Hillslife Church

As we celebrate a unique Easter, Hillslife Church presents our video message via Facebook, which has been converted to MP3 for this platform. Scripture focuses on the story of the two criminals in Luke 23:32-43.

In a world of chaos what can we learn from the Gospels? This week we turn to Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calms the storm and seek to learn from the lessons Jesus shared with the disciples.

With a global change occurring around the world, this week is the first of the online video messages available on our Facebook page. The C Word ... if you were to try to sum up the culture for the last 50 years throughout the West what would that word be? That's what we try and look at this week as we dive into the Word.

Continuing the One Encounter series, Pete Sumskas dives deeper in to the opening message ... when you are invited to be part of something extraordinary, something special. Listen in as Pete shares the Parable of the Restaurant and an encounter with Jesus.

John 4 records the story of an incredible encounter, one that rocked the disciples more than turning water into wine. Jesus not only embraces the Samaritans, but welcomes them into worship. He even discloses his true self, to a Samaritan ... WOMAN! A woman. The scandal. Join us this week as we explore the encounter with the woman at the well.

In Matthew 4 we read of Simon Peter's encounter with Jesus ... as he walked along the shore, he saw two brothers and said, "Come, follow me" and they immediately did. But is this the whole story? There is a risk reducing the Gospel to short snippets and sound bites. This week we explore the harmony of the Gospels and the broader account of Peter's encounters with Jesus.

The game of Chinese Whispers is humourous when the message that starts travels along the line and is often completely different by the end. Though while humourous if a game, what if the Gospel was at risk of a similar fate? That what was first said, over centuries, has been mistranslated, or miscommunicated. The book of Galatians contains evidence of this happening within the first century. How about now? Have we misinterpreted some of the Gospel? Have we diluted some of its meaning? Join us this week as we explore akoloutheo.

God is all in, He sent His only Son to redeem us ... we can be under that covering, that sacrifice, but it's our choice. Your Move Chief is a challenge, an encouragement, a question ... if it's our move, how will we play it? Are we all in? Or all out? There's no lukewarm, sitting on the fence.

From the beginning, an encounter with Jesus was polarising; you either actively sought or actively avoided. This week we explore the early account from the Gospel of Matthew. The wise men, King Herod and the teachers of the law ... their reactions to the "good news" that Israel's redemption was nigh.

A Muslim, a Hindu, A Buddhist, an atheist, an agnostic and a Christian walk into a bar ... no scratch that, a restaurant. In fact to be politically correct a vegetarian restaurant. Sounds like a joke, but rather a reflection. What are our stereotypes? Our character traits? What conversations would occur? Would they be hostile or cordial? Who are the characters? Are they male or female? Old or young? Ethnicity? This week we explore the "script", Meeting in Manhattan.

As we finish 2019 and enter into 2020 I want to offer a challenge, the Thoughts, Prayers, Actions Challenge. That as Christians we step into the new year seeking opportunities to serve, not to be served.

You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Who is the light of the world? You are! I am! We are. We are the hope bringers, the light savers, the carriers of the good news and it should shine through our lives like a bright blazing candle. People should be drawn to us wondering why we are joyful. We should stand out in the dark. We should be the one people look to for hope.

This week we bounce around faith, look at our hope, our confidence and our questions and doubts. As captured in Mark 9, the father who says to Jesus, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief. So too I share my hopes, my faith, and Lord, help me overcome my unbelief.

Can these dry bones live? Son of man? Can they? Ezekiel is asked whether he has the faith to witness the transformation of a nation, the turning of hopelessness into hope - can it be done? Church ... can it be done? Can we be the light bearers? The hope bringers?

Tomorrow my wife and I celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary. While this is super exciting to me, what relevance is that to you? Join us this week as we talk about the groom awaits ... Jesus who stands with arm outstretched at the end of the aisle awaiting our commitment.

Getting into the right orbit is essential if we seek to live in God's promises. If you desire a life filled with peace, with joy, love, patience ... then ensuring your orbit is aligned is key.

This week we explore ministry and calling by visiting the scene of an accident. Where are you in the picture?

We can sit and receive, listen, hear, absorb and take in as much information as we like ... but unless we process it and then convert that to an output then all the inputs are irrelevant. Knowing God's Word, His promises, how to pray and how to worship are great inputs, but unless they result in something then they are meaningless.

The Israel community were largely an agricultural society throughout the Old and New Testament, which is why there are so many verses relating to farming; sowing, pruning, harvesting. This week we apply this thinking to our own Christian walk - which season are we in?

Ok, I suffer from Baby-itis ... the inability to act like an adult when I'm around small children. I feel compelled to pull a funny face, make funny noises, seek to elicit a laugh, a moment of joy. This is ok while dealing with a young child - but it wouldn't translate well if it were continued in a shopping queue with adults. Just as we age physically, so too are we called to mature spiritually. Join us this week for our chat on Spiritual maturity.