Two Ways to Live

The voices of this world tell us that there are many ways to live and many paths to God. Jesus tells us there are only two ways to live, only two paths to take. One path leads to righteousness and everlasting life. The other path leads to unrighteousness and everlasting death. In his sermon on the plain in Luke 6:17-49, Jesus explains that only those who come to him, hear his words, and obey him are on the right path. 

1. Those who hear and obey Jesus’s words will be greatly blessed in heaven (vv.20-26). Turning to his disciples, Jesus knows what it has cost them to follow him. They’ve left behind their livelihoods, the ability to put food on the table, the joys of family and friends, even their reputations. Jesus reminds them that no matter what following him has cost them, their heavenly reward is great. So, as we face suffering, hardship, and even persecution because we follow Jesus, know you will receive a great reward. Those who seek instant gratification in the things of this world already have their reward. In the end, they will face ruin. But, while the Christian life is one of waiting for our reward, our waiting is not a passive waiting. We wait now in radical love and mercy. 

2. Those who hear and obey Jesus’s words are marked by radical love and mercy now (vv.27-45). Even unbelievers love those whom they like. They lend to those who will repay them. Those who follow Jesus love those who hate them. They lend to those who may not pay them back. They do for others expecting nothing in return. At first, this radical love sounds absurd, but when you think about it, it is the love with which God loved us in Christ. We came into this world as God’s enemies (Colossians 1:21). But God demonstrated his love for us while we hated him by sending Jesus to die on the cross (Romans 5:6-11). This is the love of Christ for us. And this is the love of Christ in us. We are to love other with this same love. That is what marks us apart from the world. This is the good fruit we are to bear. All who live and love like Jesus are building their lives on a firm foundation. 

3. Those who hear and obey Jesus’s words will stand firm through life’s storms and receive their eternal reward (vv.46-49). While the world tells us there are many paths to God, Jesus says the only path that leads to life is the path that he blazed for us. The path of righteousness. All who hear and obey Jesus’s words are walking this path and building their lives on the solid rock foundation that is Jesus.  

 Come to Jesus. Shut out all the earthly voices. Listen to Jesus. Obey his word. 

Resources of the Week 

• Build On The Rock: A sermon by R. C. Sproul 

• But I Say to You, Love Your Enemies, part 2, John Piper  

• 10 Ways Christians Should Respond to Opposition 

• God Loves through Human Love: How Grace Breeds Generosity  
  

• Song of the Month: On That Day by CityAlight  

 HPBC Church Center App Update 

Reminder: Our old app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it here.  
 
Did you know that you can register for events using the Church Center app? Click here to watch a short video showing how! 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 

(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE) 

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, May 4th 
There will be a one-day membership class (English) on Sunday, May 4th from 1:15-4:30 PM. Register here or on the app. 

Vacation Bible School | A Church-Wide Outreach Event | June 1-4, 6:00-8:30pm , Family Night Festival, June 4
At this year's VBS, take a ride out west with us to Wonder Junction to focus on the greatest wonder of all, Jesus! High Pointe's VBS is for everyone! There are many ways you can participate the week of and even before VBS begins! Online registration opens today! Click here to register. Please register NOW to volunteer, to attend (kids, teens, adult classes in English & Spanish), and to provide snack items. To help with decorating supply needs and/or preparation, please use this link. Above all, would you commit to pray regularly for this year's VBS? Pray that the Lord will, in His kindness, allow us to see people from our community come to faith in Jesus through our efforts.

NEW Life Classes Begin THIS Sunday 
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25: 

• Understanding Work & Rest (Room 203, Livingston Room)

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline  

• May 4 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• May 11 | Mother’s Day | Pastor Craig Horton  

• May 18 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• May 25 | Luke 8:4-21 | Faith that Bears Fruit | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 1 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline  

• June 8 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline  

• June 15 | Luke 8:22-9:6 | Jesus is Lord of All| Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 22 | Luke 9:7-27 | Who Do You Say Jesus Is? | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 29 | Luke 9:28-50 | The Majesty of Christ | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• July 6-27 | Summer Preaching Series 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am. 

Gospel Partner of the Month: Cuba | Predica Fiel 
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world. 
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work. 

 On-Call Pastor  
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Help Us Welcome Our Visitors This Easter Sunday

This Lord’s Day, April 20, is Easter Sunday, and we usually have more visitors than normal. Here are some ways we can help our guests feel welcome and at home each Sunday, but especially this coming Easter Sunday. 

1. Leave the parking spaces closest to the entrances for our guests and senior adults. We have clearly marked our guest parking area. Honor our guests by leaving these spaces open for visitors. For those who are able, utilize the farther parking spaces so our senior adults will not have as far to walk.  

2. Greet everyone you see with a smile whether you know them or not. From the time you step out of your vehicle greet everyone with a friendly smile and tell them how glad you are to see them.   

3. Introduce yourself to those you don’t know. If you don’t know someone, take the time to greet them and introduce yourself.  Make an effort to meet a new person or family each Sunday.   

4. Assist those who don’t seem to know where they are going. Remember, you may know where everything is, but our guests are not familiar with our facilities.   

5. Fill the seats at the front of the auditorium first when you enter to worship. Late comers and guests do not like to parade before the entire congregation on their way to find a seat.   

6. Don’t rush off after the service.  Instead, take a few minutes to greet visitors.  Thank them for attending our services and invite them to come again. 

7. Bring your guests to the Connection Center for a free gift.  

8. Invite visitors to your home for a meal.  One of the best ways to get to know someone is to share a meal together.  Practice Christian hospitality by inviting someone to eat lunch with you after worship. 

9. Invite first-time visitors to worship with us again. You will be amazed at how much weight a personal invitation carries. Encourage visitors to return and worship with us on a regular Sunday.    

I thank God for High Pointe and the love and fellowship we share with one another. Right or wrong, visitors will form an opinion about our church within the first few minutes after they arrive. Join me in making every effort to make our guests feel welcome through genuine, Christian hospitality.  

Resources of the Week 

• Ministry of the Pew: Sunday Morning for Normal Christians 

• Strategic Hospitality: A Sermon by John Piper 

• 10 Reasons Big Easter Giveaways are Unwise 

• Song of the Month: On That Day by CityAlight  

HPBC Church Center App Update 

 Reminder: Our old app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it here.  
 
Did you know that you can register for events using the Church Center app? Click here to watch a short video showing how! 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 

(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE) 

Good Friday Service | Friday, April 18th  
Please plan to join us at High Pointe on April 18th at 6 PM for our Good Friday Service. Members, please park at the back of the lot to save room for visitors. Invite your coworkers, neighbors, and friends!  

UPDATE: One Year of Encouragement for the Davis family 
High Pointe Church has been sending encouraging cards to the Davis family in Ireland for nearly a year, with 98 cards sent so far! It's hard to believe but April 30 will mark one year since they left here for their new home in Ireland! To mark their first anniversary, you can contribute by dropping off a card at the nursery by THIS Sunday, April 20. This is the last opportunity to participate in the "One Year of Encouragement" cards. Thank you for reminding them of your love and prayers throughout this year. A special thank you to Darlene Benoit for mailing the cards and to all who helped with postage. 

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, May 4th 
There will be a one-day membership class (English) on Sunday, May 4th from 1:15-4:30 PM. Register here or on the app. 

Vacation Bible School | June 1st-4th 
Save the date for VBS! Registration for volunteering, attending, and for providing snacks will be coming next week. Keep an eye out and begin praying for the volunteers and children!  

NO Life Classes THIS Sunday
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25: 

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• April 20 | Luke 6:17-49 | Two Ways to Live | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday  

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline  

• May 4 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• May 11 | Mother’s Day | Pastor Craig Horton  

• May 18 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• May 25 | Luke 8:4-21 | Faith that Bears Fruit | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 1 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline  

• June 8 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline  

• June 15 | Luke 8:22-9:6 | Jesus is Lord of All| Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 22 | Luke 9:7-27 | Who Do You Say Jesus Is? | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• June 29 | Luke 9:28-50 | The Majesty of Christ | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• July 6-27 | Summer Preaching Series 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am. 

 Gospel Partner of the Month: Cuba | Predica Fiel 
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world. 
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work. 

On-Call Pastor  
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

The Heart of Prayer: A Conversation with God | Hebrews 4:14-16

Prayer is the relationship! It’s an ongoing, whole-person conversation with the Living God, often flowing from our engagement with His Word through reading, hearing, or meditation. 

Prayer isn’t merely a ritual—it’s the core of your relationship with God. Like any meaningful connection, consistent and honest communication builds intimacy. Many of us struggle with prayer, feeling unworthy, too busy, or uncertain what to say. But remember: God invites you to come exactly as you are. Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages us to approach the throne of grace boldly, frequently,  at any time. 

When we speak to God, we’re approaching this throne of grace. You don’t need eloquent words—simply begin the conversation. God already knows your feelings, so bring Him your shame and sense of unworthiness. Christ, our Great High Priest, understands our weaknesses and knows what it’s like to face temptation. Unlike us, Jesus never yielded to temptation or turned away from the Father. He initiated this relationship through Jesus, and because of Christ, He welcomes us as we are. When words fail us, Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us pray. 

Start small—pray during your commute or while completing daily tasks. When you feel stuck, use Scripture to guide your prayers. Above all, trust that God hears and delights in your prayers. Prayer is a conversation with the One who loves you deeply—approach it with confidence. 

We have constant access to the throne of grace where we receive mercy and help in our times of need. Turn quickly to God during temptation, trials, and testing. He understands and he hears you. Strengthen your relationship with the living God through ongoing conversation in prayer. 

This Week: Join us for Sunday Night Prayer Service 5 p.m. here at HPBC. 

•Consider slowly reading the Lord’s Prayer. See the links below. Meditate on each phrase and then pray it back to God in your own words, personalizing it. 

•Practice turning quickly to Jesus in times of need. Have a conversation with Christ—be bold, honest, and real 

 Resources of the Week 

• Praying The Bible  

• Personalizing the Lord’s Prayer AND the Bible Project on the Lord’s Prayer 

• Getting Started: A Short Framework on Christian meditation 

• Does your mind wander in Prayer? 

• Learning to pray lament prayers when life is hard. 

• Song of the Month: On That Day by CityAlight  

HPBC Church Center App Update 

Reminder: Our old app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it here.  
 
Did you know that you can GIVE ONLINE using the Church Center app? Click here to watch a short video explaining how! 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 

(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE) 

 Good Friday Service | Friday, April 18th  
Please plan to join us at High Pointe on April 18th at 6 PM for our Good Friday Service. Members, please park at the back of the lot to save room for visitors. Invite your coworkers, neighbors, and friends!  

UPDATE: One Year of Encouragement for the Davis family 
High Pointe Church has been sending encouraging cards to the Davis family in Ireland for nearly a year, with 98 cards sent so far! It's hard to believe but April 30 will mark one year since they left here for their new home in Ireland! To mark their first anniversary, you can contribute by dropping off a card at the nursery by Easter Sunday, April 20. This is the last opportunity to participate in the "One Year of Encouragement" cards. Thank you for reminding them of your love and prayers throughout this year. A special thank you to Darlene Benoit for mailing the cards and to all who helped with postage. 

Vacation Bible School | June 1st-4th 
Save the date for VBS! Registration for volunteering, attending, and for providing snacks will be coming soon. Keep an eye out and begin praying for the volunteers and children!  

Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM 
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25: 

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• April 13 | Luke 6:12-16 | How Firm A Foundation  | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• April 20 | Luke 6:17-49 | New Kingdom, New Law, New Life | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday 

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline 

• May 4 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 11 | Mother’s Day | Pastor Craig Horton 

• May 18 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 25 | Luke 8:4-21 | Faith that Bears Fruit | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 1 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline 

• June 8 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline 

• June 15 | Luke 8:22-9:6 | Jesus is Lord of All| Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 22 | Luke 9:7-27 | Who Do You Say Jesus Is? | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 29 | Luke 9:28-50 | The Majesty of Christ | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• July 6-27 | Summer Preaching Series 

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am. 

Gospel Partner of the Month: Cuba | Predica Fiel 
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world. 
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work. 

