Rolling Hills Community Church Sermon Series: Recent Episodes
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This podcast is dedicated to the Sunday morning teaching series happening each week at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN.
Before Jesus was born, God was telling the world what kind of Messiah He would be. When Jesus lived on this earth, He showed us what God is like. Jesus personified God as our Everlasting Father. We all know the impact of a father. For some, the word “father” brings great thoughts, but for others, there are difficult memories. However, despite the shortcomings of our earthly fathers, God is the perfect Heavenly Father. God loves you with an everlasting love. Christmas is all about the love of our Heavenly Father: sending His Son so that we could become His children. The greatest Gift of all has been given to us. And, His Name is Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Jesus is Mighty God. Sometimes it is easy, at this time of the year, to simply think about baby Jesus in the manger. Sweet little baby Jesus. While we do thank God for the humanity of Jesus and by that He can identify with all we go through, yet make no mistake - Jesus is fully God. Jesus’ birth, life, and death was anything but ordinary. Jesus, as Mighty God, came into this world to conquer death and to make a way for us to have eternal life. As Mighty God, there is nothing that Jesus cannot handle in the world or in our life. This Christmas, see Jesus as the God who loves and saves. “Immanuel” - God with us. God has come for you!
What counsel do you need from God?
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME!! Time to put up the tree, string up the lights, and turn on the holiday classics! But the best part of the whole season is the chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah predicted His birth, calling Jesus a “Wonderful Counselor.” Which is such a relief, because a lot of us could use a reliable shoulder to lean on this year. Join us this week at Rolling Hills as we begin our Christmas series. Discover how Jesus is the ultimate counselor and learn how you can reach out to Him for your every need -- the big ones, the small ones, and everything in-between.
What are you thankful for?
It’s almost Thanksgiving! Which means we're a week away from being stuffed full of all kinds of culinary goodness. In the midst of all of the eating and parades and football, it’s easy to forget what the holiday is actually all about.
Join us this week at Rolling Hills to hear stories of Thanksgiving and learn how you can prepare your heart for a week of thankfulness.
You know a tree by its fruit. An apple tree produces apples. An orange tree produces oranges. Therefore, a Christian should produce Christ. So, what comes out of your life? Most of the time, we work hard to develop godly characteristics like love, joy, peace and the list goes on. However, our call is not to produce this fruit out of our own self-effort, but to grow deeper in Jesus. As we grow deeper in Jesus, fruit happens. The Fruit of the Spirit comes out in your life. Are you growing deeper in Jesus? This week, focus on Jesus in prayer, reading His Word and surrounding yourself with godly people. You (and others) will see the fruit as you live for Jesus.
Through Jesus, we are set free. When we commit our lives to Jesus, we ask Him to forgive our sins, redeem, and restore us. We then enter into an eternal relationship with Sovereign God who becomes our Heavenly Father and we are set free. Set free from having to live like the world and we are set free from the law. Our salvation comes in Jesus alone. We are set free and we are called then to live free. We should grow in our love for God and for others. May we love others as God loves us. Let’s be people who offer grace, forgiveness, and love just like we are received from God. We are set free to live free.
As a follower of Christ, everything about your earthly life and eternal salvation is based on the Promise of Jesus’ death and resurrection for you. As you go through your week, reflect on what it looks like to live a life based on God’s Grace and Promise instead of on your own striving and effort. Let your actions flow out of Jesus’ exceedingly abundant gift! Don’t try to finish by your own strength what God has begun in your life through His Spirit.
In a world filled with counterfeit gospels, it becomes imperative that we focus on the real gospel. Jesus plus nothing else equals everything...equals salvation...equals sanctification. When we have been set free from the Grace of God through Jesus it transforms our lives. Not only does it change the way we LIVE, but it also changes the way we LOVE. When we start from our undeserved grace and love he has given, it frees us from fixing people to loving people, the way that he loved. Our prayer is that we would be reminded of his deep love for us every morning and that love would be the love that we lead with throughout our days.
How’s your math?
Maybe you’re a mathematician. You got straight A's in every single math class in all 20+ years of schooling. You’re the kind of person who even dreams in numbers.
Or maybe you barely skated by in algebra and only because the teacher took pity on you. You won’t even attempt a math problem that can’t be done on your phone’s calculator.
Regardless of your level of math knowledge, there’s one equation we can all get behind:
Jesus + Nothing = Everything
Join us this week at Rolling Hills as we begin our new series, Set Free to Live Free, and look at what Jesus did for us and how that changes everything.
We live in a culture of anxiety, worry, and fear, but God wants us to be “anxious for nothing.” God is Sovereign - He is in control of everything. When we learn to fully trust Him, then we can have peace. This doesn’t mean that we will not go through challenging times in our life, but it will mean that will always know that God is with us. Changing the music of our life to Psalm 23 will be a constant reminder that, The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1
We have all been blessed not just for us, but for us to be a blessing to others. The two great antidotes to anxiety are gratitude and giving. When we think about all God has done for us, then we quickly see our anxiety subside. When we truly realize God is Sovereign over all Creation, and He is the One who is with us and He is for us then we are able to give and invest in others. We experience joy as we become the hands and feet of Christ. God is the greatest Giver of all - He gave His One and Only Son for us. We are most like God when we love and when we give. Let’s grow in our gratitude and in our giving.
In this world, we live with so much anxiety, worry and fear. Yet, we must remember - God is with us through it all. Our tendency is to look at the “wind” and the “waves” around us. To focus on our problems or struggles; yet, when we look up Jesus is there with His arm outstretched to us. Will you take His hand today? Will you receive His grace and peace in your life? Whatever you are facing this week, just know that Jesus is greater. He still calms storms and redeems lives. God is with you and He is is for you! Live in this confidence this week.
Do you feel broken?
We have all experienced pain. For some of us, that pain cuts pretty deep. It’s easy to feel like we have to fix ourselves completely before we can be used by God, but God doesn’t think like that.
Whatever pain you’ve gone through, God has a purpose in that brokenness and He knows how to use it to help those around you.
Join us as we continue our series on Psalm 23, and discover how God can bring beauty out of your brokenness.
God is at work in your life. God is inviting you into a relationship with Him. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and He calls you by name. Will you respond to His grace, mercy, and love today? When you are one of His sheep, He promises to take care of you. Anxiety, worry, and fear come when we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on our problems. You stare at a problem long enough, it grows; you stare at Jesus long enough and peace comes. Allow God to lead you, and trust His plans for your life. Will you follow Jesus and find the peace you are looking for today?
So many people today suffer from anxiety, worry, and/or fear. Recent studies show that 77% of adults in the US experience physical symptoms of stress and 96% see anxiety and depression as problems amongst their peers. Yet, God does not want us to live this way. Some anxiety, worry, and fear is healthy, but excessive stress in these areas will lead to hurt and pain for ourselves and others. But, God. God can and will bring healing into our lives. God wants us to be anxious for nothing because The Lord is my shepherd. God is with you and for you today. Let’s live in faith and confidence in Christ Jesus.
We are God’s Church today. By God’s grace, we are the Body of Christ. Now, our call is to live out the purposes of His Church--worship, discipleship, evangelism, community, and ministry. As we all lock arms together and live out our faith, God’s Kingdom is furthered in our day and generation. Join the Church and invest your life in the greatest movement in history. Let’s live our lives for God’s glory and see those around us experience the joy and grace of our great God!
As parents, grandparents, and church family, we all have a calling and a responsibility to invest in the next generation. Just as our parents, grandparents, and church family invested in us, so now it is our turn to pour into others. Our desire is to raise up spiritual world changers--young men and women who are strong, mature, and steadfast in the Lord. Let’s Make History--Make HIStory come alive in the heart of our family and church family. It takes all of us praying, giving, serving, and modeling Christ. This is our time, so let’s live it for the glory of our great God!
We are Making History. Therefore, what are you teaching? What are you passing along to those who come behind you? As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, small group leaders, teachers, coaches, and more—we are all pouring into the next generation. This is our opportunity to pass Jesus and His love on to our children. As a part of God’s Church, it is our responsibility to invest. As parents and role-models, the way we live our lives is always teaching—showing what we value and what is most important to us. Are you teaching Jesus? Are you proclaiming Him with your life? Let’s make His Story come alive in the heart of our family today.
Do you have a vision for your family?
We like to make plans. It’s part of being human. We plan out the meals we’ll have, the trips we’ll take. The most ambitious of us (hey there, type-A’s!) can even divvy out specific tasks for every hour of every day for the next week.
But what about your family? Do you have plans for what you want your family to look like next year? What about five or ten years from now? How does God's vision for your family factor into those plans?
Join us as we continue our series, Making History, and learn about God’s vision for your family.
Have you ever seen imprinted ducklings? Whoever is the source for the imprint becomes the leader of a massive game of Follow-the-leader. These little ducklings will follow them wherever they go. Even into a hotel lobby!
If you’ve ever been to the Peabody Hotel, you know what I am talking about. Every day at 11 am a Duckmaster will initiate the Peabody Duck March and the ducks will march from the elevator to the fountain in the lobby. Over the years, the older generation has taught the next generation of ducks the way—keeping the tradition alive since the 1930s.
This is an excellent example of how family habits and mannerisms transfer from grandparent to parent to child. Not all of the habits we love, or we want to claim—but they are a part of us.
Join us, as we begin our new series Making History | Making His Story Come Alive in the Heart of Your Family. And take a more in-depth look at how our family legacy impacts how we live today.
We are all leaving a legacy--the question is what legacy are we leaving? What will people remember about us? David is known as “a man after God’s heart.” Even though he made some huge mistakes, he did not let that define him. There were consequences for his sin, but David lived forgiven and redeemed by the grace of God. Throughout the joy and the struggles of his life, David remained committed to God. He left a legacy that pointed people to the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus is even known as “The Son of David.” How are you pointing others to Jesus? Commit today to leave a godly legacy.
We all sin. We all make mistakes. The question is not, “If we sin...”, but “How do we respond when we sin?” By God’s grace, there is forgiveness. Yet, we must confess our sins and turn from them. Sometimes we are just sorry we got caught as opposed to deeply desiring to restore our relationship with God. God hates sin because He knows the damage it causes to the people He loves. Therefore, let’s come clean before Jesus today. Confess your sins, and find the forgiveness and grace that only God can give. Allow God to forgive you, and then live in His love and grace each and every day.
