The Word from South Highland

Testing Jesus

February 16, 2025 | Mark 10:1-12 - The Pharisees keep trying to trap Jesus by asking him about arcane technicalities in the Law, in this case divorce. Rev. Cort Gatliff tells us that Jesus answers them by taking the higher road pointing to God's original design for marriage, which ultimately is about the grace-filled love story between God and His people.

Get Up and Go!

February 9, 2025 | Acts 8:26-40 - When Philip has his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, he is being obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Dr. Jim Truesdell teaches that, when it comes to holy nudges, when we start to do what the Spirit is asking of us, we begin to hear more and more from the Holy Spirit.

God's Glory Sends Us Out

February 2, 2025 | Isaiah 6:1-10; Revelation 4:8-11 - You may not think that God's call to mission is directed at you. Rev. Abby Gatliff teaches from scriptural visions of God's glory that we actually can answer 'yes' to that call because, rather than our own abilities, we are sent and equipped by the purifying and awesome glory of the Creator of the universe.

The School of Discipleship

January 26, 2025 | Mark 9:30-50 - As we seek to grow in our discipleship with Jesus Christ, our goal is to become more like him. Teaching from Mark, Rev. Cort Gatliff opens up for us the two traits Jesus emphasizes that we should cultivate: humility and holiness.

Faith and Doubt

January 19, 2025 | Mark 9:14-29 - Doubts about God and our beliefs are inevitably woven into our walk of faith. Rev. Cort Gatliff shows us that it can happen when we depend on our selves rather than on the sure and strong power of Jesus Christ.

Up and Down the Mountain With Jesus

January 12, 2025 | Mark 9:2-13 - At the Transfiguration, Jesus leads his friends up the mountain to see His glory. Rev. Cort Gatliff teaches that the vision of the glory and holiness of God can propel us and sustain us for the life of sacrificial service and following Jesus. 

A Cross-Centered Year

January 5, 2025 - The New Year can bring introspection and setting goals centered around our own circumstances. Rev. Cort Gatliff teaches from Mark 8 that Jesus calls us to a more radical way of thinking and living, starting with denying our self and living radically in step with Christ himself.

From Silence to Speech

December 29, 2024 - Throughout Advent, we observe a period of waiting, a waiting that began at the Beginning. At Christmas, we see what we have been waiting for. Emily Knight teaches with powerful scripture from Romans that, in Jesus Christ, we know that God has unequivocally spoken.

Light for a Dark World

December 24, 2024 - If the well-known events of the nativity were merely a legend or tender story, we have missed their entire purpose. Rev. Cort Gatliff teaches from John's gospel that this point in history, when the Word became flesh, is when the darkness was overcome by Light.

The Advent of Love

December 22, 2024 - The story of Jesus is an epic love story in which the handsome prince courts his bride, the church. Rev. Abby Gatliff preaches from John 3 in a heartfelt homily.