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.
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.
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.
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
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.