On-Call Pastor  
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Meditation on Scripture: Directing Our Hearts to and Staying on the Path | Psalm 119:9-16, Colossians 3:16 and Philippians 4:9.

Here is the link to a simple framework for biblical meditation. 

Meditation on God’s Word serves as our spiritual GPS, directing us and keeping us on the right path. This practice has deep roots in Christian tradition, offering a transformative approach to engaging with Scripture beyond mere reading. 

Throughout history, devoted Christians have practiced scriptural meditation. William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the British politician who championed the abolition of the slave trade, recorded in his journal: “Walked from Hyde Park Corner repeating the 119th Psalm in great comfort.” His meditation on Scripture sustained him through his long struggle against abolishing slavery and provided spiritual nourishment during challenging times. 

Biblical Meditation: What it is. It’s chewing on a Bible text, analyzing that passage, turning it over and around in one’s thoughts… 

Mental planning for action...directing your thoughts of Scripture towards walking in godly paths. 

• Not emptying the mind, but filling it with God's truth from Scripture 

• Thoughtfully chewing on the biblical text, analyzing and turning it over in your mind. 

• Reading Scripture slowly and repeatedly, allowing words to sink into your soul (soaker hose) 

• Prayerful consideration, reflection and application of Scripture. 

• Engaging our head and hearts with Scripture to deepen our relationship with God. 

• We meditate on Scripture for and with other Christians to share and grow in Christ. 

Someone has put it this way: Read or listen to Scripture to get the information. Study it to get the meaning. Meditate on God’s word to get the true benefit, which is godly transformation. 

Why not choose a short passage and meditate on it this week. Chew on it, pray it, apply it, speak it, let it move from head to heart as it soaks in deeply.  

Then put your hands to work living out the truth you’ve absorbed.   

 Resources of the Week 

• Getting Started: A Short Framework on Christian meditation 

• Christian Meditation: what it is; how it works 

• The uniqueness and benefits of Christian meditation. 

• Christian Meditation 

• Gen Z and Slow Meditative Reading of Scripture 

• Song of the Month: On That Day by CityAlight  

HPBC Church Center App Update  

Reminder: Our old app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it here. 

Did you know that you can GIVE ONLINE using the Church Center app? Click here to watch a short video explaining how!

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 

(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE) 

Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | THIS Saturday, April 5 
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose?  Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is closing TODAY 4/2. Register here. 

Women's Jewelry Making Workshop | Saturday, April 12 
There will be a Jewelry Making Workshop on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 PM at High Pointe. Come and learn how to make a necklace or bracelet that you will get to wear at home! This is a beginner class. We have a limited number of seats, so make sure to enroll early. There is a $25 fee to participate in the event! Register here. 

Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM 
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25: 

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• April 6 | Hebrews 4:14-16 | On Prayer | Pastor Robert Cline 

• April 13 | Luke 6:12-26 | The Blessings and Woes of the Kingdom | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• April 20 | Luke 6:27-36 | Love Your Enemies | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday 

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline 

• May 4 | Luke 6:37-42 | Judge with Righteous Judgment | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 11 | Mother’s Day | Pastor Craig Horton 

• May 18 | Luke 6:43-49 | Two Ways to Live | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 25 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 1 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline 

• June 8 | New Series from Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline 

• June 15 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 22 | Luke 8:4-21 | The Parable of the Sower | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• June 29 | Luke 8:22-9:6 | Jesus Is Lord of All | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• July 6-27 | Summer Preaching Series 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am. 

Gospel Partner of the Month: Cuba | Predica Fiel 
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world. 
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work. 

On-Call Pastor  
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath | Luke 6:1-11

God gave Israel the Law to show them how to love him with their whole hearts and to love one another. He redeemed them from slavery, called them to be his people, and promised to bring them to the place of his presence where they might enter God’s rest.  

Of course, the Law did not spell out every instance or exception, so the Jewish leaders and teachers added guidance to the Law as guardrails to help Israel keep the Law and maintain faithfulness. Sadly, many of these rules went beyond Scripture but were expected to be obeyed as Scripture. The result was, instead of reading the Law (God’s Word) to know God, they read the Law to know what to do or not do. That led to a religion of justification by works. This is not what God intended. But this is what we see in Luke 6:1-11. To protect the Sabbath, the Pharisees added rules. Those rules were prioritized over basic human needs (6:1-5) and over showing mercy (6:6-11). 

We tend to look down on the Pharisees, but admittedly, we are very much like them. We are tempted to add rules that go beyond Scripture, then expect others to keep them to prove their faithfulness. Or we practice religious rituals or abstain from certain activities in an effort to win God’s favor. It is exhausting to try and earn God’s grace. It is a burden to try and keep the extrabiblical rules others impose on us. 

Jesus came to restore Israel on the basis of a new covenant. To do that, he needed to fulfill the old. And he did so, by keeping it fully, including the Sabbath. This is what he reminds the Pharisees. At no point did Jesus violate the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5). But Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. That means only he has the authority to determine what is and is not permissible on the Sabbath. To prove he has that authority, he heals on the Sabbath (Luke 6:6-10). 

The Pharisees become furious at Jeus and plot to destroy him (Luke 6:11). Here is the irony of this passage. The plot of the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus is the means God used to fulfill the Sabbath and the whole Law. Though innocent, Jesus went to the cross, where he received the penalty for Law-breaking. So, Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath (and the whole Law) by his active (keeping the Law) and passive (suffering) obedience. This is the basis of our salvation. And we enter into God’s promised, eternal rest by faith alone (Hebrews 3-4). 

Are you still trying to enter God’s rest through religious observance or abstinence? Are you burdened by religious performance, guilt, or the pressure to be good enough? Come to Jesus, and rest in him. He is not offering a day off—he is offering eternal rest with God, beginning right now, by faith in him, the Lord of the Sabbath. 

Resources of the Week

• New Covenant Christians and the Sabbath:  

  • Should Christians Keep the Sabbath? 

  • Three Reasons Sunday is Not the Christian Sabbath 

  • From Sabbath to Lord’s Day Worship by Pastor Juan 

  • Why You Should Gather with the Church On Sundays by Pastor Juan 

• Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation 

HPBC APP Announcement

As we roll out the new website, we will be updating the Church Center App and retiring the older HPBC app.

 Our High Pointe Baptist Church app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it today using the links below! If you need help in accessing the new app, please visit our Connection Center or speak with one of our staff.

• Current App Download Link

• Current App Desktop Browser Link

Do you have questions about the change? Email us at info@highpointeaustin.org.

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Men’s Steak and Hymns Fellowship | Friday, March 28 
All men are invited to come enjoy steak and fellowship at High Pointe on Friday, March 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Sides will be provided, but attendees must bring their own meat to grill. Register here.  
 
Young Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30  
The young adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at Buddy’s Burgers (9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754).  

Senior Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30
The 55+ Adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at the Luby's on Dessau and 183.
 
Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | Saturday, April 5
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose? Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is limited and will not be offered past April 1 at 4:00PM. Register here.

Women's Jewelry Making Workshop | Saturday, April 12
There will be a Jewelry Making Workshop on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 PM at High Pointe. Come and learn how to make a necklace or bracelet that you will get to wear home! This is a beginner class. We have a limited number of seats, so make sure to enroll early. There is a $25 fee to participate in the event! Register here.
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Meditating on Scripture | Pastor Robert Cline 

• April 6 | On Prayer | Pastor Robert Cline 

• April 13 | Luke 6:12-26 | The Blessings and Woes of the Kingdom | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• April 20 | Luke 6:27-36 | Love Your Enemies | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday 

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline 

• May 4 | Luke 6:37-42 | Judge with Righteous Judgment | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 11 | Luke 6:43-49 | Two Ways to Live | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 18 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 2 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Jesus + (ANYTHING) = NOT the Gospel

If you’re 30 years and younger, get to know some of our senior adult members. They are a treasure in and of themselves. They are also walking encyclopedias of history. In their lifetime, they have seen dramatic technological changes, such as moving from radio to television, from black and white television to color, from cable to streaming, from rotary telephones to cellular, from film-based cameras to VHS video, from VHS video to DVD, and I could go on and on.  
 
The older generation has experienced how an older technology is made obsolete by a newer one. While the change Jesus brings about are more significant and eternal, the idea of the old being replaced by the new helps us to understand how Jesus inaugurating the new age of salvation in his first coming, replaces the old. You see, when Jesus came, he inaugurated the new covenant and did away with the old. This is the point of Luke 5:33-39. 
 
Jesus had been feasting with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:27-32), and someone wonders aloud, “How come, Jesus, your disciples do not fast?” Jesus’s answer: Because the bridegroom is here, and the wedding celebration has begun. It is inappropriate to fast at a wedding (Luke 5:34). Jesus knows he will go to the cross to die. That is how he initiates the new covenant – by his blood. At that time, it will be appropriate for his disciples to fast (Luke 5:35). But now is the time for joy and feasting, for the promised age of salvation has dawned in Jesus’s coming.  
 
Crucially, Jesus makes the point that you cannot simply add the new covenant to the old. Jesus’s point is that since he has come and fulfilled the old covenant, it is set aside (Hebrews 8:13). You cannot fit the new covenant ways into the old covenant structures. It will rupture the old covenant structures like new wine ruptures old wineskins (Luke 5:36-38). Sadly, this is exactly what some Jewish background believers tried to do in the first century. They were called Judaizers, and they traveled to Gentile churches trying to convince them that to be saved, they needed Jesus + circumcision + keeping Sabbaths + observing the dietary restrictions. Paul constantly battled against this idea (Colossians 2:16-23). This is what is known as the Galatian heresy: Jesus + _____________.  
 
This should serve as a warning to all of us today. We may not try to add the Law to what Jesus did, demanding that faithful Christians keep the Sabbaths, dietary restrictions, and practice circumcision. But we are tempted to ADD to the gospel what it means to be a faithful Christian. We are tempted to bind other’s consciences by what we’ve added to Jesus’s work on our behalf. In my opinion, this is one reason evangelical Christians are so divided – because we are tempted to ADD to the gospel what it means to be a faithful Christian: Jesus + (politics, social justice, educational choices, position on vaccinations, and on and on it goes). These issues are NOT unimportant. But they are NOT the gospel. And this is one reason we work diligently to guard the gospel from additions. 
 
The sad reality is that we tend to take our personal views, opinions, and convictions on third-order matters or what we call charity beliefs and make a law or a rule that if others don’t see matters the same way, then they are simply not faithful Christians. Jesus came to save us from the demands of the Law by keeping it perfectly and taking upon himself the punishment of law-breaking. Now, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, we are counted righteous before God. And now, in this new age, we have new hearts and God’s Spirit living in us who empowers us to obey all that Jesus has commanded. We don’t obey to be accepted before God. We obey because God has accepted us in Christ. This is good news! 

Resources of the Week

• Understanding Justification by Faith Alone:  

  • The Doctrine of Justification 

  • Dressed in His Righteousness Alone: What Is Justification by Faith? 

  • 5 Things You Should Know about Justification 

  • 5 Books You Should Read on Justification by Faith Alone 

•  On Christian Hospitality (Feasting with Others): 

  • Single-minded hospitality: a practical guide to entertaining on your own 

  • How Can I Practice Hospitality? 

  • The Art of One-Anothering: How the Church Loves Like Christ

• On Fishing for Jesus (Evangelism): 

  • A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism by Mark Dever 

  • How Hospitality Helps Evangelism

• Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation 

HPBC APP Announcement

As we roll out the new website, we will be updating the Church Center App and retiring the older HPBC app.

 Our High Pointe Baptist Church app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it today using the links below! If you need help in accessing the new app, please visit our Connection Center or speak with one of our staff.

• Current App Download Link

• Current App Desktop Browser Link

Do you have questions about the change? Email us at info@highpointeaustin.org.

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Men’s Steak and Hymns Fellowship | Friday, March 28 
All men are invited to come enjoy steak and fellowship at High Pointe on Friday, March 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Sides will be provided, but attendees must bring their own meat to grill. Register here.  
 
Young Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30  
The young adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at Buddy’s Burgers (9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754).  

