Highlands Baptist Church Sermons (Centennial, CO)

Book of Micah, Chapter 3 delivers a sharp rebuke of Israel’s leaders—rulers, priests, and prophets—who are accused of exploiting the people rather than guiding them with justice. The rulers are described as devouring those they should protect, while prophets mislead for personal gain. Because of this corruption, Micah warns that God will withdraw guidance and judgment will come. The chapter ends with a stark prophecy: Jerusalem will be destroyed, reduced to ruins because of the leaders’ injustice and false confidence in divine protection.

In Micah 1, God’s just and holy character stands front and center. Both Israel and Judah had abandoned the Lord, chasing after sin and idolatry instead of remaining faithful to the one true God. Because of this rebellion, Micah delivers a sobering warning: God’s judgment will fall on the land as the rightful consequence of their sin. Micah 1 reminds us of God's character: He is perfectly holy, and no sin escapes His righteous wrath. 

Chapter 21 brings John's Gospel to a close by showing that the risen Christ not only saves but continues to shepherd, restore, and send His people. Jesus reveals Himself as the living Lord who meets His people in ordinary life, provides for them, and commissions them for His purposes. Christ redeems Peter and charges him with shepherding His flock. The chapter emphasizes that discipleship is personal, calling each believer to follow Christ with obedience regardless of others’ paths or outcomes.

In John 20, we see that the risen Jesus defines what it truly means to believe. Christ calls us to respond to His resurrection with genuine faith, and in that faith, we receive new life from Him. Belief is more than knowledge—it is a genuine relationship with the Triune God.

This week’s sermon on John 19 reminded us that the cross of Christ is not a tragedy, but a glorious triumph. In the moment when Jesus was rejected, mocked, and crucified, He was in fact accomplishing God’s sovereign plan of redemption in fulfillment of Scripture. At the center of the passage is His declaration, “It is finished,” proclaiming that the work of salvation is complete - sin atoned for, justice satisfied, and grace secured for all who believe. As followers of Christ, we are called to behold our King and rest fully in His finished work.

Psalm 84 teaches us not only that true happiness exists but shows us where to find it. It’s a psalm that’s especially helpful for saints who find themselves struggling to fight for joy. Even when life seems full of hardship and suffering, we can find strength in the joy of knowing Christ and belonging to him. For the blessed life is the life most satisfied in God. 

In John 18, we witness Christ wrongfully arrested, tried, and condemned. The perfect Son of God is handed over to those demanding His death. Yet, knowing the cross awaited Him, Jesus willingly embraced it, fully aware that through His sacrifice all who believe in Him would receive forgiveness and salvation. The cross stands as the climax of God’s redemptive plan.

The seventeenth chapter of John’s Gospel is often called the “High Priestly Prayer.” In this passage, Jesus prays to the Father shortly before going to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He will be arrested by a mob, beaten and tortured, and eventually nailed to a cross.

In John chapter 16, we see that Christ had to depart from the world so the Holy Spirit could come and enter into the lives of every follower of Christ. Thus enabling the gospel and the power of Christ to be taken to the ends of the Earth, ultimately drawing people to the Lord and giving glory to God.

Chapter 14 begins a series of remarks meant to encourage the disciples, in the face of dire warnings. Among these are reminders that Jesus is planning to bring them to be where He is, assurance that He is ''the way, the truth and the life'' and the first explicit promises of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

In John 13:34 Jesus announces a “new commandment” to love others as He has modeled.  Human hearts over the centuries had pared down the scope of love commanded in Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Jesus loved the unlovable when he washed the feet of his betrayer.  Jesus loved when he had every excuse to say “not now, I’m going to suffer and die in a few hours.”   The Gospel enables us follow his new commandment “that you love one another: just as I have loved you.”

In Philippians 2:19-30, the apostle Paul puts forward two ordinary, faithful Christians who lived a life poured out in service to Christ and his people. Timothy genuinely cared for the spiritual interests of the Philippians, and Epaphroditus risked his life to serve Paul. In doing so, both men imitated our Savior, Jesus Christ, who sought us out in our time of need and gave up his life on the cross so that we might be saved. As we consider the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, we are called to follow their example and to live a life worthy of gospel imitation by pouring out our own lives in service to Jesus Christ. 

In John chapter 12, we see the dramatic shift from rejoicing to rejection as the crowds welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna,” only to later turn away in disbelief when He reveals that His mission is not one of political liberation, but sacrificial salvation. The people’s expectations of a conquering king collided with the reality of a humble Messiah who came to be lifted up on the cross, defeating sin and Satan through His death and resurrection. We are reminded that we do not get to define the Messiah—Jesus defines Himself—and through His sacrifice, He offers eternal life to all who believe.

