Harris Creek Baptist Church

The presence of Jesus will change us when we are aware that He is in our midst. Rather than moving on with our life, we want to connect intimately with Him. In this message we look at someone in Scripture who shows us what it looks like to Abide with Jesus. Abiding means sitting at the feet of JesusAbiding means listening to JesusAbiding means removing whatever is distracting you from Jesus Life Group Discussion:Do you relate more to Martha or Mary? What keeps you from abiding in Jesus?  When you spend time with Jesus abiding in Him, how does that make your heart feel?

God takes Christ and he puts Christ in us. We are a new creation in Christ. We are recruited by God to show His love to the world. When we abide in Christ, we are going to do things to show His love to the world that doesn’t make sense. You need to give up control. Lean into God and His plan for you. As you abide in Jesus, He is transforming you to love sacrificially with joy. Sacrificial love comes through obedienceSacrificial love offers true joyYou were recruited and made to love Life Group Discussion:Share a time when you felt the Spirit leading you to go out of your way to be a conduit to love someone sacrificially.What would you say is the hardest thing about being vulnerable in letting others sacrificially show love to you?Is it difficult to let go of control and let God lead you?

What would most people say Christians do? Pray, read the Bible, make disciples, give generously, forgive, love, serve, go to church, and share the gospel. In our new series, “ABIDE”, JP looks to John 15 to focus our thoughts on a true disciple is one who abides in Jesus and fruit is produced. We also learn when we are pruned, bring it to God and trust him to teach you to abide in Him and bear more fruit. John 15:1-8 The Father prunes fruitful branchesThe Son produces fruitThe fruit of the Spirit proves a disciple Life Group Questions:Read Galatians 5:22 – 23 and share with your group what is easy fruit for you and what is hard fruit?When was a time you experienced pruning and you felt so near to the Father learning to abide in Him?What did God do in your life when you experienced pruning and produced more fruit? 

Do you think God can’t handle your problems? Do you really believe in what He says? Start the new year by being on the right side of belief. Through the story in Numbers 13 and 14, Nate teaches not to take the easy path, but believe God can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.  Numbers 13 - 141. Who you trust changes how you perceive your problem2. Disbelief will make you miss out on what God can do3. A different spirit brings different results Life Group Questions:1. Name someone in your life who focuses on God’s promises and not the problem.2. When do you feel challenged to believe God for more?3. What is that thing in your life that you should be praying for right now and you’re currently not bringing it to God?

As we complete our series, “Till He Appears,” we examine Jesus is woven throughout the Old Testament pointing towards God with us. Today, we are to be looking for Him like the magi – He’s coming back! Prepare your hearts and spread the good news.

In this message, JP shows through the story of Joseph, we can trust God’s sovereignty in all circumstances. JP teaches the complete obedience of Joseph leads to extraordinary outcomes ultimately predicting the future suffering of Jesus our Savior.  Genesis 37-50Family of origin doesn’t limit our opportunity for obedienceYou cannot determine obedience by the outcomeOrdinary obedience leads to extraordinary opportunities Life Group Questions:Do you blame God when circumstances are not good, or do you lean into Him?How can you move forward in your suffering and not get stuck in your circumstance? Share a time you were in the fire, and you saw the hand of God get you through to the other side.

As we continue our series, “Till He Appears”, Grant shows us how the story of the sacrifice of Isaac ultimately predicted the coming of our Savior. Grant contrasts how the testing of Abraham’s faith and his willingness to sacrifice his only son, shows us how God has never failed His children. God sacrificed His only Son so we could be free. Genesis 221. Our faith will be tested2. Faith in God is followed by obedience to God3. God faithfully provided the sacrifice Life Group Questions:James 1:2-3 says, “…the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” When was a time that your faith was tested and what did you learn about the character of God from this experience?How can you step outside of your comfort zone to grow in your faith?John 9:25 says, “…I was blind and now I can see.” When was there a pivotal point in your faith where you had to put your trust in the Lord instead of on your own understanding? 

As we begin our series, “Till He Appears,” Nate shows us how the story of Adam and Eve ultimately predicted the coming of our Savior. Nate contrasts Adam’s shortcomings with Jesus’ fulfillment of our brokenness to illustrate how God planned for our redemption all along.Genesis 1:26-3:15       1) Adam’s use of authority creates the need for Jesus’ use of authority       2) Adam’s actions brought shame, Jesus’ actions removed shame       3) Adam avoids responsibility which Jesus takes responsibilityLife Group Questions: 1) Romans 5:18-19 says, "Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." How do you see evidence of the Lord's faithfulness even in the midst of Adam and Eve's sin? How does this relate to your life and your need for a Savior?

Take Time To Pray1) Pray with Gratitude2) Pray for Wisdom3) Pray for Your PartThank you, Jesus, for all you have done in 2023!2023 Highlights

Are you content with what you have been given or do you groan and grumble? Do you live a generous life looking for opportunities to share with someone in need? Nate looks to Exodus 16 to show us how much God loves us and wants to provide exactly what we need for our tomorrow. For God so loved us He provided His son, Jesus, for us. He is Jehovah Jireh; the Lord will provide.  Exodus 16       1) We doubt that God will provide what we need       2) God desires to provide for His children       3) We take more provision than what we needLife Group Questions:       1) I’d be happier if I had _______________.       2) What are you overindulging in?        3) Do you take more than you need because you fear God won’t provide?       4) What has God provided for you this year?

