Why do Christians give—and why do churches talk about money at all?

In this message from our Let Me Explain series, Pastor David explores the biblical purpose behind giving. Giving isn’t about pressure, guilt, or earning God’s favor. It is a response to the generosity of God and a practical way we join Him in His work.

Through 2 Corinthians 9, we’ll look at three practices of biblical giving—tithing, offerings, and caring for those in need—and how each one supports the church, meets real needs, and helps others see what God is like.

We give because God is a giver—and we’re with Him.

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What is baptism, why does it matter, and why does Jesus call His followers to be baptized?

In this message from our “Let Me Explain” series, Pastor David explores baptism as more than a religious tradition. Baptism is a ceremony, a story, and a sign. It publicly declares that we belong to Jesus and have entered a new covenant with God through faith.

Baptism does not save us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. But baptism is a first step of obedience for those who have decided to follow Him. Going beneath the water and rising again tells the story of the gospel: our old life has been buried with Christ, and through Him, we have been raised to new life.

We’ll explore the connection between baptism and covenant, why Highlands practices believer’s baptism by immersion, and why baptism is the beginning, not the end, of following Jesus.

After 15 weeks in Ephesians, we come to the end of the letter and face one important question: Where do we go from here?

Paul’s final words remind us that the good news of Jesus was never meant to stop with us. Like Tychicus, we have received a message that we are now called to carry into our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and city.

In this message, Pastor David Johnson explores four realities that should mark us wherever Jesus sends us:

• Find peace

• Choose love

• Walk by faith

• Know and show grace

There comes a moment when learning must become living, belief must become obedience, and we must step out of the “parking lot” of uncertainty into the future God has prepared for us.

So, where will you go from here?

Highlands Church exists to help people find and follow Jesus. We are following Jesus together, carrying His peace, love, faith, and grace wherever He leads us.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:21–24

Message: “Where Do We Go From Here?”

Series: Ephesians

Learn more about Highlands Church Los Angeles: https://www.highlandsla.com

The War We Didn't Ask For | Ephesians 6 | Ps. Jeff Blanton

The Family that Jesus Builds | Ephesians 6 | Taylor Schultz

Marriage isn’t ultimately about power. It’s about submission, sacrifice, and becoming more like Jesus.

In one of the most discussed passages in the New Testament, Paul invites us to look beyond culture wars and discover God’s beautiful design for the home. Before he ever speaks to husbands or wives, he calls every believer to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

In this message, we explore what it looks like when Jesus doesn’t just change our hearts—but changes our homes.

Whether you’re married, single, dating, or simply trying to follow Jesus more faithfully, this message will challenge you to examine how the gospel shapes the relationships closest to you.

In this message you’ll discover:

Why Ephesians 5 begins with mutual submission

What Paul actually meant by “submit to one another”

The biblical roles of husbands and wives

Why sacrificial love—not domination—is God’s design for leadership

How Jesus transforms everyday life behind closed doors

Why the hardest people to love are often the people we love the most

The greatest evidence that Jesus is changing your life may not be what happens on Sunday morning—it may be what happens around your dinner table.

If this message encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who could use hope in their home.

Scripture:

📖 Ephesians 5:21–33

Highlands Church

Helping people find and follow Jesus.

🌐 https://www.highlandsla.com

📍 La Crescenta, California

What if the greatest threat to your purpose isn’t failure—but distraction?

In Ephesians 5:10–20, Paul challenges us to carefully consider how we live, to walk in wisdom, and to “make the most of every opportunity.” Because our days are numbered. Time moves quickly. And every moment we’re given carries the potential to reveal who God is to the world around us.

In this message, Pastor David Johnson explores what it means to live with intention in a distracted world—and how we can make every second count through three simple movements:

Imitation — Live like Jesus in everything you do.

Invitation — Invite God into the ordinary and unexpected moments of your life.

