Every week you will hear teaching from our leadership at Church on the Hill in McMinnville, Oregon. Visit us at www.hillchurch.com or download the Church on the Hill app. onelink.to/myhillchurch
Principle 2 of Our Theory of Change leads us to Peer to Peer Accountability. Isolation can be dangerous and spiritual growth can be accelerated in community. The challenge today is to find that one person to be your accountability partner and to consider being in a band at the end of the month.
Thank You for joining us for Sunday Services! Pastor Adam will start the series that will focus on how Disciples aren't born; they are formed!
The story of God did not end when the last page of the Bible was written. In Acts 2, we discover that through the Holy Spirit, God is still restoring, redeeming, and inviting ordinary people to participate in His mission. Join us as we explore how God's story becomes our story, and what it looks like to say "yes," be transformed, and live as active participants in His kingdom.
God does not force humanity to do anything, rather He invites individuals to partner with Him and leaves the choice up to them. Through the story of Abraham, we learn about how God continually invites us to engage with Him in deeper intimacy.
This week we will be continuing our “Story of God” series as we discuss the event of the Tower of Babel in Genesis Chapter 11. In this chapter we see humanity once again attempting to subvert God’s plan in place if their own. Even in the midst of our own sin and rebellion God continues His plan in grace to redeem.
In the early chapters of Genesis, the author is setting us up to see the issue: Sin is growing at a rapid, near uncontrollable rate. What will God do? His response is one of anguish and mercy, ending the suffering of the sinners while enacting justice. Rather than allowing the story to spiral to oblivion, God reveals the new Beginning and flips the script: The story of redemption begins. God promises to erase sin, but he promises to do it in a different way. That way is Jesus Christ, the one who would die for us and offer us redemption.
We bring what we have to God and he does the rest! Based on the widow's oil being multiplied by Elisha, we will bring what we have to see what God can do in and through us in this next year. It will end with a summary of the formation model that we are implementing this fall at COTH.
Happy Father's Day! Dad's tiptoe the line between being responsible and being fun. What is the best way to model Christ-like behavior to our families? Taking a look at Joseph and how he modeled fatherhood for Jesus in Matthew and Mark's gospels.
The Story of God series will walk through Genesis 1-11 as a reflection of the entire story of the Bible. Identity Crisis will focus on how God's story doesn't have a beginning or end, our story begins with him and we find our identity in Him because he created us.
When God taught Israel how to build a nation that would last and that would be faithful to him, he always directed Israel towards the children and weaving God's truth into daily life. But this direction was not just for a child's parents but the entire faith community. God asserts that it takes a village to raise disciples. So how will we participate in this individual AND communal discipleship?
Sunday's service will be a change of pace from our normal line-up of order. We will focus on the reading of scripture, anointing the church right where they are, inviting them into the journey of lent, and partaking of communion mixed with deep worship and prayer.
In a season of literal and spiritual famine, God directs the Prophet Elijah to a widow with nothing left but a handful of flour and a little oil. We explore how total surrender leads to supernatural provision. This message challenges us to give God our "last morsel" so He can reveal His infinite abundance.
Salvation is only the beginning of the Christian experience. We are not called to be saved and then do nothing. God has created and designed each of us to accomplish specific roles for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Our responsibility as employees of the Kingdom is to continually be formed so that we may live out the purposes for which God created us to execute.
Today, we hear from Celebration Recovery! CR has been going strong now for one year at Church on the Hill and is building up to a bright future of Christ-based recovery. Worship with us, celebrate with us God's goodness to recovery!
How can we get freedom from all the worry and anxiety in our lives? Today, we take a look at Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus' teaching on worry and his provisions. We desire to give all our anxiety over to the Lord once and for all and not let stress and worry affect who we are, our health, or our relationship with Jesus. Let's lay it all down at the altar and don't worry about a thing.
Group Life Questions:
What stood out the most from the message?
Read Matthew 6:25-34. What observations do you have from what Jesus was teaching in these verses?
How can worry be damaging to us physically, emotionally, spiritually, & relationally?
What does Jesus mean when he says ‘you of little faith’? See also Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:8, and Luke 12:28.
What does Jesus say is the solution for worry? See 1 Peter 5:7 and Matthew 6:30-34.
What are you currently worried about? What does your time alone with the Father look like each day?
Jesus taught about prayer many times. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus narrowed it down to three words: Ask, Seek, Knock. Asking God for things as one of his children, seeking God with complete trust and confidence, and knocking on the door of heaven knowing we can approach the throne boldly. God is relational and provides for us our needs.
Group Life Questions
What stood out the most about the message?
What has unintentionally formed your view of God?
Read Romans 8. How does God claim you as His own?
How has God provided for you throughout your life?
What fears stop you from approaching the throne of God?
Read Isaiah 55:8. Do you believe this? Why or why not?
Look at Mary's (Luke 1:38) and Jesus’ (Luke 22:42) responses to God. Are you willing to surrender control to God?
End in a time of prayer, BOLDLY asking God for discernment, seeking His will, and knocking on Heaven’s door.
Nothing makes us feel smarter, more "spiritual," or better than to pass judgment on someone. We focus on the speck in another person's eye while we look right past the plank in our own eye.
This weekend will be a challenge to have the Lord search our hearts, remind us of the grace given to us, and to view others through the eyes of Jesus.
Group Life Questions:
What stuck out most about the message from Sunday?
Where do you struggle the most in judging others? Does judging others bless you in the long run? What about those that you are judging?
Read Matthew 7:1-6. In what way will we be judged? How did Jesus illustrate the foolishness of the way we find fault in others?
Why is it necessary to deal with one's sins first? What perspective does that give you in how you view others?
End your time by talking about how your life in the disciplines is going currently and what discipline you would like to spend more time with. (I.e., prayer, fasting, sabbath, community, generosity, Scripture)
Don't work for blessing, work from blessing! Jesus flips the idea of blessing upside down, revealing how we are truly blessed, which is the opposite of what we have always thought. Through the intro of the sermon on the mount, we will see what Jesus meant by 'blessed' and then challenge us to be salt and light. Salt and light! Be these!
Group Life Questions:
What stood out the most about the message?
Read Matthew 5:1-10 in 2 other translations. What are some similarities and differences between the wordings?
For each beatitude, list the 'blessed' or 'blessing'.
Look at your list, where you have seen these truths in the lives of your family & friends?
Where have you seen these in your own life?
How can you be salt and light to someone this week?
End your time in contemplative prayer. Talk to God/Listen to God/Be with God.
Talk to God. Listen to God. Be With God. Let's refocus on what is most important on our journey with God.
Group Life Questions
Take some time to pray in a contemplative form: Talk To God/Listen To God/Be with God. Give the group 15 minutes to pray in this way. Distribute scriptures to the group to focus on during that time to set the tone. Collect again and discuss your experience from that time with God.
How current are you in your obedience to God?
What is one thing that you are currently struggling to trust God with?
Do you find it uncomfortable just sitting in the presence of God or do you feel that there always has to be talking?
What will your week look like this week as you build into your schedule time to talk to God, listen to God, and be with God?
What keeps the Lord from shaking the nations? Could it be that our attitudes and practices prevent a move of the Spirit? Today, we journey through chapter 2 of the prophet Haggai and see what the Lord instructed him to say to the people of Judah. He was quick to uncover some areas that were still present in their hearts so He could shake the nations and bring all back to a place of holiness.
Group Life Questions:
Being by praying for one another.
Pray briefly about the following objectives that are our focus in practicing the way of Christ:
a) Being a follower, not just a convert b) Having a plan for our spiritual growth c) Healing from the past d) Living a life that can be multiplied in others e) Living in deep, meaningful community.
Read Haggai 1 & 2 out loud. What are the things that the people are struggling with in terms of rebuilding the temple? Name them from chapters 1 & 2.
How do these things relate to you as a follower of Christ and what are some things that you have done to prevent the work of the Lord in your own life?
Over time, we lose focus on what is most important. When that happens, we tend to look more inward to what we think gives us the most pleasure and purpose. Our Time Is Now will focus on our priorities and how they can reflect the challenge that God is calling us to at this time. Let's look ahead, let's get motivated again to serve the Lord, and let's respond to the call of God. Our time is now!
Group Life Questions:
Who has ever helped you rebuild something? What was the hardest part?
Read Haggai 1:6. What is consistent throughout this verse?
Why do you think the people of God stalled in their progress of rebuilding God's house?
What is your greatest barrier in acting on God's plans for you? What is one area where you need to rebuild your devotion to God?
Based on Haggai 1:8, what would be your plan for rebuilding or laying a new foundation for an area of growth?
Read the following Scriptures before praying for one another. Make some observations about each one and what they mean to you: 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19-22, James 1:22-25, Ecclesiastes 9:10
The 10th Commandment not to covet calls us to stay on the life giving course God has given. We are tempted to shift our focus, to covet something that won’t last. Joy comes as we trust Jesus in all our circumstances and celebrate following Him!
Group Life Questions:
How does the coveting dialogue begin in your mind.
What is it like to transition from coveting in your mind to taking something?
There is a list of things in verse 17 not to covet. Why do you think the word “anything” is added?
In your group discuss Psalm 51 that tells of David’s brokenness after his sin with Bathsheba.
Read the parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 13: 13-21. How do “Bigger barns” come in our lives today?
Israel was given a very clear instruction: Do not take the life of another human. They got very caught up in the physical aspect, and Jesus came to show us that it is not enough to simply stay your hand from physically stealing a life. Your thoughts, words, actions and inactions either contribute to the flourishing and growth towards Jesus of someone, or they leave them marching towards death. Who are we letting die to sin because of our biases? Because of our need to feel better than someone?
Group Life Questions:
Which passage of Scripture from today's sermon stuck with you?
Matthew 19:1-12
Isaiah 59:15-21
Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 25:31-46
Matthew 18:21-35
Matthew 5:43-48
Romans 12:9-21
What arguments or justifications have you heard for Old Testament violence, if any?
Does Jesus' vision of the Kingdom of God have room for violence at all?
Have you ever been "left for dead", where it feels as though a choice you made was the last straw for someone? Have you ever felt that way towards someone and their decisions?
Who have you stopped praying for to find life? Who do you need to start praying for?
"You shalt not steal" is one of the ten commandments that prevents us from damaging our relationship with God and with our neighbors by trusting that what God gives us is good and sufficient for us.
