By Pastor Stephen Hess – Every two years Ligonier Ministries conducts a national survey exploring the theological beliefs of the American public. In their most recent survey, they asked participants to respond to the following statement: “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.” The results of the survey showed that 66% […]
reformed theology, theologyBy Pastor Stephen Hess – If someone were to ask you what the central part of a Christian worship service is, how would you respond? Some Christians might say that the music is the most important part of the service and that the primary reason we gather is to sing. Other Christians might say that […]
bible, preaching, reformed theology, sermonsBy Pastor Stephen Hess – 2024 is an election year, which brings with it countless advertisements from candidates who are running for various offices in local, state, and federal government. An “office” is a role of authority that someone in leadership holds. Just as there are important offices in our government today, God established three […]
christ, doctrine, jesus, reformed theology, theologyBy Pastor Stephen Hess – One of the primary images used to describe the church in the New Testament is the image of a human body. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so […]
church, church membership, fellowship, the body of christ, the christian lifeBy Pastor Stephen Hess – Many people today are living without hope. In the United States, depression rates are at an all-time high. According to one recent study, roughly a third of American adults report being diagnosed with depression at some point during their lifetime—a figure that is rising. Hopelessness drives some people to substance […]
hopeBy Pastor Stephen Hess – This year our church has been taking a journey through the Book of Exodus. One of the things that has always stood out to me in the early chapters of Exodus is the ability that God gives Moses to perform miracles. By turning his staff into a serpent, turning his […]
bible, exodus, miracles, moses, old testamentBy Pastor Stephen Hess – Whenever we baptize an infant at Highview, I always remind the congregation that it isn’t only the parents who are taking responsibility for raising the child in the faith; it is the entire congregation. That is why one of the baptismal questions asked of the congregation is: “Do you, the […]
church, discipleship, parenting, the body of christBy Pastor Stephen Hess – One of our core beliefs at Highview is in the infallibility of Scripture. As our “Essentials” statement says, “The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.” When people are becoming acquainted with our church, sometimes […]
christianity, evangelical presbyterian church, presbyterianism, reformed theology, the christian lifeBy Pastor Stephen Hess – This fall we have been exploring what the Bible says about our bodies. We have been seeing how all the major turning points in the storyline of Scripture—creation, fall, redemption, and the new creation—have major implications for understanding how God created our bodies and how he designed us to use […]
advent, christmas, gender, sexualityBy Pastor Stephen Hess – Back in 2010, one of the top movies of the year was a film called “Inception.” The story is about a thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology. Eventually he is given the daunting task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO by […]
culture, gender, marriage, sermon series, sexuality