Hillside Evangelical Free Church

When will Jesus return and how will we know it is happening? While there are questions we may not have answers to until that great event happens, there are still many things that are clear and certain. In this sermon from Matthew 24:29-35 we look at what is known and clear about the second coming of Christ.

One of the simple truths to the resurrection of Jesus Christ is that there were many witnesses. In this sermon from Luke chapter 24 we look at the Easter story and the credibility that it has from those who witnessed it firsthand.

We have been given freedom in Christ, but what are we to do with that freedom? In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Pastor Jim Shultz outlines how our freedom is meant to be used to serve others and win them to Christ.

When will Jesus return? Or has Jesus already returned and you just missed it? These questions still come up today and this week's sermon on Matthew 24:15-28 provides a firm foundation on which you can think about this topic.

What reminders do you need when life is really hard? Near the end of John's life he experienced much pain, suffering, and was exiled to the island of Patmos. During this stretch of time God gave John a fresh dose of reality and reminded him who was on the throne of Heaven. Join us for this sermon from Revelation 4 given by Highland Goodman.

Are we living in the end times? Jesus' disciples wanted to know how they could recognize the end of the age. So when they asked about this very topic, what did Jesus tell them? Join us for this sermon from Matthew 24:1-14 as we look at the need for preparation and perseverance in the most difficult of circumstances.

When reading about the sins of others it's easy to say, "I would never do that", but just like the Pharisees we are in danger of repeating the sins of those before us if we do not humbly come to Jesus in repentance. Join us as we learn from the last section in Matthew 23.

What does it mean for someone to have hypocritical holiness? Could it be that they appear on the outside to do or say all the right things but behind closed doors they are much different? Could it be calling others to a high moral standard but failing to live up to that yourself? In this week's sermon from Pastor Jim Schultz, we look at three flavors of hypocrisy from Matthew 23:16-28.

What did Jesus have to say about hypocritical leaders? In this sermon from Matthew 23:1-15 we will look at this and discover that it is applicable to us all, even if you don't have an official leadership role.

Imagine how frustrated the religious leaders of Jesus' day must've been when they absolutely could not find a question that Jesus didn't have a great answer for. In this final confrontation leading up to His eventual arrest, Jesus silenced His critics with an excellent answer to their questions intended to trap Him. Join us as we look at Matthew 22:34-46 where Jesus summarizes all the law and the prophets and silences His critics.

Many people were out to defeat Jesus, to trap Him in His words and find a reason to arrest Him. In Matthew 22:15-33 we see common opponents unite together in an effort to trap Jesus in His own words. Were they successful? Find out in this weeks sermon were we see arguments made about taxes and marriage.

God has invited you into His eternal kingdom; will you respond and come to the wedding banquet or continue on with your usual priorities? In this sermon from Matthew 22:1-14 we see that many are called but only a few are chosen. So how do you enter the kingdom of God? Listen in as we explore these questions.

Have you ever recognized that people seem to have remarkable clarity when pointing out the sins of others? Somehow though, this clarity disappears and transforms into fog when confronted with their own sin. In this weeks sermon from Matthew 21:33-46 we see Jesus tell a parable to the chief priests and scribes that gets them to condemn themselves. However, instead of repenting they instead harden their hearts to the truth. In your own life, are you humbly responding when you recognize sin in your life?

There is a very real danger in Christianity that we settle for the appearance of godliness without actually repenting and turning to God in faith. In this sermon from Matthew 21:23-32 we see the religious leaders of Jesus' day trying to trap Him with a question. The response Jesus gave however revealed that the Pharisees cared more about their own position and politics than humbly following the Lord. May this message help you examine your life and recognize if you are truly following Jesus in faith or simply making a show of it.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus overturned tables in the temple? Or what about the fig tree, why did Jesus curse the fig tree? This week we're exploring those questions as we return to our series in Matthew. What lies beneath these stories is quite significant and relevant for our day. It's a story that highlights false worship and true worship, false faith and true faith; problems that are all too common in our day. Join us as we learn from Matthew 21:12-22.

Love is often talked about and celebrated at Christmas. But it can sometimes just be a warm, fuzzy, and undefined idea. How do you truly find and experience love at Christmas? It may sound cliché but it is found in the Christmas story. When you understand how God has demonstrated His love towards us, you cannot help but spread that love to others. Join us for this Christmas sermon about love from 1 John 4:7-14.

How can you have peace? At Christmas the words "peace on earth and goodwill toward men" may ring in your ears. But what does that mean? Did Jesus come to bring peace? If He did, how can I be at peace when the world is in such turmoil? Join us in this sermon as John Quay teaches about the peace that Jesus brings.

Where will you find hope this Christmas? Although many things promise hope, there is only one place to find true hope, and that is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a season of good news and great joy! But where do we find that joy? There are many claims in our culture for how you can find joy; some say you will have joy if you buy a new vehicle, others say if you buy the right coffee, but where can you find lasting joy? Join us for this sermon where we discover the good news and lasting joy that is proclaimed at Christmas!

