What does it mean that God is all knowing? It means He knows every inch of His creation perfectly. Nothing catches God by surprise because He gives life, definition, and purpose to everything around us. Psalm 139 tells us there’s one thing God knows that impacts our life more than anything else. God knows you! - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the sh…

Our understanding of what God is like can make a huge difference in our lives. If we don’t know He is merciful, we will live in fear. If we don’t think about His holiness, we won’t be committed to being holy. This morning, we’re starting a sermon series on who God is, and we begin with a very important fact: God is All-powerful. - Pastor Ron Kool S…

Some of the best news in the Bible is that our failures are not final. God doesn’t just cancel us and move on to someone or something else. Our God specializes in restoring people who have blown it. This morning, we’ll see how Jesus does that with Peter, the one who had denied Him three times. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show…

The disciples of Jesus had not done very well with the crucifixion of Jesus. They had run away and denied even knowing Him. And when He rose again, they weren’t exactly quick to grasp what had happened. Jesus comes to them and does an amazing thing—He reminds them that it is their turn now. He gives them the task of spreading the Good News. What an…

John 11:17-27 In each of His “I AM” statements, Jesus addresses a human problem. He said He was the Bread of Life that would satisfy our hunger. He said He was the Light of the World, to guide and protect us in the darkness. This morning, we’ll look at Jesus as He tells us what He will do about our greatest enemy—death itself. - Pastor Ron Kool Sup…

Pastor Arek O'Connell delivers this Good Friday message. Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

From a human standpoint, those coming to arrest Jesus had all the power and were in control. They had larger numbers, weapons, and the power of Rome behind them. They will “succeed” in arresting Jesus, but only after Jesus has shown them who is really in control. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

An important question we need to ask frequently in life is, “What’s the real root of the matter here?” Whether it be in navigating relationships, making business decisions, or making plans for the future. As we consider what it means for Jesus to be the True Vine, John wants us to understand the real root of the matter when it comes to life and fai…

We live in a world where we have, it seems, way too many choices. Do we choose this career or that career? Do we live here or do we live there? At times it can feel overwhelming and we may feel lost in a sea of choices. In the midst of all these options, Jesus calls us to follow Him because He knows and is The Way to the Father. - Pastor Ron Kool S…

We don’t like it when people ask for too much. It just doesn’t seem right. They should be happy with what they have. But this morning we’re going to look at a story in which Jesus says that the problem with us sometimes is not that we ask for too much but that we don’t ask for enough. We settle for too little and miss the important thing--Him. - Pa…

Kirk Kingsley leads this week's class on the Spiritual Discipline of Silence and Solitude. Support the showBy Kirk Kingsley

Of all the animals we might want to be compared to, a sheep is probably the worst. If you call me a tiger or a lion or a bear, I’m happy. They’re strong, fast, tough. Sheep, on the other hand, are weak and defenseless and not terribly bright. Yet the Bible tells us over and over again that we are like sheep. This morning we’ll think about what shee…

A belief that is very popular in our world is that there are multiple ways to find and connect with God. However, John is going to make it clear that there is really only one way in and one way out, through the door… and that door is Jesus. - Pastor Arek O'Connell Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

Kristin Hileman leads the second part of "Evangelism and Sharing Your Story." In this Intro to Spiritual Disciplines class, you'll hear testimonies from 3 different women and how an act of sharing the gospel has had a generational impact. Support the showBy Kristin Hileman

In a recent survey, over 50% of the adults responding admitted that they were afraid of the dark. And they had good reasons—some said they were afraid of what can be hiding in the dark. Others pointed out that statistically more crimes happen in the dark. The fact is, when it gets really dark, I think we all get afraid. And that’s when we need to h…

When we think of Jesus, we tend to think of Him in one of two ways. On the one hand, we see Him as the gentle shepherd, kind and compassionate. On the other hand, we also see Him as God Almighty, controller of all creation. This morning we’ll look at a story that reminds us that Jesus is both of these things—all the time. - Pastor Ron Kool Support …

