Are you treating the kingdom of heaven like buried pirate treasure? Many believers receive this incredible gift but keep it hidden instead of letting it transform their daily lives. What if the secret to experiencing God's power isn't getting more, but actually using what you've already been given? Stop treating the kingdom as an afterthought and start living like you truly value the treasure within you.

After the fight over who is the greatest and some lessons in humility, Jesus warns against several traps. He warns against causing a child to stumble in sin and even leave the Kingdom. He says that the most horrible death would be a mercy compared to the judgement against those who harm the least child. Jesus then warns of the danger of sin and reminds us that a harm of the physical body is more desirable than eternal suffering! Jesus then ends by warning His followers that they cannot divorce their spouse for just any reason. He instead places His emphasis on the importance of marriage.

In less than 30 days, we’ve witnessed an incredible transformation at our new church home. So many of you have shown up for workdays, stopped by unexpectedly to lend a hand, or connected us with businesses to help reduce costs—and it has made all the difference. This church family knows how to make things happen!

What if the most important thing on your to-do list isn't actually on your to-do list? Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet while Martha worried about preparations. Jesus said Mary chose the better portion. In our world of endless distractions and responsibilities, are we choosing what matters most? Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is stop being productive and simply be with Jesus.

After the greatness of Jesus is revealed with a transformation, and a man is healed, the Disciples find themselves in a place wondering who will be the greatest among them. Jesus does not approve of this but instead instructs them to see themselves as the lowest status, and to seek to serve. Not learning the lesson, the Disciples seek to hinder another man who is not “with them” who is casting out demons in Jesus name. Jesus refuses. Instead He explains that those who are fighting against His enemies are on His side.

Jesus hints at the coming resurrection by explaining that some of His disciples won’t die before they see the Kingdom of God coming with power. Jesus is then transfigured on Mount Hermon, the very place (according to the book of Enoch) of the rebellion of the elohim that rejected God! Coming down from that the Disciples were unable to cast out a demon out of a boy. Jesus casts the demon out and then explains that some of that kind can only be cast out through prayer. Jesus ends the moment by explaining that He had to die and resurrect. Even though He is the Son of Man, and will have an eternal kingdom, He must die first.

Ever wonder why God allows difficult people in your life? The Parable of the Tares reveals a shocking truth: the problem isn't with the sower or the seed. What if the tares around you have nothing to do with the truth within you? Discover the divine secret that changes everything about how you handle challenging relationships and circumstances.

Even on a limited budget, we have lacked nothing in strength, willingness, or manpower. We are already making an impact. Just yesterday, at a choir performance, we met a woman who lives across the street from our building. She shared how excited she is seeing how quickly the HFF family has brought life to the property. That’s the kind of witness you can’t manufacture—it’s the fruit of faith in action.

In the previous post we talked about the Pharisee challenge to Jesus where they demanded a sign from God to prove that He is the Messiah. Jesus rejected their request and warned the Disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod (the need for a sign, unbelief). Then He traveled to Bethsaida and healed a man who was blind. Now we see Jesus walking with the Disciples in the area of Caesarea Philippi where He asks them who they believe that He is. After they tell Him what others are saying Peter finally confesses that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. The location of this event is very important and we will discuss it later. Jesus then told the Disciples of His coming death and resurrection and made it clear that they must choose the cross to follow Him.

You're not stuck being spiritual roadkill. The Parable of the Sower reveals that you can choose what kind of soil your heart becomes. Will you be the rocky ground that withers under pressure, the thorny soil choked by worldly worries, or the good soil that bears fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold? The kingdom of heaven is yours for the taking - but what kind of soil will you choose to be?

Some Pharisees come to Jesus with a challenge in mind.  They have come to shut him up!  They issue this challenge by demanding a sign from heaven.  Jesus responds with frustration and tells them that they won’t get a sign (for now).  After they exchange words Jesus sets out with the Disciples and He warns them to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod.  We will discuss what this means.  Coming to Bethsaida Jesus performs a powerful miracle, healing the blind, but in a very interesting way.  

Today’s lesson is all about believing God even when things seem a little strange and not demanding things of God, like a sign.

We have steadily reached 73% of our building fund, and we are so grateful for each of you who has sacrificed to help change the trajectory of our church family. Please continue sharing our vision—there are still people who can partner with us in this journey!

Passover beautifully reveals God’s redemptive plan, foreshadowing Jesus as the spotless Lamb whose sacrifice delivers humanity from sin just as the original Passover lamb delivered Israel from judgment. For believers, the feast is not only ancient history but a powerful testimony that the cross was God’s plan from the beginning and that every detail of Scripture points to Christ.

What if the parable of the sower isn't about God choosing who succeeds spiritually, but about the choices we make every day? Jesus didn't create you to be roadkill - you get to decide what kind of soil your heart becomes. Are you responding to confusion about God with frustration or with humble trust?

After the Pharisaic challenge of eating with unwashed hands and Jesus traveling to the region of Tyre and Sidon He casts out a demon from a little Gentile girl. Jesus takes time for a journey, traveling from the region of Tyre to Sidon and then on to the Sea of Galilee, finally arrives in the region of the Decapolis. Perhaps He does this to let things cool down between the Pharisees and Himself, since He knows that “His time is not yet.” While in the Decapolis He heals a man who couldn’t hear or speak and then proceeds to feed four thousand people! Join us today as we dig into this amazing miracle!

Ever wonder why Jesus suddenly started speaking in riddles? The day the Pharisees accused Him of using evil power, Jesus began casting forth truth through parables. This wasn't coincidence—it was prophecy fulfilled. What secrets of the kingdom are hidden in plain sight that we might be missing? Are you stretching your ear toward God's mouth, or just casually listening?

After feeding five thousand men and walking on water, Jesus has drawn even more attention to Himself.  The Scribes and the Pharisees decide to confront Him and shame Him, perhaps to lesson His growing fame and notoriety.  They challenge Him on an issue they consider important, eating with unwashed hands.  Yet Jesus rejects their traditions and instead insists that it is not what you eat that defiles you, but the sin inside of you.  It is sin, not food that makes you unclean.  Jesus travels to the region of Tire and Sidon where a Gentile woman approaches Him and begs Him to cast a demon out of her daughter.  What follows is perhaps the most shocking statement that Jesus has made yet, He calls the woman a dog (we will see the reason for this).  Yet she responds with faith and humility.  Seeing this Jesus grants her request and casts the demon out of the girl. 

3,650 days of pastoring this church. Not every minute was easy—but every minute has been worth it. The thousands of lives impacted, the hundreds of families restored, and even those who have moved on—I remember every one of you, and I love you. We have come to a monumental moment............

Jesus shocked his audience when he asked: Who is my mother and who are my brothers? His answer will challenge everything you think you know about family and belonging. Are you ready to discover what truly makes someone your spiritual family?

The Disciples have come back from their great “mission trip” and now Jesus encourages them to take rest. Yet they are recognized and about five thousand flock to them. Jesus has compassion and teaches them. Yet when there is a need for food the Disciples are unable to feed them. Instead, Jesus multiplies fish and loaves and feeds everyone until they are content. The Disciples go ahead in the boat and Jesus spends some time in prayer. He then catches up to them while they are struggling to cross by walking on the water. The disciples didn’t understand or have faith, which is compared against those who come to Him for healing who do believe.