Hillside Christian Church: Amarillo Message: Recent Episodes
Hillside Christian Church
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Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 5
2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
Johnathan Mast
Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 5
2 Corinthians 4:13-15; Psalm 116:1–12; Romans 12:2
Tommy Politz
Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 4
2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9
Johnathan Mast
Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 3
2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Psalm 119:104-105; John 16:7-11
Tommy Politz
Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 2
2 Corinthians 4:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-5
Johnathan Mast
Five Spiritual Steps to Lasting Change, Part 1
2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Johnathan Mast
The Colors of Christmas, Part 3
Isaiah 1:18; Genesis 3:22-24; Jeremiah 17:5-8
Johnathan Mast
Running On Empty, Part 1
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Mark 12:28-31; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Tommy Politz
The Blessing Avalanche, Part 6
Ephesians 1:3-14; Act 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:9-10
Tommy Politz
The Blessing Avalanche, Part 5
Ephesians 1:8-10; Revelation 21:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
Johnathan Mast
The Blessing Avalanche, Part 3
Ephesians 1:5-6; John 1:11–13; Galatians 4:4–7; Romans 8:14–17; 1 John 3:1–2
Tommy Politz
The Blessing Avalanche, Part 2
Ephesians 1:2-4; Genesis 1:27-31; Psalms 19:1-4
Johnathan Mast
John 21:24-25; John 20:30-31; John 1:1; John 1:14; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-36; John 14:6; Romans 1:16
1 Peter 2:22-25; Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 6:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:19; Galatians 2:20-21
Scripture: Genesis 2:8-3:8, 1 John 2:15-16, Romans 8:20-21, Romans 5:18, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:23
Luke 6:46-49; James 1:22-25; Proverbs 26:11–12; Matthew 22:37–39; Matthew 6:14–15, 19–21,24; Matthew 23:23; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5
John 11:1-44
- Jesus loves you.
- The love of Jesus doesn't prevent hardships.
- The love of Jesus is furious.
- The love of Jesus took on grave clothes so we could take off ours.
Fear Not Part 4 - The Fear of Death Hebrews 2:14-15, Psalm 116:15, Hebrews 9:27–28, 1 Corinthians 15:54–57, Philippians 1:21–24
Fear Not Part 2 - Doubting Fixation Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33; John 14:27; Isaiah 41:10
The Gravity of Sin When you understand the gravity of sin, it increases your gratitude for grace. Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15; Genesis 2:15-17
Part 6 Counterfeit Claim: You can't trust God. Truth Claim: You can trust God no matter what. 2 Samuel 7:22-28; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 6:13-15
Part 5 Counterfeit Claim: God Just Wants Me To Be Happy Truth Claim: God wants me to be happy and holy. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-8; John 17:13–19
Part 4: If Nobody Gets Hurt, What’s The Harm? Luke 6:27-36
Counterfeit claim: If nobody gets hurt, what’s the harm? Truth claim: If nobody gets helped that is the harm.
Counterfeit Claims Part 1: Some Things Just Can't Be Forgiven Scripture: Matthew 12:22–32; Luke 12:8–10; Matthew 6:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:19
Angel Sightings Part 2: What Do Angels Do?
Angels bring God’s message. Angels worship God. Angels serve God.
Angel Sightings Part 1: What Are Angels? Hebrews 1:1-7; Psalm 148:1–5; Colossians 1:16; Luke 1:26-28; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 1:12
Christ is superior to the angels because Christ is worshipped by the angels and Christ created the angels.
Search "Creatures of Habit" on YouVersion to help begin or continue your discipline of fasting.
Creatures of Habit Part 4: The Habit of Fasting Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18
Search "Creatures of Habit" on YouVersion to help begin or continue your discipline of confession.
Creatures of Habit Part 3: The Habit of Confession Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11
Search "Creatures of Habit" on YouVersion to help begin or continue your discipline of prayer.
Creatures of Habit Part 2: The Habit of Prayer Scripture: Luke 11:1-11; Luke 18:1-6; Matthew 6:9-13
Search "Creatures of Habit" on YouVersion to help begin or continue your discipline of studying scripture.
Creatures of Habit Part 1: The Habit of Study Scripture: Acts 17:10–12, John 5:39–40, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, John 17:17
Bottom Line: We will be made like Christ perfectly, but not completely. Christlike - Finally, I'm Like Christ | 5 Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3; Hebrews 10:4; Philippians 3:20-21.
