Highrock Church
Weekly sermons and weekday devotions from Highrock, a multi-site church in the Greater Boston area and Online. We create Christian communities that inspire curiosity, courage, and compassion.
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Have you noticed how many of your closest friends are also Christians? The small group. The Sunday crowd. The people who already speak your language. What if our world has quietly gotten smaller without us noticing? And who in your life has never had the chance to see what Jesus is doing in you? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals
As Paul closes his letter, he urges Timothy to preach and teach faithfully. There will be a time, says Paul, when people will no longer listen to anything they do not want to hear. Until that time comes, make the most of every opportunity. What gifts do you have? Use them at every opportunity. Who has God called you to share your faith and love? Do it every chance you get, not just when it's ideal or convenient. Run the race to the finish and Jesus will be waiting there to welcome you home! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul warns that people will seek teachers who tell them only what they want to hear. How can you recognize and guard against this impulse? - Paul can say that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. If you were looking back on your life today, what would you be most grateful for? What might you still want to change so that you can finish your own race well? - Prayer: Lord help me to run the race given to me and to finish well, having poured out my heart with your love.
Paul reminds Timothy that life is going to become difficult and that he will face persecution, just like Paul. Describing how bad the situation will become, Paul paints a picture that reminds us of the worst parts of our world today. But rather than allow bad news to lead us toward despair, Paul hopes that the bad news will drive us to cling even closer to the good news that is confirmed to us in God's inspired writings. Let the bad news drive us toward God, who can transform us into agents of God's good news! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul describes a world filled with suffering when society loses its way. What elements of Paul's picture in vv2-5 do you feel describe our world today? How might you guard against allowing them to shape your own priorities? - Paul says that Scripture equips us for every good work (vv16-17). How has the Bible corrected, encouraged, or changed you? Is there a way that the Bible is still challenging you? - Prayer: Lord, protect me from a faith that is only outward appearance, ground me in your Word, and shape my character so that I can persevere through difficulties and be equipped for every good work.
As he continues to speak to Timothy as a spiritual parent to a spiritual son, Paul gives him two clear dangers to avoid — youthful lusts and pointless arguments. Both temptations can ruin our reputations, our character, and our relationships. People who are young in years or young in faith tend to underestimate these temptations and overestimate their own strength of character. Instead, Paul gives Timothy advice on what to do instead, including the importance of being with people who love God and remembering the example of Jesus and how he was gentle and loving instead of being argumentative. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul first tells Timothy to put distance between himself and the temptations that play to his youthful passions. If Paul were speaking to you, what encouragement might he give to you in this matter? - Paul then warns against arguments that lead to nothing but division. How might you tell when you're in such an argument and what might God invite you to do instead? - Prayer: Lord, help me turn away from dead-end pursuits and help me to pursue your righteousness and peace instead.
What would you do if you had only a little time left? Who would you speak to? What would you say? In what many believe was Paul's final letter, Paul writes to Timothy like a spiritual father to a spiritual son, passing on his legacy of wisdom and faith. He speaks with great affection for Timothy, with encouragement for his lagging confidence, and with urgency for the precious tasks that Paul leaves in his hands. Much of what Paul passes on to Timothy belongs to us as well as we seek to live with power and purpose in serving the same Lord. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - In addition to Paul's legacy, Timothy also had a grandmother and mother who built up Timothy's faith. Who has helped shape your faith, and how might you pass that faith on to someone else through your words and example? - Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flames" the gift God has given him. What might it look like to "fan into flames" the gifts God has given you? - Prayer: Lord, rekindle the gifts you have given me and help me remain courageous and faithful in passing the gift of faith to the next generation.
A great sum of money is not great wealth if you cannot enjoy it. Sadly, the love of money usually leads to an ever-increasing appetite that is never satisfied. Instead, Paul instructs Timothy that "true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth" (v6). So what is the secret that leads to this blessing? Money is an unstable foundation for happiness and well-being, so where can we find this contentment? Where can we find the joy that money over-promises and under-delivers? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul warns that the love of money can lead people away from God. How has the pursuit of material comfort and financial security led you toward or away from trusting God? - We are encouraged to be rich in good deeds. What resources (money, time, skills, relationships, or influence) has God entrusted to you that you could use more intentionally to help others? - Prayer: Lord, teach me to be content with what I have, pursue what matters eternally, and use the resources you have entrusted to me with generosity, humility, and love.
