If you have a prayer request and would like it added to the Prayer Chain, call the church at 913-299-4406 or email the Church Email Address: Hillviewchurchofgod@gmail.com
Sermons are live on Facebook or use the YouTube link:
www.youtube.com/@HillviewChurchofGod-u3m
Good morning: I came up with a rule last week I want to implement. The rule is, “you must greet the pastor either before service starts or when the service is over. I want to make sure I shake your hand or give you a hug and thank you for worshipping with us. I’m going to have minister Morris give the benediction allowing me to be in the foyer as you leave.
Last week I preached on forgiveness verses unforgiveness. We had a good discussion on the zoom call on Wednesday evening. Many of the storms we face in our lives, not the rain, thunder, and lightening kind of storms, but storms of disagreement and unrepented sin are the result of a root of bitterness that is growing in us because of unforgiveness. If we are not forgiving others, God is not forgiving us. The result of our disobedience are the storms we face.
Hillview Family and Friends!
Ushers and greeters. We can create an alternate schedule. If anyone is interested, please see LaTanya Dunn.
Children’s Ministry will be with the Ministry leader during worship time starting in the fall. Pray with us in our transition. Sis Debbie.
Youth ministry will meet in the fellowship hall at 9:30 am. Youth Ministry will be meeting every 1st Sunday of the month at 9:30 am.
Happy Birthday and Wedding Anniversary to all family and friends celebrating in the month of January.
Sis. Debbie will be having Children’s ministry 1st through 4th Sundays. On the 1st Sunday the children will do special projects. Please text Sis. Debbie if your child will not be in attendance. 5th Sunday no children’s ministry.
New Years Eve Dec 31st– We have been invited to a watch night service at the Kansas City Community Church. 5901 Leavenworth Rd. Kansas City, KS 66104. A light meal will be served at 9:30pm. Service starts at 10:30pm. Please let Sis. LaTanya know via email by Dec 29th. They need to know how many will be attending for food count. see attachment..
Jan 1 New Years Day.
Jan 17 Board Management meeting 9am.
Offering Envelopes are located on the wall outside of the sound booth.
Church of God News
Introduction
Acts16:16–40 presents a powerful picture of discernment, spiritual authority, and the transforming power of true worship.
“ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.” (Acts 16:16)
At first glance, this passage raises an important question: Why wasn’t Paul pleased that someone was publicly affirming their identity as servants of the Most High God?
The answer lies not in what was being said, but who was saying it.
Discernment Beyond Appearance
The young woman was possessed by a spirit of divination. Although her words sounded
accurate, the source was not God. The enemy was attempting to attach credibility to the gospel message through a corrupt vessel.
This teaches us a critical truth:
Not everything that sounds godly originates from God.
The spirit influencing this woman was using the anointing on Paul and Silas to gain legitimacy and influence. In doing so, it discredited the message rather than advancing it.
Paul allowed this to continue “for many days”(v.18),which suggests intentional restraint—not ignorance. I believe Paul understood that this was more than an individual deliverance issue. This spirit represented a stronghold over the entire city. The woman was the financial engine—the “money train”—for the region.
Paul knew that once he addressed the spirit, there would be consequences.
Key Reflection Questions
● What in your life appears to be of God, but is not?
● Is everything that looks godly truly from God?
● Are those who claim to belong to God bearing the fruit of the Spirit?
Deliverance and Consequences
When Paul finally commanded the spirit to come out in the name of Jesus Christ, deliverance occurred immediately. However, freedom for the woman meant loss of profit for her masters.
As a result, Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and imprisoned.
“There comes a time when your beliefs will interfere with other people’s systems—and it will cause conflict.”
Paul did not have to go through this suffering, yet he willingly endured it because he understood the assignment. This was never about personal comfort; it was about demonstrating that the
God he served was greater than the god of that city.
Bondage and Mindsets
The prison represents more than a physical location. It symbolizes mental, spiritual, and traditional strongholds that keep people bound.
The jailer himself represents a mindset—old ways of thinking, traditions, past successes, and limitations that restrict movement in the kingdom of God.
Personal Reflection
● Who or what is keeping you in bondage?
● Where are you spiritually—are you progressing or stalled?
● Have you ever felt stuck and unable to move forward?
Worship in the Midnight Hour
“ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)
Despite their chains and circumstances, Paul and Silas chose worship.
This is a profound demonstration of true faith and genuine worship. They praised God not because conditions were favorable, but because they trusted God’s sovereignty.
True worship changes the atmosphere. When worship rises, chains fall—not only for you, but for those who are watching and listening.
A Watching World
When you go through hardship:
● What is your response?
● What do people hear from your mouth—faith or despair?
● What testimony are you giving in adversity?
People are always watching how believers respond under pressure.
The Earthquake of Freedom
God responded with a supernatural intervention. The foundations of the prison were shaken, doors were opened, and chains were loosed.
Sometimes God shakes foundations—not to destroy you, but to free you.
There are traditions and mindsets that feel familiar but are not rooted in God’s Word. Godwill disrupt what holds us captive so His glory can be revealed.
Redemption Through Mercy
When the jailer feared death, Paul responded with compassion:
“ Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
This moment led to salvation—not only for the jailer, but for his entire household.
When God brings your enemies back into your presence, it is often an opportunity to demonstrate grace, forgiveness, and spiritual maturity.
Closing Reflection
Paul later revealed that he and Silas were Roman citizens—something the authorities did not know. Paul was fully aware of his rights, yet he allowed injustice to occur because he
Understood that the process was necessary for the purpose.
This was not about Paul—it was about God’s glory. Final Questions to Consider:
● What is God doing around you right now?
● Do you sense movement, shaking, or rearranging?
● Could it be that God is positioning your life so others can witness His favor?
When God shakes your foundation, trust Him.
He is in control—and freedom is on the other side.
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
Support Hillview’s Greeting Card Ministry – We have anniversary, birthday, and get-well cards on the table by the front entrance for you to send to others to let them know you are thinking of them. A donation of $1.00 will help cover the cost of cards and postage.
Continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins and their caregivers. Prayer is needed for our entire congregation as we are all dealing with spoken and unspoken needs and requests.
Weekly Events
Sunday School: 9:30am
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