Harris Creek Baptist Church

Do you know anyone who is in good physical shape? They don’t simply stay that way…there is no cruise control; there is maintenance and they work at it. As we continue studying the book of Philippians, JP teaches us how our faith is similar. We are saved by grace in faith through Jesus, and through that grace we are told to exercise our salvation. KEY TAKEAWAYS- People do not drift toward Holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated. -D.A. Carson- Work out your salvation trusting that God is at work in you.- If you go to the gym and do the exact same work out every single time you will not grow. Your faith is no different. You need to work out your salvation past the point of your comfort.- Jesus did the heavy lifting of your salvation and He will do the heavy lifting of your sanctification.- What would it look like for you to stretch your faith so that it grows?- Do you have a “Do I have to?” faith or a “Do I get to?” faith? “Do I get to” is a better way of life.- Work on serving the word of life, not words of death.- The Spirit of God inside of you is bigger than your reputation…He can change anyone!- The complainer is not healthy. There’s almost always something else going on.- Don’t put a lid on your faith.- Pour out your life in service with joy to the finish.- An important aspect of growth as a Christian is service.- Christianity is a team sport. We are not made or meant to do life alone.- 2020 has been a difficult year so far, but as Christians, we are going to heaven! And we can represent that reality today as we live out our faith here and now. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Philippians 2:12-18; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Colossians 1:29- Sermon: The Humility of Jesus- Sermon: Unified in Opposition

There is a deep desire in all of us to be great...something in each of us that wants to be part of something bigger than ourselves. What makes someone or something great? The greatest person of all time used His greatness to serve others. As we continue studying the book of Philippians, JP teaches through Philippians 2:3-11, teaching us about Jesus’ greatness and His humility. KEY TAKEAWAYS- The secret to being great in any situation is to be humble. The secret to happiness is humility.- If we define greatness as anything other than humble service we’ve made the same - mistake as the devil.- God’s exhortation of humility (exhortation simply means a strong call or urge to do something).- Biblical humility is thinking of others more and thinking more of others.- How do you do at giving others the benefit of the doubt?- “Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.” -C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity- There will be no sustainable joy in your life without humility.- This passage in Philippians addresses the hypostatic union—which is a way to talk about both the divine and human nature in the same person of Jesus Christ.- Christ’s example of humility.- If we only benefit ourselves with what we’ve been given we are fooling ourselves and missing the point of Christianity.- The idea of humble service is how Christianity explodes, not simply giving God ten percent of our lives.- Humility looks good on everyone.- The exaltation from humility.- Christ is the greatest of all time, and through His humility, we can become His co-heirs with Him in heaven forever and ever and ever.- “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” -Abraham Kuyper- The most common question the disciples asked Jesus was “Who is the greatest among us?” Jesus answered their question: I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John (who used his entire life to point others to Jesus); yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (Luke 7:28).MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Philippians 2:3-11; Genesis 3:5; Luke 12:48; 1 Peter 5:5; Isaiah 52:13, 45:23-24; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 7:28- Sermon: Unified in Opposition- Sermon: Courage From and for the Gospel

Do you remember the events of September 11, 2001? As our nation was under attack, we rallied together to fight against our enemies. As we continue studying the book of Philippians, JP teaches us that as Christians, we must have unity in opposition. KEY TAKEAWAYS- It’s imperative to understand that we have one enemy: Satan. He hates what’s happening at Harris Creek, and he doesn’t want it to go well for you.- Keep firm in the faith by being unified in conduct.- As Christians, our teammates are other Christians. Not people who share a team, political party, or zip code, but simply and only people who share a faith in Jesus Christ.- Keep firm in the faith by being unified in courage.- No one should be more courageous than Christians. We are immortal and we will live forever. We won’t die one second before God is done with us.- Keep firm in the faith by being unified against comfort.- The courage we need is the courage to suffer. Suffering is central to being a Christian.- "If your Christianity is comfortable, you should question your Christianity." -Costi Hinn- The greater your ability to be comfortable the more difficult it is to choose suffering.- The power to live out this unity comes from Jesus as we press closer and closer into Him.- America has had four Great Awakenings and based on the timeline of when they happened we are posed for a fifth. Are you ready? MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Philippians 1:27-30; Acts 16:37-38; Romans 5:3-4; Philippians 2:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:7- Sermon: Courage From and for the Gospel- Sermon: Growing a Love for People