In John 11, Jesus reveals that he is the Resurrection and the Life by showing that He is the source of it. The raising of Lazarus stands as Jesus’ final miracle, unmistakably revealing His full deity and true humanity, while also setting in motion His own path to the cross. At the heart of the chapter is Christ’s call to personal faith: eternal life is not found in good works, but in trusting in the Son of God, who has absolute authority over sin, death, and the grave.

We approached the ninth chapter of John using a method valuable for personal Bible study. This approach involves five steps: observation (what does the text say), interpretation (what does the text mean), generalization (what is the main idea of the text), application (what difference does it make), and implementation (what must I change based on this text for my ongoing sanctification). Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, which emphasize what Jesus did, John’s Gospel focuses on who Jesus is. In John 9, Jesus heals a man blind from birth—an act believed to be possible only by God and one that fulfills Isaiah’s messianic prophecy that the Messiah would give sight to the blind. This miracle functions as a sign pointing to Jesus’ divine identity. Jesus reinforces this truth by declaring, “I AM the light of the world” (John 9:5). The man’s physical healing illustrates a deeper spiritual reality: Jesus alone gives true sight. As the healed man faces opposition from the Jewish authorities, his testimony grows bolder. 

John 5 summarizes Jesus's miraculous healing of a 38-year invalid at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, sparking conflict with religious leaders who accused Him of law-breaking, leading Jesus to assert His divine authority and unity with God as the source of life and judgment, and culminating in His discourse on the testimonies (works, Moses, John the Baptist) proving His identity and the call to believe for eternal life. 

In John 8, Jesus stands at the center of accusation, controversy, and longing, revealing who he truly is. He refuses the false choice between grace and truth, exposing religious hypocrisy while removing condemnation from the guilty and calling sinners into real transformation. Declaring himself the light of the world, Jesus identifies himself as the returning glory of God. God’s glory is no longer distant or dangerous because Jesus makes God’s glory approachable through the cross. Jesus also redefines freedom, showing that it is not found in self-rule or religious performance, but in being set free from sin by the Son himself. In John 8 we see Jesus is the “Light of the world.” The question is no longer, “Is the light real?” The question is: Will you step into the light?

In Luke 2:8–16 we see the humility of Christ, who entered the world not in power or splendor but as a baby in a manger, announced first to lowly shepherds rather than rulers or kings. The angel’s message of “good news of great joy” revealed that the Savior had come for all people, and the heavenly host confirmed His glory with praise. Christ, who humbled Himself at birth, later humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross to rescue us from sin. The Christmas story reveals God’s astonishing love through the humility of Christ, calling us to respond with faith, gratitude, and lives marked by forgiveness and grace.

John 7 presents Jesus as the one who refuses to be managed by human agendas and instead calls for a decisive response to who he truly is. Misunderstood by his own brothers and debated by the crowds, Jesus exposes the difference between worldly belief that wants to use him and true faith that submits to him completely. As opinions swirl, John makes clear that neutrality about Jesus is impossible. The chapter reaches its climax at the Feast of Booths when Jesus declares himself to be the true source of living water, fulfilling everything Israel’s wilderness story pointed toward. Struck at the cross like the rock in the desert, he now invites anyone who thirsts to come and drink, promising not only forgiveness and life, but the indwelling Spirit who brings deep renewal and overflowing life to others.

John 6 moves from a miracle the crowds loved, to an encounter with Jesus the disciples feared, to a teaching many rejected. All together these accounts reveal Jesus doesn’t just give bread, he is the Bread of Life. In the feeding of the 5,000 he shows he is not simply sufficient but overflowing and abundant. When he walks on the water he reveals himself as the divine “I AM” who rescues. In his Bread of Life teaching he confronts our shallow cravings and offers himself as the only food that truly satisfies. Jesus alone can meet the deepest hunger of your soul. Come to him hungry, take him into your life, and feed on him as the One who is your sustenance, your Lord, and your life.

John 3–4 brings together two very different people: Nicodemus, the respected religious insider, and the Samaritan woman, the broken moral outsider. While these people appear to be stark contrasts the conversation shows both share the same spiritual need: a Savior who can give new birth and living water. Jesus exposes the emptiness of self-salvation, whether through performance or desire, and offers them both the miracle of grace. Salvation is life received, not achieved. Nicodemus shows us no one is too good for grace and the Samaritan woman shows us no one is too broken for grace.

