Grace Hill Church - Collierville, Tn

THIS EPISODE:An “ambassador” is someone committed to representing the values, culture & stories of another place or people group. Most of us understand this best in a geopolitical sense, but it's also a factor of our everyday life. The vast majority of us are an “ambassador” of something that we find deeply connected to, whether a sports team, political ideology, a movie series or even Apple products. As followers of Jesus we are called to live out our calling as representatives of the Kingdom of God. No matter where we live, we can seek for it to be “on earth as it is in heaven” by representing our Lord’s Kingdom.What does it look like, and how does it work? Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of

THIS EPISODE:If you're a follower of Jesus, you've been called to a life that bears witness to the place you live—a life lived on mission for the things of God. But between the faith we typically have and the radical, empowered faith we're called to is a gap. This is our “missional angst” where personal, social & cultural forces work to keep us from following Jesus the way we desire deep in our hearts. Let's unpack this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)—13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world.

THIS EPISODE:At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.In reality, we often don’t really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied’, contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. But it doesn’t just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch’ and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God’s best for our lives.Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message with how contentment cultivates important spiritual rhythms in our lives...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Philippians 4:11 (CSB)—11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstan

THIS EPISODE:At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.In reality, we often don’t really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied’, contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. But it doesn’t just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch’ and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God’s best for our lives.Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message with how contentment cultivates in us a kingdom-minded heart...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Matthew 13:44 (CSB)—44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in h

THIS EPISODE:At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.In reality, we often don’t really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied’, contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. But it doesn’t just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch’ and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God’s best for our lives.Let's begin unpacking this and more in today's message, starting with how contentment cultivates both confession and greater joy in our lives...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Philippians 4:10-14 (CSB)—10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care

THIS EPISODE:When we're jealous, we are in effect saying, “God, you don’t really know what I need to be happy”. Often the 'gateway' to so many other negative emotions, from greed to anger to guilt and shame, jealousy is also a road leading to resentment of God's goodness in other people's lives, while ignoring God's goodness in our own lives.The antidote for jealousy is cultivating a heart of contentment. And in truth, the secret of cultivating a heart of contentment is found in Christ and Christ alone. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Philippians 4:11-13 (CSB)—11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.—Philippians 2:2-4 (CSB)—...make my joy compl

THIS EPISODE:Today, we consider the baggage of fear, a reality we all must contend with. What are you most afraid of? Being completely honest, what ominous fears do you find yourself secretly simmering or wrestling with in quiet moments or sleepless nights? In this episode we invite you into a deeper understanding of how combatting the baggage of fear starts with having a right-sized view of God. And how a richer understanding of the profound goodness of God can absolutely overshadow even the darkest "shadow of death" fears in our lives.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Psalms 23:1-6 (CSB)—The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff ​— ​they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint

THIS EPISODE:Today, we consider the baggage of pride—and more specifically spiritual pride. We revisit the story of a “rich, young ruler” who approached Jesus asking what he must do to gain eternal life, only to leave confused and dismayed by Jesus’ answer. We’ll see how Jesus' answer wasn’t a recipe for salvation, but an exposure of a heart’s idolatry. An idol is anything more important to us than God, and this is at the very heart of what Jesus is saying to us here.  If we're honest with ourselves, we really resemble the rich young ruler in letting our own religious pride prevent us from even seeing how the “idols” in our own lives are preventing our hearts from fully loving Jesus with our whole being. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Mark 10:17-31 (CSB)—17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ” 18 “Why do you call me good? ” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alon

THIS EPISODE:Today, we are looking at the baggage of bitterness, which always starts with unforgiven pain at its source. And this unforgiven pain, left unchecked for too long, has profound effects on our lives. But it doesn’t have to.As followers of Jesus we're sometimes called to seasons of suffering, but not under the oppressive weight of our own unforgiveness and resulting bitterness. But how do we deal with the seeds of unforgiveness and prevent the ugly fruit of bitterness from taking root and growing in our lives? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…PRIMARY TEXT:Matthew 18:21-35 (CSB)21 Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times? ”22 “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied,“ but seventy times seven. 23 “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever had to be bold about something? To stand up to someone or set the record straight?There's a time coming when boldness in our faith will be more important than ever. And in this time we’ll have two choices: ➊ to recede or backpedal in fear, or ➋ to boldly step forward and stand up for truth.But how? And what does that even look like? And what if we've not had the best track record with being bold before?Today we consider two contrasting stories of Peter: First when he fearfully denied even knowing who Jesus was to a teenage girl, and then when speaking with seismic boldness only 50 days later to set the record straight about exactly what has just happened with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Peter understood scripture, and his Holy Spirit boldness was rooted in this knowledge of scripture and his realization of Jesus. By better understanding these things, we can gain a better understanding of how to step into greater boldness similarly in our own lives. Let's unpack this a

