Podcast
Harris Creek Baptist Church
This is the weekly sermon podcast from Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Visit www.harriscreek.org for more information.
- Episodes
- 852
- Releases
- Twice a week
- Typical length
- 44 min
- On air since
- 2012
- Latest episode
- 2 days ago
Episodes
852 episodes, newest first
-
42 min
Reflect Christ in Our Relationships
Show notes
Meaningful relationships start with going all-in with Jesus, allowing His love to fill us so we can love others with humility and selflessness. We’re called to put others before ourselves and live all-in for the Gospel, using every relationship as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus until all are in Christ.
Go All-In with Christ
Live All-In for Others
Be All-In for The Gospel
Life Group Discussion:
How can you tell when you’re running on your own strength instead of being filled by Christ’s love?
Philippians 2:3–4 calls us to put others’ interests ahead of our own. Where is this easiest for you, and where is it hardest?
What would change about the way you approach your relationships if you truly believed God had placed those people in your life for a purpose?
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46 min
You're There for a Reason
Show notes
God has placed you exactly where you are to represent Jesus, not by criticizing the world, but by showing people His love through your actions, kindness, and gentleness. Remember the grace that saved you, stay focused on what matters, and look for ways to meet real needs because the world isn’t your enemy, it’s your mission field.
Live by example
Remember you were saved
Stay focused on mission
Life Group Discussion:
You can disagree with someone without dishonoring them. Where do you find it hardest to show gentleness and respect toward people whose beliefs, values, or opinions differ from yours? What would it look like to respond more like Jesus?
Have you ever felt like your past disqualified you from being used by God? How might He use parts of your story, even the messy parts, to connect with someone who needs Him?
JP says, “Don’t get so distracted by what’s wrong with the world that you fail to do what’s right.” What distractions, arguments, or frustrations tend to pull your attention away from actually loving and serving people?
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42 min
How Grace Works
Show notes
Grace is so much more than forgiveness; through Jesus, God saves us, shapes us, and sets us apart as His own. We don’t pursue holiness to earn God’s grace, but because we’ve received it, allowing His grace to transform our desires, change how we live, and make us people who reflect His kindness to the world.
Grace saves us
Grace shapes us
Grace sets us apart
Life Group Discussion:
Where are you tempted to believe you have to earn God’s love or prove yourself to Him?
Where might God be inviting you to let His grace shape an area of your life right now?
What is one practical way you can show the kindness of Jesus to someone in your everyday life this week?
-
42 min
How Grace Works
Show notes
Grace is so much more than forgiveness; through Jesus, God saves us, shapes us, and sets us apart as His own. We don’t pursue holiness to earn God’s grace, but because we’ve received it, allowing His grace to transform our desires, change how we live, and make us people who reflect His kindness to the world.
Grace saves us
Grace shapes us
Grace sets us apart
Life Group Discussion:
Where are you tempted to believe you have to earn God’s love or prove yourself to Him?
Where might God be inviting you to let His grace shape an area of your life right now?
What is one practical way you can show the kindness of Jesus to someone in your everyday life this week?
-
41 min
You Are a Billboard for Jesus
Show notes
Your life is a billboard for Jesus, and how you live can either draw people toward Him or push them away. In Titus 2:1–10, Paul calls every believer to live with integrity, practice self-control, serve others, and invest in the next generation so that the way we live makes the gospel attractive to the world around us.
Older men don’t check out from following Christ
Older women should live with reverence and teach what is good
Young women should faithfully follow the Word of God
Young men must be self-controlled
Workers should work to please their master
Life Group Discussion:
Who is someone whose faithfulness has challenged you to love Jesus more? What qualities do you see in them that you want to develop in your own life?
Why is it important for older and more mature believers to invest in the next generation? What can you learn from someone in a different season of life?
Nate emphasized that every season of life matters, whether you're married, single, or raising a family. How can you faithfully follow Jesus in your current season instead of waiting for the next one?
What is the difference between simply avoiding sin and actively pursuing God's purpose for your life?
How does remembering that you ultimately work for the Lord change the way you approach your job, school, or everyday responsibilities?
-
41 min
You Are a Billboard for Jesus
Show notes
Your life is a billboard for Jesus, and how you live can either draw people toward Him or push them away. In Titus 2:1–10, Paul calls every believer to live with integrity, practice self-control, serve others, and invest in the next generation so that the way we live makes the gospel attractive to the world around us.
Older men don’t check out from following Christ
Older women should live with reverence and teach what is good
Young women should faithfully follow the Word of God
Young men must be self-controlled
Workers should work to please their master
Life Group Discussion:
Who is someone whose faithfulness has challenged you to love Jesus more? What qualities do you see in them that you want to develop in your own life?