Group Life Questions:
What spoke to you most from the sermon today?
After listening to the sermon, can you think of a time when you stole intentionally or unintentionally? (maybe copying work ideas from a colleague, taking something from the office without permission, taking advantage of someone else's time, etc.)
After reading Exodus 20:15 and Psalms 37:23-25, what lessons do these two sets of verses teach us?
Are there some ways we can steal from God? What are those ways?
How can we improve our relationship with God and with our neighbors if we have realized that we have stolen from them in some way?
Honoring our Father and Mother was a command given by God to the children of Israel, but it was also a promise to inherit the promised land. At the depth of this commandment is the call for strong households, strong families, which lead to strong societies. Education, nurturing, modeling, discipleship all happens first in the home. Today, we will look at ways that we can honor our father and mother while understanding how to strengthen our home.
Group Life Questions:
What spoke to you most from the message today?
In what ways have you been able to honor your parents in your life and what was the benefit of that honoring?
Take a look at the first four commandments. What is the central theme of 1-4? Now take a look at 5-10. What is the central theme? Cross reference this to Mark 12:30-31.
Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21 and cross reference this to Luke 15:18-19. What do these two sets of verses teach us about God's love for us now? How are we honoring our heavenly father?
End your time with prayer for one another, for our church, and for the community.
Stephen is a case study into what it looks like to practice the Way of Christ amidst suffering. We cannot practice the Way of Christ and experience the Life if we aren't ready to face the pain and suffering that this world forces on us. Our response and the life we lead amidst our suffering becomes a testimony far more powerful than giving someone a run down of the gospel with your words. The people who get it, who practice the Way, don't run from pain or ignore it, pretending as if it doesn't exist, but they face it knowing the God who stands with them with a broken heart and a powerful hand. He does not abandon us to our suffering but has given us the example of how to endure and still change lives amidst suffering, and in doing so following in the steps of Christ, shaming the Enemy, death and the powers of this world. Suffering lasts in the night, but God's power and justice always rises with the morning.
Group Life Questions
Compare Luke's account of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion and Stephen's arrest and eventual death. What are the similarities? Differences?
Read John 14-15. How does it relate to Stephen? What is the role of the Holy Spirit for believers and what can we learn about the Way of Christ from this passage?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in this snapshot of Stephen's life?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in your life? How has he moved you recently?
What pain or suffering has God transformed into a testimony, either in your own life, the life of someone you know or around the world? Is there any that hasn't yet been transformed? Is there someone who made Christ more real to you through their endurance?
Suffering is not open, it is not always public and it is not always obvious or massive. We experience some sort of discomfort, pain or suffering almost on a daily basis. Pray for each other's strength through the Spirit and that others may know Christ through our endurance.
If it were only us in an open space with the anointing of Jesus and the charge to change the world, where would we begin? This was a picture of the early church. As we conclude our series on Practicing the Way of Christ, we will dive into what it means to Gather and then scatter like the church did in Acts 8. Our community needs more of us to carry the light of Jesus to them. God is just getting started!
Group Life Questions
If it were just your group in an open space with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the charge to go change the world, where would you begin?
Read Acts 8:1-3. What was the persecution they were facing and how did God use that to help take the message to other places?
What is the purpose of our gathering on Sunday mornings? Make a list and discuss.
Questions to end your time together: How often do we pray in our gathering time for opportunities in our scattering? Am I a multiplier for Christ? If so, how? What can I do to bring heaven to earth in my Jerusalem?
End your time in prayer for one another and for more opportunities to share Jesus with others.
Our vision is to have a healthy, spiritually growing Church through practicing the way of Christ. One of the pillars in a healthy church is a deep, meaningful community. Today, we will explore how God is a community within himself and has established the same for us to participate in. Part of our growth is done in the community. The challenge is to break through that which might be hindering you from experiencing community and establish a walk with Jesus that will show us a better way to practice what He taught.
Group Life Questions:
What is the best part about your small group community that you are in right now?
Explore the following Biblical concepts:
God is the founder of shared experiences (Genesis 2:19)
God Is in himself a Community in the Trinity
-Jesus established a community among the disciples (Mark 3:14 & Matthew 9:10)
Have you ever been hurt by the church? If so, please share (to your comfort level) how you processed and were able to land where you did. How did the community help you through and what did you learn about Jesus?
How is your walk with Jesus? What are you learning recently from Jesus as you walk with him?
The apostles and the early church of Acts were on fire! They were adding to their number daily, people were being healed, and lives were being changed! We are wanting 2024 to be the year of miracles. We prayed for it during 21 days of prayer. Why do we not see miraculous signs and healings today as what was experienced in Acts? I submit that there is a dichotomous relationship between Faith and Fear. When we allow Fear to creep into our minds, we hamstring our Faith. When we hamstring our Faith, we hamstring the divine work that God wants to do in us and through us. When we believe and hold firm to the promises of God our Faith is increased and our Fear is suppressed and God can use us to accomplish the impossible!
Group Life Questions:
What does Liturgy mean? Discuss what makes up your current church liturgy?
God calls us to be Holy because He is Holy. What does Holiness look like to you? What does it mean to be Holy?Is perfect holiness attainable?
Can you think of Biblical examples of people not doing what God wanted them to because they were afraid?
Can you think of Biblical examples of Faith overcoming Fear and Divine work takes place?
Are you brave enough to confess a fear that has held you back? If so, what is it.
How can we encourage one another to walk in Faith and Trust and help one another not give into fear?
Am I trying to follow Christ or am I training in the practice of following? Our efforts to try things can be unsuccessful and that can lead to burnout, disappointment, and giving up when it comes to following Christ. If we look at following Christ from the lens of training in his practices and the continued routine making us stronger each day, then we will see our growth over time. Today, we dive deeper into training to live for Christ vs. trying to live for Christ and we also explore the church in Acts 4 and how their training got them through the first line of persecution.
Group Life Questions:
What stuck out to you the most from today's message?
Would you say that most of your journey with Christ has been you trying to follow or training to follow? What is the difference to you?
In Acts 4, what do Peter and John face early in this chapter and how were they able to get through this tough time?
Read 1 Corinthians 4:16. What is your initial reaction to Paul's words here and is it easier for us to understand what he meant with a little context?
Are you living the kind of life that you would want to see multiplied in others?
End your time by praying these verses from Acts 4.
Pray - Acts 4:31
Grow - Acts 4:32
Serve - Acts 4:32
Multiply - Acts 4:33
No matter where you are in life, it is never too late, early, or you are never too important to practice the way of Christ! Diving into Acts 3, we will take a look at the practices of the early apostles, more specially Peter and John, as they practiced prayer, service, and multiplication as they shared the good news! We will look at how the practices they were participating in formed them and shaped their attitude toward others. Join us as we continue to Practice the Way of Christ!
Group Life Questions:
What is something you became good at over time because you practiced so much?
Look at Matthew 7:24-27. What does Jesus mean by 'put these things into practice?" What things? Break up into small groups and find how we can practice Jesus' teaching toward some of the topics he covered in Matthew 5-7.
What stuck out to you from the message concerning Peter & John and their practices despite the huge move of God in Acts 2? Their focus on prayer, growth, serving, and sharing their faith?
How would you say you are doing in the areas of: prayer, service, witness, Scripture, generosity, community, solitude, sabbath, & fasting?
End your time in prayer for one another and for the community of McMinnville.
This week we continue with part 2 of our 8-week series, “Practicing the Way of Christ”. Today we dive into Acts chapter 2, and walk with the disciples through the day of Pentecost. This is the day that changes everything. The Holy Spirit is poured out, the first Gospel message is given, and the Church begins!
GROUP LIFE QUESTIONS:
What about today's message stuck out most to you and why?
How do you speak to God when you pray? Is it like David?
How have you continued the work of the disciples in Acts 2?
How do you cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
What is an example in your life of when the Holy Spirit has guided you?
In what ways has the Word cut to your heart?
We are to be on guard with our hearts so as to not be deceived by the evil one! For Jesus, embracing the light was the key to the schemes of the darkness being revealed. The call today is for us not to be swept away in the devil's lies but to stand strong in freedom in the light of Christ. Jesus is the light of the world and in him there is no darkness!
GROUP LIFE QUESTIONS:
What's one idea from the message that really stood out to you? Why did that grab your attention?
What does God's light mean to you and how is it illuminated in your life?
How has Jesus revealed himself as the light in your life? What about the Word of God? How has it brought light to your life and heart?
Discuss Acts 26:17-17 & John 8:1-12. What might Christ be revealing to you?
Read Revelation 21:23. What does it say about God's presence and how does that line-up with Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6?
End your time together in prayer for one another and discuss one way that you can be a light to someone this week.
What's the best way to share the gospel in today's culture? Being aware of the sensitivity of sharing the good news, there are still ways we can show Jesus to others and bring them into the faith. We have work to do! Only 2% of Christians have shared their faith with someone in the past year. Today, we say, "Let your life speak" as we look at some things we can do as Christ-followers to share the good news!
GROUP QUESTIONS:
Begin your time in prayer for one another guided by Romans 15:13.
Discuss some methods of evangelism that are not effective in your opinion.
We live in a world that will not handle proselytizing. They are very-sensitive to anything that they might be doing to cause harm. What is a follower of Jesus to do in today's culture when it comes to sharing the good news of the gospel to others?
According to the Barna group, 96% of millennial Christians said that 'part of my faith is being a witness about Jesus and 94% said 'the best thing that can happen to someone is for them to come to know Jesus." All this to add that "2% of Christians have told someone about Jesus in the past year." What is holding us back from sharing the good news?
Of the four things mentioned in the sermon from Sunday, which one(s) are you currently participating in and which ones would you like to participate more in? They were: Find Where God is working and join him, Bear Witness, "Do the Miracles", Spend Time With Jesus in the Liminal Space.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by 40 different authors. It tells one story of our God that shows our need for Jesus. It is powerful, life changing, and feeds our soul like no other. As beginners with the Word, we will explore 5 questions from the book of Philemon: Is there a sin to be avoided? Is there a promise to be claimed? Is there an example to follow? Is three a command to obey? What does this verse teach me about Jesus? Through it all, His story will rewrite our story. This story is meant to transform us!
GROUP LIFE QUESTIONS:
Were you able to spend time with God each day this past week? If so, how did it go? What did you learn and will you keep going?
Why is time with God each day so important?