Have you ever met someone who had courage? What are you most courageous about in life? As we continue studying the book of Philippians, JP teaches us about the courage we can have through Christ.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Encourage simply means to put courage in someone. As Christians, our courage should be in the gospel—the good news of Jesus.- We have become inoculated to Christianity. Meaning, we have received a little bit of it time and time again to where we are numb to what it really is and means for our lives.- Does talking about Jesus mark you? Do you view every opportunity as an opportunity to talk about Him?- Paul’s courage is contagious.- Harris Creek makes disciples. We are a factory, and we make missionaries to go serve in businesses, schools, coffee shops, and countries all over the world.- You can share the gospel with 100% confidence because one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.- Paul’s courage is confident in opposition.- Sadly, the church is often marked by disunity. People start to make Christianity about knowledge at the expense of love. What about you: Are you marked by knowledge, cynicism, and elitism, or love, joy, peace, and unity?- If these three things happened, which would excite you the most: Your team wins the national championship, your favorite restaurant/store comes to town, or someone comes to know Christ?- Paul’s courage comes from Christ.- The main reason we don’t share the gospel is that we lack faith.- We talk about what we care about. What do you care about?- “I would rather fail in a cause that would ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that would ultimately fail.” -Woodrow WilsonMENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Philippians 1:12-26- Sermon: Growing a Love for People

Do you ever look back on life to a season when you had a close group of friends? When you always had someone with you no matter what life threw your way? Do you want to have that today and in the days ahead? As we start our study on the book of Philippians, JP shows us how to grow our affections for others as he teaches through Philippians 1:1-11. KEY TAKEAWAYS- The first thing you are going to see out of the gate when reading Philippians is how much Paul loved the church at Philippi.- The gospel is more powerful than the sin of materialism and the power of demonic forces…it cannot be stopped.- One of the most common features—behind the gospel itself—of successful life groups is they embrace the fact that community is forged and not found. They understand that to have successful community you must learn to love one another.- Grow love for people by partnering with them in the gospel.- As a Christian, every relationship can be summed up in one of two groups: You are either partnered with them in making God known or you are partnered with God in helping them know Him.- If you want to grow affection for someone, be careful with your thoughts. What you think about them will shape how you feel toward them.- The memories you feed determine the emotions you feel.- Grow love for others by seeing them in a process.- You doubting that someone would respond to the gospel is not doubting them, it is doubting God.- Being frustrated with someone’s sanctification process—the process of them becoming more like Jesus—is like assuming their journey is already over. That God is already done with them.- If you are going to be naive about anything, be naive because you are so full of faith that God can change anyone.- When we come to know Jesus, sometimes God takes sin and struggles away immediately, and other times it it takes time and a journey to continue to become more like Jesus.- God is not naive to our sin, He’s just paid for it.- It’s one thing to tell someone you are praying for them, but it’s completely different to tell them what you are praying for them.- One of the most common reasons for conflict is simply a misunderstanding.- We are as divided as we are as a country because everyone is listening to their own feedback loop and simply trying to win arguments with people who have differing beliefs, rather than listening and seeking to understand why someone believes what they do. - Sharing the gospel with everyone you come in contact with is normative for a Christian. Compartmentalizing your faith to a time slot on Sunday is never what God had in mind.- Grow love for others by praying for them.- Your church are the people you gather with week in and week out as a life group, not a room full of people you don’t know when you gather corporately once a week.- How can you better partner with your life group to advance the gospel this week? MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Philippians 1:1-11; Acts 16:11-40; Romans 8:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17- Sermon: Community-Centered- Sermon: Missional