This sermon is about Thanksgiving and Christmas. In Jeremiah 33 God pronounced judgment on His people who had refused to turn from their evil ways. But later in the same chapter a promise of a righteous branch was made that would bring righteousness, justice, and salvation to the people. We know today that the righteous branch is Jesus Christ who came to save people from their sins. And so as the seasons change from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we give thanks for the gift of Jesus and His saving work.

How are we to give thanks when there is so much evil in the world? This sermon from Ephesians 5:15-21 addresses how we are to walk as followers of Jesus in a dark world. One way in which we do that is by giving thanks to God for all He has done.

What did Jesus come to do? Unless you slow down and listen to the words of Jesus you are likely to answer that question incorrectly. Just like Jesus' disciples we are prone to filter what Jesus is saying through our preconceived ideas of what He came to do. Consequently we sometimes completely miss the important message He is teaching. Join us as we look at this passage from Matthew 20:17-34 where Jesus clearly communicates His death and resurrection, and yet His disciples are preoccupied with the thought of attaining powerful positions for themselves.

We don't mind when we are the beneficiaries of God's grace, but what happens when He is generous towards others? In this parable from Jesus in Matthew 19 we see an honest and generous businessman who's laborers grumbled towards him at the end of the work day. What did he do to make some of the laborers upset and how can we learn from that today?

What does it take to get to heaven? This was the question that was asked of Jesus in Matthew 19. His response wasn't what the person expected but it is a lesson we still need today. Are you ready to follow Jesus and have the guaranteed hope of eternal life? Join us as we look at this story of Jesus and the rich young ruler from Matthew 19:16-30.

Do you recognize the importance of children in the eyes of Jesus? Although they are young, Jesus welcomed children and taught an important lesson about the kingdom of heaven using them as an example.

What does the Bible teach about marriage and divorce? It's certainly an important topic that can be tricky to navigate its many complexities. So what did Jesus say about marriage and divorce when the pharisees tried to trap Him with a question on this very topic?

What did Jesus teach about forgiving people? Should I forgive someone when they have done something wrong against me? What if that person repeats the same thing, should I forgive them then? How many times should I forgive somebody? These are very practical questions that each of us will face in life. To answer these questions we look at a parable that Jesus taught in Matthew 18:21-35 involving a servant who had an impossibly large debt to pay back to the king.

How do you reconcile with someone when they have sinned against you? It is an uncomfortable reality that we all will face sooner or later in this fallen world. Although the process of reconciliation can be difficult sometimes, there is much hope in the process that God has given to bring wholeness to the situation. Join us as we look at this passage from Matthew 18:15-20.

Jesus had important things to say about children and those young in the faith. Not only can everyone learn from the faith of a child, but we also are to grow in Christ-likeness so we don't cause others and ourselves to stumble in sin. This passage from Matthew 18:1-14 not only has encouraging words about the accessibility of entering the kingdom of God, but also some stern warnings about sin in your own life and in the life of others. Listen in as we seek to grow together in our walk with Jesus.

What lesson did Jesus choose to teach when someone asked if He paid taxes? Find out in this sermon from Matthew 17:14-27.

The significance of Peter, James, and John being present on the mount of transfiguration was no small thing. They were eyewitnesses to an event that Peter would later recount as proof that they were following the true Messiah and not a cleverly devised myth. They caught a glimpse of Jesus' glory but they also didn't understand the need for His suffering. This side of the cross, how do we understand this important event in the biblical narrative? Join us as we look at this passage from Matthew 17:1-13.

It is good and expected to see growth in a believer's life. If someone is not growing it is often a cause for concern. But how does that growth take place? In this sermon from Ephesians 4:11-16 we look at some of the ways God has equipped believers to grow in the context of a healthy church community.

Are you experiencing hardship? Sometimes the difficulties you experience in life are no fault of your own, and other times it is the result of sin in your life. In Psalm 60 Israel is experiencing hardship because of their sin and there is need of lament over their wrongs and a return to following the Lord. Although suffering for sin is difficult, it is meant to lead us to repentance and restoration. May this sermon help lead you to greater hope in the Lord and a true repentance that leads to life!

Sometimes the difficulties of life hit especially close to home. In this sermon on Psalm 59 Pastor Jim Schultz teaches about David being hunted by his father-in-law, king Saul. Where do you turn when your trials are pressing in on you? Whether you're going through a hard time or want to be equipped for when they come, this is a good message to listen to for learning how to cry out to God in your troubles.

If you have been the recipient of injustice you can find hope in the God who judges the earth with justice. In life many things are done which should not be done as people are exploited and mistreated. In such times, where do you find hope? Join us for this sermon in Psalm 58 where Pastor Jim Schultz talks about the God who judges the earth with justice.