John 2 reveals that Jesus came to replace empty religion with a joyful, transforming relationship. At the wedding, he turns the water of ritual cleansing into the wine of abundant and joyful grace. and in the temple he removes everything that blocks true communion with God. Jesus turns over the tables in our lives not to harm us but to heal us. Jesus is the true Temple—the One who brings eternal joy, cleanses our hearts, and invites us into life with God.

John 1 reveals the stunning truth that the meaning of life is not found in abstract principles or personal achievement, but in a person. Jesus Christ is the Logos – the reason, order, and purpose behind all creation. He entered our world so we could know God personally and experience true life in Him. In Jesus, we find the light that darkness cannot overcome, the love that defines reality, and the relationship that gives life its deepest meaning. 

Psalm 72 paints a breathtaking vision of the King the world longs for—a righteous, peaceful, universal, and compassionate ruler whose justice flows from God himself. This psalm finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, whose reign brings healing, wholeness, and blessing to all nations. Under Christ's rule, majesty is displayed through mercy, and peace abounds as creation is renewed. Because of Christ, we can look back with thankfulness, look forward with hope, and live now with purpose until the whole earth is filled with His glory.

Psalm 71 is a heartfelt testimony of faith that endures through every season of life from youth to old age. This psalm calls believers to see aging not as decline but as opportunity to declare God’s faithfulness and hand on hope to the next generation. Because of Christ, you can look back with thankfulness, look forward with hope, and live now with purpose. Whether in strength or frailty, we can say with confidence, “I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”

Psalm 70 is a brief but powerful cry of urgent faith. We see David, pressed by danger and sorrow, calling upon God to act swiftly—not in panic, but in trust. Even amid persecution, David turns from fear to worship, urging all who seek the Lord to rejoice and proclaim, “God is great!” His honesty in prayer, his confidence in God’s justice, and his humility in dependence all point to a greater Deliverer—Jesus Christ—who endured the ultimate darkness for our salvation. Thus, believers can pray urgently, wait patiently, and rejoice steadfastly, knowing that the God who made haste to save us at Calvary will surely deliver us again for His glory and our eternal joy.

Psalm 69 is a prayer of distress and deliverance, that expresses David's suffering caused by his enemies. He feels like he is drowning in despair and appeals to God for help and justice against his persecutors. The psalm also contains messianic prophecies about Jesus's suffering, his zeal for God, and his crucifixion. The psalm helps us remember that personal suffering can be seen as part of God's plan and how even in deep despair, faith and praise are still possible.

In Psalm 68 David labors to inspire the praise of God’s people. He does this by reminding them of God’s righteous character and his past saving acts – beginning in the Exodus and wilderness wandering, the conquest of the land of Canaan, and culminating in God’s arrival in Jerusalem. He then anticipates God’s future victories when all nations will lift their hands to the Lord.As Christians, we have all the more reason to praise the Lord because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus delivers us from bondage to Satan, sin, and death through his substitutionary atonement and victorious resurrection. He dwells within us through the gift of his Spirit and promises future victories when sin and death will be no more. May these truths pass from your head (acknowledgment) to our heart (treasuring) and overflow in joyful worship of God. In all that we do this week, may the name of the Lord be praised!

In this chapter Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that he had sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica to encourage them, and to learn how they were getting along in the Christian life. He reminds them that his sufferings were not unexpected but were predicted.Paul states that Timothy had returned with good news about the Thessalonian believers' enduring faith and love. Paul indicates he has comfort and great joy in knowing the believers at Thessalonica were doing well spiritually. He says he is praying around the clock to see them face-to-face and to address any deficiencies in their faith.The chapter closes with Paul praying that the Lord would make the Thessalonian believers' love overflow to one another and to others, as Paul's love overflowed to the Thessalonians.Ultimately, God works in both pastors and the broader church family to have this kind of enduring faith and love.

Psalm 67 envisions a world where God’s blessing fuels mission, drawing all nations to know his salvation and rejoice in his presence. The shining face of God—secured for us through Christ—brings true joy, security, and deep transformation. This psalm reminds us that God blesses us not to hoard happiness but to share it, anticipating the day when every tribe and tongue and nation will join together in a global chorus of glad praise.

This Psalm of thanksgiving highlights God’s awesome power, faithfulness, and redemptive purposes through the lens of worship, suffering, and deliverance. The message emphasizes that God is not only worthy of praise for His acts of salvation but also for His sanctifying work in the lives of His people. Whether reflecting on Israel’s rescue through the Red Sea or personal seasons of hardship, the psalm teaches that suffering refines rather than crushes, and that God's power is always working for the good of those who trust Him.  Psalm 66 foreshadows the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel, He now offers eternal salvation and abundance through Christ’s sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. In both trials or abundance, the call is to trust, praise, and draw near to a holy yet compassionate God, who is not only awesome in His deeds, but personal in His love.

