Our Purpose for This Series

I THESSALONIANS SERIES

A Time For Concentration on Our Sanctification

Our purpose for going through I Thessalonians together is to place a concentration on our sanctification. As a church, we have been asking the Lord to make us a people who, not only desire, but hunger and thirst for righteousness, that we may be filled! To be righteous is for us, submissively, to share in heart-agreement with the Lord - that His desires would be our desires.

As the Holy Spirit convicts, those who repent turn from sin! The repentant know and declare Jesus as Lord, receiving the Holy Spirit; who then renews our desires, our thought-life, causing us to share in heart-agreement with the Lord. This is how the Bible characterizes Salvation - that moment we encounter Jesus as Lord, then being reborn through the Holy Spirit of God, receiving new life.

Now, Highland, the Bible goes beyond receiving new life and also explains walking in new life. The Bible calls walking in this newness of life: sanctification. In this letter, Paul tells believers at Thessalonica that “their sanctification is God’s will.”

Let’s define sanctification to help us better understand - if you look up sanctification, it means to declare something to be holy. So, for those of us who have repented, who know Jesus as Lord, we have received the Holy Spirit - by way of what Jesus has done by paying for our sin on the cross. When we submit to His Lordship, we receive salvation in His name and the Holy Spirit seals our salvation. This results in us being declared holy, as our heavenly father is holy. So, that means that if we are declared to be holy because Jesus paid for our sin-debt, satisfying God’s wrath toward us, then out of a joy over what Jesus has done for us, we will become uncomfortable with unholy living and will recoil at the very notion of sin!

To quote the Apostle Peter, who offers us an “under the hood” look at the outworking of our sanctification: “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”

In this series, we are going to turn our attention to our sanctification. We are going to hunger for holiness together, Highland. For this is the roadway to our sanctification.

Grateful for you, Highland,

Rob

Our Anchoring Verse For This Series

Highland,

Here is our heart’s emphasis as we go through our 1st Thessalonians series:

““For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification.”
”

— I Thessalonians 4:7, HCSB

Plans for October 2nd & 3rd

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

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CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

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TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. We are currently going through 1st Thessalonians as a church together. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

• 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

• 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

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OTHER RELATED INFO

• Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

• Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.

• Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I look forward to being with you Sunday.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

I Thessalonians Series Starter

Highland,

Cathy Crowder, a member of our church, has written us a plan that will help us all get off to a great start as we tackle our new series: I Thessalonians. Please see her post below.

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A POST FROM CATHY CROWDER

This past year I felt that the Lord was leading me in my Bible study time with Him each day to meditate more on His words. Instead of just reading through a passage and going on to the next, I wanted to spend more time in one passage and just stay there for a while to see what He wanted to say to me. He had impressed on me to read key passages of scripture over and over. So this past year, I have meditated on passages such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6, and 7), the parable of the Vine (John 15), the gospel as explained in Romans 5, 6, 7, and 8, the letter to the Philippians (Chapters 1-4), and others. I decided to read this passage every day for a whole month. So I read the passage 30 - 31 times. And I cannot tell you how this has blessed me and helped me to understand what He is saying and how He has spoken to me!!!! It has been amazing!!! God has shown me so many things about Himself and taught me so much about His ways and how to walk with Him. He has convicted me of sins that I didn't even know were there. He has given me a deeper love for Him and His word. Was this easy to do? Not always. But if I just took it one day at a time, I was able to do it. If I missed a day? I could start again the next day!!! I shared this with Pastor Rob because last month in August I read 1 Thessalonians chapters 1 - 4 each day. So I was so excited when he announced today that he would begin preaching a series on 1 Thessalonians next Sunday! I believe you will be so blessed if you try this! Maybe you could begin with 1 Thessalonians and see how it enriches what our pastor will be teaching us this month.

God bless you! I love you, Highland Tribe.

Cathy Crowder

Plans for September 25th & 26th

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

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CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

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TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

• 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

• 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

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OTHER RELATED INFO

• Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

• Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.

• Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I look forward to being with you Sunday.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Glad to Be Back Sunday!

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Highland Fam,

Our family got away last week and made it to the beach. We enjoyed time away and always love the chance to gather, as a family. However, we are excited to be at service this Sunday and look forward to seeing you all at the Tent Gathering!

I love you,

Rob

Plans for September 19

NO TENT GATHERING THIS SUNDAY 9/19

9:00 COFFEE AND CONVERSATION WITH CHAPEL-STYLE WORSHIP AND DEVOTION

As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. As weather allows, we will hold a chapel-style service. Billy Holbrook will lead us in worship. Justin Jordan will lead our time of devotion and prayer.

