Stand-Alone Messages
Messages Not in a Series
Membership: What's In It For Me?
January 14, 2024 • Jeff Maness • Hebrews 10:25, Romans 12:1–18, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:10–11
Have ever wondered about church membership at The Harbor? Do you wonder what it is, why you should be a member, and what it requires of you? This is the message that will answer all of your questions. Periodically, The Harbor uses a Sunday morning message as a means by which existing Harbor Members can reconsider their commitment to membership at The Harbor, and nonmembers can learn about this commitment. Typically, every 18-24 months has been our rhythm. On that Sunday, we wipe the membership roll clean and start fresh. This is the message from Membership Sunday on January 14, 2024. If you are local and attend The Harbor, but were unable to join us in person for this Membership Sunday, please watch this message, and then go to the https://www.theharbor.life/membership of our website, http://www.thehar/http://bor.life/ to learn how to become a member or renew your membership.
The Great Reset
January 7, 2024 • Ryan Akers • John 12:20–28, Mark 8:34–37, Romans 12:1
At the beginning of a new year, do you make resolutions? New Year's Resolutions are usually about taking control of areas like our eating habits, our time, our spending, our lives. But in this message entitled, "The Great Reset", Discipleship Pastor Ryan Akers says we need to give up control of three areas of our lives to really live the full and abundant life God has called His children to live.
Laughing at God
September 17, 2023 • David Miller • Genesis 18:1–15, Luke 15:11–24, Luke 19:1–10, John 10:10
Sarah laughed at God when He said she was going to have a baby. Certainly she was too old! The Prodigal Son decided to go back to his father in the capacity of a slave. Certainly he had made too many mistakes and was too full of shame to be restored as a son! Zacchaeus was a notorious sinner who just wanted to get a peak at Jesus, but Jesus wanted to go to his house for dinner. Certainly Zacchaeus was too rich and set in his evil ways for God to turn him around and use him. It's never too late to turn to God. You are never too young or too old, too full of sin or shame, too weak or downcast, or too far gone for God to fill you up with His love and turn you into a new creation. God wants to give you a full and abundant life and to use you to touch the lives of others with His overflowing love. Watch this message, "Laughing at God," by Compassion Care Pastor David Miller to learn more.
What Does Baptism Represent?
May 7, 2023 • Jeff Maness • Colossians 1:19–23, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:26–40
Baptism is a public expression of the inward work that Christ has done in our hearts. But it represents much more than that. Watch this message, "What Does Baptism Represent?" to learn what baptism is all about.
Welcome Our Weaknesses
February 12, 2023 • Chris Ward • 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
We all have weaknesses. They may be something we have a hard time saying no to, a chronic illness or deformity, how we feel about the way we look, or something else, but it's always something that embarrasses us and causes us to not be able to live the life we desire. We don't like to talk about our weaknesses. The truth is we all want to be known for our strengths. We will do anything and everything to not be known for our weaknesses, so we hide them or pretend they don't bother us. In this message, Director of LIFT Chris Ward teaches the negative complications of pretending and how to instead "Welcome Our Weaknesses."
Finish What Was Started
June 19, 2022 • Jeff Maness • Genesis 11:31—12:9, Philippians 2:12–13
Starting something is simple, it’s finishing that makes us strong. Theres always a temptation to settle for less, but there are usually consequences when we do. So how do we finish what was started in us? We must begin with who we are in Jesus and use that truth to combat the enemy. In this message Co-Senior Pastor Jeff Maness takes a chapter out of his book "My Declaration" to teach us how to finish strong.
I Am Seen
May 8, 2022 • Genesis 16:1–15, Psalm 34:18, Job 13:15, Job 19:25–27
On Mother's Day, Co-Senior Pastor Jeff Maness told the story of Hagar, a young soon-to-be mother who had run away from a bad situation. But God had a better plan for Hagar, and so He came to her to comfort her. This message is for all of us, even today. God is there for you always. In your hurting, in your hoping, and in your honoring, you are seen and loved.