In our lives, we will be tempted. We have an enemy who wants to destroy us, and therefore he brings temptations into our lives so that we will rebel against the God who loves us. Yet, temptation is not a sin. Tempv cxctation is an opportunity to choose what is right. Sin has enormous consequences in our relationship with God and with others. We must learn to guard our hearts and minds against sin. Jesus wants the best for us. Learn to fall in love with Jesus and learn to say no to the temptations that come our way. Stop sin now, come clean and hold tight to Jesus.
What kind of leader does God want you to be?
They’re everywhere. They’re at our jobs and at our schools. They’re politicians and personal trainers and chefs and accountants. They’re leaders. And, like it or not, you’re one too.
God has called you to be a leader for the people you interact with on a daily basis. But what does that look like?
Join us to learn how to be a godly leader.
When carpooling somewhere with a group of friends, this question is bound to arise—and it is a big decision! One person may get you to your destination more quickly, but consequently, you may also have a heart attack on the way due to their reckless driving. Or another might make you late, but you know you will get there safely.
What if we applied this question to our everyday life? Who’s driving our life decisions? Is it us? Our friends? Or is it God?
We’re good at asking God to drive our big life decisions, but when it comes to the day-to-day, we often take control and drive wherever we want.
Join us and learn how we can surrender the driver seat to the One who made the roads.
We all need good friends. Friends are a gift from God and invaluable in our lives. Now, there are good friends and there are not-so-good friends. Therefore, we must surround ourselves with friends who lead us closer to God. That deep spiritual connection is the bond of a healthy God-honoring friendship. By God’s grace, we all have a friend in Jesus. Jesus laid down His life for His friends. May we find our worth and value in our relationship with our friend, Jesus.
As Christ-followers, we are called to honor those over us. Sometimes this is easy, and sometimes it is not. David gives honor to Saul as the King even when Saul doesn’t deserve it. We can’t control how other people act, but we can control how we respond. There are people in our lives we are called to honor — whether it’s a boss, parents, government officials. Find your identity in the Lord, and then honor those people out of your love for God. Set healthy boundaries when needed. Then, become a person of honor. Become a person your children, employees and those you teach or coach want to honor because you are living your life for God’s glory.
When we hear the story of David vs. Goliath, we immediately think about facing overwhelming odds. Yet, as we examine the story more closely, it really was David who had the advantage. When God is with you, there is nothing too great for Him to conquer. So often we live defeated lives, but we must realize that the Spirit of the Living God is in us and for us. Let’s live bold lives. Let’s be men and women who face the giants of our lives with the power of God. Our God is with us and for us! What step of faith is God calling you to take? Live victorious in Christ.
We spend so much of our life concerned with how we look on the outside. Think about how much time we spend getting ready in the morning or how concerned we are with what we look like and wear. Yet, God cares more about the inside than He does about the outside. God wants us to have a godly heart because He knows that who we are on the inside is way more important than the outside. Therefore, this week, will you search your heart? Will you commit your heart to the Lord? Learn to trust Him and to hear His voice in prayer. Will you spend time growing your character, so that you can become all God desires? God chose David, and He chose you! Now, let’s bring Him glory through how we mature on the inside.
How can you leverage your platform?
Did you know that you have a platform? It’s true! All of us do. You may not be a movie star or a world-class athlete but God has still given you a platform right where you are.
The influence you have in your family, in your neighborhood, and with your co-workers is just as significant as if you were on a stage in front of tens of thousands of people.
Join us to discover what your platform is and learn how you can leverage it for the Kingdom of God.
We will all face difficulties in this life. It is not a matter of if we will go through trials and struggles, but when. Even Jesus went through difficulties, so we should not think we will be immune. However, when seasons of struggles come, there are ways that we can leverage our difficulties for the glory of our God. These are times for us to rely on God, grow stronger in our faith, and minister to others. There are no perfect people, so when we share with someone out of a difficulty we have experienced, they can relate more to us. Our misery can become our ministry. Don’t waste your difficulties. Allow God to redeem and restore them as well as you.
Leverage is to use (something) to its maximum advantage. What about your resources? Think about everything God has entrusted to you - money, abilities, opportunities, His Spirit, and so much more. Are you leveraging what God has given you to build your own kingdom or to build His Kingdom? Sometimes we are afraid - afraid to give, afraid to serve, or afraid to get serious about investing in the things of God. Don’t live by fear, but by faith. Make it the aim of your life to hear God say one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Let’s leverage our resources for the glory of our great God!
Does your education matter?
Chances are you’ve gone to school at some point. Some of us eeked through high school on a wing and a prayer. And some of us have multiple doctorates and are considering a third.
While we might come from different educational backgrounds, one thing is true for everyone: no matter what you learned or where you learned it, God can use it.
Join us this week at Rolling Hills as we continue our series, LEVERAGE, and learn how you can use your education for God’s glory.
Leverage means to use something to its maximum advantage. What about your time? Time is the most precious gift we all have. We all have the same amount of time in a day and where we invest our time shows what we value. We often talk about how busy we are and how much we need more time, but it is really not about having more time as it is prioritizing our time to invest in the things that matter. As you grow in the Lord, you realize there are things that will last for eternity. Let’s resolve to invest the time God has given us for His glory. Let’s leverage our time.
Is your Jesus dead or alive? If He is dead, then Jesus doesn’t impact how you live. You live for yourself and this life is all that there is for you. However, if your Jesus is alive, then He brings you alive as well. You have abundant life now and for eternity. Have you accepted God’s grace and committed your life to follow Jesus? This Easter, come alive in Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, then have you fully dedicated your life to Him? He is calling you to be baptized, join the church, and to fully engage in what He is doing today. Experience life, as Jesus says, “to the full” both now and forever more. Come alive in Jesus this Easter!
Jesus being the Life is such good news for us! When we were dead in our sins, Jesus comes to pay the price for us. He has to grace and the power to raise us from the dead and to give us eternal life with HIm. This Palm Sunday may we worship our Savior. May we be thankful for all we have in Christ and prepare our hearts for this Holy Week. Jesus comes into Jerusalem to conquer death and to give us eternal life. All glory be to our Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord!
How should we respond to the Truth of Jesus?
Unless you’ve been living in a mountaintop monastery, you’ve undoubtedly had some sort of interaction with a preschooler over the last couple of years. And one of the best things about toddlers is their complete transparency when they’re, shall we say, less than honest.
It’s usually pretty easy to tell when a little one is telling the truth. But for everyone else in our lives…it can be tough to separate what’s true from what’s untrue.
Luckily, the Truth of Jesus is something we can fully depend on. Join us as we continue our Easter series and discover what the Truth of Jesus is all about.
Easter in our culture has become about a lot of things - like bunnies, eggs, chocolate, or gathering with friends and family - and while all of these things are not bad, Easter is really all about Jesus! The Resurrection of Jesus, that we celebrate at Easter, changed the world and changed our lives forever. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. So, what do you believe about Jesus? Is He “a” way to God or is He “‘the” way to God? Easter is where Jesus conquered death to bring life! Will you trust “the Way” today and invest your life in the One who gave His for you? Join us as we begin our new series “Jesus: The Way. The Truth. The Life.”
Christianity is not a spectator sport.
Christianity is about doing. It’s about going. We have too much Good News to just sit around and wait for something to happen.
God wants us to share His story, not just with those in our community, but with everyone. As in, to the ends of the earth everyone.
Join us as we wrap up our series, Love.Everyone.Always. Learn what it means to live out a missionary faith and discover how you can take Good News of Jesus throughout the world.
Ever wonder what it’d be like to be an ambassador to another country?
You’d live somewhere cool like Spain or Japan and immerse yourself in that culture, all while representing the United States in everything you do.
Believe it or not, we have that same calling right where we live. We are called to be ambassadors for Jesus in our community, which means we represent Him in all we say and do to the people we interact with on a daily basis.
Join us and learn how you can represent Jesus in your community.
Jesus loves all people. As followers of Jesus today, we must learn to love like Jesus. It is easy to love people who are just like us and who love us back, but real love is meeting people where they are and inviting them to Jesus. When we are passionate about something, we will tell others - whether it is a sports team, a movie, or something on social media, we want others to know. When we love Jesus, we can’t help but talk about Him. And, His call to us, as His disciples, is for us to fall more in love with Him each day and then to Love. Everyone. Always.
Do you consider yourself a loving person?
Sure, most of us would. Right? We love our families. And our friends. Well, most of them, anyway.
But what about that awkward neighbor down the street who’s kind of hard to talk to? What about that co-worker, the one you heard was going through a tough time?
Jesus calls us to a life of love. But for many of us, it’s hard to look past our own needs to see the needs of those around us.
Join us as we begin a new series, Love. Everyone. Always. and discover how you can live a life of love.
The incredible story of Ruth shows us that God is always with us. God is writing a greater story than we can see or even imagine. Our call is to be faithful to Him regardless of our circumstances. Not to wander from our faith, but to be steadfast in our commitment. God is faithful to us and sent HIs own Son, Jesus, as our “kinsman-redeemer.” Therefore, let us be faithful to Him and to those He places in our lives both today and every day - “come what may.”
Who are you surrounding yourself with?
Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
It’s probably no surprise that your friends can have a major influence on the way you live your life. The Bible tells us again and again that we should choose to spend our time with godly influences. As you’ve probably heard before, you’re known by the company you keep.
Join us as we hear how Ruth surrounded herself with the right people and discover the difference it made in her life.
Are you good at following through?
How many times have you thought, “I’m going to start exercising” or “I’m going to read my Bible more regularly?” Most of us are pretty good at setting goals. But how many of us actually follow through with those goals?
It’s one thing to make a declaration (“I’m going to have a quiet time every day!”), but it’s a whole other thing to meet that declaration with action.
Join us as we continue our series on the book of Ruth, and discover how God rewarded Ruth once she took action.
What do you do when things go wrong?
Everyone feels some type of loss. Maybe for you, it was a short season and you quickly sailed through, unscathed. Or maybe your season of loss has lasted years.
The losses of life are unavoidable and beyond our control. But the one thing we can control is what we do after things go wrong.
Join us as we start a new series about the story of Ruth, and discover what the Bible teaches about how we can handle the losses in our lives.
How are those New Year’s Resolutions coming along? If you’re like 1/3 of America, you may have already given them up!
When you look ahead to the rest of 2019, what realistic goals have you set for yourself? What about the goals for your family? Do you have any career or financial goals? Do you want to serve more? Learn to play the banjo?
Having a vision for your future is one of the best ways to get things accomplished.
Join us as we lay out the vision for our church over the next year and hear about ways you can get involved in 2019.
God left us the Bible as a gift, it is God’s love letter to us.