Have you ever pulled up the drawbridge on someone who hurt you? A call you stopped returning; a holiday you stopped attending; a conversation you stopped trying to have. What if retaliating and retreating aren’t our only two options? And what would it look like to follow Jesus into the very relationship you’ve been avoiding? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals
What makes a good leader? What qualities and skills should we expect? And with regard to those qualities, to what degree should we all desire to grow in those ways? After all, isn't a spiritual leader simply someone who has traveled further than others along the way with Jesus? One thing should be clear, and that is that spiritual leadership is different from leadership in the world, especially when it comes to the necessity of loving, Christ-like character. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul emphasizes character more than charisma or accomplishments when describing church leaders. What qualities do you most admire in a spiritual leader? How might God be inviting you to grow in those ways? - Paul says that those who serve faithfully gain respect and confidence in their faith (v13). Where might God be inviting you to serve faithfully, even without recognition or a formal leadership position? - Prayer: Lord, help me serve others faithfully, whether or not anyone notices.
Paul encourages Timothy to pray for all people, interceding with God on their behalf. This call to prayer also applies to all who are in authority, which might not seem like a special request until you realize that Paul was likely writing at the time when the emperor was Nero, the infamous persecutor of the Church and killer of Christians. But Paul is clear that Jesus came to give his life for everyone. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul urges believers to pray for everyone, including political leaders and people in authority (v1). Are there people or leaders you find difficult to pray for? What might change if you regularly prayed for their wisdom, integrity, and well-being? - Paul connects prayer with the desire to live peaceful and quiet lives (v2). How might your prayer life influence the way you respond to conflict, uncertainty, or people with whom you disagree? - Prayer: Lord, widen my heart to pray and desire good for all people.
Paul writes to Timothy, the young pastor that Paul has left to shepherd the church in the great city of Ephesus. In this opening, he emphasizes that the importance of knowing the Bible is not just to know facts about Jesus but to know Jesus intimately and to love others deeply. Furthermore, perhaps to shore up Timothy's apparent lack of confidence, Paul emphasizes that he himself started as a persecutor of the church and one who blasphemed the name of Jesus. We are loved and we serve not because of our goodness, but because of God's grace. Do you feel unqualified for what God calls you to do? Then Paul's encouragement to Timothy is also for you! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul says that the goal of spiritual knowledge is to be "filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith". When have you seen yourself or others stray from this purpose? What helps to keep you on track? - “'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'—and I am the worst of them all." Do you feel undeserving of God's favor, or unqualified to serve? What might help you to focus on God's grace rather than questions about yourself? - Prayer: Lord, let your truth produce genuine love in me.
In closing his letter, Paul addresses the issue of believers who were selfishly choosing to live off the charity of others. He said about such people that those who are unwilling to work should not eat and that the community should even remove such people. This discipline might sound cruel but he insisted that these measures were to be done as a kindness, always hoping that these sisters and brothers would repent and change. Paul and his companions set an example for us to follow — to work hard so we can have the means to bless and love one another. Jesus invites us to not only be loved but to find deep purpose in learning to love others as well. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - The word translated as "idle" in verses 6, 7, and 11 was used of soldiers or dancers who fell out of line. In what ways were those who refused to work or who chose to meddle in other people's business (v11) like such soldiers or dancers? - Paul instructs the church to discipline these "idle" members, but not to treat them as enemies. How have you seen this kind of discipline done well or poorly in churches, families, or other groups? - Prayer: Lord, help me live responsibly and generously, and to hold others accountable with love.
In his previous letter, Paul praised the Thessalonians for their faith in the return of Jesus. By the time of this second letter, something had gone wrong. So Paul sets out to clear up some questions and issues that were leading them into confusion. This passage reminds us not to be swept away by fear, speculation, or deception. Instead, we are encouraged to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, trusting that evil will not have the final word and that Jesus will ultimately triumph. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul warns them not to become alarmed by frightening claims about the day of the Lord. When have you seen people unnecessarily swept up in fear, in this or other matters? What might have been a better response? - Jesus will ultimately defeat evil. Where do you see evidence of evil or injustice that makes it difficult to believe that God will prevail? How might this promise sustain you without causing you to ignore the reality of suffering? - Prayer: Lord, rather than live in fear, help me to boldly love others in what I do and what I say.
Most of us would say we’re the kind of people who would stop to help . . . until we’re late, overbooked, and one more thing away from burnout.W hat if our calendars say more about what we believe than we’d like to admit? And what would it take to leave enough room in your life to notice what God is doing around you? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals
If you were to read a story but then skip the final chapter, you might not understand the story at all. Death is not the end of our story. The Jesus saga ends with us all joining together to cross over into glory. Paul praised the Thessalonians for believing in the Lord's return and he returns to that idea here. When we live in light of the conclusion, we can control our passions rather than hurt one another, we can live quiet and faithful lives rather than striving to rise above everyone else, and we can face disappointments in this life without giving in to despair. Let us remember to live our lives in light of the end of the story. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - What helps you to live a life of self-control in a world that often encourages self-indulgence? - We are encouraged to live quiet lives, minding our own business, and to work hard. Do you find this encouragement appealing? Why or why not? - How have you been encouraged (or embarrassed) by the idea of Jesus' return? How might you offer that encouragement to someone else in a meaningful way? - Prayer: Lord, help me to live in light of your story, faithfully looking forward to your return to bring us all home!