Senior Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30
The 55+ Adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at the Luby's on Dessau and 183.
 
Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | Saturday, April 5
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose? Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is limited and will not be offered past April 1 at 4:00PM. Register here.

Women's Jewelry Making Workshop | Saturday, April 12
There will be a Jewelry Making Workshop on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 PM at High Pointe. Come and learn how to make a necklace or bracelet that you will get to wear home! This is a beginner class. We have a limited number of seats, so make sure to enroll early. There is a $25 fee to participate in the event! Register here.
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  
 

• March 23 | Luke 6:1-11 | Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Meditating on Scripture | Pastor Robert Cline 

• April 6 | On Prayer | Pastor Robert Cline 

• April 13 | Luke 6:12-26 | The Blessings and Woes of the Kingdom | Pastor Juan Sanchez  

• April 20 | Luke 6:27-36 | Love Your Enemies | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday 

• April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline 

• May 4 | Luke 6:37-42 | Judge with Righteous Judgment | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 11 | Luke 6:43-49 | Two Ways to Live | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 18 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• May 2 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Gathering, Scattering, Fishing and Singing

This past Sunday, we gathered twice. At our Sunday Evening Prayer Service, six members shared opportunities to evangelize friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, and we prayed for our faithful witness in all aspects of life as we scatter and are sent around the Austin area. It was a joyful time together as the family of God.  
 
During the Evening Prayer Service, I shared the concept of “fish swimming into the net”—visitors at High Pointe who are not yet Christ-followers.  Each week, some of these “fish” not only hear the gospel during the service but are approached afterward by members sharing personal testimonies, inviting them for coffee or meals, and opening the Bible again to explain the good news!   
 
We thank God that he continues to bring visitors to High Pointe each Sunday morning. Our Connection Center, led by Barbara Woodard, plays an important role in welcoming visitors. It provides a great opportunity for members to actively welcome visitors by connecting them with others nearby or with similar interests. 
 
On Saturday, April 5 from 8:30am-12pm we will have our next Equipping Workshop. The workshop will center on learning to ask “salty” questions, practicing telling your story and explaining the gospel story to friends and acquaintances. We encourage you to bring a friend and join us! Please note the workshop will officially begin at 9am, but we strongly encourage you to arrive early. Register here.
 
Singing together May the Mind of Christ My Savior is always an encouragement to live as wholehearted followers of our great King and Lord Jesus.  
 
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;  
Him exalting, self-abasing,  
This is victory. 
 
May His beauty rest upon me 
As I seek the lost to win; 
And may they forget the channel, 
Seeing only Him

Resources of the Week

• As you respond to the Lord’s Day activities:  

  • A Puritan on Hearing the Word 

  • A Good Book On The Trinity 

  • Parenting from Deuteronomy 6 

  • Faithful Witness in the Workplace 

• On Fishing for Jesus (Evangelism): 

  • Fisherman or Fishermen: Considering the Church’s Corporate Mission 

  • Lord, Make me More Bold 

  • When Your Faith for Fishing is Small 

• Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation 

HPBC Website Announcement

High Pointe is refreshing our High Pointe Website to sync up better with the Church Center App. The Website will have some updated photos and be simpler to navigate.  High Pointe Staff is in making some last minute tweaks and adjustments and hopes the Website with a new look and feel will go live very soon.  

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Men’s Steak and Hymns Fellowship | Friday, March 28 
All men are invited to come enjoy steak and fellowship at High Pointe on Friday, March 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Sides will be provided, but attendees must bring their own meat to grill. Register here.  
 
Young Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30  
The young adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at Buddy’s Burgers (9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754).  
 
Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | Saturday, April 5
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose? Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is limited and will not be offered past April 1 at 4:00PM. Register here.

Women's Jewelry Making Workshop | Saturday, April 12
There will be a Jewelry Making Workshop on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 PM at High Pointe. Come and learn how to make a necklace or bracelet that you will get to wear home! This is a beginner class. We have a limited number of seats, so make sure to enroll early. There is a $25 fee to participate in the event! Register here. 
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• March 16 | Luke 5:33-6:11 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 23 | Luke 6:12-49 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Pastor Robert Cline

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Jesus, Friend of Sinners | Luke 5:1-32

If you’ve ever played pick-up basketball, you know the strategy of the captains picking the team want to pick the best players. Personally, I know what it’s like to be picked last. Thankfully, when it comes to who Jesus picks to enter into the kingdom, he chooses differently than we would. In Luke 5:32, Jesus reminds us that he came, not for the righteous, but to save sinners. And in vv.1-32 of that same chapter, we see how he chooses the unworthy fishermen, an unclean leper, a paralyzed man, and a despicable tax collector. Jesus came to save sinners! 

1. Jesus calls sinners to follow him (5:1-11).

Fishermen were an important part of the economy in first century Israel, but they were lowly in social standing. And yet, this is who Jesus called to follow him. But he doesn’t just call sinners to follow him. He calls sinners to become fishers of men. When Jesus calls, sinners become followers and followers become fishermen.  
 
As a follower of Jesus, where are YOU fishing? Who are you fishing for? Our mission statement says, We exist to glorify God by making wholehearted follower of Jesus among all peoples. So, High Pointe, join us in fishing for men, women, and children from all peoples that those who presently do not worship Jesus may become wholehearted worshippers.  

2. Jesus cleanses sinners to restore them (5:12-16).

Not only does Jesus call sinners to follow him, but he also cleanses sinners from all uncleanness. Lepers were thought to be inflicted with their disease due to sin. So, sin and impurity were closely associated with then. In fact, to touch a leper would make one unclean. And yet, Jesus touched the leper and rather than being infected with disease or becoming ceremonially unclean, Jesus made the unclean clean. By his purity, Jesus infects us with his cleanness. 
 
How are you trying to clean yourself up? No matter how hard you try, you cannot. But Jesus offers to cleanse us. How? What can wash away our sins? “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” What can make me whole again? “Nothing but the blood of Jesus. You see, Jesus’s work of cleansing foreshadows his work on the cross. Come to Jesus and find cleansing – over and over again. 
 
3. Jesus forgives sinners to free them (5:17-26).

The paralytic was enslaved to the effects of Adam’s sin in his body. He could not walk. He could not get to Jesus. He was dependent on his friends to bring him to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he forgave them of their sins and freed him from the bondage of paralysis. 
 
The good news about Jesus’s salvation and the promised kingdom is that he saves ALL of us, not just our souls. Our salvation is wholistic and includes our bodies. We look forward to receiving our resurrection bodies and a kingdom where there will be no more suffering. For now, this hope encourages us to wait on the Lord for total healing. 

4. Jesus eats with sinners to dignify them (5:27-32).

Once again, Jesus calls sinners to follow him. This time a despicable tax collector. Despicable because tax collectors in this day were Jews who worked collecting taxes for Rome and has a reputation for extortion. And yet, Jesus not only calls Matthew to follow him, Jesus eats with Matthew and other tax collectors and sinners dignifying them as welcome into the kingdom. 
 
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He calls sinners – the unworthy, the unclean, the enslaved, the despicable – and they leave everything behind and follow him. But the story doesn’t end there. These followers become fishermen. Jesus calls sinners to join him in mission. 
 
What about YOU? Are you following Jesus? If so, are you fishing for Jesus? 

Resources of the Week

• On Fishing for Jesus (Evangelism): 

  • Fisherman or Fishermen: Considering the Church’s Corporate Mission 

  • Lord, Make me More Bold 

  • When Your Faith for Fishing is Small 

• Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation 

HPBC Church Center App Update 

Our app has been updated with a new homepage featuring the digital order of service, weekly announcements, a digital directory, and resources to help you get involved.  

• See the new app here.

• Download the app directly from your App Store.

 
If you have questions about the app or how to use it, feel free to call the church office or ask anyone on staff, and they would be happy to help you in setting it up.

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Women's Prayer and Head Wear Gift Exchange Event | THIS Saturday, March 8
Please join us at High Pointe on Saturday, March 8 from 3-6 PM for a prayer exchange! Each attendee should bring a new, unused "head wear" item to exchange with another woman. This will also be a potluck event, so please bring an appetizer to share!

Men’s Steak and Hymns Fellowship | Friday, March 28 
All men are invited to come enjoy steak and fellowship at High Pointe on Friday, March 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Sides will be provided, but attendees must bring their own meat to grill. Register here.  
 
Young Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30  
The young adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at Buddy’s Burgers (9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754).  
 
Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | Saturday, April 5
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose? Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is limited and will not be offered past April 1 at 4:00PM. Register here.
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• March 9 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 | Pastor Robert Cline 

• March 16 | Luke 5:33-6:11 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 23 | Luke 6:12-49 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Pastor Robert Cline

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

All Things in Christ’s Strength | Together in 2025

We exist to glorify God
by making wholehearted disciples of Jesus 
among all peoples.

At our members’ meeting this Sunday night, the elders presented our new mission statement. It still reflects the heart of our mission: to make disciples. But it emphasizes the purpose for which we were created: God’s glory.  
 
As we have been learning in Luke’s gospel, Jesus came to “preach (announce/proclaim) the good news of the kingdom of God to” all peoples (Luke 4:43). That is, Jesus is God’s anointed King who inaugurates the promised kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace, and announces that the promised kingdom has arrived in him (Luke 4:16-30). Since in the promised kingdom, there is no evil, not sickness, no disease or death, Jesus proves the arrival of the kingdom in his coming by casting out demons and healing the sick (Luke 4:31-44). Jesus’s word is accompanied with kingdom authority (Luke 4:32). 
 
As we will learn THIS SUNDAY, Lord willing, Jesus calls sinners to join his mission by “going fishing” (Luke 5:1-11). Jesus calls repentant sinners to become followers. And those followers become fishermen. THIS is our mission: to follow in Jesus’s steps, announcing the good news (gospel) that Jesus is God’s anointed King and that the promised kingdom has arrived in him (Luke 24:45-47).  
 
How, then, will we seek to follow Jesus in announcing the Kingdom and gathering those who repent and believe into the church, teaching them to obey all Jesus has commanded? 
 

1. Reaching unbelievers with the gospel of Christ. 

• Evangelism, Sending, Church Planting

2. Gathering worshipers into the body of Christ (an Acts 2 Church).  

• A Community that is devoted to a Common Faith rooted in the Word of God. 

• A Community that shares a Common Life flowing out of a Mutual Love. 

• A Community that provides a Compelling Witness that displays the Glory of God. 

3. Equipping the saints with the word of God (an Ephesians 4 Ministry). 

• Formal Structures/Trellises 

• Informal Structures/Trellises 

4. Scattering and sending the members of Christ. 

• Living out a Compelling Witness in the world (Acts 2) 

• Loving our Neighbors and Seeking the good of our city (Jeremiah 29) 

• Sending gospel workers as faithful witnesses of the gospel to the nations (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 13) 

 
Understanding that there are two aspects to our mission in the world, both as the gathered church and as the scattered church, what is the role of each member in our mission?  

• The Church Gathered: 

  • Prayer (see our 2025 prayer lists HERE) 

  • For ALL our Commitments: See the Church Covenant 

    • Committing to participating in a culture of evangelism: Reaching Unbelievers 

    • Committing to participating in a shared life together: Gathering Worshipers 

    • Committing to participating in a culture of discipleship: Equipping Saints 

    • Committing to going into the world as a faithful witness and loving neighbor: Scattering. 

    • Committing to sending/being sent to the nations: Sending 

  • Sunday Morning Plus 1 (click link HERE). 

    • Our commitments include praying for the ministries of the church, its members, and its pastors. 

  • “We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations” (HPBC Church Covenant). 

    • Our commitments include our contributions to the ministries of the church with our time, talents, and financial resources. 

• The Church Scattered 

  • To be faithful Christians in private 

    • Prayer, Communion with the Lord 

    • Faithful Christian witnesses in the home. 

  • To be faithful witnesses in the world 

    • Living as faithful followers of Jesus in the world (Ephesians 4:17-6:9) 

    • Reaching unbelievers with the gospel of Christ. 

  • Seeking the welfare of our city. 

