Christmas isn’t just a nostalgic routine, we’re being reminded of the greatest announcement in history: the King has come, the King is Lord, and the King came to save us. Don’t tune out the miracle; respond, trust Him, and share the announcement that changes everything. The Announcement: The King is Here! The Announcement: The King is LORD!The Announcement: The King came to save us! Life Group Discussion:If Jesus showed up in your everyday life today, at work, school, or home, how would you honestly respond to His arrival?Where do you struggle to trust Jesus’ authority, and what lies or fears make that hard?What’s one area of your life right now, stress, sin, fear, or pressure, where you need to turn to Jesus for rescue instead of trying to fix it yourself?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Christmas isn’t just a nostalgic routine, we’re being reminded of the greatest announcement in history: the King has come, the King is Lord, and the King came to save us. Don’t tune out the miracle; respond, trust Him, and share the announcement that changes everything.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Announcement: The King is Here! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Announcement: The King is LORD!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Announcement: The King came to save us!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Life Group Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If Jesus showed up in your everyday life today, at work, school, or home, how would you honestly respond to His arrival?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Where do you struggle to trust Jesus’ authority, and what lies or fears make that hard?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What’s one area of your life right now, stress, sin, fear, or pressure, where you need to turn to Jesus for rescue instead of trying to fix it yourself?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Harris Creek Baptist Church

Christmas isn’t just a nostalgic routine, we’re being reminded of the greatest announcement in history: the King has come, the King is Lord, and the King came to save us. Don’t tune out the miracle; respond, trust Him, and share the announcement that changes everything. The Announcement: The King is Here! The Announcement: The King is LORD!The Announcement: The King came to save us! Life Group Discussion:If Jesus showed up in your everyday life today, at work, school, or home, how would you honestly respond to His arrival?Where do you struggle to trust Jesus’ authority, and what lies or fears make that hard?What’s one area of your life right now, stress, sin, fear, or pressure, where you need to turn to Jesus for rescue instead of trying to fix it yourself?

The Greatest Announcement

Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22–23, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1: 78–79, Haggai 2:7, Isaiah 2:4, and Ephesians 2:14–17 Jesus has already come, He’s with us right now, and yet we still feel the ache of wandering, darkness, and chaos in a world that’s not fully restored. Advent reminds us to hold onto hope in that tension, trusting that the same Jesus who came once will come again to make everything whole. Jesus is with us in the wandering Jesus is with us in the darknessJesus is with us in the chaos Life Group Discussion:How does remembering Jesus’ first coming give you confidence and hope while you wait for His return?What kinds of darkness, personally or in the world, make you long for Jesus’ light the most?What would it look like for you to “wait, watch, and hope” for Jesus in the middle of the chaos you’re experiencing right now?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22–23, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1: 78–79, Haggai 2:7, Isaiah 2:4, and Ephesians 2:14–17&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jesus has already come, He’s with us right now, and yet we still feel the ache of wandering, darkness, and chaos in a world that’s not fully restored. Advent reminds us to hold onto hope in that tension, trusting that the same Jesus who came once will come again to make everything whole.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jesus is with us in the wandering &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jesus is with us in the darkness&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jesus is with us in the chaos&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Life Group Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How does remembering Jesus’ first coming give you confidence and hope while you wait for His return?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What kinds of darkness, personally or in the world, make you long for Jesus’ light the most?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What would it look like for you to “wait, watch, and hope” for Jesus in the middle of the chaos you’re experiencing right now?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22–23, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1: 78–79, Haggai 2:7, Isaiah 2:4, and Ephesians 2:14–17 Jesus has already come, He’s with us right now, and yet we still feel the ache of wandering, darkness, and chaos in a world that’s not fully restored. Advent reminds us to hold onto hope in that tension, trusting that the same Jesus who came once will come again to make everything whole. Jesus is with us in the wandering Jesus is with us in the darknessJesus is with us in the chaos Life Group Discussion:How does remembering Jesus’ first coming give you confidence and hope while you wait for His return?What kinds of darkness, personally or in the world, make you long for Jesus’ light the most?What would it look like for you to “wait, watch, and hope” for Jesus in the middle of the chaos you’re experiencing right now?

He Is With Us and Yet to Come

JP compared spiritual growth to physical therapy, most of us “get by” but don’t put in the work to get healthy. Galatians 6 shows what real disciples do: help others, confront sin, stay in the Spirit, and keep showing up. The ideal follower of Jesus prioritizes Him above everything else. Deliver the distressedImprove without comparison Support the mission Confront sinInfluenced by The Spirit Persevere in discipleship Love all people, especially those hereExalt Christ alone Life Group Discussion:How do you balance helping others without taking on their burdens entirely?What habits or practices help you focus on your own growth?How can confronting sin bring freedom instead of guilt?

