Hillcrest Bible Church

09/06/2026

Leaving one's first love (Revelation 2:4) means abandoning the love for God and others we had "at first" when we were Born Again and the love of God was shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Beyond speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4), Pentecost empowered believers to love as God loves— with His agape love (1 John 4:8–11): the overlooked evidence is that they sold their possessions to care for one another (Acts 2:44–45).

Rejecting the worship of Mammon (Luke 16:13), they chose to actively love their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39) and make friends rather than enemies of the unrighteous mammon (Luke 16:9), treating others as they wished to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Genuine love does not merely avoid doing harm; it actively works for the neighbor's good (Romans 13:10, 1 Corinthians 10:24). To hear this insightful message click the image below. 👇

Leaving one's first love (Revelation 2:4) means abandoning the love...

08/18/2026

We often underestimate how effortlessly God can transform a heart once the conditions agree with His word. Look at King Nebuchadnezzar: in a moment of pride, he was driven from the throne to the pasture, reduced to grazing like a beast in his sin and rebellion—a vivid picture of fallen humanity in Adam. God had changed his heart like swapping cartridges in a video game console.

Yet after seven years, restoration didn't require anything we might have expected. His mind was so utterly changed that all Nebuchadnezzar did was simply "lift his eyes to heaven" (Daniel 4:34), and God instantly restored his sanity and changed his heart. Join us as we explore how the God of the Bible changes minds and turns rebellious hearts into those who obey and honor Him.

John the Baptist’s warning that “the axe is laid to the root of the...

08/02/2026

In this insightful message, we look at Isaiah 55, exploring God’s invitation for us to turn to Him with all of our hearts. God’s Word is not empty or powerless—it is active, alive, and accomplishes what He sends it to do. As Scripture promises, the word that goes out from His mouth will not return void; it will accomplish exactly what He intends.

But how do we respond when He speaks?

In this message, we examine:

The Power of God’s Word (Isaiah 55): Understanding that God's plans and words always yield fruit.

The Grace of the Second Chance: Looking at the life of Jonah, we see that while obedience is vital, God’s grace often meets us with a second call when we falter.

Hearing God in the Dark: How a fresh word from God is the ultimate remedy for depression and spiritual weariness.

God’s Unlimited Sovereignty: While God primarily speaks to us through His written Word, He is not boxed in. He can—and will—use any means He chooses to speak to His children.

Ears to Hear: Developing the spiritual sensitivity to recognize when the Holy Spirit is dealing with us, and learning how to respond rightly.

When we cultivate a heart of obedience and listen closely to His voice, God promises to direct our steps. True fulfillment, deep contentment, and a life that cannot be improved upon are only found when we walk in alignment with His will.

In this insightful message, we look at Isaiah 55, exploring God’s i...

07/21/2026

When Solomon started treating God’s laws like optional suggestions, he set off a chain reaction that would soon divide God’s people. Contrary to explicit commandments in Deuteronomy 17, he built massive wealth, gathered nearly a thousand wives and concubines, and wore the people down by funding and building his projects. Even though God kept Israel united during Solomon's lifetime for David’s sake (1 Kings 11:11-13), the cracks were already showing (1 Kings 11:29-32). By the time Solomon died, the people weren't celebrating a golden age—they were exhausted, overworked, and desperate for relief (1 Kings 12:4).

His son Rehoboam had a choice to make: serve the people out of love or lord it over and crush them. The old, wise counselors told him to show compassion, but Rehoboam listened to his young, arrogant, yes-men friends instead (Proverbs 13:20, 1 Kings 12:8-11). Rehoboam had no friends because he had no one in his life that he respected who would challenge his foolish and destructive ways. He promised to thrash the people of God with "scorpions" instead of whips. What kind of person has that kind of attitude towards God’s people? Where was the fear of God? Where was the man after GOD’s own heart? He should have listened to his father’s words that pride goes before destruction because his pride shattered the kingdom in an instant. Ten tribes walked away, leaving Israel permanently divided—a harsh reminder that nobody is above God's Word, and bad advice will destroy what took generations to build.