Baptism Sunday 2022
May 1, 2022 • Rick Baldwin • Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3–5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Luke 15
One of the most exciting Sundays at The Harbor is our annual Baptism Celebration! On this Sunday, May 1, 2022, sixty-two people of all ages were baptized! At 13:06 minutes in, Co-Senior Pastor Rick Baldwin explains how and why Jesus died for you, and how you can accept that sacrifice to live a brand new life in Christ! After Rick's short message, at 22:30, the baptisms begin as our Worship Team leads through many of our favorite worship songs. Watch and cheer for those who are baptized!
Seeing the Impossible
April 24, 2022 • Jeff Maness • 1 Samuel 14:1–23
In Co-Senior Pastor Jeff Maness' first message at The Harbor, he used 1 Samuel 14:1-23 to illustrate that "God will often do the impossible when we are willing to live in the unthinkable". What Jonathan did in this story may seem unthinkable or just downright crazy to us, but God honored Jonathan's trust in a truly miraculous way. Watch to see the three steps that will help you live an unthinkable life (and it may not be the three steps you are thinking of!)
Qualified in Christ
April 3, 2022 • Blake Brinkman • Colossians 1:9–14
We all want to feel "good enough”, to feel qualified for the things we do, positions we hold, relationships we have in life. When we feel qualified, we feel safe and secure. But we all have areas in our lives where we feel like the harder we try, the less qualified we feel. Trying so hard to be good enough can create anxiety, frustration, exhaustion, and an empty life. But what if there is another way? One that God designed and made a way for us to experience that brings life, joy, peace, and hope? This message by Director of Student Ministry Blake Brinkman looks at what God has to say about this journey of being good enough and being qualified in His word through the Apostle Paul.
The Teacher, Soldier, Athlete, and Farmer
March 13, 2022 • Weston Savell • 2 Timothy 2:1–7
In 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Paul talks about four occupations possessing certain attributes and uses them as an example of how Christians should walk through this life. In this message Teaching Pastor Weston Savell looks at each one individually and gleans some simple truths from them with simple questions we can each ask ourselves.
The Truth About Lying
March 6, 2022 • Chris Ward • Psalm 139:23–24, Ephesians 4:15, Acts 5:1–11, Proverbs 12:22, 1 John 1:9
Everyday each of us has many opportunities to be dishonest. Every conversation, every phone call, every text message, every email, every interaction – we have dozens and dozens of opportunities to lie. And sometimes we take the opportunity. What does it matter if it doesn't hurt anyone? But is there any such thing as a lie that doesn't hurt anyone? Watch to see how important the truth http://is...all the time.
Finishing Well
February 27, 2022 • Stuart Rothberg • Philemon 24, Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:8
The term "finishing well" is not just about those who are closer to the finish line. Younger committed followers of the Lord may have many years ahead of them; they expect to do well, to finish the race. But many fall away. Why is that, and what can you do to make sure you finish this race well? Watch as guest speaker Stuart Rothberg from Sagemont Church explains.
Humility
February 20, 2022 • Rick Baldwin • Philippians 2:5–8, John 5:19, John 7:16, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 16:5
The Bible has much to say about pride and humility. In this message Senior Pastor Rick Baldwin explains biblical humility and how it impacts how we see people, how we see ourselves, and how we move through our day.
Navigating Change
January 9, 2022 • Rick Baldwin • Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, Malachi 3:6, Psalm 100:5, 1 Peter 1:25
In this message, Senior Pastor Rick Baldwin talks about the next steps in his planned retirement and tells us who will replace him. It's an announcement you don't want to miss! But rather than leave it right there, Rick teaches us how to cope with change, good, bad, mixed, and the kind that causes great anxiety. We all have to handle change at sometime. God's Word will show you how to not let it handle you.