Harris Creek Baptist Church

We could do the right thing for the wrong reasons. What is your “why”? In Matthew 6, we learn how to glorify God with a pure faith believing in Him.  Fake faith gives to be honored by othersFake faith performs prayers Fake faith sacrifices to appear spiritual  Life Group Discussion:Do you give for God’s glory or man’s glory? Where do you need to be challenged?When you are praying with others, is it easy for you to just talk to God or do you get distracted on what you are going to pray in the presence of others? Is the “why” you fast because you want to appear spiritual to others? What is your motive?

What did Jesus mean when He told us to turn the other cheek? For many of us, our reaction to being wronged is to hit back and try to enact justice on our own terms. But Jesus calls us to something altogether new. When forced to go one mile, we go two. Life Group Questions:1. In the past, how have you responded when you have been wronged?2. How does this passage challenge our notions of strength and weakness?3. What does it mean to “not withhold” from your enemies?

How do you define covenants and commitments? In Matthew 5, we learn Christians keep their covenants, consider remarriage carefully, and know the importance of having credibility to point others to Christ. Christians keep our covenants Consider remarriage carefullyA Christian’s credibility points to Christ Life Group Discussion:Does marriage really matter? How important are the marriage vows? Why do you say that?When you say, “yes”, do you mean it? Is your “yes” trustworthy? Share a time when you broke a commitment? How did you handle it? When you need to break a commitment, discuss together the best way.

God requires perfect holiness to be in His presence. We are imperfect and in need of a sinless sacrifice because of sin. Jesus is the sinless sacrifice and comes into our mess to rescue us! We can enter in the presence of God by the name of Jesus.  Jesus is the Sinless SacrificeFor Sin from AngerCommands Amends from Sin Life Group Discussion:Where in my life am I relaxing in areas of sin?Has God ever brought someone to your mind that you needed to seek out forgiveness? Did you obey? Share this experience. Is it hard to say, “Will you please forgive me?” What relationships are the hardest to say this phrase?   

Jesus is calling us to a higher standard of living and what we need is not to try harder to modify our behavior, rather we need heart transformation that comes from fully surrendering our entire lives to Jesus’ authority. In this sermon we learn from Joshua Broome, a former pornstar turned pastor, who points us towards Jesus' words on these truths.  1. Authority Reassigned2. Adultery Redefined3. The Adulterous Heart Redeemed Life Group Discussion:- How do you put up guardrails to protect your heart from tripping up?- Do you bring your struggles to your heavenly Father? Or do you try to hide your struggles from God and others? - Do you take inventory of your life? What are you watching? What are you reading? What are you listening to? Who are you hanging out with? What do you need to stop doing that keeps you from becoming the likeness of Christ?

You have a purpose to preserve the world that’s been entrusted to you by sharing the Gospel. You have a place and a people to shine your light in the darkness. In Matthew 5, Jesus reveals how we can feel alive! Know your purposeKnow your placeKnow your people Life Group Discussion:Have you ever toured old church buildings that are now museums? What do you think happened to those churches?  Considering the idea of being light that God specifically placed, in what area of your life (work, family, friendships, etc.) could you put that into practice of being light? Share a specific situation. What is one new way you could begin loving the people God has placed in your life? Are you asking God to show you the people you need to shine a light in darkness?  

Do you feel like the world is going backwards? How did this happen? The world is going backwards because we’re not living the upside-down life. When we walk among the people of God, as the people of God we preserve our land. And fortunately, Jesus shows us the path! The path is among the poor in spiritThe path is among the pure in heartThe path is among those peaceful in persecution Life Group Discussion:What do you picture when you think of the phrase “poor in spirit”?What type of situations or relationships are difficult for you to be pure in heart?Do you know someone that doesn’t bring peace to a situation? What is it about them that makes you say that?

We are in a real war, and if we don’t realize it, then we are losing. Once we learn to watch for it, we begin to see it. Once we see it, we can’t unsee it. Paul writes in Ephesians 6 everything we need to know to resist temptation when the enemy attacks. Stand strong against Satan’s schemesStand firm and suited upStay praying in The Spirit and share Life Group Discussion:Do you recognize when the enemy attacks? Why is it important to stay on guard?What is a moment you stood strong against the enemy? What is a moment you failed, but you felt the grace of Jesus that he’s already won the battle?

Let your life be a life of worship as you obey your parents, guide your children, and work in the role God has placed you in. Live a life of worshipping Jesus in your home and at your workplace. Children: Honor and ObeyDads: Discipline and DiscipleWorkers: Worship  Life Group Discussion:How old should children be to continue to obey their parents? What areas in your life do you model well for your children? What areas do you struggle with?  Do you feel like your work is a place that you can “worship” unto the Lord? If not, how can you make it a place you can worship while you work?

Discover the essential elements for a thriving marriage, emphasizing the need for Christ at the center. Learn about the importance of sacrifice, submission, and mutual respect in a relationship. Explore the contrast between societal misconceptions and biblical truths surrounding marriage. Hear insights on navigating the transition from dating to marriage, highlighting the role of community support. Understand how surrendering to God's word can transform a partnership and foster a deeper connection.