This last Sunday, we wrapped up our Baptism Series with a teaching on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus intended you to live a life completely submerged in His Holy Spirit. Throughout the New Testament we see the filling of the Holy Spirit as a repeated experience in the life of the believer. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of love. It’s designed to purify you, to lead you, and to put God’s glory on display through you. God has designed it so that for your whole life you are surrounded by and filled with the fire of His love so that you can become love. May we continually open ourselves up to be filled again with His Spirit that we might experience all that He has for us! Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/66182e45da8f4639df601263/1712860741406/04.07.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

As Christians, we believe that Jesus’ Resurrection is the most significant event in all of human history.    The Resurrection solves the ultimate problem that all other problems point to - death.   Ever since Adam and Eve chose death in the garden, humans have been arranging their lives to avoid the pain, loss and suffering that comes with mortality.    God didn’t make humans to die, so He came and died as a human and was raised, that we could live forever with Him. The ultimate gift, the greatest news of all time. This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday.      Link to Sermon Guide & Activations:    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/660dde27da717d5d3892c9a7/1712184871226/03.31.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday, we heard from Bria Wolter on what it means to steward the reality of our baptism into Christ. Your baptism affords you a new position in life that comes with a new way of living. We live out this new position through a life of communion, consecration, and fresh oil. Everything He did, He did so He could be close to you. We pray that you are filled with fresh hope and joy at the reality of your baptism into Christ! Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/6604a55ee4b87f3ca16abe1f/1711580510865/03.24.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday we got to hear from one of our elders, Austin Smith, on baptism as the entry into New Covenant family. When you got baptized, you entered into a family, not just a religion. The culture of this family is distinct, and in order to live the life you were mean to live in Christ, you must learn to prioritize the one thing that the family prioritizes - loving and cherishing God above all else. We don’t do things for God to gain His approval and we don’t manipulate His love for desired outcomes in our life. Our joy in life is simply to know Him and love Him. Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65fc9d8f5fd2800aba51e462/1711054223830/03.17.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

Last week we laid the foundation for baptism with a thorough examination of the gospel. This week Alex talked more in depth about what baptism is and what it does. Different traditions have held different stances throughout the centuries on what baptism is. Our stance is that the act of baptism doesn’t save you but should always accompany the faith that does. Baptism gives you a new identity. It is the way we express with our physicality what is true about us theologically. Once we have repented into Christ and been baptized, we must learn how to walk in this new blood-purchased identity. It is a journey of continually remembering and receiving Christ’s sacrifice for you that will lead to the kingdom being produced in your life. Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65f3663fc7eeee0ddd0177c9/1710450240174/03.10.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday we began a new series in which we intend to lay out a theological foundation for what baptism is, what it means, and what it accomplishes. In order to understand what baptism is, we first need a thorough examination of the gospel. God made a world that needed human partnership in order to expand his kingdom physically and spiritually throughout the earth. The humans that were designed to rule by trusting God used their agency to make decisions apart from Him, defining good and evil for themselves. This sin caused evil to enter the world and severed the connection of trust between God and man. When Jesus came he did what no human before Him was able to do - trust and obey Yahweh completely. By His death, He got what we deserved, so we could get what He deserved. In doing so, we receive a new identity and a new experience of life. We are no longer enslaved to our sin, but are free to trust God. Once alienated from God, we now experience the peace with Him that we were designed for. This reconnection with God brings about a life of power that continually crushes the head of the serpent. Baptism is an invitation to join Him in a death like His, so that we might also join Him in a resurrection like his. (Rom 6v5) Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65e7f47164a10b04cf3df2f7/1709700209205/03.03.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

