The Heights Church

Three Shaping Words for The Church

This morning we once again welcome Neil McClendon toThe Heights. Neil served as Camp Pastor for our studentsat camp a few weeks ago, and our students werechallenged and encouraged as Neil opened God’s Word forthem. Neil is Lead Pastor at Grand Parkway Baptist Churchin the Houston area. His passion is to live the gospel,preach the gospel, and incarnate the gospel to the glory ofGod. Neil is married to Marcie, and they have two daughters - Madison and Sophie. We look forward to hearing what God has to saythrough Neil this morning.

The Church On Display

This morning we welcome MichaelKelley back to The Heights. Michaelhas been with us on several occasions,and this morning he will begin a two-part sermon series called “Ekklesia.”“Ekklesia” is a Greek word that is most often translated as “church.” What exactly is a church? Most of us think of abuilding with pews, a steeple, and a cross. But “church” is so much more. The waythe Bible describes it, the church is not a place we go, but a people we are. Thismorning we will look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about the church in hisletter to the Ephesians. The church is God putting His wisdom on display for theentire universe to see - and we are invited to be a part of it.

  

Urgent - Hope

"Hope" - Matthew 23:37-39

This morning we are celebrating Independence Day and the sacrifice made by so many to purchase our freedom. And on this Independence Day weekend we are also wrapping up our study of Jesus’ final public sermon found in Matthew 23. We have called this sermon series “Urgent,” because there is a deep sense of urgency in the words that Jesus spoke. But there is something else in His words that we must hear - truth. Jesus is the voice of Truth, and we must hear and obey His words. How about you? Are you listening to the voice of Truth? Or are you trying to silence it?

Urgent - Fulfillment

"Fulfillment" - Matthew 23:29-36

In this sermon series we have been working our way through the urgent words of Jesus in Matthew 23. Jesus has just pronounced judgment upon the religious leaders who have rejected His message. Seven times He said to them “Woe to you!” This is not the Nice Guy Jesus that so many proclaim. This is the Son of the eternal God calling all to repent and follow Him, and making it clear that those who refuse to do so will face the judgment of God. These religious leaders made it a practice to thump their self- righteous chests and declare their good deeds to all who would listen. Jesus has a clear message for them ... and for all of us. Self-righteous chest-thumping invites wrath, not grace.

Urgent - Judgment

"Judgment" - Matthew 23:13-28

We’ve been working our way throughMatthew 23 in a sermon series called“Urgent.” This chapter contains part of the last public sermon that Jesus preached, and His words have a deep sense of urgency. This morning we come to verse 13, and Jesus turns His focus to the religious leaders who have opposed His message. Seven times Jesus says to them, “Woe to you!” Jesus tells us that God judges religious behavior that celebrates looking good on the outside, while ignoring the filth on the inside. The message of Jesus in a nutshell is this: Religion kills. Jesus saves.

  

Urgent - Humility

"Humility" - Matthew 23:8-12

This morning we will continue oursermon series “Urgent” from Matthew23. Our text is a part of Jesus’ lastpublic sermon, and the words He speakshave a deep sense of urgency. Last week we saw that Jesus urged all who follow Him to live authentically. As Hecontinues His message we will see this morning that those who live on missionwith Him are to have an attitude of humility. Humility is the soil from whichdisciples grow. Humble people have soil that is rich, and what God producesthrough their life is truly amazing. What does a life of humility look like? Jesusspells it out for us.

  

Urgent - Authenticity

"Authenticity" - Matthew 23:1-7

This morning we’re starting a sermon series from Matthew 23 called “Urgent.” Jesus is teaching in the temple on Tuesday before His crucifixion on Friday. This is His last public sermon, and His words have a deep sense of urgency. Over the next few weeks, we will look at the message Jesus preached. What did he want the people who had gathered in the temple to hear? What does He want us to hear? As He begins His final sermon, Jesus urges us to live authentically - to make sure that our Monday living lines up with our Sunday talk. We learn from Jesus that authenticity is critical to living on mission.

Unique - Gospel Urgency

"Gospel Urgency" - John 10:7-18

For the last several weeks we have been talking about the things we value at The Heights ... the things that make our church unique. This morning we welcome Jon Burns back to the pulpit to talk about gospel urgency - perhaps the most important of our values. A look at today’s headlines will certainly tell us that it has never been more urgent that we share the good news of the gospel with those around us. We are taking personal risks to bring the gospel to every relationship. Let’s live like there isn’t much time left. We must share the gospel with a sense of urgency.

Unique - Contagious Generosity

"Contagious Generosity" - Luke 19:1-10

Contagious generosity is part of the DNA of our people here at The Heights. We understand the value of being generous with our money, our time, and our talents. And yet none of us has given everything we have to give. No one has maxed out on generosity. So if we value generosity, and we celebrate those who give their resources for the kingdom of God - why do we still struggle to be generous? This morning we’re going to look at the story of Zacchaeus, and how in the course of one day he became one of the most generous people in the first century. Through Zacchaeus we learn that Jesus desires contagious generosity, not just the change in your pocket.

Unique - Community Presence

"Where will you engage, not hide?" - John 17:15-19

The community around us is changing. If you walk through any office, or neighborhood, or school, or shopping mall you will see people of all ethnic backgrounds and belief systems represented. So how do we respond to this changing community? We may be tempted to withdraw and hang out only with people like us - people who look like us, and believe like us, and vote like us. But that’s not God’s plan forHis followers. God wants us to engage, and love, and serve those who need Him the most. This direction is given to us by Jesus Himself as He prays for His followers in John 17. As we listen to the words of Jesus, may we be haunted by this question- Where will you engage your community?