Tag Archives: Church

Hallmarks of True Church



We had a special guest from the Association of Baptist Students, our college ministry at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Stuart Estes is the new Ministry Team Leader at The Hedge at ABS. You will hear an introduction about him as well as news from this important missionary endeavour. Then he preached the Word of God to us from the book of Acts on the hallmarks or distinctions of a true church.  Plus a nice surprise on the end of the audio.

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 now 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!

Acts 2:41-47

Preached Sunday morning, August 30, 2020 by Stuart Estes

Ministry Team Leader
Association of Baptist Students
1005 W. Clinton Drive
Fayetteville, AR
www.absua.org
on Facebook @thehedge.uark

Prairie Oaks Baptist Church
402 Viney Grove Road in Prairie Grove, AR
P.O. Box 424, Prairie Grove AR  72753
prairieoaksbaptist.com
on Facebook @prairieoaks


Blessed in Christ



While the pastor was off, we had a technical malfunction and did not record our guest speaker.  Our apologies, Bro. Allen.  But the last time the preacher was gone back in August, Bro. Gabe Harris came and preached the word for us at Prairie Oaks, twice in one day.  We posted the morning message back then.  This week we are including Gabe’s verse-by-verse exposition from Ephesians 1 that he preached to our evening congregation.

Ephesians 1 is a powerful passage of Scripture that we do well to ponder upon often as Paul condenses what Christ accomplished for each of us who are in Christ.  And Gabe does a great job of revealing the glory that Paul packed into this letter.

Ephesians 1

Preached Sunday evening, August 18, 2019 by Gabe Harris


Christ is Faithful



Our series in Revelation comes to its conclusion this week.  But we discover that last message is a very sobering reminder that we as individuals as well as churches can get far away from what we were created to be.  Yet even in the midst of correction from the Faithful and True Witness, Christ is Faithful to His wayward saints in love and righteousness.  He invites and even disciplines us back into fellowship with Him.  Jesus is the good news.
This is the last in a seven-part sermon series on church revitalization.

I added a short intro before the audio of the sermon audio begins.   Let me know in the comments what you think.

Revelation 3:14-22

Preached Sunday morning, December 15, 2019 by Brad D Harris


Christ opens the door…



Ever feel like that there are so many obstacles and closed doors slammed in your face?  What is one to do?  The little church in Philadelphia was feeling weak and excluded.  But Christ reminded them that He had opened the most important door unto them, the one into heaven!  And they would enter that door victorious as they remained faithful in spite of their weakness.  In weakness is where the Lord’s strength is glorified.
This is the sixth in a seven-part sermon series on church revitalization.

I also included a testimony that the audio is difficult to hear (just a minute or so into the message) but if you can hear it, it’s a blessing.

Revelation 3:7-13

Preached Sunday morning, December 8, 2019 by Brad D Harris


Faithful though Few



While it is important to have a good reputation, it is infinitely more important to have a good evaluation by the Judge of all the earth, Jesus Christ.  The church is Sardis had the reputation, but their evaluation from the Lord was that they were dead and dying.  Few were alive in Christ and faithful but even those parts were dying and needed rekindled.  Yet the Savior brings the dead back to life, if only they will repent.  What does the Spirit say to us?
This is the fifth in a seven-part sermon series on church revitalization.

Revelation 3:1-6

Preached Sunday morning, December 1, 2019 by Brad D Harris


Faithful in Purity



Some of us just want to be nice and get along.  Kindness is a Christian virtue.   But Jesus, the Son of God, seems harsh when He calls for integrity and purity of His church in Thyatira.  They have allowed false doctrine and immorality to infiltrate and infect their growing body of Christ.  And Christ of the penetrating discernment is coming to judge the problem.  His church is doing things right and He wants to continue that with integrity.
This is the fourth in a seven-part sermon series on church revitalization.

Revelation 2:18-29

Preached Sunday morning, November 24, 2019 by Brad D Harris


Stay Faithful for He is Faithful



It can be difficult to stand alone when persecution comes.   From His message to the church of Pergamos, Christ with His double-edged sword speaks a warning to those who ally themselves with teachers of false gospels.  Jesus Christ as revealed by the Bible is our Faithful King and True Judge.  Follow close to Him.  And He alone will provide what we need when we must stand alone.
This is the third in a seven-part sermon series on church revitalization.

Revelation 2:12-17

Preached Sunday morning, November 17, 2019 by Brad D Harris


The crown of life for perseverance



We began a series from Revelation to hear from the eternal God His message to His churches through the messages given to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia.  Churches are not buildings but people – people who have His Holy Spirit within them, bonded together by His Spirit.  Thus we each profit from responding rightly to His Word in order for His church to profit from responding rightly to His Word.
From His message to the church of Smyrna, we hear the eternal Christ speak affirmation to His beleaguered little church that their may be trouble ahead, but it has purpose and their faithfulness will be rewarded.   His Spirit will aid them through their fiery trial.
This is the second in a multi-part sermon series on church revitalization

Revelation 2:8-11

Preached Sunday morning, November 10, 2019 by Brad D Harris


Foremost Love



We begin a series from Revelation to hear from the eternal God His message to His churches through the messages given to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia.  Churches are not buildings but people – people who have His Holy Spirit within them, bonded together by His Spirit.  Thus we each profit from responding rightly to His Word in order for His church to profit from responding rightly to His Word.
This is the first in a multi-part sermon series on church revitalization

We hope that this online service has blessed you.  If you would like to contribute to Prairie Oaks Baptist Church and their audio ministry, we now 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!

Revelation 2:1-7

Preached Sunday morning, November 3, 2019 by Brad D Harris