All Christians believe that Jesus will return to remake the world someday, but how should we live as a result of this? In Luke 12v35-48, Jesus paints a picture of what it means to be ready for His return. We are called to live with a readiness that says no to greed, gluttony, and the pursuit of luxury. We are called to be obedient to God’s voice, stewarding our God-given earthly blessings well by showing care and generosity to those around us. This type of life reflects our hope in the goodness of God and His ultimate return. May the continual filling of the Holy Spirit keep your lamp burning, in Jesus’ name. Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65df95f02ce27f4a834023cb/1709151728181/02.25.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday, Laura Sharp taught us through Luke 12v22-34 and Jesus’ famous words on worry. If pride says I have enough, I don’t need to trust God; worry says, will I have enough? I’m afraid to trust God. No matter which way you spin it, worry is a trap. It lies to you about who God is and how He wants to care for you. In this passage we are invited into a lifestyle that kills worry - to consider Father’s great love and provision for us, and to place all of our hope and treasure in knowing Jesus. It will cost us everything, but what could we possibly sacrifice that would amount to the value of knowing Him? We long for that precious day when we will get to be with the Treasure of our hearts. Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65d625fba6b8981d5d2faab2/1708533243603/02.18.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

What does it mean to be rich toward God? On Sunday, Jake Vigil taught us through Jesus’ words in Luke 12v13-21. In this passage, Jesus tells a parable and warns against building up earthly treasure without being rich toward God. Some of the ways we get rich toward God are by crucifying the flesh, daily Bible reading, a lifestyle of prayer, fasting, generosity, and gratitude that leads to contentment. Praying that this message leads us to repentance and deeper contentment in Jesus, that we might be able to sow into eternity now by being rich towards God with our lives. Link to Sermon Guide and Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65cd356926186a63776a9172/1707947369351/02.11.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday Alex taught us through Luke 11v33-12v12, emphasizing the wisdom of prioritizing your inner world. In these passages, Jesus is giving a warning to anyone who chooses to build their life around the perception of others. He warns that this way of living will not produce the kingdom of God in you, but the fear of man. The fear of man says that God doesn’t see you, only people do. But if you choose to build your life on His love in the secret place, you will become the love you receive from Him - a light to the world. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65c2b7261be2d7236f33544a/1707259686781/02.04.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

We have placed a focus on this year in our church as a year of connection with God. Our desire is to become a consecrated place for the Lord to dwell, individually and as a family. As Bria taught us further through Luke 11 on Sunday, we saw that this consecration does not happen by accident. If we are the house that God intends to dwell in, our love cannot be divided. We are for Him or against Him. If we are the house that God intends to dwell in, we must give Him ownership and authority over the house. This is a blessed way to live because it’s what we were made for - dependence on and complete surrender to Him. When we live this way, we will see heaven come to earth in us and through us. May it be so in Jesus’ name. Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65bad71c0451ad1ab173775e/1706743580682/01.28.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

At the beginning of every calendar year we take time to ask God how He wants to lead us in the coming months. On Sunday, Alex shared with us that 2024 will be the year of connection for Saints’ Hill. When we say connection what we mean is communication with God in reality, or what Jesus in Luke 11v1-13 calls prayer. Where there is connection in reality (prayer), trust is developed. Where trust is developed surrender is possible. When surrender happens, God acts in power. This is how you become the gift God designed you to be on earth. We each get to play our role and discover His purpose for our life that we might become fruit that remains. Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/659f0206b37d5d657f8df51a/1704919558960/01.07.24+Sermon+Guide.pdf

This last Sunday we closed out 2023 with a teaching from Ephesians 2 - what it means to have individual purpose and walk in the fear of the Lord. God made you and has a specific purpose for your life. Your gifts, interests, personality, limitations, and weaknesses, when they are channeled through and redeemed by submission to Christ, are designed to leave a mark. Receiving your identity in Christ and walking in the fear of the Lord is what sets you up to do the good works He prepared in advance for you. You were designed to depend on Him, and to give away what you receive. Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/65959ec51dd11058dd05d526/1704304325420/12.31.23+Sermon+Guide.pdf

