The Highway Community

Modern culture tells us to be the hero of our own story. But what if real hope isn't found in self-reliance, but in joining something bigger than ourselves? In this Trinity Sunday sermon we look to the Trinity as our model—not a puzzle to solve, but a divine community that invites us to belong, suffer, and hope together. This is not a story about personal strength. It's about a God who pours out love—and a Church that bears witness as a unified collective. (Romans 5:1–5)

Walking through both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament we encounter the Spirit of God moving is both powerful and gentle ways to guide, to convict, to comfort, and to enliven the people of God.

How do we live well in places of suspension, when we're waiting for an outcome or seeking a resolution we haven't yet found? This sermon from Acts 16:20-31 examines the unresolved moment Paul and Silas find themselves in, and considers what it means to sing, to stay, and to surrender in those spaces.

When life feels overwhelming and lonely, Jesus offers something deeper than quick fixes—his ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit. This sermon from John 14:23–29 explores how the Spirit guides us, comforts us, and reminds us that we are never alone.

Preacher Julie Pederson's sermon on the unique gifts and calling that each person has with which to praise God and bless the world.

In the loudest era of human history, how do we hear the voice of Jesus? Whether you're feeling anxious, overstimulated, or unsure how to connect with God in a busy world, we have the invitation to return to the Shepherd who still calls us by name.

What if the disruption you're facing isn't the end of the road—but the beginning of your real story? In Acts 9, Saul is literally knocked off his path by a blinding light—and a voice. Jesus doesn't argue. He interrupts. Because every divine disruption… is a divine opportunity. In this message, we explore why comfort and calling don't usually travel together. We follow Jesus as He disrupts fishermen, Pharisees, and modern people like us—with a call to something deeper.

The doubts, the questions, the fears, these are all normal parts of the life of faith. The early followers of Jesus experienced exactly these things. It was the presence of Jesus to them, especially in the journey of Thomas, that set their hearts and lives alight with confident hope.

In the midst of the rubble of our world. In the midst of lives worn down by cycles of collapse. In us, worn by sickness, by sorrow, by overwhelm, the message of Easter and the newness of life found in the resurrection of Jesus rings out with a powerful hope.

At the Last Supper, Jesus doesn't just serve bread and wine—he reinterprets the entire story of freedom. He takes the ancient meal of Exodus and flips it into a revolution of grace. Not just forgiveness, but freedom from shame, fear, and the pressure to prove ourselves. In a world built on hustle and control, Jesus sets a table that sets us free.

The anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary.

We all hide. Whether it's guilt, shame, regret, or something we're afraid to admit—we bury it deep and hope it goes away. But what we hide doesn't disappear. It weighs us down. Psalm 32 offers a powerful alternative: an invitation to stop hiding from God and start hiding in Him. This sermon explores the freedom of confession, the joy of being known, and the healing that comes when we come out of the shadows. Drawing from Psalm 32, the story of the Prodigal Son, and 2 Corinthians 5, this message is a reminder that God isn't waiting to condemn—He's waiting to celebrate.

What if repentance isn't what you think it is? In this message from Luke 13:1–9, we unpack the misunderstood word “repent” and reimagine it as an invitation—not to guilt, but to grace. Through three fresh movements—reorientation, reviving, and returning—we explore how repentance is not about shame, but about waking up, turning around, and coming home. With a look at the fig tree parable, this message invites us to see repentance as a gift that leads us deeper into the life of the Kingdom—here, now, and always.

Even a death threat couldn't stop Jesus from completing his mission to seek and save the lost. Jesus' life is an example for us to follow, as his loving protection enables us to pursue our mission with courage and perseverance.

The temptations of Christ in the wilderness pivot on real loves and real needs. As we walk into this Lent season, let's consider how we might draw closer to Jesus through an examination of our comforts, and let's lean further into the deep love of God.

Even when you can't see clearly, God is still present and still making a way, calling you forward.

What if Jesus actually meant it? Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you.Pray for those who mistreat you. In a world obsessed with payback, this feels impossible. But enemy-love isn't passive—it's a practice. A discipline. And maybe, how we hold onto our enemies is shaping us more than we realize. Jesus saw enemies differently. Even on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” What if today, you started seeing people—and God—with new eyes?