Have each group member choose a chapter of Scripture (or whatever they are able to handle). Have each person apply the following 5 questions to selected passage:
Is there a sin to be aware of?
Is there an example to follow?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there something to know about God and/or Jesus?
Bring the group back to the large setting and have them share about their time with the Scripture.
Close your time with prayer for one another. Also, have them share their beginnings of a plan for spending time with God each day this coming week.
The best habit we can have all throughout the week is time with our heavenly Father. Today, we look at the benefits of studying God's Word and some practical steps on how to apply it to our lives. The Bible is not meant to just inform us, but to transform us!
Group Life Questions:
Talk about your typical week. How much time do you spend doing various tasks compared to the time you spend with Jesus? Talk about barriers that make it difficult for you to spend time in God's word. How can you help one another overcome those barriers?
What does the Bible say about itself? How have these verses help you lean on the Word of God in good times and tough times?
A sword that pierces - Hebrews 4:12
A light that shines. Psalm 119:105
A mirror that reveals - James 1:23
A path to purity - Psalm 119:9
A defense against temptation - Psalm 119:11
A truth that lives forever - Isaiah 40:8
Have each member of the group select a passage of Scripture. If they are not comfortable with that, then group leaders have some available to suggest. Apply the following to that particular passage:
Choose a translation you understand of that passage
Read slowly and ask questions
Write down your observations of the passage and pray those observations back to God
Observe your conversation with God all throughout your study of that passage
Choose a time, place, and plan to study God's Word regularly
End your time in prayer for one another. At the start of your next group time, reflect with one another how your time in the Word has formed your heart since your last meeting.
We as Americans face a big problem today- loneliness. Today we will talk about one of the ways we as Christ followers can tackle loneliness through the extension of phileo love.
Group Questions
In what ways have you experienced phileo love?
Have you experienced loneliness? How were you able to come out of it?
What part of John 15:12-17 stands out to you?
How can you help others experience phileo love within the church? How about outside of the church, to someone who does not YET believe in Christ?
Read Colossians 3:12-17. How are you living this out?
Where do you need to offer forgiveness to one of your brothers or sisters in Christ? Or, where do you need to ask for forgiveness?
Challenge: Allow God to use you. Find a moment where you can extend phileo love to someone who seems to be alone.
A healthy marriage requires spiritually healthy individuals. We will talk about what a healthy marriage needs, and how to view eros love through an agape lens. Together we learn that the key to a healthy marriage is in Christ alone.
Group Questions:
How do you care for your relationship with God? Is it surface level? Or deeper?
What spiritual disciplines are you interested in learning more about?
What is your view of man and woman?
4.How is your paradigm changing?
What are some ways you can speak words of life into your relationships?
What does mutual submission look like in your relationships? How have you experienced this?
Challenge: Ask God to help you see your spouse through His eyes and love them through an agape lens.
Today, we seek to understand what agape love is and the gravity in how much the Creator loves His creation. We will look at several passages that highlight the depths of God’s agape love for us, and then examine how we are meant to respond to such a love. What are we to do with God’s agape love? We will also answer the question about HOW we reciprocate God’s agape love, which we will further develop in the following weeks.
Group Questions:
How many different expressions of love can you recall from the sermon, or can you look up on your own? Remember, the English language is limited!
How does being created in the image of God give us the ability to love?
What are the strongest expressions of love that you have experienced in your life? Do they align with agape love?
What are some characteristics of agape love?
5.Have you ever extended your love in vulnerability toward someone else and have it met with negativity? Or reciprocated positively? What feelings did either scenario bring out in you?
What is our role in a miracle? Taking a quick look at Mark 5 today will reveal that our role is to press into Jesus and pressing past the negativity of others, religion, and the disappointment we might feel. YOu might feel like quitting....God says 'press past the pain'! We will also hear some miracle watch stories to increase our God-awareness! This is the year of miracles! Expect great things!
Group Questions
What is the worst injury you've ever had?
What part of the message was most impactful for you? Read Mark 5:24-34 and discuss what stands out to you in the scripture.
Where are you needing healing or comfort from Jesus? What does it look like to 'press into Jesus' like the woman in Mark 5?
Sometimes to move toward a miracle, we need to press past the pain, disappointment, religion, and other people. Which of these things do you need to press past?
Share about a time when you or someone else you know received healing. What was this experience like for you/them and how did it grow your faith?
Ending Challenge: Find ways to press into Jesus this week. Come back next week ready to discuss victories in this area.
There are some common lessons to be learned when it comes to miracles! With each one, we know that God's grace is the source and miracles also increase our God-awareness. Today, we will explore the man in John 5 who was healed from his physical ailment but wasn't healed in his heart. Sometimes we seek the physical miracle and forget to ask or acknowledge the heart transformation that Jesus expects. Our challenge today is to rid ourselves of the excuses and take a step in the direction of heart healing.
Group Questions:
Begin your time together speaking about a miracle that has happened to you this past week or month. How did it strengthen your relationship with God? (Please feel free to share these with Pastor Adam in the days ahead so we can highlight some of the miracles that God is doing at COTH). #miraclewatch Email: alewis@hillchurch.com
Read John 5:1-15 once more and share some casual observations. Why did what you shared stick out to you?
Why did Jesus walk past others and go straight to the man by the pool? How does this apply to our lives today?
Read John 5:6. Why did Jesus ask the man if he wanted to be healed? How would healing change the man's life? What, in your opinion, was the man's real need?
Out of the three lessons shared in the sermon: 1) Miracles Are From God's Grace, 2) Miracles Reveal Our God-Awareness, 3) Jesus Expects Repentance; which one speaks most to your heart and why.
Continue to pray for one another, for one another's miracles, and for the continued move of the Spirit at COTH.
Is there a miracle you are currently waiting on? Within that waiting time, our souls can become troubled. Today's challenge is "what to do with a troubled soul". Hold out hope! Jesus has not said that it's over. Jesus raised his friend up from the grave and Lazarus removed his grave clothes. This means that his past was cleaned and cleared and hope and life was restored! For Mary and Martha, their miracle happened in Jesus' timing, and what we will visit today is their response in the waiting for the miracle.
Our theme for 2024 is Expect Great Things! We enter into this weekend and 21 days of prayer expecting God to do the miraculous. As we look through two miracles in Mark's gospel (7 & 8), we will see that God works miracles according to his ways, not ours. We will also see that there is something that is happening in us when we bring forth instances for the miraculous to Jesus himself. We are the 'some people' that the passages talk about today. We bring forth that which needs the essence of Jesus to Jesus and expect great things!
Group Life Questions:
What is your word for 2024? Examples include: expectation, faith, devotion, courage, anticipation, believe, & heal.
On a scale from 1 to 10, (10 being highly likely), how likely are you to believe in a miracle?
Look at each story individually: Mark 7:31-37 & Mark 8:22-26. Discuss similarities between the miracles. What are we to make of Jesus' methods for healing in these instances?
We are the "some people" who bring things to the Savior. What is happening in us when we are bringing things to Him? How does God view us when we submit and release things to him?
End your time by praying for one another and for one miracle you would like to see in 2024.
Today marks the final Sunday of the year. While we eagerly anticipate the arrival of 2024, we recognize the importance of using this time to explore the great things that God has been preparing you.
Why does God make us wait? What happens to us in the time of waiting is just as important as what we are waiting for. Throughout Scripture, God commands others to wait for His timing. Oftentimes, we want God's blessings but we don't want his timing. Today, we take a look at the people who were there when Jesus was born and what they learned in the waiting for the Savior. God is not going to waste your time waiting! Let's lean in, learn to long for Him, and embrace obedience to the Spirit.
Group Life Questions
When you think of waiting in connection with your relationship with God, what comes to mind?
Think of a recent time the Lord made you wait. What was the end result?
What does waiting on the Lord mean according to Psalm 62:5-7, Psalm 42:2, Psalm 37:7, and Psalm 119:166? Do you believe God wants to do a long-range work in your life or are we just looking for a quick solution?
Consider the following examples of waiting from God's Word: Simeon and Anna (Luke 2) & the Disciples (Acts 1:8). What did they do while waiting on the Lord?
Consider how waiting implies longing and hope. What does this mean for something you are waiting for right now? Discuss doubt and discouragement in the waiting process and how the people waiting for Jesus' arrival might have felt.
Have you ever been disappointed with God? Are you disappointed with God right now? Chances are our disappointment with God comes from our plans being changed because of his plans. We look at the life of Mary and Joseph and how God changed their plans to bring the Savior into the world to save us from our sin. And through all the changes in their plans, they chose to worship through and trust. Their disappointment was actually a divine appointment with God and your's can be, too!
Group Questions:
Have you ever been disappointed with God? Have you ever been made to feel guilty for feeling such a way toward God?
Read Proverbs 16:9 & Proverbs 19:21. When was a time God changed your plans? How did it work out?
Mary and Joseph were both troubled by the role they would play in God's story for humanity. (Mary - Luke 1:29) (Joseph - Matthew 1:19). Was ultimately their response and talk candidly about their process to arrive there.
LEADER - select a worship song to play before you wrap-up your discussion time. Use that time of listening and worshiping to trust God's plan for whatever is on your heart.
John Powell wrote: "I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see everyone morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I'D LIKE TO BE PART OF IT. THANKS FOR CHOOSING ME!" Let this be your prayer in the days ahead.
Advent celebrates the coming of our Lord! His arrival means that he is with us in the center of our hopelessness. We could not get to him, so he came to us! This love that came from heaven above is not something that we should be distant from. This love that came for us was real and it's personal. It can change us forever. It can be our missing piece.
Group Questions:
Begin your time by praying for one another. Have each person share one thing that the Lord has been speaking to them or teaching them.
At our lowest, the God of the universe is our source of peace and hope. Describe a time when you were at the end of yourself and the Lord was that calming, hopeful presence that you needed.
Read John 1:1-14. Discuss the 'Word" or 'Logos' from vv. 1-2. Why would that term mean such a great deal to the people of God at that time? What would this sound like today?
The Dorothy Sayers story is one that is popular among preachers. Talk about why she would have placed herself in the story. Hebrews 12:2 says, "He is the author and perfecter of our faith." Is our story already written with God already in it or is our story being written and we need to accept Christ to make it complete?
Talk about how your group can display the incarnational model to your surroundings and McMinnville like Jesus did to us through the incarnation.