    • Praying for governing officials (1 Timothy 2:1-7) 

    • Being a good citizen (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17) 

    • Loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:10; James 2:8) 

    • Overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:14-21) 

Let us remain faithful to Jesus and pray that he will grant us much fruit for his glory. 

Resources of the Week

• On Prayer when Sick and Asking the Elders to Pray for You When You are Sick 

  • How to Pray When the Prognosis Is Grim

  • Should We Anoint the Sick with Oil (James 5:14–15)?

  • If God Doesn’t Heal You

•  On Demon Possession and Spiritual Warfare 

  • Demon Possession: A Theological Summary Essay

  • Does Demon Possession Happen in the West?

• Thinking Through Evangelism 

  • A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism

  • What if I’m Discouraged in My Evangelism?

• Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Meaningful Membership Class | THIS Sunday, March 2 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.

Women's Prayer and Head Wear Gift Exchange Event | Saturday, March 8
Please join us at High Pointe on Saturday, March 8 from 3-6 PM for a prayer exchange! The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for women to get to know each other and pray for one another. Each attendee should bring a new, unused "head wear" item to exchange with another woman! Whoever’s item you end up with, that’ll be your prayer partner for the remainder of the year. This will also be a potluck event, so please bring an appetizer to share!
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• March 2 | Luke 5:1-5:32 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 9 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 | Pastor Robert Cline 

• March 16 | Luke 5:33-6:11 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 23 | Luke 6:12-49 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Pastor Robert Cline

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
 
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Life Together in Christ: A Package Deal | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

We completed our journey through 1 Thessalonians on Sunday with reminders like this:  
 
We are to be an Everyday Church…we gather, but then we scatter.  Relational holiness happens here on Sundays, and it happens whenever we gather but also as we scatter. Everywhere to our homes, schools, neighborhoods and workplaces.  

The local church has been designed by God as a gift to help us all grow relationally as a family in Christ.  So our personal/individual salvation is shrunk wrapped into the package deal called sanctification, the process of growing in Christlikeness, which is growing in relational holiness.

Ours is a common faith but also a common life.  Paul is equipping us all for ministry to one another in Christ. To different kinds of people in a local church. When we gather, when we scatter..as we relate to our overseers, pastors, elders, deacons and other leaders…we glorify God through relational holiness…as we love God and we love one another.
 
Even loving relationships sometimes have conflict. What if we learned to reframe conflict as a God-given opportunity to live out the gospel, to overcome evil with good, to show what it looks like to love others well by seeking to do them good, to forgive one another and point one another to Jesus Christ as we learn to rejoice always that the God of peace is there to help us grow in relational holiness.  

Resources of the Week

• Rejoice always  

  • Finding joy in the everyday life 

  • Rejoicing always in the Lord

• Peacemaking 

  • 8 ways we can pursue peace 

  • Values of peacemaking 

• Thinking Through Evangelism 

  • If you want to be equipped for evangelism, join our Life Class on Sundays: Evangelizing through Mark 

  • Share the Gospel in 3 minutes using the 3 Circles (Christmas Version) 

  • Don’t Overcomplicate Evangelism by Tony Merida 

• Ephesians: Why read the book of Ephesians?

•  Missions: The Task and Motive of Missions by John Piper 

• Song of the Month:  Christ the True and Better

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, March 2 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.

Women's Prayer and Head Wear Gift Exchange Event | Saturday, March 8
Please join us at High Pointe on Saturday, March 8 from 3-6 PM for a prayer exchange! The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for women to get to know each other and pray for one another. Each attendee should bring a new, unused "head wear" item to exchange with another woman! Whoever’s item you end up with, that’ll be your prayer partner for the remainder of the year. This will also be a potluck event, so please bring an appetizer to share!
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room) 

• Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room) 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room) 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library) 

• Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room) 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• March 2 | Luke 5:1-5:16 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 9 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 | Pastor Robert Cline 

• March 16 | Luke 5:17-32 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 23 | Luke 5:33-6:11 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

• March 30 | Luke 6:12-49 | Pastor Juan Sanchez 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month:  The International Mission Board of the SBC
The International Mission Board (IMB) exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
 
With almost 47,000 churches cooperating to send missionaries through the IMB, we can support over 3,500 missionaries full-time in the international mission field. Take some time to work through the IMB website to learn more about how your regular giving through High Pointe is supporting Great Commission work worldwide.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Remember, Remind, Be Ready | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

On Sunday, we considered Paul’s words to the Thessalonian church in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11.  The main idea was this:  Encouragement for Godly Living Leads to Readiness for Christ’s Coming  

In this passage Paul describes the Day of the Lord, the second coming of Jesus Christ.  On that day, there will be a return of Christ, a general resurrection, a rapture and a great reunion with Jesus our Lord and all God’s people.  

Paul also reminds us not to grieve as those with no hope. You will find some helpful resources on grief in the links below.  

Finally, Paul tells us how to get ready and stay ready for the return of our LORD which will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Stay awake and stay alert.  Fascination with the world can lull us to sleep. There are distractions everywhere we look or turn.  We live in a world filled with the Intoxicating effect of mesmerizing phone apps, games, Instagram, Tik Tok videos, and worse. Living soberly includes self-control, disciplining our desires, including our desire to be distracted.  Technological devices and apps are designed to provide temporary dopamine hits that keep us from focusing on the Coming Kingdom of God.  
Here’s an article that might help us refocus on the Word.

Let’s not forget that God has appointed us his ambassadors during this season of grace. Paul reminds us twice in this passage that our hope for salvation from the wrath of God is only in Christ who has lived, died, risen and is returning.  If we have died with Christ by faith, we will also live with Christ. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”

Christ has come, Christ has lived and died, Christ is coming again. So, encourage one another to live the good, godly, holy, loving and pure life.  
 
Keep growing in Christ, stay ready by remaining faithful. Share the gospel during this season of grace! 

Resources of the Week

• Longing for heaven 

  • Head straight for heaven 

•  Help with grieving and helping others with grief 

  • What Do We Say to Grieving People? - Desiring God 

  • Good Grief  

  • A friend just lost a loved one; what do I say, think and do 

•  Fasting from the World to Feast on the Word

• Thinking Through Evangelism 

  • If you want to be equipped for evangelism, join our Life Class on Sundays: Evangelizing through Mark 

  • Share the Gospel in 3 minutes using the 3 Circles (Christmas Version)

  • Don’t Overcomplicate Evangelism by Tony Merida 

•  Thinking Through Seeking the Good of Our City 

  • ‘Seek the Welfare of the City’: Social Ethics in 1 Peter by Bruce Winter 

•  Missions: The Task and Motive of Missions by John Piper 

• Song of the Month:  Christ the True and Better

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, March 2 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.

Women's Head Wear/Prayer Exchange Event | Saturday, March 8
Please join us at High Pointe on Saturday, March 8 from 3-6 PM for a prayer exchange! The purpose of this event is to provide an opportunity for women to get to know each other and pray for one another. Each attendee should bring a new, unused "head wear" item to exchange with another woman! Whoever’s item you end up with, that’ll be your prayer partner for the remainder of the year. This will also be a potluck event, so please bring an appetizer to share!
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark: A class designed to equip you to share the gospel using just the book of Mark. Together, we’ll discover how simple Bible study can become a powerful tool for engaging coworkers, neighbors, and friends with the message of the gospel. 

• Discipling Through Ephesians: Together, we'll explore how the book of Ephesians provides a simple yet profound model for discipleship. We’ll discover the richness of our union with Christ and the beauty of our unity as His Church, equipping us to be and make more mature disciples of Christ. 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios: La vida entera de una persona es afectada por quien adora.  Para adorar adecuadamente al Dios de la Biblia, debemos tener una comprensión correcta de Sus atributos.  Conocer Sus atributos de acuerdo con Su propia revelación en las Escrituras nos permitirá realmente conocer a Dios y comprender mejor las Escrituras. 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch: We will follow the storyline of the first five books of the Old Testament. Students will discover God's plan for humanity as it unfolds through Abraham, Moses, and Israel. The aim of the class is to help teenagers learn how to read, study, and apply the first major section of their Bibles.

• Kid's Life Class (K-5th grade): This course will be for children K-5th grade, using The Gospel Project, a study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible as God's plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• February 16 | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 | Pastor Robert 

• February 23 | Luke 4:42-5:32 | Pastor Juan 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month:  The International Mission Board of the SBC
The International Mission Board (IMB) exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
 
With almost 47,000 churches cooperating to send missionaries through the IMB, we can support over 3,500 missionaries full-time in the international mission field. Take some time to work through the IMB website to learn more about how your regular giving through High Pointe is supporting Great Commission work worldwide.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

God's Shocking Grace | Luke 4:13-30

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus made some outrageous claims. First, he declared himself to be Israel’s promised Anointed King (Messiah - Luke 4;16-18a). Second, he declared that in his coming, Israel’s promised salvation had dawned (Luke 4:18b-21). At first, those in the synagogue at Nazareth who heard Jesus testified to his words of grace. Unfortunately, they quickly turned skeptical and asked him to prove it by doing the same kinds of miracles he had done elsewhere (Luke 4:22). 
 
Jesus’s words of lavish grace turned into words of shocking grace. Jesus warned them that he was going to do no works in their midst but instead go to the Gentiles (Luke 4:22-27). As a result, the Jews in Nazareth responded with rage and rejected Jesus, seeking to kill him (Luke 4:28-30). 
 
Allow me to share two lessons for us from Jesus’s words of lavish, shocking grace: 

1. Jesus has introduced the season of grace - “The Year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19).

The Jews expected the Messiah to come and bring salvation and judgment at the same time. Jesus, however, tells them that he has come to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (v.19). He cites Isaiah 61:2, but he leaves off the last part: “and the day of vengeance of our God.” 
 
In his coming, Jesus announced a season of grace, an age of salvation. This age will continue until he returns. At his return, the day of God’s vengeance will arrive.  
 
What difference does this make for us?
Just as Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom, and just as he commanded his apostles to preach that gospel too, so also, we are commissioned to preach the gospel to all peoples until Jesus returns. THIS is the age of salvation. And WE are the instruments of King Jesus to announce the good news. High Pointe, we need your help! 

• Pray that the Lord would raise up a champion or two to lead and organize English as a Second Language as a service and outreach to our community. This is a tremendous opportunity to seek the good of our city, serve and love our neighbors, and proclaim the gospel. 

• Make a list of unbelievers in your life and pray for them. Seek opportunities to speak of Christ. Invite them to church so that they may hear the gospel preached and see the love of Christ among us. 

• Pray for urgency. We have until Jesus returns. At that time the season of grace will be no more. So, let us redeem the time because the days are evil, and judgement is eternal. 

• Jesus’s grace is often shocking (Luke 4:24-27).

It was shocking that Jesus compared his hometown to the people who reject (and kill) the prophets. Then, it was even more shocking when he used Elijah and Elisha as examples to communicate that he was not going to work among them but among the Gentiles. 
 
What difference does that make for us?
God’s grace is often shocking. There are people we can think of who deserve God’s judgment now. But again, so did we, and God saved us. How should we respond when God saves those we think are beyond his grace? Luke 15 is a wonderful text to answer this question. We should rejoice with all of heaven when one sinner repents and comes to Jesus. 

• Consider the fact that you deserved eternal judgment, but God saved you. Let that humble you and rejoice in God’s shocking grace. 

• Make a list of those you assume are beyond God’s grace. Pray for their salvation. 

• Make a habit of rejoicing whenever any sinner repents and turns to Christ. 

 Jesus has come to seek and save the lost. And in his providence, he uses us to announce the good news that the kingdom has arrived in him. Let us join together in this mission so that God may be glorified in the worship of the Son. 

Resources of the Week

• Thinking Through Evangelism 

  • If you want to be equipped for evangelism, join our Life Class on Sundays: Evangelizing through Mark

  • How Should We Define Evangelism by Mack Stiles 

  • Don’t Overcomplicate Evangelism by Tony Merida 

• Thinking Through Seeking the Good of Our City 

  • Seek Your City’s Good by John Piper 

  • ‘Seek the Welfare of the City’: Social Ethics in 1 Peter by Bruce Winter 

• Missions: The Task and Motive of Missions by John Piper 

• Song of the Month:  Christ the True and Better

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe 
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

High Pointe Parenting Seminar | THIS Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Raising children can feel overwhelming as you try to navigate the many voices telling you what to do and not to do, but God has already given you everything you need to be faithful parents. Children don’t need perfect parents. They need a perfect Savior, and you already have everything you need in Christ, the only perfect one.
 
