Category Archives: Sermon

Live as Citizens



Stand worthy of being citizens of the kingdom of God. The King has appointed His citizens to act and live in a certain way that reflects His values and morals. His ambassador has written to instruct those citizens and us in how to stand together in unity against the persecution that comes with following the crucified and risen Messiah. Do not fear them. Trust the King of kings.

Philippians 1:27-30

Taught Sunday morning, January 26, 2025 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


To Live is Christ



Paul can accept his circumstances even in prison because he values that his life belongs to Christ. More than that, his life is Christ. Christ is his main love, passion, and reason to live. And to die is gain because he only gains more access to Christ. What would it look like for us to live for Christ?

Philippians 1:18-26

Taught Sunday morning, January 19, 2025 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


God Finishes His Work



Paul writes with joy to the believers in Philippi, thanking God for them. Their fruit of righteousness gives him cause for confidence. His prayers for them will be answered because God is at work in them. And God is faithful to finish what He starts.

Philippians 1:1-11

Taught Sunday morning, January 12, 2025 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Guard your Mind



Spiritual warfare takes place in the mind – the thoughts, feelings, and intentions as we face temptations to doubt and depart from truth and righteousness. How we combat these deceptions is with the truth of God’s Word and prayer. Stand Guard in the strength of God’s promises.

Ephesians 6:10-24

Taught Sunday morning, January 5, 2025 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Gentiles seek Him



The Magi (or wise men as we popularly call them) not Jewish but they came from far away to find the King of the Jews. But they were not looking for a minor king but The King – the Messiah for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles. And their search was rewarded by God who always rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Matthew 2:1-12

Taught Sunday morning, December 29, 2024 by Brad D Harris
(audio from the YouTube video recorded before Sunday)

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Joseph and Mary



Joseph was a simple hard-working young man, betrothed to be married to a pretty girl from Nazareth. But appearances are not always what they seem to be. Mary is caught up in something much bigger than Joseph or her has ever imagined. And he is given the choice to embrace the bigger story God is writing. God is about to rescue His people.

Matthew 1:18-25

Taught Sunday morning, December 22, 2024 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Stand Your Ground



After all the important teachings about what Christ has done for us and instructions for living worthy of Christ, the apostle gives his stirring inspirational conclusion. Paul reminds them that they cannot do this in their own strength and fortitude. The enemy is too much for mere humans. We must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Stand your ground with Christ’s empowerment.

Ephesians 6:10-15

Taught Sunday morning, December 15, 2024 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Submit to Christ



Paul is still instructing the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (and us today) how to submit to one another, just like Christ. This time he is instructing parents and their children. And he speaks to masters and slaves. While Paul does not waste words about the institution of slavery, his instructions reveal the revolutionary perspective he has. All people are created by God and that God is not partial in His judgment like we are tempted to be.

Ephesians 6:1-9

Taught Sunday morning, December 8, 2024 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Servant Leaders



Paul had just told the Ephesians that being filled with the Spirit would include submitting to one another. Then the apostle went into specifics to apply the principle to each person in the household, starting with wives and husbands. And knowing that the most radical part was for husbands, he belabored the point that they are to follow the example of Christ – servant-leadership.

Ephesians 5:21-33

Taught Sunday morning, December 1, 2024 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!


Filled with the Spirit



Walk carefully, make good use of the time by not living mindlessly but knowing and doing the will of God. Be filled with the Spirit and walk according His light. Let’s see what Paul means by that because it may surprise us how he understands it.

Ephesians 5:15-21

Taught Sunday morning, November 24, 2024 by Brad D Harris

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  It is funded by the generous participants of Prairie Oaks Baptist Church.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks and their audio ministry, we have a donation page so that you can securely give online to help this ministry.  Thank you for listening and prayerfully supporting us.  I hope we continue to further you in your journey with Christ!