The Heights Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Tune in to this week's episode of the Message Recap Podcast to hear Pierce and Gary dive into the topic of judgement! Listen as they cover the importance of discernment, bearing others burdens, how we are called to offer grace and not judgement, plus more! Have a question about this week's sermon? Text it to the number 45859 and we will answer it in the next episode!
On this episode of the Cultivate Podcast, Heather sits down with church members Sarah Wilson and Sara Metzger as they share their stories of building community with other women at The Heights, and how God intentionally used their Life Groups and our Cultivate Women's Conference to plant deep roots to weather the storm of grief.
Want to stay in the loop with all things Cultivate at The Heights? Follow @heightswomen on Instagram and Facebook for new podcasts, event details, and more!
How does knowing that God is sovereign and the importance of Church unity change the way that we act? Listen in to this conversation between Dr. Gary Singleton, Pierce Vanderslice, and David Barrett and hear practical ways that we can love our neighbor and glorify God through our voting this election year!
Why is it important to be unified as the Church during the election? Listen in to this conversation between Dr. Gary Singleton, Pierce Vanderslice, and David Barrett as they discuss the importance of Church unity – even when we might vote differently.
Sometimes, believing that God is truly in control of all things is easier said than done. Listen in on this conversation between Dr. Gary Singleton, Pierce Vanderslice, and David Barrett about trusting in the sovereignty of God in the midst of uncertainty!
It is clear that God's vision throughout Scripture is that every tribe, tongue, and nation would know Christ and make disciples! And as the landscape of America continues to shift, we will no longer need to cross borders to encounter cultures from all over the world. Listen in to this encouraging conversation between Pierce Vanderslice, Beto Mayta, and Dr. Miguel Lopez about what it looks like to embrace this beautiful opportunity and reach the International Community in our backyard!
Tune in to this week's episode of the Message Recap Podcast and hear Pierce and Gary dive into prayer and fasting! Listen as they cover topics like the connection between control and prayer, how fasting builds self-discipline, and more! Have a question about this week's sermon? Text it to the number 45859 and we will answer it in the next episode!
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 6:5-18):
Just like last week’s hypocrites who give to the needy, Jesus rebukes hypocrites who pray and fast for recognition and praise. He instructs us to instead pray as He does in the iconic “The Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus allows us to use Him as an example; commanding that we pray, forgive, and fast as He did—with full humility and with full intention to grow closer to the Father.
Discussion Questions:
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Verses 5-8: Where are we at?
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What does prayer look like for you; which of these verses do you feel most accurately describes your prayer life?
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Verses 9-13: The Lord’s Prayer
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Take some time to pray through The Lord’s Prayer.
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What did you think of this model of prayer?
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Verses 14-15: Forgiveness and Prayer
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As you prayed verse 12, were you convicted of any unforgiveness in your life? If you’re honest, do you live a life marked by Jesus’ forgiveness so that you can forgive others?
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Verses 16-18: Fasting
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Why do you think the Church treats fasting like a super discipline? Why do you think fasting is necessary and doable for ALL believers?
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Listen in to this week’s episode of the Message Recap Podcast and hear guests Reece Hansen and Michael Warren unpack the heart behind holiness and what it looks like to find your ultimate approval in Jesus.
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 6:1-4):
Jesus once again promotes humility and trusting in God’s counter-cultural lifestyle, just as He has in the previous weeks. This time, Jesus discusses giving to the needy and how this action should stem from a love for God and understanding of who He is instead of a desire to be praise by God or man for “being a good person.” He promises us in verse 4 that our Father will see us in secret and that will be enough.
Discussion Questions:
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Verse 1: Prideful Giving
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What is wrong with wanting the glory for ourselves? What harm can come upon us and others if we exalt ourselves above God?
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Verse 2: Earthly Versus Heavenly Rewards
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What reward do you think the hypocrites have already received? How is this reward less than the reward our Father in Heaven will grant us?
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Verse 3: Left and Right Hands
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What does the hyperbole of the hands mean?
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Verse 4: Secret Serving
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In your hard of hearts, do you truly trust that God sees you and that you do not have to win the approval of Him or others? What would change in your life if you lived like you truly believed this verse?
God is doing something new! This fall we are launching the Cultivate women’s movement here at The Heights – Including our new Cultivate Podcast!
Tune in to this episode to get an inside look into the creation of our new branding and our heart for Women's Ministry at The Heights!
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In this episode of the Message Recap Podcast, Pierce and Gary delve into the recent sermon on Matthew 5:38-48, where Jesus challenges believers to love their enemies and reject retaliation. Gary reflects on how this message of grace and humility resonates deeply in today’s society, marked by increasing anger and division. They discuss the timeless relevance of Jesus’ teachings, emphasizing that while human nature remains consistent, the practical need for such messages may feel more urgent in current times. They also explore how to balance standing firm in one’s beliefs while extending grace, and the difference between acceptance and affirmation in relationships. Through thoughtful discussion, they highlight how Christians can navigate these challenges by embodying love and truth in their interactions.