In this parenting seminar, Juan and Jeanine Sanchez want to provide a down-to-earth, practical guide for parents that will help them move from survival mode to joyful, Christ-dependent parenting. For every parent who may be exhausted and discouraged, they can take heart from the simple, biblical principles Juan and Jeanine will share from Scripture. Register here. Childcare closes TODAY at 4 PM. 

Senior Adult Lunch | Sunday, February 9 
Please join the Senior Adults for lunch after service this Sunday. Lunch will be immediately after the morning service at Luby's on 1410 East Anderson Lane 78752.  
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark: A class designed to equip you to share the gospel using just the book of Mark. Together, we’ll discover how simple Bible study can become a powerful tool for engaging coworkers, neighbors, and friends with the message of the gospel. 

• Discipling Through Ephesians: Together, we'll explore how the book of Ephesians provides a simple yet profound model for discipleship. We’ll discover the richness of our union with Christ and the beauty of our unity as His Church, equipping us to be and make more mature disciples of Christ. 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios: La vida entera de una persona es afectada por quien adora.  Para adorar adecuadamente al Dios de la Biblia, debemos tener una comprensión correcta de Sus atributos.  Conocer Sus atributos de acuerdo con Su propia revelación en las Escrituras nos permitirá realmente conocer a Dios y comprender mejor las Escrituras. 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch: We will follow the storyline of the first five books of the Old Testament. Students will discover God's plan for humanity as it unfolds through Abraham, Moses, and Israel. The aim of the class is to help teenagers learn how to read, study, and apply the first major section of their Bibles.

• Kid's Life Class (K-5th grade): This course will be for children K-5th grade, using The Gospel Project, a study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible as God's plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month:  The International Mission Board of the SBC
The International Mission Board (IMB) exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
 
With almost 47,000 churches cooperating to send missionaries through the IMB, we can support over 3,500 missionaries full-time in the international mission field. Take some time to work through the IMB website to learn more about how your regular giving through High Pointe is supporting Great Commission work worldwide.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

The Son Who Pleases the Father | Luke 3:21-4:13

Who do YOU say Jesus is? 
 
How you answer that question reveals what you believe about Jesus. And what you believe about Jesus determines your eternal destiny. And yet, even for those who have been Christians for some time, question arise and sometimes doubts linger. That’s ok! Luke welcomes your doubts, and doubters are welcome at High Pointe.  
 
Luke wrote his gospel to reassure Theophilus about the things he had been taught (Luke 1:4). Just as Luke want Theophilus to have confidence in what he’s learned, so too do your pastors. In Luke 3:21-4:13, Luke answers the question of Jesus’s identity to reassure us of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Jesus is the obedient Son who overcame sin and temptation to accomplish our salvation. 
 
Jesus is the Beloved Son of God (3:21-22)
At Jesus’s baptism, the Father affirms Jesus as the beloved Son. By affirming Jesus as the beloved Son, the Father reveals Jesus is his promised King, anointed by the Spirit, as Isaiah 61 prophesied), who will restore Israel and rule in the promised eternal kingdom with righteousness, justice, and peace. 
 
By receiving John’s baptism, Jesus identified with sinful Israel, showing that he would be the suffering servant who would redeem Israel.  
 
What difference that all that make for us? 

• TRUST – God is faithful to his promises, and we can have confidence he will do all he says. At his baptism and the Father’s affirmation, we see the fulfillment of the promises in Psalm 2, 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 42, and Isaiah 61. We can trust God to keep his promises. 

• Question: In what or whom are you trusting as you face hardship and suffering? 

• SUBMISSION – Since Jesus is God’s king, we must all bow down to him. You may bow down now, in faith, or bow down later, in judgment, but all will bow down. 

• Question: Who or what is your “king”? We all live under authority. The question is what authority? 

 
Jesus is the Human Son of Adam (3:22-38)
Not only did Jesus identify with sinful Israel at his baptism. By placing this genealogy between Jesus’s baptism and temptations, Luke highlights that Jesus identified with all sinful humanity. Jesus’s genealogy shows where he came from, his “kin.” It’s a mixed bag: Perez (born out of sexual immorality), Boaz (married to a Gentile). David was an adulterer, Jacob a liar, Noah a drunk, and Adam a rebel. This is who Jesus came to save! And that includes you and me. 
 
What difference does that make for us? 

• IDENTITY – By faith in Christ, the Beloved Son, we become adoptive children of the Father. It doesn’t matter how bad our family tree is. Our past is irrelevant. In Christ, we are sons and daughters of God. That is our identity, and it doesn’t matter what anyone things of us. 

• Question: Where are you rooting your identity? Do you care too much about what others think about you? 

• COMFORT – We may also find comfort that because Jesus was the fully human son of Adam, he knows everything we face. He sympathizes with us in ever way. He was even tempted in every way as we are, yet he did not sin. This is important because had Jesus sinned, we would still be in our sins and face God’s judgment. 

• Question: Where are you looking for comfort? Life is hard, and we all want someone to identify with us. 

 
Jesus is the Obedient Son of God (4:1-13)
By placing Jesus’s genealogy before these temptations, Luke wants us to read them in light of Genesis 3. Jesus was led by the Spirit to confront and do battle with Satan in order to reverse the curse that Adam’s sin introduced into the creation. Jesus is the promised seed from the woman (Genesis 3:15) who crushes the serpent’s head. 
 
Jesus was tempted to doubt God’s provision, but he trusted God’s word (Luke 4:3-4). Jesus was tempted to seek the crown of the king without the cross of the suffering servant if he would only bow down and worship the devil, but he believed the worship of God is worth the suffering of the cross (Luke 4:5-7). Lastly, Jesus was tempted to test God’s promise of protection, but he did not need to prove God’s love and protection (Luke 4:8-13). 
 
What difference does that make for us? 

• FORGIVENESS – Because Jesus was the obedient Son, we are forgiven because he not only fulfilled all righteousness, but he also received God’s judgment at the cross. Again, without Jesus’s obedience, we would still be in our sins. But because of Jesus’s obedience, we can find forgiveness through his blood by faith in him. 

• Question: How are you dealing with your sin? All sin must be judged. It will either be judged in Jesus or in hell. But all sin will be dealt with. 

• FIGHTING THE DEVIL, TEMPTATION, AND SIN – And because Jesus was obedience, all who believe have the same Spirit who led Jesus in the wilderness and sustained him in the midst of temptation. So, in the strength of Jesus and the power of the Spirit, by faith and through his word, we can fight the devil, temptation, and sin as Jesus did. 

• Question: How are you fighting temptation and sin? Read Ephesians 6:10-20. As you face each day, remember that “Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). 

 
Adam was tempted by the devil in the garden and disobeyed God. We are all born sons and daughters of Adam disobeying God. Jesus, our elder brother, identified with us in our humanity. He obeyed where we disobeyed, and he received God’s judgment in our place. And because of that, we have forgiveness of sins. 
 
Bring your questions and doubts. It’s ok. But Luke wants you to know who Jesus is and what he had done for all who believe in him. Be encouraged. Rest assured. Follow Jesus. 

Resources of the Week

• Thinking Through Spiritual Warfare:

  • How Should We Think about Spiritual Warfare? By Justin Taylor  

  • The Battle of Our Lives by Stanley Gale

• Two Helpful Books on Spiritual Warfare:

  • The Whole Armor of God: How Christ’s Victory Strengthens us for Spiritual Warfare by Ian Duguid

  • Spiritual Warfare in the Storyline of Scripture: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach by Chuck Lawless and William Cook

• Missions: The Church has Two Missions: Broad and Narrow by Jonathan Leeman

• Song of the Month:  Christ the True and Better

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Women's Morning & Evening Bible Study Resume TODAY Wednesday, January 29 
 

• Morning Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 – April 9 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the New Testament books of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin. 

• Evening Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 - April 30 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Amos. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Susan Horton or Marilyn Waters. 

Children and Student Ministry Volunteer Luncheon | Sunday, February 2 (TODAY is the last day to register) 
We'd like to show our appreciation to those who volunteer in children's and youth ministry by providing lunch and a time of fellowship for you and your family on Sunday, February 2, just after the morning worship service. We plan to begin serving lunch in the fellowship hall at noon. Register by January 29. Click here to register.  
 
High Pointe Parenting Seminar | Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Raising children can feel overwhelming as you try to navigate the many voices telling you what to do and not to do, but God has already given you everything you need to be faithful parents. Children don’t need perfect parents. They need a perfect Savior, and you already have everything you need in Christ, the only perfect one.
 
In this parenting seminar, Juan and Jeanine Sanchez want to provide a down-to-earth, practical guide for parents that will help them move from survival mode to joyful, Christ-dependent parenting. For every parent who may be exhausted and discouraged, they can take heart from the simple, biblical principles Juan and Jeanine will share from Scripture. Register here.
 
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25: 

• Evangelizing through Mark: A class designed to equip you to share the gospel using just the book of Mark. Together, we’ll discover how simple Bible study can become a powerful tool for engaging coworkers, neighbors, and friends with the message of the gospel. 

• Discipling Through Ephesians: Together, we'll explore how the book of Ephesians provides a simple yet profound model for discipleship. We’ll discover the richness of our union with Christ and the beauty of our unity as His Church, equipping us to be and make more mature disciples of Christ. 

• Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios: La vida entera de una persona es afectada por quien adora.  Para adorar adecuadamente al Dios de la Biblia, debemos tener una comprensión correcta de Sus atributos.  Conocer Sus atributos de acuerdo con Su propia revelación en las Escrituras nos permitirá realmente conocer a Dios y comprender mejor las Escrituras. 

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch: We will follow the storyline of the first five books of the Old Testament. Students will discover God's plan for humanity as it unfolds through Abraham, Moses, and Israel. The aim of the class is to help teenagers learn how to read, study, and apply the first major section of their Bibles.

• Kid's Life Class (K-5th grade): This course will be for children K-5th grade, using The Gospel Project, a study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible as God's plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The P Family (High Pointe Members)
The P family are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them so that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged.
 
If you would like to sign up for their newsletter, please fill out this form.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

What Does Repentance Look Like? | Luke 3:1-20

sins, and by grace, God makes us alive. It is only by this new life that we can recognize our sins, respond in faith, and repent. And if we are truly converted, we will bear fruit in keeping with repentance. That’s why John commands, “Bear the fruits of repentance” (v.8). A bad tree cannot bear good fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit. What fruit do you see in your life? Bear fruits that demonstrate you have been changed by the power of Spirit through faith in Jesus. 
 
Practice this:  
Regularly ask one another: "Are you characterized by producing fruit that shows you are converted?” 

Resources of the Week

• What Does Repentance Look Like? 

  • Genuine Repentance | 12 Signs by Jared Wilson 

  • A Recipe for Repentance from Thomas Watson 

• Two Helpful Books on Repentance:

  • The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson 

  • The Grace of Repentance by Sinclair Ferguson 

• Missions: Joy in God for Holiness and Missions | A sermon by John Piper

• Song of the Month:  May the Mind of Christ, My Savior 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Life Classes | Life Classes will resume THIS Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark: A class designed to equip you to share the gospel using just the book of Mark. Together, we’ll discover how simple Bible study can become a powerful tool for engaging coworkers, neighbors, and friends with the message of the gospel.

• Discipling Through Ephesians: Together, we'll explore how the book of Ephesians provides a simple yet profound model for discipleship. We’ll discover the richness of our union with Christ and the beauty of our unity as His Church, equipping us to be and make more mature disciples of Christ.