Bottom Line: Becoming Christlike is a call to surrender, not perform. Christlike - Live Like Christ | 4 Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25; Galatians 2:20
Bottom Line: We become more Christlike the more we think like Christ. Christlike - Think Like Christ | 3 Scripture: Colossians 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:1-8; Galatians 5:13-17; 24-25
Bottom Line: Becoming Christlike happens over time not overnight. Christlike - It Takes Time | 2 Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14, Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:2-3; 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Admitting that I am unlike Christ is necessary to become like Christ.
- I am already like Christ, and I am not yet like Christ.
- Becoming Christlike is the goal.
- Becoming Christlike happens over time not overnight.
Bottom Line: The price of becoming Christlike is two deaths. Christlike - Two Deaths | 1 Scripture: Galatians 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Matthew 16:24-25
A Christlike life happens when: 1. You choose the cross and it changes your life. 2. You deny yourself and die to yourself. 3. You reconcile others the way you have been reconciled.
The Book of John Scripture: John 8:23-59; John 10:30; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Luke 5:20-26
Jesus in Plain Sight Part 4: The Greatest Thing I've Ever Seen Scipture: John 1:47-51; John 20:1-18
The Ten Commandments The Tenth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:17
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Ninth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:16
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Eighth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:15
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Seventh Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:14
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Sixth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:13
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Fifth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:12
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Fourth Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Third Commandment Scripture: Exodus 20:7
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
The Ten Commandments The Second Commandment - Worship God Truly Scripture: Exodus 20:1-6, John 4:24, Colossians 1:15, & Acts 2:38
In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, the Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends the mountain and meets with God. God declares His intent to make a covenant with Moses and his people, and the 10 Commandments are the basis of this covenant relationship. His covenant calls them to loyalty, true worship, reverence, right relationship, respect for authority, life, purity, honesty, truthfulness, and contentment.
Cemented Friendships John 15: 12 – 17, 1 Samuel 18: 1 – 4, Romans 16: 3 – 4, Romans 5: 8
Cemented Friendships Proverbs 12:26, John 15:15, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Nehemiah 7:1-2
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Discuss how you choose friends. What are your criteria? Has it been successful or has it changed over time?
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Read 2 Cor 6:14-15 . If believers have nothing in common with unbelievers, how do we end up yoked together at times?
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Jesus called the disciples friends and does the same for us; Christ being our friend is the first test for our inner circle friends. How do you know when a friend is a passionate Christ Follower?
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Each person in the group choose another person from the group and tell them 2 things that speak of Christ in their life. Find out one way you can pray for that person regarding their pursuit of Christ.
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ON YOUR OWN: We know that not all believers are the same; some respect His authority, revere His character and submit to His counsel while others are unchanged. Take a mental inventory of your inner circle and think about how they fear the Lord. Then think about yourself and to what degree you seek to purify yourself and fear the Lord. Is there a consistency between the two or is it out of balance? If there’s an imbalance, seek wisdom and discernment.
Cemented Friendships Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 18:24
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Many decisions in our lives have unintended consequences. These consequences can be positive, negative, or backfire. Can you think of a time in life when there was an unintended consequence from a decision you, or someone close to you made?
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"When you choose friends, you are choosing your past and your future.”
- How have you seen this played out in your life?
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In what ways are friends around you today impacting your future?
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Read Proverbs 13:20; 27:6; 27:17; 18:24.
- What do each of these verses teach us about friendship?
- Can you identify relationships where you have found these proverbs to be true in life?
- How can you apply these verses to your friendships, work, and Home Group?
Cemented Friendships Proverbs 12:26, Ruth 1:14-18, Ruth 2:11–12, Matthew 19:29
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Often friendships are not what we are looking for. Is there an unlikely friendship that you have in your life? What was it that brought you together as friends?
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Read Ruth 1:14-18. What is it about this friendship between Ruth and Naomi that is so unique?
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We were challenged this weekend to think through our inner circle and the diversity of it. If you were to look at those that you consider close friends how diverse is it? If you find it to be diverse share with the group the joys and struggles of that. If the inner circle is less diverse why do you think that is, and what might it look like to change that?
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Often people in our Home Group become out inner circle. How diverse is your group? What do you think the Home Group is missing out on by not being diverse?
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As a group discuss what it would look like for your Home Group to invite some unexpected people into the group. Some groups have done this by becoming multigenerational groups. Others have invited a couple or person into the group for a week to ask them about parenting, work life balance, or to just hear from them on occasion. There has even been a group that has, for a season, merged with another group to mentor group to group. There are many ways to help diversify the a Home Group, so be creative and end by praying and thanking God for the diverse body of Christ.