The Bible points us to Jesus and helps us mature in our faith. It is so beneficial to our spiritual growth and health. However, when it comes to studying the Bible, many people are intimidated and therefore, do nothing. How do we overcome fear and take our first step (or 100th step) in studying the Bible consistently?
Join us and find out some practical ways you can study and grow in God’s Word each day.
What guides your life?
Is it the advice of family members? Or life tips from your friends? Maybe you get guidance from a variety of sources. Just please don’t say it has anything to do with Facebook.
God has already given us a perfect guide for our lives and the majority of us have at least one just sitting around the house. The Bible is God’s way of speaking directly to us every day. It’s not only the actual Words of God but the Bible also serves as an owner’s manual for our lives.
Join us as we continue our series about the importance of the Bible in our daily lives.
Have you ever doubted the Bible?
Have you ever read something in church and wondered to yourself, “Did this really come from God? Or did somebody just make it up?”
Because, on the surface, it’s a little crazy — so many pages of words, written by so many authors, over so many years…
How do we know that it’s all true?
Join us as we begin a new series all about the Bible, and learn how you can know that the Bible is indeed the true Word of God.
Everybody feels alone.
It’s inevitable. Even the happiest, most optimistic people can still feel that ache of loneliness creep in from time to time.
But that’s why it’s amazing that we follow the God we do. When Jesus walked this Earth, He felt every emotion that we feel and struggled through the same things we struggle with. He can relate to all of it. So whether you’re feeling excited and joyful or totally alone, you can be confident that God knows exactly how you feel.
Join us as we learn how Jesus can identify with every joy and struggle in our lives.
Christmas is about giving. The reason we give gifts to those we love at Christmas is because God first gave to us. The greatest gift of all has been given to you. When Jesus was born, the angel announced, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” Luke 2:11. Now, a gift only becomes yours when you receive it. This Christmas receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and then live your life for His Name and His glory. This is where life truly becomes alive! Experience the joy of Christmas! After the service, come talk to one of our pastors or stop by the Next Steps booth. Make this your best Christmas yet as Jesus Christ comes alive not just in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, but as He comes alive in you today!
When was the last time you put everything on the line for Jesus?
When you pursued Him wholeheartedly, sacrificing your time and resources to follow Him?
In the midst of the consumer-focused onslaught that is the Christmas season, it’s easy to forget to pursue the heart of Jesus. But there’s no other way to experience the real reason for the season!
Join us as we continue our series, Christmas: Welcome Jesus, and hear how the story of the Magi reveals the value in pursuing Jesus with all we have.
Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God actually came down to Earth and existed for several decades in a human body? The God of the universe, all-powerful and indestructible, chose to restrict Himself in the frail, deteriorating form of a human.
He didn’t have to do that. He could have come in any form He wanted. He could have shocked the world in the most extravagant, awe-inspiring form imaginable.
So why did He choose to live as one of us?
Join us this week as we continue our series, Christmas: Welcome Jesus, and learn about the humanity of Jesus and why it matters in our lives today.
What do you believe about Jesus?
C.S. Lewis wrote that you really only have 3 options:
Jesus was a liar — He intentionally deceived everyone into believing that He was the Son of God. Jesus was a lunatic — He was mentally unstable and believed, falsely, that He was the Son of God. Jesus is Lord — He really is the Son of God and everything He claimed is true. Join us and find out what the Bible says about who Jesus is and why it matters in our lives today.
What are you preparing for this holiday season?
Maybe it’s parties and meals with family and friends. Maybe you’re preparing for all the presents you have to buy and wrap over the next few weeks.
Whatever you’re preparing for, let’s not forget to prepare for the reason we celebrate in the first place.
Join us as we begin our Christmas series, Christmas: Welcome Jesus, and discover how you can prepare your heart for Him this year.
It’s that time of year again…
When shopping lists and holiday traffic and weird songs about hippopotamuses start their yearly domination over our time and energy, overwhelming our senses and threatening to drain us of all the warm fuzzies we get from watching the onslaught of emotional holiday commercials. It’s happening. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
BUT!
We can start off the season in the right way.
Join us at Rolling Hills this Sunday as we tell stories of Thanksgiving and start your Christmas season off with a grateful heart.
Do you remember what life was like before you encountered Jesus?
Whether you were just a kid when you became a Christian and have few memories of that time or much older, one thing is for sure — when God moves in, everything changes.
It may have been an obvious behavioral change that you can point to specifically or it might have been a more subtle change that was stretched out over many years. But it’s impossible to encounter the person of Jesus and remain the same.
Join us as we conclude our series, For the Kingdom, with a celebration of all God has done in our church throughout the last couple of months.
For the Kingdom is a God-sized vision, there is no doubt. It will require significant commitment from each of us over the next three years to succeed. However, the life change that will come as a result of our faithfulness now will have an eternal impact on thousands of children and adults here in our community and around the world. On this Commitment Sunday we will come together and show what we are for.
You’ve seen the movies. The ones where a bunch of small things happen and the main character is convinced that each one is “a sign” and they’re all building up to some huge, life-altering event.
It’s fun when we see it come to life on TV but rarely does that kind of thing happen in reality. But that’s exactly what the church of God should be like. Every little thing we do as Christians should point to Jesus.
Join us and discover how the building of the Temple of God was all pointing toward the coming of Jesus and learn what that means for your life today.
It should come as no surprise that a group of people, working together, can accomplish far more than a single person working alone. So why do we as Christians so frequently try to go at it by ourselves?
Alone, you may be able to reach your neighborhood for Christ by sharing the Good News to those in your everyday life. But just think of what could happen if the others in your small group had the same goal. Then what if we added multiple small groups with the same goal? What about the entire church?
Everyone has a part to play in the body of Christ, and one of the best examples of that is found in 2 Chronicles 2. Join us as we explore how King Solomon brought his kingdom together to build the temple of God.
Some people are book-smart and made straight A’s from the womb through med school. Others are street-smart — these are the people who can easily (and annoyingly) navigate through cities they’ve never been to and situations they’ve never been in.
But wisdom is different.
True wisdom isn’t about intelligence or instincts. And it can’t be found in a textbook or from life experience. True wisdom comes from God alone.
Join us as we continue our series, For the Kingdom. Learn how King Solomon became the wisest person who ever lived and discover how God grants us wisdom when we first commit ourselves to Him.
Do you inspire others to do great things?
Whether you know it or not, you will leave a legacy on this planet. There are others watching you right now, paying attention to the things you say and do and drawing conclusions about what is most important in your life. What kind of legacy will you leave them?
Will you be known as someone who was only focused on their career? Will you be known as the kind of person who was only interested in making their life as comfortable as possible? Or will you be known as the kind of person who empowered others to be the very best they could possibly be, drawing them closer to God and inspiring them to do great things for Him?
This week learn how David empowered his son, Solomon, to do great things for God.
If you grew up in the church, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
In fact, if you’re EXTRA lucky, you might have even grown up with the Steve Green song “God Loves a Cheerful Giver.” Google it. It’ll get stuck in your head for days.
It’s actually from 2 Corinthians 9:7 where it says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
God can always use the things we give over to Him. But He loves it when we give with a willing, cheerful heart.
Hear how the leaders of Israel gave willingly after seeing the generous example set by King David.
All of us are leaders. Maybe you don’t oversee a Fortune 500 company or have tens of thousands of followers on Twitter. But there’s no question that there are people you interact with on a regular basis who look up to you and are watching what you do and say. And one of the best things we can do as leaders, whether at home or at work, is to personally invest in whatever we do. That might mean sacrificing your time by spending it to help others. Or it might mean sacrificing your money to put toward the things that really matter. Join us this week at Rolling Hills as we continue our series, For the Kingdom, and discover how David invested personally in the biggest and most important project of his life.
Let’s make a commitment together. For the next 50 days, let’s invest our lives in what will last. Together let’s “reach out, grow up, and give all” for the glory of our great God. As we enter into this new initiative at Rolling Hills called, “For the Kingdom,” let’s commit to pray, serve, and give our best. Our God used David and Solomon, and now it is our turn. We are God’s Church today. Let’s “be strong and courageous and do the work.” During these next 50 days, take a “Next Step” in your spiritual life – give your life fully to Christ, pray, read God’s Word, be baptized, join a Community Group, become a church partner or whatever God is calling you to do next with Him. Then, on November 4, let’s make a three-year pledge, over-and-above our tithe, to invest together in His Kingdom. Our best days are still ahead, so let’s join together and invest “For the Kingdom!”
There is incredible power and potential in prayer. Through prayer, we invite the God of the Universe into a situation and into our lives. Prayer changes things, but even more prayer changes us. Through prayer, we have the opportunity to reach our full potential in Christ. The disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” As we grow in our prayer life, we become more alive and more engaged with what God is doing. None of us are perfect at prayer, but as we take steps to grow spiritually in our prayer life, the impact is incredible. God will move mountains and God will transform us into people of love, joy and peace through prayer. Let’s become people of prayer and a church of prayer together.
There is power in prayer. Prayer is inviting the God of the Universe into a situation and our lives. God has the power. So many times, we try to fix a situation ourselves, when all along God’s power is available. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to His disciples. God gave us His power and then sent us out to be His witnesses. We are called to pray, go, and serve. And we do this in His Name, with His power and locking arms with His people. We are truly better together. Jesus taught us to pray this way and to live this way. Let’s pray and live it out for His glory!
All too often we stumble into our prayer time without a plan, throw up a few requests and then quickly move on to the next thing. But Jesus taught that prayer should be more like a discipline — something we spend time on and take seriously. Something we practice and develop.
Prayer is an incredible gift from God. The ability to communicate with the Creator and Sustainer of this world and of our life is a joy and a privilege. Yet, so often in prayer, we move in the wrong direction. We start with us – we launch into our needs and what we want. Jesus teaches us through the Lord’s Prayer, or the Model Prayer, a new pattern – start with God first. Focus on your Heavenly Father, and this will change how you pray. When we begin to see reality from God’s point of view vs. our own, this changes everything. As we learn to pray like Jesus teaches, our lives are forever changed. There is a joy, peace, purpose, and love that flows when we have the right pattern in prayer. “Lord, teach us to pray…”
Every person prays. Whether it was the ancient Egyptians praying to the sun, religions praying to gods they built, or someone in desperation calling out for help, there is an innate response in all of us to pray to something or someone. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father,” and to call out to God. Addressing God as “Father” was a radical notion – and this is what separates Christianity from every other major world religion. The God of the Universe wants to have a personal relationship with you. God wants you to call out to Him. He invites you to know Him intimately. Do you know God as Father? This only comes through Jesus Christ. When we know God as Father, it is then that we come alive. Prayer is the lifeline to your Father, and your Father loves you.
