Harris Creek Baptist Church

Personally Experiencing Jesus in Pain

June 21, 2026John Elmore Psalm 34Psalm 34 shows us that following Jesus can’t be borrowed from someone else’s story, you must personally taste and see that He is good by trusting Him in your fear, pain, and need. David’s testimony in the cave reminds us that Jesus hears us, stays near to us in suffering, gives peace in the middle of trouble, and invites us to live boldly by sharing what He’s done and resting in the promise of eternal life.Testify to others about JesusAsk God for answersSeek the Lord and peace Trust God with your troubles Endure afflictions because of Christ Life Group Discussion:If you really believed someone’s eternity was at stake, how might it change the way you pray for and engage the people around you this week?Is there an area of your life right now where you’re tempted to panic, control the outcome, or rely on yourself instead of bringing it honestly before God?What practically helps stir your affection for God, Scripture, worship, prayer, silence, community, serving, and how can you intentionally build more of that into your week?When life feels crushing, do you tend to carry the weight yourself or cast it on God? What usually keeps you from surrendering it to Him?As we are reminded that the Christian life is not freedom from affliction, but confidence that Jesus will deliver us fully in the end. How does that challenge the way you normally think about hardship, suffering, or unanswered prayer?

Interrupting The Ordinary

Life can easily become a cycle of routines, responsibilities, and distractions, but Exodus 3 reminds us that Jesus steps into our ordinary lives to awaken us to His presence, invite us into His mission, and sustain us with His power. Just as God met Moses in the middle of his monotony, He is calling us out of comfort and into a life of purpose, dependence, and kingdom impact.Christ's Presence Awakens YouChrist's Mission Includes YouChrist's Power Sustains YouLife Group Discussion:What routines, distractions, or struggles make it easy for you to miss God's presence in your everyday life?Like Moses, have you ever felt unqualified or inadequate for what God was calling you to do? Why?What challenge or calling in your life feels impossible without Jesus?

How To Change

Jacob spent his entire life trying to secure blessing, identity, and control through his own strength, only to discover that true change came when he finally surrendered to Christ. In his wrestling match with God, Jacob received a new identity and a lasting testimony, reminding us that Christ changes people not through self-improvement but through surrender, transformation, and dependence on Him.Christ Wants Your SurrenderChrist Changes Your IdentityChrist’s Work is Our Testimony Life Group Discussion:What is something you tend to hold onto tightly for security, control, or identity, and how might that be keeping you from fully trusting Jesus?Can you think of a specific way Jesus has changed your desires, priorities, or character since you began following Him?If you had 10 seconds to share your testimony, what would you say about who you were before Christ, how you met Him, and how He has changed you?

Christ in the Waiting

When waiting turns into doubt, Jesus meets us where we are and reminds us that His timing and ways are greater than our own. Abraham and Sarah's story shows that nothing is too hard for God, and what begins in cynicism can end in celebration when we trust His promises.Christ comes close in the waitingChrist is counterintuitive Christ confronts the cynic Life Group Discussion:What is something you're currently waiting on, and how has that waiting affected your faith?Have you ever had a plan for your life that God seemed to completely rewrite? What happened?What's the difference between honest doubt and cynicism toward God?

Jesus Looks After The Overlooked

Jesus doesn’t just show up for the polished and put-together, He pursues people in the middle of their mess, pain, and wilderness seasons. Through Hagar’s story in Genesis 16, we see that Christ is personal, present, and powerful enough to take the broken pieces of our lives and turn them into something full of purpose, hope, and redemption.Christ Pursues You in Your PainChrist is Personal and PastoralChrist has Plans Beyond Your PerspectiveLife Group Discussion:Why do you think pain often becomes the place where people experience God most deeply?In a culture that often values image over honesty, what keeps us from being real with God and others about what we’re going through?What broken part of your story have you struggled to believe God could use for good?

Jesus Looks After The Overlooked

Jesus doesn’t just show up for the polished and put-together, He pursues people in the middle of their mess, pain, and wilderness seasons. Through Hagar’s story in Genesis 16, we see that Christ is personal, present, and powerful enough to take the broken pieces of our lives and turn them into something full of purpose, hope, and redemption.Christ Pursues You in Your PainChrist is Personal and PastoralChrist has Plans Beyond Your PerspectiveLife Group Discussion:Why do you think pain often becomes the place where people experience God most deeply?In a culture that often values image over honesty, what keeps us from being real with God and others about what we’re going through?What broken part of your story have you struggled to believe God could use for good?

Bible, Gifts, Demons, Free Will and Predestination

Can we trust the Bible? Are spiritual gifts still active? What role do demons play, and how do free will and predestination coexist? John Elmore reminded us that Scripture is not only historically trustworthy, but powerfully transformative, calling us to trust God’s Word, stay spiritually alert, and boldly live on mission through the power of Christ in us.How Do We Know the Bible is TrueAre Spiritual Gifts Still Active TodayWhat Role Do Demons Play in Our LivesPredestinationLife Group Discussion:What evidence or experience has most strengthened your trust in the Bible personally?When you hear about gifts like prophecy, healing, or tongues, what reactions or assumptions come up for you?Which area of spiritual warfare mentioned in the sermon feels most real or relatable in your life right now?How does knowing God is both sovereign and personal encourage you in your faith?

Bible, Gifts, Demons, Free Will and Predestination

Can we trust the Bible? Are spiritual gifts still active? What role do demons play, and how do free will and predestination coexist? John Elmore reminded us that Scripture is not only historically trustworthy, but powerfully transformative, calling us to trust God’s Word, stay spiritually alert, and boldly live on mission through the power of Christ in us.How Do We Know the Bible is TrueAre Spiritual Gifts Still Active TodayWhat Role Do Demons Play in Our LivesPredestinationLife Group Discussion:What evidence or experience has most strengthened your trust in the Bible personally?When you hear about gifts like prophecy, healing, or tongues, what reactions or assumptions come up for you?Which area of spiritual warfare mentioned in the sermon feels most real or relatable in your life right now?How does knowing God is both sovereign and personal encourage you in your faith?

Big Q&A

Big Q&A