<description>&lt;p&gt;JP compared spiritual growth to physical therapy, most of us “get by” but don’t put in the work to get healthy. Galatians 6 shows what real disciples do: help others, confront sin, stay in the Spirit, and keep showing up. The ideal follower of Jesus prioritizes Him above everything else.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Deliver the distressed&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Improve without comparison &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Support the mission &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Confront sin&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Influenced by The Spirit &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Persevere in discipleship &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Love all people, especially those here&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Exalt Christ alone&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Life Group Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How do you balance helping others without taking on their burdens entirely?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What habits or practices help you focus on your own growth?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How can confronting sin bring freedom instead of guilt?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

JP compared spiritual growth to physical therapy, most of us “get by” but don’t put in the work to get healthy. Galatians 6 shows what real disciples do: help others, confront sin, stay in the Spirit, and keep showing up. The ideal follower of Jesus prioritizes Him above everything else. Deliver the distressedImprove without comparison Support the mission Confront sinInfluenced by The Spirit Persevere in discipleship Love all people, especially those hereExalt Christ alone Life Group Discussion:How do you balance helping others without taking on their burdens entirely?What habits or practices help you focus on your own growth?How can confronting sin bring freedom instead of guilt?

Who is a Good Disciple?

Nate reminded us that we’re all being led by something, and following the flesh only leads to anxiety, chaos, and ultimately destruction. But when we choose to walk with the Spirit, He grows real fruit in us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but through daily steps of surrender as God builds roots that eventually produce fruit. The Spirit and the flesh are in conflictActs of the flesh lead to deathWalking with the spirit leads to fruit Life Group Discussion:Where do you most feel the “tug-of-war” between what your flesh wants and what the Spirit wants?When you look at the list of “acts of the flesh,” which ones tend to show up in your life, and how do they impact you?Nate said spiritual growth is often slow, like the bamboo tree building roots. Where do you think God might be growing “roots” in you right now?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Nate reminded us that we’re all being led by something, and following the flesh only leads to anxiety, chaos, and ultimately destruction. But when we choose to walk with the Spirit, He grows real fruit in us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but through daily steps of surrender as God builds roots that eventually produce fruit.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Spirit and the flesh are in conflict&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Acts of the flesh lead to death&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Walking with the spirit leads to fruit&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Life Group Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Where do you most feel the “tug-of-war” between what your flesh wants and what the Spirit wants?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you look at the list of “acts of the flesh,” which ones tend to show up in your life, and how do they impact you?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nate said spiritual growth is often slow, like the bamboo tree building roots. Where do you think God might be growing “roots” in you right now?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Nate reminded us that we’re all being led by something, and following the flesh only leads to anxiety, chaos, and ultimately destruction. But when we choose to walk with the Spirit, He grows real fruit in us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, but through daily steps of surrender as God builds roots that eventually produce fruit. The Spirit and the flesh are in conflictActs of the flesh lead to deathWalking with the spirit leads to fruit Life Group Discussion:Where do you most feel the “tug-of-war” between what your flesh wants and what the Spirit wants?When you look at the list of “acts of the flesh,” which ones tend to show up in your life, and how do they impact you?Nate said spiritual growth is often slow, like the bamboo tree building roots. Where do you think God might be growing “roots” in you right now?

Who is Leading You?

Nate shared how he got scammed chasing a “free trip to Hawaii,” comparing it to how the Galatians were tricked into thinking they had to earn God’s approval. Paul reminds us there’s only one way to true freedom, trusting Jesus, who already paid our debt. When we grasp that, we stop striving and start loving others out of gratitude. There is only one way to pay for freedomThere are many distractions to keep us enslavedLove is the only way to respond to freedom  Life Group Discussion:Nate compared good works to worthless currency. What are some “currencies” you find yourself trying to use to earn God’s love?How can you tell the difference between a good thing that’s from God and a distraction that keeps you stuck?Who in your life could experience God’s love through your actions this week?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Nate shared how he got scammed chasing a “free trip to Hawaii,” comparing it to how the Galatians were tricked into thinking they had to earn God’s approval. Paul reminds us there’s only one way to true freedom, trusting Jesus, who already paid our debt. When we grasp that, we stop striving and start loving others out of gratitude.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There is only one way to pay for freedom&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There are many distractions to keep us enslaved&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Love is the only way to respond to freedom &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Life Group Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nate compared good works to worthless currency. What are some “currencies” you find yourself trying to use to earn God’s love?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;How can you tell the difference between a good thing that’s from God and a distraction that keeps you stuck?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Who in your life could experience God’s love through your actions this week?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Nate shared how he got scammed chasing a “free trip to Hawaii,” comparing it to how the Galatians were tricked into thinking they had to earn God’s approval. Paul reminds us there’s only one way to true freedom, trusting Jesus, who already paid our debt. When we grasp that, we stop striving and start loving others out of gratitude. There is only one way to pay for freedomThere are many distractions to keep us enslavedLove is the only way to respond to freedom  Life Group Discussion:Nate compared good works to worthless currency. What are some “currencies” you find yourself trying to use to earn God’s love?How can you tell the difference between a good thing that’s from God and a distraction that keeps you stuck?Who in your life could experience God’s love through your actions this week?

The Only Way to Win the Prize

This is the weekly sermon podcast from Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Visit www.harriscreek.org for more information.


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