Highrock Church

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 6:12-26: "Jesus speaks about true happiness and sorrow in a shocking series of blessings and woes. But are they really that shocking? Recall your own times of greatest happiness. Were those times more the result of pleasure and self-indulgence or more the result of deep love and purpose? Why is it so difficult to pursue the kind of happiness that Jesus calls us to seek?"See also: Pastor John's sermon on this passage

Pastor John Mury continues our Luke: Kingdom Life series with a sermon based on Luke 6:14-26.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 6:1-11: "Jesus continues to break the rules about the Sabbath, sending his opponents into a rage. In truth, he is only breaking the religious leaders' misunderstanding of God's rules. Jesus' honoring of God's rules and the breaking of human conventions both come from the same place—to bring about flourishing for the people he loves."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 5:27-39: "Jesus continually challenges and stretches those who are with him. Those who are too rigid have their expectations shattered and end up opposing Jesus bitterly. Like new wineskins, we must be flexible and willing to stretch as Jesus transforms us from within."

Pastors John Mury and Chris Gredenius discuss Luke 5:17-26: "Several friends, desperate to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, discover that people already close to Jesus are making it impossible. Their solution? Tear a hole in the roof and lower their friend down in front of Jesus, who praises their faith. What are we willing to do to get our friends closer to Jesus, especially when people already close to Jesus get in the way?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 5:12-16: "Or too busy not to pray? Jesus heals a leper and despite the call to secrecy, news of this almost-unprecedented miracle spreads and the burden upon Jesus increases dramatically. In such times, we might think we are too busy to pray. Jesus has a different perspective—he's too busy NOT to pray."

Pastor Dave Swaim continues our "Kingdom Life" series with a sermon based on Luke 5:27-39.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 5:1-11: "Jesus grants Simon Peter his greatest day of professional success but instead of celebrating, Peter breaks down in repentance! What happened? Unlike the crowds, Peter looks beyond the gift to the giver and the encounter wrecks Peter's world. Peter's wrecked world is not a problem for Jesus, as he calls Peter to leave his old world behind to follow him into a better one!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 4:31-44: "If you point to something and say "look!", a dog may just stare at the finger doing the pointing. The same is true with us and God. The people in this passage are fixated on Jesus' miracles, which are meant to serve as signs that point to what truly matters."

Pastors John Mury and Taylor Burgoyne discuss Luke 4:14-30: "Have you ever felt disappointed by God? Perhaps you didn't react by trying to throw Jesus off a cliff, but has God ever seemed to let you down? Like the Nazareth crowd, perhaps instead of blessing you, God blessed someone else who seemed to deserve it less. Such disappointment undoubtedly says more about us than about God, so what can we learn from such moments?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 4:1-13: "Faced with the full force of Satan's temptations, Jesus does not deny that the devil has the power to give whatever the world has to offer. Instead, Jesus wants more. The world cannot give him what he truly wants. What he wants, only God can give. Anything else means being too easily satisfied!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 3:21-38: "Jesus is baptized by John and God the Father and God the Spirit show up, speaking words of incredible affirmation and love. What's surprising is that this love comes before Jesus' mission starts rather than as a reward. Are our lives similarly lived from the foundation of unconditional love and grace? Or do we chase after what we crave and yet can never attain?"

Pastor Meghan DeJong continues our Kingdom Life series with a sermon based on Luke 4:14-30.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 3:10-19: "After all of John's dire warning of imminent judgment, the crowds respond with a simple question: 'What should we do?' John, perhaps surprisingly, has a simple answer. Simple but radical, and difficult because it requires that we have an entirely new relationship with both money and power. What might God ask you to do?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 3:1-9: "John is sent to prepare the way for the Lord, just as the prophet Isaiah foretold hundreds of years before. So why is John so hard on his listeners? Why does he call them a 'brood of snakes'? In today's and tomorrow's devotionals, we consider the message that John had for them, and for us."

