and then we trust God with the results. The post Leading when others don’t (Nehemiah 13) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Using Jeremiah’s words from Lamentations 3:19-26 Pastor Scott leads us to lament the sudden passing of one of our Elders and a dear brother in Christ. The post Our Lament – God’s Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:19-26) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Nehemiah quietly leads the people of Israel to commit to rebuilding their spiritual character as they promise to follow God’s Law. We learn that God is concerned about our character more than any accomplishment. The post Committing to Spiritual Character (Nehemiah10) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

From the example of the people in Jerusalem in Nehemiah 9, we discover that the best response to God’s character as seen in the Bible is to be humbly contrite as we adjust to His Holy standard. The post Responding to the Character of God (Nehemiah 9) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Listening to the Word of God read at length laid the foundation for the people of Israel to look deeply and consider the changes needed to align with God’s truth. The post God’s Word and Change (Nehemiah 7 & 8) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Nehemiah reveals the foundational realities in his life as his reliance on God in complete faith, also provides him with a strength of character. The post Foundations of Godly Leadership (Nehemiah 6:1-7:3) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Nehemiah shows us how a godly leader leads through crisis and maintains unity when faced with an internal crisis that could de-rail the whole project. The post Crisis Management appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Facing an imminent threat of opposition from outside forces surrounding Jerusalem, Nehemiah gives us an example of leading through difficult times. The post Leading through difficult times (Nehemiah 4) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

From goldsmiths, to perfumers, to priests and many others, we can learn some important leadership lessons as we survey the builders of the wall in Jerusalem. The post Lessons from a Construction Site (Nehemiah 3) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As Nehemiah implements the plan that God has laid on his heart, he realizes that any success he has as a leader is due only to the gracious hand of God. We each need to look through this lens as we evaluate our lives. The post The Gracious Hand of God (Nehemiah 2) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the opening chapter of Nehemiah, we discover four characteristics that help us understand the heart of a leader and how God is at the center of it all. The post The Heart of a Leader (Nehemiah 1) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In his final teaching in Matthew before going to the cross. Jesus points to the fact that faith is both a heart reality and an action reality as we care for the “least of these” in real and practical ways. The post Compassionate Kingdom Living (Mt 25:31-46) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

The final parable Jesus speaks in Matthew uses first-century business practices to teach us how to live responsibly for the Kingdom of Heaven now. The post Kingdom Living in Responsible Readiness appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Using the backdrop of a Jewish wedding celebration, Jesus teaches about the importance of being ready for his some day return. The post Kingdom Living in Relational Readiness (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Peter 4 & 5) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In a parable that is unique to Matthew’s Gospel,  Jesus shows us the heart of God who does not let human priority structures govern how he operates. The post “Gratitude, Service & Commitment in the Kingdom (Mt. 20.1-28) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In a very familiar account, we find Jesus, calling us to a life of dependency on Him, and in the process changing our value systems. There can be no obstacles to our commitment to following Jesus. The post An Obstacle to Living the Kingdom (Mt 19:16-30) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Through a stunning parable, Jesus answers Peter’s question about forgiveness, and in so doing leaves all of us with many things to think about in our own lives. The post A Kingdom Community – part 3 (Matthew 18:21-35) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Jesus reminds us by a brief story and then some instructions, that a restoring community in which each one is valued best reflects the heart of God for his called out people, the Church. The post A Kingdom Community – part 2 (Matthew 18:12-20) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In Part 1 of a three part mini-series we discover some key characteristics that should be part of any gathering of Christ followers. The post A Kingdom Community Part 1 (Mt 18:1-14) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In response to Peter’s answer to a most important question by Jesus, we discover who the King is, what his mission is, and what our role in the mission is. The post Living the Kingdom; Knowing the King (Mt 16:13-27) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As we consider a very familiar account in the Gospel of Matthew, we discover a very practical lesson regarding daily consistent faith as we follow Jesus.”. The post Living the Kingdom of Heaven in Consistent Faith (Mt. 14:22-36) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In two very brief parables Jesus turns our value system upside down. The post The Value of the Kingdom (Mt 13:44-52) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In one longer parable and two brief parables Jesus provides for us word pictures for living the Kingdom now in a less than friendly environment. The post Living the Kingdom in a less than Friendly World (Mt 13:24-43) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the first parable recorded in Matthew, Jesus uses a familiar word picture to challenge his listeners to consider carefully the condition of their hearts. The post It’s About the Heart (Mt 13:1-23) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

We can learn a great deal about living the Kingdom of Heaven now as we see the interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders. What traditions may have gotten in your way as you strive to follow Jesus? What will you do to change them? The post The Priority of Compassion (Matthew 12:1-14) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.