Harbor Rock Tabernacle
711 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsSermons from Harbor Rock Tabernacle in Racine, WI. We are a nondenominational, evangelical church, called to reach all people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our pastor is Paul Rhoads. We invite you to listen and be encouraged!
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Episodes
Episode 703: Wait...What?
April 08, 2024 00:00 - 38 minutes - 89.2 MBVery few of us enjoy waiting and being patient, because we want our way and get frustrated when people and circumstances get in our way. But how do we respond when the Lord causes the delay? Multiple times after the Resurrection, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Those 50 days were valuable, as they learned to wait and pray, The humility and refocusing of priorities built strength into their hearts, minds and ministry that we desperately need. Video of this serv...
Episode 701: Two Bowls Of Water
April 02, 2024 00:00 - 29 minutes - 67.5 MBWhen he met Jesus, the Roman governor Pilate had a dilemma--he knew Jesus was innocent, but the crowds demanded punishment. Pilate ignored warnings and didn't seek truth even though it was right in front of him, and unsuccessfully tried to wash his hands of any guilt. It's a stark contrast to the humility and sacrifice Jesus had shown in washing the disciples' feet 12 hours earlier, and exemplifies the difference between the heart of God and the heart of man.
Episode 702: The Triumph Of Hope
April 02, 2024 00:00 - 38 minutes - 87.7 MBMankind tends to view hope as wishing for something with some degree of uncertainty, but the Bible defines it as "joyful and confident expectation". That all centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in the aftermath of the cross, Jesus' disciples lost hope, and were depressed...to the point that at first, they didn't believe the news that the tomb was empty. But slowly, they remembered His words, and when they saw Him alive, it radically transformed their lives and their mi...
Episode 700: "Untie Them"
March 28, 2024 00:00 - 41 minutes - 95.6 MBHalf of the verses in the 3 Gospel texts about Jesus' "Palm Sunday" entrance into Jerusalem focus on getting the donkey He rode, fulfilling prophecy. For each of the components of the scene--the 2 disciples, the owners, the 2 donkeys and the ropes--there are important spiritual principles about trust and obedience, yielding control, compliance and being free to be utilized by the Lord. So are we prepared and available when "the Lord has need of us"?
Episode 699: Take Possession
March 23, 2024 00:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBAs believers, Christ has secured us to experience eternal victory, but He has also provided for us to live in victory now. But like the Israelites in the Old Testament, sometimes we act with subtle insubordination, looking at the obstacles and opposition as excuses to partially obey. When Israel occupied the Promised Land, the tribe of Manasseh was hesitant...but the Lord called them to take full possession, trusting Him for HIs help and victory. Similarly, we are to drive out sin a...
Episode 698: Shouts Of Victory
March 05, 2024 00:00 - 50 minutes - 116 MBThe aggressive promotion of self-focus, victimhood and not taking responsibility is a method the devil is using to corrupt the culture, but also to discourage Christians. But we have to fight this, always remembering and secure that with the Lord, there is always victory and no defeat. We have to make sure we're not walking in darkness and being overwhelmed by the spiritual attack, by constantly trusting and praising the Lord for His faithful sufficiency. Video of this service is ...
Episode 695: Giving In HIs Kingdom Upside Down
February 27, 2024 00:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MBGiving is often an area of confusion and uncertainty for believers. Do we follow the Old Testament model of tithing plus offerings, or did the New Covenant free us from obligatory percentages? The fact that the average churchgoer gives under 3% indicates a problem. The goal is not numbers, but a willing and joyful heart, understanding that everything is the Lord's, and we have the opportunity to be generous and share in what He is doing.
Episode 696: The Surfer
February 27, 2024 00:00 - 40 minutes - 92.2 MBThe preparation, planning and passion that surfers model can teach and inspire us to greater faithfulness and effectiveness in our walk. This includes understanding how world events align with Scripture, enduring with fearless conviction and confidence in God's victory in times of temptation and attack, and being on the crest of what the Lord is doing. Even more than surfers, our dedication to the Lord is our life, and we are called to fully commit to it with joy. Video of this ser...
