Highrock Church

Why believe Jesus? In response to his accusers, Jesus lays out multiple witnesses that they should consider: John the Baptist, Jesus' teachings and miracles, and what God says in the scriptures. Ultimately, Jesus refuses to accept his accusers' judgment of him because they have no love of God in their hearts. Their hard hearts are the reasons they cannot acknowledge what all these witnesses say about Jesus. In the end, Jesus is not the defendant but the judge, which is great reason for celebration or concern, depending on where we stand.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- In what ways can the desire for human approval hinder genuine faith?- What does this passage teach about the connection between loving God and recognizing truth?- What can you do to help ensure that you seek not only information from the Bible but transformation?- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me see you clearly through all these witnesses. Help me also to care more for your approval than those who seek to judge me.

After healing a man who had been unable to walk for many years, Jesus tells him to pick up his mat and walk, but the miracle takes place on the Sabbath, provoking anger from the religious leaders. Did Jesus break God's Sabbath law or merely the traditions surrounding it? And if he broke the law, was that ok? When is it right for us to break God's law? Jesus claims a unique authority that comes from his relationship to his divine Father. Does Jesus give us a similar authority when carrying out his will? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- Why do you imagine that the religious leaders focused more on the law than on the healing?- When, where, or why do you think it might be ok to break human laws? What about God's laws?- How can religious habits, traditions, or rules help with following and honoring God? How might they distract or hurt that same purpose?- Prayer: Jesus, open my eyes to your work and purposes, and help me follow you with grace, truth, and compassion.

After encountering Jesus, the Samaritan woman leaves her water jar behind and rushes back to her town to tell others about him, inviting them to come and see for themselves. While his disciples focus on lunch, Jesus teaches them that his true nourishment comes from doing the Father’s will. Many Samaritans believe because of the woman’s testimony, and even more come to faith after hearing Jesus personally, recognizing him as the savior — not just the savior of the Samaritans or the Jews, but savior of the world. Jesus crosses boundaries in order to bridge the divides that our sin has created.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentSample chapter from "Living Out Loud" (book mentioned by Dave):https://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/firstChapters/978-1-4964-9002-5.pdfFor Reflection:- Why do you think the Samaritan woman's testimony was so powerful even though her understanding was so limited?- Who in your life might be open to hearing about Jesus through your story?- How might this encounter challenge how we respond to social and cultural boundaries today? What divides might God want you to bridge?- Prayer: Lord Jesus, use my life to invoke curiosity about you, inviting others to encounter you themselves.

We are told that Jesus "had to go" through Samaria, where he stops at a well and begins a surprising conversation with a Samaritan woman, crossing cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries. Asking her for a drink, he offers her “living water” that satisfies the deepest thirst of the soul and leads to eternal life. We see that Jesus actively seeks those who are the last, the lost, and the least in the world's eyes but who matter deeply in his. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- What stands out to you about Jesus initiating conversation with the Samaritan woman?- What kinds of “thirst” do people try to satisfy apart from God? Where are you tempted to satisfy your thirst from wells that are spiritually dry?- How is the Jesus we see here similar to and different from the Jesus you used to imagine?- Prayer: Jesus, satisfy my thirst with this living water that only you can give!

We love the parts of Jesus that heal, help, and set us free.But what happens when following Him starts costing us something?What if the Kingdom of God is far better - and far more demanding - than we expected?· · ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals

When Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem, he finds it filled with merchants and money changers who have turned a place of worship into a marketplace. Driven by passion for his Father’s house, he clears the temple to make it a more fitting place for people to encounter God. When challenged, Jesus makes a reference to his own body being a temple — again, a place for people to encounter God. God now dwells in human hearts, not halls of stone — how might Jesus want to make our lives a place where people might encounter God?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- Why do you imagine Jesus reacted so strongly to this scene in the Temple? - Are there distractions or compromises that crowd out genuine worship in your life?- How does knowing that Jesus sees the true motives of our hearts challenge or comfort you?- In what ways might Jesus want to “cleanse” your life to make it a more fitting temple for the Lord?- Prayer: Lord Jesus, purify my heart and make my life a temple where people can reliably encounter you.

Jesus calls Philip to follow him, and Philip immediately shares the news with Nathanael, declaring that they have found the one promised in Scripture. Nathanael is skeptical at first, questioning whether anything good can come from Nazareth, but Jesus reveals his prophetic insight into Nathanael's life. Jesus then promises to all his disciples that they will see even greater things, with himself as the very connection between heaven and earth! That is who Jesus is — the one who becomes the very way that we can connect with God.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- Jesus demonstrates supernatural insight into Nathanael's life? Has another believer or the Bible itself ever drawn you into faith by showing deeper insight into you?- Who might you invite to “come and see” Jesus?- Jesus tells all his disciples that they will see "greater things" and the ways that Jesus is a connection between heaven and earth. How do you experience this connection between heaven and earth today?- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me move beyond doubt into deeper trust and boldly invite others to come and see you.

