Hills Church

Luke 7:36–50 tells the story of a woman, known as a sinner, who boldly enters a Pharisee’s house to weep at Jesus’ feet and anoint them with perfume. Her actions are filled with humility, love, and gratitude. She makes no excuses, asks for nothing—she simply gives everything in response to who Jesus is.

In contrast, Simon the Pharisee—religious, proper, and proud—offers Jesus no welcome, no affection, and no honour. Jesus uses their interaction to teach a parable about two debtors, one forgiven much, the other little. The one forgiven of more loves more.

The woman’s love didn’t earn her forgiveness—it flowed from it. Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Her faith brought her to Jesus, her love poured out in worship, and her peace came from knowing she was fully forgiven.

We are all in need of that same forgiveness. When we realise how much we’ve been forgiven, love overflows. But when we forget, our hearts grow cold.

Forgiveness doesn’t just cleanse us—it awakens us to love God deeply and live in His peace.

Life often feels like moving through thick fog—times of discouragement, confusion, or hardship can cloud our vision and make it hard to see clearly. Yet, focusing on what truly matters—living with purpose today and an eternal perspective—brings hope and direction. Doing everything with faithfulness and excellence, whether in relationships, work, or daily tasks, brings lasting value.

Even when the way isn’t clear, keeping our eyes fixed on what lasts forever helps us to navigate challenges. Faithfulness matters far more than fame; many quietly live out their values without recognition, but every act of love and integrity leaves a lasting mark. Life becomes like chalk writing “eternity” on the hearts of those touched, creating impact beyond what can be seen.

Staying connected to Scripture provides strength and guidance. It equips us to resist distractions and endure hardships. Without it, vulnerability increases; with it, clarity and hope shine through.

Periods of spiritual fog can eventually give way to renewal and fresh clarity. Embracing this hope helps us to become a beacon for others, shining His light in dark and uncertain times.

In 2 Peter 1, we’re reminded of something powerful: through the righteousness of Jesus, we’ve been given a faith just as precious as anyone else's—regardless of our background or story. Peter encourages us to grow in grace and peace, not by learning more facts, but by growing in our relationship with God—truly knowing Him, not just knowing about Him.

We’re also told something incredibly freeing: God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. It's not something we have to earn or qualify for—it’s already been given through Jesus. We can rely on His promises, which are described as very great and precious. These promises aren’t just comforting words—they’re divine truths that allow us to participate in God’s very nature and resist the corruption of this world.

Some of those promises include: Jesus will never drive us away when we come to Him. Our sins are truly forgiven when we confess them. Because He lives, we also will live. And as we believe in Him, rivers of living water—His Spirit—will flow through us, bringing life to those around us.

We’re invited to grow in our faith by intentionally adding qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. These aren’t boxes to tick in order—they're like spiritual muscles we develop in relationship with God.

We’re not called to be spectators in our faith but participants—joining God in what He’s doing around us. When we trust His promises and walk in them, we begin to see His Spirit working through us to bless our homes, our churches, our communities, and beyond.

There’s a seat for everyone at Jesus’ table. Unlike the crowded, sometimes exclusive gatherings we experience in life, communion is a place of open invitation and deep love. When Jesus gathered with His disciples in John 13:18–30, He revealed that one of them would betray Him. In that moment of tension, two disciples responded in very different ways.

Peter wanted answers—but kept his distance. He motioned to John and asked him to speak to Jesus instead. John, however, was already leaning close. He rested against Jesus' chest, listening to His heartbeat. This wasn’t about privilege—it was about proximity. John wasn’t more loved than the others, but he lived more aware of it.

He called himself “the disciple Jesus loved”—not out of arrogance, but out of identity. His closeness to Jesus flowed from knowing he was deeply loved. He wasn’t earning a place—he knew he had one.Many of us approach Jesus more like Peter. We want closeness, but feel unsure. We try to tidy ourselves up before drawing near. We still think we have to earn access to Jesus. That’s old covenant thinking. But under the new covenant—sealed with Jesus’ blood—we are already invited in. Not as servants, but as friends. Not from a distance, but close to His heart.

Communion is a time to check our posture. Are we keeping Jesus at arm’s length, or are we leaning into His love? The table is not a reward for the spiritually strong—it’s a reminder that we are loved, even in our weakness.

So come. Come not because you’ve done it all right, but because He already loves you. Come closer. Rest in His love. Hear His heartbeat.

On Sunday, we were reminded what it truly means to live unashamed of our faith in Jesus. It started with a beautiful moment of gratitude—that we’re free to gather, worship, and express our faith openly, something many in the world cannot do.

The heart of the message was simple but powerful: sharing our faith isn’t about pressure or performance—it’s about love and overflow. Just like we naturally talk about the things we’re passionate about, our relationship with Jesus should be something we’re excited to share.

Scripture reminds us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). That means even in ordinary moments—in conversations at work, in acts of kindness, in simply showing up for people—we have the chance to reflect the heart of God.

