Grace Hill Church - Collierville, Tn

THIS EPISODE: Last time we began looking at the life changing truth that God loved us first. This time we consider an important byproduct of this great truth: God loving us first changes not only our lives, but also HOW we love and WHO we love. Reflecting on “The Good Samaritan” we'll see how Biblical love is sacrificial and often surprising. Just imagine if we worked together to outlove each other! So many of the fights and arguments we have with each other and in our society would simply dissolve. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: 1 John 4:7 & 11 (NKJV) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Luke 10:25-29 (NKJV) 25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with a

THIS EPISODE: Be Honest: What do you see as the “first thing” in your life right now? From the myriad of priorities & concerns in any given day, which one would you genuinely aim to have first on the list? And what might an unbiased audit of your thoughts, actions & choices in any given week reflect your “first thing” to be? As we all consider “what’s next” in our lives after quarantine, it's a perfect time to honestly introspect and make sure the first thing in your life is right today and everyday. Let's begin this thoughtful reflection together in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: 1 John 4:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propiti

THIS EPISODE: As we wrap up our Psalms of Hope series & continue our journey of "lament", let's consider a Biblical frame that can be distilled down to two simple things—two words that, when understood, can bring some much needed perspective to our circumstances, and even change your life if you let them. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 22:1-11 (ESV) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises[a] of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him,

THIS EPISODE: Ever faced anything in life that, as a Christ-follower, you just can't seem to make sense out of? Events, circumstances or situations that you just can't see a "greater plan" in, or how it even aligns with God's character at all? Yeah, been there too. And when it happens, it's not uncommon to find ourselves wrestling with feelings, thoughts & questions that we'd rather not admit honestly. It's only human, right?? Here's some really great news: Our Good God really gets it. He truly understands our deepest & scariest thoughts & feelings, and even gave us some clear insight on how we can LAMENT these things with him—honestly, earnestly and without reservation. Let's unpack God's framework for this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 13 (NIV) 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on m

THIS EPISODE: How do you want the story of your life during COVID-19 to be told afterward? What impact will you have had, and what traits do you hope to have been cultivated in your life during this season? From David in Psalm 131, we see a beautiful submission of pride, ego & ambition. Instead, we see a renewed heart that is (i) humble, (ii) content, and (iii) hopeful. There's much we can gain by spending a few minutes considering this together. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 131 New International Version (NIV) A song of ascents. Of David. 1 My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. 3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. OTHER REFERENCES: Proverbs 16:5; Philippians 4:12; Psalm 107:8-9; Romans 13:13; Romans 8:5-8;

THIS EPISODE: “Are we there yet?” ⇠An all-too-familiar question for anyone who's ever roadtripped with kiddos, amiright? And, being really honest, also a question many of us are starting to ask God right now—about the anxieties & uncertainties of “messy middle” we all seem to be stuck in for...well, who really knows how long?! But here's the thing: There are some deeply important aspects of God (and our relationship with him) that can only really be experienced & learned when going through trials, hardships and life's "death valleys". In Ps. 77 we'll explore three movements of this trial, how they relate to God and what we're invited to learn about him in the “messy middle”. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 77 (NIV) 1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. 3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit

THIS EPISODE: Jesus did exactly what he said he would—he died a sinner's death, then rose back to life 3 days later. And his resurrection changed everything forever, period. Sure, that's the Easter story. But how does it impact our world today? And if Jesus can conquer death & sin by rising from the dead, how does this shape our knowledge or certainty of what Jesus WILL do? Especially in the middle of these darkest valleys, crazy storms and life's all-consuming uncertainties? Said another way, WWJD—how can we know for sure? Let's unpack this and more in today's Easter message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 23 New International Version (NIV) A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the pr

THIS EPISODE: In these recent weeks we've all come to starkly face the reality that our “normal lives” are more fragile than we thought. And how quickly an “invisible enemy” (Covid-19) can turn our worlds upside down with uncertainty, anxiety, fear, anger... But incredible news: We can STILL have hope. In the midst of it all, we can still remain calmly anchored to confidence, certainty and HOPE. Why? Because our hope isn't on seen things either, but on an unseen God who rules all. And we know his character: He's always good & kind, and invariably works all things together for our good, even when we can't understand or see how. Are we “feasting” on the right things today? Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 23:5 (NIV) “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

