Highrock Church

You can’t fix mold with surface solutions. And the same is true for the patterns that keep showing up in your life.

What if God named this long ago and gave us a way forward that goes beyond behavior change?

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Want to make the best possible investments with your money? Do you want to make the ultimate plans for the greatest future returns? Jesus tells the parable of a shrewd manager who, facing dismissal, wisely uses his remaining opportunity to prepare for the future. In essence, he uses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Sometimes you can take it with you! So how does this advice apply to how we use money? Jesus doesn't always explain his parables but this time, he gives us clear instructions for how to use our money for maximum returns!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What does the manager’s shrewdness teach about planning for the future?

- Where might money or possessions compete for your loyalty to God?

- What does it mean to be faithful in “little things” in your daily life?

- What would it look like to align your priorities more closely with God’s kingdom?

- Prayer: Lord, help me use what you’ve given me with an eternal perspective.

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus tells of a younger son who squanders his inheritance in reckless living, eventually returning home in desperation and repentance. Instead of rejection, he is met with extravagant grace as his father runs to embrace and restore him. Meanwhile, the older brother resents the celebration. He is perhaps even more lost that his brother was, lost not because of his sin but because of his "righteousness". Jesus tells this story to not only illustrate God's joyful grace towards us, but also to challenge us to celebrate and share God's grace rather than resist it.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Which character do you most relate to — the younger son, the older brother, or the father? Why?

- What does the father’s response (literally, "ran to him and fell on his neck with kisses") reveal about God’s heart?

- How do you respond when others receive grace that you feel they don’t deserve?

- How might God want you to be a good "elder" sibling to prodigal sisters and brothers?

- Prayer: Father, thank you for sending Jesus, a true elder brother, to bring us home.

Imagine a healthy person becoming upset that doctors pay so much attention to sick people. Such a complaint would be hard to imagine yet the religious leaders complained that Jesus spent so much time with "tax collectors and sinners". In their understanding, those were all the wrong people. In response, Jesus tells three parables in a row about God's desire to "seek and save the lost". We consider the first two of those stories today — the lost sheep and the lost coin — to see how they reveal God’s heart for those who have lost their way.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What do these parables reveal about how God views those who are lost?

- Why do you think the religious leaders struggled with Jesus' close association with all the "wrong" people?

- In what ways have you experienced God seeking and finding you?

- Who in your life might God be inviting you to help pursue with his love?

- Prayer: Father, thank you for pursuing me—help me share your heart for the last, the lost, and the least.

Jesus turns to the crowd of casual followers and speaks candidly about the true cost of following him. His path will lead him to the cross and so, following him is a path that will lead us to the cross as well. We cannot follow Jesus without actually following Jesus. To be a disciple is not a casual relationship. Instead, it is a path marked by surrender and sacrifice, and most importantly, the opportunity to become even more closely connected with Jesus mere comfort could ever accomplish.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- In your own words, why is it important to “count the cost” before following Jesus?

- What areas of your life compete with your devotion to Christ?

- How do you respond to the idea that discipleship requires sacrifice?

- Where is Jesus inviting you to deeper commitment rather than partial following?

- Prayer: Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, transform my heart to desire you above all else.

At a dinner, Jesus challenges social norms by urging his host to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the marginalized — those who cannot repay him — rather than seeking status or return favors. He then tells a parable about a great banquet where the invited guests make excuses and refuse to come, so the host fills his table with outsiders instead. Are you good enough to receive this invitation? Thank God that the invite is a reflection of God's incredible generosity and hospitality, and has nothing to do with what we do or do not deserve!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- What does Jesus’ teaching reveal about God’s heart for the overlooked, the outsider, and the outcast?

- What “excuses” can keep you from fully responding to God’s invitation?

- Who might God be prompting you to include, serve, or welcome into your life?

- Prayer: Lord, give me a humble and generous heart that is eager to respond to your invitation and extend it to others as well.

What if the version of Jesus you’ve been given feels too small? Like it doesn’t quite hold up to the brokenness you actually see in the world?

Step into the story of Passover and discover a Jesus who doesn’t just forgive sins but confronts evil, breaks chains, and brings real freedom.

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👉🏻 Check out other Highrock sermons: https://tinyurl.com/3rdw4x8n

👉🏻 Check out Highrock's 15-min daily devotionals: https://tinyurl.com/38d4aryd

Why did Jesus promise to bring division rather than peace, even into families? And what's the connection to being able to see a coming storm? Jesus criticized his listeners for being able to discern the coming weather while being unable to see an even clearer political storm that was rapidly approaching. Understanding Jesus' provocative words can help us to navigate the chaos and division that can disturb our world, our nation, our communities, and even our families.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Why do you think that Jesus says his mission will bring division rather than peace?

- How can following Jesus create tension in relationships, priorities, and loyalties?

- Pastor Dave suggested the values of curiosity, courage, and compassion can guide us in a complex, often divided world. Which of those values might you need most from Jesus?

- Prayer: Lord, give us curiosity, courage, and compassion enough to walk in your truth and love in all that we do.

Financial independence and early retirement — that's the dream, right? Jesus tells a story about man who achieved just that. This man's only worry was about building bigger barns to store all his new wealth! However, the man did not foresee that his early retirement would be cut short by an early death. Jesus calls such a person a "fool" as he was rich only towards himself and not towards God or others. In planning for the future, the man did not plan far enough into the future — a future that includes not only retirement, but eternity!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- How does this passage challenge cultural definitions of success, abundance, and #blessed?

- Where are you tempted to find security in possessions or financial stability?

- What does it mean to be “rich toward God” in your daily life?

- What are some practical ways for you to maintain an eternal perspective in your planning for the future?

- Prayer: Lord, guard my heart from greed and help me to treasure that which will outlast this life.

Jesus here reserves his harshest words for those who are self-righteous. He confronts the religious leaders for their focus on outward religiosity while neglecting inner transformation and love for others. Instead, Jesus says that an inner cleansing (a clean heart) will lead to outward goodness as well. This inner cleansing, Jesus says, is especially marked by care for the poor. After all, what good is religion if it doesn't lead us to become more like Jesus?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

https://www.highrock.org/newtestament

For Reflection:

- Why might people might focus on outward religious observance rather than inner transformation?

- Which of the above temptations is most challenging for you, and why?

- What does this passage reveal about the importance of justice and love in following God?

- Are there ways you might unintentionally place burdens on others rather than helping them?

- Prayer: Lord, cleanse my heart from hypocrisy and shape me into a person marked by love, humility, and integrity.