Jesus' baptism was not for repentance but for identification. Through His baptism, Jesus deliberately identified Himself with key truths and people, laying the foundation for His public ministry and ultimate mission. As Jesus identified publicly with God's plan, we must identify with Him publicly—refusing to compromise, even in a world that rejects Him (Luke 9:23–26; 1 John 2:28). Identity is the starting point for destiny. Both Jesus and Satan have a plan for your life, but each begins with how you see yourself. Your identity determines your destiny. True identity is found in Christ—when you see yourself as God sees you, you can live out the destiny He designed. When we stand with Him publicly and reject Satan's lies, we live out God's plan with confidence, hope, and purpose.

What is true freedom—and how do we lose it? In this powerful Fourth of July message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus walks us through Exodus 1–20, revealing how the Bible—not human philosophy—is the true foundation of liberty. From Egypt's tyranny to America's founding, from spiritual slavery to salvation in Christ, this message exposes the lies of modern culture and reminds us that *freedom must be fought for, maintained, and grounded in truth*. You'll discover: - How the founding fathers leaned on Exodus to shape America - The dangers of collective guilt and cultural consent to evil - Why tyranny thrives in a climate of lies and silence - How God delivers us not just *from* slavery—but *for* service to Him - Why freedom without morality leads back to bondage - The personal and national cost of liberty 🔔 Subscribe to Rock Harbor Church for more Bible-centered teaching: https://www.youtube.com/@RockHarborChurch 📖 Full Sermon Notes & Study Resources: https://rockharborchurch.net 🙌 If this message blessed you, consider sharing it with someone who needs truth, boldness, and encouragement in these dark days. **"If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed." —John 8:36** #Freedom #Exodus #July4th #RockHarborChurch #PastorBrandonHolthaus #BiblicalFreedom #Prophecy #EndTimes #SpiritualWarfare

In this sermon entitled "The Engine That Drives Behavior," Pastor Brandon unpacks the bold message of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:5–12, calling the nation of Israel to genuine repentance. But repentance wasn't just about sorrow or surface-level change—it was a radical call to change their thinking about the deeply ingrained teachings of Rabbinic Judaism. John confronts the false assumptions that had taken root: - That being Jewish guaranteed entrance into the Kingdom. - That the Messiah would affirm their traditions. - That external law-keeping was enough for righteousness. - That salvation could be earned or inherited by Israel through "the merits of the fathers." - That Gentiles had to convert to Judaism and keep the Noahic laws to be saved. - That there were multiple ways to be spiritually reborn and none of them included how Jesus explained it. John's call to repentance challenged Israel to abandon these theological distortions from the rabbis and recognize their need for Messiah—the Lamb of God. This repentance was not theoretical. In Luke 3:10–14, John outlines what true repentance looks like: justice, integrity, generosity, and contentment—right belief producing right behavior. True change doesn't start with action—it starts with conviction, with the truth renewing the mind. This message explores how belief (change of one's mind in relationship to truth) is the engine that drives godly behavior, and how embracing God's truth transforms not just what we believe—but how we live. 👉 Don't miss this call to personal change. Right theology isn't optional—it's the catalyst for a transformed life.

In this powerful message from Matthew 3:1–12, we unpack the real purpose behind John the Baptist's ministry—and how it demanded a radical shift in Israel's perspective. John wasn't just calling for personal reflection—he was announcing the soon arrival of YHWH and the literal, physical, Messianic Kingdom promised to Israel. This wasn't some vague Greco-Roman idea of an inner kingdom in the heart. It was a national, earthly reign just as the prophets foretold. John's baptism symbolized a public commitment to believe God's message and accept the Messiah when He appeared. It pointed forward to the cleansing and forgiveness God would offer through Jesus (cf. Ezekiel 36:25–27; Zechariah 13:1). Those who believed John's message were spiritually prepared for the coming of Christ. This sermon invites you to reconsider your own perspective. Are you seeing reality clearly—or through the wrong lens? 🔔 Subscribe for more truth-centered, Bible-based teaching. 📖 Scriptures: Matthew 3:1–12 #JohnTheBaptist #Messiah #KingdomOfGod #BiblicalTruth #Matthew3 #Repentance

What sets apart those who truly make a difference in their generation? In this video, we explore powerful traits from Scripture—demonstrated by leaders like David, Nehemiah, Joseph, Paul, and Abraham—that show us how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. From facing the truth and mastering self-control to trusting God for the impossible, each principle is rooted in the lives of real people who allowed God to shape their character for eternal impact. 👉 Learn what it means to: Adjust your thinking in light of truth Take initiative in times of crisis Lead with compassion and discipline Build teams, endure hardship, and walk by faith 🔔 Subscribe for more biblical leadership insights and practical teaching. #Leadership #BibleTeaching #Discipleship #Faith #ChristianGrowth #WhatItTakes

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church's Sermon Audio channel. In this powerful message, Pastor Brandon explores what it truly means to *not put a stumbling block* in front of others. Drawing from Leviticus 19:14, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and Revelation 2, this teaching dives deep into the Hebraic meaning of stumbling blocks, gray areas, and how Christian maturity affects our freedoms. Pastor Brandon addresses: - The spiritual responsibility of leadership - How liberty must be balanced with love - The dangers of false modesty and ostentatious wealth - Gray areas like alcohol, clothing, social media, and holidays - The weight of consistency in our Christian witness - How Jesus bore our iniquity as our eternal Substitute - Real-world applications of bearing burdens—both physical and emotional Whether you are a seasoned believer or growing in your walk with Christ, this message offers clarity, conviction, and compassion rooted in the Word of God. 📖 "Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." — Romans 14:13 👉 Learn more or get involved: https://rockharborchurch.net/ 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and share to help spread sound biblical teaching!