Why is it important for older and more mature believers to invest in the next generation? What can you learn from someone in a different season of life?
Nate emphasized that every season of life matters, whether you're married, single, or raising a family. How can you faithfully follow Jesus in your current season instead of waiting for the next one?
What is the difference between simply avoiding sin and actively pursuing God's purpose for your life?
How does remembering that you ultimately work for the Lord change the way you approach your job, school, or everyday responsibilities?
-
45 min
Holding the Line in the Church Against Culture | John Elmore | Harris Creek Sermons
Show notes
Culture pulls us toward compromise, but followers of Jesus are called to hold the line by standing on God’s Word, not personal preference. We protect the church, correct with care, and share Christ with those who need Him.
We don’t let corrupt counsel contaminate the Church
We correct out of care and concern
We share Christ with corrupted people
Life Group Discussion:
What voices or sources most influence the way you think about God, truth, and morality?
Why is it often easier to stay silent than to lovingly confront something that is spiritually unhealthy?
How can we tell the difference between someone who needs correction and someone who simply needs to hear the gospel?
-
45 min
Holding the Line in the Church Against Culture | John Elmore | Harris Creek Sermons
Show notes
Culture pulls us toward compromise, but followers of Jesus are called to hold the line by standing on God’s Word, not personal preference. We protect the church, correct with care, and share Christ with those who need Him.
We don’t let corrupt counsel contaminate the Church
We correct out of care and concern
We share Christ with corrupted people
Life Group Discussion:
What voices or sources most influence the way you think about God, truth, and morality?
Why is it often easier to stay silent than to lovingly confront something that is spiritually unhealthy?
How can we tell the difference between someone who needs correction and someone who simply needs to hear the gospel?
-
48 min
A Leader Worth Following
Show notes
What does your life say about what you truly believe? In Titus 1, Paul shows us that godly leadership starts with leading well at home, living with character, and building your life on the truth of the Gospel.
Lead well at home
Lead with character
Lead from truth
Life Group Discussion:
Who has had the greatest influence on your faith, and what did you see in their life that made you want to follow Jesus?
Which of the character qualities in Titus 1 (self-controlled, hospitable, upright, holy, disciplined, etc.) comes most naturally to you, and which is hardest for you?
Have you ever realized that something you believed wasn’t actually consistent with what the Bible teaches? How did that change the way you lived?
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48 min
A Leader Worth Following
Show notes
What does your life say about what you truly believe? In Titus 1, Paul shows us that godly leadership starts with leading well at home, living with character, and building your life on the truth of the Gospel.
Lead well at home
Lead with character
Lead from truth
Life Group Discussion:
Who has had the greatest influence on your faith, and what did you see in their life that made you want to follow Jesus?
Which of the character qualities in Titus 1 (self-controlled, hospitable, upright, holy, disciplined, etc.) comes most naturally to you, and which is hardest for you?
Have you ever realized that something you believed wasn’t actually consistent with what the Bible teaches? How did that change the way you lived?
-
39 min
Finishing Well
Show notes
Following Jesus isn’t about starting strong or checking spiritual boxes, but about staying faithful and running through the finish line. We finish well by practicing our faith, intentionally pursuing intimacy with Jesus, and using our influence to help others follow Him.
To finish well, we practice our faith
To finish well, we pay attention to our intimacy with Jesus
To finish well, we persist in making disciples
Life Group Discussion:
What spiritual practices are you consistently doing right now, and which ones have you let slide? Why?
What helps you genuinely enjoy being with Jesus rather than simply checking a box?
Who are the people God has placed in your everyday sphere of influence right now?
-
39 min
Finishing Well
Show notes
Following Jesus isn’t about starting strong or checking spiritual boxes, but about staying faithful and running through the finish line. We finish well by practicing our faith, intentionally pursuing intimacy with Jesus, and using our influence to help others follow Him.
To finish well, we practice our faith
To finish well, we pay attention to our intimacy with Jesus
To finish well, we persist in making disciples
Life Group Discussion:
What spiritual practices are you consistently doing right now, and which ones have you let slide? Why?
What helps you genuinely enjoy being with Jesus rather than simply checking a box?
Who are the people God has placed in your everyday sphere of influence right now?
-
44 min
Healing Relationships
Show notes
Healthy relationships don’t happen by following our natural instincts, but by staying close to the Holy Spirit and letting Him lead us toward life and peace. Because we’ve been forgiven, we’re called to forgive others, and because we’ve been redeemed, we’re called to own our wrongs, seek forgiveness, and make things right.