Episode 694: The Correct Definition
February 14, 2024 00:00 - 40 minutes - 92.6 MBIt is amazing what Jesus has done to save us and give us new life. He has secured victory over sin and death, and promises that true believers have overcome the world. So it is shocking that there is an epidemic of spiritual, emotional, mental and relational paralysis among believers! We don't have to be overwhelmed and weakened by the world and difficulty, because the Lord enables us to prevail as "more than conquerors". So consistent victory in our lives is determined by the dept...
Episode 693: Death By 1000 Cuts
February 05, 2024 00:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBAs change takes place in society, sometimes we aren't given the option to accept what has changed. While the advancements are more convenient and requires less of us, they can also gradually condition us to new thoughts and behaviors. As believers, we have to guard against this concept in terms of the enemy's attempts to acclimate our heart and mind to doubt the Lord and compromise our convictions for what is expedient and fulfills us. Solomon's life stands as our warning, as he w...
Episode 692: Static Cling
January 29, 2024 00:00 - 43 minutes - 101 MBHezekiah had a great start as the King of Judah--rejecting his dad's evil example, tearing down what offended the Lord and restoring the temple. The foundation for this was his strong trust in the Lord, to Whom Hezekiah "clung". This concept of adhering to and obeying evokes a young child or a rock climber. The latter has to be intentional in which rocks they grab and which path they take to move higher, without wasting energy. Showing our trust and commitment to the Lord in this wa...
Episode 691: Making Things Right
January 23, 2024 00:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBThe Lord calls us to more than just knowing Truth and understanding what is expected of us--He calls believers to action. He has taught us how to do what is right, and instead of being a burden it is a source of joy and strength. Hezekiah was one of the few good kings of Judah, and ignoring his father's evil example, he chose to reform the nation spiritually and practically, by courageously aligning himself with what pleased the Lord. For us to do this requires us to be strong in ou...
Episode 690: Wait Up!
January 15, 2024 00:00 - 44 minutes - 101 MBAs we seek discernment and the Lord's leading, there is often a need to wait on Him. But many of us struggle with impatience, which can be a result of the need for control and even a lack of wisdom. The Lord promises His goodness, kindness and faithfulness to those who fear Him, so He calls us to trust Him, and to wait for Him with all our soul. We can confidently do this because we know Who He is, and how He has worked in the past. But first, we have to yield our overconfidence in ...
Episode 689: Out Of Control
January 10, 2024 00:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MBWhen the wise men told Herod that the Messiah had been born, he and the people of Israel should have been thrilled. But Herod felt that his power was threatened, and lied to the wise men that he also wanted to worship Jesus. When our heart is proud and not yielded to the Lord, it shows up in deception, irrational overreaction and lack of sensitivity toward others. So it is vital that we ask the Lord to help us walk in truth and stand firm for our faith.
Episode 688: The Cry
January 09, 2024 00:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBAs believers, it is vital that we have discernment from the Lord. This means the ability to hear from the Lord, so we can distinguish was it wise and right, so we can faithfully obey Him. After he asked for and received wisdom from the Lord, Solomon wrote "proverbs" to those who love Him. He exhorted us to seek for and cry for wisdom, treating it like a great treasure that is sometimes only found in the depths of faith. When we do, the Lord has wisdom stored up that He wants to give...
Episode 687: Breaking The Silence
January 09, 2024 00:00 - 23 minutes - 53.8 MBAfter the shepherds heard about Jesus' birth, they were excited to go see Him and have their angel's message of salvation verified. But what would people think when they started talking about the message and the experience? Would they been seen as crazy, and rejected in society? Especially in an increasingly hostile and punitive culture, Christians may feel hesitant to share their faith. But everyone needs the Good News, and whether they receive it or not, we are still called to tel...