THIS EPISODE:It was just another day...until it wasn’t. Today we continue exploring the critical yet often overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our church and lives as Christ followers. First with the Day of Pentecost, when a group of people begin suddenly and inexplicably speaking in other languages. We also consider the broader context of two central figures echoing in the story, Abraham and Moses, and the key events underlying God's plan surrounding that day.  Then we look more deeply at the Spirit's role that day, and even still in our church and lives today, so that we can see more clearly the Holy Spirit as a long-awaited gift to us, whose purpose is not to divide us, but to unite together in Jesus.Are we seeing the Holy Spirit do anything in our lives that would cause unbelievers in our community to stop and ask, “What's happening with that church?”Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:Acts 2:1-13 (CSB)When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

As followers of Jesus, we've been given the Holy Spirit. But who is this “Holy Spirit” really?Focusing on the Holy Spirit is a salient reminder that we are deeply in need. We desperately need the Holy Spirit in our lives to fix what's broken, restore us to God and resurrect what is otherwise hopelessly dead inside us. Anything else that we turn to for this will eventually fail us.  Today we consider the Holy Spirit's divine qualities, the name of God indirectly given to him, the works of God attributed to the Holy Spirit, and how these things are relevant to our lives.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever thought of the Holy Spirit as a person? For most people, it's easier to view Jesus, and even the Father, as distinct personalities. But the Holy Spirit can often seem more like God's mystical shadow, with somehow not as much actual person-hood.And yet the Holy Spirit is very much a person. His power is equal to the Father and the Son's, and yet his mission is distinct. His actions—to guide our hearts, to counsel, comfort and convict— are deeply personal, and the better we understand him, the more profoundly & intimately we understand our God.So, today we look more closely at the person of the Holy Spirit, to better understand him as a vibrant part of our daily lives…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Deut. 6.4 (CSB)—“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.—John 14:16-18 (CSB)—16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you an

This is about loving God. And if we are going to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we need to pursue, to the degree our minds can attain it, some understanding of God. One of those ways of understanding begins with the doctrine of the trinity.But what is the trinity? Where is the trinity in the Bible, and how should we apply this triune doctrine to our lives?  Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

THIS EPISODE:Defining Physical Health Biblically: The stewardship of the physical body that God has given us that in turn allows us to flourish for kingdom work, loving ourselves, our family, neighbors, community and church well for the length of time God has us on this earth.Or, as Paul asserted in 1 Corinthians, your body is a temple. On top of that, a compelling case is made that your body is not your own, and you're responsible to glorify God with your body—including how you care for it.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (CSB)—Glorifying God in Body and Spirit12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will do away with both of them. However, the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15

THIS EPISODE:Why is caring for our bodies so difficult? It’s because there’s something working against our bodies and health…Sin broke our bodies and brought depravity into the story. And not just the inner shame of our fallen nature, but ongoing degradation of our physical nature also.But God meets our brokenness with grace. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Genesis 3:8-11 (CSB)—Sin’s Consequences8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze,[a] and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”10 And he said, “I heard you[b] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”11 Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”—Isaiah 53:3-4 (CSB)—3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone

THIS EPISODE: The church has largely failed to wade into one very important area of everyone's life: Our physical health. We take seriously issues about our spiritual health, finances, relationships, and even vocation. But rarely is the issue of physical health ever given the spotlight. And yet—the quality of our physical health impacts & influences every other area of our life. God truly cares about our physical health. And the care we give to our physical health is stewardship of a highly precious gift the Lord has graciously given us. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXTS: Genesis 1:26-27 (CSB) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. Genesis 1:29-30 (CSB) 29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every se

THIS EPISODE: Nearly every area in life in which we might have found peace in has been shaken over the last year. Thinking back over this turbulent time, who or what has really brought you peace? The resurrected Jesus has brought us peace. Not momentary comfort or distraction from circumstances—but true PEACE that can be deeply experienced and abide even in the midst of life's terrible storms. After his resurrection, Jesus spoke peace into the fears of everyone around him. He also speaks peace to our fears today. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: John 20:1-21 (CSB) The Empty Tomb 20 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb.

THIS EPISODE: In the final days of Jesus pre-crucifiction, his triumphal entry into Jerusalem is breathtaking to consider: This Jewish carpenter riding a borrowed, unbroken colt through a screaming crowd shouting to him, “Save us!” But how did this same crowd get from “save us!” to “crucify him!” in only a matter of days? These people knew they desperately needed a savior, but also felt certain they knew exactly what their salvation should look like. They were desperately trying to make Jesus into the person they wanted him to be. But Jesus rescues us in ways we often don't understand. His insight is eternal and he (thankfully) doesn't let our circumstances or expectations reshape his work in our lives. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXTS: Zechariah 9:9 (CSB) Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion, Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Mark 11:7-11 (CSB) 7 They br