Hays Christian Church

Let Heaven& Nature Sing (Part 2): Creation Groans in Anticipation, Awaits Redemption

For the next part of this series covering creation in Advent, Pastor Cana brings us to Romans 8:19-25, which describes the groaning of creation for redemption. As part of creation, we also groan in pain because we are not yet redeemed to perfection. Our groaning is not in isolation, and we will receive redemption.

Let Heaven & Nature Sing (Part 1): All Things Made Though Christ

To begin this series covering creation in Advent, Pastor Cana brings us to Colossians 1:15-19, in which the author clarifies that Jesus, firstborn of creation, has been a Creator since the beginning and created all things. We are encouraged to create, mindful of our own createdness.

The 12 Disciples: Mission & Unity (Part 2)

Pastor Cana Moore turns to Matthew 26:26-29, which shows Jesus establishing bread and wine as a grounding point for the disciples to prepare them for the coming of His crucifixion. The Lord’s Supper offers the disciples identity, forgiveness, and a meal to bring them together in crisis. Our responsibility is to keep our identity, forgiveness, and Communion as the glue of our lives.

The 12 Disciples: Unity & Mission (Part 1)

Pastor Cana Moore turns to Matthew 10:1-4, which shows Jesus unifying the disparate disciples through instructing them to share the Good News and act out of that belief. No matter how different we are from other Christians, we are all called like the first followers to spread the news of Jesus and work together to do good works.

Mary & Martha (One Thing Is Needed): Luke 10:38-42

Emmanuel Christian Seminary’s Kit Dotson dives into Luke 10:38-42, where while they gladly host Jesus in their home, Mary listens eagerly to His teachings and Martha focuses on preparing the meal, upset that her sister wasn’t helping. But Jesus teaches that the one thing that we need to concern ourselves with is making God our focus.

Rahab and the Spies: Joshua 2

In this message, Pastor Cana refers to Joshua 2, where Rahab meets the spies of Israel and for her silence and their safety, the spies agree that her and her family would be safe when the city is conquered. Participation in God's work is not restricted or guaranteed by any element of ourselves, only by accepting God's invitation to participate in the story.

Coming, Perfect Covenant of Heaven: Hebrews 9:1-2, 8-14

In Hebrews 9:1-2, 8-14, the author yearns for the perfect covenant of heaven, yet unfulfilled on earth. Christ has begun the new covenant of heaven, but we are still under the covenant of earth (death) for now. Pastor Cana urges us to join the author of Hebrews in yearning and waiting for the time for the covenant of heaven to be fulfilled.

Anger (Right and Wrong): Mark 3:1-6

Pastor Cana argues that anger is a neutral emotion God has given us and can be an important indicator of injustice in the world. In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus expresses anger at the Pharisees’ and the crowd’s interpretation of Sabbath law, which made no room for compassion to do good works. They would rather weaponize His healing of a man on the Sabbath. We are challenged to consider our anger and see it as a tool for righteousness.

Friend or Foe?

Betty Rupp shares a few examples of friendships found in Scripture (Job 1, Daniel 3, and 1 Samuel 18) to compare and emphasize that the company we keep matters. We can attract good friends by praying, being the good friend to others, keeping a distance from those with poor character, and remembering that Jesus is the greatest friend.

The Beauty of God: Psalm 80: 1-3, 14-19

In Psalm 80:1-3; 14-19, the Psalmist asks for God’s face to shine for Israel’s salvation, expressing glory in the world. God is beautiful and present in ourselves, each other, and in creation. Pastor Cana challenges us to observe the ordinary world every day and find God’s beauty in unexpected places.

Works and Wisdom: James 3:13-18

Pastor Cana Moore turns to James 3:13-18, where James teaches the Jewish Christians the difference between unspiritual and spiritual wisdom. Unspiritual wisdom’s fruit is wickedness, while spiritual wisdom’s fruit is peace. Using the descriptions of spiritual works, we can ask ourselves how to live out the right wisdom in our daily life.

The Reason for My Hope: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 3:14-16

Jennie Straight takes us to 1 Peter, where Peter writes encouragement to the early Christians as they experience struggles. In chapter 1:3-9, he gives 6 reasons that we can rejoice in life’s challenges. In chapter 3:14-16, Peter instructs Christians 5 ways to respond to those challenges to set an example for others that will draw them to Christ. Featured excerpt from Charles Stanley’s The Reason for My Hope.

