Saints‘ Hill Church Podcast

Loving God for God

Focusing on the Abraham and Isaac story in Genesis 22, Alex Rettmann challenges us with the “test” we see in the scriptures and in our lives - “do you love God for God or do you love Him for what He does for you?” This test requires us to step back and look at what we have done with what He has given us - to realize that our virtue does not come from earthly blessing but from surrender. This message invites us to loosen our grips and surrender to God, to see the brevity of life and live with abandon to the God we can trust, the God who did not even hold His Son from us. May we be a people who, like Abraham, pass the test - who love God for God and see the transformation of surrender. 

Kingdom Stewardship & Investment

This last Sunday Jake Vigil gave us a word on Kingdom Stewardship and Investment.

He taught us through two parables in Luke where we are reminded that we truly have struck gold in finding the kingdom. Jesus in these parables is asking us if we will make the most of our investment. Our stewardship of our lives on this side of heaven will come to an end. When you take account of your life are you still selling everything for this kingdom you’ve found?

The good news for us is that we do not own our life, we are stewards of it. Our surrender invites His power to do things we never imagined were possible. You can be at rest, because you can enjoy your life when it's not your own. So may we be a people who joyfully think of extravagant ways to sew into the kingdom.

Jesus is Our Truth Criteria

On Sunday Bria Wolter delivered a word to us about the simple gospel. In this cultural moment where truth seems to be slipping through our fingers, how can we really know what is true? We are reminded that it is only in the revelation of Jesus that we find what we are looking for.  

The simple gospel matters. Nothing needs to be added to the finished work of the cross. Bria invited us to ask ourselves these three questions as we approach the gospel:

1. Am I adding to or taking away from the gospel where Jesus didn’t?
2. Am I squirming rather than submitting to its authority?
3.  Am I seeing my experience first or Jesus first?

Real truth changes the world. May we be a people who submit to the authority of the gospel - not just for our own sake, but for the sake of heaven coming to earth in our town.

What is the good life?

This week Alex Rettmann proposed the question: What is the good life? - Philosophers have been asking this question for ages, but what is the answer for a disciple of Jesus?

Does it come from the pursuit of understanding, morals, or even Justice? Yes in part, but on each of those routes we must be aware of any false gospels that could be attached to those life pursuits.

More importantly the path towards "The Good Life" for believers is all about "Kingdom Partnership" - A supernatural powerful life filled with the Holy Spirit and partnering with Jesus to expand Eden on Earth once again.     

Be encouraged! Thanks for listening; We love you!

 

Worship: Leaders Panel

This last Sunday we held a panel with some of our Saints’ Hill worship leaders. These are people who don’t necessarily get to teach on a regular basis, but are wells of wisdom and intimacy with Jesus. It was such an encouraging time to hear what’s inside of each of these huge people.

We talked about the heart of worship, testimonies, calling, lordship and so much more!

Worship: The Heart of Worship

This last Sunday our worship pastor Jake Vigil spoke to us about the Heart of Worship.

We see all the way back in Genesis that worship is about sacrifice. For us to be a house of His Presence our worship must cost us something. What makes our worship powerful is not the form or expression that it takes…power is found in the purity of His Presence. Jesus always protects extravagant worship, even when it offends the religious.

Worship was never meant to become an industry, it has always been about lovers denying themselves and giving the world a taste of heaven through their sacrifice of praise. May we forever remain lovers instead of performers. 

Worship: Why build a church around worship?

This last Sunday Alex Rettmann talked to us about why we built a church around worship.

We planted a church to minister to Him. Our vision for impact in Newberg is worship.

When we worship we align ourselves with what’s happening in heaven. It takes us from slaves to priests. The truth about God expressed in our worship renews our minds - and a renewed people is what renews a place. That’s why we worship.

Worship: Guest Kenny Snyder

This last Sunday we had the privilege of hosting one of our dear friends - Kenny Snyder. Someone who lives a lifestyle of worship and has been pioneering revival in our town for a long time.

Kenny talked about worship as transformation. True worship should take us where we need to go and not just where we want to go. If we want to walk in this worship that transforms we must lay down our entitlements and our preferences. In heaven, there won’t be any question whether or not we worship Him. Our intentional sacrifice of worship on this side of heaven moves His heart, and makes the enemy shrink back.

To worship Him is to give your life to Him. We pray that you are strengthened by the Holy Spirit this week to worship Him in everything

Pure in Heart

This last Sunday Bria Wolter brought us a word on biblical purity. These were some key takeaways:

Purity is a person - His name is Jesus.

Purity is given to you and received by you - His sacrifice made us clean.

Purity is an action - the world is desperate for the hope we have. We’ve seen His face and we have an answer. 

May our purity be less about what we’re staying away from, and more about who we’re drawing near to. Holiness exposes impurity as an invitation to greater intimacy with our King. All of us is for all of Him.

Greatest of All

Andoni gave a teaching on two things that we should never grow out of - growing and serving.

Growing in our child-like ability to receive from our Father, and serving the way Jesus came to serve us.

In the kingdom, we go low to go high. May we be a people who never stop growing and serving!