We all turn to something for comfort, security, and meaning—our careers, money, distractions, even our own sense of control. But are these things really delivering what they promise? The prophet Jeremiah describes two paths: one leads to a dry, withering existence, the other to deep roots and a life that flourishes even in difficulty. What if trusting God isn't just a cliché, but an actual practice of turning—turning away from the anxiety of control, the exhaustion of striving, the weight of external validation—and turning toward a God who nourishes, sustains, and brings peace even in life's storms? Maybe the best thing you can do today is release your grip. To trust. To turn.

When God leads us into new areas of kingdom work, it is important to take note of the experiences of stress. God wants us to respond both with trust in the call, but also with patience in the unfolding of it. Taking a step of faith doesn't mean pulling the biggest burden onto your back.

Consider what it means for God to call and guide you. As in the story of Jeremiah, what steps might help you see the hand of God in your stories and what might that mean for how you live today and the path you take tomorrow?

We all have moments of selective hearing—whether it's ignoring what we don't want to hear or only listening to what fits our agenda. In Luke 4, Jesus gives His first sermon—a mission statement proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, and sight for the blind. But His audience wasn't ready to hear the full message. What about us? Are we truly listening to Jesus' call, or only hearing what's comfortable? What if His mission to bring restoration to the poor, the oppressed, and the blind isn't just for others—but also for us? Join us as we explore Jesus' Kingdom Manifesto and what it means to open our eyes, live with awareness, and step into His revolutionary mission today.

The first miracle that Jesus does is the middle of normal human experience. It's at a wedding, and it's only the servers even know what has happened. How does this invite us to approach our day to day lives with a sense of wonder? Can we carry expectation that God is present and working miracles into the day to day material of our lives?

Who am I? Where do I belong? These aren't just questions for kids or teenagers—they're questions we all wrestle with throughout life. On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we explore the truth that God calls us by name: beloved, precious, and His. But this identity isn't just about feeling good—it's about transformation and mission. When we know who we are in Christ, we are freed to change and help others see their true identity too. So, what labels are you carrying that don't belong to you? And who in your life needs a mirror held up to remind them they're beloved?

The light of Christ shines in any and all darkness. As follows of Jesus we have a call to carry the light into any and all of the places God has placed us.

As we look at the often simple or ordinary contents of our days, the perspective we have can be transformed by the story of the angel's appearing to lowly shepherd's. In this moment we see heavenly hosting bringing the glory of God into the everyday circumstances of the lowest in society.

What kingdom are you responding to in your life? In the shadow of Herod's greatness—a kingdom built on fear, greed, and control—Jesus was born into a kingdom of humility, trust, and surrender. The Christmas story reveals a clash between two kingdoms: one that hoards power and another that gives it away. Today, we still live under the shadow of the kingdom of empire, constantly told we need more, do more, be more. But Jesus invites us into a different kind of greatness—a kingdom of enough, of service, and of letting go. 1. What am I striving for that I think will finally satisfy me? Will it ever be enough? 2. What am I holding on to that I need to lay down at Jesus' feet?

Pain is inevitable, but it offers a choice: to run away or draw closer to God. This Advent, discover how Anna's story in Luke 2 reveals the power of persistent faith in the face of suffering. Through intimacy with God, even in pain, we can experience His voice and presence. Join us as we explore how our pain can lead us into deeper communion with Him.

Silent Faithfulness: The Quiet Impact of Joseph | 2024.12.08 - Adam Hendrix by The Highway Community

What does it truly mean to seek Jesus? The story of the Magi isn't just about a Christmas star—it's about the relentless pursuit of truth and worship. In this sermon, we explore the courage of these outsiders who sought Jesus across great distances, while others stayed behind. What does it mean to be a seeker today? What might we be missing when we stop searching? The Magi remind us that seeking is not a one-time act—it's a lifelong pursuit that invites us to move beyond sentimentality and into the awe and wonder of Advent. Whether you feel stuck, distracted, or outside the traditional boundaries of faith, this message will inspire you to follow the star again.

A heart of gratitude turns us toward God, who is the giver of good gifts. This is seen in an account of ten healed lepers. One — a Samaritan — literally turns towards Jesus as he returns to thank his healer for the gift of being healed. The Samaritan does so with abandon; “He threw himself at Jesus' feet” (NIV). This account serves as inspiration for not only how one can express thankfulness, but also when we can express gratitude to God. There's something important about thanking God for his good gifts in the moment.

God made us in his image and this includes our physical bodies. We are invited to both care for and love our bodies, even in their imperfections and hurts, because they are the tangible image of God in us.

Most of us go through life unaware or out of sync with our internal world. Today we'll be talking about way we might learn to be attentive to God's voice in the everyday moments.