Throughout the Bible we see foreshadows and glimpses of God's provision for salvation in Jesus Christ. In the remarkable story of Abraham and Isaac we see a father willing to give his only son to be sacrificed, only God provided a sacrifice in Isaac's place. In Isaiah we see language describing the one who would bear our sin and shame. In Hebrews we see how Jesus was that one who suffered in our place. From beginning to ending the Bible points us to God's abundant provision for salvation in Jesus Christ. Listen and be encouraged by this incredible reality and consider the salvation that is available to you in Jesus.

How do you wait for the Lord well? Sometimes it takes a long time for God to deliver on His promises. For David it likely took over a decade for him to become king of Israel after he had been anointed by the prophet Samuel. In your waiting do you cry out to the Lord? In your waiting do you remind yourself of the Lord's goodness and praise His name? Join us as we look at Psalm 57 and see how David waited on the Lord.

Where do you turn in times of trouble? In Psalm 56 David was facing a lot of difficulty and he cries out to the Lord. In this sermon we see God's tenderness towards His people and how He cares for them in their distress. If you're walking through difficult times, make sure to be walking them before God.

When you are hurt or wronged by someone it is difficult, but when you are betrayed by a friend that wound goes deep. In Psalm 55 David cries out to the Lord in the aftermath of having been betrayed by a close friend. Reading through you can sense the difficulty of the situation and can probably relate to aspects of the experience. But in such hardships we have a caring God who hears our cry. In whatever struggles you are facing, may this Psalm encourage you to cry out to the Lord in your pain.

How can hope be found in the midst of betrayal and lament? When experiencing seasons of deep pain and hurt it can be easy to turn inward and try to fix the problem ourselves. While David could have done this when he was betrayed by the Ziphites and hunted by Saul, he instead cried out to the Lord in his pain and suffering. If you are going through a really difficult season in your life, this sermon on Psalm 54 is for you. May you lament to the Lord and find hope in Him!

What you believe about sin changes how you read and understand the Bible. This collection of verses from Psalm 53 speaks to the topic of sin and helps us understand how to think about ourselves and others in light of this reality.

Jesus told His disciples that it was to their advantage that He went away, for then He would send the Helper. So how has Jesus equipped His people since the time that He ascended to be with the Father?

How can we trust the Lord with all our heart? Proverbs 3:5-6 makes it clear that we are to fully trust in the Lord, but what does that look like in a world that is increasingly anti-God? Listen as guest speaker John Quay opens the Scriptures and talks through this passage from Proverbs.

Peter declared that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He spoke with such clarity and accuracy in that moment, but mere breaths later he was being rebuked by Jesus for setting his mind on the things of man and not of God. Like Peter we have areas of great clarity but also blind spots. What needs to be our focus in order to see clearly? Join us as Pastor Jim Schultz expounds on this passage from Matthew 16:13-28.

What is preventing you from placing your faith in Jesus? Sometimes there is a need for greater understanding, but other times there is a sense that people are trying to misunderstand or not comprehend who Jesus is. There has always been a temptation to reject Jesus when He doesn't conform to our image of Him. Has the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees crept into your thinking? Don't reject Jesus like they did, read the Scriptures and see for yourself who Jesus is and put your trust in Him!

Jesus came for "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Mat 15:23), but what happened when a gentile woman came to Him in faith asking that He heal her daughter? What followed at first may seem confusing but later shows the hope that we can have because of Jesus. Finally, how should this passage from Matthew 15:21-39 instruct our lives and the way we think about others coming to faith in Jesus?

Good intentions can sometimes have disastrous consequences. For the Pharisees of Jesus' day, the traditions that once were instituted to help people follow God, turned out to be the very thing that kept them from recognizing their Messiah. Unfortunately this sort of thing isn't isolated to the past, we are in danger of doing the exact same thing with our good intentions. Listen as we explore this important passage and learn that we must be on guard against our own sinful hearts.

When we hear of hardship, evil, and disaster in our own nation and around the world, it can be easy to fear. In Habakkuk's day the threat of Babylonian invasion was high and he accused God of sitting back and idly doing nothing. He was afraid and living in fear. What about you? When you see threats coming against the church or culture shifting in a way that is unsettling, what is your response? Fear or faith? What began as an accusation of God being idle finished with an exclamation of joy. Habakkuk's fear was replaced with faith and he could see that God was at work after all.

Sometimes with familiar Bible stories we overlook the mundane but important details. When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water towards Jesus we see in a matter of moments great faith and also crippling doubt. Perhaps you can relate that your life is a mixture of triumph and failing. So how do you trust Jesus in each moment? How do you keep your eyes fixed on Him and not on the overwhelming circumstances of your life? Listen and be encouraged to keep going and trusting in Jesus throughout each moment of your day.

While God works in miraculous ways like in the story of the feeding of the 5,000, sometimes we miss recognizing that God regularly works in small ways. In fact, sometimes the smallness of something more clearly shows the greatness of God. Just because things in your life may seem small, don't give up on faithfully following the Lord in your daily life. Sometimes the smallest acts of obedience turn out to be used by God in the most miraculous ways.