Heartland Christian Center

Healing from Rejection┃February 4, 2024┃Lead Pastor Dr. Phil Willingham

Lead Pastor Dr. Phil Willingham's sermon, "Relationship Status," focuses on overcoming rejection through a deeper understanding of divine relationships, based on Isaiah 54:4-6 and additional scriptures. It underscores God's intention for thriving relationships, healing from rejection, and fulfilling emotional needs within these relationships, such as unconditional love, security, praise, and purpose. The sermon offers practical action points for building and sustaining healthy relationships, highlighting the importance of kindness, commitment, humor, emotional support, shared goals, compassion, and the ability to discuss mistakes openly.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

Overcoming Excuses for Limitless Living┃January 28, 2024┃Executive & Family Pastor John Kilavos

The sermon, led by Executive & Family Pastor John Kilavos, emphasizes the importance of overcoming excuses to embrace God's plans. Using Luke 14:16-18 and Exodus 4:10-12, it highlights the tendency to make excuses when faced with change and the need to focus on God's abilities rather than personal limitations. The sermon stresses obedience to God's will, encouraging believers to act on their abilities and trust God for what is beyond their capacity, resonating with the message that God's grace is sufficient in weakness.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

Step Out, Step Down, Step Up // January 21, 2024 // Associate & Student Pastor Matt Willingham

In "Step Out Step Down Step Up," Associate & Student Pastor Matt Willingham explores the theme of transformation through guided steps in faith, using Joshua 3:14-17 as a reference. The sermon outlines four key aspects: the Importance of God's Presence, the Power of the People around us, the Shift that happens when we step in faith, and the Purpose God has for us. It emphasizes the need to prioritize God's presence, value the support of our community, recognize the transformative power of our faith-driven actions, and understand our unique purpose in God's plan. This message inspires believers to actively pursue a faith-filled life, aware of the divine guidance and support available in their journey.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

Limitless Living: Wet Feet // January 14, 2024 // Associate & Student Pastor Matt Willingham

The sermon "Wet Feet," delivered by Associate & Student Pastor Matt Willingham, focuses on embracing innovative strategies in faith to experience miracles. Drawing from Joshua 3:5-14, it emphasizes two key aspects: the Method and the Motivation of the Miracle. The Method highlights the importance of being open to new strategies, illustrating that God's stability does not equate to stagnancy. The Motivation part underlines the crucial role of focus, distinguishing between fear and faith. It encourages believers to concentrate on God's word rather than daunting challenges, exemplifying living a limitless life through faith.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

Limitless Living: Leap of Faith // January 7, 2024 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

This sermon, titled "Leap of Faith," encourages believers to embrace God's limitless power for transformation and advancement. It classifies believers into three categories: unbelievers, limited believers, and unlimited believers. The key message is that combining a committed, obedient faith in God with personal effort leads to experiencing God's extraordinary power. The sermon outlines three critical steps: turning away from the past, claiming God's promises for oneself, and actively seizing the promised future. It emphasizes the importance of moving beyond past limitations and fully trusting in God's promises for a transformative journey of faith.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

Why Do You Worry? // December 31, 2023 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

In this sermon delivered by Lead Pastor Dr. Phil Willingham on December 31, 2023, the focus is on Luke 12:22–34, where Jesus advises against worrying about life's necessities. The discourse begins with three observations on universal human concerns: health and finances, identifying them as persistent issues. Worry, defined as excessive concern over life's affairs, is deemed a sin for displacing God and distracting from life's essential aspects. The sermon distinguishes between specific and non-specific anxiety, offering insights on recognizing when legitimate concerns transform into sinful worries. Practical indicators include persistent preoccupation and frequent mention in conversations. The scriptural foundation is emphasized with 1 Peter 5:7, variously translated to highlight casting cares upon God. The action encouraged is a deliberate release, casting all cares onto God. The sermon concludes with the divine destination of this deliberate release, emphasizing that trusting God with our worries is a deliberate, transformative act leading to freedom from the chains of worry.

The Christmas Story: Make Room // December 24, 2023 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

This sermon delves into Luke 2:1-7, emphasizing the missed blessings during the first Christmas and drawing parallels to the present. The narrative reveals how Mary and Joseph, amidst the chaos of taxation, missed the blessing of a proper place for the birth of Jesus. Similarly, the modern world is often filled with hustle, noise, and distractions, leading to missed spiritual blessings. The first point explores how these blessings were missed then and are still missed now. The sermon then shifts to a practical guide on making room for Jesus in our lives. Step 1 involves stopping, drawing inspiration from Psalm 39:2 and Psalm 46:10, encouraging self-reflection on the necessity of actions. Step 2 is about starting, referencing Matthew 6:21 and Proverbs 10:27, prompting listeners to evaluate the expectations on them and align with God's goals. Philippians 3:13-18 reinforces the call to remain focused on Christ despite distractions. The sermon concludes with thought-provoking questions, challenging listeners to assess their holiday experience and intentionally make room for Jesus.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

The Christmas Story: Where Is He? // December 17, 2023 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

This sermon dives into the multifaceted responses to the Christmas message, drawing insights from Matthew 2:1-6. For some, Christmas is an inspiring message, akin to the wise men from the East who responded to the revelation of Jesus' birth with worship. Their journey reflects the impact of revelation and the appropriate response. However, for others, Christmas can be an intimidating message. Jesus poses challenges to those who call Him Lord but struggle to align with His teachings (Luke 6:46). The change required can be unsettling, as seen in Herod's troubled response. Lastly, for some, Christmas is deemed insignificant, despite having all the facts. The chief priests and scribes, armed with knowledge, lacked the faith to recognize the significance of the moment. This sermon encourages introspection on how each listener perceives and responds to the profound message of Christmas.

To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.

The Christmas Story: How Can It Be? // December 10, 2023 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

Exploring the profound narrative of Mary's encounter with the divine in Luke 1:26-38 and the wisdom in Proverbs 25:2, this sermon dives into the power of curiosity. Mary's questioning and pondering in the face of the miraculous birth of Jesus exemplify an active, observant mind that seeks new possibilities. The sermon delves into how curiosity makes our minds come alive, opens us to exciting possibilities, and encourages us to be relentless questioners. Cultivating a healthy sense of curiosity involves keeping an open mind, questioning assumptions, and finding the joy in learning. The application challenges us to embrace curiosity in our lives and discern how God might be calling us to explore the wonders around us.

The Christmas Story: How Can I Be Sure Of This? // December 3, 2023 // Lead Pastor Dr Phil Willingham

As we reflect on the Christmas story and Zechariah's journey, we discover that faith in God's promises requires contextual understanding, acceptance of all promises, and active engagement. This Christmas season, let us hold on to hope and trust in the faithfulness of the One who sent His Son to be the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. In a world of broken promises, God can be counted on, and our assurance is found in our unwavering faith in His promises. To learn more about Heartland Christian Center or to partner with us prayerfully or financially, please visit hcc.ag.