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:38-48):
The point that Jesus is driving home in all these verses can be summed up by verse 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus demonstrates a great humility that comes from following Him alone when He commands us to not retaliate when our enemies treat us poorly because He is slow to anger when people treat Him poorly. If we only tolerate our enemies instead of loving them or only loving people who are easy to love, then we are no different than those who do not know Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
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Verse 38-42: Why are we Inclined to Retaliate?
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What about Jesus’ command to not retaliate is shocking and hard for us? Do you find yourself being more reactive or opting to let your anger against someone fester silently?
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Verses 43-45: Children of our Father
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How does loving our enemies make us more like sons and daughters of God? How can we see God’s character in the command that He has for us in verse 44?
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Verses 46-47: Purpose
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God doesn’t want us to look like the rest of the world in the way we love—why? What is the point of us being set apart for Christ, in loving our enemies and in life in general?
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Application Question
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Identify someone in your life who is hard for you to love and spend a few minutes praying
intentionally for that relationship and that God would help you die to yourself in order to show them the Gospel by the way you love them.
Instead of recapping Sunday’s sermon on lust from our "Jesus in His Own Words" series, Pierce sits down with Jordan and Caitlin to explore their own journey through addiction and healing. Jordan shares candidly about his struggles with pornography from a young age, the toll it took on his marriage, and the path that led him to seek genuine redemption. Caitlin opens up about her experiences as the spouse on the receiving end, the emotional impact of Jordan’s struggles, and the role of forgiveness and support in their recovery.
Tune in for an episode filled with vulnerability, hope, and practical wisdom on how to navigate the path to healing and restoration.
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:27-32):
In this passage, Jesus addresses the seventh commandment, “you shall not commit adultery,” and ties it into lust. His words cut like a double-edged sword as He tells us that looking at someone with lust is the equivalence of committing adultery and that we should sacrifice sinful parts of ourselves lest our whole selves be subject to damnation. This section ends with Jesus’ counter-cultural message in Biblical times and today’s world: divorce is acceptable before God only in cases of sexual immorality and minimal other exceptions stated later by Paul.
Discussion Questions:
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Verse 27-28: Lusting and our Trust in God
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Why do you think Jesus says that anyone who has looked at somebody else with “lustful intent,” has already committed adultery? How do our thoughts and behaviors expose what we truly believe in our hearts about God and His creation?
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Verses 22-30: Counting the Cost of Following Christ
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Jesus’ words are severe when He tells us to sever our body parts so that the whole body may be holy before the Lord: why is Jesus so convicted of this point? Why do you think we are not as passionate about crucifying our flesh and our sin to follow Jesus?
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Verses 31-32: Divorce and Jesus as the Bridegroom
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What does Jesus’ teaching on divorce tell you about how God values marriage? How does this teaching over divorce play into the Gospel overall? *Refer to other Scripture to see how God views and describes marriage (Genesis 2:18-24, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:1-9, Ephesians 5:22-33).
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Time of Confession
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Confess the sins discussed in this passage or other areas of life that may bring deep shame and embarrassment before your life group full of COMMUNITY who care about you. Pray Romans 8:38-39 over each other.
In this episode of the Message Recap Podcast, host Pierce Vanderslice and Senior Pastor Gary Singleton delve into our latest sermon on Matthew 5:21-26, part of our current series on the Sermon on the Mount. They explore the theme of anger and its contrasting role with Jesus’ call to embrace rather than erase relationships. This discussion covers practical advice on handling anger, setting boundaries in toxic relationships, and the profound impact of reconciliation.
Have questions about any of our sermons? Text 45859 and get your question answered on next week's episode!
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:21-26):
In this passage, Jesus expands on the commandment "You shall not murder" by addressing the underlying issues of anger and reconciliation. He teaches that anger and insults can be just as harmful as physical violence, and He emphasizes the importance of resolving conflicts quickly. Jesus calls His followers to pursue reconciliation and peace with others as a reflection of their righteousness and relationship with God.
Discussion Questions:
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Verse 21-22: The Root of Anger
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Why does Jesus equate anger and insults with murder? How do our thoughts and words reflect our inner spiritual condition?
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Verses 23-24: The Priority of Reconciliation
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What does it mean to leave your gift at the altar and first be reconciled to your brother or sister? Why is reconciliation so important in our relationship with God?
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Verses 25-26: Settling Matters Quickly
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Why does Jesus urge us to settle matters quickly with our adversaries? How can unresolved conflicts affect our spiritual lives and our relationships with others?
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Application Question
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Can you identify any unresolved anger or conflicts in your life that need reconciliation? What steps can you take this week to address these issues and seek peace?
Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:13-20):
In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to describe the influence and role of His followers in the world. He emphasizes that they are to preserve goodness and bring light to darkness, making a visible impact through their actions. Jesus also speaks about His relationship with the Law, explaining that He came not to abolish it but to fulfill it. He calls His followers to a higher standard of righteousness, surpassing that of the religious leaders of His time.
Discussion Questions:
1. Verse 13: Salt of the Earth:
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What does it look like to "salt" in our daily lives? What are some practical ways to preserve goodness and add favor to our communities, workplaces, homes, etc.?
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Verses 14-16: Light of the World:
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What does it mean to let your light shine before others? Can you share an example of a time when your actions pointed others to God?
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Verses 17-18: Fulfillment of the Law:
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How did Jesus fulfill the Law and the Prophets? What does this fulfillment mean for us as His followers today?
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Verses 19-20: Righteousness Surpassing the Pharisees:
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What does it look like to have a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law? How can we strive to live out this higher standard in our own lives?
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From Getting By To Flourishing wk8 - May 30, 2021
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From Getting By To Flourishing wk7 - May 23, 2021
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From Getting By To Flourishing wk6 - May 16, 2021
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Dr. Gary Singleton on Psalm 42:1-5 - May 9, 2021 Follow us @heightspeople // www.theheights.org
Dr. Gary Singleton on Philippians 4:8-9 - April 25, 2021
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What does God say about Politics?
More resources from this message: TheHeights.org/QuestioningGod
Discussion Questions
- What are some ways you see and hear people disrespecting our government and it’s leaders?
- Why do we need to respect our government leaders even if their behavior is not respectable or their polices are not biblical?
- What are some of the reasons God established government over us?
- How much time have you spent this week following election news vs. time spent in God’s Word?
Racial Reconciliation and The Church
When we look at a Kingdom perspective on racism it helps us understand that it's not just a social justice issue, but a Biblical one.
More resources from this message: TheHeights.org/QuestioningGod
Generosity in a Culture of Greed (wk8)
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Before hearing Gary’s message, did you consider yourself to be rich? After hearing the message, did your perspective change?
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What is the Apostle Paul’s definition of being rich?
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It's been said that riches and pride are twins. Have you found yourself being “haughty” because of your riches? (“I earned it. I deserve it.”)
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Name some practical ways you can trust God with your riches rather than trust your riches?
Each week our teacher from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Bryan Jones to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Hope in a Culture of Discouragement" from August 30.
Encouragement in a Culture of Discouragement (wk7)
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Bryan mentioned two things that encouragement does. What are those two things?
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What does it mean that “encouragement leaks?”
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Are you a “bleacher person” or a “basement person?”
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Who will you commit to encourage this week?
Each week our teacher from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Dr. Gary Singleton to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Diligence in a Culture of Laziness" from August 23.
Diligence in a Culture of Laziness (wk6)
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Are there areas in your life where you find yourself with good intentions, but you never seem to follow through?
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When it comes to your diligence and work ethic, can you say with Paul that others ought to imitate you? (2 Thessalonians 3:7)
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Do you surround yourself with people who are diligently seeking after God? If not, are you influencing or being influenced by these people?
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List at least one thing you can do this week to make yourself indispensable in each of these areas: - At home - At work - At church - In the Kingdom of God
Each week our teacher from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Dr. Gary Singleton to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Purity in a Culture of Lust" from August 16.
Purity in a Culture of Lust (wk5)
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What comes to mind when you hear the word “purity?”
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What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit?” (Galatians 5:16)
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Is what you’re putting in your mind (television, social media) cleansing it or polluting it?
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In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruits of the Spirit. Memorize those verses. Ask God to fill you with His thoughts and His Spirit this week.
Each week our teacher from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Bryan Jones to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Self Control in a Culture of Gluttony" from August 9.
Each week the pastor from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Dr. Gary Singleton to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Love in a Culture of Selfishness" from August 2.
Love in a Culture of Selfishness (wk3)
This week we talk about being the BEST Neighbor we can be to those around us.
Each week the pastor from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Bryan Jones to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Faith in a Culture of Doubt" from July 26.
Faith in a Culture of Doubt (wk2)
This week, Bryan is teaching on Peter's faith and eventual doubt in Matthew 14:28-31. In today's culture of doubt, how do we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus? How do we ignore the "afterthoughts" during a storm?
Each week the pastor from Sunday will sit down and answer a few questions regarding the teaching from the past week.
This week, Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) sits down with Bryan Jones to ask him a few questions about applying his message "Resetting your Mindset" from July 19.
Reset Your Mindset (wk1)
In the midst of a pandemic and major cultural differences, how do we have a faith that looks different than people outside of the church? How do we live out our convictions in a culture of compromise? In our series Breaking Culture, we are spending eight weeks looking inward and focusing on resetting our mindset. Jesus lived counterculturally, and He invites us to do the same.