When Solomon started treating God’s laws like optional suggestions,...

07/19/2026

When someone breaks your trust, steals your peace, and runs away, culture says to get even—retaliate, sue, cancel them. But 2,000 years ago, a tiny, 25-verse letter flipped the script and turned the ancient world upside down. Through Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon, we get a masterclass in how God’s providence takes our worst disappointments and transforms them into our greatest ministries. To listen to this compelling message, click the image below. 👇 ⬇️

When someone breaks your trust, steals your peace, and runs away, c...

07/17/2026

Have you ever wondered how an entire generation witnessed some of the greatest miracles in human history—the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the destruction of Pharaoh’s army—and still managed to doubt God and miss His perfect will (the Promised Land)? They did so because, in their wicked, unbelieving hearts, they looked at the giants, weighed the risks, and decided to play it safe. God did not commend their risk assessment; He was grieved by their unbelief and barred an entire generation from His rest. To "play it safe" when God has said "go and He will give you the land" is to make God a liar. Moreover, you can't just decide to "disbelieve" when it's not what you want to do or your will such as the religious leaders did. At that point it's not disbelief... it is disobedience. 

In this message, we examine the "evil heart of unbelief" warned about in the Book of Hebrews. Despite seeing God's power firsthand, they chose to listen to the report of the 10 doubtful spies rather than trust the God who had already delivered them. The only fruit they would see from their lives is what they brought back as a testimony against their own disbelief. How important is it to surround yourself with people of genuine faith? Because the ten spies wanted to play it safe, and the people listened to them rather than Joshua and Caleb, an 11-day journey turned into a 40-year judgment in the wilderness.

They didn't miss God's plan because God was incapable; they missed it because of doubt. It was disobedience. This raises a challenging question for us today: What aspects of God's will have we missed by playing it safe? How many times have we allowed someone to "talk us out" of stepping out in faith and doing God's will? Will we be faithful till the end, or will we allow the enemy to destroy our faith?

Jesus once asked When He comes, will He find faith on the earth? Will He find people prepared to launch out and trust Him? Or do we sit around and make our calculations to see if the plan will work in the flesh? Is faith only "faith" when victory is guaranteed, and we know every single detail in advance? Or does true faith require us to step into the unknown, trusting the character of the One who has proven Himself more times than any of us can number? God deliver us from a spirit of doubt and unbelief!

The High Cost of the gospel of "Playing It Safe" (Hebrews 3)Have ...

06/19/2026

Please feel welcome to join us Sunday at 11:00 AM as we celebrate our Fathers at Hillcrest Bible Church!

05/26/2026

The Church could not be the Church until the Fire of God fell at Pentecost. The Temple made without hands was dedicated, and the Fire fell, enabling the saints, as individuals, to be lamps and, collectively, as churches, to be lamp stands. Cloven tongues of fire sat on each of them to illustrate that God had cleansed that unruly member that darkened counsel and defiled them with the fires of hell, but now set it on fire of Heaven that they would give light to the world with edifying and undefiled words. It was the watershed event of all of their lives.

The Church could not be the Church until the Fire of God fell at Pentecost. The Temple made without hands was dedicated, and when the altar was full, the Fir...

05/25/2026

05/14/2026

In this important message, we delve into the profound relationship between the holy fire of God, which He kindled exclusively for His service (symbolizing His love and divine nature), and strange fire symbolized by non-love (unholy and sinful motivations and spirits). Nadab and Abihu were struck dead instantly for offering strange fire to show God's estimate of doing His service when burning with an ungodly spirit. Ephesus found out they would lose their lampstand (ministry) if the fire of God's love went out or if some other fire was burning on it. Click the image below to listen to this insightful and life-changing message. 👇⬇️.

In this important message, we delve into the profound relationship between the holy fire of God, which He kindled exclusively for His service—symbolizing His...