Psalm 65 is a song of praise overflowing with joy in God’s grace, presence, and generosity. It begins by celebrating the God who brings sinners near by atoning for sin. It then lifts our eyes to the One who formed the mountains and calms the seas, reminding us that his presence brings stability in the midst of chaos. Finally, it paints a rich picture of God’s abundant provision, where the earth itself shouts for joy under his blessing. In Christ, this Psalm finds its fulfillment as he is the One who bore judgment so mercy could flow giving abundant life to all who trust in him.

Psalm 63 and 64 show us both the joy of longing for God and the reality of facing enemies and hardship. In the wilderness, David expresses a deep thirst for God’s presence, describing God’s steadfast love as “better than life” and finding satisfaction and joy in him alone. At the same time, David acknowledges the anguish caused by enemies and their schemes, yet takes refuge in God’s justice and protection. Together, these Psalms invite us to make God our deepest desire and greatest delight, to trust his steadfast love in Christ, and to find confidence and refuge in him no matter what troubles surround us.

Psalm 62's central message is to trust in God with all one's soul and to wait silently for him. Throughout this Psalm, God is described as a rock, a fortress and salvation to those who trust in him. David also contrasts God's reliability with the unreliability of people, who may be deceitful and may be overcome by worldly pursuits of riches. The psalm concludes with a reminder that God exhibits an enduring and merciful love, while also offering a hopeful assurance of divine justice.

Psalm 61 provides some strategies for enduring seasons of discouragement and distance from God by showing us how to cry out in prayer and take refuge in him. David reminds us that God is both strong and tender—our rock, tower, dwelling place, and sheltering wings. God is experienced as a refuge through his promises which find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christ was the one who experienced the ultimate exile from sin so that we would never have to. In the gospel of Christ we find security, hope, and joy that leads us back to God in worship.

In Luke 24:36-53 we learn how the resurrection of Jesus is both a historical reality and a deeply personal, transformative truth.  The resurrection turns sorrow into joy, affirms the hope of a real, embodied resurrection life for believers, and commissions us as Spirit-empowered witnesses to proclaim repentance and forgiveness to all nations. Far from being a distant theological concept, the resurrection has profound implications for everyday life. It assures us of peace with God, promises redemption of our deepest pain, and invites us to live with hope and purpose as we await the return of our King.

In Psalm 60, David provides a roadmap for dealing with hard things. While it can be difficult to understand, God is ultimately in control of what a person faces in life and often uses times of struggle to reveal sin, build faith, and strengthen our trust in Him. During suffering and setback, God’s people should not lose sight of their purpose in the world – to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ until he returns. Recalling God’s sovereignty and past goodness can help us endure suffering while we patiently wait for God’s deliverance. And finally, our ultimate hope in the midst of hard things is God alone, who will someday restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us (1 Pet 5:10).

In Luke 24:13–35 we follow two discouraged disciples traveling on the road who unknowingly encounter the risen Jesus. Through their story, we are challenged to consider how our expectations and misunderstandings might blind us to Christ’s presence in our lives. What kind of Jesus are you looking for? Are you seeking someone to help you or someone to redeem you? As Jesus opens the Scriptures to these travelers their hearts burn within them, and they finally recognize him during the ordinary act of breaking bread. This invites us to recognize the risen Lord not only in dramatic signs, but in the quiet, faithful rhythms of Scripture, community, and grace. Have you encountered the risen Christ? If so, who can you tell?

Luke 24:1-12 captures the moment when a group of women were stunned by what they didn't find in the tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus shook the world with life. This means Christians have much more than the profound sayings of a religious leader who died long ago. Christians relate with a living Lord through the living word. The Lord still speaks, transforms, and calls each of us into new beginnings. The empty tomb means the story of Jesus isn’t over and there is room in his story for you. What do you see when you look in the empty tomb?

As Jesus breathes his last breath in Luke 23:44–56, his death is marked by signs that prove its profound significance: darkness covers the land, and the temple curtain is torn. Jesus, the Light of the World, enters into the darkness of sin and death so that we might enter into the light and life of God. His final cry is not one of defeat, but one of trust in the Father and triumph over evil. His death cry was not one of earthly defeat but eternal hope. What do you hear in Jesus’s cry? Do you hear a man defeated, or do you hear the voice of a Savior?

