Sermons – Highland Oaks

Though most likely only a teenager, Mary was selected by God to be the first embodiment of the gospel. This morning we have “Christmas in July” and learn from the faithful mother of Christ.

This morning we visit the queen who chose a path of faithfulness for “such a time as this.” Join us as we explore this rich story and how it can empower us to do hard things.

Though a short and simple book in the First Testament, Ruth is a foundational witness to faithfulness as she refuses to abandon her mother-in-law and “finds a way to make a way” for the eventual fulfillment of God's mission in Jesus.

Today we join the judges, early rulers of Israel, and take note of the mighty Deborah. Deborah is not only leading but singing as she leads Israel into rest for forty years.

Taking a cue from Matthew's genealogy, we notice an unlikely descendant of Jesus and wonder aloud how God uses the most unlikely women to accomplish a mission.

Come and listen to the joyful celebration as Egypt is led across the Red Sea into the promised land. This morning we notice who is leading the nation in worship and how we might join in her song of victory.

Join us as we explore a crucial moment in the story of Israel's hardship in Egypt. While the king of Egypt made a sinister command, the Hebrew midwives spoke truth to power and made way for the birth of Moses and the deliverance of a nation.

This morning we venture back into Genesis and take notice of the faithfulness of Sarah. We look at her abiding trust in the midst of laughable circumstances while providing the doorway for God's mission to “all the families” on the earth.

We begin a new series by receiving a word of encouragement from our mentor, Paul, who reminds his young protege, Timothy, of his faithfulness. But Timothy's faithfulness was not grounded in his own efforts but in the story of the faithful service of a mother and grandmother. Join us as we begin to explore the value and importance of the “faith of our mothers” and remind ourselves of God's witness through the voice of women throughout the story of scripture.

We conclude our series this morning by looking at the “beautiful mess” of the church. Join us as we venture into the life and times of Paul's churches and realize how diverse and difficult life in this story can be.

It has been said that, “the story of Jesus is the fulfillment of what God has been saying from the very beginning.” So this morning we unpack the word of God made flesh and how the arrival of the Son is a continuation of the work of the Father and the Spirit.

When God chooses to move into the brokenness of the world, God chooses to move by making a relational covenant with people. From Noah to Abraham and from Moses to David, God is always making promises of relational wholeness. Join us as we explore the arc of these covenants and how we are invited to join the promise.

Any story teller will let you know that one of the key elements of writing is a point of crisis. In scripture, the first moment of crisis comes when the image bearers of God make a dreadful choice. Join us as we explore this pivotal moment of crisis and how God chooses to respond.

When reading a story it is important to start at the beginning. And the Bible starts in a particular way and tells us of a peculiar God who longs to be in relationship with creation. This morning we look at the first “chapter” of our story and how God created the world and called it “good.”

This morning we begin our series by looking at a number of invitations from the Bible about the importance of reading the BIble. But, how we read will inform how we participate in its life and unfolding drama. Join us as we begin with the importance of reading the Bible wholly.

This morning we take a walk and overhear a conversation between the resurrected Lord and unsuspecting disciples. What might we learn as we walk with Jesus, listen to his story, break bread, and allow our eyes to be opened afresh to the kingdom that has now come?

Christ has risen - risen indeed! What a glorious day to announce the fulfillment of the resurrected King. Join us for a special celebration of what God has resurrected among us. 

It can be uncomfortable to talk about death. It is especially uncomfortable to talk about death when you can hear its sounds. This morning, as we look towards Easter, we journey back to the cross and listen to the darkness and death of the kingdom come. 

This morning we join the table with Jesus and listen as he proclaims the bread and blood of a “new covenant.” What might the invitation be for us as we continue to remember and proclaim this feast of Christ with one another. 

Most Bible's call this section of scripture the “triumphal entry.” But what kind of entry was Jesus making? Even more, what does this “parade” tell us about the kingdom to come? Join us as we “spread our cloaks on the road” and hail the coming King. 

It would be difficult to imagine someone not being familiar with the story of Zacchaeus. But what does this story tell us about Jesus and salvation? Join us as we explore a familiar tale of a tiny tax collector who Jesus chooses to save.

Have you ever considered how your gratefulness is a sign of your faithfulness in the living God? Today we look at a story of 10 people who are healed by the power of Jesus. Yet only one returns to “give glory to God.” What might we learn about our own “faithful gratefulness” and the way of the kingdom?

When you think about the story of the “Prodigal” what comes to mind? This morning we explore how our understanding of this story ought to lead us back to the heart and arms of God. A God embodied in Jesus who sees us and loves is with radical grace. 

It is without a doubt one of the most critical and familiar stories in all of the gospel accounts. But how can we allow such a story to continue to disrupt our comfortable forms of Christianity. Join us as we step into the Good Samaritan for our world and time. 

