Focused on Jesus - wk2
April 26, 2020
"Sin"
Bryan Jones - Teaching Pastor
When was the last time you heard a sermon about sin? Sin is not something we like to talk about. It makes us uncomfortable. We prefer to focus more on God’s forgiveness than on why that forgiveness is needed. But it’s important that we talk about sin because it’s the reason Jesus came. Understanding sin helps us understand who we are, who God is, and why we need grace.
So this Sunday as we continue our series Focused on Jesus, we’re going to talk about sin. In Old Testament times, priests sacrificed animals like bulls and lambs to atone for sin. But when Jesus came, and died, and rose again, He became the once for all sacrifice for sin … for your sin … for my sin … for everybody’s sin.
If sin was so important to God that He sacrificed His Son, we need to talk about it. Let's do that tomorrow. We'll see you online!
Focused on Jesus - wk1
April 19, 2020
"Micah"
Dr. Gary Singleton - Senior Pastor
Keeping track of time these days isn’t as easy as it used to be. Some haven’t left the house in weeks. Others are our heroic “essential employees” who continue to go to work and do your job every day in the midst of this pandemic. No matter your current circumstances, these are challenging times for all of us.
So, as we find ourselves still sheltering in place, we’re going to turn our focus to the only One where we find hope and peace in these crazy days.
This Sunday, Gary is beginning our sermon series focusing on Jesus by taking a look at an unlikely source – an Old Testament prophet named Micah. What can someone who lived 700 years before Jesus’ birth teach us about Jesus?
Just like us, Micah lived in days of great uncertainty. However, he kept His eyes on Jesus and not on his circumstances. Because of this, he had incredible impact on his generation.
Do you want God to use you in these uncertain days? Micah shows us that God can use this time for your good and His glory.
Easter 2020
April 12, 2020
Easter 2020
Bryan Jones - Teaching Pastor
Well church family, Easter 2020 is going to be one to remember! COVID-19 and social distancing means we won’t be gathering together in the Worship Center this Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be celebrating!
This Easter Sunday, we’re going to look at a story - which is not surprising - but the focus will be on the idea of "story." Everyone loves a good story. Stories are the reason we stay up late to finish a book or binge watch on Netflix. But what is it about stories that draw us in?
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this Sunday, we’re going to take a look at His story. The story of Jesus stands above every other story, and Paul tells us in Colossians 1 what makes the story of Jesus so powerful.
“Control” - March 29
March 29, 2020
"Control"
Bryan Jones - Teaching Pastor
Well, church family – this week we’ve seen things drift even farther away from what we define as normal. If you’re in Dallas County, you’re now under a “Shelter in Place” order and staying at home is now mandatory. Some of you haven’t left the house in days – so maybe you’re starting to go a little stir crazy?
And with so much of our daily routine out of our control, a lot of us resort to controlling the things that we can. (Like stocking up on toilet paper!) We try to control our environment, and we try to control the people around us. This is especially true of those Type-A personalities we sometimes refer to as “control freaks!”
Almost every day we hear from some mental health expert about things we can do to manage the stress and anxiety some of us are feeling. Forbes even has a list of “Nine Things You Can Do to Keep Your Cool in the COVID-19 Crisis.” Not being in control is stressful!
So as we continue to navigate these uncertain days, this Sunday we’re going to take a look at a guy named Saul who tried to take control of his situation. You can find his story in 1 Samuel 13:7-14.
If we can replace our need for control with surrender, God can use these days to cause our faith to flourish like it never has before. “Let go and let God!”
SPECIAL:: Heights 24/7 Prayer Chain
March 24, 2020
Richard Covington (Missions Pastor) is joined by Ivan Low (Assoc. Missions Pastor) to talk prayer. They talk through what prayer has meant to them in their lives as well as launch an initiative of 24/7 prayer throughout the COVID-19 season in America.
Go - wk5
March 22, 2020
"Windows of Opportunity"
Bryan Jones - Teaching Pastor
It’s been quite a week, church family! Schools and businesses have closed, grocery stores are empty, and we have added phrases like “social distancing” and “community spread” to our vocabulary. Experts are telling us that we have a window of opportunity to slow the spread of COVID-19, and #flattenthecurve is trending on Twitter.
As followers of Jesus we also have windows of opportunity in the midst of the chaos, and this Sunday we’re going to talk about those opportunities. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:16 that we are to make the best use of our time. With activities cancelled and restaurants closed, do you find yourself with extra time? How can you put that time to the best use? What can followers of Jesus do to share His love with a world that needs it now more than ever?
Go - wk3
March 8, 2020
"Missional Groups"
Dr. Gary Singleton - Senior Pastor
When God created Adam in the Garden of Eden, one of His first observations was “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) So He created Eve and she joined together with Adam to form the first group. Ever since then, we have gathered in groups. Why do we do that? What needs are met when we spend time with a group? Group participation satisfies our need to belong. Every group has a specific purpose, and participation in that group gives us the opportunity to influence others, even as our fellow group members influence us.
This Sunday we’re going to continue our sermon series on missional living with a look at missional groups. Jesus was the leader of a group of men we know as His disciples. And in John 21 we find the resurrected Jesus meeting with His group to spell out their missional purpose.
Every group that you participate in … your marriage, your sports team, your book club, your family … every group has a purpose. And you have a unique purpose within that group. Join me Sunday as Jesus teaches us how to look at our groups in a different light, and then embrace our missional purpose in those groups.