Pastor Arek O'Connell discusses Evangelism and the importance of Sharing Your Story at Hillside's Intro to Spiritual Disciplines class. Support the showBy Arek O'Connell

James has one more challenge for those to whom he is writing—when someone who had been walking with Jesus wanders from the truth. James knows that there are times when people are going to drift or walk away. His call to us is, at one and the same time, simple and difficult. We are to bring the wanderer home if it is possible. This morning, we’ll th…

James has been full of practical advice for living in troubled times. He’s called us to be faithful and make sure our faith shows itself in works. He’s called us to watch our tongues and how we spend our money. As he gets ready to close his letter, James calls us to one more practical activity: Praying. James reminds us of the power and effectivene…

Pastor Arek O'Connell discusses the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting. Support the showBy Arek O'Connell

In times and seasons where we fall victim to pain and suffering, we are prone to certain behaviors. We try and take the situation under our control and alleviate our pain and suffering as quickly as possible. However, James' best advice for us in the face of pain and suffering is to be patient and persevere so that we might learn to depend on God e…

James has used strong language throughout his letter, but now he turns the heat up even higher. He has saved his strongest warnings and announcements for this place in his letter—where he has extremely strong words for rich people who are not using their wealth the way God intended them to. These words are deeply challenging but also deeply importa…

One of the things that is way too easy for us to do is to live our lives without really thinking about God too much. We know He’s there, but we don’t include Him in our planning and thinking—He’s sort of a “God on the Shelf.” We may call out to Him if things fall apart, but until then, we’ll live our lives on our own terms. This morning James will …

Morné Marais discusses the Spiritual Discipline of Worship. Support the showBy Morné Marais

From the very beginning, Christians have gotten into fights and disagreements with each other. Why is that? Shouldn’t we be able to get along with each other and love each other? This morning James will help us understand why there are fights and quarrels among us. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

We live in a world where we are surrounded by thousands of voices, many of them ready to give us advice on how to live. There are podcasts and news stations, Facebook posts, blogs and web pages. There are books we can read or listen to. But what’s worth our time? How do we know if the person we are listening to is wise—is worth listening to? This m…

As we come to the end of another year, it’s natural to reflect on the year overall in order to make preparations for the year we’re about to enter. No matter what accomplishments, successes, failures, or disappointments we faced in the last year, the Apostle Paul wants to encourage us to head into next year, or any day for that matter, with the goa…

Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

We’re really close to celebrating the birth of Jesus—and that’s exciting. God came to be with us! Jesus came to save us! But how will He do that? How will Jesus save those who would follow Him? This morning we’ll look at the plan that God gave to Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born and we’ll see the plan for how Jesus will save the world. - Past…

Kathy Douma leads this week's Intro to Spiritual Disciplines class on the discipline of "Serving." Support the showBy Kathy Douma

Full Christmas Program audio recording - One of the words that describe many of our lives at this time of the year is the word “busy.” We are running here and there with things to do, people to see, and presents to buy. In the midst of all our running, Isaiah the prophet has a word for us: “Listen!” It’s an important word but the question is whethe…

Last week we saw the need for Jesus—we are sinners who deserve death. We also saw that God promised to send someone to save us. This morning we’re going to learn more about that One whom God promised to send—His Servant. And we’ll see that this Servant is going to do some amazing things. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show…

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the Advent season. A season where the church collectively anticipates the arrival, or ‘advent,’ of our savior Jesus Christ. Just as he came in the flesh as a baby 2000 years ago to save his people, one day Christ will return again to save his people. What is it that we need saving from though? The book of Genesis …

We will think about the question Jesus asked when He had healed ten lepers, and only one came back to thank Him. We'll talk about how they probably were doing decent, good things - and saying thanks just slipped past them. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

It’s such a little thing—the tongue. It only weighs about 2.5 ounces. But it can do so much. It can destroy and it can give life. This morning James wants to challenge us to tame our tongues. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the showBy Ron Kool, Arek O'Connell