Expectation — Believe that God can move in any moment, in ways beyond what you could ask or imagine.

You can’t get yesterday back. But you can decide how you’ll live today.

A year from now, when you look back on 2026, what do you want to remember?

With Jesus, every second counts. Let’s make them count.

📖 Ephesians 5:10–20

🎙️ Every Second Counts

What does it actually mean to imitate God?

In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul makes a bold statement: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” This isn’t a call to earn God’s love—it’s an invitation to reflect the family you’ve been adopted into.

In this message, Pastor David Johnson explores how the gospel changes not only our identity, but also our everyday behavior. Because of what Jesus has done, we no longer live like our old selves. Instead, we’re called to become faithful reflections of our Heavenly Father—walking in love, rejecting sin, and living as people of light.

This isn’t about religion, legalism, or trying harder. It’s about responding to grace by becoming more like Jesus.

In this message you’ll discover:

What Paul meant by “Imitate God”

The deeper meaning of the Greek word mimētai (“to imitate”)

Why identity always comes before obedience

What Ephesus teaches us about today’s culture

How gratitude fuels faithfulness

What it means to live as “children of light”

No matter where you are in your faith journey, this message is an invitation to draw near to Jesus and become a faithful reflection of His love in the world.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1–10

If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who needs hope today.

Connect with Highlands Church:

🌐 https://highlandsla.com

📍 La Crescenta, California

🙏 Helping people find and follow Jesus.

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You say you’ve been saved… but have you actually left your old life behind?

In this message from Ephesians 4:17–32, Pastor David Johnson explores what it really means to follow Jesus after salvation. While Christ completely forgives our sin and makes us new, many of us continue living with one foot in the past—held back by old habits, old identities, old wounds, and old ways of thinking.

The Apostle Paul calls believers to make a clean break with the old life by throwing off the old nature, renewing their minds, and putting on the new life found in Christ.

If you’ve ever struggled with recurring sin, shame, anger, bitterness, fear, or feeling pulled back into who you used to be, this message is for you.

In this message you’ll discover:

• Why salvation changes your identity before it changes your behavior

• What Paul meant by “throw off your old nature”

• How to recognize the “ropes” that still pull you toward your past

• Why freedom isn’t about trying harder—but letting go

Three practical steps to experience lasting spiritual growth:

Seek the Truth

Drop the Rope

Live Like Him

Jesus didn’t simply forgive your past—He made you new. Now it’s time to leave the old life behind.

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:17–32

Romans 8:11–14

Colossians 3:1–10

Hebrews 12:1–2

2 Corinthians 5:17

If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing, sharing it with a friend, and joining us as we continue our journey through the book of Ephesians.

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Website: https://www.highlandsla.com

Instagram: @highlandschurchLA

What happens after you become a Christian?

For many people, salvation is viewed as the finish line—our sins are forgiven, heaven is secure, and now we simply wait. But that’s not the picture the Bible gives us.

In Ephesians 4:7–16, the Apostle Paul reveals that salvation is actually the beginning of something much bigger. Jesus doesn’t simply rescue us from our past—He transforms us from the inside out, fills us with His Spirit, places us into His Church, and empowers us to become who we were created to be.

You were never meant to follow Jesus alone.

In this message, we’ll explore:

What Paul means by the “gift” Christ gives every believe.

Why salvation is about transformation, not just forgiveness

The purpose of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers

Why spiritual maturity always happens in community

How God designed every believer to play a unique part in His Church

What life looks like on the other side of salvation

Whether you’re exploring Christianity, new to faith, or have followed Jesus for decades, this message is a reminder that God’s work in your life didn’t stop when He saved you—it had only just begun.

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:7–16

2 Corinthians 5:14–21

John 3:16–17

1 Corinthians 12

If this message encouraged you, we’d love for you to subscribe, share it with a friend, and join us in person or online each week as we continue studying the book of Ephesians.

Highlands Church

Following Jesus Together.