THIS EPISODE: Uncertainty & anxiety seem to have a "choke hold" on our world right now, right? With no apparent end in sight, where can we find and experience genuine HOPE right now? Let's please invest a few minutes together with Psalm 23. Let's look with fresh eyes at our Good Shepherd, and explore how profoundly he cares for us—with kindness and tenderness—even as we face adversity, uncertainty and fear. Let's look with fresh eyes at how and why we're able to "fear no evil", even in the midst of the darkest "death valleys" we're facing each day. Let's unpack this and more together in today's timely message... PRIMARY TEXT: Psalm 23 (New International Version) A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; yo

THIS EPISODE: Ask yourself: Is Jesus in today's storm? There's no way around it: Our world's suddenly turned upside down by Covid-19. But where is Jesus in all this? In the midst of constant chaos & confusion all around us, how should we respond? WWJD? (yes, cliché—but it's the RIGHT question, isnt' it?) In this timely message, we ask you to consider: Does this "storm's" presence mean the absense of a Savior? What might the purpose of this Covid-19 "storm" be for us? Who is Jesus, in light of all this? Let's unpack this and more together in today's timely messag PRIMARY TEXT: Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him

THIS EPISODE: Within about the last week, the impact of the Covid-19 virus has been widespread and felt by everyone across our nation & world in unexpected ways. How should we feel & respond to this, as Christ followers? God didn't give us a spirit of fear, right? But...what else then, in these tumultuous, uncertain times? We invite you to join us for a few minutes diving a bit deeper into The Lord's Prayer together and how we can process this through the lens of Jesus.… PRIMARY TEXT: Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) Matthew 6:9-13 New International Version (NIV) 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,[a] but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

THIS EPISODE: To help explain the Kingdom of God, it's place and importance in our lives, Jesus uses several analogies in Mark 4—a lamp, a tiny mustard seed, a soil producing a crop by itself... In this episode we look at these more closely and come to see 4 important Kingdom of God realities that every Christ follower should understand: The Kingdom of God IS TO BE REVEALED. The Kingdom of God GUARANTEES A REWARD. The Kingdom of God IS A MIRACLE. The Kingdom of God IS SHADE & REST FOR THE WORLD. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… PRIMARY TEXT: Mark 4:21-32 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Using Your Light 21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—an

THIS EPISODE: In parable form, Jesus spoke of four different kinds of “heart”: a CALLOUSED heart a COSMETIC heart a CROWDED heart a CULTIVATED heart So, what are the differences? What does each typically look like in today's world, and—most importantly—what kind of “heart” do YOU really have? It matters, more than you might think. Let's unpack this and more in today's message... PRIMARY TEXT: Mark 4:1-20 English Standard Version (ESV) The Parable of the Sower 4 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun

Can you be in close proximity to Jesus, and still not follow Jesus? Learn more in this episode, and consider Jesus' interactions with the (i) FANS, (ii) FOLLOWERS, and (iii) FAULT-FINDERS around him. PRIMARY TEXT: Mark 3:7-35 (English Standard Version—ESV) A Great Crowd Follows Jesus 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. The Twelve Apostles 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he ap

KEY POINTS: Jesus is our JOY. Jesus is the PERFECT SOLUTION. Jesus is concerned FOR THE WELL BEING OF HUMANITY. PRIMARY TEXT: Mark 2:18-3:6 New King James Version (NKJV) Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting 18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the [a]friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Primary Sources: IVP Bible Background Commentary Enduring Word Commentary (Guzik) TNTC Mark (Schnabel) A Theology of Mark's Gospel (Garland and Kostenberger) Mark for Everyone (Wright)

Primary Sources: IVP Bible Background Commentary Enduring Word Commentary (Guzik) TNTC Mark (Schnabel) A Theology of Mark's Gospel (Garland and Kostenberger) Mark for Everyone (Wright)

Primary Sources: IVP Bible Background Commentary Enduring Word Commentary (Guzik) TNTC Mark (Schnabel) A Theology of Mark's Gospel (Garland and Kostenberger) Mark for Everyone (Wright)

Primary Sources: IVP Bible Background Commentary Enduring Word Commentary (Guzik) TNTC Mark (Schnabel) A Theology of Mark's Gospel (Garland and Kostenberger) Mark for Everyone (Wright)

Primary Sources: IVP Bible Background Commentary Enduring Word Commentary (Guzik) TNTC Mark (Schnabel) A Theology of Mark's Gospel (Garland and Kostenberger) Mark for Everyone (Wright)