Harris Creek Baptist Church

Have you ever been somewhere and realized you were out of place? What about being out of place in a hard or difficult or dangerous situation? As we continue our series, The Shepherd in the Psalm, JP teaches us about the Shepherd’s presence and comfort as we walk with Him. KEY TAKEAWAYS-In moments of trouble and in dark valleys, who you are with really matters.-In times of trouble, God doesn’t always protect us (in a fallen world and on this side of death), but He does always promise to comfort us.-The Shepherd is with us in dark valleys.-Sheep are closest to their predators when they walk through valleys; however, they are even closer to their shepherd.-You are either entering a valley, in a valley, or preparing for a valley.-When you enter a valley it’s the starting line, not the finish.-Sometimes sheep can’t see the Shepherd, but they follow the sheep who are following the Shepherd.-You must keep going when you are in the valley. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Don’t isolate and tap out.-We are protected by the Shepherd’s presence.-We don’t talk enough about the reality that satan and his demons hate us and want to steal, kill, and destroy us.-Make no mistake, satan will absolutely destroy you. You are no match for him. However, he is no match for your Shepherd. He is terrified of your Shepherd.-If dependence is the goal, weakness is the advantage.-If closeness to the Shepherd is the goal, then the valley is the advantage.-Christians talk about our Dad and to our Dad. It’s theology and a relationship.-We are comforted by the Shepherd’s presence.-The rod is used for both protection and correction.-The Word of God is our rod today...it protects and corrects us as we read it and apply it to our lives.-The staff saves and directs.-The Holy Spirit saves us and gives us direction.-When you are looking for protection, proximity is everything.-What would you do if you knew God was with you? From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible goes out of its way to show you that God is with you.-It’s time to stop playing religious games and leaving the Shepherd at church on Sunday. Take Him with you everywhere you go. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture study: Psalm 23:4; John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10; Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11-12; John 16:7; 1 Samuel 17:37-47-Sermon: The Good Shepherd-Book: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

If you had to compare yourself to an animal, what animal would you choose? What about a sheep? When you think about a sheep, what comes to mind? As we start our new series, The Shepherd in the Psalm, JP teaches us about sheep and how God, our Good Shepherd, leads them. KEY TAKEAWAYS-The sheep is the only animal in the animal kingdom without a defense mechanism.-The Scripture compared and calls us, humans, one animal: sheep.-The carrot that the enemy often dangles in front of us is freedom. We think we want it and can handle it, but in reality, it will kill us.-Do you believe that you need to be under the care of someone? Scripture is clear that is how God made us to live.-God, our good Shepherd, is in charge and we are not.-Psalm 23 is one of the most well know and most referenced passages in all of Scripture.-The Shepherd leads us to rest.-Christianity is not an “I have to” faith, but an “I get to” faith.-Sheep won’t rest unless they are free from fear, conflict, parasites & flies (worries & anxiety & things to do), and hunger.-So many Christians have fears that are in exact opposition to God’s Word and His promises to us.-Sheep are self destructive animals.-If dependence is the goal, then your weakness is the advantage.-The Shepherd leads us to restoration.-Sheep are completely fine drinking from water that will kill them. And the reality is, so are we.-You can not and will not grow as a follower of Jesus Christ without the spiritual disciplines.-God delights in taking broken things and making them new.-The person who is least OK is the one who is most committed to making everyone think they are OK.-The Shepherd leads us to Righteousness.-Christ, our Good Shepherd, has our best interests in mind. Always.-When we follow God’s interests for our lives, His reputation is on the line, not ours. We can trust Him.-God doesn’t only show us which way to go, He pays for the times when we go the wrong way.-The greatest apologetic today are believers who trust God in really difficult times.-Our desire for freedom and to be on our own transcends all ages and demographics. Left to ourselves, we will die. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture study: Psalm 23:1-3; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 127:2; Jeremiah 2:13-Book: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller-Sermon Series: Conflicted

Are you going through any trials right now? Where are you most tempted in life? Living in a broken, sin-filled world, guarantees that you will face trials and temptations. David Marvin teaches through James 1:1-18, showing us how we can walk through the trials and temptations of life in this world.KEY TAKEAWAYS-Scripture doesn’t teach “if” we will face trials, but rather “when” we will face trials. They are guaranteed on this earth.-When you embrace trials as a Christian, God uses them to grow and strengthen your faith.-Don’t make the mistake of walking away from God when trials come.-The Christian life is a process of sanctification, which simply means to become more like Jesus.-God doesn’t create the pain and problems of this world—they are because of us and sin—but He does use them for our ultimate good when we trust and follow Him.-You’ve never had a conversation with someone about needing to be less peaceful or calm. Our default setting is the opposite: anxiety, worry, fear, etc.-If we don’t flee from temptations, they will eventually hook us and turn into sin, which leads to death.-Here is an acronym to fight temptations: TRUTH: T (Triggers), R (Root beliefs), U (Ungodly behavior), T (Truth from God’s Word), H (Helpful future response)-Everything good comes from God. Everything.-At your core, what do you truly believe about God? Not what you know to be true about Him, but what do you really and truly believe to be true about Him?MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: James 1:1-18