In John chapter 1 we discover that Jesus came into the world re-create humans with light. According to the Scriptures, the problem with the world is spiritual blindness. There is no way to know God other than through the face of Christ. If you don’t look him in the face, you will live without light. To live without light is to live without hope, direction, and identity. When we expose ourselves to the light in the face of Christ, when we look into His eyes, we begin to see ourselves and the world around us, correctly. He came to be generous with all that He is, so that you could see the world with the same generosity. Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/658db1581be3130dc85dad56/1703784792570/12.24.23+Sermon+Guide.pdf

In our third Sunday of Advent we examined the famous prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 9v2-7. Jesus came to get the principles and policies of heaven to become the standard of life you exist in. When you let Him set up His government in your heart, you get access to a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, and a Prince of Peace. We rely on this internal government to produce God’s will in us and around us. Freedom no matter the circumstance. May this Advent season awaken again our need for and our dependence on Jesus. Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/6584c0e7f0f1a2064ed5b415/1703198951589/12.17.23+Sermon+Guide.pdf

Jesus’ incarnation liberated us from the gods. According to the Scriptures, humans cohabit this world with gods who are lesser than Yahweh. The aim of these lesser gods is to un-do what God wants to do. Their goal is to un-create us by getting us to agree with demonic ways of seeing ourselves and God. This is why Jesus’ advent is so meaningful. He comes to re-create humans. He gave us an example of what it looks like to say no to the gods and yes to the Father, and he gave us the power and authority to do it. Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/657b4df2fb9d8f4eb467be05/1702579699055/12.10.23+Sermon+Guide.pdf

As we enter the season of Advent we ask ourselves the question, why did God become human? Alex proposed on Sunday that one of the reasons for the Incarnation was to teach us how to be human in this physical world. All the way back in Genesis 3 we see that humans have a problem with material. They desire to worship what they think it can offer them, outside of relationship with God. There was pride in Adam & Eve’s hearts, and it was revealed through their interaction with the physical world. Now creation groans under the weight of our idolatry, because it was never meant to bear it. The purpose of creation is to act as an access point to the love, purpose, and peace in God’s heart. This is the example that Jesus set forth through His incarnation and the example that we want to follow! Link to Sermon Guide & Activation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61ef10edc9dc6800ac27e640/t/656f80651365a73864ec37ad/1701806181121/12.3.23+Sermon+Guide.pdf

In Luke 10v38-42 we find a strikingly significant story in the life of Jesus. In the story, Jesus explains that there is one thing that matters most - to sit at His feet. Mary’s actions teach us that success in life is a heart full of adoration, with eyes that stay gazing on Jesus. There will indeed be many God-given things to get done in your life, but your chief purpose is to stay connected to Jesus. This lifestyle not only pleases Him, but will lead to flourishing in everything that you put your hands to. We pray that you would once again, or for the first time, be captivated by the beauty of Jesus and decide to put your connection with Him before everything else.

In Luke 10v25-37 the good Samaritan demonstrates what God had been trying to do through the people of Israel for centuries. How is it that this non-Jewish person in this story had more of a Jewish heart than the Jews themselves? God’s solution to what happened in the garden and the chaos that followed, was Abraham. A man who would be loyal to God alone, trust God when it didn’t make sense, obey God by doing righteousness and justice, and look for provision in Christ. What God began with Abraham was intended to be continued through the Jews, and ultimately all who believe in Jesus. The key is that it can only be continued through trust and surrender, not by remaining in control of the cost. We pray that you would receive a fresh revelation of the Father’s love that would empower you trust and obey Him.

This last Sunday Alex continued our Luke Series in chapter 10v1-24. In this passage, Jesus teaches us a few really fundamental points of how to be a Christian. To be a Christian is to expect that there’s a harvest of people who desire to be united with their Creator. To be a Christian is to bless, fellowship, minister and proclaim. As a Christian, your metric of success is found in the joy of living life connected to Jesus, not in the fruit of your ministry, or lack thereof. And the goal of our Sunday gatherings is to facilitate an encounter with God that will equip you to go out and be the church in your everyday life.