

Harris Creek Baptist Church
Harris Creek
This is the weekly sermon podcast from Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Visit www.harriscreek.org for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 3, 2025 • 40min
Pride's Potential for Pain
Nate taught from 2 Kings 5 that pride can keep us stuck while humility opens the door to God’s healing and grace. Naaman’s story shows us that breakthrough often starts with boldness and that true healing requires laying down our pride. Pride distorts our perspective, but God promises His favor to the humble calling us to stop striving to prove ourselves and instead walk in the freedom only Christ can give. Breakthrough often starts with boldnessHealing requires humilityPride distorts your perspective Life Group Discussion:Can you share a time when someone else’s boldness impacted your faith journey?What are some areas in your life where pride has kept you from taking a step God was calling you to?Where do you see pride trying to distort your perspective right now—in relationships, work, or faith?

Jul 27, 2025 • 42min
When Your Faith Is Under Fire
In 1 Kings 19, Pastor John reminds us that when our faith is under fire, God meets us with compassion—not shame. He is faithful to His covenant and gently calls us back to His presence and purpose. No failure cancels His calling on your life. Your God is compassionateYour God is covenant keeping Your God has a call for you Life Group Discussion:When have you felt like Elijah—exhausted, discouraged, or done—and how did God meet you in that moment?What are some “mountaintop moments” in your life where you’ve clearly experienced God’s presence or promises?How can you be faithful to take the next step in the calling God has for your life, even if you don’t feel fully ready?

Jul 20, 2025 • 42min
God Alone Is Worthy of Our Worship
Many of us live with divided hearts—giving our worship to God and to other things that ultimately destroy us. In 1 Kings 18, we see that whole-hearted worship brings healing and restored relationship with God, while right worship—faithfully and fully given to Him—leads to God’s reward, not in prosperity, but in presence, peace, and purpose. True worship isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily surrender of everything—our time, desires, and devotion—to the only One worthy: God alone. Divided worship destroysWhole worship healsRight worship rewards Life Group Discussion:How can you identify the things in your life that are taking up space in your heart where only God belongs?What area of your life might God be asking you to fully surrender to Him right now?How have you seen God move in your life when you’ve persevered in prayer or obedience?

Jul 13, 2025 • 42min
A Trustworthy God
God often asks for our trust before we understand what He’s doing. Through the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17, we saw that God can provide in unexpected ways, work through unlikely people, and is always doing something good—even when it doesn’t feel like it. Whether it’s ravens by a brook, a widow in a drought, or fleas in a concentration camp, God is still in control—and He’s 100% worthy of our trust. God is after our trustGod is able to provideGod is always working for our good Life Group Discussion:Have you ever seen God ask you to do something that didn’t make sense at the time? What happened when you obeyed (or didn’t)?When have you experienced God providing for you in an unexpected or “unlikely” way?Why is it hard to believe God is working for your good when things feel unfair or hopeless?

Jul 6, 2025 • 34min
Sharing the Gospel
Sharing the Gospel starts by choosing to live for Christ—letting your daily life reflect who He is, whether you're at the gym, work, or just hanging out. It means shifting your mindset to see people the way Jesus does—not as interruptions, but as souls deeply loved by God. And finally, it’s about actually sharing Christ—because the Gospel is the real remedy, and you were never meant to keep it to yourself. Live for ChristHave the perspective of ChristShare Christ Life Group Discussion:Can you think of someone in your life who truly lives for Christ? What about their lifestyle challenges or inspires you?What relationships in your life might God be calling you to see differently, with compassion and purpose?Have you ever had a moment where you shared Christ and didn’t see the outcome you expected? How did you process that?

Jun 29, 2025 • 34min
SOS
Through 1 Corinthians 15, Sam reminds us that Jesus didn’t just die and rise again for a one-time rescue, but offers daily grace to stand, grow, and keep going even when life feels overwhelming. It’s not about trying harder—it’s about calling out, receiving His love, and letting that grace reshape everything. Stand in saving graceObserve risen grace Strengthened by sustaining grace Life Group Discussion:Which of the “I could be drowning if…” statements hit closest to home for you, and why?How does knowing Jesus rose from the dead change how you face hard things like doubt, fear, or failure?What’s one area of your life where you need to stop striving and start receiving God’s grace again?

Jun 22, 2025 • 41min
Problems are Invitations to Pray
In Acts 12:1–19, the church faced a crisis when Peter was imprisoned, but their problems became an invitation to fervent prayer. God responded by giving Peter peace in the middle of danger and providentially sending an angel to deliver him. Pastor John uses this story to encourage us to share answered prayers as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Our problems are invitations to prayerPrayers bring God’s peace and providenceShare answered prayer Life Group Discussion:What are some situations in your life right now that could become opportunities to lean into prayer rather than worry?In what ways can consistent prayer reshape our perspective on difficult circumstances?Why is it important to share when God answers prayer, even in small ways?

Jun 15, 2025 • 40min
Courageous Faith
What does it take to have the courage to go against the crowd? In this message we see God's amazing deliverance in the midst of the courageous faithfulness of three men despite immense pressure to conform. We must have the courage to stand outWe can have courage because God stands with usA courageous faith is contagious Life Group Discussion:When have you felt pressured to go along with the crowd, and what helped—or hindered—you from standing out?How does knowing that God stands with you change the way you face fear, rejection, or uncertainty?Who in your life has inspired you to be bold in your faith, and how can your own courage influence others?

Jun 8, 2025 • 40min
Divine Rescue
As we continue in our series, “Divine Intervention,” Pastor John explores the story of Jonah to reveal how God's discipline, rescue, and mercy work in the lives of sinners—even when they are actively rebelling. He emphasizes that the very one we sin against is also the one who rescues us, calling us not just to repentance but to join in His mission of redemption. No one is too far gone for God's grace, and our past does not disqualify us from sharing His mercy with others. Divine Discipline Divine Rescue Divine Mercy Life Group Discussion:When was the last time you asked God if a difficult season was the result of disobedience? What happened next?Have you ever felt unworthy of rescue? How does Romans 5:8 speak to that feeling?Who in your life might be “too far gone” in your eyes—and what would it look like to share God’s mercy with them?

Jun 2, 2025 • 42min
Who Gets The Credit?
In Judges 6–7, God chooses Gideon—a fearful man hiding in a winepress—to demonstrate that He uses the humble to accomplish His purposes. By reducing Gideon’s army from thousands to just 300, God makes it unmistakably clear that victory belongs to Him alone. Through Gideon’s obedience and faith, we see that God conquers not by strength, but through trust in His power and presence. God chooses to use the humbleGod makes it clear who gets the creditGod conquers through faith Life Group Discussion:In what areas of your life might God be asking you to trust Him despite feeling inadequate?When was a time in your life when God did something big, and you knew it had to be Him?What risks did Gideon take in obeying God’s instructions? How did faith play a role?