We all want to be free. Free from rules, consequences, sin, and even death. Are there any areas of your life that you aren’t free right now? This Easter, we celebrate the true and ultimate freedom we have in Christ and how He sets us free from death.KEY TAKEAWAYS-Freedom from death foretold.-All throughout the Bible there are “Easter Eggs”...hints and clues and shadows foretelling the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.-Freedom from death displayed.-We are the prisoner stuck in a cage and unable to free ourselves.-What cage are you sitting in: pride, anxiety, deceit, sexual immorality, control, fear, materialism, etc.?-We are Barabbas.-Freedom from death forever.-Christianity would not be a thing had Christ not resurrected from the dead, appeared to over 500 people, and then person after person and generation after generation told others who eventually told you.-If you were to die today, on a scale of 1 to 10, how certain are you that you would go to heaven?-If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?-Was God’s anger toward your sin satisfied through the death of Jesus?-You can live forever, free from death, by trusting in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection three days later.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: Genesis 22:14; Exodus 12:12-13; Leviticus 16:8-10; Hebrews 10:1-4; Mark 15:6-11: Mathew 27:16; Galatians 4:6; Matthew 27:26; Acts 2:23-24; Romans 8:1-2; 1 John 5:13; Ephesians 2:8-9-Sermon: Through the Lens of Pontius-Story: Jesus and the Bird Cage

Have you ever made a decision because of someone else? Wanted to do one thing but did something else because of others? As we continue our series Cross Examined, JP teaches us about people pleasing by examining the life of Pontius Pilate, a people pleasing politician.KEY TAKEAWAYS-People pleasing keeps relationships really shallow. -Who knows you? Who really, really knows you?-Keeping secrets until you die is satanic. It’s the opposite of what the Bible calls us to.-You cannot be a servant of Christ and live to please people.-If you make decisions based on what others think of you, you are a people pleaser.-A people pleaser is powerless. -Christians do not determine obedience by the outcome.-The most powerful man in the area (Pilate) was simply a puppet in the hands of the people.-A people pleaser is easily persuaded.-The gospel is controversial. Living for Christ is controversial. If you aren’t anchored in this truth, you will be swept away.-Do you make decisions based on what other people with think or what will honor God?-Something can be true -Something can be true: even if no one knows it. Something can be true: even if no one admits it. Something can be true: even if no one agrees what it is. Something can be true: even if no one follows it. Something can be true: even if no one but God grasps it fully.-If you follow the crowd, you are going to get lost in it.-You can’t desire to live like Jesus and be in fear of being crucified.-A people pleaser will point fingers.-When you try to make everyone happy you will have to find someone to blame.-We have such a high view of justice when it comes to our own lives that we completely forget that the central reality and truth of our faith is that our God was blamed and crucified for something He didn’t do.-We, all of us, are the ones to blame for Jesus being on the cross.-Jesus has all power, is not persuaded by others, and never points fingers.-Ten out of the eleven disciples died a brutal, martyrs death because they would not deny the crucifixion. What about you? Are you ready to live for Jesus and be His disciple no matter the cost?-Not one time did Jesus ask the question, “What will they think of me?” Rather, every single moment He asked, “What is my Father’s will?”MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: Galatians 1:10; John 19:4-12; Proverbs 21:1; John 19:13-16; John 18:37-38; Matthew 27:24-26; Revelation 19:11-16 -Resource: Doing the Right Thing by Chuck Colson

Have you ever lost your way before? Maybe you have right now? As we continue our series, Cross Examined, JP examines the life of Peter, teaching us that we are never too far gone for God to rescue us and make good out of our mess.KEY TAKEAWAYS-If God can make good of the cross, He can make good of anything.-Jesus has a new future for His followers, and we won’t realize it until we forfeit our plans.-If dependence is the goal, weakness is an advantage.-Where are you with your plans—money, job, family, possessions, etc.—in this season? Are you holding them tightly or giving them to the Lord?-Delayed obedience is disobedience.-The lie in failure is that God is finished.-God finishes things, and as Christians, we should too.-Staying committed to going to church is the worst hobby ever. Harris Creek doesn’t want church goers, we are trying to make fully devoted followers of Jesus.-Jesus is faithful to restore His followers.-Jesus is faithful in our failure.-God is really, really good at finding people who have lost their way.-It is in the cross that our future is found.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: Luke 5:3-11; Luke 22:33-34,54-62; John 21:3-17