This advent season, while some of us joyfully come together to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, there are some who, in this same season, battle feelings of sadness, loneliness and hopelessness.
However, one of the most exciting things Jesus came to do in the world is give us HOPE. Hope for a better life. Hope to achieve eternal life. Hope to receive the promised miracle. Hope that his presence will accompany us wherever we go.
Jesus is the hope! Join us this morning at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. as Pastor Jony kicks off our first week of advent!
Sometimes our lives are taken to the point where we have nowhere else to turn except to God himself. In those times, we are challenged to get ourselves out of tough times or to have a full dependance on God. Today, we talk about what we need and what we have and will be challenged to take the next step in giving what we have to see God do amazing things that only He can do. #hillchurchmcminnville
Let's start to prepare for 2024! As the year comes to an end, we can put behind us the year that was and start to focus on what the Lord is calling us to do as a church community in the next 12 months. Today, we talk about our goals for next year and how God continues to call us into the deep waters of growth and discipleship making. This is the challenge we need to help us focus again! Our goals for 2024 will be given through the lens of our core values: Pray First, Growth, Serving, and Multiplication. Church on the Hill, expect great things!
Group Life Questions
Begin by praying for one another and for one lost person that each group member knows by name.
Discuss John 12:32 (someone read verse) and what Jesus means for the church today. How have we wandered away from His teaching in John 12:32? How can we come back?
Assess with your group where everyone is in their journey with Christ by using Pastor Jony's sermon from November 5th as a metric: ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, swept away. What is the next step for each person? (How can COTH help them grow in their faith?)
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus is giving clear commands to make disciples. Is there someone that they are discipling? Who is discipling them?
The only thing God wants from you is EVERYTHING. What can be better than the presence of God taking total control of our lives? Join us as we talk about what it means to dive deeper into our relationship with the Father.
Without the church, the culture doesn't know who it is or who it should become. In Revelation 1:20, the seven churches that would be addressed in chapters 2-3 were called 'Lampstands." Today, we take a look at what it means for Church on the Hill to be a Lampstand as we shine a light on what has been sacrificed. This also means we are a light to our homes. We pray that Jesus fills us up with the light of Christ so that we may not walk in darkness and be that light to those in need.
Group Life Questions:
Being your time together by praying for one another.
Discuss the quote from Will Williamon and whether or not it is still applicable to our times today: "Rather, the world needs the church, because, without the church, the world doesn't know who it is."
In Revelation 1:20, the churches were called the Lampstands. What did this mean for them and what does this mean for us at Church on the Hill?
Being that we are strategically placed where we are as a church, what can we do to reach more people in our community for Christ?
What does it mean to you to shine the light of Christ in your home?
Pray this verse in closing: John 8:12 - I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
Emotional health and spiritual health cannot be separated. For this series, we have been challenge the church to search beneath the surface to uncover the parts of our soul that God wants to transform. We focus on our behavior yet ignore what is happening beneath the surface. The challenge today is to allow God to play to your weaknesses and admit that we are a broken people. Just like the men and woman in the Bible whom God used through their weaknesses, we too can find strength and purpose by embracing our weaknesses.
GROUP QUESTIONS:
Begin your time together by praying for one another and following up on the previous week's requests.
Look at the the progression of weakness from Paul in the following verses: explain his journey to weakness and then talk a little about your journey to weakness and the strength you found. (Galatians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:15).
Take a look at Luke 15:17-32. Split off into triads and talk about the younger brother, the older brother, and the response from the father. Return to the group after considering the following items: 1) Were they living in the 10% of what was seen or the 90% of what was needing cleansed by the father? 2) What was their response to the acceptance from the father? 3) Do you find that you are more like the younger brother or the older brother?
What is holding you back from allowing God to transform the 90% that is unseen in your life?
There is so much more to your journey than what is seen on the surface. Under the iceberg of your life are the joys, griefs, losses, and dreams that God has asked us to face as we become spiritually mature. Today, we think about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus entered the temple, he turned over the tables of the money changers that were corrupting the relationship between God and his people. Beneath the surface, there are things that are getting in the way of our relationship with God and those are the tables that Jesus wants to turn. What tables does Jesus want to turn in your life?
Group Life Questions:
Begin your time having each person share one thing that can be prayed for next week for them, their family, or their work.
Read Mark 11:15-18. How has this story sat with you? (if you had heard it before). What is your first thought of Jesus behaving this way?
What was going on in the temple at that time that would cause Jesus to turn those tables?
What is the hardest part about becoming self-aware of what is beneath the surface of our lives? Why do we have trouble finding our blind spots?
Discuss this quote from the sermon: "We trade a transformational journey for a transactional relationship with God."
What is one table that Jesus wants to turn over in your life?
Have we been able to face the losses in our lives? Maybe you find yourself stuck in the disorientation part of life and you are having trouble finding you way through all that life has thrown at you. Jesus offers the power to face our losses with courage and bravery and grow into a place where we find His goodness once again and move on in a healthy way. Today, we challenge you to face losses individually and we will face losses as a community. God leads the way and offers hope and comfort for our path forward!
Group Life Questions
Begin your time together by praying for one another. Each person share one thing that God has been speaking to them about during this week.
Quickly visit the moments when 'Jesus wept." John 11:35; Luke 19:41-44, Matthew 26: 36-46. Briefly talk about each one and what loss Jesus was facing.
Talk about your life in three stages listed by Walter Brueggemann; orientation, disorientation, and reorientation. Based on the definitions of each, what was life with Christ like in each one?
Are there individual losses that you have yet to face so that you can move on? Are there losses for us as a church that we need to face so that we can move on?
End your time by praying Psalm 8 in its entirety.
What happens in one generation often repeats itself in the next. But God can transform your family pain with forgiveness and healing! There's so much to your story than what's happening on the surface of things. Under the iceberg of your life are the joys, griefs, losses, and dreams that God has uniquely planted in your heart. Today, we take a deep dive into our past, more specifically, our family dynamic, to discover how God can use the brokenness of our experiences and families to bring glory. Like only God can do, he can take what the enemy means for evil and turn it for good.
Group Life Questions:
Open with Prayer for another. Have each person share one thing that they are seeking prayer and/or a praise from their prayer time the previous week.
What do you think of this statement: "Pain that is not transformed will be transferred."
Talk about your family dynamic growing up and the good things you learned and the no-so-good things you learned. How has that affected who you are today as a spouse, leader, friend, parent, & family member?
Read Genesis 50:15-21. What was done leading up to Joseph saying those things to his brothers and what is he doing to face the hurt that has been done to him?
What does it mean to be born again?
Many of the great spiritual writers concluded in some way that we must know ourselves in order to know God. In today’s message, we look at Paul’s invitation “to put off your old self…and to put on the new self” as a way towards better knowing ourselves. We’ll explore how shame is at the root of our old/false self and that we must learn how to disarm shame in order to walk in the knowledge and freedom of our new/true self in Christ.
Group Life Questions:
“It’s impossible to be spiritually mature and emotionally immature.” How does that quote sit with you?
"Emotional health has to do with becoming aware of and responding to our thoughts, feelings, and emotions, in a way that is lifegiving for ourselves and for others.” "Contemplative spirituality is about slowing down and being known by God and others." Why do we need both in order to pursue spiritual health and maturity?
Read Ephesians 4:22-24. What does it mean for you “to put off your old self…and to put on your new self?
Consider how shame plays a role in the making of our old or false selves. How do you understand shame? What happens when you feel shame in your life?
In order to disarm shame in our lives, we must face it and name it. What shame do you need to face and name in your life?
Beneath certain stories in the Word is the nature of God reflecting His kindness. Today we take a look at the "Golden Rule" in Matthew 7:12 as well as a few other verses that point us to our behavior to others. Jesus calls us to lead the way with our Kindness, despite the reaction or return behavior from others. How well do we do at showing the same Kindness to others that God has shown us? He felt we were worthy enough to lead us to repentance through his kindness.
The Revival of Kindness: Is it difficult to show kindness to someone who you feel might not deserve it? Today, we look at the kindness of God as displayed through King David to Mephibosheth. This kindness that as given restored the fellowship of the people after many years of tension. Do we fully understand the kindness that God gives us? Are we ready to pass on that same kindness to others?
When was the last time we went out of our way to show someone kindness? What would McMinnville look like if there were an infusion of kindness? Based on what we have been given by Christ, it is our call and command to show kindness to those around us. Let's dive into God's word together and discover the kindness given to us and how that leads us to pass it along. Today, we look at the work of Christ in us (Know God) and the work of Christ through us (Play A Role).
Today, we kick-off a new season of ministry at Church on the Hill! We strive to create spiritual healthy disciples who know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and play a role. As we think about our mission this next year, we seek God for those that we have not met yet, those that are finding freedom in Christ, and the impact that we can make on McMinnville. Join us in this mission! You have a role to play!
God promises to never leave us or forsake us. In Daniel 3, we learn about three young men, Shadrach, Mechach, and Abendgo who stood up in the face of opposition and were thrown into the fiery furnace. While there, God showed up and delivered them! Sometimes God delivers us from the furnace, other times he delivers us while we are IN the furnace. Although we might be surrounded by hardships, God shows up and gives us the hope we need!
The devil is always up to something and our job is to fight back against his schemes. Like Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2, we are aware of what he is up to. Today, we fight back and wage war against the darkness. We celebrate Jesus and his power to overcome. Send us your prayer requests and we will wage war with you.
Humans are wanderers at heart. Our nature is to be ever-seeking, ever- gaining individuals.
We are always searching, always wanting, yet never finding. The good news is everything we can
possibly imagine gaining in this world rests in the hands of an Almighty Creator. God in His
goodness reigns down blessings upon blessings for us to enjoy. That is a God truth.
From our morning coffee to the passing of a loved one, Gods goodness is present.
Envy causes us to compare and compete with others in an unhealthy way. It brings arrogance when we're winning and discouragement when we're not. It robs us of contentment and causes us to feel like we are chasing the wind. Envy doesn't have to win. Deep within each of us, there is the action of envy but Jesus has overcome that action with the tools of contentment and joy.
Join us this morning as we listen to the many amazing testimonies from our teens who recently attended Nazarene Youth Conference 2023. It will be a great morning full of worship and stories about how God has and will continue to move in and through our youth.
