Facing an imminent threat of opposition from outside forces surrounding Jerusalem, Nehemiah gives us an example of leading through difficult times. The post Leading through difficult times (Nehemiah 4) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

From goldsmiths, to perfumers, to priests and many others, we can learn some important leadership lessons as we survey the builders of the wall in Jerusalem. The post Lessons from a Construction Site (Nehemiah 3) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As Nehemiah implements the plan that God has laid on his heart, he realizes that any success he has as a leader is due only to the gracious hand of God. We each need to look through this lens as we evaluate our lives. The post The Gracious Hand of God (Nehemiah 2) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the opening chapter of Nehemiah, we discover four characteristics that help us understand the heart of a leader and how God is at the center of it all. The post The Heart of a Leader (Nehemiah 1) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In his final teaching in Matthew before going to the cross. Jesus points to the fact that faith is both a heart reality and an action reality as we care for the “least of these” in real and practical ways. The post Compassionate Kingdom Living (Mt 25:31-46) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

The final parable Jesus speaks in Matthew uses first-century business practices to teach us how to live responsibly for the Kingdom of Heaven now. The post Kingdom Living in Responsible Readiness appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Using the backdrop of a Jewish wedding celebration, Jesus teaches about the importance of being ready for his some day return. The post Kingdom Living in Relational Readiness (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Peter 4 & 5) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In a parable that is unique to Matthew’s Gospel,  Jesus shows us the heart of God who does not let human priority structures govern how he operates. The post “Gratitude, Service & Commitment in the Kingdom (Mt. 20.1-28) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In a very familiar account, we find Jesus, calling us to a life of dependency on Him, and in the process changing our value systems. There can be no obstacles to our commitment to following Jesus. The post An Obstacle to Living the Kingdom (Mt 19:16-30) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Through a stunning parable, Jesus answers Peter’s question about forgiveness, and in so doing leaves all of us with many things to think about in our own lives. The post A Kingdom Community – part 3 (Matthew 18:21-35) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

Jesus reminds us by a brief story and then some instructions, that a restoring community in which each one is valued best reflects the heart of God for his called out people, the Church. The post A Kingdom Community – part 2 (Matthew 18:12-20) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In Part 1 of a three part mini-series we discover some key characteristics that should be part of any gathering of Christ followers. The post A Kingdom Community Part 1 (Mt 18:1-14) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In response to Peter’s answer to a most important question by Jesus, we discover who the King is, what his mission is, and what our role in the mission is. The post Living the Kingdom; Knowing the King (Mt 16:13-27) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

As we consider a very familiar account in the Gospel of Matthew, we discover a very practical lesson regarding daily consistent faith as we follow Jesus.”. The post Living the Kingdom of Heaven in Consistent Faith (Mt. 14:22-36) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In two very brief parables Jesus turns our value system upside down. The post The Value of the Kingdom (Mt 13:44-52) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In one longer parable and two brief parables Jesus provides for us word pictures for living the Kingdom now in a less than friendly environment. The post Living the Kingdom in a less than Friendly World (Mt 13:24-43) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In the first parable recorded in Matthew, Jesus uses a familiar word picture to challenge his listeners to consider carefully the condition of their hearts. The post It’s About the Heart (Mt 13:1-23) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

We can learn a great deal about living the Kingdom of Heaven now as we see the interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders. What traditions may have gotten in your way as you strive to follow Jesus? What will you do to change them? The post The Priority of Compassion (Matthew 12:1-14) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

In a rebuke, a prayer, and an invitation, Jesus gives us a frame work for what it looks like to live responsibly in the Kingdom of Heaven, now. The post Responsibility and Rest (Matthew 11:20-30) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

We begin a new sermon series entitled “Living the Kingdom of Heaven…Now.”  In this sermon we define the Kingdom of Heaven as used in Matthew’s gospel and we look at some characteristics that should define each of us who claim to follow Jesus. The post Kingdom Apprentices appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.