As we wrap up our series, “Forged,” JP shows us three unavoidable obstacles that are found in Scripture and how to combat them. JP looks to 1 Peter to show us how anxiety, temptation and suffering can be combated with a Kingdom first mindset. 1 Peter 5:6-10       1) In anxiety, humble yourself       2) In temptation, resist the devil       3) In suffering, practice patienceLife Group Questions:       1) When faced with anxiety, how can you effectively cast those burdens on the Lord knowing how much He cares for you?       2) Was there a time when you were hesitant to bring sin to the light out of fear that others wouldn’t understand? What is a verse that you have clung to when faced with temptation?       3) What is a way that you can help others practice patience in times of suffering? Explain a time where you were shown grace in the midst of suffering. 

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” JP reminds us that humility is key for a healthy church body. JP looks to 1 Peter to show us how church elders and members must serve one another with an eager heart. 1 Peter 5:1-51) For the church to work, you must have humble elders2) Church leaders must serve with humble motives3) For church to work, you must have humble membersLife Group Questions:1) How have you seen the church impacted in a positive way through our elders?2) How can you grow in serving one another in humility?3) Do you find yourself convicted of consumerism? What are ways that your output can be greater than your input?

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” JP reminds us that Christians must lean closer to God in times of suffering because He is sanctifying us. JP looks to 1 Peter to show us five things we should not do in suffering. As we seek to become more like Christ, we must rejoice in suffering because our Savior suffered for us on our behalf.1 Peter 4:12-19       1) Do not be surprised in suffering       2) Do not be discouraged in suffering       3) Do not be guilty in suffering       4) Do not be ashamed in suffering        5) Do not suffer outside of God’s will because our Savior suffered for us on our behalf.Life Group Questions:1. JP shared that approximately 13 Christians are killed each day for sharing their faith. How can you be diligent to pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith? How can you grow in sharing your faith with others?2. What is a spiritual discipline that you have seen growth in after experiencing a time of suffering?3. Has there been a time when you suffered because of sin? How

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” JP reminds us that we are called to live as though Jesus is returning in our lifetime. JP looks to 1 Peter to show us how we should use our gifts to serve the body of Christ with sacrificial love. If we are truly living on mission for Christ, we wouldn’t have the desire to change how we live our lives on the day He returns. 1 Peter 4:7-11       1) Pray with perspective       2) Love without lamenting       3) Glorify God with your gifts

Where do we find peace? As we continue in our series, “Forged,” Dale reminds us that peace is found with God. Dale looks to 1 Peter to remind us that our job as believers is to tell everyone the good news despite experiencing worldly bad news.1 Peter 3:18-4:6       1) Christ has triumphed over evil       2) No matter the suffering, we do God’s will       3) Everyone will give an accountLife Group Questions: 1) When you come to a difficult or "bumpy" passage in the Bible, how do you approach the text?2) In the context of recent events, how do you hold on to the peace of knowing that Christ has already achieved victory?3) In what ways have you suffered or been persecuted for your beliefs? How has that impacted your faith?

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” JP reminds us that dealing with conflict must be handled in a way that reflects Christ. JP looks to 1 Peter to remind us that the mark of a spiritually mature person is one who loves God, understands how they are loved by God, and is a conduit of God’s love toward others.1 Peter 3:8-181) Love each other2) Repay evil with blessing3) Christ is the goal

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” Nate reminds us that the best spouse makes their marriage centered around Jesus. Nate looks to 1 Peter to remind us that for a marriage to glorify the Lord, you must put your spouse first before the needs of yourself. Believers in Christ are called to serve each other through marriage in the same way that Jesus serves the members of His body.1 Peter 3:1-71) Wives submit to their husbands2) Seek a beauty that does not fade3) Husbands live with your wives in an understanding way

As we continue in our series, “Forged,” JP reminds us that believers in Christ are called to submit to authority. JP looks to 1 Peter to remind us that to best submit to authority, we must first seek to glorify the Lord and be representatives of his Word. 1 Peter 2:13-25 1) Submit to every human authority 2) Submit unfair authority 3) God is our ultimate authority

As we continue in our series, Forged, JP reminds us that earth is not our home; our earthly calling is to make disciples of Christ. JP looks to 1 Peter to remind us of God’s grace as we push through the spiritual war over our hearts.1 Peter 2:11-12       1) We are not home       2) We are at war       3) It’s not fair

As we continue in our series, “Forged”, Nate reminds us that our Savior is the cornerstone; the foundation on which our faith stands upon. He shows us that we must hold strong to the rock of our faith, even as the world stumbles over Him. Nate points to 1 Peter to show us that where we stand matters!Peter 2:4-101) Our Savior is the stone on which we are shaped2) Our Savior is the stone on which the world stumbles3) Our Savior is the stone on which our title is secured