Stewardship - it's not just about us telling you to give more money to the church (we know pastors say this all the time). It's really about discovering an amazing thing that God allows us to manage His resources. He works through us and wants us to enjoy it and celebrate it. Support the showBy Ron Kool

This morning, we’re going to look at an important question that James challenges us with: Is our faith real? James knows that it’s possible for us to go through the motions, say all the right things, and even believe some of the right things about God but still not have a faith that is real. This morning, we’ll look at how James tells us we can kno…

Did your parents have a “favorite” child? Was one of your siblings the “problem” child? What about in school—did you ever have a teacher who had a favorite student? We’ve all experienced the reality of favoritism. This morning James will challenge us to not let it happen anywhere—especially not in church! - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show…

Kirk Kingsley continues our Wednesdays at Hillside series on the Intro to Spiritual Disciplines. He shares examples of prayer in Scripture and discusses reasons why we do not pray sometimes. He also teaches different ways to pray more often and effectively and grow in greater intimacy with God through prayer. Support the show…

James has been offering us wisdom when it comes to doubts during trials, wisdom when we face temptation. What does James have to say in general about wise faith in action? How do we know our faith is real and we’re living it out wisely? James might encourage us to take a deep breath, listen to God’s Word, and take care of the little people. - Pasto…

We talked last week about the fact that storms come into all of our lives. People we love get sick and die. Someone hurts us deeply with their actions or their words. We lose a job. This week we’ll continue to look at what James has to say to us about what we should do in the midst of the storms that come our way. - Pastor Ron Kool Support the show…

This morning we’re beginning a sermon series on the book of James. James is one of the most practical letters in the New Testament and he jumps right in by talking about what we should do when the trials and difficulties come our way. We’ll take a look at what it means to trust in God when our world feels like it’s falling apart. - Pastor Ron Kool …

Bibles. For most of us, they are something that we have multiple copies of around our house. And if that's not the case, we have access right at our fingertips to download an app and have multiple translations. What are we doing with the Bible? How are we engaging in God's Word? What is the value of being rooted in God's Word? What are some of the …

As we finish up our series on judging others this morning, we’ll see one more area where we are called to judge others—if they are someone who is spreading false teaching. If a Christian is teaching or believing something significant that isn’t true to Scripture, we owe it to them to challenge their teachings/beliefs. This morning we’ll think about…

Wednesdays at Hillside: Our faith walk is a life-long journey in which we are called to become more and more like Jesus. Each week, we will focus on different spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture reading, serving, and more. Some disciplines will be taught lecture-style, while others may include discussion time, small group interactions, …

Do I have the right to judge the sin of other Christians? There are plenty of areas we might feel comfortable offering judgment, but to look into someone’s personal life and call their action a sin against God? Can’t we just let God take care of that? As uncomfortable as it may make us, Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 5 that it’s necessary for the…

The Bible says that some of our Christian beliefs and behaviors are expected to be followed by every Christian. They are necessary to being a Christian. But some of our Christian beliefs and behaviors are left up to the individual Christian—we can disagree on these matters and still call each other Christians. But what beliefs and behaviors are in …

“You Christians are so judgmental!” “Only God can judge me!” “Why aren’t Christians speaking up more? We should be calling sin what it is—an abomination before God!” Should we judge other people? Or should we be quiet? This morning we’re beginning a series in which we’ll look at what the Bible has to say about judging other people. - Pastor Ron Koo…

Where do you look for role models? Who do you want to learn from? Most of us want to learn from those who are great—the successful businessperson, the best football player, the smartest scientist. This morning the Proverbs will tell us to look in a different place for life advice—to four “little guys” who know some things we should know. - Pastor R…

We’ve been talking about wisdom—the ability for broken people living in a broken world to navigate life as well as possible. Wisdom is knowing what to do and having the strength to do it. This morning we’re going to look at what the Proverbs have to say about the biggest barrier that gets in the way of our becoming wise. - Pastor Ron Kool Support t…