Podcast Summary: Church of the Highlands – Sunday Messages – Audio Episode: Reflect and Respond | December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, titled “Reflect and Respond,” serves as a year-end message for Church of the Highlands, focusing on gratitude for God’s faithfulness in 2025 and casting vision for the new year, 2026. The sermon encourages individuals to look back at God’s work with thankfulness and to step forward intentionally, taking only the “essentials” into the coming year—centering lives on seeking God, releasing past burdens, and embracing their unique kingdom purpose.

Key Points & Insights

1. Gratitude for What God Has Done

• Opening Remarks (00:01 – 01:48):
  Pastor Mark and Jillian express gratitude for the congregation and excitement about the year ahead. Pastor Mark emphasizes the focus for 2026: "We seek God first" (Matthew 6:33).
  • Quote (00:27):
    “We seek God first. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 that when we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, everything else in our life finds its proper place... That’s a promise we’re stepping into together.” – Pastor Mark
• Celebrating Life Change (06:01 – 09:00):
  Pastor Blake (Grants Mill Campus) highlights God’s movement in the past year:
  • 3,607 people made decisions for Jesus at Grants Mill Campus alone;
  • 598 baptisms occurred.
    He shares powerful testimonies, including Michael’s story of overcoming addiction after years of prayer, and Ezra’s journey from routine faith to personal relationship with Jesus.
  • Quote (07:35):
    “Every number is a person. Every person has a story, and every story matters to God.” – Pastor Blake

2. Reflecting & Responding: Only Pack the Essentials

• The Trip Analogy (11:00 – 13:30):
  Pastor Blake uses the analogy of choosing between a “carry-on” and “checked bag” when traveling, urging the church to carry only essentials from this year into the next.
  • Quote (12:32):
    “We’re getting ready to go on a trip… out of one year and into a new year. What are the things we need to leave behind and what are the essentials to go with us?” – Pastor Blake
• Three Things to Leave Behind:
  • Disappointment: Expectations unmet, timelines missed, or people failure.
  • Discouragement: Confidence shaken by ongoing struggles or setbacks.
  • Disengagement: Pulling back from community or God, leading to isolation.

3. Scriptural Foundation: 2 Corinthians 5

• Key Scripture (14:30 – 19:00):
  2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – If anyone is in Christ: new creation, old gone, new here.
• Essential Truths to Embrace for 2026:

  1. Remember What God Has Done

     • Recall that reconciliation was God’s initiative through Christ.
     • Action: Start every day with thanksgiving.
     • Supporting Verse: Hebrews 10:23, Psalm 77:11, Ephesians 2:13
     • Quote (19:48):
       “We’re not the ones that repaired the relationship with God. He did.” – Pastor Blake

  2. Release What God Has Forgiven

     • Don’t carry what God has removed (Psalm 103:12).
     • Release self-condemnation; receive God’s freedom.
     • Action: Decide today to go “all in” for Jesus in 2026.
     • Illustration: Perspective difference—what we see as “mountains” (troubles), God sees as manageable.
     • Quote (29:41):
       “God isn’t counting our sins against us, so why are you?” – Pastor Blake

  3. Respond to God’s Mission

     • We are “Christ’s ambassadors”—not saved only for ourselves, but sent for others.
     • Action: Say YES to God’s mission—serve, join a small group, commit to Growth Track.
     • Supporting Verse: Ephesians 2:10
     • Quote (39:12):
       “Wherever you go in 2026, Christ goes. Whoever you meet, Christ meets. Whatever you say, Christ speaks through you.” – Pastor Blake

4. Individual and Corporate Application

• 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting:
  January 4–24, 2026. Church-wide focus on seeking God first to begin the year.
• Growth Track:
  Starts January 4, 6pm—a catalyst to discover purpose and live on mission.
• Spiritual Formation Focus:
  Monthly First Wednesday teachings; encouragement to join small groups.

5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Perspective (31:20): “A lot of times I see my life… like a mountain—so hard, so impossible. But when God looks at it, He sees it completely different… For Him, it’s a little molehill.” – Pastor Blake
• On Community (34:00): “Church was meant to be a place where we gather together… Our lives are transformed, and then God sends us back out into our world.” – Pastor Blake
• Inspirational (45:45): “Let God have your life. He can do more with it than you can.” – D. L. Moody (quoted by Pastor Blake)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 – 01:48: Opening gratitude; vision for 2026
• 06:01 – 09:00: Life change statistics & stories (Michael & Ezra)
• 11:00 – 13:30: “Carry-on” vs. “Checked bag” analogy
• 14:30 – 19:00: Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5 unpacked
• 19:45: Essential 1: Remember what God has done
• 29:30: Essential 2: Release what God has forgiven
• 39:00: Essential 3: Respond to God’s mission
• 44:30: Action steps and encouragement for the new year
• 50:00 – End: Prayer & invitation to follow Jesus

Closing and Call to Action

• Reflect: Remember God’s faithfulness in your story.
• Release: Let go of past mistakes, failures, and self-condemnation.
• Respond: Step into 2026 ready to live on mission—serving, connecting with others, and seeking God first.
• Final Prayer (50:00): For gratitude, freedom, and courage to say yes to Jesus and His unique calling for every listener.

For those who missed the episode:
This message is a heartfelt invitation to begin 2026 with focus, gratitude, and purpose—by leaving behind unnecessary burdens and carrying forward only what God intends: remembrance of His faithfulness, freedom from shame or regret, and an active response to His mission. The tone is upbeat, personal, and full of hope for transformation as a church body and individuals.