Harvest: Recent Episodes
Harvest
Welcome to the audio podcast of Harvest. Harvest is lead by Pastor Bray and Diane Sibley and their family. We hope that these podcasts give you faith, hope, and encouragement throughout the week. To learn more about Harvest visit theharvest.us.
Rest is part of God's design and it is a gift. But do we want that gift? What patterns and rhythms of rest need to be established in your life and in your household? What is holding you back? Trust in God's provision? A desire for more?
We are walking back into Genesis 1-11 to look closer at some bigger themes. This week we are looking at marriage. Some commentators have called Genesis 2:18-24 and Ephesians 5:22-33 the two most significant passages in all the Bible on marriage. From the Ephesians passage we learn the amazing meaning behind marriage and God's design. To understand the rest of what the Bible says about marriage we have to start with that basic understanding.
Every single person is made in the image of God. This has massive implications on life. We are looking back into Gen 1-11 at some major themes and topics before conintuing with the rest of Genesis.
The evil in the world is getting worse and worse. Death and death and death and more death. But there is one major exception, one person doesn't die! It gives us a glimmer of hope into the gospel.
Mankind has been expelled from the Garden. But maybe it won't be so bad? Nope. It gets bad really fast. We learn a lot about sin in this passage, we see God's mercy, and we are reminded that our ONLY hope comes from the promised offspring of Genesis 3:15, Jesus.
God shows us three foundational things about himself in the seven days of creation. 1. I must listen to Jesus and obey because his word is powerful. 2. I have nothing to fear because God is providential. 3. I can trust God because his design is good.
God has reconciled us to him and commissioned us to share his reconciliation with others. We are ambassadors of Christ!
God brings the fruitfulness but we are expected to be faithful with what God has given us. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 shows us that sins of omission are as bad as sins of commission. Be a faithful steward of what God has given to you and trust him with the fruitfulness.
Fruitfulness that glorifies God comes from the Spirit working in and through us. Our job isn't to produce good things like patience, God does that. Our job is to walk in the Spirit.
We want to be fruitful for God's kingdom. But that is impossible if we don't kill consumerism. Covetousness is an idol that demands to be worshipped. We cannot serve both God and money.
A church is not a building. A church is not club. A church is not a community center. A church is a local group of people united in the gospel of Jesus. Therefore we've got to show up! This passage of Hebrews says we should come together with confidence because of what Jesus has done. And when we gather we should consider how we are going to stir one another on toward love and good deeds. Everyone plays a part!
Unity or oneness in God is fundamental to the health of a church. We will never fulfill our Vision to walk together with God, bearing fruit for his kingdom if we are not unified.
Jesus gave his disciples a "new command" to love one another in the church community. But how do we do that? Through the "one anothers" of the New Testament. Love is the bigger category and the "one anothers" give the specifics. This passage through starts by exhorting us to a critically important ingredient to church community. We have to each be humble for this to work.
Are you living under expectations that you can't live up to? The burden that Jesus offers is easy and light. We can experience his rest by 1) Seeking him, 2) Following him, and 3) Learning from him.
How do we walk together with God? We fight for one another by praying for one another. Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us three important applications for understanding how we fight for one another.
Are we regularly and frequently listening to and responding by following Jesus? I used to think of God and my relationship with him in exactly the opposite way. I expected him to listen to me and respond to me. I think God is much bigger than just a personal butler. And what might I be missing? Maybe the abundant life he promised in John 10!
In part two of Harvest on Mission we'll look at one of our big problems today, isolation. We were not meant to be isolated from God or one another. But what is the root cause of isolation and how do we fix it?
This video gives an overview of our unique church model at Harvest Church Communities. You'll learn about our church and how we are seeking to follow Ephesians 4:11-16. Two important parts, 1) Every Christian has mission critical role, and 2) We help one another grow through truth applied with love.
Do we find our personal value in performance, popularity, or possessions? Or do we find our value in what God says about us?
A lot can be drawn from the crucifixion and death of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. But I want to focus on the two reasons for why he died. They are simple theological ideas but they are central to our faith.
The price and cost of my sin is shown in this passage. "By his stripes we are healed." We also see his example of entrusting himself to the Father.