Have you ever seen a parent worry about their children when they go away for the first time? Perhaps it's to a sleepover, or a summer camp, or maybe when they go to college or move out. Paul expresses how worried he was when the young Thessalonian church was on their own and facing a difficult trial. Were they ok? Did they draw closer to God in their trials or did they perhaps walk away from the faith in despair? Paul therefore sent Timothy to check up on the Thessalonians and discovered that they were not only doing well but thriving in their faith! They had held onto God's truth rather than falling victim to Satan's lies. Paul then shares a quick three-part prayer that serves as a model of how we can pray for ourselves and for those we love. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - When you face difficulties, what tends to challenge your trust in God most? What helps you remain spiritually grounded? - Paul says that hearing about the Thessalonians’ faithfulness brought him great encouragement even while he was experiencing trouble himself. How might paying attention to the ways God is working in other people’s lives bring you hope during your own struggles? - Prayer: Lord, through every trial, help me to trust what you say and to love and encourage others more and more.
Paul moves from praising the faith of the Thessalonians to an apparent defense of their character and ministry. Paul and his companions had poured out their lives while they were with them, insisting on paying their own way through hard work rather than accepting any financial support. Rather than seeking personal gain, they worked only for the good and the growth of the Thessalonians. We sometimes talk of "tough love" — a love that asks hard things of others. Instead, they exhibited a tough love that asked hard things of themselves, showing the believers how to live a life worthy of our calling from God. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul says he and his companions sought to please God rather than people (vv4-6). In what ways do you experience this struggle to please God rather than people? - Paul says he encouraged and comforted the Thessalonians while urging them to live lives worthy of God. Do you find it easier to encourage or to challenge people? In what ways do you need each of these kinds of love? - Prayer: Lord, help me serve with integrity and love, seeking to please you more than anyone else.
This letter is the first and oldest we have from Paul, and it is written to a congregation filled with new believers, a church that may have been only months old! What do you say to such spiritual infants? Paul begins by sharing with them his praise and his prayers. He praises them for the faith, love, and hope that he sees in them, and he thanks God for the way their faith had become an inspiration to other believers in other churches, far and wide. While Paul will address and correct much of what they had gotten wrong, he starts by praising what they had gotten right. His example reminds us to praise people for what they are doing right rather than prioritize or fixate on what they might be doing wrong. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - Paul praises them for their faith, love, and hope (v3). What evidence of faith, love, and hope do you see in your spiritual community, and in you? - The Thessalonians received the gospel with joy even while suffering because of it (v6). How do you typically respond when following Jesus becomes difficult? What might help you to better hold on to joy during challenging seasons? - Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith, deepen my love, and renew my hope in Jesus so I might be an encouragement to others.
The church in Colossae was filled with new believers and Paul's final words invite them into deeper engagement. Though they are just starting on the walk of faith, Paul invites them to partner with him in prayer, and a very challenging prayer at that. He also invites them to partner with him in sharing the good news with their neighbors, but in a way that is winsome and inviting rather than dismissive or judgmental. Finally, he offers them a number of models of faithful living, people who were already partners with Paul in bringing the good news about Jesus to a lost and hurting world. What are some ways that God might be inviting you into a deeper partnership? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - What do you think it means to be devoted to prayer with an "alert mind and a thankful heart" (v2)? - How might you become more attentive to opportunities God may be opening for you to share your faith (v5)? - How does Paul's list of coworkers demonstrate the importance of partnership in ministry? - Who has helped you in your walk with Christ, and how might you express your gratitude to them? - Prayer: Lord, help me to wrestle in prayer like Epaphras, desiring more to see your will done rather than my own.
Have you ever felt like the work you do at home, at work, and even at church, goes completely unnoticed leaving you angry or frustrated? What if attention, applause, and a few likes were never going to be enough anyway? And where might the affirmation you’ve been looking for actually be hiding? · · · 👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons 👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals
To a city filled with the power of Rome and the mystery cult of Cybele, Paul starts with the supremacy of Christ. Christ is the ultimate power in both heaven and earth, and the fullness of God is present in him. In light of these challenges, Paul prays first that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. While knowledge may show us the way, it doesn't give us the power to actually walk the path, so Paul prays also that we would be filled with God's power to live godly lives to the full. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here: https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/ For Reflection: - What does Paul pray for the Colossians, and why is that important? - How does spiritual knowledge differ from simply having information about God? - Which description of Jesus in this passage stands out to you most, and why? - How can the truth of Christ's supremacy help you face challenges or uncertainties? - Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to grow in the knowledge of you and the power to live a life that honors you in all I do.