• Spanish Life Class | "Los Atributos de Dios": La vida entera de una persona es afectada por quien adora.  Para adorar adecuadamente al Dios de la Biblia, debemos tener una comprensión correcta de Sus atributos.  Conocer Sus atributos de acuerdo con Su propia revelación en las Escrituras nos permitirá realmente conocer a Dios y comprender mejor las Escrituras.

• Kid's Life Class (K-5th grade): This course will be for children K-5th grade, using The Gospel Project, a study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible as God's plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch: We will follow the storyline of the first five books of the Old Testament. Students will discover God's plan for humanity as it unfolds through Abraham, Moses, and Israel. The aim of the class is to help teenagers learn how to read, study, and apply the first major section of their Bibles.

The High Pointe Institute | Wednesdays, Semester 2 Begins Wednesday, January 29 
The High Pointe Institute (HPI) is a one-year (two semester) discipleship program meant to offer a pathway for growing disciples to be equipped for ministry in the church and the world. The goal is to form mature disciples who are growing in their knowledge and love for God, who take ownership of High Pointe’s ministries and mission, and who are committed to helping others follow Christ. This program will instill a commitment to Scripture and a better grasp of the biblical storyline, a solid foundation in Christian doctrine, and an increasing ability to connect theology to one’s life, worship, and mission.
 
HPI is designed for growing disciples of Christ who want to be equipped for ministry and mission in whatever context God has placed them. ALL men and women are encouraged to participate. HPI is designed with High Pointe members in mind as a preparation for service and leadership. We are opening registration for the spring semester to anyone who would like to join us. Those who took part in the first semester do not need to register again. If you would like to begin the HPI this semester, REGISTER HERE. 
 
Women's Morning & Evening Bible Study Resume Wednesday, January 29 
 

• Morning Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 – April 9 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the New Testament books of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin.  

• Evening Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 - April 30 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Amos. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Susan Horton or Marilyn Waters. 

Children and Student Ministry Volunteer Luncheon | Sunday, February 2 
We'd like to show our appreciation to those who volunteer in children's and youth ministry by providing lunch and a time of fellowship for you and your family on Sunday, February 2, just after the morning worship service. We plan to begin serving lunch in the fellowship hall at noon. Register by January 29. Click here to register.  
 
High Pointe Parenting Seminar | Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Raising children can feel overwhelming as you try to navigate the many voices telling you what to do and not to do, but God has already given you everything you need to be faithful parents. Children don’t need perfect parents. They need a perfect Savior, and you already have everything you need in Christ, the only perfect one.
 
In this parenting seminar, Juan and Jeanine Sanchez want to provide a down-to-earth, practical guide for parents that will help them move from survival mode to joyful, Christ-dependent parenting. For every parent who may be exhausted and discouraged, they can take heart from the simple, biblical principles Juan and Jeanine will share from Scripture. Register here.
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The P Family (High Pointe Members)
The P family are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them so that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged.
 
If you would like to sign up for their newsletter, please fill out this form.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

The Good Life | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

On Sunday, we looked at the good life as a holy life, a loving life and a responsible life.  
We met Marcus and Phoebe, two imaginary but historically realistic believers in Thessalonica in Paul’s day. They reminded us of the many temptations and challenges faced in NT days when Christians declared their allegiance to Christ and not to the emperor.  

Key ideas

• The good life in Christ is characterized by holiness, love, and responsibility 

• Early Christians also faced challenges in declaring allegiance to Christ 

• The Thessalonian church was faithful, encouraged to keep growing 

• Live to please God, not as practical atheists 

• Holy Spirit empowers holy living and resisting temptations 

• Discipline your desires, asking if they please God 

 
Living the Good Life: 

• Live to please God, not as practical atheists 

• The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the good life with a growth mindset 

• Discipline your desires, asking if they please God 

• Be God-aware, relying on Him for help 

• Be others-aware, building up and helping others flourish 

• Maintain healthy Christian friendships with both tender and tough communication 

Practice this:  
Regularly ask one another: "How's your life? How's your walk?"  

Resources of the Week

• Helps for living the good and holy life and abstaining from immorality 

  • Meditating on Scripture to fight temptation

  • Purity is Possible: How to Live Life Free of the Fantasy Trap: REVIEW 

  • A book for men or women 

  • A free PDF Book: Delivered by Desire 

  • The Purity Principle

• How to Encourage One Another 

  • Someone Needs Your Encouragement 

  • Encourage One Another: Giving Grace with Your Words 

  • The Awkward Duty of Encouragement: How Men Strengthen Other Men 

• Missions: Ten Ways to Encourage a Missionary 

• Song of the Month:  May the Mind of Christ, My Savior 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19  
Pray for the youth students who will gather this weekend for the DNOW Conference. Pray we would see more students become disciples and disciple-makers of Jesus as they study the topic of discipleship. Pray also for the leaders who will be spending the weekend with them and pouring into them.  

Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:

• Evangelizing through Mark: A class designed to equip you to share the gospel using just the book of Mark. Together, we’ll discover how simple Bible study can become a powerful tool for engaging coworkers, neighbors, and friends with the message of the gospel.

• Discipling Through Ephesians: Together, we'll explore how the book of Ephesians provides a simple yet profound model for discipleship. We’ll discover the richness of our union with Christ and the beauty of our unity as His Church, equipping us to be and make more mature disciples of Christ.

• Spanish Life Class | "Los Atributos de Dios": La vida entera de una persona es afectada por quien adora.  Para adorar adecuadamente al Dios de la Biblia, debemos tener una comprensión correcta de Sus atributos.  Conocer Sus atributos de acuerdo con Su propia revelación en las Escrituras nos permitirá realmente conocer a Dios y comprender mejor las Escrituras.

• Kid's Life Class (K-5th grade): This course will be for children K-5th grade, using The Gospel Project, a study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible as God's plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

• Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch: We will follow the storyline of the first five books of the Old Testament. Students will discover God's plan for humanity as it unfolds through Abraham, Moses, and Israel. The aim of the class is to help teenagers learn how to read, study, and apply the first major section of their Bibles.

 The High Pointe Institute | Wednesdays, Semester 2 Begins Wednesday, January 29 
The High Pointe Institute (HPI) is a one-year (two semester) discipleship program meant to offer a pathway for growing disciples to be equipped for ministry in the church and the world. The goal is to form mature disciples who are growing in their knowledge and love for God, who take ownership of High Pointe’s ministries and mission, and who are committed to helping others follow Christ. This program will instill a commitment to Scripture and a better grasp of the biblical storyline, a solid foundation in Christian doctrine, and an increasing ability to connect theology to one’s life, worship, and mission.
 
HPI is designed for growing disciples of Christ who want to be equipped for ministry and mission in whatever context God has placed them. ALL men and women are encouraged to participate. HPI is designed with High Pointe members in mind as a preparation for service and leadership. We are opening registration for the spring semester to anyone who would like to join us. Those who took part in the first semester do not need to register again. If you would like to begin the HPI this semester, REGISTER HERE. 
 
Women's Morning & Evening Bible Study Resume Wednesday, January 29 

• Morning Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 – April 9 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the New Testament books of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin.  

• Evening Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 - April 30 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Amos. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Susan Horton or Marilyn Waters. 

Children and Student Ministry Volunteer Luncheon | Sunday, February 2 
We'd like to show our appreciation to those who volunteer in children's and youth ministry by providing lunch and a time of fellowship for you and your family on Sunday, February 2, just after the morning worship service. We plan to begin serving lunch in the fellowship hall at noon. Register by January 26. Click here to register.  
 
High Pointe Parenting Seminar | Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Raising children can feel overwhelming as you try to navigate the many voices telling you what to do and not to do, but God has already given you everything you need to be faithful parents. Children don’t need perfect parents. They need a perfect Savior, and you already have everything you need in Christ, the only perfect one.
 
In this parenting seminar, Juan and Jeanine Sanchez want to provide a down-to-earth, practical guide for parents that will help them move from survival mode to joyful, Christ-dependent parenting. For every parent who may be exhausted and discouraged, they can take heart from the simple, biblical principles Juan and Jeanine will share from Scripture. Register here.
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The P Family (High Pointe Members)
The P family are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them so that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged.
 
If you would like to sign up for their newsletter, please fill out this form.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

A Long-Distance Relationship | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

On Sunday, we looked at Paul’s long-distance relationship with the young Thessalonian church. After noticing no imperatives or commands in that portion of Scripture, we reflected on what Paul modeled for us in his discipling relationship with 3 takeaways.
 
1. Relationships matter

• Be intentional about others’ spiritual growth, seeking to do them spiritual good. 

• Ask, “How’s your faith?” Then listen, pray, help and encourage one another.  

• Ask: “What’s their next step in faith?” How might God use me, my words, my encouragement? 

• Be God’s instrument for encouragement in the lives of fellow High Pointers. 

 2. Victory is assured in this spiritual battle

• Remember: Christ has already defeated Satan though his life, death, and resurrection. 

• Encourage others with this truth. 

3. We pray for those we love

• Thank God for others’ growth. 

• Pray for perseverance. 

• Support long distance relationships like missionaries through prayer.

As we start a new year, prayerfully ask the Father God to show you 1 or 2 people in whom you might invest this year or during the first quarter of the year.  Then pray for them, encourage them, spend time together purposing to do them spiritual good as you read the Word and pray together, as you listen to understand their challenges, as you serve others together.   

Resources of the Week

• Praying for relief and protection and still suffering?  

  • When suffering keeps coming. 

• How to Encourage One Another 

  • Someone Needs Your Encouragement 

  • Encourage One Another: Giving Grace with Your Words 

  • The Awkward Duty of Encouragement: How Men Strengthen Other Men 

• Some helpful advice for parents who are not perfect:

  • Parental Regret: How to Move Forward When You’ve Let Your Kids Down 

• Missions: Ten Ways to Encourage a Missionary 

• Song of the Month:  May the Mind of Christ, My Savior 

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)  

Prayer Service in Spanish THIS Sunday (with English Translation) | 5 PM
Join us as we gather the at 5 PM on Sunday, January 12 to have a Prayer Service in Spanish. We will be providing English translation, but you are responsible for bringing your own cellphone and headphones for English translation.
 
Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM  
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register. 
 
DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19  
Save the date for the DNOW Youth Conference happening at High Pointe from January 17 to January 19. The theme this year is discipleship, and it will be a fun time of teaching, games, and fellowship. For more information and to register click here.  
 
The High Pointe Institute | Wednesdays, Semester 2 Begins Wednesday, January 29
The High Pointe Institute (HPI) is a one-year (two semester) discipleship program meant to offer a pathway for growing disciples to be equipped for ministry in the church and the world. The goal is to form mature disciples who are growing in their knowledge and love for God, who take ownership of High Pointe’s ministries and mission, and who are committed to helping others follow Christ. This program will instill a commitment to Scripture and a better grasp of the biblical storyline, a solid foundation in Christian doctrine, and an increasing ability to connect theology to one’s life, worship, and mission. 
 
HPI is designed for growing disciples of Christ who want to be equipped for ministry and mission in whatever context God has placed them. ALL men and women are encouraged to participate. HPI is designed with High Pointe members in mind as a preparation for service and leadership. We are opening registration for the spring semester to anyone who would like to join us. Those who took part in the first semester do not need to register again. If you would like to begin the HPI this semester, REGISTER HERE. 
 
Women's Morning & Evening Bible Study Resume Wednesday, January 29
 

• Morning Bible Study | Wednesdays, January 29 – May 30 |10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the New Testament books of 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. For registration and questions contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Heflin. 

• Evening Bible Study | Wednesdays, September 18 - May 30 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM 

  • Join us for an inductive study of the Old Testament book of Amos. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Susan Horton or Marilyn Waters. 

Children and Student Ministry Volunteer Luncheon | Sunday, February 2
We'd like to show our appreciation to those who volunteer in children's and youth ministry by providing lunch and a time of fellowship for you and your family on Sunday, February 2, just after the morning worship service. We plan to begin serving lunch in the fellowship hall at noon. Register by January 26. Click here to register.  
 
High Pointe Parenting Seminar | Saturday, February 8 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Save the date for High Pointe's Parenting Seminar happening on February 8. More details and registration coming soon!  
 
Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:   

• January 12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | The Good Life is a Holy Life | Pastor Robert 

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am. 
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The P Family (High Pointe Members)
The P family are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them so that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged. 
 
If you would like to sign up for their newsletter, please fill out this form.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

What Child Is This? Luke 2:41-52

We all have questions about who Jesus is. The good news is that we don’t have to wonder. We can answer the question of Jesus’s identity on the basis of what Jesus says about himself. In Luke 2:41-52, twelve-year-old Jesus tells us that he is the Son of God. 
 
Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who gives us a glimpse into the childhood of Jesus. In his orderly, historical account, Luke wants to provide certainty about the things we’ve learned about Jesus. And in Luke 2:41-52, he provides certainty by allowing us to hear directly from Jesus as to who he is. In fact, Jesus teaches us three important lessons that we too need to learn and grow in.

1. Jesus teaches us WHO he is. Jesus is the human son of Mary and Joseph (vv.41-48) and the divine Son of God (v.49). So, we join all Christians throughout history in confessing that Jesus is one person with two natures: truly human and truly divine, fully man and fully God. 

Because Jesus is truly human, he can identify with us. He was tempted in every way, as we are, but he did not sin. He knew what it was to be hungry, thirsty, poor. He knew what it was to be disappointed and betrayed. He knew what it is like to lose someone you love. We have a sympathetic Savior.

1. Jesus teaches us HOW to KNOW the Father. In his human nature, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (vv.40, 52). One reason it was necessary for Jesus to be in his Father’s house – the Temple – is because that is where God’s people learned about the Father.  

Jesus’s desire was to know the Father in order to please him. So, Jesus also teaches us how to know the Father in order to please him. We know the Father in the same way Jesus did – by studying the Scriptures and asking questions. This is what God’s people did in the Temple. The teachers of the Law would read portions of Scripture, teach on them, and the people would ask questions. 

We too grow in knowing God in the same way. Of course, mom and dad should be doing this at home (Deuteronomy 6). But we must also learn in community. Under the new covenant, there is no longer a physical temple in a central location. WE, the church are the Temple of God, both individually and corporately. Under the new covenant, we no longer have an annual feast calendar. We have a weekly Lord’s Day calendar. The church is where God has designed for his people to grow in knowing him. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. That is why we prioritize the ministry of the Word when we gather. 

We are also the church when we are scattered. So, we continue to learn in community beyond the Sunday gathering: Life Classes, Life Groups, Bible studies, men’s D-groups, one to one. This is what we call discipleship.  

Where are you asking your questions about Jesus? To whom are you asking your questions? Let the local church with pastors and members who know and love you be the place where you ask your questions and find answers.   

As we enter a new year, will you resolve to grow in learning about God with High Pointe? Will you commit to not forsaking assembling with us? Will you commit to joining us on Sunday mornings for Life Classes? Will you commit to joining a Life Group? Will you commit to gathering with other members to study the Scriptures and ask questions? Remember, though, the Christian life is not just about answers and storing up knowledge. 

1. Jesus teaches us HOW to OBEY the Father. While Jesus teaches us how to obey our earthly parents (and all earthly authorities, by extension), he also teaches us how to obey our heavenly Father. Crucially, Jesus teaches us that when our commitment to earthly authorities conflicts with our commitment to our heavenly Father, we must obey God rather than man. 

Had Jesus obeyed his earthly parents and disobeyed his heavenly Father, our salvation would not have come about. Jesus had to obey the Father. Perfectly. At every point. He had to obey the Father before his earthly parents. Before Satan. Before Peter. Before the Pharisees. And Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly all the way to the cross.  

It’s the same for us. We must honor and submit to all God-ordained authorities in our lives. They have been placed there by God. But when those authorities conflict with the will of the Father, we must obey God, not man. Before parents. Before employers. Before government. Before spouse. Before friends. Even before pastors. 

We need to grow in wisdom in all three lessons. But, which of these lessons do you need to learn and grow in the most in 2025? Remember, not only does Jesus teach us these important lessons. He also provides everything we need to obey (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Resources of the Week

• Personal Disciplines and Devotions in 2025 

  • Bible Reading Plans for 2025 | Ligonier 

  • Devotionals I Recommend for a New Year | Tim Challies  

  • Now Is the Time to Consider a New Year’s Resolution | Tim Challies 

  • Skip Resolutions—Make a Rule of Life | Jeremy Linneman   

• Missions: Prayer Will Win the Nations: Three Ways to Pray for Missionaries

• Song of the Month:  May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM  
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19  
Save the date for the DNOW Youth Conference happening at High Pointe from January 17 to January 19. The theme this year is discipleship, and it will be a fun time of teaching, games, and fellowship. For more information and to register click here.  
 
Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• January 5 | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 | A Long-Distance Relationship | Pastor Robert 

• January 12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | The Good Life is a Holy Life | Pastor Robert 

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Gospel Partner of the Month: Jonathan and Elizabeth Painter
Jonathan and Elizabeth are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Christmas Prophecy | Luke 2:21-40

None of us like to wait. Still, waiting is a normal part of daily life. We wait at a red light, the grocery check-out, in traffic. But there is another kind of waiting that can be frustrating. When we have to wait for something we look forward to. Like children having to wait to open their presents until Christmas day.

That’s the kind of waiting the faithful in Israel, like Simeon and Anna, were doing (Luke 2:21-40). To put their waiting in perspective, they had waited hundreds of years for God to fulfill his saving promises. And now, in Jesus, God revealed his promised salvation to his faithful remnant.

Jesus, The Revelation of God’s Salvation
God revealed his promised salvation to both Simeon (vv.25-32) and Anna (vv.36-38). They were both older saints who were faithfully awaiting God’s promises. And in the baby Jesus, God allowed them to see his promised salvation.

• It was a salvation for Israel (vv.29-30). That is, it was the consolation of Israel Simeon had hoped in (v.25) and the redemption of Jerusalem that Anna had waited for (v.38).

  • God promised through his prophet Isaiah that he would send a messenger to announce the good news of salvation and bring peace. Israel’s hope has now been realized in a baby.

• But it was not the salvation Israel expected:

  •  It included the Nations or Gentiles – all peoples (v.32).

  • It reverses fortunes – the first will be last and the last will be first (v.34).

  • It divides people – family and friends will be divided over this Jesus (v.34; see 12:51-53).

  • It brings suffering – beginning with Mary herself (v.35).

    • And, of course, Jesus would face the greatest suffering on the cross.

Jesus was not the savior Israel expected, but he was the savior Israel needed. Jesus is the savior we all need, and God revealed him at the right time in history. Luke teaches us two important lessons in how to wait for God to work. In fact, I would say we see two marks of a wholehearted follower of Jesus

Mark 1 | Wholehearted Obedience
Luke emphasizes that Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna were faithful Jews who kept the law of the Lord (vv. 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). And Luke invites us to see ourselves in their reflection – like a mirror. When you look in this mirror, do you see a wholehearted follower of Jesus like Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna?

Jesus sent out his apostles to share the good news, baptize those who believe, and teach them to obey all he commanded. This is discipleship. And this is what it means to be a wholehearted follower of Jesus. May be too be marked by the obedience that flows from genuine faith in and love for Jesus.

Mark 2 | Patiently Waiting on the Lord
Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the revelation of God’s salvation their entire lives. God rewarded their faithful, patient waiting by allowing them to see his salvation in Jesus before their deaths.

Again, none of us likes to wait, but wait we must. Mark Vroegop, in his new book “Waiting Isn’t a Waste,” reminds us that the issue is not if we will wait but how we will wait. And he encourages us to wait in the following manner:

• Honestly – We must admit that waiting is hard. It’s not fun. But we will wait.

• Frequently – Waiting is a normal part of life, and we will do it often.

• Thoughtfully – Waiting is biblical. Just look at Moses, Abraham & Sarah, Israel).

• Patiently – Waiting is slow. We can’t speed along what God is doing.

• Intentionally – Waiting is commanded of us in Scripture. Read Psalm 37 and the book of James.

• Collectively – Thankfully, we don’t have to wait alone.

We can learn a lot from one another what it means to wait. Those of you who are young, learn from those who have gone ahead of you. They have experienced much and are wise. Let them help you. They will teach you to wait.

And all of us should lean on one another. We can wait together. Waiting is not inactivity but active worship and serving the Lord. Keep doing what the Lord has you doing until he makes it clear he is moving you to the next thing. Waiting on the Lord is never a waste because God is faithful, and he will keep his promises. But remember. God doesn’t always answer our waiting in the ways we expect. Regardless, because he is wise, good, and faithful, we know what he has for us is better than what we could obtain for ourselves.

Resources of the Week

• Waiting on the Lord 

  • How God Uses Our Waiting by Mark Vroegop | TGC

  • God’s Will for Your Wait by Paul Tripp | TGC

  • When We Want to Give Up Waiting | Desiring God

• Being a Faithful Witness this Christmas

  • Share the Good News of Christmas

• Celebrating Christmas with Family and Friends in Austin (area): If you are new to the Austin area, there are many fun ways to spend time together during the holidays. The link above is the Austin Christmas Guide, so there are activities and events I would not recommend, but it is a helpful list to work from. Here are some things you may enjoy: 

  • Austin Trail of Lights, December 10-23  

  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas, November 22-December 29 

  • Mozart’s 2024 Lake Austin Festival of Lights, November 29 – January 4 

  • Elgin CHRISTmas Tree Farm 

• Missions: Sending Missionaries Well: How Churches Support Global Ministry

• Song of the Month:  Who Is This So Weak and Helpless?

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM  
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19  
Save the date for the DNOW Youth Conference happening at High Pointe from January 17 to January 19. The theme this year is discipleship, and it will be a fun time of teaching, games, and fellowship. For more information and to register click here.  
 
Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• December 22 | Luke 2:22-40 | Christmas Prophecy | Pastor Juan 

• December 29 | Luke 2:41-52 | What Child is This? | Pastor Juan 

• January 5 | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 | A Long-Distance Relationship | Pastor Robert 

• January 12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | The Good Life is a Holy Life | Pastor Robert 

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Year-End Giving & Contribution Statements
Contribution statements will be emailed on or before Tuesday, January 21st, 2025. Please make sure your email address is current.

• Statements are automatically emailed to anyone who has an email address on file with the church. The email will contain a link to access your statement that is only active for a short period of time.

• Anyone who does not have an email address on file with the church may request their statement by emailing finance@highpointeaustin.org or by calling the church office at 512-837-7725.

• If you file your federal income tax return before receiving a qualified contribution statement from the church, you may not be able to deduct individual contributions of $250 or more.

Year-end contributions must be submitted or mailed by December 31, 2024.
The general rule is that a contribution is considered received or effective when delivered. A check dropped in a church offering box in January of 2025 cannot be deducted in 2024, even if it is backdated to 2024. One exception – checks mailed and postmarked in 2024 are deductible in 2024, even if they are not received until 2025.

High Pointe, thank you for your generosity! The Lord continues to show himself faithful year after year. He provides for his workers and people through the generosity of the church. May God continue to bless us richly so that we may be a blessing.
 
 Gospel Partner of the Month: Reaching and Teaching International Ministries – B.M.
Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) seeks to advance the gospel by partnering with local churches as they send qualified missionaries to make mature disciples, establish healthy churches, and train local leaders around the world.
 
You may know of RTIM because we sent Davey and Callie Davis and the P family through this sending organization. This month, we want to highlight our support for B.M. B and his wife served for seven years as missionaries in Central Asia, working in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. After returning to the US, B spent six years as a global trainer, traveling around the world to equip international church leaders for ministry. He desires to see the gospel spread and churches established among the nations of Central Asia. B is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife have three children.  
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Christmas Joy | Luke 2:1-20

Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.” And yet, it’s so wonderful we can easily miss the point. We say, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but what does how we celebrate Christmas reveal about what we believe about Christmas? 
 
Christmas is wonderful because Jesus’ birth is good news of great joy that our promised Savior, King, and Lord has arrived. That’s what we remember and celebrate on Christmas. 
 