Jesus gave us the Lord's Supper (or Communion) as a powerful tool for being reminded of the most important truth that exists: The Gospel. It reminds us that only Jesus gives our lives significance and purpose and meaning. It also reminds us that only Jesus brings complete redemption.
The easy thing to be is a critic. To sit on the sidelines and judge what others are doing is not very helpful. Everyone can improve, but let's not confuse criticism with action. And sometimes our inaction tells a lot more about us than we might want to admit.
Mark 13 has a lot of prophecy related to the end times in it. I'm not going to try to solve those puzzles here. I want us to focus on the clear imperatives that Jesus gives us.
In light of the end, what should I be doing and focused on?
Jesus has confronted some things that need to be thrown out of our lives (our temple) but what should be put back in? What positively should we be doing?
Jesus asserted his authority in the ancient temple and he asserts his authority in our temple today. Will I let him rule? Who is really in charge of my life?
With the New Covenant and the end of the Temple, Jesus inaugurated a new way for us to approach God in prayer. But what does my prayer life say about my faith?
The arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem is like a king's arrival. But it has some significant differences that set it apart from other kings. It all points us to why Jesus came that first time.
We have the opportunity to encounter Jesus (prayer, Scripture, fellowship, etc). What blocks us? Perhaps our own belief? Perhaps our real desires? Is our to-do list or the late night before church really going to keep us from experiencing him? What would you say if Jesus asked you what he asked the blind beggar? "What do you want me to do for you?"
Does he care at all about how much money or power or influence or accomplishment we have? Nope. What does he care about? I imagine in heaven that they have a TV channel where instead of showing highlights of sports they show daily highlights of serving. Maybe it is called Servant Center? :)
What is preventing you from following and experiencing all that Jesus has to offer in this life? So much amazing truth can be dug out of this passage (Mark 10:13-31) and the contrast we see of childlike faith versus the rich man possessed by his possessions. What is hold you back? What do you need to walk away from in order to follow Jesus?
Uh, yeah, Christians are living in fear of government and politics.
There is a lot of fear in our country right now among Christians in regards to politics and government. Amazingly one of the most well known prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah deals with this issue directly. As Christians we should never fear government and we should look forward in hope to the promised perfect government that the Messiah will bring.
Let's be agents of hope instead of fear this Christmas.
In the Transfiguration account of Mark we learn how to set our minds on the things of God (xref: Mark 8:33) and how to follow Jesus (xref: Mark 8:34).
Do we understand that Jesus is the Christ? But do we understand the purpose of the Christ? And with that, do we understand that he wants us to join him in his purpose? Like the blind man's friends in this passage, let's bring people to Jesus and beg for Jesus to touch them.
In this passage we see simple faith in the crowd who are following Jesus for days into the wilderness. They get to see and experience Jesus and his power. They are contrasted with the Pharisees and the disciples who miss what is right in front of them. Is there something in your life that is keeping you from seeing and experiencing Jesus?
Am I desperate for Jesus and what he freely offers? Or am I living with entitled expectations for what I think Jesus should be giving me?
Jesus does some amazing things in this passage. But more amazing than the miracles themselves is how he weaves giant themes from the entire Bible together to prove his identity. Will we harden our hearts and resist? Or will we believe and find the satisfaction that only he can give?
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, he made straight the path of the Lord. He showed the way that Jesus would go, from message to even his death. We show those around us too. Our life is a trail marker and often it is in the toughest parts where we show Jesus the most.
Why should we not fear and only believe? Because Jesus is not in any way limited by anything. Nothing is impossible with him. And because he loves us more than we can fathom.
It doesn't matter who you are or where you are. It doesn't matter what you've done or what has happened to you. It is the power of Jesus that frees us, restores us, and is our testimony.
I cultivate a fear of God by… 1) Feeding my mind with the truth of God. 2) Feeding my soul with the majesty of God. 3) Feeding my heart with the love of God.
Why does Jesus teach clearly to some but with such great mystery to others? This next passage of Mark gives us the answer and helps us to better understand why we should respond to Jesus in our own lives.
I am focusing on Jesus' explanation of the parable of the four soils. What conditions are needed for fruitfulness in the life of a Christian? There are two key factors: 1) What do I fear most, and 2) What do I desire most?
Who is Jesus' family? Who's testimony and witness does he want? Answer to both questions: People who follow him.
Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. But we have to agree with him that we need forgiveness.
Jesus has incredible authority, everything obeys him. With one exception: People.
The kingdom of God is wherever Jesus is king. It is wherever his commands are obeyed. It is as simple and as hard as that. Will we obey him? Or will we obey the god of this world?
Is Jesus King of your life? Then you will follow him. We immediately leave what we are doing and go in the direction he wants us to go.
So much of the context in this part of James is confronting our perspective. Do we see God as Lord or myself? Do we value what God values or what the world values? This video highlights three areas from James 5:7-12 that who whether we are living with God's perspective on life. But there is actually one other proof from the passage that I didn't cover in the video. Can you find it?
Are you laying up treasure in heaven? Or are you "living in luxury and self-indulgence?" As a resident of Loudoun county Virginia this passage should make you very nervous. Spend some time meditating on this passage and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through it. How should you respond?
This week we are digging into James 4:13-17. James is forcing us to ask, "Are you building your little kingdom or are you building God's?" We subtly do this whenever we make our plans without including God. James calls this boasting in your arrogance and evil. I asked myself, "is that really that bad?" Seems a little harsh doesn't it? It is a question for the heart. Have you submitted your plans to God? Is he the Lord of your future?
Sin is like a weed. If you don't dig out the root you have not really killed it. James 4:1-12 teaches us to get to the root of our sin. How? 1) ID the real problem, 2) See the root sin the way God sees it, 3) Respond with repentance, and 4) Pass the test.
We need wisdom when we make decisions that are not moral decisions of right or wrong. Wisdom helps us to find the best way for us. But did you know there is a wisdom of the world? James tells us there is a wisdom of the world. So how do we know we are operating on the wisdom from above? James 3:13-18 tells us.
James continues to press us on being doers and not just hearers of scripture. Our communication is extremely powerful. Are we using it to praise and to curse? To build and to tear down? Is Jesus Lord of your tongue?
James continues to hit the same nail with this passage. Earlier he called his readers to be doers and not just hearers of God's word. Here he wants his readers to know that real faith is shown by our obedience. What is God teaching you? Are you obeying?
Partiality: Making a value judgement about another person based on a non-biblical reason. OR How I feel about other people based on a criteria that is offensive to God.
After being very direct about being a doer and not just a hearer, James now takes us down some practical things we need to do. So will we obey? Let's get after obeying what God commands, church!
Our choice when faced with temptation reveals our faith. Will I go God's way or not? Do I believe God?
Truth about sin and temptation:
- God's way leads to happiness
- Temptation is a test
- God's way leads to great reward
- Obeying God is loving God
- God never tempts
- Sinful desire comes from my heart
- The evil way leads to death
- The evil way is deceptive
- Every good gift is from God
- No expiration on truth
- God is creator
- God is redeemer
James 1:9-11 blows up the value of a big bank account. What should you do if your are poor? What should you do if your are rich?
What is your value to the local church? Do you play a role? The church isn't a building or a set of programs. But it also isn't the Apostle Paul or just a pastor. Colossians 4:7-18 gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of the local church. Each part matters a great deal. You matter a great deal.
God is giving us great opportunities for the gospel. Walk in wisdom so you don't miss the opportunities.
In Colossians 4:3-4 Paul calls his readers to pray for open doors for the gospel and for clarity in the communication. What a great thing for us to pray for in our homes! Music by bensound.com
In Colossians 4:2 Paul says our prayer should be three things: 1) Steadfast, 2) Watchful, and 3) with Thanksgiving. If your prayer life is not steadfast, watchful, and with thanksgiving, what does that say about what you REALLY believe about God?
Introduction of teaching for Intentional Community gatherings on February 16. We are looking at the household texts in Ephesians and Colossians.
When Christians think about the Great Commission they think about Matt 28:18-20. But there are actually five other passages where Jesus commissions us. When we examine each of these six passages we come away with a far more detailed and complete idea of our mission in this world. We find six very important ideas: Jesus is The Master Builder, Jesus is The Model, The Magnitude is significant, Jesus gives The Method, Jesus gives The Message, and the Holy Spirit provides The Means.
Brian shares what he learned from his 40 day fast. He asked, are there freedoms God has given me that I'm abusing? For Brian it was food.