Our culture begs a relentless cycle of consumption, performance, and achievement. We can become preoccupied by what we need to do, have, or be in order to be loved. These stand in the way of rest. Because rest is counter cultural (especially in the Bay Area), intentionality is vital to true, meaningful rest. The Hebrew concept of shavat, “to rest,” is connected to a larger biblical vision for the restoration of all things, including individuals (Deut. 5:14), the land (Ex. 23:11), and social structures (Lev. 25). Rest fosters restoration both within us and also through us.

Come the good or the bad of any current political situation, our ultimate hope, and our truest reality, is that Jesus is Lord.

How can we hope to discern truth from lies, or stay immune to deception in our age? Working to stay rooted in Jesus is the call of scripture and what it is that will give us firm ability to stand in reality.

Is it possible to live out the value expressed in the book of James to be "quick to listen and slow to speak"? Explore this challenge as Pastor Cris Otonari shares helpful tools to help us honor God and care for one another in all conversations, and especially around difficult topics.

How to be citizen of heaven while engaging in the world? Jesus proclaimed the "good news" of God's Kingdom - a reality available here and now, not just after death. In the early days of Christianity, believers risked persecution by declaring "Jesus is Lord" instead of "Caesar is Lord," a political statement affirming their primary allegiance to God's Kingdom over any earthly nation or leader. As followers of Christ, we engage in politics because policies affect people. Loving our neighbors means caring about issues that impact their lives. But our approach is unique: we start with our sphere of influence, recognizing that while we may not change national policy, we can significantly impact our local communities. In the political arena, we're called to advocate for others first, following Jesus' example of servant leadership. We're to be a paradox, not partisan - caring deeply about issues while remaining non-anxious, flexible in our political stances but unwavering in our Kingdom values. Reflect: How can you bring "up there, down here" in your daily life and community?

In any and every political divide or disagreement, the call of Christ remains on his followers to love our enemies.

What does it mean to live a life of authenticity? What does that kind of life look like in light of what our scriptures reveal.

What makes a Jesus-centered hope distinct from optimism? What gives that kind of hope such gritty strength in the face of pain or failure?

A Jesus formed community is unique. In this message, Pastor Adam Hendrix walks us through the ways that we seek to both participate in this kind of community, as well as a challenge to extend the mission of Jesus' love and invitation to the people around us.

Truth is to be found in knowing and following Jesus.

When it comes to instant gratification, at no other point in human history have people had to deal with what we deal with today. Phones, food, drink, work...it's all instant and ready to give us the pleasure and release we crave. But what instantly gratifies, rarely actually satisfies. How do fight against these cravings and seek after the nourishment our souls are longing for?

This summer a new Nike commercial came out addressing the concept of "winning at all costs." "I don't respect you." "I have no empathy." "I am obsessed with power." These are some of the quotes and messages. In this world, winners rise to the top because of their ruthlessness. This world rewards harsh takes and decisive, cut-throat leaders. But what about the Kingdom of Jesus? This week we look at a situation where Jesus has the opportunity to crush his opponent but offers another approach filled with the healing power of gentleness.

The fruit of faithfulness is not just about having a sense of belief or certainty in God, but it is birthed from God's steadfast faithfulness that is new every morning. Because he is trustworthy and continually faithful, we can learn to be people of consistent, faithful love in our everyday lives.

Phones, notifications, traffic, social media...life is faster and busier than ever. What is this doing to our souls? Or our ability to connect with God? This week we reflect on how it's possible for the Spirit to form the fruit of patience in us.

What does God require of us? What makes a follower of Jesus different from the world? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It's a simple concept, but much harder in practice. This week we reflect on God's invitation to live in the way of the Kingdom, as we go against the current of the world.

What role do sadness and grief play in our call to love others? Paul invites Christ-followers to empathize with others. This is a mark of Christian. Jesus, himself, modeled empathy when he entered into his friends' deep sadness as he wept with them over the loss of Lazarus.

Jesus invites us to persistently ask, seek, and knock and promises to respond. But how do we wrestle with the reality of us not getting what we request?

Jesus invites us to invite others in our lives. This invitation is not just for those who look, act, or think like US. But those who are on the outside, on the margins, and those who require extra attention and time.

It is so easy to pay more and more attention to our needs, our wants, our appetites, and our place on the ladder of success. But Jesus took on the very nature of a servant and calls us to follow him in that. What heart change do we need so that we can readily consider the wellbeing of others?