Caesar Augustus was the first emperor (king) of Rome (27 BC – 14 AD). His reign marked the beginning of the Pax Romana (200 years of Roman Peace). Consequently, he was seen as the “savior” of Rome. Additionally, he was Julius Caesar’s adopted son. When Julius was deified, Augustus was considered “the son of god.” Then, he, too, would be worshipped as “lord.” In other words, Caesar Augustus was knows as the savior, king, and lord of Rome. 
 
It is in this context that God sends Jesus to take on our humanity through a virginal conception and birth. This is the message of Christmas. It is a message of great joy because, while Augustus brought about 200 years of peace, Jesus’s rule promises everlasting peace. Jesus is the true Savior, King, and Lord. This is the message of Christmas, and it is good new of great joy. 

• Jesus is the firstborn son of Mary – the virgin birth teaches us that Jesus is truly human (vv.6-7). 

  • He was the first to be born of Mary. She would have other children, and Jesus would have other brothers and sisters. 

  • He had to be swaddled. Jesus was born as a baby with the same needs as any baby born at that time. 

• Jesus is the Savior of the World – the virgin birth teaches us that God’s salvation is by grace. 

  • Christmas reveals God’s heart – he is full of grace. 

  • We deserve judgment. Instead, he offers salvation through his Son. 

• Jesus is the King of the Jews – the virgin birth teaches us that Jesus uniquely fulfills prophecy. 

  • The Jews were awaiting a Messiah – an anointed king – who would restore them to glory. 

  • Jesus uniquely fulfills all promises of a king from David’s line. He is the KEY to understanding God’s promises in the Old Testament. 

• Jesus is God the Son in the Flesh – the virgin birth teaches us that Jesus is fully God. 

  • As we confess in the Nicene Creed, Jesus is the God-man. 

  • Christmas reveals God’s wisdom: In Jesus, God has visited his people to save and rule over them with justice and righteousness, thereby bringing everlasting peace. 

 Where are you looking for peace? Who are you running to for salvation? What are you rooting your joy in? Earthly leaders, governments, organizations, and institutions can only offer temporary peace. We long for lasting peace. Everlasting peace. So, root your joy in the ONLY ONE who saves and brings everlasting peace: Jesus our promised Savior, King, and Lord. 

Women’s Christmas Brunch Thank You!

We had a wonderful Women’s Christmas Brunch this past Saturday. Aimee Barnes gave a powerful witness to the Lord’s sovereign faithfulness in her life. To listen to that testimony, click HERE.
 
We want to say a special thank you to the Women’s Ministry Team for the ongoing faithfulness in serving the women of High Pointe. The Women’s Christmas Brunch is one of our most effective outreach opportunities. This year we had the most women come to our brunch. So, thank you also to the women of High Pointe who invited their unchurched and unbelieving family and friends. That was an encouraging gospel opportunity. Continue to follow up with those guests and invite them to come with you to church on any Sunday or for our Christmas Eve Service. 
 
Thank you also to Matt Rolfe. Matt is the unseen person who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything is in place for our events. He also served by running the sound during the brunch. Be sure to thank Matt for going above and beyond the call of duty.
 
Finally, thank you men of High Pointe. The men’s ministry team took it upon themselves to serve the women during the brunch then make sure there was a team to clean up after and put everything back. It was a great joy to see the church at work together, both men and women, young and old, older and newer members. May the Lord allow us to see much fruit from the brunch.

Resources of the Week

• Being a Faithful Witness this Christmas

  • 3 Ways to Guard Your Christmas Witness

  • Twelve Ways of Christmas: How to Share Jesus During Advent

  • Share the Good News of Christmas  

• Celebrating Christmas with Family and Friends in Austin (area): If you are new to the Austin area, there are many fun ways to spend time together during the holidays. The link above is the Austin Christmas Guide, so there are activities and events I would not recommend, but it is a helpful list to work from. Here are some things you may enjoy: 

  • Austin Trail of Lights, December 10-23  

  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas, November 22-December 29

  • Mozart’s 2024 Lake Austin Festival of Lights, November 29 – January 4

  • Elgin CHRISTmas Tree Farm

• Missions: Where are the Men?

• Song of the Month:  Who Is This So Weak and Helpless?

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Christmas Eve Service, December 24, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM 
If you’re in town this Christmas Eve, join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It is a highlight of the year, and many unchurched and unbelievers come. So, take advantage of this opportunity to invite your unchurched, unbelieving family and friends to join us for this hour-long service. Invite cards are available in the auditorium this Sunday.
 
Don’t Spend this Christmas alone in Austin!
If you are planning to be in Austin during Christmas but don’t have family or friends in town, we don’t want you to spend Christmas alone. Please let us know at info@highpointeaustin.org or reach out to elders@highpointeausting.org and let us know. We will be happy to connect you with High Pointe members who have an extra place or two at their Christmas tables.
 
High Pointe, if you have extra places at your table on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas, and you would be willing to host other High Pointe members without a place to spend Christmas, please let us know at info@highpointeaustin.org.  
 
Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM  
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19  
Save the date for the DNOW Youth Conference happening at High Pointe from January 17 to January 19. The theme this year is discipleship, and it will be a fun time of teaching, games, and fellowship. For more information and to register click here.  
 
Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM
 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• December 22 | Luke 2:22-40 | Christmas Prophecy | Pastor Juan 

• December 29 | Luke 2:41-52 | What Child is This? | Pastor Juan 

• January 5 | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 | A Long-Distance Relationship | Pastor Robert 

• January 12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | The Good Life is a Holy Life | Pastor Robert 

• January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan 

• January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan 

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Reaching and Teaching International Ministries – B.M.
Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) seeks to advance the gospel by partnering with local churches as they send qualified missionaries to make mature disciples, establish healthy churches, and train local leaders around the world.
 
You may know of RTIM because we sent Davey and Callie Davis and the P family through this sending organization. This month, we want to highlight our support for B.M. B and his wife served for seven years as missionaries in Central Asia, working in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. After returning to the US, B spent six years as a global trainer, traveling around the world to equip international church leaders for ministry. He desires to see the gospel spread and churches established among the nations of Central Asia. B is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife have three children.  
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1. 

Let the Truth of the Gospel Fuel the Fire of Our Worship

Imagine your favorite team is in the championship game, and you’re in attendance. Wouldn’t you shout for every great play? Wouldn’t you jump for joy at every score? And surely, you’d sing and chant at the top of your lungs in response to a great game and even a memorable win, wouldn’t you?! Why is that? Because the hope of winning fuels the fire of our celebration. And when the win happens, we rejoice in exultation. It is a natural response.

In the coming of Christ in his first advent, God has revealed a salvation greater than any game, any achievement, any life event. In Christ’s first advent, God has revealed his glory in his mercy, holiness, and faithfulness. Mercy in sending Jesus to receive our judgment. Holiness in punishing our sin in Jesus and dealing with the wicked. Faithfulness in the realization of all his Old Testament promises being fulfilled in the birth of a baby born in Bethlehem.  

 In Luke 1:39-80, we learn from Elizabeth, pre-born John, Mary, and Zechariah how to respond to this good news. Specifically, we learn that true worship is our spirit-filled, whole-person response to God’s glory in Christ. And from Elizabeth, John, Mary, and Zechariah, we learn that true worship has certain characteristics:

• True worship is God-centered. It’s all about God, not us. So, our praise and worship is directed to God. 

• True worship is Christ-focused. The focus of our worship is Jesus because Jesus is the focus of God’s work in salvation. 

• True worship is Spirit-empowered. The natural person cannot understand the things of God. But God has given us his Spirit, and the Spirit helps us understand spiritual things. 

• True worship is Word-saturated. From both Mary’s and Zechariah’s song, we learn that true worship is saturated in God’s word. In their responses of praise, they simply repeat God’s promises back to him and exult in the realization that God is fulfilling them in Christ. 

• True worship engages the Whole-person. True worship is neither a mere intellectual or mere emotional response. It is grounded in the truth of who God is for us in Christ, and it involves our response of the will, mind, emotions: the whole-person. This is why we sing, lift or hands, fall on our faces. 

• True worship is All of Life. True worship is more than Sunday. Christians have gathered on Sundays since the very beginning to remember Jesus’ death, read Scripture, preach the word, sing, pray, baptize, and take the Lord’s Supper. In fact, we are commanded not to forsake that assembly. But in the new covenant, all of life is worship, and we live our lives as offerings to God. 

 God has revealed his glorious salvation in Jesus Christ, even in his birth. How will you respond? Our Spirit-filled, whole-person response to God’s revelation of his glory in Christ is what we call worship. Come and worship Christ the newborn King this Christmas!

Resources of the Week

• Celebrating Christmas with Family and Friends in Austin (area): If you are new to the Austin area, there are many fun ways to spend time together during the holidays. The link above is the Austin Christmas Guide, so there are activities and events I would not recommend, but it is a helpful list to work from. Here are some things you may enjoy: 

  • Austin Trail of Lights, December 10-23  

  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas, November 22-December 29 

  • Mozart’s 2024 Lake Austin Festival of Lights, November 29 – January 4 

  • Elgin CHRISTmas Tree Farm 

• Missions: Paul’s Missionary Enterprise by Kevin DeYoung 

• Song of the Month:  Who Is This So Weak and Helpless?

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For opportunities to serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Women’s Ministry Annual Christmas Brunch | THIS Saturday, December 14 from 10 AM-12 PM
Ladies, please plan to join the women at our annual Christmas brunch! Aimee Barnes will be speaking. Registration for this event has closed.

Don’t Spend this Christmas alone in Austin!
If you are planning to be in Austin during Christmas but don’t have family or friends in town, we don’t want you to spend Christmas alone. Please let us know at info@highpointeaustin.org or reach out to elders@highpointeausting.org and let us know. We will be happy to connect you with High Pointe members who have an extra place or two at their Christmas tables.
 
High Pointe, if you have extra places at your table on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas, and you would be willing to host other High Pointe members without a place to spend Christmas, please let us know at info@highpointeuastin.org.  

Christmas Caroling | Sunday, December 22 | 5 PM to 8 PM
Molly McGee is trying to organize a group to go Christmas caroling, either in a neighborhood or to visit the shut-ins who are members of High Pointe. After caroling, there would be hot chocolate and cider provided! If you are interested, please reach out to Molly McGee.

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:

• All English-speaking life classes will begin a three-week class focusing on advent 

• Kids Life Class:  For children K–5th grade  

• Spanish Life Class | Discipulado: Principios y Prácticas 

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• December 15 | Luke 2:1-21 | Christmas Joy, Pastor Juan 

• December 22 | Luke 2:22-52 | What Child is This?, Pastor Juan 

• December 29 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like?

 Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Year-End Giving & Contribution Statements 
Contribution statements will be emailed on or before Tuesday, January 21st, 2025. Please make sure your email address is current.

• Statements are automatically emailed to anyone who has an email address on file with the church. The email will contain a link to access your statement that is only active for a short period of time.

• Anyone who does not have an email address on file with the church may request their statement by emailing finance@highpointeaustin.org or by calling the church office at 512-837-7725.

• If you file your federal income tax return before receiving a qualified contribution statement from the church, you may not be able to deduct individual contributions of $250 or more.

Year-end contributions must be submitted or mailed by December 31, 2024.
The general rule is that a contribution is considered received or effective when delivered. A check dropped in a church offering box in January of 2025 cannot be deducted in 2024, even if it is backdated to 2024. One exception – checks mailed and postmarked in 2024 are deductible in 2024, even if they are not received until 2025.

High Pointe, thank you for your generosity! The Lord continues to show himself faithful year after year. He provides for his workers and people through the generosity of the church. May God continue to bless us richly so that we may be a blessing.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Reaching and Teaching International Ministries – B.M.
Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) seeks to advance the gospel by partnering with local churches as they send qualified missionaries to make mature disciples, establish healthy churches, and train local leaders around the world.
 
You may know of RTIM because we sent Davey and Callie Davis and the P family through this sending organization. This month, we want to highlight our support for B.M. B and his wife served for seven years as missionaries in Central Asia, working in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. After returning to the US, B spent six years as a global trainer, traveling around the world to equip international church leaders for ministry. He desires to see the gospel spread and churches established among the nations of Central Asia. B is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife have three children.  
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.