Cemented Friendships Proverbs 12: 26, Proverbs 22: 24-25, Job 2: 11-13, Job 42: 7-9, 1 Corinthians 15: 33
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We were challenged this week to think about the difference between acquaintance, casual, close, and inner circle friends. How would you define these different level of friendships and why is it important to differentiate between them?
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Read Proverbs 12:24-25. Discuss this verse together. Why does the author state so dramatically the importance of not being friends with the wrathful or angry? What might a friendship with that kind of person look like?
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"Dangerous associations lead to synchronized lives that result in bad situations." Where have you seen this played out in life? Whether professionally, personally, or in our society.
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Knowing that your company will affect your character. What kind of character have you developed and how do you think you affect other people? In what ways have you compromised your character for friendship in the past?
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Many of you are in a Home Group for, among many things, friendships. Are their sacrifices, time commitments, conversations, or confessions that you might need to have in order to help take certain friendships in the group from a casual or close friendship into an inner circle friendship?
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Spend time discussing what inner friendship you do have, either in the group or outside of the group. How did you form this friendship? Did it take time, or was it instant? Have you ever added to or had to remove someone from the inner circle? As a word of caution use wisdom in using specific names.
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It was suggested that one of the criteria for an inner circle friend is that they are first a follower of Jesus. Do you feel this is important? Why or why not?
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End by thanking God that through Jesus we are friends with God and then ask the Holy Spirit to encourage and convict us about our inner circle of friends.
Humble & Hungry Psalm 51:10–13, 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
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This week we finished up the series Humble and Hungry. In what ways have you seen your attitude, outlook, or life change in the areas of hunger for the things of God and humility before Him?
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Has there ever been something in you life that you couldn’t wait to tell others about? Perhaps an experience, life event, or movie you have seen? Share what that was with the group, and what it was that made it so memorable.
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What have you experienced in knowing Jesus that you would want others to also experience?
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As a Home Group, individual, or family what might God be asking you to do to reach those around you that have not experienced the joy of Jesus? What is possible and permissible that you are not doing now that you sense the Holy Spirit leading you toward?
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End again this week by reading Psalm 51:10-13 and using the versus to guide you in prayer.
Humble & Hungry Part 2
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Read Luke 18:9-14 and Rev 2:1-5 together and then discuss what you find these texts to be teaching.
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Think back to a season when you know you were hungry for the Lord. What are some of the circumstances, habits, and rhythms you had then that you do not now? What would it look like to implement some of those things now?
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In what ways does your appetite to be in control conflict with a hunger for God to be in control?
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Comfort and complacency often lead to a lack of hunger. What attitude or action can you take to help you be more uncomfortable in order to force dependence on the Spirit in your life? What about your groups life?
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Psalm 139:23-24. Turn to this passage and use it as a prayer to end.
Humble & Hungry Mark 10:32–45
We have been challenged to consider the possibility that the younger generation is outpacing the older generation in the pursuit of God; perhaps the younger are more humble and hungry. What is your first reaction to this challenge?
Read 1 Peter 5:5-6 & Isaiah 66:2 Discuss who God opposes, to whom He shows favor and why.
When was the last time you asked what you could do for your church/God? Did you follow the direction you were given?
Mark 10:37 is described by a scholar as “the most blatant example of human self-centeredness in contrast to Jesus’ humility and self-sacrifice.” Have you been in the same shoes? Has your need to be in a better pole position ever been exposed? If so, consider sharing the circumstances.
Read Phil 2:4 – Right now in your life, where are you being led to put someone else’s interest before your own?
Humble people serve Christ out of love not ambition; out of love and loyalty because He is who He is. Is there an area of your life in which you struggle to serve Christ instead of yourself?
Humble people are self-aware. Are you aware of anything in your life that seeks to distract you from being humble and hungry?
Is your greatest desire to be near Christ? Is there something you need to let go in order to truly be humble and hungry?
The generation coming up deserves to be guided by those who are humble and hungry. As a group, pray that we adults would not be outpaced by the humility and desperation of the upcoming generation. Continue to pray and ask the Lord to drawer us out of complacency and make us uncomfortable, that we would be truly hungry and humble for the things of God.
