Highrock Church

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?"

Pastors John Mury and Michael Taber discuss Isaiah 50:4-11: "With growing clarity and detail, Isaiah gives us another picture of the coming servant messiah. In this picture, we see the servant not only facing resistance but persecution and violence. How do you hold onto faith rather than fear in such moments of darkness? The servant shows us the way."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 49:1-7: "What does success look like to you? What does it mean to live a good life? Isaiah foretells that the coming servant messiah will not be received well. Rather, he will experience tremendous frustration and resistance. His mission will not look like a success. Still, he will remain faithful and trust God for whatever might come. This coming messiah would be a model of faithfulness for us all!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 48: "It's a saying, it's a song, and it's also a warning and an invitation by God to a people who always seem to choose the wrong path. God is always faithful and calls us to do likewise, but even when we are not faithful, God is. Can we learn to trust God and receive that promised peace?"

Pastor Walt Quick continues our Beyond Belief sermon series with a sermon based on Galatians 5:13-26.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 47: "Babylon was blinded by a self-indulgent pursuit of pleasure and a false sense of security. God reminds them that power and privilege are gifts to be used to serve others, not to make others serve you. This warning to Babylon is intended for us as well; gifts that are misused can be taken away."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 45: "Israel seems to question God when God chooses Cyrus to be their deliverer, their "messiah." Why should God choose a pagan rather than an Israelite, perhaps even a promised descendant of David? Ultimately, God can use even faithless people to demonstrate God's faithfulness. God can do that with a Cyrus and God can do that with us!"

Pastors John Mury and Michael Taber discuss Isaiah 44: "A man chops a block of wood to make a fire to cook his dinner, then carves the rest of the wood into an idol and prays to it. That is the paradox of idolatry — it lowers us rather than lifts us up. God wants Israel, and us, to turn to God instead. What are the idols to which we give our attention (devotion?) instead of God?"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 43:1-13, 18-25: "Isaiah begins to paint a picture of our God who takes care of every step of our journey home. God initiates our journey with God calling us by name (v1), walking with us through every hardship (v2), and making the way home even possible (vv19, 25). We can walk without fear because God will be with us each step of the way!"

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 42:1-9: "In the first of the 'servant songs,' Isaiah paints a picture of the coming servant of the Lord, the Messiah. Immediately, we see that this servant will bring justice, a theme present in Isaiah's words from the beginning. However, there is a new thread of revelation as well — this servant will be radically gentle as well. Gentle? How can God bring justice for the weak against the powerful if not with an even stronger hand?"

Pastor Dave Swaim continues our series, Beyond Belief: The Promises of the Apostles' Creed, with a study of the phrase, "He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead." Sermon based on Psalm 9:1-4, 7-9, 15-19.

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 41:1-13, 19-29: "Israel had one thing in common with her captors: they both trusted in the power of false idols. God holds a mock court to consider whether God or idols are worthy of trust. Whatever our false idols may be, God alone cares for us and can guide us into an otherwise uncertain future."

Pastors John Mury and Dave Swaim discuss Isaiah 40:27-31: "What does it mean to wait upon the Lord, or to trust in the Lord? And how exactly will that give us the strength and energy to rise up on the wings of eagles? So often, we lose strength because we are believing the wrong stories. In patient trust, we can remember who God truly is and find our hope and strength restored."