Harvest Church

Aspects of the world that are seemingly unchangeable can and should be changed by the most incredible and disruptive life that was ever lived: the life of Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, Jesus Himself was a disruptive individual, finding ways to change the world around Him and completely derail many of the seemingly unchangeable systems and facets of the human experience. Religious systems, power structures, and societal norms all collapsed in the face of Jesus’ profound ministry. If that was true about Jesus’ life and ministry, shouldn’t it also be true of our own lives and ministries as well?

It may seem strange to say it, but the message of Jesus Christ about the Kingdom of God was never meant to start an institutionalized religion. It seems weird to say that because that’s just what happened, but the institutional, bureaucratic monstrosity that we see today is never what Jesus intended His church to be. That’s exactly why followers of Jesus need to break free from the religious systems that surround us.

Scripture: John 3.1-21 After discussing God's relentless pursuit of humanity, it is time to take responsibility for the fact that God is now pursuing humanity through His church. We love the idea of being sent on a mission by God, but when that mission leads us to difficult, awkward, or frightening situations, we are quick to back off to a comfortable distance. Jesus, on the other hand, never did that.

What Jesus did do was speak truth. He spoke truth to everyone, no matter who they were or when they approached Him. Jesus spoke the truth, and in John 3, we see that the most important truths Jesus could tell a Pharisee named Nicodemus was that God's love is real, and so is God's judgment. How can we emulate this in how we interact with the world?

Scripture: Matthew 25.31-46 After discussing God's relentless pursuit of humanity, it is time to take responsibility for the fact that God is now pursuing humanity through His church. We love the idea of being sent on a mission by God, but when that mission leads us to difficult, awkward, or frightening situations, we are quick to back off to a comfortable distance. Jesus, on the other hand, never did that.

Jesus was no stranger to the outcast, and in fact, He made it very apparent that anyone who claims to follow Him must embrace and love the down-and-out, the outcast, and the "least" among us. We can lean in on the kind of ministry Christ calls us to when we seek out people in the margins and love them. This was of the utmost importance to Jesus, and it should be equally important to us.

Ending Song: Send Me

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Scripture: Matthew 9.9-13 After discussing God's relentless pursuit of humanity, it is time to take responsibility for the fact that God is now pursuing humanity through His church. We love the idea of being sent on a mission by God, but when that mission leads us to difficult, awkward, or frightening situations, we are quick to back off to a comfortable distance. Jesus, on the other hand, never did that.

Jesus was never afraid to be seen with the wrong people; in fact, many labeled Him a friend of sinners. Today, however, Christians are very concerned with the idea of reputation - even to the point of avoiding the outcast to protect themselves from scrutiny. This is the opposite of the example that Jesus gave. How can we be better about these things, and what can we learn from the calling of Matthew that will transform the way that we approach the sinner?

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10

God has been pursuing humanity since before humanity was ever created. Before there were animals, water, earth, or even light, God was pursuing humanity. This is a big concept, but the reality is that God has also individually pursued every person who has ever lived. He pursues us, despite our sin. He pursued us on a cross. And today, He pursues humanity through the church.

But what does it mean to be part of God's pursuit of the world around us? Certainly, we live in a world that is hostile toward us, yet so did Christ and the Apostles. What can we learn from their example and the example of the early church, as it pertains to recklessly pursuing the world around us?

Scripture: Colossians 1.15-20

God has been pursuing humanity since before humanity was ever created. Before there were animals, water, earth, or even light, God was pursuing humanity. This is a big concept, but the reality is that God has also individually pursued every person who has ever lived. He pursues us, despite our sin. He pursued us on a cross. And today, He pursues humanity through the church.

To reconcile humanity to Himself, God was willing to pull out all the stops. He pursued us, despite great cost to Himself. The cross of Jesus represents most clearly God's pursuit of humanity.

Scripture: Genesis 3.1-19

God has been pursuing humanity since before humanity was ever created. Before there were animals, water, earth, or even light, God was pursuing humanity. This is a big concept, but the reality is that God has also individually pursued every person who has ever lived. He pursues us, despite our sin. He pursued us on a cross. And today, He pursues humanity through the church.

Since the inception of sin, humanity has been running and hiding from God. Yet, we see great mercy from God, especially given the fact that sin is only possible when we abuse the greatest gift God gave us - His image. To deal with our sin, it is important to remember that no one can force us to sin, and we cannot expect God to bless our rebellion. Most importantly, we need to stop running from the God who pursues us, despite our sin.

Scripture: Colossians 1.15-17

God has been pursuing humanity since before humanity was ever created. Before there were animals, water, earth, or even light, God was pursuing humanity. This is a big concept, but the reality is that God has also individually pursued every person who has ever lived. He pursues us, despite our sin. He pursued us on a cross. And today, He pursues humanity through the church.

There was a time when we weren't alive. We didn't exist, but because God wanted us so badly, He created us. He pursued us from nothingness. What is our obligation based on the idea that Christ, our Creator and Sustainer, pursued us from nothingness? What happens when we start to see Christ for everything He really is? What happens when we stop running from our Creator?

Scripture: Romans 10.6-17

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken or will ever take place. This message begins a five-week series meant to explore the importance and impact of the Resurrection as it pertains to the physical universe, human history, the church, and each person's salvation.

No one can ever be saved outside of being saved through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection is the only hope any of us have of "calling upon the name of the Lord." But what exactly does that phrase mean? In this sermon, Pastor Eric unpacks just what it means to call upon the name of the Lord and how that should affect the way we live.

Scripture: Acts 2.32-41

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken or will ever take place. This message begins a five-week series meant to explore the importance and impact of the Resurrection as it pertains to the physical universe, human history, the church, and each person's salvation.