This opening passage declares that Jesus, the Word, has existed from the beginning with God and is fully God, the source of all life and light. This divine light is resisted by the darkness of this world, though the darkness can neither understand nor defeat the light. If you think this opening sounds different than the other gospels, you would be correct! As we continue through John's gospel, we'll consider these unique threads and the way that they show us about Jesus, the unique Son of God!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “Word”, and how does that shape your understanding of him?- What do you understand from this passage about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father?- How have you experienced Jesus as light in your own life? - What questions does the opening to John's gospel raise for you?- Prayer: Jesus, Word who dwells with us, help me receive you fully and walk in the light and life you bring.

As the two disciples reach Emmaus, they urge Jesus — still unrecognized — to stay with them. When he breaks bread, their eyes are opened and they finally recognize him as Jesus, who immediately disappears. The two disciples reflect on how their hearts burned as Jesus explained the scriptures to them. Later, they repeat to the other disciples that Jesus was revealed in the breaking of bread. Where is Jesus to be found? Where is confusion turned into clarity and joy? In the reading of the Word and in the fellowship of believers, especially as we gather to celebrate communion!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- Have you ever become aware of God's activity in your life, but only after the fact? What opened your eyes?- Why do you think that God chose that moment to open their eyes to Jesus' identity? What led to the disciples finally recognizing Jesus (cf. v16)?- How have you become more aware of Jesus through the Bible and through fellowship, especially communion? - Prayer: Jesus, ignite my heart through your Word, and lead me to see you more clearly in fellowship, especially in breaking bread with others.

On the road to Emmaus, two discouraged disciples walk away from Jerusalem, confused about Jesus’ death. A stranger joins them on their journey, but God conceals the fact that this "stranger" is Jesus. This kind "stranger" first listens to the story of their distress before explaining a missing piece in their understanding. The scriptures, says the stranger, clearly show that they should not be surprised by Jesus' suffering because the scriptures clearly claim that the Messiah must suffer. We will return to the second half of this story tomorrow and see what else is still missing for these two discouraged disciples. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- What does this passage reveal about how Jesus responds to confusion and doubt?- Where has Jesus walked with you in a season of discouragement? Perhaps that season is now?- What role does Scripture play in helping you see God’s purposes more clearly?- How might you become more open to and aware of Jesus’ presence in your daily life?- Prayer: Risen Jesus, open my eyes to understand your Word and recognize your presence in every season.

Have you ever gotten tired of trying and still falling short?To the point where avoiding God or church just feels easier than facing it again?What if the Spirit of God meets you there not with more shame but with the power to change?· · ·👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals

After Jesus is arrested, Peter follows at a distance but ultimately denies knowing Jesus three times, just as predicted. When the rooster crows, Peter realizes his failure and runs into the night. Jesus alone remains faithful in these dark moments. But of all those who fail to be faithful, Peter at least is honest about his failure and weeps bitterly over it. Jesus stands ready to forgive Peter, and us, and that restoration starts with a moment of honesty like Peter's. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- What do you think led Peter to deny Jesus despite his earlier confidence?- Where are you tempted to follow Jesus “at a distance”?- What does Peter’s response of weeping teach about repentance?- What fears or pressures make it difficult to stand firm in your faith or to be honest about the ways you fail to do so?- Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your grace. Help me to courageously identify my sins and failures so that I might heal and grow.

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray, urging His disciples to pray so they will not fall into temptation. In deep anguish, Jesus offers his desires to his Father but adds that what he wants most of all if for his Father's will to be done. Jesus offers us a master class in prayer and faithfulness. It is right and good for us to give full voice to our desires in prayer, but a larger purpose in prayer is to learn to want what God wants even more. Prayer can train us to trust in God's wisdom and kindness.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- What does Jesus’ prayer reveal about Jesus and his priorities?- How would you describe the disciples' spiritual state in this moment? - What do you learn from Jesus' response to betrayal and violence?- What step could you take toward becoming more watchful and prayerful in times of temptation?- Prayer: Lord, give me strength to pray in times of weakness and teach me to trust in your love for me.

At the Last Supper, Jesus expresses his deep desire to eat with them before his suffering. Using the bread and wine of the Passover meal, he points to his sacrifice and covenant love for them, and for us. Yet even in this intimate moment, the disciples descend into a fight about who among them is the greatest. Jesus gently corrects them, teaching that true greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humility and service, with his own life as our example. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Resources for "New Testament in a Year"https://www.highrock.org/newtestamentFor Reflection:- How does the Lord’s Supper deepen your understanding of Jesus?- Why do you think the disciples argue about greatness at this moment? How does Jesus redefine what it means to be “great”?- Where does pride or comparison show up in your life?- What opportunites has God given you to be a servant? Whom might you serve?- Prayer: Jesus, teach me to walk in humility and serve others as you have served me.

In this replay from July 10th of 2024, we were exploring love as a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus loves us unconditionally, so why does he say that we must obey his commands? Is God's grace conditional? Or is the demand that we hear is actually more of an invitation? An opportunity more than an obligation?Tomorrow, we will begin exploring John's Gospel in tandem with the upcoming sermon series!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/For Reflection:Jesus calls us to obey his commandments. And what is his command? To love one another as he has loved us.- If God's love is a grace, a free gift, then why does it require obedience? What did you hear in our exploration of this passage today? How would you answer this question from your own understanding or experience?- What are some of the ways that you have been motivated to greater love for others? How has Gd's love for you given you a greater desire or ability to love?