Prayer is a great thing. Whether we want to say thanks for what God is doing in our lives or share our deepest fears and desires, we can do it directly to Him any time we want.
So if prayer is such a great thing, why does it come with so many questions? Like, why do some prayers get answered and some don’t? What makes some prayers effective and others…not so much? And how, exactly, do we pray?
God did not call us to be successful but to be faithful to Him. But how do we live a faithful life?
It’s easy to identify with Joseph. Through every twist and turn in his journey, we’re always rooting for him to prevail. We cheer for him just as we would the protagonist of any great tale.
But as we get closer to the end of Joseph’s story, a new hero begins to take shape. And it’s not who you’d expect. Because this hero doesn’t play a huge role. He’s not even mentioned by name. But as the journey of Joseph unfolds it becomes more and more clear that the hero of this story isn’t Joseph at all, but Jesus.
Joseph’s role as the bearer of forgiveness in the lives of his brothers shares a striking resemblance to the relationship we have with Jesus. And pretty soon we realize that we identify more with Joseph’s brothers than with Joseph himself. Because just like his brothers, we’re the ones who have sinned and we’re the ones who are in desperate need of forgiveness.
Our faith is tested more in the good times than in the hard times. In the difficult times, we hold on to God. We recognize our utter dependence on Him when we are in the hospital, facing a financial struggle or in a crisis. Yet, in times of success, many people begin to drift away from God. We put our faith in ourselves and talk about what we have accomplished. Learning to hold on to God and being faithful in times of success is a real mark of spiritual growth and maturity. Joseph did this, and I pray we will as well. Let’s be faithful people even in the good times.
Things don’t always go our way, and that’s a fact. Instead of taking these moments as personal offense and wallowing in self-pity, what if we saw them as a chance to grow into Godly leaders? In our greatest struggles we have opportunities for greatest change. Godly leadership is not discovered but developed, and God has to forge His leaders before He can use them as agents of change in the world. So how do we move from a leadership style that points others in a general direction to a more Godly leadership style of guiding others in God’s direction?
How do you stay ready for God’s timing?
Staying ready means fighting the temptation to give up and bringing peace to the troubled hearts around you, even in the midst of your waiting. But it also means staying connected to Christ and pointing others to Him.
We all go through times of waiting. Maybe you are in that season right now – waiting on a dream to be fulfilled, waiting on a new job (the right job), waiting to get married, waiting for a child, waiting… What do you do in these times of waiting? Well, we learn from Joseph to be faithful to God and to be “active” in the waiting. God is preparing you for what God is preparing for you. God is writing a greater story in you, so be faithful where you are and allow Him to forge you into the man or woman He wants you to be – even in the waiting.
We all face temptations in life. From sexual immorality to pride, “sin is crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:7). However, temptation is not sin. In fact, temptation is an opportunity to choose what is right. There is a difference between temptation and trials, but God uses both to forge us into the men and women He desires. Temptation is a test to see how we are growing in our relationship with God. When temptation comes, stand firm in the Lord, as Joseph did. He loves you, and He will provide a way out for you when you’re faithful to Him. Remember, He is doing a bigger work than you can see, so stay faithful.
God is working in all of us. Yet, through the journey of life, there will be conflict. Conflict is what God can use to forge us–refine us. Nonetheless, it is difficult when the conflict comes from our own family, like it was for Joseph. How we handle this conflict develops our character. This is the refining process as God is shaping us to be more like Jesus. By God’s grace, as we handle conflict in a godly way, we can impact our family for generations. God wants to shape us and use us to make a difference for Christ right where we are today.
Dreams are crazy.
Think about it — your subconscious keeps working when you’re sleeping, revealing your true thoughts and feelings, but in bizarre ways that rarely make sense on the surface. You could be riding on a roller coaster or being chased by spiders or even flying (or worse, falling). It’s nuts!
And yet God still speaks to us, even through our dreams. Maybe it’s because one of the only times we actually stop to listen is when we’re asleep.
This week, take a minute to think about what God has been trying to say to you — whether through your dreams, through His Word or through the advice of friends and family.
Is God leading you toward a new goal? A new career? A new ministry?
Whatever it is, it might seem scary and overwhelming. But just remember that when God is guiding, you can always trust that He will take care of the details.
It is not how you start, but how you finish. We all get one shot at life. One opportunity. How will we finish? With his last letter, the apostle Paul challenges and encourages Timothy to finish well. And, through this letter in the Bible, God challenges and encourages us to do the same. How are you planning to finish well? Where will you invest your time, energy and resources in order to further God’s Kingdom a legacy that will long outlive you? Let’s finish well!
As followers of Christ, we have been charged with raising up the next generation of believers. To prepare them for the trials and difficult times that are coming, by being an example in what we say and do. For, “what we say most, communicates what should matter most.”
This is the apostle Paul’s last letter. Paul is in prison in Rome for being a Christ-follower, and he knows he is about to die for the Gospel. Therefore, Paul writes this letter to Timothy, his spiritual son in the faith, and he tells him how to finish his life well. Paul points Timothy to the importance of dedication, hard-work and focus in his Christian faith. Paul wants Timothy to leave a legacy for Christ that will impact future generations. Today, God is speaking to us through this amazing letter. What legacy will you leave? How are you planning to finish well?
How many projects have you started, having no idea how you were going to finish? And how many of those projects did you abandon halfway through?
There’s a reason for that!
Not having the end goal in mind makes it much harder to finish.
Yesterday, we started our new series, Finish Well, based on the book 2 Timothy and Paul’s final instructions at the end of his life. If anyone in history could claim to have finished well, it would be Paul, a man who put everything on the line for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Through Paul’s challenge in 2 Timothy 1, we’re reminded how the spirit of God can take away our fear while granting us power, love and self-discipline in the process. Paul also speaks to Timothy of the importance of living boldly for Jesus and how we should never feel ashamed to share the Gospel.
No matter where you are in the race of life, if becoming like Jesus is your end goal, you’re more likely to reach your full potential and finish well.
God calls His people to be brave. There are times when we must stand up for what we believe. Christianity is not a passive faith. This is our time to truly be bold and to invest our lives in what matters. God uses men and women to accomplish His will, but, our faith is not simply in one another, but rather in God. He is Sovereign - He is in control - and that should give us amazing peace and confidence. Let’s live our lives for His glory in our day and age. Let’s be brave!
God has called for us to be obedient. However, how can we be obedient when there isn’t a clear path to follow? It’s simple, just knock. We knock by making a plan for the things we care about and believe in. As Esther showed us, God opened a door for us but not before she went knocking. So first, make a plan that seeks to accomplish God’s revealed will in Scripture. Then execute the plan in community, along with prayer, fasting and accountability. Lastly, Trust God and His sovereignty with the results of the plan. “If I perish, I perish” or “if I’m embarrassed, I’m embarrassed,” for in the end God is sovereign and it’s all part of His plan. So what is your plan?
It takes bravery to be a hero. We are followers Christ living in a pagan world. This world is not our home. Therefore, we will experience conflict and persecution, if we truly live our lives for Christ. Sometimes, the persecution is small - someone may not understand why we pray, go to church or invest in God’s work. Other times, the persecution is big - many Christ-followers around the world put their lives on the line. Through it all, we are called to be brave. Faith requires risk, and heroes emerge from conflict. Are you living a life of fear or faith? Are you boldly living the Christian life? Step out and be brave - God is with you and for you!
Esther is an incredible story of God’s Sovereign will in protecting His people. Although God’s Name is not mentioned in the entire book, His fingerprints are all over it. God is always at work redeeming and restoring. And, God wants to use His people as a part of His Redemptive story. Whatever platform God has given us, may we use it to further His Kingdom, and not simply our own. God used Esther, and God wants to use each of us to impact many others for His glory.
God is inviting us into His Easter Story. He is drawing us to Himself and asking us to make Easter personal. God is not simply interested in religion, but He wants a personal relationship with you. Not your parent’s faith, or your church’s faith, but your faith – a committed relationship with the God of all creation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and the relationship we can now have with God for eternity as a part of His forever family. Easter allows us to come alive in Christ! It is personal, unconditional, transformational and eternal. Receive His Gift and live in His love. God is here for you!
Jesus’ passion took Him to the cross. The Passion of Christ is the period of Jesus’ life from the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the Cross on Calvary. What took Jesus to the cross was His love for you and me. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death – eternal separation from God. But, Jesus came in love to reconcile us to God. Jesus paid the price that we deserved to pay. Jesus died for us. What are you willing to die for? Will you die to your own life and live for Christ? You really don’t know what you are alive for, until you know what you are willing to die for. Jesus died for you. Will you live for Him?
Jesus has a very clear vision – He came to “seek and to save that which was lost.” When we were dead in our sin and transgressions, God sent His Son, Jesus, to us. Jesus came to reconcile us to God. How awesome to think that God came to us! Do you remember your salvation experience? Never lose the joy of your salvation. And, as a follower of Christ, our calling becomes inviting others to Jesus. Only Jesus can change a heart and a life. He specializes in making things new, and miracles still happen today as God changes hearts. Praise God for the grace, love and the reconciliation we receive through Jesus!
Jesus was able to give us the command to go through His authority. But for many the fear of people keeps people from full-filling His mission. Knowing that He never sends us where He is not we can have the courage and motivation to live out His mission.
Jesus came with a very clear Message. Into a world of fear, hopelessness and hate, Jesus came with a Message of love. Not simply a love that is a feeling, but a self-sacrificing, unconditional love. Jesus calls all His followers to love God and to love others. Jesus not only said it; He lived it. And, He calls all His disciples to live a life of love. How are you at love? Every day are you growing in your love for God and in your love for others? Do you love your spouse, children, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even your enemies? The overarching ambition of our life should be to live out the Message of Jesus – to love. Let’s grow in our love this week.
God loves all people. As His disciples today, we must be growing in His Word and pursuing His heart. Moses lived out God’s purposes in his day, and he prepared Joshua to lead God’s people after Moses was gone. We must all pour into those who come behind us. Who is your Joshua? If you have children, then they are your answer. In addition, it might also be those you lead in Community Group, teach on Sunday mornings or even your nieces and nephews. Raising up disciples of Christ must be on the forefront of your mind. Pointing people to Christ and teaching people His Word is the call of all His disciples. Are we preparing those who come behind us to lead our families, churches and communities? Moses did this well – will we?