The call wasn’t to “do more” but to be with Jesus more—because the more we’re connected to Him, the more naturally His presence will flow out of us. The world doesn’t need polished, perfect Christians—it needs people who are real, loving, and willing to reflect the hope of Christ in everyday life.

We were encouraged to take small, intentional steps: start by praying for two or three people in our lives who don’t yet know Jesus. Then, look for ways to build genuine relationships and open the door to spiritual conversations—not with an agenda, but with love.

Communion is a beautiful and sacred moment for every believer. It isn’t just a ritual—it’s a powerful reminder of God’s deep love and perfect plan of redemption. What began as the Passover in the Old Testament, when God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, was transformed by Jesus into something even greater. At His final meal, Jesus took the bread and the wine and gave them new meaning. Instead of remembering the rescue from Egypt, we now remember the rescue from sin—through His body broken and His blood shed.

Jesus’ sacrifice was the only one pure and holy enough to remove sin once and for all. His death was not the end, but the doorway to resurrection, eternal life, and restored relationship with God. Because of Jesus, we no longer wear the “dirty cloak” of our sin. Instead, we are clothed in a robe of righteousness, completely forgiven and free.

Communion is a time to remember the cost of our salvation, but also to rejoice. It’s okay to feel tearful, but it’s also a time to smile—because Christ’s victory is our victory. We celebrate not just His death, but also His resurrection and promise to return.

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13, we are reminded that love is at the center of it all. Without love, even our most impressive acts are meaningless. True love is patient, kind, and persevering. This love isn’t just an emotion—it’s how we choose to live every day.

Today, as we take the bread and the cup, we do so with joy in our hearts, gratitude on our lips, and love in our actions. Jesus did it all—for you, for me, for the whole world.

Jesus loves His Church—deeply and personally. This is one of the most important truths to hold onto. When we think of “the Church,” we’re not talking about buildings or denominations, but about people: every believer across the world (the universal Church) and the gathered body of believers in our local communities (the local Church). Together, we are the visible representation of Jesus Christ on earth.

As His people, we’re called to represent Him wherever we go—at the supermarket, in conflict, or when inconvenienced. And when we respond with grace, love, and Spirit-led obedience, the Church becomes a more authentic and powerful witness in the world. Through us, God is glorified, and His Church is built stronger, deeper, and wider.

Scripture teaches that every believer is given a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:7), and these gifts are meant to build up the Church and bring glory to God. They’re not about personal promotion, but about loving and serving others. Gifts like discernment, leadership, healing, tongues, and prophecy are divine tools for strengthening and encouraging the body of Christ.

God has always worked through this pattern: people hear the gospel, confess Jesus as Lord, recognise His resurrection, receive the Holy Spirit, and begin to operate in spiritual gifts. We see this throughout the book of Acts. These aren’t isolated events—they form a pattern of growth, empowerment, and purpose.

You may have never asked God for a spiritual gift—or perhaps you weren’t even aware you had one. But God wants to give gifts to His children. Ask Him. Seek Him. Expect that He will move in your life, sometimes in unexpected ways.

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live unashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1:16). But what does that power look like in our lives? One essential part is understanding and welcoming the Holy Spirit.

We’re reminded of John the Baptist’s words in Luke 3:16: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” That fire represents three beautiful truths: God’s presence, purification, and passion. Just as fire filled the tabernacle and purified gold, the Spirit now fills us, cleansing and stirring a deep hunger for God.

This baptism is not something external; it’s deeply internal. It’s not something we wear, but something we drink in—just like Jesus said in John 7:37–39: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”  When we do, rivers of living water—the Holy Spirit—will flow from within us. The Holy Spirit is not about performance or spectacle—it’s about glorifying Jesus and transforming hearts.

The Holy Spirit came after Jesus was exalted—after He returned to the Father as the perfect sacrifice. Now, through the Spirit, Jesus remains with us forever, guiding, empowering, and sealing the promises of God in our lives (John 14:15–17).

This gift is available to all who ask (Luke 11:13). It’s not something we earn—it’s God’s free gift of grace.

Romans 1:16 says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” This verse challenges every believer to live with boldness and conviction in a world that often resists the message of Christ.

Being unashamed of the gospel doesn’t come from self-confidence, but from knowing the truth and power of what Jesus has done. When the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, ordinary people—young, inexperienced, even fearful—were filled with courage to proclaim the message of Jesus. That same Spirit lives in us today, equipping us to stand firm in our faith and to speak the truth in love.

Jesus, before returning to the Father, prayed for us (John 17). He prayed that we would be sanctified—set apart for His purposes. He prayed for our protection, not that we’d be removed from the world, but that we’d be guarded from evil. He also prayed for unity, that we would reflect His love through oneness. These prayers still cover us now.

There’s no room for compromise or retreat in the life of a follower of Christ. We’ve been bought with a price—redeemed, forgiven, and filled with the Spirit. We’re not meant to hide, but to shine. Living unashamed means declaring who we are in Christ: forgiven, empowered, and chosen. It means refusing to let fear of opinion or rejection silence our testimony.