Pastors John Mury and Brian Dietz discuss Luke 2:41-52: "Luke gives us a snapshot of Jesus as a 12-year-old in the Temple and then tells us that he continued to grow spiritually, physically, and relationally with God and with people (v.52). This framework for growth is one that we use for children in our church but is suited for us all as we follow Jesus. How might God be working in you to see you grow in these ways?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 2:22-38: "As a new mother, Mary is told that this baby will cause the downfall of many and that many will oppose him. As a result, "a sword will pierce your very soul," says Simeon to Mary. Who would say such things to a new mother? Simeon's words are meant to prepare Mary, and us, for the difficulties ahead when we draw close to Jesus."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 2:1-20: "Two sons, both adopted by their fathers, both chosen to inaugurate new kingdoms—Caesar Augustus and Jesus Christ. Despite these similarities, they could not be more different. In fact, their differences are so stark that they stand as enduring symbols of a choice we all have to make every day."

Pastor Walt Quick kicks off our new series, Luke: Kingdom Life, with a sermon based on Luke 3:1-14.

Pastor Dave Swaim concludes our sermon series, Luke: The Coming Kingdom, with a sermon based on Luke 2:1-20.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 1:57-80: "Merry Christmas and see you in the new year! Our final devo of 2023 is about the birth of John the Baptist, whose name means "God is gracious." Today, we all share the ministry of John–we are called to cry out in a spiritual wilderness, to prepare a path for people to meet Jesus."NOTE: Daily Devos will take a break and resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 1:39-56: "Like the psalms of her ancestors, Mary expresses her many emotions in song and praise. God has turned her world upside down in the same way that Jesus will do for all of us. The truth is that it is our world that is upside-down–inverted by sin–and God is personally setting things right through the arrival of Jesus."

Pastors John Mury and Michael Taber discuss Luke 1:26-38: "What is your story? What is God's role in it? Young Mary faces a tremendous decision when she receives the message of the angel. She realizes that the real question is not God's role in her story, but choosing to say "yes" to her role in God's story! God's story is much grander than our own but we are each invited to play an important part."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Luke 1:5-25: "Luke's account of Christmas begins with contrast and tension. The Herod who executes his sons is contrasted with a faithful, elderly couple who pray desperately for even one child. God's majesty is contrasted with God's intimacy with us. Very human response of curiosity and cynicism are placed side-by-side. In the midst of this messy tension, God's light begins to shine."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Matthew 1:1-16: "Have you ever been embarrassed about your family history? Is there something dark in your own story? Part of the blessing of the Christmas story is that Jesus' own family tree was twisted, filled with both shame and redemption. Sometimes the greatest blessings of God come through the brokenness of our past!"

Pastor Meghan DeJong preaches on the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55, as part of our Advent sermon series, Luke: The Coming Kingdom.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Matthew 5:43-48: "During the holidays, it's natural for us to focus on our friends and family. But Jesus teaches us to focus on our enemies—to love them, pray for them, bless them, and remember that Jesus came to save his enemies. This Advent, perhaps it's time to think beyond those closest to us."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Matthew 18:1-5: "The disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of God, each secretly wanting to make their own case for a high rank. Jesus instead gives a little child as an example, saying that we must become more like that humble child. But what did Jesus mean? And what do we see in Jesus of this child-like humility?"

John Mury and Scott Rice discuss 2 Corinthians 8:7-9: "The apostle Paul reminds us that our generosity is brought to life out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. Jesus became poor to make us rich (v.9)! And in so doing, he shows us the path to true life—that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Hebrews 2:5-18: "During Advent, we nurture an anticipation for the return of Jesus. We often overlook how Jesus also looks forward to this very day, likely even more than we do! For God, the return of Jesus is the ultimate family reunion, the welcoming home of all the sisters and brothers of Jesus."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Matthew 24:1-14: "According to Jesus, like birth pains, things will get worse before they get better. And also like birth pains, we need to hold on in hope and love. Even when the dark moments become more frequent and intense, we can know that God is bringing about new life."

Pastor John Mury preaches on Luke 1:26-33 as part of our series, Luke: The Coming Kingdom.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Psalm 148: "This song raises a chorus of voices from the highest heaven to the depths of the sea, all in praise of God. The implicit invitation and question is, 'Will we join with this chorus?' As we prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Lord, let us focus on all the reasons we have for praise!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Matthew 23:1-12: "People who have achieved or been born into greatness are often given special honors. As we prepare to receive Jesus, what kind of people is Jesus looking to honor? He makes it clear that the greatest is a servant. It's not likes and followers, social clout, or special titles that Jesus will honor. Instead, God will lift up those who, in humility, serve and lift up others."