Our God has blessed each of us in amazing ways. Just by virtue of where we live, we are prosperous. Our God has given us so much, and He wants us to enjoy it. However, sometimes we can fall more in love with the blessings than we do with the God who gives them. We must keep God first. Generosity is the only antidote to greed. God wants to bless us, but He wants us to steward what He entrusts to us for His glory. We must determine how we define success and choose to put God above anything this world has to offer. Commit your life to Christ today.
Sovereign God enters into a covenant relationship with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God takes the initiative and comes to us even when we are in our sin. In this covenant relationship, Jesus pays the price for our failures and mistakes. Our call is to accept His grace and to live our life for His glory. Putting Christ first impacts everything. Will you align your priorities and put Christ first today? Don’t get distracted by this world. Stand firm in Christ and live for Him.
Anniversaries are a great opportunity for us to do three things: to remember what God has done, to evaluate where we are in the journey, and to look forward to all that is to come. This is important in our marriage, our work, and in His Church. Together, as God’s church here at Rolling Hills, we are so blessed to be a part of an incredible 15 years. But, God is not finished with us yet! Our God is calling us to grow deeper in our faith, to reach out in love to those around us, and to give our lives for His glory. How can you join God in what He is doing in 2018? What “Next Steps” is God calling you to take? Maybe it is being baptized, joining the church, being a part of a Community Group or going on a mission trip. Whatever it is, let’s continue to give our all for the glory of our great God together!
God wants you to grow up spiritually. To mature means that we grow deep roots in Christ and plant seeds of the Gospel in others. Just like physical growth, you were created to mature spiritually. The process starts as you commit your life to Christ and identify with Him. Then, you mature by growing in His Word and serving others. Finally, you become a spiritual "father" as you lead others to Jesus. Every stage of spiritual growth is important in a church, so identify where you are now and what your "next step" is to grow deeper in Christ. Always know that spiritual growth takes place in community. Our God is with you and for you. Grow in Him.
God’s Church is the vehicle by which He accomplishes His work in the world. God loves His Church, and He calls her to be active in the community and the world. The Church is not a “country club” that exists only for its members, but the Church is called to reach out to all people in the Name of Jesus. As disciples of Christ, we have this calling to love God and to love others. As a part of this calling, we must get out of our comfort zone and engage with the world around us. At Rolling Hills, we are continuing to reach out both locally and internationally. What “Next Steps” do you need to take to “reach out” in the Name of Christ to those around you and throughout the world?
Significant events, like birthdays and anniversaries, afford us a great opportunity to look back at what God has done, evaluate where we are today and look forward to what God will do in the future. As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary as a church here at Rolling Hills, this is a great time to see God’s greater story in our lives together as well as individually. During this series, I encourage you to look back and praise God for what He has done and to evaluate where you are spiritually today. Is there a “Next Step” our God is calling you to take in your spiritually journey? Are you growing deeper in Christ? God has a great plan for your life. He has been faithful in the past, and He is still writing a greater story in you. Focus on Him and grow deep roots in Christ.
I pray this is your best Christmas yet. Regardless of where you find yourself in life, I encourage you to focus on Jesus and see in Him God’s great love for you. Mary found herself in a stable. Surrounded not by family and friends, but by livestock. Yet, she beheld the face of God. Christmas shows you the depth of God’s love and grace. While we were still sinners, God came to us. See Jesus. Allow Christmas to move from your head to your heart. Receive His Gift of grace and share His love with all those around you. May this be your best Christmas yet!
When God sent His birth announcement, He focused on a bunch of shepherds. How amazing! Shepherds were ordinary, hard-working guys. They were waiting on the Messiah, and when the angels showed up they decided to go and see what God was doing. After meeting Jesus, they returned different – worshipping and glorifying God. They experienced the Christ of Christmas. Jesus has come, so how do you respond? Will you experience the Christ of Christmas and will you be different? Will you worship and glorify God for who He is and for what He is doing in your life! Joy to the world, the Lord is come! This is the Good News! Merry Christmas!
Christmas is such a special time of year. This is the time when we hear songs about Jesus wherever we go (Christmas Carols). We celebrate His birth with the entire world, and we can feel His presence as we spend time with those we love. There is just something different about this time of year. Yet, the real danger is that we can miss Jesus in the midst of all the activities. Make this Christmas different. Pray, focus, love and give in a way that glorifies Jesus. Put Jesus first this Christmas in your life, your family and your workplace and truly experience the Christ of Christmas!
Herod considered himself a “king.” So, when the true King of kings was born, instead of worshipping Jesus, Herod tried to kill Him. Even today, many people see Jesus as a threat - a threat to their comfort and own self-interest. Yet, the irony is when we lay our lives down to Christ, then we truly find ourselves. When we allow Christ to be born in our heart, then we truly come alive. Jesus’ birth requires a response. What is your perspective on Jesus this Christmas – threat to your little kingdom or joy that Life has truly come? May we experience the Christ of Christmas this year! “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King.”
What is your story of Thanksgiving? Take some time to look back over the year. What has God done in your life? How have you grown spiritually? What has happened in your family, friends and at church? Take some time over the Holiday to express your thankfulness to God. Find some time to be alone in prayer or even write a letter back to God expressing your gratitude to Him. This Thanksgiving let’s be thankful to the One who gave His Son for us. Thank You, Father!
Thanksgiving, in our culture today, has become about family, turkey, shopping and football. Many times, we are so busy through the holiday that we rarely spend any time truly being thankful. This year, let’s be thankful. Take time to thank God for who He is and for what He has done in your life. Take time to thank those closest to you for what they mean in your life. And, take time to teach your children about how to be thankful. Then, may we work to develop an attitude of gratitude not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of our life. “And, be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
The Tabernacle shows us God’s desire to dwell with His people. Everything in the Tabernacle was pointing to Jesus, the Messiah. When Jesus died on the cross, the Temple (built in the pattern of the Tabernacle) – the Temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. Sin was atoned for and God made a way to dwell with us forever. What a joy and what a God! Today, will you take a spiritual inventory of your own life? Will you surrender your life to Christ and then follow where He leads? The best of your story is still being written. God wants to dwell with you forever!
God called the people back in the Old Testament to build the Tabernacle so they could know His heart. God longs to dwell with His people. The Tabernacle reveals the heart of God and pointed them to the coming Messiah. Knowing God comes through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. God longs for us to be healthy. This comes from worship, rest and living out His Word. We are restless in life until we rest in God through Christ. Will you find your identity in Christ and rest in His love for you? God is with you, and He is for you. The Tabernacle shows us the God who longs to dwell with us.
God longs to dwell with His people. So much so that he sent his only son Jesus to die for us. God's design is always intentional and purposeful, and from the moment that Adam and Eve sinned, to his instruction to build the tabernacle, God knew that the blood of Christ would be the only way to permanently remove our sin so that we could dwell in His holiness.
God longs to dwell with His people. So much so that he sent his only son Jesus to die for us. God's design is always intentional and purposeful, and from the moment that Adam and Eve sinned, to his instruction to build the tabernacle, God knew that the blood of Christ would be the only way to permanently remove our sin so that we could dwell in His holiness.
God longs to dwell with His people. In the beginning, when God created man, God walked with man in the cool of the day. When man sinned, there was an immediate separation – Holy God from sinful man. Yet, God set into motion a plan to redeem mankind. God called out a people for Himself. He told the people to build a “tabernacle,” so He might dwell with them. Today, God comes to us in His Son, Jesus Christ. God wants to dwell with us. Will you draw near to God today? God longs to dwell with His people.
Heaven will be more than we can even dream or imagine. If you are in Christ, then He is preparing a place for you to spend eternity with Him. It will be a place of beauty and perfection. A place where you will be fully alive. What we do on this earth impacts our eternal home. To know Christ and to make Him known should be the goal of our life; heaven is our reward. Are you living each day for Christ? Are you investing your time, money and energy into furthering His Kingdom and living for His glory? The best is yet to come in your life. Trust God, and live every day for Him.
At the end of the book, God wins! God will pronounce judgment on sin. He will defeat satan once and for all. Then, all of history will culminate in a great wedding - “The Wedding Feast of the Lamb.” After the wedding, sin will be banished and a celebration will follow. This celebration is life eternal with God and with those we love in Christ. We will be fully known and fully loved. In resurrected bodies, in perfect relationship with God and in beautiful community. This will be heaven!
We all get one shot at this life. One opportunity to make an impact here for God’s glory. Our life is a dash – a small line between two dates. But, eternity goes on forever. Immediately when we die, we will stand before God. If we are a follower of Christ Jesus, then we will spend eternity in Heaven. Subsequently, we will be judged by how we lived our life here on this earth. What we do on this earth impacts our eternity. Let’s live it all for the glory of our God. Let’s invest what He has entrusted to us to further His Kingdom. Let’s make the most of our dash!
God wants us to know about Heaven! Heaven is greater than we can even imagine. There are so many misconceptions about heaven, but God’s Word is very clear. Heaven is the very dwelling place of God, Himself. When we truly grasp the joy of heaven, it will transform how we live. Knowing the best is yet to come should motivate us to live each day for Christ and His Kingdom!
Serving is how we become more like Christ. We can’t do everything, but we can all do something. Start where you live – what difference can you make in your neighborhood, workplace and at church? Then, pray about where God is calling you to go – nationally or internationally. You can start by sponsoring a child or pastor through Justice & Mercy International, and then make plans in 2018 to go somewhere to serve as the hands and feet of Christ. Lock arms with other Christ-followers and make a difference for His glory. We are truly better together!
We need each other. The Church has always been God’s plan for accomplishing His mission in the world. The Church is the Body of Christ locking arms and serving Him. The Church is not an organization, but an organism. She is alive and active. God calls us to fellowship – to share life together. Not to a watered down social gathering, but to truly love one another and being present for each other. This is deep, rich and life-impacting. This is Church. And, we are truly better together
As disciples of Christ, we are called to grow together and encourage each other to live to honor Him. A growing follower is a believer who is taking intentional steps toward Christ-likeness and investing in others to do the same. Let's continue to walk in His will and pursue His calling daily.
As disciples of Christ, we have this Great Commission to go share our faith. Yet, for most Christ-followers, this is the scariest part of the Christian life. However, Jesus promises to be with us and He wants us to do this together. Jesus calls us to be a part of His church, the Body of Christ, and to reach out to our community with one another. As we do, Jesus works through us, since it is only Him who can change a heart. How awesome that Jesus allows us to be a part of this life-transformation! Aren’t you glad someone shared Christ with you? Aren’t you glad someone invited you to church? Now, it is our turn. Let’s reach out together for the glory of our great God!
