Pre-Service - 11-26-2017 - Hope and Thanksgiving

The message this morning will focus on being thankful in the midst of suffering. It is the third part in the series from Revelation and a fitting sermon theme for this holiday weekend.

As you prepare for worship this morning, read the main passage of Scripture for the sermon: Revelation 2:8-11. (Click on that passage or any below to read the verses from Biblegateway.com.)

Here are other verses Pastor Todd will refer to. As you read them, consider the themes of hope, trust and thanksgiving.

• James 1:2-4
• Luke 6:20
• Daniel 3:16-18
• John 16:33
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Continuing with this theme, the worship team will also be leading Great Are You Lord for the first time. To understand the significance of this popular praise song, see this page for a personal story from one of the songwriters. If you want to hear the song, see this video.

Pre-Service 11-19-2017 - Our First Love

The sermon this morning will be about the church in Ephesus and the warning they were given in Revelation 2. You can read the passage for the sermon here:  Revelation 2:1-7

What do you think it means for a church to lose its first love?

How would you recognize a church that kept its first love?

Imagine you're visiting our church the first time. Based on your experience so far this morning, what would you say our first love is at Hillside?

Here are two more passages from the sermon:

• Acts 10:19-20
• Acts 6:2-5

Pre-Service 11-12-2017 - Sermon Series on Revelation

This morning we will be starting a sermon series from the book of Revelation. Each week we will look at a message to one of the churches. This morning Pastor Todd will provide an introduction to the series.

Here are some passages you can read to prepare for the message. Just click the link to read it on Bible Gateway in New International Version. Choose other versions on the site if you prefer.

• Revelation 1
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 24:1-44

Pre-Service 11/5 - Devotion

The theme of today's sermon is devotion. What do you think of when you hear the word?

Some Christians say they had their morning devotion, meaning they read the Bible or read from their book of spiritual reflections. We call those things "our devotions".

But when the Jesus, Paul or other authors from the Bible use the word, they mean something else. Look at these verses:

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus used the word when talking about trying to serve two different masters. "“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

In Romans 12, Paul uses the word devotion and ties it to a list of ways we show our devotion. Notice how he describes the passion behind the devotion.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Some questions for reflection:

• What words does Paul use that would make it obvious Christians are devoted to one another?
• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Our regular actions, not necessarily our words, reveal the true devotion of our hearts.
• If someone was going to accuse you of being devoted to God or devoted to money, which would be easier?
• Imagine you just meet a new neighbor who is not a Christian and you tell him you are devoted to God. It's a new idea to him. Then over time he gets to know you. After several months, what would he think it means to be devoted to God?
• Are you more devoted to God today than you were a year ago? How do you know?