How big is God to you? For many of us, God becomes smaller and smaller as life happens. Our feelings of hopelessness can reduce God to someone that is powerless. Today we look at Gideon and how through a series of life events, God increased his faith and obedience and He showed that He is bigger than all of our struggles, challenges, and even our sin. Our God is the one fighting the battle and the battle is not our's. The battle that I am facing? It's not my battle!
Things tend to happen along the way. While we are trying to build something strong and foundational within our families, we experience situations that sometimes we can help and others we cannot. At many stops along the way, the appropriate action is to cry out to our living God and seek His counsel and intervention. In 2 Kings 6, while the prophets are attempting to build a new school for themselves, one of the prophets experiences the loss of an axhead that allows God to show up. No matter where you are in building a strong home or what has happened, God is ready to redeem for those that cry out to him.
How could 20 seconds of insane courage change our world? Standing on the truth, we march forward with courage to a hurting world with the message of life-change and truth and our courage will reveal the fear that is within. Today we look at two examples of courage from the same story from Jeremiah 38. Armed with the truth and the anointing of God, these two men showed true courage in the face of opposition.
As followers of Christ, our whole journey is based upon the truth of God's Word and Jesus. When the definition of truth is challenged, we are called to continue receiving God's truth as our base and then carry that truth to others. Christ is our truth and presents a clear, secure foundation that provides true freedom from the confusion and hopelessness of life.
God desires that our church becomes a culture of grace, but sometimes we fall short of becoming a welcoming and safe community. Our capacity for grace for others goes only as far as we are willing to give grace to ourselves. Therefore a culture of grace begins not in our actions but in our hearts.
Sometimes it's hard to trust God with what we love the most. Today, we look at three stewardship principles that will change the way we view what has been entrusted to our care, including the church itself. We will be challenged to trust God with the very thing that we have struggled to trust Him with.
Is money a tool or a drug? Today, we explore three tithes from the Old Testament, their purpose, and how God used them to grow the givers deeper into the faith. We give to God and defuse the power of money! The challenge: prayerfully consider increasing your partnership in the mission or becoming a partner in the mission for the first time. Let's let God grow us in the area of financial giving!
Small Group Questions
2. Read through the three tithes from the Old Testament. They are found in Numbers 27:30, Deuteronomy 14:22-27, & Deuteronomy 14:28-29. Discuss each one and how you have given to the mission as described in each of the three tithes.
3. Read Acts 4:32. Why was this the process for the early church? Could this method happen today, why or why not?
4. Accept today's challenge: Increasing your partnership with COTH or becoming a new partner in the mission! Prayerfully consider the role that you play in the life of COTH and how we can do what we can now to ensure the future is strong and built on a solid foundation.
This week, Pastor Jony will be walking us through Romans 7 and diving into the question: "Who is in control?"
Small Group Questions:
Who is in control of your life?
Have you surrendered all control of your life to God?
Do the people next to us see Jesus reflected in our
life? Are we bearing fruit for death?
Today, we have invited some of our young adults to come and share their testimonies! Join us this morning as we hear about how God has continued to radically transform the lives of our young adults and how He remains a good and faithful God.
In a day and age where there is opposition to all things, the church should stand out as the place where a living God is active in a living community. According to 1 Peter, this living God is making living stones and one by one, we are showing the world who God is, His truth, and how transformation is possible. God is creating us to be living stones, a people who live upon the cornerstone, find purpose and strength in community, and uphold the truth of the gospel.
Group Questions:
1. Share prayer requests before getting to started with the lesson. Pray for one another. In doing so, you are exercising the action of being living stones that live upon the cornerstone of truth.
2. Read 1 Peter 2:4-10. Discuss what was happened during that time when this was written and how Peter's encouragement would have helped them gain a new perspective on their current situation. What are the four major descriptions Peter uses for believers in verse 9? How would this help us today as Christ followers?
3. Some of the attributes of Living Stones were mentioned today. Among them are: living on the cornerstone of truth, finding purpose, staying connected in community. What are some other attributes of being a living stone?
Inside the dark tomb, Jesus came back to life and submitted himself to the work of the Angel of the Lord (Matthew 28:2) and marched out of the tomb! Before major life change, God is the one who moves the stones (barriers) out of the way so that we can experience resurrection just like Jesus. Today, we visit the event of the resurrection, its validity in history, and its effect on all of us! He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification! (Romans 4:25)
Waiting is never enjoyable! Sometimes, however, God's message to us as we follow Him is to wait. Wait for his timing, for his hand, for his wisdom. All the while, we should pay attention to the work that He is doing within us while we wait. Today, we will look at the patient trust and unceasing hope while we wait for God.
Small Group Questions:
1. What is your patience level on everyday things like driving behind someone slow, to grocery store lines, to waiting in line? Would you consider yourself a patience person?
2. When is the last time that God asked you to wait for something? What was it (if you feel comfortable sharing) and what did you learn in the waiting?
3. Read Luke 2:36-38. Make a list of the items mentioned to describe Anna. Why are these things mentioned above other possible things in her life? How do the things mentioned have to do with her waiting and worshiping?
4. Spend a few moments with these closing questions:
Do you believe that God has good reasons to tell you to wait?
Will you trust God's perspective on things?
Will you seek to understand God's plan and will through prayer and fasting?
What gives you the most hope right now in your situation?
What is the difference between a transactional relationship with God and a covenant? Today, we will dive in to see how our worship can grow deeper by learning about the covenant that God has established with us and how we can rest assured that his promise will not change.
Group Questions 1. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-4. What weapons do you use to fight against the things of this world? In addition, what is one situation that you have recently had to 'worship through."
Have someone in the group Google "Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver" and discuss his post on Twitter from several years ago. What about his post lends itself to being transactional rather than a covenant set up by God?
A covenant is a relationship between two people who make a promise to one another to reach a common goal. What is the New Covenant and what is the common goal to be achieved between Jesus and us?
What does a covenant work better for us than a contract (or a transactional relationship)?
Many of us might think that worship only happens during our singing on Sunday mornings. The reality is that our worship is a spiritual act that has been initiated by God to go directly against the darkness and it can happen each day! As we worship in spirit and truth, God is pulling us into holiness and we gain the strength to keep going, experience the forgiveness we long for, and the defeat of the enemy.
Group Questions
1. What is your definition of worship? How have you come to live out that definition?
2. The story of the woman at the well in John 4:1-26 has many layers including breaking down cultural barriers, redemption, and then the conversation ends with a discussion about worship. Discuss verses 19-20 and verses 21-24 and establish the 'where of our worship.'
3. Is it okay for our God to be a jealous God (Exodus 20:5)? Why does God establish himself as the only one to be worshiped?
4. Our worship is more than singing. Make a list of ways that we worship God and talk about how that one spiritual act helps you fight against the darkness and pulls you into the holiness of God.
It's our time to step-up and sign-up! God has uniquely positioned Church on the Hill to make an eternal impact in our city one person at a time. For each person that we serve through the ministries at COTH, we are challenging them to take a deeper step with Jesus or introducing them to Jesus for the first time. Our service to the Kingdom has everlasting impact. By signing up to serve today, you are committing to the mission of God. It's our time now!
Small Group Questions
1. What areas are you gifted to serve others? For those that are not sure, Life Track week 3 provides a gifts discovery.
2. In Matthew 9, Jesus has spent most of his time training the disciples on how to do ministry. In Matthew 10, he is going to send them to do what he has been doing. Make a small list of needs in your immediately circle of influence that could be met this week/month.
3. Church on the Hill is looking for volunteers to help with the mission in the areas of welcome team, kids ministry, teen ministry, facilities team, safety team, & Hope on the Hill. Has the Lord been speaking to you about taking the next step in helping with one of these ministries within the church?
4. Spend the last portion of your time together praying for the harvest, just as Jesus asked us to. "As the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:38."
Jesus is the only way out. He has created the way and is the way! For all the mess that we find ourselves in, Jesus boldly proclaims "I am the Way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Through all of our doubts about the spiritual side of life and the doubts that we carry about ourselves, Jesus is the grace, the strength, and the truth to be the way for us! Before we doubt God, doubt your doubts!
Group Questions:
1. Begin with prayer for one another. Pray for Jesus to be the way for any prayer request that is presented.
2. Read John 14:1-6. What was Jesus talking about in verses 1-4 and how would that have hit the disciples as they were hearing his words?
3. What did Jesus mean by saying He is the Way? What about the truth? What about the life?
4. What about all these other religions that claim that they are the way? How are we to reconcile what Jesus has said with what they believe?
5. Discuss some doubts that you have had in life; spiritual and self-doubts. What did Jesus do to show you that He is the way?
Is it time for a heart check? Over time, we collect things in our hearts and they can become cluttered with toxic things. God says I Know Your Heart and despite what we collect in our hearts, he loves us fully and unconditionally. Today is a day to take an inventory of what we have collected over the years and months and let God do the work that only He can do, give us a clean heart.
Small Group Questions
1. Begin your time by praying these two scriptures to help prepare your hearts: Psalm 51:10 & Psalm 139:23.
2. Talk about some things that have gathered in your heart over time and how they either A)Bless you or B) hurt your walk with God.
3. Take some time to talk about Proverbs 3:5-6. In what ways are you fully trusting God and what ways have you not been fully trusting God?
Our God is an amazing, all-powerful, infinite, enormous God; and despite the vastness of his greatness
and the totality of all of the universe in space and time, he still knows us so intimately that he knows our
name! Our problem is that we get wrapped up in all the narrow details of life, and we do not focus on
the purposes that he has called us to do. He is intimately waiting for us to seek him to discover the
purposes that he has creative for each of us. He has extended his invitation for us to be called uniquely
to him in relationship for eternity, as we discover our true identity in him.
Small Group Questions:
How would you describe your mental image of God the Creator?
What are the things in your life that dominate your focus?
How do you step out of the busyness of life to focus on God's purposes for you?
Have you ever felt the urge to seek out other people's approval of you?
What are some things that you believe God is calling you to do? What is holding you back from doing them?
Join us as Pastor Jony Bernal shares his heart about being a neighbor
Small Group Questions:
Reflecting on the passage of scripture, what are we instructed to do to inherit eternal life? What does that look like in our daily lives
Who do you consider to be your "neighbor?"
The story of God is a story of recovery, namely, the recovery of our relationship with God.
Small Group Questions:
1.The story of God is a story of recovery. Can you think of other examples in God’s Word that express this idea?