Episode 686: Whatever You Say
January 09, 2024 00:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MBOne of the great fears in life is the fear of change. As a believer, we often wonder, "what if the Lord calls me to something different or difficult?" When Mary received the news from the angel, her natural instinct would have been fear and many questions. But because the Lord's hand was on her life, and because she feared the Lord more than her circumstances, she was willing to live as a bondservant. She gives us a powerful example of confident trust and surrender to the Lord's wil...
Episode 685: No Need To Measure
December 20, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 101 MBJoseph, the man called to the huge responsibility of being the earthly father of Jesus Christ, never says one word in the Bible. But his actions sets a powerful example of righteous character, unquestioning faith and faithful obedience. Facing his own personal fears, as well as social criticism and the risk of his career, Joseph still immediately honored the Lord and embraced the sacrifice of living in the Lord's will.
Episode 684: Delayed Gratification
December 11, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 105 MBIn every communication God has with the key people in the Christmas account, He tells them the same thing: "Do not be afraid". Fear is a factor in every person's life, whether external fears like finances and world conditions or internal ones like loneliness, failure and change. But the Lord helps us to move past "What If?" by experiencing His mercy and faithfulness. So even when our hopes are unrealized and we feel inadequate, like Zecharias and Elizabeth, we can be confident that ...
Episode 682: It's No Trouble
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes - 95.6 MBJesus interacted with a man names Jairus, whose young daughter was very ill. Even though he begged Jesus to come alongside and help him, she died before they got to the house. The person bringing the bad news told him not to "trouble" Jesus anymore, and it would have been easy for Jairus to just accept her fate, or even get angry and bitter. But Jairus had strong and resilient faith, which requires an investment of our heart and convictions. His unwavering trust that nothing is impo...
Episode 682: The Pursuit
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 38 minutes - 88.6 MBAs we live as believers in Jesus Christ, we're called to escape safely from sin while running swiftly toward deep faith, holiness and being like Christ. Using the analogy of hunting, we see that this pursuit requires intentional prioritization and preparation, and that working together, we can fulfill our individual and collective purpose of imitating Jesus in our lives and church. The great motivation is our love for, and gratitude to, Him...and the understanding that this is the w...
Episode 682: The First Cross In The Bible
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes - 94 MBThere are countless, distinctive examples of the Lord blessing people and groups. But why does He do this, and are there conditions under which He is more inclined to bless us? Jacob's unique blessing of Ephraim in Genesis 48 not only gives an advance picture of the undeserved mercy Jesus offered at the cross, it also affirms 2 Chronicles 16:9, which says "the Lord is looking to strongly support those whose hearts are completely His". We can be confident of His blessing in that way ...
Episode 683: The Kingdom Of God
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBWhether in parables or direct explanation, the constant focus of Jesus' teaching was the Kingdom of God. When we view life through the Lord's priority, it transforms our thinking, because everything is filtered through the concept of the rule of Christ over our lives. When we are spiritually reborn and have His Spirit, He then has Lordship over all we think, say and do. The Spirit's power also enables us to see the world through His eyes, and alters how we love and minister to peopl...
Episode 682: The Flesh, The Spirit And The Battle For Mental Health
December 07, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 116 MBThe issue of mental health is a significant and complex issue, especially among the younger generations. This battle resides in our mind, which the enemy is constantly attacking to corrupt and lead away from the Lord, and he pushes us to live by the "flesh" rather than by the Holy Spirit. It's important for us to honestly assess whether the flesh is controlling us and leading us toward death, or whether we are submitting ourselves to the Spirit, Who leads us to life, because the ans...
Episode 681: Hear Me Out
November 09, 2023 00:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBWhen we believe in someone or something, we are convinced, but it doesn't necessarily change our behavior...but when we trust, we are convinced, and it produces change. Israel struggled with trust, so at Sinai, the Lord called them to hear Him. That Hebrew word sama means to carefully hear, listen to and obey. The depth of our relationship with the Lord determines how well we are doing this, and the proof is conforming to His will, rejecting spiritual neglect, and producing the frui...
