Jesus: A Sign to be Opposed
With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, we will have opportunities to have gospel conversations with unbelieving family and friends. Do you tend to avoid those conversations or look forward to them? There are many reasons we may want to avoid those conversations. Our unbelieving family and friends may be disinterested, skeptical, or even hostile. Still, we have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus.
In Luke 11:14-36, Jesus is confronted by people who reject Jesus as their Messiah. Still, he has those conversations with them. From Jesus we learn how to enter into those conversations in wise, understanding, and winsome ways simply by asking questions. Through questions, Jesus exposes the absurdity of the logic of doubters and skeptics.
More importantly, we learn from Jesus that the reason people reject him is because their hearts are hard and they are spiritually blind. But Jesus’s word is sufficient. By his word, Jesus created the universe, sustains it, saves sinful humanity, and is building his church.
So, as you prepare to have those conversations, remember, it’s not about our cleverness or intelligence or even our ability to answer all the questions skeptics have. We simply have to share Jesus’s word, the gospel. So, be encouraged. Be courageous. And simply share Jesus’s word. Then rest in the power of the Spirit and pray for the Lord to do his saving work.
Listen to this past Sunday’s Sermon HERE.
Opportunities to Serve
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)
Volunteering in nursery or children’s ministry is a great way to get to know others at High Pointe and to serve our parents on Sunday mornings and other church gatherings. Reach out to Erin at erin@highpointeaustin.org.
God has blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents, and at High Pointe, we believe serving is how we use those gifts to bless others and advance His kingdom.
Whether you have 30 minutes a week or several hours, there's a place for you to serve in our children's ministry, as greeters, with the hospitality team, media/tech support, building and grounds, safety, community outreach efforts, and through administrative support. Reach out to find out more today: info@highpointeaustin.org.
Resources of the Week
Conversational Bridges to Evangelism – The Deep Dish, TGC (with other resources)
Inadequacy is Compulsory in Evangelism – Becky Pippert
Making the Most of Turkey Time: Thanksgiving on Mission – David Mathis
Pray ahead.
Listen and ask questions.
Raise the gospel flag early.
Take the long view and cultivate patience.
Beware the self-righteous older brother in you.
Tell it slant.
Be real about the gospel.
Consider the conversational context.
Know your particular family situation.
Be hopeful.
Life at High Pointe
Meaningful Membership Class | This Sunday, November 9
Join us for our next Meaningful Membership class to learn more about becoming a member of High Pointe Baptist Church. For more information and to register, click here.
Women’s Christmas Brunch | December 6
Save the date for the annual Women’s Christmas Brunch! This is a sweet time of fellowship and food. Registration here.
Fall Life Classes | Sunday at 9AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us! Click here to see our current Life Classes.
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
November 9 | Luke 11:37-54 | The Damning Effects of Hypocritical Religion | Pastor Juan Sanchez
November 16 | Isaiah 40:1-11 | Pastor Robert Cline
November 23 | Isaiah 40:12-31 | Pastor Robert Cline
November 30 | Luke 12:1-12 | Don’t Fear Man. Fear God | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 7 | Luke 12:13-34 | Don’t Worry. Trust God | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 14 | Luke 12:35-59 | Don’t Waste Your Life. Be Ready | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 21 | Luke 13:1-9 | Now is the Time to Repent | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 28 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
Begin praying as you prepare to join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Gospel Partner of the Month: 9Marks
9Mark exists to help pastors, future pastors, and church members build healthy churches. To this end, 9Marks creates resources like books, podcasts, a quarterly journal, web courses, and more. They also host training events around the world. Their focus in everything is on nine marks of a healthy church—expositional preaching, gospel doctrine, conversion and evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship and growth, church leadership, prayer, and missions. Why these nine? Because the Bible requires them, and, sadly, too many evangelical churches have neglected or assumed them.
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours.To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