Have you ever heard someone who had a distinct accent? Where it was obvious they were from somewhere different than you? As we finish our series, Sticks and Stones, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches through Colossians 4:2-6, teaching us Christians should have their own “accent” based on the words they use.KEY TAKEAWAYS- As Christians, we should be known for how we use our words.- If you want to honor God with your words: Talk to God.- If you don’t emphasize prayer, you won’t utilize prayer.- You don’t just fall into a good prayer life. The way to develop a deep and intimate prayer life is by working at it!- If you want to honor God with your words: Talk about God.- Everyone has a message...what’s yours? What do you talk about the most?- If every word you spoke in the last week was printed out in a packet for a stranger to read, how long would it take for them to realize that you love Jesus? Would they read about the gospel?- If you want to honor God with your words: Be wise with your words.- Wisdom with our words can be summarized by knowing what to say and what not to say, and then when to speak and when not to speak.- Do you know what stands out when people are talking over each other and talking louder and louder? Silence.- When you meet with someone, try applying the 80/20 principle to your conversation: talk 20% of the time and listen 80% of the time.- If you want to honor God with your words: Be gracious with your words.- Do your words smell like the aroma of Christ? Do they tear others down or build others up?- The more time you spend in the presence of your Heavenly Father the more you will sound like Him.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Colossians 4:2-6; Proverbs 17:28; - Sermon: The Danger of Our Tongues- Sermon: The Weight of Our Words

Can you think of the last time you were hurt by someone else’s words? Every single one of us has been on the receiving end of hurtful words. As we continue our series, Sticks & Stones, Scott Kedersha teaches us about the tongue by teaching through James chapter 3.KEY TAKEAWAYS- The phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a horrendous lie. Words are extremely dangerous and can cause lifelong damage.- No one is perfect in their words...we all stumble, every single one of us.- The tongue is powerful.- The tongue is a small part of the body that has an abnormal influence relative to its size.- The tongue is destructive.- Our words—while they might seem like a small spark—can start a dangerous fire that can burn for a lifetime in someone’s memory.- The tongue is revealing.- The tongue reveals who we really are. It shows what is in our hearts.- What kind of words come out of your mouth? What do they reveal about who you are?- While the tongue is powerful, revealing, and destructive, it can also encourage and build others up! As Christians, we can and should use it for good.- When is the last time you went out of your way to encourage someone with your words?MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: James 3:1-12; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Ephesians 4:29- Sermon: The Weight of Our Words

What if all the words you ever said were recorded? If you wore a microphone all the time? What would your words say about you? As we start a new series, Sticks & Stones, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches through Matthew 12:33-37, showing us how much God cares about our words.KEY TAKEAWAYS- When you are all alone your words show who you really are.- However great something’s potential for good is, equal is its potential for evil.- The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).- What you plant is what will grow.- Your relationship with your words is similar to your relationship with your bank: you can only withdraw what you have deposited.- Apple seeds make apple trees, and orange seeds make orange trees...there are no exceptions. It’s no different with your heart and your words. What type of seeds are you planting?- You can’t fake what is growing in your heart.- God hears everything you say, so you are only fooling yourself if you think you can hide or fake anything.- Ask someone close to you what your words display about who you are.- There is a big difference between simply not sinning with your words and advancing the kingdom of God.- Put purpose behind your words.- Are you thoughtful about your words? Every single word you speak is an opportunity to speak with purpose.- If you are a parent, what words will your kids remember about you?- To put purpose behind your words, pray before you speak.- You will pay for what you say.- On the day you die and stand before God, what will your words say about you? It’s only through Christ’s death and resurrection that we are saved, but we will give an account for our words.- The most important words ever spoken were from Jesus: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Do you believe those words?MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES - Suggested Scripture study: Matthew 12:33-37; Proverbs 18:21- Sermon: Words Matter