We were created for community. We live in an individualistic society, but God made us for Him and for one another. Our response back to God is our worship. Worship is more than singing; worship is our life. Worship expresses our gratitude to God for who He is and for what He is doing. Worship happens when we gather in His Name to bring glory to our great God. This is when we truly come alive and when we realize that we are a part of something way bigger than ourselves. We were created to worship. We are better together!
Abraham was known as “God’s friend.” How awesome is this! God is inviting each of us into this personal relationship with Him. Becoming a friend of God means entering into a covenant relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Being a friend of God also means growing in your relationship by spending time with Him and by doing His will. This requires a daily “dying to self” and making God the priority of your life. As you live your life for Him, you will know a “peace that passes understanding.” You will grow deeper in your faith and richer in your love. Are you God’s friend? Commit your life fully to Him today.
God never makes promises He doesn't keep. When we are tested, we must be obedient and believe in God's faithfulness. We can't say the Lord will provide if we never give Him the opportunities to provide. Trust in Him and walk in the way of His promises for your life.
Our God is at work in the world and in our own personal lives as well. When God reveals His will, how do we respond? Do we think what God reveals is impossible or do we respond in faith? God invites us to join Him in what He is doing. Through faith and prayer, we have the opportunity know God’s will and to impact others. How diligent are we about praying for those we love and for others in the world? Trusting God and growing in our relationship with Him is the call of every Christ-follower. Are you living your life for Him?
Our God is at work in the world and in our own personal lives as well. When God reveals His will, how do we respond? Do we think what God reveals is impossible or do we respond in faith? God invites us to join Him in what He is doing. Through faith and prayer, we have the opportunity know God’s will and to impact others. How diligent are we about praying for those we love and for others in the world? Trusting God and growing in our relationship with Him is the call of every Christ-follower. Are you living your life for Him?
God is faithful to fulfill His Word and covenant to you. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 it says, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ." Hold on to Him and trust in His faithfulness.
Our God has an incredible plan for each of us. Sometimes we try to fulfill God’s will for our life our way - instead of trusting in His plan and in His timing. When we do, we always end up making mistakes that can cost us years of our life. Yet, while there are consequences, God never gives up on us. God pursues us and is constantly drawing us back to His heart. Will you follow Him and trust Him today? It is a journey of faith and we must trust God to fulfill His will for us.
You can't plant your life beside wickedness and expect to flourish and avoid ruin. We are called to live with a character that is above reproach. Everything we do should be in service to Jesus, no matter what it costs us. Experiencing God is always the greatest reward.
God is calling each of us to a journey of faith. It is never about the destination, but always about following Him. On this journey, there will be times when God calls us to trust Him even though it doesn’t make any sense. Our God is Sovereign, and His ways are not our ways. Yet, when we are obedient to Him, and do the right thing, He always blesses and we never have regrets. What is God saying to you? What “next step” is God asking you to take? Trust and follow Him today.
God called Abram to a life of faith. Abram left his old way of living, believed God and followed Him. Abram did not know where God was calling him, but walked by faith. Because of Abram’s obedience, our world is forever changed. From Abraham, God ultimately brought His Son, the Messiah, our Savior. Our relationship with God is one of faith. What “next step” is God calling you to take in your faith journey? You may not know all the answers; however, the journey is not about a destination, but about a deeper relationship with God. By faith, listen and follow.
We all want peace. The problem is, we don’t know how to get it. We go to spas, workout and try other ways to relieve “stress,” but we never truly experience the peace we so desperately desire. Yet, the result of living our life wholehearted in Christ is peace. This is the incredible secret of the committed Christian life – peace comes from the inside out not the outside in. When we truly yield our lives to Christ, He gives us the “peace that passes understanding.” Live wholehearted for Jesus and experience the peace of Christ this week.
God wants us to grow in our faith to become mature followers of Christ. Maturity happens as we press deeper into Christ Jesus and then live out His will in our lives. As we are faithful to Him, God matures us. God is writing a greater story in all of us. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, don’t stop growing. Don’t become distracted by “earthly things,” but live your life wholehearted for Christ. In the process, you will grow to be all He desires.
Knowing Christ changes our nature and allows us to see the world through His compassionate eyes. There can't be a back and forth between living for Christ and living for ourselves. We must be all in and rooted in our faith in Jesus.
The call for each of us is to live the Christian life wholehearted. A lot of people want to compartmentalize their faith: a little bit of God, a whole lot of their job, a lot of family, friends, etc. But, God wants us to be fully committed to Him in all areas of life. God gives us His Spirit, His Word and His Church to help us live our lives for Him. Each Sunday we will have a weekly “Go” moment to help us apply what we learn. Are you living wholehearted for Christ?
Jesus conquered death. This means when we were dead in our sins, God came to us. God sent His Son, Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Then Jesus stepped out of the tomb to make a way for us to have eternal life. Because Jesus is alive, we can be forgiven, redeemed and made new. Through Jesus we can be in right relationship with God and with others. Has Jesus come alive in you? Today is a day of salvation and celebration. Jesus is alive! He reigns supreme over the world, and He longs to be the King of your heart.
Everything we have comes from God. He is our Provider. In His infinite mercy and grace He has given us His Son, Jesus. Jesus provides for our every need. He meets our daily physical needs as well as our deepest spiritual needs. The danger is we can fall in love with the gifts and miss the Giver. It is all about Jesus. We must learn to trust in Him each day and know that He will provide for us. Are you in need today? Will you trust in Jesus to meet your needs both now and forevermore? Jesus is your Provider.
Redemption is a gift from God. We cannot redeem ourselves. In fact, when you were dead in your sins, God made you alive in Christ. It is God who does the work. He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins and to redeem (buy back) us from our old way of life. The redemption of Christ calls us to change. We receive the redemption He offers and live our lives for His glory. Jesus has come to the world, but He has also come personally to you. How will you respond to His love, grace and redemption? How will you be changed?
The beauty and mystery of Christ's sovereignty is that He can heal but doesn't always heal. His plans and ways are higher than our own and He always works for the good of those who love Him. Jesus displays His power and truth through healing.
Come to Jesus. The Teacher can handle your questions. He can handle your worries. He can handle your problems. Just come. Come and meet the One who knows everything about you. But, just know, when you come, you will be invited to change. By God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, He will transform you. Not just teach you or fix you, but make you new. And, your life will never be the same. Your sins will be forgiven, your past redeemed, your heart filled with joy, and your life flowing with purpose. Come to Jesus. It’s all about Him.
Jesus is Sovereign. This is great news for us today! This means that Jesus is in control of all. Nothing surprises Him. He is in all and greater than all. For you and me, there are so many times we worry and feel like our lives are out-of-control. At those times, we must stop – take a deep breath – and realize, God’s got this. He is still on His throne. Our eternity is secure and we are on the winning side. Are you following Christ with your whole heart today? Is there something in your life for which you are worried or afraid? Trust Him. Take a next step in your spiritual journey and watch God do a greater work in you.
Everyone has an opinion on Jesus. Many people believe Jesus was a great moral teacher. Others, even some major world religions, will say that Jesus was a prophet. Still others believe he was a philosopher and the leader of a movement. But, Jesus made it clear that He was, and is, the Son of God. His Name even means, “Salvation.” So, what about you? Who do you say Jesus is? And, if He is truly our Lord, then this should greatly impact how we live.
Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man who ever lived. In the later years of his life, he reflects back only to realize that he invested in the wrong things. He pursued pleasure, knowledge, work and wealth thinking that in these he would find fulfillment. Yet, now he reaches this conclusion: Life is all about God and pursuing Him. May we learn from his wisdom and invest our lives in what really matters. May we not waste our life. What are you living for today? Simplify your life and prioritize Christ Jesus in everything.
Living in a Christ-centered community encourages passionate faith, accountability and sincerity. God never intended for us to walk through life alone, so we must surround ourselves with the right people. Take a moment today to consider who is in your community. Are they encouraging you to pursue Christ? Are you helping each other grow in faith?
When we allow time to dictate our actions, we give it the power to rule over our thoughts and heart motivations. This slippery slope can quickly shift time to the first slot on our list of priorities, making it an idol.
In Ecclesiastes 3, we read, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." God will redeem the time you give Him. Choose to put Him first today and see how this spiritual season shifts when we recognize God is in control and has a purpose for us.
Jesus calls us to be His “witnesses.” A witness is someone who simply tells what they have heard, seen or experienced. We are not called to be perfect or to know everything, but to authentically share with others what God has done for us. In the process, God moves through the power of His Holy Spirit to impact others with His love. As we invest our lives in those around us, our God is glorified and His Kingdom is furthered. Disciples of Jesus Christ invest their lives in others for the glory of God.
The measure of a healthy church isn’t how many are coming to know Christ. It isn’t even how many are growing and becoming like Christ. The real measure is how many are sharing the responsibility of Christ’s mission to make disciples.
All of us are called to grow in our faith. Much like physical growth, there is a process of spiritual maturation that should take place in each of us. Spiritually, we grow by feeding on the Word of God and investing the love of Christ in others. There are definite challenges to spiritual growth, and many people never reach their full potential in Christ. Yet, God has an awesome plan for each of us. He invites us to grow up in our faith and to become all He desires. How do you plan to grow spiritually in 2017?
What is a disciple? A disciple is a growing follower of Jesus Christ. A “growing follower” is a believer who is taking intentional steps toward Christ-likeness and investing in others to do the same. At Rolling Hills, we understand the four key characteristics of following Christ: identifying with Christ, growing in faith, sharing the mission and multiplying your life.
Pastor Jeff Simmons identifies key areas for us all to focus on as we strive to grow in our walk with Christ in the new year.
This has been called, “The most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, for many this is the most challenging, difficult time of the year. At the holidays, our emotions are magnified. When things are good, they are really good – when things are hard, they are really hard. However, God wants us to experience joy! And, joy is not based on our circumstances; joy is based on Christ. Joy comes when we fall in love with God and when we give. This Christmas Season, let’s give our lives to Christ and invest in others. In the process, we will become people of Joy!
Love must be expressed. When you love someone, you want to give. This is why we buy gifts, address cards, make food and so much more at Christmas. This time of year is all about expressing our love. And, that originated from God - “For God so loved the world He gave…” John 3:16. God gave His One and Only Son for you. He gave the Greatest Gift of all. Love inspires us to give – to give gifts to those we love and to give our lives to Jesus. Let us be people, like Mary, who submit our lives to God, so that He may love others through us. Let us be people who share the gift of love generously and extravagantly this Season.