Come As You Are Week 5: Luke 18:10-14, Romans 3:23
In general, what bad experiences have you had? In travel? At restaurants? At hotels? In home renovations? Etc. Share. What was your reaction to these bad experiences? Did you promise never to use a certain contractor again? Did you vow never to stay at a certain hotel or eat at a specific restaurant again? Share. When we have bad church experiences, we often end up with bad church perspectives. Explain this. Often, the attitude we go into church with determines the spiritual condition we leave with. Have you found this to be true? If so, explain. Read aloud Luke 18:10-14. When have you been the Pharisee? Share. When we are prideful, we begin to overlook sinful issues in our lives. Read what Romans 3:23 says about sin. Then read Luke 18:14. Share how this verse makes you feel. As you close in prayer, pray that God would guard your attitude of feeling like you’re better than others. Also pray that God would continue to have mercy on us as sinners.
Come As You Are Week 4: Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Timothy 1:12-14, Matthew 16:13-20, Acts 22:1-5
Have each person in your group share what his or her church background is. (i.e. raised in church, never went to church, parents sent you to church but they never went, etc.) Have you ever had a bad church experience? If so, without going into too many details and withholding any names, how did it affect your attitude towards the church? Share. Read aloud Ephesians 5:25-27. Verse 27 reveals that Christ will present the church to Himself as a “radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” What does this say about the church now? The church is messy because it’s full of people, and people have messy lives. Peter and Paul are great examples of people who had messy lives, and yet, God used both of these men to further His Kingdom. Think of people in your life that have had messy lives, but God used to do His work. Share. Read aloud what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12-14. Keeping this passage in mind, compare who you once were to who you are now. As you close, pray that any bad church experiences will not keep people from attending church and being a part of the body of Christ.
Come As You Are Week 3: Luke 19:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:15, Romans 5:7-8
Read aloud the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. As you read the story, imagine yourself as Zacchaeus. What are the similarities and differences between your life and his? What prevented Zacchaeus from seeing Jesus? Was his height the only barrier? How might his job have been a barrier to seeing Jesus clearly? What prevents you from clearly seeing Jesus? When Jesus called out to Zacchaeus, He broke through the barriers between tax collectors and the people. He not only met with Zacchaeus on the street, he went home with this “sinner.” Who do you know that is a Zacchaeus? The invitation is not just come as you are, but go to people as they are. With this in mind, what does Jesus teach us about reaching out to others? Would you ever reach out and invite this person into your house? Why or why not? Discuss. Read 1 Timothy 1:15. Share with the group how this verse speaks to you. As you close your Group discussion time, pray for a heart of compassion toward the Zacchaeuses in your world. Also pray that you would have a heart of compassion like Jesus for all those who are lost.
Come As You Are Week 2 - Matthew 23:1-12, James 2:1-5
If you were raised going to church, what was the expectation for you regarding your dress or attire when you attended? If you weren’t raised going to church, what was your understanding of what you were to wear if you went? Share. Jesus makes it clear that we are not to follow the example of the scribes and the Pharisees. They did not practice what they preached. Share a time when you may not have “practiced what you preached” and were called on it. How did you feel? What did you do to change your ways? Being dressed up or dressed down means nothing. God looks at our hearts and not our outward appearances. What do YOU look at? Explain. What does it mean to take something at face value? What are things that you take for face value, bad or good? Read James 2:1-5. James’ point is that any judgments based on face value alone are wrong judgments, because they do not discern the heart. What does this mean? How does this make you feel? Sometimes we value things in people that the Lord doesn’t. As you close your group time, pray that you each will learn to value things in people that the Lord values and to pray that our eyes would look at the hearts of people and not their outward appearances.
Come As You Are Week 1 - Matthew 9:9-13
Many people reject the church for multiple reasons. What are some of the reasons that you have heard? What would be some of the “right” reasons for people to reject the church? According to David Kinnaman, author of the book Unchristian, the number one reason believers have left the church or don’t go to church is because they believe the church is full of hypocrites. Share what your thoughts are on this? Read aloud Matthew 9:10-11. The New Living Translation says, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When have you known people in the church to share these same thoughts? How did it make you feel? Share. Matthew 9:12 says it best: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Who are the “sick” in your life? We were once sick, too. However, we are on a journey towards spiritual health. What has that journey been like for you? Share. Christ calls us to come messed up not cleaned up. Why do people feel they have to have it all together before they can come to Christ? As you close your group time, pray that the Lord will continue place people who don’t know what Jesus did on group members’ hearts. Pray that group members will invite them to church.