Follow the Spirit for healed relationship
Forgiven people forgive people
The Redeemed right their wrongs
Life Group Discussion:
What does stay “close enough to touch” the Holy Spirit look like in your daily life?
Is there someone you’re holding onto unforgiveness toward? What makes it difficult to release that debt to Jesus?
What makes admitting “I was wrong” and asking, “Will you please forgive me?” so difficult?
-
44 min
Healing Relationships
Show notes
Healthy relationships don’t happen by following our natural instincts, but by staying close to the Holy Spirit and letting Him lead us toward life and peace. Because we’ve been forgiven, we’re called to forgive others, and because we’ve been redeemed, we’re called to own our wrongs, seek forgiveness, and make things right.
Follow the Spirit for healed relationship
Forgiven people forgive people
The Redeemed right their wrongs
Life Group Discussion:
What does stay “close enough to touch” the Holy Spirit look like in your daily life?
Is there someone you’re holding onto unforgiveness toward? What makes it difficult to release that debt to Jesus?
What makes admitting “I was wrong” and asking, “Will you please forgive me?” so difficult?
-
42 min
Breaking Free From Sin
Show notes
Freedom from sin comes when we take inventory, confess, and repent, bringing what’s hidden into the light. When we turn toward Jesus, we find forgiveness, healing, and joy.
Take inventory of sin
Confess your sin
Repent of your sin
Life Group Discussion:
What is something you tend to avoid acknowledging or looking at honestly in your own life? Why?
How does knowing that God responds to confession with forgiveness change the way you view your sin?
What’s the difference between simply feeling sorry for your sin and actually turning from it?
-
42 min
Breaking Free From Sin
Show notes
Freedom from sin comes when we take inventory, confess, and repent, bringing what’s hidden into the light. When we turn toward Jesus, we find forgiveness, healing, and joy.
Take inventory of sin
Confess your sin
Repent of your sin
Life Group Discussion:
What is something you tend to avoid acknowledging or looking at honestly in your own life? Why?
How does knowing that God responds to confession with forgiveness change the way you view your sin?
What’s the difference between simply feeling sorry for your sin and actually turning from it?
-
44 min
Surrender To God
Show notes
JP reminds us that freedom begins when we stop trying to fight sin and our struggles in our own strength and surrender to God. Through Romans 7, we’re reminded of three simple truths: I can’t, God can, and I trust Him, because the God who forgives, heals, redeems, and renews us is also trustworthy with every part of our lives.
I can’t
God can
I trust Him
Life Group Discussion:
Where are you most tempted to rely on your own strength instead of admitting, “I can’t”?
Psalm 103 says God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, and renews. Which of these do you most need to believe right now, and why?
What area of your life is hardest for you to fully trust God with?
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44 min
Surrender To God
Show notes
JP reminds us that freedom begins when we stop trying to fight sin and our struggles in our own strength and surrender to God. Through Romans 7, we’re reminded of three simple truths: I can’t, God can, and I trust Him, because the God who forgives, heals, redeems, and renews us is also trustworthy with every part of our lives.
I can’t
God can
I trust Him
Life Group Discussion:
Where are you most tempted to rely on your own strength instead of admitting, “I can’t”?
Psalm 103 says God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, and renews. Which of these do you most need to believe right now, and why?
What area of your life is hardest for you to fully trust God with?
-
46 min
How We Help Everyone Follow Jesus
Show notes
Church isn’t something we consume, it’s a family where we help one another follow Jesus by engaging the lost, equipping the saints, and empowering members for service. JP challenges us to pursue those far from Jesus, grow in spiritual maturity, and use our God-given gifts to serve His Church.
At Harris Creek we ENGAGE the lost
At Harris Creek we EQUIP the Saints
At Harris Creek we EMPOWER members for service
Life Group Discussion:
JP said we are representatives of the Truth. How does the way you live either point people toward or away from Jesus?
What is the difference between simply knowing more about God and actually becoming more like Jesus?
How does viewing church as a place where we do ministry through people, not just to people change the way you think about being part of the Church?
-
46 min
How We Help Everyone Follow Jesus
Show notes
Church isn’t something we consume, it’s a family where we help one another follow Jesus by engaging the lost, equipping the saints, and empowering members for service. JP challenges us to pursue those far from Jesus, grow in spiritual maturity, and use our God-given gifts to serve His Church.
At Harris Creek we ENGAGE the lost
At Harris Creek we EQUIP the Saints
At Harris Creek we EMPOWER members for service
Life Group Discussion:
JP said we are representatives of the Truth. How does the way you live either point people toward or away from Jesus?
What is the difference between simply knowing more about God and actually becoming more like Jesus?
How does viewing church as a place where we do ministry through people, not just to people change the way you think about being part of the Church?
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