Episode 680: Like Night And Day
October 27, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes - 94.2 MBDeath has been in the news because of the conflict in the Middle East, but it continues a growing narrative that some lives aren't worthy--Israel, life in the womb, and even those who hold Biblical convictions. But as Christians, we have the hope of life. The Lord not only created us, but offers every person rescue from sin and death through Jesus Christ. This secures eternal life, and until then, allows us to experience life that is "abundant"--"extraordinary and beyond measure". B...
Episode 679: The Learning Curve
October 10, 2023 00:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBWhen we reach our mid 20's, our brain's ability to form new neural connects--it's neuroplasticity--starts to decline, more rapidly as we age. This means we have to be intentional about learning--Biblical truth, essential facts and about ourselves and others. This is vital in living for the Lord, so we remain humble and teachable. In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar didn't learn from the mistakes and spiritual transformation of his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar, even though the Lord gave him m...
Episode 678: Overcoming Discouragement
October 03, 2023 00:00 - 35 minutes - 81.3 MBWe all endure difficulties, but at times, the problems stack up so high that we feel very discouraged. Psalm 34 teaches us to first carefully analyze possible self-inflicted causes like sin, self-dependence and soft faith. Spiritual warfare also incites fear, which can control our thinking and perspective. But we need to remember that circumstances are only temporary, but trusting in the Lord's faithfulness and provision gives us the strength to endure through discouraging situation...
Episode 677: Casual Idolatry
September 25, 2023 00:00 - 42 minutes - 96.6 MBThe book of Ezekiel is full of odd and confusing imagery, but it's timeless message comes down to simple truths: God is holy, mankind is sinful and rebellious, but the Lord is still loving and gracious to offer His mercy and redemption to everyone. At that time, the nation of Judah had ignored the prophets, and allowed their unguarded hearts and tolerance of sin to choose what was openly offensive to God. It causes us to evaluate our own faithfulness to the Lord, and is a call to be...
Episode 676: Genuine Imitation
September 16, 2023 00:00 - 43 minutes - 100 MBWhat are the essence and purpose of a Christian? When the apostle Paul said to the proud, worldly and distracted Corinthian church to "imitate me as I imitate Christ:, he was stressing the importance of looking at Jesus to answer those questions. Every believer is called to be a replica of Christ, especially by genuinely living out the fruit that His Holy Spirit equips us to live out. This will enable us to be a living example who can encourage everyone around us to walk with the Lo...
Episode 675: Change Of Plans...
September 05, 2023 00:00 - 42 minutes - 96.8 MBOften when we face change, in frustration we question why it had to happen, or wonder what life might have been like if it hadn't. A more beneficial response is to understand what the Lord is teaching us through the change. By looking at decisions of both King Jehosophat and Jesus' disciples, we see the importance of seeking the Lord with confident humility, knowing that the enemy may cause change, but the Lord wants to use it for HIs purpose, and so we will trust and glorify Him mo...
Episode 674: Jesus' Secret Food
August 21, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 86 MBWith the pressure and stress that inevitably comes with fall's schedules, how do we ensure that we grow and thrive spiritually? In John, after Jesus had ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well, He tells the disciples that He has a secret food that empowers Him. He prioritized times alone with the Father, being refilled and refreshed. Following His model will keep us from getting burned out, weakened and cynical. While that requires some sacrifices, we will find that it is actu...
Episode 673: Declaration Statement
August 17, 2023 00:00 - 39 minutes - 90.4 MBThe Psalms tell us that "it is good" to thank and praise the Lord, declaring HIs lovingkindness and faithfulness. To declare means to "stand boldly and openly make known", which not only changes our perspective on everything, but also puts us in the position to experience five benefits the Lord provides as a result. These benefits center on building a deeper love for the Lord, a heart of humility and gratitude, and a fresh realization that there is nothing better than being blessed ...
