Podcast Summary: Church of the Highlands – “New Faith”
Date: January 5, 2025
Host/Pastor: Church of the Highlands
Series: All Things New (Week 1)
Episode Overview
On the first Sunday of 2025, Church of the Highlands launches a new sermon series titled “All Things New.” The message, delivered in a lively, encouraging, and biblically grounded style, emphasizes starting the year with fresh faith, spiritual renewal, and a practical commitment to growth through prayer, fasting, and letting go of the past. This episode also inaugurates the annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, a deeply-rooted tradition in the church’s journey, and encourages listeners to embrace new beginnings as a core aspect of God’s nature.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Welcoming the New Year, Church Family, and 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
[00:25–04:10]
- Warm greetings to the congregation and extended family watching online and in correctional facilities.
- Marks the beginning of a new sermon series: “All Things New.”
- The church’s 25th annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting begins, highlighting its foundational role since the church’s inception.
- Daily 6am prayer services (9am on Saturdays) both in-person and streamed.
- Not just about prayer, but also fasting—a spiritual discipline, not a diet.
- “A diet changes the way you look, but a fast will change the way you see.” – [A, 04:10]
Understanding Prayer and Fasting – Spiritual Connection & Disconnection
[05:30–14:20]
- Unpacks the biblical story where Jesus’ disciples couldn’t drive out a demon (Matthew 17).
- Diagnoses the two issues Jesus identified:
- Unbelief: Weak faith, not being connected enough to God.
- Perversion: Being too connected to the world, allowing spiritual pollution.
- Ultimate solution is both prayer (to reconnect with God) and fasting (to disconnect from worldly influences).
- Quote: “Prayer is what connects us and gets us closer to God… fasting disconnects us from the world.” – [A, ~12:40]
- Fasting is not about self-punishment, but about removing distractions and restoring spiritual clarity.
Four Types of Fasting
[14:20–18:40]
- Complete Fast: No food, just water or juices—requires medical prudence.
- Selective Fast (e.g., Daniel Fast): Eliminating specific foods or groups (no meat, sweets, or bread).
- Partial Fast: Fasting during parts of the day (e.g., skipping a meal).
- Soul Fast: Abstaining from digital media, secular entertainment, or other non-food distractions.
- Quote: “You need to make your smartphone a little dumb for 21 days.” – [A, ~17:40]
Encouragement:
- Everyone is urged to participate at some level, trusting that greater connection to God and less to the world will bring transformation.
The God of New Beginnings
[18:40–30:00]
- Theme for the year is “new beginnings,” rooted in God’s nature to renew and restore.
- Cites multiple Scriptures (Isaiah 43: “See, I am doing a new thing”; 2 Corinthians 5: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here”).
- Emphasis: God wipes the slate clean, not just covering the past but erasing it completely.
- Quote: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve…as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions.” – [A, ~27:45]
- Reconciliation with God means the balance is brought to zero; our past debts are erased.
Year of Jubilee – Divine Reset
[30:00–39:00]
- Introduces the biblical concept of the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25): every 50 years, all debts are canceled, slaves freed, and land returned—a total fresh start.
- Connects this to Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4, identifying Himself as the fulfillment of Jubilee—a divine reset available through Christ at any time.
- Quote: “He doesn’t just forgive, He forgets… Even though you’re thinking about it, He can’t, because He’s chosen [to forget].” – [A, ~28:30]
- The grace and favor of God aren’t only seasonal but accessible whenever we turn to Him.
Three Actionable Steps for a “New Faith”
[39:00–57:00]
1. Repent – Turn Around
- Repentance is not harsh condemnation, but an invitation to change direction and go all in with God.
- Quote: “Repent is actually a positive word in the Bible. It literally means you’re heading this direction…turn around, go this way.” – [A, ~42:30]
- Real-life testimony: Pastor describes his own season of despair and breakthrough during a 21-day fast, which led directly to the founding of Church of the Highlands.
2. Let Go of the Past
- You cannot experience the new while holding on to the old; history, hurts, and habits must be left behind.
- “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.” – [A, ~53:10]
- Fasting is a specific discipline to break unhealthy attachments and loose spiritual chains.
3. Embrace Your God-Given Purpose
- After the slate is wiped clean, God wants to write new things on it—your purpose and calling.
- Call to action: Get baptized, join the church, start growth track, pursue spiritual education, or take new steps in faith.
- Quote: “God wants to say something to you…I have plans for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – [A, ~56:00]
- Participation in church community and spiritual practices are urged (“no excuses”) for a fresh start.
Memorable Illustrations and Moments
- Reflecting humorously and pointedly on church attendance habits and the growing trend toward online-only faith.
- “For all you bathrobe Christians that are watching online right now, come on back in the room.” – [A, ~36:45]
- The “honking” story: An analogy of spiritual urgency (using the car horn), urging listeners not to miss spiritual opportunities when the “light is green.”
- Quote: “The light’s green, everybody. The light’s green.” – [A, ~56:50]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “A diet changes the way you look, but a fast will change the way you see.” – A, [06:40]
- “Prayer is what connects us and gets us closer to God... fasting disconnects us from the world.” – A, [12:40]
- “He does not treat us as our sins deserve… as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions.” – A, [27:45]
- “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.” – A, [53:10]
- “God wants to say something to you... I have plans for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – A, [56:00]
- “The light's green, everybody. The light's green.” – A, [56:50]
Concluding Prayer & Call to Commitment
[57:00–End]
- A heartfelt prayer is offered for courage and determination for all to go “all in” with God in the new year.
- Invitation for anyone present to commit or recommit their life to Jesus, followed by a communal prayer of surrender and faith.
Final Thoughts
This message sets a hopeful, practical, and spiritually rich tone for the New Year, combining biblical teaching, humor, real-life testimony, and actionable steps to help listeners experience “all things new.” The focus is on reconnecting with God, breaking free from old habits, and embracing purpose—anchored in prayer, fasting, and community involvement.
For listeners seeking a fresh start in their faith journey, this episode offers both the spiritual vision and the practical tools to take decisive steps forward.