On the first day of the Church, Pentecost, the Holy Spirit arrived and empowered Peter and the other followers of Christ to lead thousands of people to salvation. Peter stood and gave an impassioned sermon, with one single fact at the center of his message: Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This life-changing message is the hinge upon which the entire Church hangs.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15.12-28

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken or will ever take place. This message begins a five-week series meant to explore the importance and impact of the Resurrection as it pertains to the physical universe, human history, the church, and each person's salvation.

Adam's sin set humanity on a trajectory that we were powerless to change. Death, decay, and evil became the course upon which humanity was set. There was no hope until one single event changed everything: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. What should we do now, knowing that the Resurrection changed the course of human history?

Scripture: Romans 8.18-25

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken or will ever take place. This message begins a five-week series meant to explore the importance and impact of the Resurrection as it pertains to the physical universe, human history, the church, and each person's salvation.

The moment humans sinned, betraying their Creator, the entirety of the physical universe was changed. Death and decay went from concepts to realities. Everything in the universe was affected, including the pinnacle of God's creation, humanity. Nothing we could do could fix what was broken, but the Resurrection of Christ provides hope for both the universe and mankind.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15.1-11

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken or will ever take place. This message begins a five-week series meant to explore the importance and impact of the Resurrection as it pertains to the physical universe, human history, the church, and each person's salvation.

Truly, everything hinges on the Resurrection. But how can a reasonable person really believe that Jesus came back from the dead? Join us today as Pastor Eric unpacks Dr. Gary Habermas' "Minimal Facts" argument, a simple yet profound argument in favor of the Resurrection.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29.10-14

600 years before Christ, God's people went into exile. Then, decades after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Peter wrote to persecuted believers, calling them "temporary residents and foreigners." Peter was connecting the situation of citizens of the Kingdom of God with the citizens of Judah during the Babylonian Exile.

God really shows His character in how He treats His exiled people. The Jewish people betrayed Him at every turn, yet He still forgave them and promised restoration. Today, we Exiles can know that God is to be trusted. He keeps His promises. He always has. He never hasn't. So, what does it mean as Exiles to believe that God has a plan?

Scripture: Jeremiah 20.20-23

600 years before Christ, God's people went into exile. Then, decades after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Peter wrote to persecuted believers, calling them "temporary residents and foreigners." Peter was connecting the situation of citizens of the Kingdom of God with the citizens of Judah during the Babylonian Exile.

The unfortunate truth is that, even in Exile, there were false prophets who were rising up, claiming to have messages from God. These messages directly contradicted the truth God was communicating through His real prophets, but people embraced them because they were easy to believe.

These false prophets led God's people astray, robbing them of the benefits of the truth. God called them out by name, and today, God is still in the business of judging false teachers. It is the responsibility of every believer to pay careful attention to what teachers say and how they live. Finally, the judgment of these teachers is God's responsibility.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29.8-9;15-19 600 years before Christ, God's people went into exile. Then, decades after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Peter wrote to persecuted believers, calling them "temporary residents and foreigners." Peter was connecting the situation of citizens of the Kingdom of God with the citizens of Judah during the Babylonian Exile.

The unfortunate truth is that, even in Exile, there were false prophets who were rising up, claiming to have messages from God. These messages directly contradicted the truth God was communicating through His real prophets, but people embraced them because they were easy to believe. This is the case today as well, in the church's exile. False teachers have arisen and tell people what they want to hear to gain followers, influence, and power. When the truth is hard to hear, people will refuse to hear the truth.

Today, believers have a responsibility to know and protect the truth, while actively and diligently avoiding false teachers. The pursuit of real truth is essential to the life of the believer.

Scripture: 1 John 3.11-24 To solve the problem of an increasing number of "de-churched" people in America, the church must start the ReChurch movement. We don't need new programs or bigger, flashier buildings. We need churches dedicated to getting back to the basics and the original intent of Jesus Christ for His church.

First, we need to ReDefine the church by getting back to the original mission Jesus gave it. We also need to ReFocus the church on working together to look like Christ. Then, we need to ReInvigorate the church by embracing the opposition of the world and seeing it as an unsurprising privilege.

Lastly, we need to ReConnect with one another, bringing the church back to the primary principle of love. It's clear that our love for one another is extremely important to God. Scripture also makes it clear that it is the evidence that we belong to God. Finally, our love for each other binds us together with God.

How can we live and bring love back to the church.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4.7-19 To solve the problem of an increasing number of "de-churched" people in America, the church must start the ReChurch movement. We don't need new programs or bigger, flashier buildings. We need churches dedicated to getting back to the basics and the original intent of Jesus Christ for His church. First, we need to ReDefine the church by getting back to the original mission Jesus gave it. Then, we need to ReFocus the church on working together to look like Christ. Now, we need to ReInvigorate the church by embracing the opposition of the world and seeing it as an unsurprising privilege. Instead of losing ground to the world and shirking away from opposition, is there another option for the church?

Scripture: Matthew 28.1-10;16-20

To solve the problem of an increasing number of "de-churched" people in America, the church must start the ReChurch movement. We don't need new programs or bigger, flashier buildings. We need churches dedicated to getting back to the basics and the original intent of Jesus Christ for His church.

The first step in the ReChurch movement is to ReDefine the church. However, we don't need to come up with something new and different to attract people. We only need to strip away what we have added to Christ's original intent for His church and get back to our original purpose. The church was never meant to build big buildings, fund big bank accounts, create celebrity pastors, or have worship teams carve out a niche in the entertainment industry.

The real, original purpose is simple. We exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ.