Listen in to this week’s episode of the Message Recap Podcast and hear guests Reece Hansen and Michael Warren unpack the heart behind holiness and what it looks like to find your ultimate approval in Jesus.

Summary of the Passage (Matthew 6:1-4): Jesus once again promotes humility and trusting in God’s counter-cultural lifestyle, just as He has in the previous weeks. This time, Jesus discusses giving to the needy and how this action should stem from a love for God and understanding of who He is instead of a desire to be praise by God or man for “being a good person.” He promises us in verse 4 that our Father will see us in secret and that will be enough. Discussion Questions: 1. Verse 1: Prideful Giving - What is wrong with wanting the glory for ourselves? What harm can come upon us and others if we exalt ourselves above God? 2. Verse 2: Earthly Versus Heavenly Rewards - What reward do you think the hypocrites have already received? How is this reward less than the reward our Father in Heaven will grant us? 3. Verse 3: Left and Right Hands - What does the hyperbole of the hands mean? 4. Verse 4: Secret Serving - In your hard of hearts, do you truly trust that God sees you and that you do not have to win the approval of Him or others? What would change in your life if you lived like you truly believed this verse?

God is doing something new! This fall we are launching the Cultivate women’s movement here at The Heights – Including our new Cultivate Podcast! Tune in to this episode to get an inside look into the creation of our new branding and our heart for Women's Ministry at The Heights! Follow us on Instagram: @heightswomen

In this episode of the Message Recap Podcast, Pierce and Gary delve into the recent sermon on Matthew 5:38-48, where Jesus challenges believers to love their enemies and reject retaliation. Gary reflects on how this message of grace and humility resonates deeply in today’s society, marked by increasing anger and division. They discuss the timeless relevance of Jesus’ teachings, emphasizing that while human nature remains consistent, the practical need for such messages may feel more urgent in current times. They also explore how to balance standing firm in one’s beliefs while extending grace, and the difference between acceptance and affirmation in relationships. Through thoughtful discussion, they highlight how Christians can navigate these challenges by embodying love and truth in their interactions.

Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:38-48): The point that Jesus is driving home in all these verses can be summed up by verse 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus demonstrates a great humility that comes from following Him alone when He commands us to not retaliate when our enemies treat us poorly because He is slow to anger when people treat Him poorly. If we only tolerate our enemies instead of loving them or only loving people who are easy to love, then we are no different than those who do not know Jesus. Discussion Questions: 1. Verse 38-42: Why are we Inclined to Retaliate? - What about Jesus’ command to not retaliate is shocking and hard for us? Do you find yourself being more reactive or opting to let your anger against someone fester silently? 2. Verses 43-45: Children of our Father - How does loving our enemies make us more like sons and daughters of God? How can we see God’s character in the command that He has for us in verse 44? 3. Verses 46-47: Purpose - God doesn’t want us to look like the rest of the world in the way we love—why? What is the point of us being set apart for Christ, in loving our enemies and in life in general? 4. Application Question - Identify someone in your life who is hard for you to love and spend a few minutes praying intentionally for that relationship and that God would help you die to yourself in order to show them the Gospel by the way you love them.

Instead of recapping Sunday’s sermon on lust from our "Jesus in His Own Words" series, Pierce sits down with Jordan and Caitlin to explore their own journey through addiction and healing. Jordan shares candidly about his struggles with pornography from a young age, the toll it took on his marriage, and the path that led him to seek genuine redemption. Caitlin opens up about her experiences as the spouse on the receiving end, the emotional impact of Jordan’s struggles, and the role of forgiveness and support in their recovery. Tune in for an episode filled with vulnerability, hope, and practical wisdom on how to navigate the path to healing and restoration.

Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:27-32): In this passage, Jesus addresses the seventh commandment, “you shall not commit adultery,” and ties it into lust. His words cut like a double-edged sword as He tells us that looking at someone with lust is the equivalence of committing adultery and that we should sacrifice sinful parts of ourselves lest our whole selves be subject to damnation. This section ends with Jesus’ counter-cultural message in Biblical times and today’s world: divorce is acceptable before God only in cases of sexual immorality and minimal other exceptions stated later by Paul. Discussion Questions: 1. Verse 27-28: Lusting and our Trust in God - Why do you think Jesus says that anyone who has looked at somebody else with “lustful intent,” has already committed adultery? How do our thoughts and behaviors expose what we truly believe in our hearts about God and His creation? 2. Verses 22-30: Counting the Cost of Following Christ - Jesus’ words are severe when He tells us to sever our body parts so that the whole body may be holy before the Lord: why is Jesus so convicted of this point? Why do you think we are not as passionate about crucifying our flesh and our sin to follow Jesus? 3. Verses 31-32: Divorce and Jesus as the Bridegroom - What does Jesus’ teaching on divorce tell you about how God values marriage? How does this teaching over divorce play into the Gospel overall? *Refer to other Scripture to see how God views and describes marriage (Genesis 2:18-24, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 19:1-9, Ephesians 5:22-33). 4. Time of Confession - Confess the sins discussed in this passage or other areas of life that may bring deep shame and embarrassment before your life group full of COMMUNITY who care about you. Pray Romans 8:38-39 over each other.

In this episode of the Message Recap Podcast, host Pierce Vanderslice and Senior Pastor Gary Singleton delve into our latest sermon on Matthew 5:21-26, part of our current series on the Sermon on the Mount. They explore the theme of anger and its contrasting role with Jesus’ call to embrace rather than erase relationships. This discussion covers practical advice on handling anger, setting boundaries in toxic relationships, and the profound impact of reconciliation. Have questions about any of our sermons? Text 45859 and get your question answered on next week's episode!

Summary of the Passage (Matthew 5:21-26): In this passage, Jesus expands on the commandment "You shall not murder" by addressing the underlying issues of anger and reconciliation. He teaches that anger and insults can be just as harmful as physical violence, and He emphasizes the importance of resolving conflicts quickly. Jesus calls His followers to pursue reconciliation and peace with others as a reflection of their righteousness and relationship with God. Discussion Questions: 1. Verse 21-22: The Root of Anger - Why does Jesus equate anger and insults with murder? How do our thoughts and words reflect our inner spiritual condition? 2. Verses 23-24: The Priority of Reconciliation - What does it mean to leave your gift at the altar and first be reconciled to your brother or sister? Why is reconciliation so important in our relationship with God? 3. Verses 25-26: Settling Matters Quickly - Why does Jesus urge us to settle matters quickly with our adversaries? How can unresolved conflicts affect our spiritual lives and our relationships with others? 4. Application Question - Can you identify any unresolved anger or conflicts in your life that need reconciliation? What steps can you take this week to address these issues and seek peace?