Episode 672: Along The Road
August 07, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 81.6 MBThe calling of every believer, and the Church, is to tell all people the Good News of salvation and hope through Jesus Christ. But first, we have to overcome obstacles like complacency, fear and personal biases. We have the answers people need to be rescued from sin and death. Jesus gave us an example and charge to do the ministry of outreach in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He highlighted the life or death stakes of our mission, showing that sacrifice and a strategy are essent...
Episode 671: Love's Only Response
August 03, 2023 00:00 - 40 minutes - 74.7 MBIt can feel a bit awkward to hear the Church referred to as the "Bride of Christ", until we remember that marriage is the closest relationship we can experience. The concept of leaving everyone else and becoming "one flesh" is a metaphor for the restored and sanctified relationship we have with the Lord once we trust Jesus as Saviour. The new life He Alone gives us is based on His love and faithfulness, which gives us the confidence to fully love and trust Him, and then maintain tha...
Episode 670: 1st Serve
July 21, 2023 00:00 - 45 minutes - 83.7 MBEveryone who is involved in the life of the church should be serving in at least one ministry. Not only the Church is our place of greatest community and encouragement, but Jesus modeled the life of a bond-servant, and His Spirit gives us each of us gifts to use. So like an aspen tree, we need to sow back into the soil we're planted in and reproduce. In addition, there are powerful benefits of serving, including building community, creating a culture of sacrifice and setting an exam...
Episode 669: We Can't Afford To Lose
July 15, 2023 00:00 - 37 minutes - 86.2 MBFor millenniums, religious and political leaders--good and bad--have known that it is essential to influence the hearts and minds of children. As research shows that kids under 18 are rapidly becoming relativistic and spiritually disinterested, the Church has an urgent and vital responsibility to communicate the truth of the Gospel, and prioritize discipling the next generations. As we call them to something bigger than the low and immoral standards the world pushes, they can deve...
Episode 668: Undivided Attention
July 04, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 103 MBMany people have been hurt by the local church, due to leaders failing morally, division about decisions, and people's selfish agendas. That was the case in Corinth, and the apostle Paul wrote to tell them this is not how the Lord designed it to be. Instead, we are to be walking by the Holy Spirit, because that creates a situation where we all have the same mind and judgment. So believers must be intentional to guard and protect against whatever would cause division--especially entr...
Episode 667: All In The Family
July 01, 2023 00:00 - 38 minutes - 88.6 MBWhen the Church describes itself as "a family", that isn't trite hyperbole--it is how God designed it. When we trust Christ for salvation and receive forgiveness and freedom from sin, we are all given a heavenly nature and God's Holy Spirit. So, all believers share the same new spiritual DNA. As part of God's family, we share the same affinity and priorities, but this "family" gets messy if we allow pride, resistance to the Spirit's conviction and leading, or even petty positions to...
Episode 666: Something For Everyone
June 20, 2023 00:00 - 43 minutes - 101 MBNo matter what our age or life situation, we have a responsibility as disciples to be actively maturing in our walk and fulfilling the Great Commission. In writing to Titus, the apostle Paul explained the important value of the older generations teaching the young, and setting a strong example of faithfulness to the Lord. The younger generations are called to learn from that, while also stepping into great responsibilities within the Body. Each age group must listen well, gaining in...
Episode 665: It All Starts With This
June 05, 2023 00:00 - 35 minutes - 82 MBWith so much redefinition of the focus, style and substance of churches over the last 40 years, it is essential to understand why God founded the Church. Jesus defined it's purpose in the Great Commission to all HIs disciples, in 5 definitive and all-encompassing statements. As the Leader and Focus of the Church, He calls us to make disciples of all nations, teaching each other to obey all He has said, and He promises to empower and help us as we do. This gives us a fresh hunger to ...
Episode 664: Confident Controlled Continuation
May 30, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 82.2 MBWhether it's 1st Century Thessalonica or the US in 2023, Christians can become discouraged by spiritual opposition and the state of the world. Unfortunately, one response to this can be complacency and compromise, rather than a determination to stay faithful. To combat this, believers need to remember our urgent purpose to spread the Gospel, persevering in the Lord's powerful protection against the enemy's attack, while remaining steadfast to walk in holiness.
