Sermons @ Shepherd

In this powerful sermon on Ascension Sunday, we delve into the significance of Jesus' ascension and its impact on our lives as followers of Christ.

In Luke 24 and Acts 1, we witness the mysterious event of Jesus returning to heaven after his resurrection. But this event carries a clear message for all believers: we are called to be witnesses of Christ's love, forgiveness, and transformation.

Join us as we explore the meaning behind waiting on God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Discover how the Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's will and be bold witnesses to all nations. We are not mere spectators in the kingdom of God but active participants in spreading the good news.

If you're seeking encouragement, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of your role as a witness for Christ, this sermon is for you. Let's embrace our calling with joy and anticipation, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

Of all of the promises that Jesus made, perhaps one of the most important is "I will not leave you orphaned." When we consider the magnitude of that promise, it can be overwhelming. This week, we are talking about what it means that we are truly "Never Alone."

This week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills focuses on the passage from the Gospel of John, specifically Chapter 14, verses 15-21. The message begins with the speaker sharing personal experiences of losing both parents and reflecting on the feeling of being orphaned, connecting it to the disciples' fear of being left alone after Jesus' departure.

The sermon emphasizes the commandment of Jesus to love one another as a central theme in the Gospel of John. Jesus states that those who love Him will keep His commandments. The speaker acknowledges the initial discomfort some may feel with this statement but highlights the significance of Jesus' authority in making such a statement. The primary commandment of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of John is to love one another.

The sermon then discusses the Holy Spirit, referred to as the Advocate, which Jesus promises to send to His disciples. The Holy Spirit is described as God's presence that will always be with the disciples, even after Jesus' physical departure. The Holy Spirit is seen as a helper, comforter, counselor, and the driving force behind the strength to carry out missions and acts of love.

The sermon concludes with a reflection on the words of Jesus in verse 20, emphasizing the interconnectedness between Jesus, the disciples, and the Father. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing this unity and abiding in it.

Throughout the sermon, personal anecdotes, biblical interpretations, and reflections on the significance of the passage are used to convey the message of love, the promise of the Holy Spirit's presence, and the unity between Jesus, the disciples, and God the Father.

Welcome to Shepherd of the Hills, a diverse and dynamic community of Jesus in Mission Viejo. Join us as we follow Jesus, grow spiritually, and work towards building His world through concrete action.

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, join us on an insightful and inspiring message as we dive deep into the powerful words of Jesus during his Farewell Discourse, specifically focusing on John 14:1-14. In this thought-provoking sermon, we explore the profound meaning behind Jesus' statement, "I am the way and the truth and the life."

Through an engaging discussion, we unravel the essence of Jesus' inclusive nature, examining how his teachings and actions reveal God's love and compassion for all. We reflect on the significance of Jesus' invitation to follow the Way, not just as a belief but as a commitment to live out our faith.

Discover what it truly means to embrace the Way of Christ, as we explore the call to love God wholeheartedly and to extend that love to our neighbors. We delve into the transformative power of sacrificial love, breaking down barriers, and reaching out to the marginalized.

Throughout this episode, we are reminded of the ultimate revelation of God's love and mercy in the person of Jesus. We contemplate how Jesus continually points us to the Father, inviting us into a deeper connection and understanding of God's character.

Whether you are seeking spiritual guidance, a fresh perspective on faith, or inspiration to live out your beliefs, this sermon offers wisdom and practical insights to help you navigate the journey of faith and love. Join us as we walk the path of Christ, finding fulfillment in the Father's embrace.

In this week's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, we explore Chapter 9 of the Book of John, where Jesus heals a blind man and is criticized by the Pharisees. Jesus describes himself as the gate for the sheep, and only those who know his voice will follow him. He also uses metaphors to describe himself as the bread of life and the light of the world.

The sermon focuses on how gates can both keep people out and let people in. Jesus is the gate through which we enter, not the gate that keeps us out. Unfortunately, the church has often used the image of Christ as a gate to exclude people based on appearance, socioeconomic status, race, sexual identity, politics, or theology. The message argues that this is not the way of Christ and shares stories of people who found more grace in unexpected places than in their local churches.

Jesus invites everyone to follow him, and the church should welcome all people who want to come inside the gate. The gate is not meant to control who gets in or out but to allow everyone to find pasture and salvation. This sermon challenges us to reflect on how we can be more inclusive and welcoming, following the example of Jesus as the gate through which all are invited to enter.

Jesus said, "I am the gate for the sheep." That's odd. Thinking of Jesus as a shepherd makes sense. But what does it mean that he is the sheep's gate? It means that he lays down his life for the one he loves.

Welcome to today's sermon from Shepherd of the Hills, where we delve into the transformative power of recognizing the presence of Christ in our lives. In this sermon, the pastor takes us through the gospel reading from Luke 24:13-35, where two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter Jesus but fail to recognize Him until He breaks bread with them.

We are called to reflect on how often we, like the disciples, can become so focused on what we think is important that we miss the truly important things in life, such as recognizing the presence of Christ around us. The message emphasizes the need for us to be rooted in our faith in order to recognize and welcome Christ into our lives.

Furthermore, the sermon highlights the significance of inviting Christ into our lives and celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion as a way to connect with God. We are encouraged to approach Holy Communion with reverence and awe, recognizing it as an opportunity to come into the presence of Christ and receive His grace.

Join us as we explore the profound message of this sermon and discover how we can cultivate a deeper awareness of Christ's presence in our daily lives.

We tend to think of the resurrection in very dramatic terms. But the resurrected Christ was revealed to his disciples in something as everyday as "the breaking of the bread." Jesus' resurrection does not do away with everyday life. It transforms it.

In this episode of the Shepherd of the Hills podcast, we discuss the significance of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Drawing from the biblical account in Matthew 21:1-11, the sermon emphasizes how Jesus carefully choreographed his arrival to make a statement about his identity and mission. By riding on a donkey's colt, Jesus fulfilled a prophecy from the Old Testament and presented himself as a humble, yet triumphant king. Through this act, Jesus intentionally stirred up the hopes and expectations of his disciples and the crowds who welcomed him. Ultimately, we are challenged to consider how we too can make a meaningful statement about our identity and purpose in the world.