Most of the time, peace is the last thing we expect to experience during this time of the year. Our lives are so busy. Yet, we all long for peace. Peace with God, peace with our family and peace with ourselves. However, true and lasting peace only comes from the “Prince of Peace,” Jesus Christ. As He transforms your heart, you can live with peace in the midst of a crazy world. Do you have peace in your life? Are you allowing “the peace of Christ to rule in your heart?” Let’s experience His peace this Christmas!
There is power in hope. Knowing God has a plan and a purpose for your life is what spurs us through the mundane and ordinary events of a given day. Our hope should be in Christ and in His love for us. Trusting God can, and He will, do what only He can do. Where is your hope today? So many times our hope can be in money, a career, a child, or even a friend. Yet, all these things can change. However, God never changes. He is always the same. He is always there for us, and He invites us to place our hope in Him and then share His hope with others.
We all have so much for which to be thankful. Many times we spend our lives focusing on what we don’t have, but Thanksgiving calls us to open our eyes and hearts to what we do have. Through Christ, we all have been given the Gift of love, life, joy, peace and hope. Then, over-and-above, God lavishes His grace on us by giving us so much more. This week, take some time to write a “thank you” note to God. Spend some time alone thanking God for His Son and focusing on all the blessings He has given you through Christ. Happy Thanksgiving!
We are all so blessed. God has given us His “indescribable Gift” in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Then, He lavishes on us family, friends, church and meets our every physical need. Our God draws us to Himself and invites us on a journey to look more like His Son. As we focus on His “indescribable Gift,” we want to give back to Him and invest in His Kingdom. As we love and give we grow spiritually. God desires for us to be generous. In the process of sharing His Gift, we are the ones who grow more blessed.
This morning we are beginning our Holiday Series, “Share the Gift.” As we prepare our hearts for this special time of year, we realize all our God has done for us. Christmas is the celebration of the Greatest Gift – God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. And, Thanksgiving comes out of the overflowing joy of God’s grace. As we Share the Gift that was given to us, we become more like Christ Jesus. Let’s prepare our hearts to Share the Gift and live more like Jesus this Holiday Season.
Having faith doesn't mean things will always work out the way you want. Having an "even, if not" faith gives us hope, even in times when we don't understand what God is doing. Habakkuk is a book about trust. We must trust God to lead us and let hope rise.
God's answer to our complaint is to lean in and trust Him. We will never have it all figured out, but we can have hope in knowing that God holds our past, present and future in His hands.
We live in a culture much like Habakkuk – the Bible seems to be neglected, there is violence and injustice, and government leadership appears corrupt. We call out to God for answers, and yet when God does answer, we don’t always like His answers. God tells Habakkuk to do three things: Write, wait and live by faith. So, in the midst of our questions, fears and concerns, God says to us: Write what I tell you, wait on my perfect timing and live each day by faith. As we put our trust in Sovereign God, hope rises in us. We don’t have to live by fear, but we can live with faith in a God who hears our prayers and cares. He loves us, and we can trust Him.
Every day we are faced with situations that cause us to questions why this is happening. As we wrestle and try to embrace the truth in the struggle, our goal is to switch our question from "why is this happening" to "what do you want to teach me through this, to make me more like Jesus."
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29
God’s eternal story is one of making all things new. God is at work redeeming and restoring. And, God is not finished with any of us yet. There is still breath in our lungs for a reason. God wants to transform us from the inside out and to use us for His glory. He is inviting us to trust Him as He writes an even greater story than we can imagine. What is your Immeasurably More story? What do you want to see God do in your heart, your ministry, your marriage, your family, and your life this side of heaven? Live for what matters, trust that God is able and have confidence that He can, and will, do Immeasurably More in you!
God is not finished with any of us yet. He is still writing a greater story in our heart and life. So often we settle for so little when our God wants to do so much more – immeasurably more. God draws us to Himself and He invites us to ask Him for His specific will for our life. Growing in our love, discernment and character will help us know what God wants us to do. This week, spend time discovering your immeasurably more story.
We all have roadblocks that keep us from reaching our full potential in Christ and from experiencing the immeasurably more life. Being honest about the roadblocks in your own life is the first step to breaking through. From there we must be bold enough to take the necessary steps to find healing and hope. Through it all, we must keep Christ first. He is sovereign over all creation and over our very life. Prioritizing Christ impacts everything in us. Where are you in your relationship with Christ Jesus today? Don’t let a roadblock keep you from the immeasurably more life that God has for you.
God is inviting us on an incredible journey – a journey of “immeasurably more.” As a Christ-follower, our call is to constantly move our lives onto God’s agenda. As we join God in what He is doing, this impacts everything. We grow deeper in our faith, stronger in our love and more passionate in our desire to make a difference in this world for the glory of our great God. This is where we see miracles – lives transformed for Christ. How are you making a difference in the lives of others for Christ? Do something.
God is inviting you on an incredible journey. In fact, it is a journey of “immeasurably more” - more than you can even ask or imagine. However, you have to step in. You can’t stand on the sidelines and watch others engage, you have to join God in what He is doing. God will lead the way, and He is inviting you to be a part of His greater story in Christ and His Church. The journey calls us to holiness and commitment, yet this is where we see God do what only God can do. Don’t miss out! Join in the journey today. Your invitation awaits…
God wants to do immeasurably more in your life. This begins with us opening our eyes to what God is already doing and then joining in. So many people settle for so little. Our culture is built on mostly spectators and very few participants. And, this carries over into our Christian life. Yet, God created us for so much more - immeasurably more. God wants to do great things through us for His glory. Will you trust Him? Your invitation awaits...
Image – we all deal with it. In fact, thanks to the marketing driven world in which we live, we are bombarded by the image of the world all day long. This culture of performance, looks and more leads to so much of our anxiety and fears. Yet, God invites us to find our identity in Christ. To live in the peace of knowing that God loves us and He will provide for us. Where is your image? Are you living as an “image-bearer” of the God who loves you?
We have been given an incredible gift, our life – mind, soul and body. Yet, so often we spend our time looking at everything wrong with us. We compare ourselves to photo-shopped models and to everyone’s highlight reels on social media. But, the fact is, God made us and He loves us. Learning to love ourselves in a healthy way then allows us to fully love and appreciate others. None of us are perfect, but by God’s grace we are forgiven, and we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
So much of our image comes from what the world says about us. We define ourselves by our looks, our jobs, what we drive, what we wear, and we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. Yet, we were made in the image of God. And, our God is more concerned with our inside than our outside. May we be people who find our image, value and worth in what God says about us and not the world. Our God loves us, forgives us and longs for us to find our image in Him.
God has an incredible vision for your life. He has made it clear through His Word. He invites you to pray and to trust Him. His vision is started and perfected through His Son, Jesus Christ. Wherever you are in life today, take a next step of faith and obedience in your relationship with God. Commit your ways to Him and invest your life in what matters. God is drawing you close. He is inviting you to live an uncompromised life for His glory.
It is amazing to realize we have a direct line of communication with God. It's called prayer. Prayer is a powerful force. Through prayer we are able to acknowledge who God is and remember His faithfulness to us. Like Daniel, we must be willing to pursue guidance and strength through prayer even in the bleakest of circumstances.
The Book of Daniel offers us the only apocalyptic voice in the Old Testament. Why do these words of Eschatology matter? These words expand our view of God which encourages a high view of God leading to worship and fear. The words in Daniel define history and decode the future. These words elevate our understanding of Jesus and remind us that we are to always be about the King’s business.
Against all odds, Daniel stayed faithful. Facing certain death, being thrown to the lions, Daniel resolved to be godly and to pray. Prayer is what sustains us through the challenges of life. Prayer puts our focus on God and reminds us that He is truly greater than anything we face. Our God is faithful, and He is calling us to be steadfast and bold in our love for Him. Are you faithful to God – even in the midst of your circumstances? Your obedience impacts more than just you, so trust in the Lord and be faithful.
Standing on truth starts with being set apart. We are called to live a holy life for God. That's what living uncompromised is all about.
God is drawing each of us to Himself. He is calling us to confess our sins, renounce our pride and put our faith in Him. God is always trying to get our attention and He will allow us to go through challenges in order for us to acknowledge His work in our lives. Have you repented of your pride and humbled yourself before Him? Just know that God loves you, and He wants you to live your life for Him. It is through Christ alone that we find hope, life and redemption.
What do you stand for in your life? We live in a world that encourages us to worship other “gods.” The “gods” of this world are money, success, and even other people. But, God calls us to worship Him only. When we put God first in our lives, our family, our finances and career, God is always faithful. In this world, we will go through hard times, but God always stands with us in the middle of it. Are you trusting God today? Your obedience impacts others. Are you living your life fully committed to Christ?
God can speak to and use whomever He wills whenever He wills it. He reveals all mysteries and is sovereign in every area of our lives.
Daniel is an incredible example of living an uncompromised life. Like Daniel, we find ourselves living in a pagan culture. This world is not our home. Our home is in heaven, but for now, we are living in this world. Daniel made a commitment to himself and to God not to defile himself. What commitments have you made in the area of character and integrity? Think about the man or woman you want to become, and then make the hard decisions that it takes to be all God desires.
God’s Church is Unstoppable. The Church is fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit and filled with ordinary disciples that God uses in extraordinary ways. Our call is to pray and to raise up leaders in God’s Church. Faithful men and women who will reach out, grow up and give all for the call of Christ. It takes all of us. Disciples today investing their lives for Christ and passing His Church on to the next generation. This is where God does His greatest work. And, this is where God calls you and me. We are His Church today!
We are called to live and walk in obedience to the calling God has on our lives. Nothing exempts us from obedience and it will always cost something. In order to be the movement, we have to be obedient!
God’s Church is the greatest movement in history. God’s Church is unstoppable, and now the generations come to us. We are a part of this amazing story of redemption and grace that the Author of Life is writing. As His people, we are called to be bold and to pray passionately and fervently for God to transform this world – one life at a time. We must be willing to invest our lives in Christ and His Church. God is at work. Will we join Him?
The Early Church met together in corporate worship (in the temple courts) and in community groups (in homes). As these disciples grew spiritually, they began to recognize the needs of the people in the places around them. Instead of only giving money to help those in need, they also shared Christ. Christ Jesus is the One who transforms lives. Even though they knew persecution would come, they were bold and shared the love of Christ with others. What about us today? As we give money to help the poor, are we also willing to speak up about Christ to others? Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world. As we share Christ with others, God’s Church grows and lives are transformed for eternity. Join the movement!