Working and Believing the Law of Love: James 2:8-17

Pastor Cana refers to James 2:8-17, where James writes to the church to explain the connection and distinction between the law teaching us the heart of God and calling us to love our neighbor. For Christians, to believe and to act out belief means living the law of love in our daily lives. How have you fulfilled the law of love today? How have you not?

What Shall I Give?

For this message, Betty Rupp encourages us, with several texts from scripture, to step out of our selfish tendencies to consider what we can give to others and to God. We can give of ourselves with our time, money, and skills for God’s glory and greater blessings.

Persevere in God: Haggai 2:1-9

Pastor Cana turns to Haggai 2:1-9, where the Temple of Jerusalem is in ruins and Israel believes it’s impossible to return to its former glory, but God promises that their work isn’t pointless. The glory to come will be even greater. For God’s kingdom, things are not as they were, and by working with God, we can be a part of the later, greater glory.

The Forgiveness of God: Psalm 32:1-7

Pastor Cana takes us through Psalm 32:1-7, a song whose movements speak of freedom and joy, the writer’s unconfessed and unforgiven sins, the weight of sin, and promises of God’s goodness. God forgives our sin and guilt when we ask for it. This week, our calling is to ask God for forgiveness and to experience God’s blessing

Rejoicing Before God: 2 Samuel 6:12b-19

Pastor Cana dives into 2 Samuel 6:12b-19, where King David and the people of Israel celebrate the arrival of God’s sacred seat, the Ark of the Covenant. David’s undignified method of rejoicing reminds us that we can be freed from our social/cultural hesitancies when celebrating God. We are invited to release our inhibitions out of the joy of knowing God.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 6): Eternal Life, Knowing Christ

To conclude Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to John 17:1-8. In the text, Jesus shares thoughts, prayers, teachings and desires for His disciples and those who follow. When we work out of love towards knowing Jesus and His teachings, eternal life is granted to us.

Transfiguration of Self: Matthew 17:1-12

In Pastor Cana’s study of Matthew 17:1-12, Jesus takes a few of His disciples onto a mountain to witness His Transfiguration, which reveals Jesus as divine and transforms the disciples into apocalyptic seers. We as Christians can show Jesus’ transformation with our lives.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 5): Who Is My Family?

For part 5 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Mark 3:20-21, 31-35. In the text, Jesus is engaging a crowd in a house when His mother and siblings come to restrain Him. For Christians, families are not created by biological bond but by Christ’s blood. We must embrace family in other forms to create welcoming homes.

What Unchurched Believers Are Missing: Acts 2:37-42

Steve Tramel makes the case, evidenced by Acts 2:37-42, that Christians who exclusively seek spiritual fulfillment outside of church are not receiving curricular teachings, fellowship with other Christians, the Lord’s supper, or shared prayer. God is in nature, yes, but it is vital to a Christian life to also experience Him “where two or more are gathered” in His name.

Pay Attention to the Verbs: Luke 6:27-28

First Baptist Church’s Pastor Chris Prater directs our attention to Luke 6:27-28. Because we serve a God of action, we are to be people of action and listen to (not just hear) Jesus’ instructions to love, do good, bless, and pray. Will you listen and act?

Teachings of Jesus (Part 4): Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

For part 4 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 5:4. In the text from Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount, we receive the Beatitude “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. Mourning is a reality of life, even in God, but so are blessings and comfort realities for those who mourn.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 3): Abundant Life

For part 3 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to John 10:7-10. In the text, Jesus teaches us about the possibility of a life of abundance that He offers. We can rejoice that we can come in, and go out, and find the pasture of abundant life by the voice of the Lord.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 2): The Unmerciful Servant

For part 2 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 18:23-33. In the text, Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant shows a king forgive a slave with an insurmountable debt, but the slave did not extend that mercy to one with a debt to him. What we learn is that God’s mercy is given so that we can offer it to others, and it is our responsibility to extend the mercy we’ve received.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 1): Love Your Enemies

For part 1 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Luke 6:27-36. In the text, Jesus gives His Sermon on the Plain and instructs listeners to live a life of love. Showing love to our friends and family is easy, but it’s when we love our enemies that we model Christ.