2.Jesus is concerned about the recovery of the whole person (spiritual, physical, emotional, etc). In what ways has this been true in your relationship with Jesus?
We are all in the process of recovery. How does this statement sit with you?
Honest reflection: Where are you at in this process of recovery? What might be a helpful next step in your journey?
What legacy is God leading you to leave to others? In all walks of life, in all circles of life, we are leaving a legacy behind! Let's work together on #SquadGoal #3 to leave a legacy of Kingdom building, Christ-like attitude, and prayer for the next generation of Christ followers, church-goers, and our families.
Group Questions:
1. Being your time with prayer for one another. Focus on Psalm 90:2 and pray for the wisdom for the days ahead.
2. Talk about one person who had an impact on your life. What impact did they have on you? How have you tried to imitate them to others?
3. In reading Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 16, why was Paul naming these people and what impact did each one have on the Kingdom?
4. In what ways do you feel your group is leaving a positive legacy of Kingdom Building?
5. As a group, do an attitude check. How is your attitude today on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being terrible, 10 being best). Why is your attitude the way it is now? Discuss Philippians 2:5 and the attitude of Christ.
Let's all march forward together! To do so, we need common goals to help us take the next step into this new year. Today, we talk about looking ahead with a healthy perspective and understanding that our mission is to reach the lost with the truth that will set them free. How beautiful are the feet of those that are sent to preach the good news!
Group Questions:
1. What is one great memory you have of church growing up? What do you fondly remember about the early days of your church attendance? Have you ever, at any point, reflected on those memories in reference to how things are today?
2. Reading Deuteronomy 34:1-8, why did God not allow them to bury Moses? What blessings could they have missed out on if they would have done so?
3. Looking ahead, what great things do you believe God is calling you to do for the Kingdom?
4. When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?
5. How many different forms of 'preaching the gospel' are there? Does it always require a sermon?
6. Write down the names of those you know that may not know the truth of God's salvation. Spend time in your group and in the days ahead praying for them.
We must allow God to transform the pain of our past so we can move forward in peace and freedom.
Read Genesis 16. How do you relate to Hagar and her experience?What experiences in your life have felt like the wilderness? How did you respond? Considering God’s questions to Hagar (Where have you come from, and where are you going?), what areas of your past might you need to address so that you can move forward? How might you invite God and others into that process?
The best gifts are wrapped. The best gift ever given was wrapped...in swaddling clothes. And this gift is the gift that leads to peace, joy, and new life. In the darkness of life, God has wrapped himself in light so that we can not live in darkness any longer. Light is a person. Peace is a person. Light and Peace are gifts. And the gift was wrapped and given to us to experience, worship, and seek. Merry Christmas was Church on the Hill!
There are times in our lives where it takes more than one attempt to get our attention. Sometimes we have to hear the same message in multiple ways in order to really grasp what we are to listen and be aware of, and then respond and do something with the message.
The shepherds were greeted by an angel with good news. This message of good news was then intensified by an army of angels proclaiming the message. Finally, the shepherds knew they were to proclaim the Good News with GREAT JOY! Just like the shepherds in the first Christmas story, we must heed the messages, and then respond in obedience; no matter how crazy the season may be!
GROUP QUESTIONS:
1.) Re-read the story of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Talk about your initial thoughts on how the communication with the shepherds took place, and how that compares to how we hear from God today.
2.) What messages has God been trying to get to you?
3.) Have you ignored, or not believed the alarms, and therefore not responded to what God is asking you to do?
4.) Who can you share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ with?
5.) Will you share this Good News with GREAT JOY? Why does our “great joy” matter when sharing this information?
6.) End your time together by praying about who you can share your Good News with, and how you are going to respond with these alarms for the sake of Jesus Christ.
As life moves along, God interrupts things with a plan that is much better than anything we could imagine or ask. Many times, we are afraid to embrace these interruptions because of fear of the unknown or our own insecurities that might get in the way. Today, we will look at the process that Mary went through as she leaned into the interruption that God placed in her life. Let's lean into divine interruptions! God's plans are greater than ours!
Group Questions
1. Read Luke 1:29-56. Talk about some common things you already know about Mary and her story.
2. What does it mean for God to 'find favor' with someone? Do a quick glance online or in your Bible's concordance to conclude what biblical favor means and why Mary was the recipient of that favor. What does the favor of God mean for each of us?
3. When Mary embraced the journey, she then went to visit Elizabeth for three months. What benefits do our close friends have when we are facing tough decisions, confusing times, or need prayer? How is that friend to you?
4. Mary's final step in her process was to sing to God. Choose which verses are worship to God and which ones are direct opposition to Herod and his reign. Why does her prayer include both?
5. Have you ever heard of quiet quitting? What is the last thing you have quietly quit and where did you find the passion to continue?
6. End your time by praying for one another and keeping one another accountable throughout the week.
The Magi traveled to worship the King and had some major opposition before getting there. Herod was not happy to learn that they were headed that way. Despite this, they brought the best of what they had, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But even more than these gifts were the givers. Behind each gift that we give is the heart that God desires. And that gift that we bring is the gift that God desires.
Small Group Questions
1. Read Matthew 2:1-12 and answer the following:
What external factors promoted the Magi to search for Jesus? (2)What did the Magi acknowledge about Jesus? What titles did they give him? (2)How did Herod react to the Magi visiting Jesus? (3-4)How were the Magi led to Christ? (9-10)Why didn't the Magi report back to Herod as he had requested? (12)2. What is the significance of the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi?
3. What are some presents we might give Christ each day?
4. Break into two groups and think about these two verses:
2 Corinthians 9:6 & Romans 12:1-2. What do they have to do with the Magi and the gifts brought to Jesus?
5. Consider how we can continue to give God our best. What does that mean for you on a daily basis?
Christmas can be crazy for all of us! Each holiday season, our goal should be to slow down to experience the real gift of the season. That gift is the greatest gift ever given because it gives us peace and welcomes a new Kingdom that will never end; one that we can truly trust! Today, we take a look at Herod's reign and how Mary and Joseph were still able to find peace in the turbulent times. We think that our Christmases are crazy? That first one was even crazier!
Small Group Questions:
Jesus is our peace. Find a few verses that talk about God being your peace and how those help you in times that you feel you are falling apart.
Based on what you have known, what was Herod's method of leadership to the people at the time of Jesus' birth?
Who spoke to Joseph about escaping to Egypt and why was that significant? How did Joseph respond to the warning he received? (Matthew 2:13)
What event allowed Joseph to depart to Egypt with his family? (Matthew 2:15)
How might life be different if Herod's plan had succeeded?
According to Isaiah 9:6-7, there is a list of titles given to the coming Messiah (prophecy fulfilled by Christ's birth). What do those titles mean to you and to the Kingdom that Jesus established when he was born?
Do we fill our time with misguided information more often than we should? Part of growing is making room for more truth. To do so means we have to get rid of some things to make room for others. What can we purge to make more room for the Prince of Peace?
Everyone has experienced conflict with others. The resolution of conflict only happens when there is an inspection of our hearts and both parties are seeking God in the process. Today, we look at what causes fights among us and James' solution for living in harmony with others. We will build today's message on Psalm 23:5; 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." God has set a table for us, now it's a matter of pulling up a chair to the table and living in harmony with others.
Small Group Questions
1. Read James 4:1-10. What does the word Submit mean to you?
2. What do families and friends commonly fight about? What does James say is the root caus of fights and quarrels between people?
3. According to James 4:7, we should submit to God and resist the devil. Give an example of how we can resist the devil.
4. What must we do to draw nearer to God? What are some barriers that keep us from doing this?
5. For what should Christians weep and mourn? What does this mean for our families, our church, & our community?
Words have power! Just like God used his words to create and give life, our words have the power to do the same. James sets the foundation for us in the church on how to effectively use our words to teach, help one another, and ultimately bring praise to Jesus. Today's challenge will be to use our words to help bring life. James 3:1-12; Proverbs 18:21; 1 Corinthians 13:1
Group Discussion Questions
2. Read James 3:1-12. Select one thing that stands out to you from chapter 3. Why did that stand out to you?
3. Why are instructors held to a higher standard?
4. Why is the tongue so hard to tame? Will we ever get to a place where we can fully control our words?
5. What do non-believers think when they see a believer in Christ praising him with praise then using their words to curse, put down, & destroy?
6. What is one discipline that you and the group can put in place to help use your words to bring life to others and to the kingdom?
Sometimes it's hard to find a place to process our pain and confusion. What we realize is that our pain needs a place to go. Today, we walk through James 1 and discuss the proper place for our pain to process. In life, no one can avoid difficult times so understanding the best way to navigate through them will help us before they appear.
Maybe you have friends who need Jesus. It is time that you do your best to bring them closer to Jesus. It is possible that because of your faith many will be saved... but you need to bring them.
The red letters give us a basis for discipleship for ourselves and for others. To follow the red letters means to give up my will to the will of the father. To follow the red letters also means to join God on His mission. As we continue to accept the challenge as a church to Grow & Go, today's message will be a continuation of God's leading for each one of us.
Hello neighbor! The idea of being a good neighbor came from Jesus, himself. As Jesus confronts an 'expert in the law', he challenges him to look deep within and see what kind of neighbor he is to others for the sake of the gospel. Jesus challenges us to the same. It's God's desire that we become the best neighbors for the Kingdom!
What excuses have you given to avoid what Jesus has challenged us to do? If we are honest, we can think of numerous excuses we have given God to avoid the possibility of a changed-life, reconciliation, or the opportunity to fulfill the calling that He has given us through His promises found in the Red Letters. Today, we explore Simon Peter's response to the Red Letters in Luke 5 as God is challenging us all to avoid the excuses & respond to the authority of the Red Letters!
Who are the authority figures in your life? When they speak to you, how do you respond? In this series, we will unpack the RED LETTERS of Jesus’ life and ministry. These RED LETTERS are attributed to be the words of Jesus himself to all that strive to know Him and follow Him. Jesus speaks with authority and direction. Jesus speaks to invite others into a relationship with Him. Jesus speaks to correct and instruct. How are you responding “When Jesus Speaks?”
For many of us, money is the main identifier as to whether or not our kingdoms are successful. Jesus calls each one of us to a deeper level of surrender, specially when it comes to money and its identity in our daily lives. The challenge today is for our Kingdoms to be centered around Jesus, his blessings and the generosity of being a part of His Kingdom.
