Tag Archives: faith

The Way of the Cross



The disciples recognize Jesus as Messiah and Son of God but without realizing all that the Messiah has come to do. So Jesus begins teaching them the way of the cross. And there is resistance from them. They didn’t expect that. But Jesus knows the way to glory passes through the cross. And if we desire to follow Him to glory, we follow His way too.

Matthew 16:21-28

Taught Sunday morning, June 1, 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!


Father Reveals Son



Jesus could be mysterious at times. So when He asked His disciples questions, it’s a wonder that someone would speak up. Thankfully Simon Peter would speak up. And His answer this time is as solid as a rock, a boulder to be precise. Only the Father could reveal such timeless truth for someone to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Matthew 16:13-20

Taught Sunday morning, May 25, 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!


Humility and Faith



This story is uncomfortable for us, and is probably intended to be. We know Jesus is compassionate and not prejudiced but it sounds bad here. Maybe Jesus has more going on here than meets the eye. Maybe Jesus is confronting us more than He is this woman. Do we have what it takes to pass the test of faith? Do we actually have the compassion that He does?

Matthew 15:21-28

Taught Sunday morning, May 11, 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!


Knowing Christ



Paul said that nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ by faith and experience of walking with Him in trust and obedience. And self-righteousness prevents us from knowing Christ.

Luke 18:9-14 and Philippians 3:1-11

Taught Sunday morning, March 23, 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!


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!


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!


God is Good



The prophet asked the LORD what He would do about the wickedness in the nation. The LORD’s answer prompted more questions for Habakkuk. But the LORD reassured His prophet that one day, judgment would come for all those who persist in wickedness and that only through living by faith would any escape condemnation. But when hard times come, will we still trust the LORD? Will we still say “God is good” when the blessings are not evident?

Habakkuk 1-3

Taught Sunday morning, May 19, 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!


Be Faithful



Joshua secretly sent two spies into Canaan. He didn’t know it but God sent them for a more important reason than recon. God knew that Rahab believed in Him and He gave her opportunity to demonstrate her faith in a dramatic way. And thus delivered her into the congregation of the people of God, heroes of faith.

Joshua 2:1-21

Taught Sunday morning, March 10, 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!