Pastors John Mury and Taylor Burgoyne discuss Matthew 21:33-46: "Jesus tells a story about farmers who rent their land but decide to fight the owner in order to keep what does not belong to them. The parable illustrates how many will not look forward to the return of the Son, denying anything we might owe to God. This Advent, let us prepare to receive the Lord with gladness, giving back to God with a spirit of gratitude!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Psalm 85: "As we prepare to receive the Lord during Advent, it is appropriate to examine the current state of our relationship with God. All relationships have high points and low points and if we find we are at a low point, we may echo the Psalmist's desire: "Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: Most of us chafe at having to listen to what we already know. However, the most important lessons are often the ones we have to hear repeatedly as we are so quick to forget. During Advent, we relearn a very important truth — that the Lord is coming and that hope has the power to transform the way we live and love.

Pastor Walt Quick launches our new series, Luke: The Coming Kingdom, with a sermon based on Luke 1:1-17.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 60: "It's an oncoming train! No, but it surely seems that way at times. Instead, God promises a light that will penetrate the darkness, beckoning to all. Ultimately, that light is Jesus, the light of the world. When God's light shines in our darkness, the world cannot help but see!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 59:1-4, 13-17, 20-21: "It can be tempting to use the truth as a weapon, to condemn or "cancel" others. It can be equally tempting to say nothing at all about the misdeeds of others, allowing our silence to be interpreted as approval. Isaiah is able to speak the truth in a way that honors God and holds out hope for healing and redemption."

Pastors John Mury and Michael Taber discuss Isaiah 58: "What makes good worship? God is not satisfied by worship services, scripture study, and even prayer and fasting when they lack the true heart of worship. When worship is performed just to get God to give you what you want, it is really just self-worship. True worship must humbly and lovingly lift others up out of gratitude to the Lord. The heart of true worship is love!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 56:1-8: "One of the most important ways to leave a legacy is through raising the next generation. Having children is not the only way, and in God's eyes, not even the most important way! Jesus later uses Isaiah's words to challenge us all to enlarge our vision of family."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 55:1-11: Since the beginning of the events in Isaiah, Israel and Judah had pursued their own plans, despite God's constant invitation to trust. Now at rock-bottom, in captivity in Babylon, Israel once again hears the invitation to trust God. God's plans are so much better than our plans! But will we trust?

Pastor Dave Swaim concludes our Beyond Belief series with a sermon based on John 14:1-9, about the final phrase in the Apostles' Creed: "The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting."

Pastors John Mury and Michael Taber discuss Isaiah 54: "Because of God's love for and through the servant of Isaiah 53, God promises that the "covenant of blessing" will never cease! In other words, God will always be with us. Perhaps more importantly, God will always be for us. We can be secure in this promise because God will keep the covenant even if we do not."

Pastors John Mury and Taylor Burgoyne discuss Isaiah 53:7-12: "We human beings constantly overestimate our ability to predict the future. It's no different here. God told us exactly what to expect yet when it actually happened, it took us entirely by surprise. Perhaps we need to hold onto our expectations very lightly, allowing us to wait expectantly for God to come through in ways that we could never predict."

Pastor John Mury and Scott Rice discuss Isaiah 52:13-53:6: "The first servant song showed us the gentleness of God's special servant. In this fourth servant song, we see this gentleness displayed even in the face of rejection, humiliation, and death. Why would anyone love their enemies and do good to those who hate them? It might be the most important question we almost never ask."

Pastor Meghan DeJong uses 1 John 1:5-10, 2:1-6 (CEB) to preach on the phrase, "The Forgiveness of Sins," from the Apostles' Creed. Part of our Beyond Belief sermon series.

Pastors John Mury and Chris Gredenius discuss Isaiah 52:1-12: "Israel needs to wake up! God is bringing freedom and they need to receive it and lay hold of it. But how to you receive and hold onto the freedom that God offers? God will make it possible but we still need to take a step to "get out!" of the place of our captivity."

Pastors John Mury and Meghan DeJong discuss Isaiah 51:1-16: "Three times, God tells the people to listen (vv. 1, 4, 7). God wants to give them the faith that will overcome their fear. They must remember who God has been to them, what God promises for their future, and the power that God has to make good on what is promised. What are the ways that we need to similarly listen to God and to remember?"