Have you ever loved someone so much that you always wanted to be with them? What about when hard times came... did your actions match your desire? As we continue our series, Cross Examined, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches us about being a resilient disciple by examining the life Mary Magdalene.KEY TAKEAWAYS-There are two goals with Cross Examined: Focus on the cross of Jesus and learn about Him by examining the lives of people who spent time with Jesus.-A resilient disciple follows Jesus anywhere.-Is your life about the magnification of yourself or of Jesus?-Mary didn’t let anything get in the way of her pursuit of Jesus. What are you prone to prioritize ahead of Jesus?-A resilient disciple sits with Jesus in the unanswered questions.-Life in a fallen world is filled with hard things. When you experience hardship, what do you run to? Things of this world or Jesus?-The Christian life is filled with an “already but not yet” tension. We are already saved by our faith in Jesus, but we are not yet home until we die or He returns.-A resilient disciple experiences deep joy with Jesus.-All throughout Scripture we see examples of faithful men and women who keep showing up despite their circumstances.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: Matthew 27:45-50,55; Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:57-61; John 20:11-17-Sermon: Through the Lens of Judah

Have you ever been betrayed before? Betrayal hurts deeply. As we start our new series, Cross Examined, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches us about the worst betrayal of all time as we cross examine the life of Judas.KEY TAKEAWAY-Judas was not the one to betray Jesus, we are the one that betrayed Jesus, and there are three lies we are prone to believe.-Lie #1: We think we can dispose of Jesus.-Judas’ decision to betray Jesus wasn’t a financial decision, it was a faith decision.-In Judas’ mind, he didn’t serve Jesus, but Jesus served him. What about you? Do you serve Jesus, or does Jesus serve you?-How much is Jesus worth to you?-Do you ask what Jesus can do for you, or do you ask what you can do for Jesus?-If this world is all you are living for, following and living for Jesus is inconvenient.-Lie #2: We think we can deceive Jesus.-A person capable of lying is capable of anything.-The biggest problem in Waco is cultural Christianity, and at the heart of cultural Christianity is the belief that we can deceive God and simply add Him to our lives for one hour per week.-At some point, we will all have to own our sin. Some day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.-Lie #3: We believe our sin is our responsibility to fix.-The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus made our sin His responsibility to fix.-Despite Judas’ betrayal, Jesus continued to woo him back to Himself.-The very reason Jesus came to earth was to rescue people like Judas...people like us.-It does not matter what you’ve done, you are never too far gone for Jesus to rescue you.-There are a multitude of questions we could cross examine Judas with to understand why he did what he did, but the reality is, he could ask us those very same questions. However, the end of his story doesn’t need to be the end of our story.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: Matthew 26; Exodus 21:32; Matthew 27:1-5; Isaiah 53:5

When you go shopping, do you go with something specific in mind, or do you go not having any idea what you are looking for? Either option can work for shopping, but when it comes to dating, if you don’t know what you are looking for you won’t know when you’ve found it. This week, JP teaches through 1 Timothy 4:12, showing us how a message on dating is really a message on discipleship.KEY TAKEAWAYS-The more specificity you have when you are looking for something the easier it will be to know when you’ve found it.-You want to be the one that the person you are looking for is looking for.-Most people, if they are being really honest, are looking for someone to make them feel a certain way. The problem is, feelings come and feelings go.-Most marriages fail because people are simply looking to feel a certain way.-Sadly, today in America, the smallest demographic of marriages are happy and committed. The majority are either divorced or living unhappily un-divorced.-The word date or dating is an extremely modern idea.-The world and Hollywood are telling you to date and train your heart opposite to God’s Word.-Do they set an example in their speech?-What comes out of their mouth when they are “squeezed”...when they are frustrated?-Do they set an example in their conduct?-What is their reputation? Reputation is simply conduct stacked up over time.-Two tips for online dating: profiles lie and don’t date strangers.-Past performance is the best indicator of future performance.-In dating, references are your friend.-You want someone’s repentance to be as notorious as their rebellion.-How do they act toward someone who can do nothing for them in return?-Do they set an example in love?-What do they love?-Parents, what would your children say you love most based on what they observe?-If you act one way throughout the week and then put on a face and show for church on Sunday you will mess children up. Badly.-What do they give their time, talents, and treasure to? This will show you what they truly love.-Do they set an example in faith?-Does the reality of the gospel infiltrate every aspect of their life?-Are they running the same race at the same place at the same pace as you?-Half the battle in dating is where you are looking for a spouse.-You are looking for someone who is well married to Jesus.-Spend time where Christians spend time.-Just because someone is in church and has a Bible doesn’t make them a Christian.-You aren’t looking for a soul mate, you are looking for a sole mate.-Don’t date thinking you will change someone. Do not date non-Christians...it’s contrary to Scripture.-Do they set an example in purity?-What are they entertained by? What informs their heart? Are they entertained by the things Jesus died for?-Someone who will be intimate with you outside of marriage is telling you they don’t value the marriage covenant and that they will do the same thing with someone else once they are married to you.-“How far is too far?” is the wrong question to ask. However, as a great rule of thumb, when your body prepares for sex you’ve gone too far. A better question is “What would glorify God”?-If you are a Christian, your body is not your own. It belongs to God.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES-Suggested Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 4:12; James 1:19; Luke 6:45; Proverbs 20:11; Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 6:21; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20-Book: Outdated (available wherever books are sold)