The first is always the standard. Think about all the restaurants where the first is the best then they become chains and it isn’t the same. In the same way, we must understand the first church and how we too ought to emulate the original church. 
 1) Daily devoted 2) Sacrificially generous 3) Joyfully evangelistic

The First Church

This is the weekly sermon podcast from Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Visit www.harriscreek.org for more information.

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A marriage cannot be happy or healthy without Christ at the center of it. In this message, Jonathan Pokluda teaches us that (1) the mindset of marriage must be sacrifice and submission, (2) the mission of marriage is sanctification through service, and (3) the mystery of marriage is that it showcases our savior. 

The Truth About Marriage

Paul reminds us in today’s text the antidote to spiritually sleepwalking is to walk in love, walk in the light, and walk in wisdom.    1. Walk in Love 2. Walk in Light  3. Walk in Wisdom    Life Group Discussion: What have you put behind you and fully surrendered to walk in love? When someone brings sin into the light? How should you respond? What do you daily allow to fill your heart? What influences your flesh?  

Stop Sleepwalking

To live a Christian life, we have to imitate Christ. One place where some struggle is with forgiveness of others who have committed a wrong against them. Rather than holding grudges, quiet judgment, and anger in our hearts, we are called to forgive in the same way that Jesus forgave us. God deeply cares about how we are able to forgive others and let go of our anger.  
 Life Group Questions:  Are there any unresolved conflicts or feelings of resentment towards others in your life? How can you take the first step towards resolution? How does our anger towards others often reveal other sin within us? 


Anger and Forgiveness

 Change begins in you thinking …thoughts take you places. When you become a Christian, you are learning a new way to live, different than the world. The true test of a changed person is what comes out of them when they are squeezed. The true test is in trials.    Thoughts take you places You are learning a new way The true test comes in trials   Life Group Discussion: What are you allowing in your thoughts? Share what you fed your brain this week. What do you need to let go of? What are you going to start doing to help fill your heart with the things of God? What comes out of you when you are squeezed by life? Begin to uncover what is stored in your heart. How would your life look different if you took this step?  

A Changed Life

The disposition of a mature Christian comes from a unified doctrine. The deployment of mature Christians leads to unified service. The development of mature Christians makes up a unified church.    A mature Christian’s disposition  A mature Christian’s deployment  A mature Christian’s development    Life Group Discussion: Who do you know that is clearly marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness? What makes you say that? Would someone think about you?    Where have you been deployed in the body to use your gifts? If you haven’t deployed your gifts, ask your LG how they see God using you in the body.   Are you in a season where you are a weak part of the body? Share with your LG and let them pray for you during this difficult season. Take a step forward in growing your faith. Don’t just “go” to church, but “be” the church.

The First Church

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