Harbor Rock Tabernacle

A scene of a boy isolated from others at a grade school prompts us to weigh the importance of community in our walk, because we all crave it and need it. But it's more than just fitting in. Each of us has a calling to be fully integrated and teachable--humbly learning from the wisdom and experiences of others, while also "sharpening" others in their faith, and spurring them to also make more disciples.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZBIJ3GRgG4

As believers, we trust with confidence in the awesome work of Jesus Christ to save, redeem and cleanse us from sin. But the enemy constantly attacks our thinking to try to undermine our faith. Peter knew that testing, so he calls us to be awake and sober, guarding our mind by focusing completely on Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us the discernment and critical thinking to have minds prepared for the battle we face.  Video of this service is also available:  

The Bible teaches about freedom & victory--as believers, there's no latitude to be despondent and defeated, because the Lord has provided everything we need to live abundantly. The Israelites didn't believe that when they heard the bad report of the 10 spies, and defaulted to negativity, which happens when we take our eyes off the Lord's promises and provision. We have to learn to fight this by living in Truth, trusting in the Lord's help and being consistently grateful to Him.   Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSIvgGj1UJ0&t=3662s

On His way to Jerusalem and the cross, Jesus met two men in Jericho who both experienced deep insecurity, because of physical, relational, emotional and spiritual inadequacies.  Marginalized by the people around them, it would have been easy to give up, but they both sought spiritual restoration and purpose from the Saviour.  Their example calls us to resist doubt, withdrawal, self-centeredness and defeat, and to press on with resilient faith.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdYFsUzxgFE&t=3613s

As we are inundated by the "hollow and vain philosophies" of the world, we must be careful not fall into the temptation to accept as "normal" what is contrary to God's Word, because studies show that the vast majority of believers don't even have a Biblical worldview.  While Christianity is growing in hostile countries in Africa and Asia, western countries are falling for 4 lies designed to hijack Truth.   So we have to guard our minds by "taking our thoughts captive", and focusing on Christ.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58c0MQalIIY&t=11s

The Bible defines a sharp contrast between a redeemed and transformed mind, and one still stuck in sin and self.  Before salvation, we walked in "futility of mind", but after, we are given a new mind.  Now, we are called to choose to have our mind "renewed" daily, eradicating anything of our old life, and investing into righteousness.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbZ-ZvH4eNc&t=3278s

Proverbs 23 says our character, actions & faith are determined by our thoughts--which can be damaging or strong. So the enemy pushes the narrative that when we go through difficulty, the Lord must be uncaring or insufficient, and we should retreat from Him. Israel faced that temptation when the Lord led them on the long, more challenging way to the Promised Land, but He was protecting them and giving them unique experiences. When we trust the Lord for HIs leading, it may not be the easiest path, but He will tangible, supernatural ways to bless our confidence in Him.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFYZN-OCXXM

We've all hurt multiple times in relationships, affecting our self-worth, sense of security, emotional and mental health and often even our faith and worldview. But when we are the offender, do we show ourselves more grace and latitude than someone who has offended us? In the account of twin brothers Jacob and Esau's fractured relationship, we learn that each side must accept responsibility, while taking a humble and sacrificial posture before the Lord and each other, so the relationship can be restored.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-nCsISIAQ

When Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers, he praised their knowledge of theology but was concerned about their soft gratitude and weak application of what they believed, especially in the face of opposition and difficulty. His prayer that they would be "filled with all the fullness of God" is an important reminder to us that we need to bold ask the Lord to keep our hearts humbled and broken, while being stirred to move to maturity and fulfill our calling.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8iJMext_PE

The Bible says there are "ancient paths" that bring rest to our souls--marked by repentance, faith, fear of God and love for the Lord. As we start a new year with anticipation of a fresh work of the Lord, it's vital to intentionally apply these principles to everything we do. Four familiar Biblical accounts spur us to to be faithful and effective for the Lord, rather than marked by regret.  Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdlQIspzz50

In 2 Chronicles 18, three men in the same situation deal with one truth from different angles because of their varied convictions. Truth doesn't provide latitude for subjectivity, even though the enemy is trying to couch it as relative and situational. When our convictions are weak, compromise follows, so instead of resisting it, we need to have a teachable heart, so it to humbles us and produces necessary change.  Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juFaGoTK0Pw

When we give and receive presents, it may not be what we were expecting and we are disappointed, or sometimes, it is wonderful and exceeds what we could have hoped. The people who were there during the birth of Jesus had four different expectations about Who Jesus was and what He would do, and that symbolizes whether or not we see Him as the Perfect Saviour He is.  Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vneCBSniPrQ

The historical account surrounding Jesus' birth contains change, discomfort, struggle, stretching of faith, uncertainty and alteration of plans. It was messy socially, relationally, emotionally and physically--a metaphor for the impurity caused by our sin. To save us, Jesus came to earth in the way that best identifies with our spiritual condition: Helpless, in need and dependent. He offers us the promise of a secure salvation that provides purity, a new perception and eternal peace.  Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU2QtuZFe1Q

 In the genealogy list preceding the account of Jesus' birth, there's not one mention of sin, judgment, the cross or resurrection, repentance or salvation. And yet, it points us directly to Jesus and the Gospel. It details people who were good but flawed, selfish and morally corrupt, and outcasts--a picture of all of humanity, and why Jesus came as Saviour. Even the numbers in the text reveal God's plan to redeem us from sin and secure our souls forever.  Video of this service is also available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FAtFVjUPjs

As we celebrate 15 years as a church, we praise the Lord for His kindness and faithfulness, and members of the congregation share how He has worked in their lives and through Harbor Rock.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK8uTzTKGoA

If our faith has enough power and influence to move mountains and heal people, what are we doing about it? And who is actively being impacted by it? Even though they were young believers with little training in a carnal, polytheistic culture, the faith of the Roman Christians was known throughout the world. This is "loud faith": Clearly evident in our words, actions, character, worship and love...only so people who know & trust Jesus Christ. This necessitates us being strong and spiritually established, encouraging and strengthening others in their faith.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNjg5NPqUaU

In a time when there is a drastic drop in faith in the U.S., we have to examine how well we are living in the Light of the Gospel and making sure it is emanating from our lives. Rather than it being only perceptible in certain situations, or dimmed, obscured or hidden, we're called to be spiritually alert and sober, walking in the Light--which will evidence itself with passion, discernible change, confidence and faithful work.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A-G5xlfW1k

We often make presumptive evaluations on who a person is, what their values are and whether we want to know them based on their appearance and clothing, because clothing impacts our identity. So it's important that when Jesus returned to heaven, He told believers that we would be clothed in power from on high...meaning HIs Holy Spirit. So we need to stayed clothed by deciding we want to represent Him well, making sure we are sincere and self-controlled.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1MRa7P0Wdc

"Losing" an hour on our clocks this weekend gets us thinking about the value of time and how we use it. Most of us would change a few major decisions if we could travel back in time, even knowing it would transform our current life. Hindsight gives greater clarity, but all we can do with it is to use it to shape wiser decisions going forward. So the Bible calls us to carefully "buy" our time, so we walk in the will of the Lord.  Video of this service:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3eb_EJ-h5Y

There is a four word phrase in the Lord's Prayer that not only embodies the mindset for prayer, but also for everything in our life as believers. Humbly and sincerely asking for the Lord's will to be done shows our desire to see the world brought to Christ, while declaring our gratitude to Him for all He has done to transform us. So it is vital that we are willing to fully surrender ourselves to His Lordship, asking Him to make this the greatest hunger of our heart and mind.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7z_kQy1RyU&t=2289s