Today we explore the moment where Jesus sends out the disciples “two by two” with specific instructions for the kingdom initiative. Tune in as we seek to understand how these instructions still invite us to boldly embrace the invitation for the kingdom to come. 

This morning we explore how the blood of Christ moves us into a posture of gratefulness. Come and see the "good grace" that Jesus gave us at the cross.

This morning we explore how the body of Christ moves us into a posture of gratefulness. Come and see the "good grace" that Jesus gave us at the cross.

We conclude our series this morning by joining with Jesus and announcing that it all belongs to Him. Don't miss this final invitation to "pray for reign." 

Growing up, many of us used to sing, "Where he leads me I will follow." But where is Jesus headed? Join us as we look ahead to where God is leading us in prayer.

CS Lewis once wrote that, "belief in the forgiveness of sins is not as easy as I thought." This morning we look at the next and difficult step in praying for reign- forgiveness. 

Daily bread seems like such a simple or elementary aspect of prayer. But what if this simple request was a key to unlocking how we enter the reign of God?

When Jesus prays for the "kingdom to come" he is looking for "reign." Join us as we look at a foundational theme in all of the teachings of Jesus.

What is it about God's name that allows folks to be so flippant? This morning we are reminded about the sacred nature of God's name and how our pursuit of holiness is connected to God's nature and name. 

This morning we look at "who" it is "we" are talking to in prayer. Join us as we explore the beautiful reminder of God as a loving parent who longs to invite us into a new reality for our world and time. 

Luke records in his gospel that Jesus was praying in a "certain place" when a disciple said, "Lord, teach us to pray." This morning we begin our new series, "Praying for Reign" and explore how this pivotal moment is a key invitation for the kingdom that has come.

When you have a seat at the table, you are participating in a rich tradition of relationship building through the holy practice of eating together. This morning we explore afresh the significance of eating at the table and how communion can invite us into a place for welcome and embrace. 

Today we take an appropriate pause in our sermon series and take time to dedicate our new space to the mission of God. As loving, growing, and sending disciples, we commit to the next step in our journey as a church family and to the flourishing of our participation in the mission before us. 

When you build a table it is vital to listen to those you are building with and to those you are building for. Join us as we explore the crucial habit of listening to those around us as we seek to become builders who listen before acting. 

What would it look like if disciples who built tables were motivated by blessing? This morning we explore the role "blessing" plays in our building and unlock a foundational step in our process.

This week in our series we focus on the importance of helping one another as we build. In other words, discipleship is not a solo project. Join us as we declare our investment in the work of assisting one another in our shared journey.

The habits we form as table builders will impact the way in which the table is constructed, We have an invitation to submit ourselves to the rhythms of wise building that will ensure a well constructed table. 

This Sunday morning we explore the ways God invites us to build tables; not walls. As the earliest church joined the mission of God in specific ways, we also listen to Paul remind the disciples of who is at the head of the table and why Jesus still matters most.

This morning we are invited into the story of how God entered the world - and it's not even Christmas yet! Are you ready to (re)turn to the tremendous joy of God longing to be with us? Join us as we wade into the waters of the incarnation and take great joy of God's desire to be with us. 

Join us as we (re)turn to one of the most familiar and endearing images of God in the story of scripture: Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our Shepherd. We will explore the essence and hope of Psalm 23 as well as leaning into the Chief Shepherd of our souls. 

Remember the story of David and Goliath? What a moment in the life of David as he defeats a formidable enemy. And David calls on the name of God in a particular way. This morning we explore how we might re(turn) to the God who fights for us in our midst. 

The book of Judges is filled with reminders of how God continues to be with Israel in spite of their fear and anxiety, this morning we re(turn) to the story of Gideon and learn how God provides peace in the midst of chaos and turmoil.

When you attend sporting events or drive through a neighborhood you often see banners calling for victory or signaling a special occasion. In the book of Exodus, we also see God as the banner for Israel in their time of need. Join us as we (re)turn to a moment in which Moses declares God as the banner for the people of the promise. 

It is one of the most disturbing and peculiar moments in scripture and yet it is a significant point of (re)turning in the story of Abraham. Join us as we venture up the mountain and learn how God provides in the midst of a most unimaginable circumstance.

This morning we re(turn) to the personal name of God: Jehovah. In this we notice how God reveals a specific call and invitation for Moses as a chosen representative the God for Israel in the midst of their bondage 

The story of scripture with a loving God creating order out of chaos. And God the Creator longs to breathe life into our own chaos and broken places. Join us as we (re)turn to Elohim, God the Creator, and how God still breathes life into our moments of disorder and chaos. 

This morning we start our series by asking: What if repentance meant more than self-pity, remorse, or acknowledgment of a shameful sin? What if repentance was more of a step into the light and an invitation to look forward with hope and a sense of God's enduring love? This morning we begin the process of unlearning the false narrative of metanoia and lean into the hope of a transformed life.