Does the generation in which you grew up influence how we give? Today, we will explore each generation represented in our church and how the events of our lives have affected the physical act of giving and our view of giving to organizations. Through all generations, one thing remains, the generosity of God's people to the worship of Jesus and the mission in front of us.
A new season of ministry has begun at COTH! Today, we will hear about our focus that will be for each person and us as a congregation together. Over the next 5 years, God is calling us to GROW (one step closer to Him every day) and GO (finding places to be Jesus). Our identity is wrapped up in who Jesus is and He is calling us to seek him and serve the lost. Let's dream big & commit ourselves to Jesus!
Sometimes, churches have to look back to look ahead. Retracing our roots can be a healthy exercise to reestablish ourselves to take our next step into the future. Today, we look back, all the way back to COTH's beginnings in 1911. We will share about our journey has a church, the stories of life change, miracles, leaders, & special times that have made COTH what it is today. #hillchurchmcminnville
Fall Ministry Kick-off is the weekend which begins the fall semester of groups and gives ministries opportunities to welcome new volunteers to their team. During the message time today, we will hear from ministry leaders about what is to come this year at COTH. Let's get excited for what's to come for our kids ministry, Hope on the Hill, Discipleship, and the new young adult ministry beginning in September! #hillchurchmcminnville
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2
How often should we be feeding ourselves with the spiritual knowledge of God's word and prayer? Everyday. We often don't know what wisdom awaits us aside of Sunday mornings. As followers of Jesus, putting into place a discipline of everyday devotion with God will help feed our souls outside of church. Today, we will focus on Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul's vision for the church in Ephesus and what that means for us at COTH.
Secrets are fun to tell. Secrets are fun to receive. Secrets can be hard to keep. Some secrets should not be secrets. When Jesus changes our lives, our story should tell the greatest secret ever told! The secret of God’s mystery can be revealed! Do you know the secret? Will you share the secret?
Your story has the power to help others see the life-changing power of Jesus! It also has the potential to be the reminder of hope for someone who finds themselves in the midst of pain and confusion. Our stories matter! In 1 Peter, Peter's challenge for the followers in the church was to share their hope stories as a way through the persecution they were facing. Hope is powerful. Hope is strength. Hope is our story! #hillchurchmcminnville
Music marks time and helps us remember. For Paul, his first letter to Timothy about structuring his church would have been a response to issues within that particular congregation. As he concluded his instruction, Paul felt that he needed to remind the church of God's intended purpose for coming to earth. Today we look at God's mission statement in 1 Timothy 3:16 this is something that would have been sung by the church to help them remember.
What are the foundations of the restored church? In the midst of our pursuit for the things above, Satan devises his schemes to derail Kingdom work. As we live in the overcoming power of Jesus, let's live the foundations of the restored church to throw Satan into confusion and celebrate the daily victory of living in the foundations of being restored. #hillchurchmcminnville
Today we will explore the conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. This late-night interaction led to an internal struggle for Nicodemus as Jesus was teaching him about true conversion and God's mission for each one of us. For God so loved us that He stood in our place! #hillchurchmcminnville
Do we make mistakes when we pray? Let's learn from Paul's prayer for the church about how to pray so that heaven is moved to action. God desires for us to experience HIS strength and power in our prayer life! #hillchurchmcminnville
Hey dad! Your family is watching you! The way we lead and behave makes an impact on who they are and how they act and lead. Jesus' father was the Holy Spirit, but Jesus also had an earthly father, Joseph, who nurtured and taught him. Today, we look at what Joseph taught Jesus and what that means for father's as we lead our families.
Today we celebrate our graduates and promotions. We honor them, we celebrate them, and we worship with them. May God bless their next chapter as they walk close to Him.
Is lukewarm really that bad? How do I know if I am living there? How do I know if my church is living there? Today, we take a look at Revelation 3:16 and dive into Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea and find out what it means to be hot, cold, & lukewarm. It's time to focus on moving out of the land of the lukewarm. #hillchurchmcminnville
God instructs us to approach the throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). In doing so, we are taking the form of a offensive pray-er rather than a defensive pray-er. What if we approached God with the attitude of expectation and boldness? If we pray for it, let's prepare for it. God wants to challenge us today to be offensive minded in our prayers for the Kingdom and for Church on the Hill! Hebrews 4:16; Acts 9:40-42, Proverbs 28:1
In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul began to pray at times when prayer might have been the hardest. He also prayed at times when prayer seems not necessary. Through it all, no matter what he faced, he paused and prayed. In that time of pausing, he was able to find God's will, power, and recenter himself to focus on what mattered the most. Today's service will challenge us to pause in life's craziness and focus on God's presence. There is power in a pause! Acts 16:25, Acts 20:36-38, Acts 22:17, 1 Peter 2:9, John 5:19
What does it mean to be a pray first church? And, are we praying for the right things at the right time? Today, we dive into the Book of Acts to examine the early church and how they exhibited the 'pray first' attitude in all things. From leadership to the entire church, prayer is the fuel that keeps the church going! Acts 6:2-4, Acts 3:6, Acts 2:42, Acts 4:24-32, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 10:19-22
We are all on a journey of searching and finding. When we encounter Jesus on this journey, then our lives are forever changed and he places in us a burning heart. He sets us on fire and you don't have to advertise a fire. Jesus said that if we preach His name that He would draw all people to himself. Jesus is alive! His Word is alive! It's time to spread the fire! Luke 24:13-35
We are all in need of some fresh breath! When the disciples had locked themselves in a room after the resurrection for fear of the Jewish leaders, it was Jesus who showed up to them, gave them peace, and breathed the breath of God upon them. This breath took away their fear and strengthened them to take the next step for Him, which was the establishment of his church. Let's receive the breath of God today to help take away our fear and give us hope!
If the resurrection was not true, then why did so many give up everything in its defense? Today's message will focus on the disciples and the impact the resurrection of Jesus had on them.
Welcome to our ONLINE Worship Experience. We are glad you are with us to hear a inspirational word from Pastor Adam Lewis.
The people we love the most can hurt us the worst. We hold onto grudges, harbor hard feelings, refuse to forgive, and build up walls to keep the pain and even the people away. But healing cannot start until you break down those barriers and learn to Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt.
A lot can happen in 7 weeks! Today, Pastor Adam & Pastor BJ will walk through the last 2 months of organization and future planning. Today, we communicate some of the initial groundwork for the foundation we will build moving forward for COTH. We all have a role to play in prayer and planning for our future. Let's seek God's wisdom and plan and begin to move forward again!
In 1 Samuel 3, it says that the word of the Lord was scarce and there were not many visions. What would our world look like today if there were no Word of God to guide us? How valuable and important is the Word to us today?
The Benefits of Being Stuck is a series highlighting the topics of obedience, evangelism and the power to overcome through the books of 1st Samuel. The series begins with a quick overview of the book and then diving into the three main characters that will be taught each week of the series Samuel, Saul & David in a day when we are hesitant to be obedient to any authority, our obedience to God often is the missing piece that leads to freedom. God wants us to follow his ways and we remain stubborn and desire our ways. Obedience is muscle memory. Following the guidance of God is something that we have to train ourselves to do. 1 Samuel 15:1-35
Sermon Title: A Different Kind of Lost There are many different beliefs and theories in our world today, pulling us in every direction. When we look at Jesus and his life, we find out that he is very specific and direct on what is truth. In our series, JESUS NEVER SAID THAT, we dig deeper into agreeing together on some foundational definitions in order to take a closer look at Jesus’ life and ministry to determine our response to what do we really believe. Jesus never said, “You Have To Work Your Way To Me”
Main Scriptures Luke 15:28-32; Ephesians 2:8-10, John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Joy can be hard to find. And, we can get it confused with happiness. My happiness is temporary. Joy, on the other hand, is a point of view. God never said he wanted us to be happy, rather, he wants us to experience the joy that comes from being His children and from his presence. Today, let's be challenged to experience the joy of the Lord. Philippians 1:12-14; Psalm 73; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 47:1
Are you caught up in an exhausting preoccupation of revenge? What if today was the day that I decided to forgive someone that didn't deserve it? What we eventually realize is forgiving someone doesn't get them off the hook for their actions or words, but rather frees the one who has truly been trapped, you!
Today's message is titled "This Is Who I Am; This Is What I Do." Sometimes, we have spiritual amnesia as to what God can do through Jesus. We have always known these things yet have moments of forgetfulness. This message will be a reminder of the power that Jesus has through our prayers and in our healing and wholeness. Let's not forget his power!
This morning we complete the series, “Resolved To See A Breakthrough” with three people from Church on the Hill sharing their faith and breakthrough stories. Their stories will remind us of the power of God and inspire our faith to trust God for new breakthroughs in people’s lives.
Today we continue our series, “Resolved To See A Breakthrough” with a message entitled, “Revival in the Land.” Nehemiah’s broken heart led to the reconstruction of the walls in Jerusalem and in the end, to revival breaking out among the people. The walls were rebuilt but so were the hearts of the people. As we are resolved to see a breakthrough, could revival break out among us and our community? Nehemiah 6:16
This week we continue the series, “Resolved To See A Breakthrough” with a message entitled, “Working Together To Save The City.” We will focus on how Nehemiah inspired others to join him to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem, leading to revival for the people. How can we inspire others to join us in fulfilling our mission to be a light on the hill to our city? Nehemiah 2
The new year is a time when we make resolutions to improve and make ourselves better. How can I become a slimmer, stronger, more spiritual or out of debt version of me? What if we asked a much larger question: “What should be done around me?"
This morning we focus on the character of Joseph. In order to be a lead character in the story, he would have to overcome the fear of what others would think. God was asking him to go on a journey that nearly everyone would question. He must have often felt very alone. How can we live in such intimacy and obedience to God, that we will obey what He asks us to do? Matthew 1:18-25
This week we are going to look at different times when angels appear to people during the Christmas story. You are going to notice the first things the angels will say is “Fear Not”. Luke 1: 26 – 28
Today we bring our series “The Creed” to conclusion by focusing on the phrases, “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” These are radical statements in a world in which many deny the existence of ultimate reality. To believe in life beyond the grave is to be set free to live a different way. I John 5:13
Today we continue our series “The Creed” with a message entitled, “Living With God’s People.” We’re going to focus on the faith statements, “I believe in the church universal and the communion of saints?” What does it mean to live in community with other followers of Christ? What difference does it make? Acts 2:42-46
This week we continue our series “The Creed” with a message focused on the phrase, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” What does it mean to live in relationship to the Spirit of the Living God? The Holy Spirit is the game changer who empowers us to live a holy life and be witnesses to the world.