Episode 663: When The Cloud Moves
May 22, 2023 00:00 - 33 minutes - 77.2 MBAfter Israel failed at Sinai, the Lord gave them the Law, and established the Tabernacle to be at the center of their lives...because the Cloud of His presence was clear evidence of His mercy, faithfulness and leading. Still today, we need the Lord's presence. We fail when we're in control, but the Lord knows what is wise and best, and in His presence is the fullness of joy. Faith and spiritual maturity requires always following His leading, and learning to be content with a moving ...
Episode 662: The Power Of One
May 15, 2023 00:00 - 42 minutes - 97.5 MBDuring a time of political turmoil and spiritual decline in the nation of Judah, a priest named Jehoiada proved that one person who takes a stand for the Lord can make a significant difference in reforming the culture. Despite having a family that was evil and hated the Lord, Jehoiada "gathered his courage" and challenged the people to return to God, to precisely obey His Word, and to restore the temple as God's house.--the place of His presence. Jehoiada's example calls us to exami...
Episode 661: The Letter
April 24, 2023 00:00 - 39 minutes - 90.4 MBBefore technology became prevalent, writing letter was a primary form of communication. The brevity of the method caused words and emotions to be more thoughtful and more valuable. During Biblical times, a letter of commendation was often sent with a person to authenticate who they were, and the apostle Paul used that as a parallel for our lives as believers, as "letters of Christ". This causes us to evaluate how well we represent Christ and communicate our relationship with Him. ...
Episode 660: Peter's Perspective
April 17, 2023 00:00 - 45 minutes - 83.8 MBAfter Jesus' resurrection, the disciples obeyed Him and returned home to Galilee. There, they quickly went back to their "normal" life, going fishing but being unsuccessful. When Jesus appears on the shore and leads them through a miracle, they realize He is continuing to do powerful works, now through them, as they take on a new responsibility. Peter especially is challenged in new ways, because his relationship with Jesus has to be restored first. The calling Jesus gives him remi...
Episode 658: Split Second Decisions
April 11, 2023 00:00 - 34 minutes - 78 MBThe reality of Who Jesus is and what He calls us to forces every person to have a conviction about Him--whether it's 2000 years ago or right now. Issues like sin, death, eternal existence and faith cannot be ignored. Those around Jesus in the midst of the highly charged setting in which He was crucified had to decide in that moment what they really believed about Him. Even those closest to Him wavered, while others rejected Him....but there was one unlikely person who openly stated ...
Episode 659: 3 Gardens
April 11, 2023 00:00 - 38 minutes - 87.9 MBThroughout the Bible, the Lord uses powerful everyday symbols to communicate and tie together deep spiritual truths. One of these is a garden, the setting for 3 of the most significant events in human history: The fall of man, Jesus' substitution in taking on our sins, and His resurrection. When we realize the crushing weight of mankind's sins being placed on Him, even though we were guilty, it is sobering and causes us to be broken by our sin. But we also praise Him for the eternal...
Episode 657: Secret Reserve
April 04, 2023 00:00 - 39 minutes - 89.8 MBAs David was running from Saul's threats on his life, the natural fear and despair he felt was offset by his strong and certain conviction about the Lord's faithful help. He learned that God's goodness is "stored up" for those who take refuge in Him--a hidden treasure of security in His presence. The Lord's love is extraordinary and beyond our comprehension, and He promises to hear and watch over His own. These amazing realities cause us to evaluate whether we are still feeling defe...
Episode 656: What The Lord Needs
April 03, 2023 00:00 - 37 minutes - 86.7 MBAt the start of the week of the most amazing events in human history, Jesus had a simple request: He needed a donkey. Both the two unnamed disciples He sent and the unidentified donkey owners understood this was important to Jesus, without knowing how significant it would be. Rather than balking at the level of expectation on them, they understood that obedience is not optional, and that we must be willing to give Him anything, without conditions. When we make ourselves available to...