Luke 23:26-43 describes the crucifixion of Jesus, focusing on his suffering, the reactions of those around him, and the interaction with a repentant thief. It highlights Jesus's forgiveness of his executioners, the mocking of the crowd and soldiers, and the promise of paradise to the thief who confessed faith in him. As Jesus is being crucified, he tells the crowd not to weep for him, but for themselves and their children, as difficult times are coming. The passage emphasizes Jesus's role as a suffering servant who, even in his final moments, offers forgiveness and salvation. It also highlights the contrast between the mocking and unbelief of many and the faith of the repentant thief.Are you showing love and forgiveness toward those you come into contact with this week?

In Acts 28:1-16, Paul concludes a long and tumultuous voyage to Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire. Along the way Paul experiences trial and suffering in the form of shipwreck and snake bite. Despite these difficulties, that are both real and painful, God brings Paul safely to Rome where the gospel continues to advance. The various difficulties Paul endured along the way opened the door for gospel opportunities. Let Paul’s journey be an encouragement to you that through suffering (individual or corporate) God will bring about gospel opportunities. Our trials are never meaningless; God will use them for his glory and purpose. Where can you step into occasions for gospel ministry this week? 

In Luke 23:13-25, Jesus is on trial before Pilate. In a shocking reversal, Pilate finds Jesus innocent while the Jews demand his crucifixion. Even a historically ruthless and pagan governor can see Jesus’ innocence, while those who were supposed to recognize their Messiah condemn him to death. Although Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered against Jesus, God ultimately determined that it would happen this way. How the Scriptures describe this event reveals that God sovereignly ordains all that comes to pass, yet people still freely choose what they want and will be held accountable for their choices. Exactly how this works is beyond human comprehension; God is infinite, we are not.This section of scripture concludes with Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murder, being released while Jesus is condemned. In the release of Barabbas, we see a powerful picture of the substitutionary atonement of Christ in which the record of debt that stood against God’s people with its legal demands is set aside, as Jesus is nailed to the cross (Col 2:13-14). Who can you tell about the good news of Jesus this week?

In Luke 23:1-12, Jesus stands before two powerful Roman politicians, Pilate and Herod. Pilate, wrestling with political convenience, finds no guilt in Jesus but refuses to act justly. Herod, craving entertainment, mocks Jesus when he doesn't speak or perform miracles on command. Through these encounters, we see the innocence of Jesus affirmed even by hostile figures. We also witness the sovereignty of God orchestrating redemption through even human injustice. This passage challenges us to confront our response to Jesus —not as a figure to manipulate for personal gain, but as the true King who invites us into his kingdom through repentance and faith.

In Luke 22:54-71 we see more responses to Jesus. Peter denied, others mocked, and some accused. Through all of this we are also able to observe Jesus's response. When given the chance, he doesn't defend himself. In a way, he provides the testimony that brings about his conviction. In a theological sense Jesus is on trial for us. He stands on trial where we ought to be standing. The judge becomes judged so sinners can be rescued from judgment.

The betrayal of Jesus in Luke 22:47-53 reveals both the pain of betrayal and the sovereignty of God. Judas’s act of betrayal underscores the deep emotional wound caused when trust is broken, especially by someone close. Yet, in the face of this treachery, Jesus responds with compassion, healing the ear of the servant and demonstrating that his kingdom is not advanced through violence but through sacrificial love. Even as the forces of darkness appear to prevail, Jesus acknowledges their limits, declaring, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” This evil moment unfolds under God’s sovereign plan, turning betrayal and suffering into the means of redemption. Jesus’s response challenges us to face wrongdoing in the same way, while his acknowledgment of God’s control assures us that no trial or evil act lies outside God’s redemptive purpose.

Life’s trials are unavoidable, but they are not without purpose. Romans 5:1-5 reveals a transformative pathway through suffering: endurance builds character, and character nurtures hope—a hope that is secure because of God’s love poured out through the Holy Spirit. This message unpacks how God uses suffering to sanctify His people, conforming them to the image of Christ while equipping them to serve others. It challenges us to embrace endurance as the bridge between pain and joy, grounded in the unshakable truth of the Gospel, and empowered by the example and strength of Jesus, who endured the cross for our sake.

In Luke 22:35-46, Jesus begins by telling his disciples to rely on God’s provision, while reminding them that all of their needs will be supplied. He goes on to say that he will be falsely tried as a transgressor or criminal, even though he is sinless. This is a reminder that these false accusations and his ultimate crucifixion were all part of God’s plan. This led the disciples to want to use swords against these accusers, to which Jesus urged them not to. We then see Jesus going to his customary place of prayer, the Garden of Gethsemane, to ask the Father if there was a way to spare him from the suffering and death. Even though Jesus was in great anguish and literally sweated drops of blood, he ultimately submitted to the will of God the Father. Finally, he used his time of praying as a teaching moment for the disciples to remain vigilant in prayer so as not to enter into temptation.