God created the earth in the very first verse of the Bible. Do you know what He did immediately after that? As we finish our series, Conflicted, JP talks about our ability and authority as Christians, as well as answers the most common questions we received about conflict.KEY TAKEAWAYS- Ability and authority go hand in hand, and as Christians, we have both when it comes to handling conflict.- Here is the ability for how to handle conflict: See conflict as an opportunity, own your part, know conflict is pressing, overlook a small offense, clearly express your hurt, and when necessary, widen the circle.- Asking for forgiveness should be normative for Christians.- Knowing what to do is often not the problem. It’s the fact that we are scared and care too much about what others think about us.- Right after God created the earth itself, it was formless and empty, so He formed and filled it.- God made mankind in His image and commands us to fill the earth and “subdue it” or form it.- Genesis chapter 3 is the grand conflict in all of Scripture, and in the very same chapter, we see God provide the solution in Christ.- The church has authority given to us by the Father through Jesus which we live out in the Spirit.- Central to what it means to be a follower of Christ is to be a minister of reconciliation. With the authority God has given us comes a responsibility.- Christians are often the number one offenders in doing the very things God calls us to fight against: gossip, slander, cynicism, and reconciliation.- The Word of God is our conscience, authority, and guide.Q&AHow do I handle conflict with someone who isn’t a Christian?- The opportunity in conflict with a non-believer is to share the gospel.- Love them, share the gospel, and make much of Jesus!How do I handle conflict with someone of the opposite sex?- The setting might change based on variables (married, single, family, etc.), but the process remains the exact same.What if I need time and space before resolving conflict?- This is very common language today, but we don’t see it in Scripture.- The Scriptures teach an urgency in dealing with conflict. Again, we don’t see time and space prescribed in Scripture.- It’s unloving to leave an open ended plan for when and how quickly you will meet to resolve conflict with someone.What if someone ghosts you?- Reach out and ask if you have offended them.- Never practice the process of conflict resolution over text message or email. Never.What is forgiveness?- To rightly understand forgiveness, we always have to start with Jesus and what He did for us on the cross.- Forgiveness in the Bible is a release or a dismissal of something.What if I’m not ready to forgive someone?- Go back and center your mind and heart on your trespass against a holy God.- Remind yourself how much God has forgiven you of.- This is a great chance to display and live out the gospel.What if the person who hurt you is your boss?- Are they a Christian? If yes, practice the process of conflict resolution. If no, share the gospel.- Don’t measure obedience by the outcome. Have an “even if” faith when it has to do with areas of obedience.Why have you said this might the most important series you will ever teach?- Conflict resolution is central to the Gospel. It is the gospel!- There is a separation of church/faith in our day that God never intended. We should take our faith with us in 100% of everything we do.MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28; Genesis 3:16-19; Matthew 18:15-20; 2 Corinthians 15:14-19; Proverbs 26:4-5; Matthew 5:21-26- Conflict Field Guide- Week 1, 2 & 3 of Conflicted

Have you ever known the right thing to do but didn’t feel like doing it? Or maybe you did it, but it was begrudgingly and with the wrong heart? What posture should you take when pursuing conflict with others? As we continue our series, Conflicted, JP teaches us how to be balanced when dealing with conflict. KEY TAKEAWAYS- There are so many things that Christians are divided on...there are over 30,000 different denominations in America alone.- You don’t get to pick your biological family, and the same is true of Christianity; Christians are part of God’s family.- To summarize the last two weeks of our series, Conflicted: 1) Change your perspective, see conflict as an opportunity; 2) Own your part; 3) Know conflict is pressing; 4) Overlook a small offense; 5) Clearly communicate your hurt; and 6) Widen the circle.- “Worthy” in Ephesians 4:1-6 is from axios, which is where we get axel and axis. It is something that a structure balances on. Paul is calling us to live with a sense of balance.- Be balanced in attitude.- In conflict, are you more focused on winning and being right or resolving the conflict and seeking peace?- Our country is divided unlike few times in its history. As Christians, we all have a role to play...none of us are on the bench.- To be balanced in attitude in conflict is to be as humble as you possibly can. This type of humility does not come from striving but from surrendering.- Be balanced in effort.- This admonition from the text is not “let go let God,” it’s “Let God and let’s go!”- Christians have one and only one enemy: Satan.- Make no mistake, Satan is way stronger than you are. However, God is infinitely stronger than him.- To be balanced in effort is to fall fully into the strength of God.- Be balanced in unity.- You have more in common with any Christian—regardless of language, skin color, politics, etc.—than you do with any non-Christian. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES- Suggested Scripture study: Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Peter 2:23; James 4:1; Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29- Conflict Field Guide- Week 1 & 2 of Conflicted