Jesus promised His disciples they would receive the gift God had promised. When the Gift of the Holy Spirit came, the Church came to life. Now, these scared, worried, timid men and women became bold, passionate and dedicated champions of Christ and His Church. These first disciples were filled with the Spirit, and shared the Gospel boldly. The Early Church grew, and now the movement of God's Church has been entrusted to us. May we be found faithful to live by the Spirit an dot boldly share God's message of love with others.
Throughout history, there have been many movements. From Communism, Capitalism, Civil Rights and more. But, the greatest movement of all has been, and continues to be, God’s Church. Led by Jesus Christ himself, God’s Church has brought hope and love into our world. Through God’s Church, schools, hospitals, hospice and more have been born. Through God’s Church, lives have been transformed both spiritually and physically. As disciples of Jesus Christ today, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. We are a part of something bigger than ourselves – this is a movement of God, and it is Unstoppable!
All of history is moving toward a huge celebration! The Wedding Feast of the Lamb will be the greatest party ever as Jesus is united with His Church. All of us who are followers of Christ can’t wait for this day! You celebrate what you value. And, God values you. God values His relationship with you. What do you value? Just look at what you celebrate. At Rolling Hills, we value life-change in Christ. We encourage people to never stop growing by taking a “Next Step” in your relationship with God. God is preparing you for something incredible. Let’s keep growing deeper in Christ and get ready for an epic celebration!
God is inviting us into His story. He is drawing us to Himself and asking us to make Easter personal. God is not simply interested in religion, but He wants a personal relationship. This is not your parent’s faith or your church’s faith; it is your faith – a covenant relationship with the God of all creation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and the relationship we can now have with God for eternity. Easter allows us to come alive in Christ! It is personal, and God is here for you!
Who is Jesus to you? There comes a point where each of us has to make a declaration of what we believe. Was Jesus just a good man or a prophet? Or, is He the Son of God and Savior of your life? Jesus is inviting us into a relationship with God. Once we commit to trust Him and to follow Him, then there should be fruit in our life. How is your life on Monday di erent because you are a follower of Christ Jesus? When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, He came as a spiritual Messiah. And, when Jesus enters our heart, our lives should be forever transformed because of His grace and love.
God loves you. The Bible is the greatest love story ever because it is God’s pursuit of you. Even when we sin, God never gives up on us. This is hard for us to believe, yet it is the story of His word and the joy of His heart. The entire Old Testament is God pursuing His people. Look back at your life and see how God has been pursuing you. Turn back to God. Leave your sin and fall in love with the One who loves you more.
The Greatest Love Story Ever is recorded in God’s Word, the Bible. In fact, the entire Bible can be summed up as: God’s Pursuit of You. God created you for a relationship with Him. But, we rebelled against God. We didn’t want to do it His way. Yet, instead of giving up on us, God pursues us. He draws us to Himself, and He invites us into a relationship with Him. God’s love is unconditional, never-ending and always pursuing. And, as we respond to His love, we are forever changed. We fall in love with God in a relationship, not religion, and we learn to love others. This is how God created us to live. And, His love never fails.
Jeff Simmons wraps up our "Battle Plan" series with this sermon based on Revelation 20-22 and God's ultimate defeat of evil.
In Week 3 of our series, Battle Plan, Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches about how we can fight against evil in the world around us. Tune in to learn more.
Nic Allen helps us answer the question, "Why does God allow evil?" in the second week of our series called, Battle Plan.
Everyone fights for something. What are you fighting for? Whether you realize it or not, there is a Spiritual Battle happening at this very minute. A war for our hearts is raging as we fight our daily spiritual battles. The enemy is cunning, deceitful and relentless. But there is hope. We've been given a battle plan - a redemptive guarantee and everlasting promise that there is victory in Christ.
What does it mean to be totally committed to Jesus in your walk. Jesus calls us to it but it's often the hardest thing to do in our Christian faith walk. Jeff Simmons wraps up our Brand New series by talking about what this means for all of us.
In week 4 of our series, Brand New, Jeff Simmons teaches from 1 Corinthians 13 about how we should be driven by love in our pursuit to be new in Christ.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches about spiritual growth in week 3 of our Brand New series. All of us are created to grow spiritually. How do you plan to grow in 2016?
Nic Allen, Lead Pastor of Family Ministry, continues our "Brand New" series looking at being fueled by Holy Spirit in our lives.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, begins the new year with our series called BRAND NEW. He focuses on how we are a new creation in Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is a great thing to be reminded of as we start 2016 together.
Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons teaches from Matthew 1 in the continuation of our "Sounds of Christmas" series.
Jeff Teaches from Matthew 1 in this series and focuses on what the sound of Christmas really is...LOVE.
Jeff unwraps the sound of laughter and how it's true presence is that found in true joy. Luke 2:10 says, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons begins a new series called "Sounds of Christmas" by looking in Matthew 1 and focusing on the first sound of Christmas...the sound of a baby crying...Jesus.
We celebrate wonderful Stories of Thanksgiving each year at Rolling Hills. Pastor Jeff Simmons talks with some amazing people who tell why they are thankful for the way God has worked in their lives this year.
Lead Pastor of Family Ministry, Nic Allen, wraps up our "Overcoming Doubt" series in John 20. He helps us look at the framework, problem, and solution of doubt in a practical way.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches from John 20 about moving from doubt to a deeper faith.
Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons begins this series on OVERCOMING DOUBT by asking the question, "Is it OK to doubt?" In this in depth look at the life of Thomas, we explore the importance of working through doubt and coming to a stronger faith by drawing closer to our Creator.
Jeff Simmons wraps up our "40 Day Challenge" series teaching from Matthew 7 on FOREVER.
Nic Allen takes a look in Matthew 6 as he teaches on faith and how Jesus approaches the topic of worry in the Bible.
Jeff Simmons teaches from Matthew 5 as we look at how to live like Jesus when it comes to our own finances.
Jeff Simmons teaches from Matthew 4 in Week 4 of our '40 Day Challenge' series on how living like Jesus means to live in community with others.
Jeff Simmons talks with special guest and relationship expert, Shaunti Feldhahn about living like Christ in your family and how it affects not only your spouse but your entire family.
Jeff Simmons focuses on "faithfulness" during this week of our "40 Day Challenge" series. Matthew 4:17 says "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'"
We love missions at Rolling Hills and are so excited every year to dedicate this Sunday to telling stories of missions from around the globe. Jeff talks with several people that have been on a mission trip through Justice and Mercy International this year and the impact Christ had in their lives.
Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons wraps up the "House to Home" series with a message on LOVE based on Matthew 22:34-40.
Jeff Simmons teaches from Numbers 6:24-26 as he continues our "House to Home" series. The roof provides a "covering" for a house but God's blessing provides a "covering for a home.
Jeff Simmons dives deep into Colossians 3:18-4:6 as he talks about the purpose, what provides protection, and what gives stability to your home...walls. He also interviews Kris and Vanessa Dolberry about how God is continuing to restore their marriage.
Family Pastor, Nic Allen, opens our new series, "House to Home," with a powerful message on what the foundations of our faith should be.
Kris Dolberry, Director of Lifeway Men's Ministry, teaches based on our Daily Step reading for today, Luke 18:1-8.
Jeff teaches from 2 Corinthians 12 about "Dealing with Difficulties" as we continue our series called, "The Best Is Yet To Come."
Nic Allen teaches from 2 Corinthians 10-11 as we continue our "Best Is Yet To Come" series.
Jason Hale teaches from 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 as we continue our series, "The Best Is Yet To Come."
Jeff Simmons teaches on the topic of JOY from 2 Corinthians 6-7 as we continue our "Best Is Yet To Come" series.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, shares a special message for dads on Father's Day from Proverbs 4.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, unpacks 2 Corinthians 5 for us as he teaches on the topic of Heaven.
Family and Children's Pastor, Nic Allen, unpacks 2 Corinthians 4 in today's teaching for the second week in our series, The Best Is Yet To Come.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, opens this new sermon series by looking at 2 Corinthians 1-3 focusing on how the Apostle Paul wrote letters to the people he cared about...like the Corinthians.
Jeff Simmons teaches about the call to take a "Daily Step" based on passages in Job 20 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12.
The entire interview/testimony between Saman and Jason Hale (South Nashville Campus Pastor).
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, continues our Radical Grace series with "Living In Grace"...week 2 of our series.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches that Easter shows us that only Jesus is enough to change our lives for eternity.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches from John 12 focusing on how Jesus was more than what people think they need Him to be; more than enough.
Family and Children's Pastor, Nic Allen, teaches from the Rolling Hills' Daily Step Bible Reading Plan.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, concludes this series by digging into Acts 3-4. Next Steps is a spiritual growth initiative at Rolling Hills focusing on a person challenging themselves to reaching out, growing up, and giving all in their faith journey.
"Rolling Hills Community Church is a people of God reaching out, growing up, and giving all." This statement sums up Rolling Hills and Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches on the third aspect...giving all...in this weeks teaching.
A people of God reaching out, growing up, and giving all. Jeff focuses on growing up in our faith in the second installment of our Next Steps 2015 series.
A people of God reaching out, growing up, and giving all. Jeff focuses on reaching out as a result of our faith in the first installment of our Next Steps 2015 series.
Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, wraps up our "New Year, New You" series teaching on what it means to "live on mission" using Luke 10.
In Week 4 of our "New Year New You" series, Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches about worship from Matthew 6:24, Matthew 26:6-11, and 1 Timothy 4:8.
Nic Allen, Lead Pastor of Family Ministry, teaches on the key characteristics of Christian service using some of the following scripture references: Deuteronomy 10:12, John 6:38, John 4:34, Psalm 100:2, Matthew 20:26-28, and Psalm 40:8.
Jeff teaches on prayer...what is it? what does it do? what can hinder our prayer life? Take about 30 minutes to see what he has learned through his life about prayer in the second week of our series called, "New Year, New You."
Jeff Simmons launches 2015 with a great sermon for this new series that focuses on five different spiritual workouts. The first workout focuses on your faith and dives into Mark 1:16-18, Matthew 14:22-31, and Philippians 2:12-13.
The last sermon in our "Jesus Changes Everything" series where Family & Children's Pastor, Nic Allen, teaches from Luke 2 on how Jesus changes our purpose.
In week 4 of our series, Jesus Changes Everything, Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons teaches from Luke 2 about how Jesus changes our heart.
The fourth of our "And Be Thankful" series where our Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, teaches on being "Thankful for Hope" from Colossians 4.