No van route will be offered this week.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

Other Related Information

• Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.

• Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I look forward to being with you Sunday.

Highland, you are loved!

Raised with Him!

Gene Gruver

Walk with Christ in newness of life, Gene.

Series Closer

Highland, as we closed our series on generational sin last Sunday, this is the final post. We will soon begin our series working through I Thessalonians from start to finish.

For the last 6 sermons, we have been sea-sawing back and forth between Ezekiel 18 and Exodus 20 to get a better grasp on generational sin. In Ezekiel 18:1-4, we see the people of God under Babylonian rule and they, rightfully, are upset because they see their life in bondage as God’s punishment for their prior generations’ sin. But, the “sour grapes” mentioned are the fruits borne of sin, not the offering of our Lord; He just spells out the outcome and consequences of sin, but He desires each of us to walk according to His ways. The Lord makes clear the benefits of a life lived in agreement with Him, He also spells out the consequences of a life lived that is not in agreement with His heart and His Word. Be assured, He is love and His ways lead to life but, in His love, He will not obligate us to obey Him.

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Ezekiel’s Correction of Their Misguided Mindset, Ezekiel 18:1-4

“The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?

As I live” — this is the declaration of the Lord GOD — “you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. Look, every life belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son — both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:1-4).

About the sour-grapes statement: The Israelites were allowing this saying to circulate throughout their days. This saying/proverb picked up a lot of traction because it’s based on how they felt about God’s Word, but their feelings were not based on truth and they were misguided by their feelings.

What the statement means: The proverb means that the sons and daughters who were in captivity felt that they were having to pay for their past generations’ sin. When you see someone eat something sour, then as you observe, typically, onlookers will whence and recoil at the thought of being offered that which is sour. Furthermore, the statement indicates that the sour grapes were an inevitable and unavoidable option, hence, the children’s teeth are set on edge, meaning that they are expecting to receive the sinfully-offensive and hostile nature of their father’s relationship with the Lord.

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The Lord’s Response, Ezekiel 18:29-32

As the dialogue continues, the Lord responds and expresses His heart toward each of His people, by making clear that He delights in relationship with each and every one! He goes on to make clear that He takes no pleasure in anyone’s death, but those who repent remove their stumbling blocks which result in punishment, receiving a new heart and a new spirit - therefore, ‘repent and live!’

“But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Is it My ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?

Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment. Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. So repent and live” (Ezekiel 18:29-32)!

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Anyone who repents, declaring Jesus as Lord, will live

When one repents, they see the grotesque work of sin evidenced in their hearts. They see sin in every way (in motivations and relationships and the brokenness it produces)! They see sin as offensive toward God and they hate that they have offended Him, Who is love. Their sorrow over sin is not over being caught doing something wrong but their sorrow over sin flows from knowing that they have disappointed the heart of God.

The gospel tells us that Jesus came to save sinners. That He came and dwelt among us, living a sinless life, then willingly laid down His life to satisfy the wrath of God toward sinners; that while we were still enemies of God, He died for us. So, what the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God does for us, that we might live through Jesus (Romans 8:1-4).

“Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-4).

When a sinner sees that beauty of Jesus as supreme to any version of the created beauty of this world, then they run to Him in repentance - and, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are renewed to share and delight within the desires of our holy God! When we obey, keeping with the fruits of repentance, the Lord mends and restores our relationships with others and sets right our relationship with His creation for generations to come!

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Jesus redeems the repentant, offering a ‘spirit of adoption’ to those under the curse of sin

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed. Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:10-14, HSCB).

Highland, we are family. Those of us who’ve looked at the law, seeing God’s holiness and our sinfulness; acknowledging that there’s nothing we can do to rid ourselves of the curse of sin or make ourselves right with God. Jesus, Who hung on that tree for us, bore our penalty of sin due to us in His body - offering us the chance to call our Maker, “Father”, a new heart and renewed spirit to those who repent, declaring Him to be Lord. While we still deal with the residue of sin, we are no longer defined by the curse of sin. He took upon Himself the curse of sin, offering to those who repent His righteousness, that, by His spirit, we might be able to share in a heart agreement with our Heavenly Father, as sons and daughters of the Most High. The results in the mercies of God being upon us, our children, and our children’s children for a 1000 generations!

Highland. I am grateful for you.

i love you,

Rob

Plans for September 11th &12th

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

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CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

---

TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

• 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

• 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

---

OTHER RELATED INFO

• Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

• Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.

• Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I look forward to being with you Sunday.

I love you, Highland,

Rob