The Heights Church

Rescuer wk1

We all long to be rescued - from terrorist threats around the world ... from violence in our streets ... from financial difficulties ... from the pain of past wounds. But even as we long for rescue from the things that trouble us, we are deeply aware of how much we long for a rescue of the eternal variety. We long for One who will rescue us not just from the pain and tribulation of this life, but from the eternal darkness that surrounds us. This Christmas season we will look at Jesus - the “Rescuer.” What in your life has been overtaken by the darkness? What needs to be reclaimed? Only Jesus can reclaim what has been lost. Jesus rescues you from the darkness.

Gospel Life wk4

Throughout the book of Ephesians we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to live a Gospel Life ... to find our identity "in Christ" and live as citizens of God's Kingdom. Living a Gospel Life causes us to live with urgency, keeping the end in mind. Our marriages give others a glimpse of the gospel message, painting a picture of a forever relationship with God. And as we wrap up our sermon series this morning, we will look at how living a Gospel Life impacts how we relate to others at home, at work, and in every other relationship. When we live a Gospel Life, we are not just consumers of religious goods. We relate to others in a way that causes them to long to join us as citizens of God's Kingdom.

Gospel Life wk3 - Jon Burns

What Makes A Man? - This morning Jon Burns will continue our sermon series “Gospel Life” with a word aimed at men. What does it mean to be a man in our culture today? Men often define themselves by their career ... their finances ... their athleticism. But how does God define what makes a man? Paul has some words for men in 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Men ... our family, our workplace, our community need us to step up. Let’s take a look at how we can lead the way in living a Gospel Life. And ladies - there just might be a word here for you, too!

Gospel Life wk2

When you first got married, what were you thinking? Did you realize that God had a “bigger picture” in mind for your marriage? Or were you just focused on sharing life with your spouse ... having a family and growing old together? God’s plan for marriage is to use it as a picture of the gospel. As we continue our sermon series “Gospel Life,” Paul tells us that if we operate out of our identity “in Christ,” God can use our marriage as a snapshot of a forever relationship with Him. This morning, let’s take a look at Paul’s instructions for marriage. Paul shows us that God planned our marriage to be a part of our “Gospel Life.”

Gospel Life wk1

This morning we begin a new sermon series called “Gospel Life.” Living a “Gospel Life” means we live out the message of the gospel in all our relationships - at work, at home, and with family and friends. But what does that look like? Where do we start? No matter what needs fixing in your life, there is really only one place to start. We must live with the end in mind. How do we do that? Paul tells us that in order to live a gospel life we must live with urgency, and we must live for God’s pleasure.

Explore God wk7

Can I Know God Personally? - Jon Burns

Throughout history, people have believed in a God who exists not only on a grand scale, but also at a personal level. People try all sorts of things to get closer to God, believing that through their actions they can earn God’s favor and therefore “know” Him. But despite our best attempts, the key to knowing God has nothing to do with our actions. God’s desire is not for us to follow rules or perform rituals. He simply wants us to have a relationship with Him. That’s what He created us for. This morning, Jon Burns shares with us from a passage that many are familiar with - John 3:16. You were created to be in relationship with God. God loved. God gave. We believe. We receive. Knowing God personally is as simple as that.

Explore God wk6

Is The Bible Reliable?

Is the Bible reliable? That is the question we will look at this morning as we continue to Explore God. Does the version we have today even resemble what the original authors wrote? Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and today we are going to examine the evidence that supports that belief.

Explore God wk5

Is Jesus Really God?

Who is Jesus? The responses to this question are all over the map. Some people say Jesus was a good man and a great teacher, but nothing more. Some believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not God. Others believe Jesus was a man who became a god. Nine out of ten people believe Jesus Christ was a real person who actually lived, but not quite six in ten believe Jesus was God. This morning we will explore the question, “Is Jesus really God? Jesus Himself claimed to be God. He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies that were recorded hundreds and even thousands of years before He lived. And He defeated death, rose from the grave, and appeared to hundreds of people. The evidence testifies that God became man, and His name is Jesus. What do you believe?

Explore God wk4

Is Christianity too narrow?

We live in a world of relativism. Nearly two thirds of all Americans say there is no such thing as absolute truth ... no truth that is true for everyone. What you believe about God and what I believe about God are equally good and equally true. But the problem with the concept of truth is that it is exclusive by nature. Any truth claim automatically makes all other contradictory claims false. Jesus did not claim to be “a” way to God. He claimed to be “the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Do the claims of Jesus make Christianity too narrow? The Apostle Paul, preaching in Athens, gives us his answer as we continue our journey this morning to Explore God.

Explore God wk3

Why Does God Allow Pain & Suffering?

Why does God allow pain and suffering? According to Barna, this is the number one question that people want to ask God. Chances are you’ve asked it yourself. Why would a good God allow things like natural disasters, and cancer, and the death of a child? Why do bad things happen to good people? Well this morning we’re going to look at the life of a man named Job. If anyone ever had to endure pain and suffering, it was Job. Job was a good man. He is described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” (Job 1:1) And yet Job lost everything but his life. How could God allow that! But God had a purpose for Job’s suffering. From Job’s story we learn that we won’t always know why we suffer, but we are confident God does.