Harris Creek Baptist Church

Have you ever been in a situation where you managed information or your actions in order to get people to perceive you a certain way? Are there people in your life who’s opinions matter more to you than others? As we continue our series, Stories from Acts, JP teaches through Acts 5 the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and what we can learn from their sudden and seemingly extreme death.1) Surrender marks a true believer2) Imposters scheme in selfishness3) Perception management is a serious sin

We have been brought into The Kingdom of God by the blood of Jesus. We have been blended in with the Jews who trusted in Jesus as the Messiah. We are being built up into God’s temple and God is building His home among us forever. 1. You have been brought in2. You have been blended3. You are being built up Life Group Discussion:Is there a relationship you've given up on because of differing views? Why or why not?How many contacts are in your cell phone that are a different ethnicity than you? What can you do to increase the number.  Would you say you're diligent when it comes to cultivating meaningful relationships with people who look different than you? If so, what makes you say that? If not, what is a step you can take to be diligent?

We were all dead in our sins before God. We couldn’t work our way or earn our way to Him. Yet, because of His never-ending love and mercy, He has made us alive in His Son Jesus. Paul lays out the simple yet powerful and profound life changing reality in these ten verses that is the Good News of the Gospel. 1. We were dead in our sins2. By grace we are made alive in Christ3. We are made alive to walk in our purpose Life Group Discussion:Growing up, how did you view the church – as a place to go, or a group of people who followed Jesus?What do you picture when you think of the word, “grace”?Hold out your fingerprint. Does anyone else have your same fingerprint? You are God’s masterpiece! What is one thing you could ask God to help you with this week? How would your life look different if you took this step?

Do you truly know what you have? As we continue to study Ephesians, Paul prays that the church in Ephesus would know four things. Ask God that you may know Him betterAsk God to know the hope you have in HimAsk God to know the value you have in HimAsk God to know the power you have in Him  Life Group Discussion:What do you value here on earth?How do you get to know God better?Are you afraid to ask God to use His power in your life and others? Do you believe the power is really there?

Why did God choose you? He chose you forevermore according to His pleasure. Even when you have nothing to offer Him , he brought you into His family.  You’ve been chosen by the FatherYou have been forgiven and redeemed by ChristYou have been sealed by His Holy Spirit  Life Group Discussion:Why did God choose you?What is your story of grace and redemption?What does it mean to be affected for The Kingdom?

How does a city change? In this message, we intro the book of Ephesians by looking at how God shifted the city of Ephesus. God changes a city by changing a personGod changes a city by removing idolsGod changes a city with the message of His grace Life Group Discussion:Have you ever felt darkness in a city you visited?What are the idols that have your heart?Where is one place this week you can influence people? Hold each other accountable. Pray together to seek the welfare of our city and change the world through the power of Jesus.

If you Abide in Him, you will develop spiritually. Hold fast to your relationship with Jesus. Know Him. Love Him. Abide in Him.  Apprehend The GospelBehave like JesusIlluminate Truth with LoveDevelop Spiritually Eternally Live Life Group Discussion:Do you apprehend the Gospel? Have you grown in your relationship with God more today than one year ago? As you ABIDE with Jesus is it hard for you when a curve ball comes your way?

We can't abide without the Holy Spirit. Just after Jesus explains to his disciples He is leaving and tells them to remain connected to Him. Jesus explains that He will send the Spirit, and this will be our advantage. The Spirit of God helps, convicts, and guides us.  In abiding the Spirit helps In abiding the Spirit convicts  In abiding the Spirit guides  Life Group Discussion:We need help even when we aren’t willing to receive it. Is it easy for you to receive help from the Holy Spirit or do you wrestle with pride? Do you pause and listen to the Holy Spirit when you are in a meeting, in class, or with friends and respond in obedience to His leading? Share a time you were obedient and a time you failed. Has it been a while since you stopped listening to the “ding” correcting you? Ask the Spirit to reveal truth to you and listen, so you can bear fruit.

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?