What difference does it make for us to proclaim “Jesus as Lord?” For the early church, that statement changed everything and led to their persecution.
This week we begin a new series called “The Creed.” What we believe is important. The Apostles’ Creed is a summary of the most basic statements of the Christian faith - they are the statements that unite us with believers across the world. When we say them, we say them together. When Christians recite the creed, they tell themselves and each other a story that they already know but that bears such constant repetition, for it is a story like no other, a story that we must speak to each other because so much of what we experience in the world seems to deny the reality or the power of that story. The Creed reminds us of the alternative story we are called to tell.
This week, as we continue our series “Write A Great Story”, we celebrate that God is the creator of new stories. He has the ability to write stories that can change the entire direction of our lives. In faith, we can hope for and imagine new stories being written in our community and in the hearts of people we love. God has already begun something new.
This week we continue our series with a message entitled, “One More Story.” We live in a culture that often makes us feel like we are done writing stories that can change the world. God’s word challenges that myth. Whether we are feeling hopeless or too old, God might have one more story for us to write. Without question, God is writing another story at Church on the Hill #HillChurchMcminnville
We believe that everyone of us is created in the image of God and uniquely designed - that we each have a calling and a purpose. God can empower us to write the story only we can write - that the world needs us to write. John 10:1-10
If you’re going to be a follower of Christ, get ready for change, because who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow. You don’t have to stay the same. We can live in victory. It is when we stop changing that our hearts become hard. We believe that you can be changed.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY Our lives are a collection of stories. Some people are writing it intentionally, many are not. I want to hear your story.
God has a story for each one of us to write. Psalm 139
Rebroadcast from a former Sunday - Pastor Jenna shares "We as God's people must embrace the reality that our God is a God of crazy. As we read the biblical narrative we see that God moves and acts in ways that are radical, counter cultural, and miraculous. In order to be prepared for what God is going to call His people to, we have to be willing to embrace the crazy and not remain in the comfortable and explainable. "
Scripture: Acts 12:1-16, Luke 24:8-12
It doesn’t take much looking around our culture, churches, or our own lives to see that chronic anxiety and emotional reactivity has become the new normal. At the same time, we see in the Scriptures a different way of living. It is a way that is marked by deep transformation in Christ, emotional maturity empowered by the Spirit, and wholeness of heart given by the God of peace. In this message, we will explore the problem of emotionally unhealthy Christianity, the bible’s answer, and some simple next steps to being growing in our own emotional maturity. - Pastor Ryan Green
Grace is the completely undeserved, loving commitment of God to us! The Apostle Paul was so consumed by grace that he begins and ends his letters with grace! What would your life look like if it was consumed by Grace? Living a life of grace calls us to fill all of our life, not just a portion with grace. Today we explore living a life of grace!
There are people we've been influenced by and people we influence. It is often our YES to God that invites others into a life of full surrender to Him. We'll take a brief look into the ministry of Paul to see how God continues His mission through us on earth.
We stand on the threshold of a new season. New school year, new work challenges, new schedules, new pastoral/staff search. In a world that is always changing we look to the Apostle Paul who faces change. No longer the traveling missionary he now sits in prison in Rome. Paul writes a joy filled letter of encouragement in the midst of changing circumstances because of his confidence in the continuing presence of God!
Isaac Kearns shares his life as part of the church and the community and how God has always had plans for his journey.
The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God where He met His people. As they entered the Tabernacle, they passed through seven stations as a protocol to God’s presence. Today, these same steps can help us to connect with God and lead us through important elements of prayer.
“If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
When we face difficult decisions in life, God promises to guide us through life as we seek Him with prayers for wisdom and discernment. But when we pray these prayers, there are a few things that we must understand. The process as we pray is just as much of God's answer as the choice He leads us to make. Prayers for discernment can and should ultimately lead us to intimacy with God Himself.
Give, forgive and deliver: these are the personal petitions -- the personal “askings” -- that Jesus wants us to focus on in our daily interaction with God. Why? Because, bottom line, they deal with our physical, relational, and spiritual well-being. We ASK, then, because we TRUST that God has our best interests at heart. So, may we simply seek God first and trust that God will take care of the rest as we live the God-adventure.
There has been confusion over time on the theology of grace and works. Though on the surface, writers like Paul and James may seem to be stating contradiction doctrine, they really are talking about different things. James is simply saying that true faith is expressed through works. So the question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not we are putting our faith into action? Are we living the lives of obedience we want to live? Because faith without works is dead, and God needs His church to be ALIVE!
James 2:14-26, Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:28, James 1:2-4
Every disciple of Jesus can’t help but live a life of yes to the One who saved them, which may take them here, there, and everywhere so to speak. The initial "yes" is always the hardest because we may have never experienced God's care and provision due to the fact that we have always found our security in what we could accomplish or accumulate. After the initial yes, the subsequent "yes's" become a little easier because as we say yes our faith and trust in God continues to grow. The reality is that, as we live a life of yes, God will ask us to move to another place, to another job, to another friend group, etc. so that God can use us in that situation to expand God’s kingdom, and we will be forced to wrestle with whether to say yes again to the One who saved us as we fight off feelings of comfort and fear. So, who wants to live a life of yes to God no matter what?
Mark 10:17-22; John 3:1-5; Matthew 4:19, 28:18-20
God has called His people to be agents of hope in this dark and broken world. We are called to usher in God's kingdom on earth by showing this world who our God is and by allowing them to experience His love through us as vessels of hope. But, how often do we ever actually notice people? Do we live with eyes to see those who are hurting and in need of this hope, or are we too busy to even see it? In our relationships, do we see people's behaviors or their battle? God needs his church to be people with eyes to see. - Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 19:1-10, Luke 11:33-36
As Americans, we are incredibly blessed to live in a nation that allows us freedoms most of the world is not afforded. As Christians, we have received the greatest gift of all through the work of the cross - spiritual freedom. As American Christians, we must be careful that we understand that as great as our American freedoms are, it can never offer what only Jesus can; eternal freedom from our sin. God has called His church to invite all people into this saving grace as we proclaim the freedom available through Jesus Christ. The question is - are we fighting more for our American freedoms than for lost people to find true freedom through their loving savior?
Maybe in the midst of our suffering, our focus should be on deepening our relationship with Jesus by remaining in him and by becoming more dependent on him, which necessarily enables us to continue expanding God's kingdom as we draw people to God in our suffering.
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11 and John 15:4-5
Many people share the same visions of what Heaven will be like and yet most of what we picture is not actually biblical. Though we can't know exactly what eternity will be like, God doesn't leave us without some clarity. Having a biblically inspired imagination of Heaven is essential because what is true about eternity is meant to impact how we live today.
God wins every day when we exercise our God-given covenant authority to defeat the temptations and attacks of the evil one and to expand God's kingdom and God's will in the life of every person in our sphere of influence.
Luke 10:17-20, Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 17:1-6, Matthew 28:16-20
Coming from a background of a broken home, drugs, and alcohol, Dylan is passionate about sharing the life-changing message of Jesus with those who seem to have lost all hope. His passion is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Dylan was called into ministry at 16 years old. He graduated from James River Leadership College in 2013, where he received an associate’s degree in Leadership from Evangel University. In 2016, Dylan helped plant The Well Church in Springfield, Mo.
God wins! God wins! God ends evil forever! Do you want to "win" with God forever? #HillchurchMcminnville
Revelation 19:1--21:5
The final Judgement Day will be about God simply revealing us for who we are. So, who are you . . . really -- a God-controlled person or a sin-controlled person? Who do you want to be? #HillchurchMcminnville
Revelation 8-11
What is first in our lives, the cultural symbols of prosperity or spiritual renewal that leads to fulfillment?
Revelation 3:14-22
STOP being a “tool” of the 4 Horsemen and allow God to use you as an instrument of God’s empowering Spirit, peace-making heart, bountiful provision, and life-giving presence. #HillchurchMcminnville
Revelation 6
God is the God who eliminates the chaos in our lives. We can live peacefully instead of chaotically. The question is: Do we want our “chaos” to end? If we do, then we must submit to God, follow God's ways, and allow God to transform us as we pursue training through spiritual disciplines to become more like Jesus Christ.
QUESTIONS: What "thrones" are you really bowing to? How are those "thrones" causing "chaos" in your life? Describe the chaos. How is this "chaos" hurting you and your relationships? Do you engage in any spiritual disciplines? If so, name them. How often do you practice them? What spiritual disciplines can you name? What would you need to do to make spiritual disciplines a part of your life?
The "hero" of God's story – Jesus Christ – took a beating for us. Jesus was ripped and torn apart for us. Jesus was broken and crushed and died for us so that: -we may have eternal life -we may live in right relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ forever -we may experience the blessings of living God’s way and in God’s kingdom
We remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
“Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” - Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus makes it possible for us to remain in covenant relationship with God. This is done by enabling us to say "no to sin and yes to God in all things". As a result, God uses us to bring healing and restoration to the people of this world.
God promised a new covenant that came with a new heart. This hope led the Israelites to return to their promised land, but their failure continued until Christ came to usher in the new covenant. The Isralites returned to Jerusalem hanging onto hope in God's promise of a new covenant - one where He would give them new hearts and minds that would desire His law. But though this hope brought them back, they attempted to achieve the new covenant in their efforts and works. It isn't until Jesus comes that the new covenant is offered - one that offers transformation by the Spirit. This is the hope we live in today.
As God's people find themselves in exile, in a land that is not their home, God calls them to the same message He had all along...to be in the world but not of the world. God sent the people into exile into a land that is not their home. While they are there, God calls them to live among the people, for the people. God called them to be in the world but not of the world. The same call is upon us today as we, too, are living in a land that is not our home. Our call as God's people is to LIVE the way God calls us to live so that others will see God through us. God doesn't ask us to fight His battles here on earth, but to embody the God Way and allow Him to shine through us.
Have we become "indifferent" to "being different" as a follower of Jesus? May it never be so! May we embrace "being different" for the sake of the world. The Israelites become "indifferent" to showing the world who God is, what God cares about and who God cares about. Their "indifference" leads to outright "disobedience", which results in "exile." Exile is what happens when you forget your salvation story.