Prairie Oaks Pulpit

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 … Continue reading The Way of the Cross →

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 … Continue reading Father Reveals Son →

The religious leaders were full of hot air, it seems. Jesus condemned their prideful refusal to believe the evidence from God that Jesus was the Messiah sent from heaven. Rather, they stubbornly clung to what they wanted rather than what they needed. And thus they were not ready when the Judge of all the earth … Continue reading Hypocrisy Exposed →

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 … Continue reading Humility and Faith →

The believers in Philippi had given generously to Paul once again. And he wanted to express his gratitude without sounding too desperate yet not unappreciative either. Plus he wanted them to know that their sacrifice was like an offering to God and would be rewarded by the Lord. Thus we get some good sayings to … Continue reading Generosity and Gratitude →

Do we think about what we are thinking? Our lives follow our thoughts. Thus Paul says to direct our thoughts where we want to go. And we can ask God to help us with our thoughts in prayer and thanksgiving. Joy and gratitude and peace result from letting God renew our thinking by thinking on … Continue reading Thoughts and Prayers →

Isaiah foretold of the Servant of God who would suffer death as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of God's people. His words remained mysterious for seven hundred years until Jesus of Nazareth accomplished that sinless life and atoning death on the Roman cross. And His followers used Isaiah 53 to explain the significance of … Continue reading Redeemed and Restored →

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to cheering crowds, hailing Him as their favorite conquering king. But while He does not silence the crowd, He also does little to encourage the scene. He shows up in humility on a borrowed donkey, weeping. He knows that their worship is superficial. They will deny Him before the end of … Continue reading Triumphal Entry →

Paul has already challenged his readers that he has considered all his prior accomplishments before Christ as worthless in comparison to knowing Christ and being like Him. Now Paul says that it is his one thing he strives to reach – to know and be like Christ. Paul is one of our examples that we … Continue reading Pursue the Prize →

Peter proclaimed that the mysterious gift of the Holy Spirit was through Jesus the Messiah, crucified and risen. But those people could change their mind and ask God for mercy. The physical symbol of their repentance and faith in Jesus would be baptism. And Peter alludes to three things that baptism symbolizes – a physical … Continue reading Baptism teaches →

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 2:19-30 Taught Sunday morning, March 23, 2025 by Brad D Harris We hope that this online service has blessed you.  … Continue reading Knowing Christ →

You may have heard of Timothy but not know much about him. Epaphroditus is even less known. Yet Paul tells the Philippians to esteem them highly for their service to the Lord through their service to Paul and the church. They are faithful men who put the needs of others above their own agendas. And … Continue reading Faithful to Serve →

Salvation is not begun or accomplished by our good deeds. But salvation will produce good works because God is working on the inside to desire and accomplish such evidence of faith. God promises to bring it to completion. But the evidences may not be what you expect them to be – humility, patience, and purity … Continue reading Salvation Works to Completion →

We had the pleasure of Stuart Estes and his family come and share a report from the Association of Baptist Students at the University of Arkansas.  He finished with this challenge from Jesus as recorded in Luke's gospel.  We cannot be complacent at the Great Commission of Jesus.  Compel the lost to come to Jesus … Continue reading Compel Them →

Martha was busy with many good things. Mary had chosen one better thing. Jesus would not take that best thing from Mary in order for her to do more good things. Maybe that should hit home with more of us. Don't let the many good things drown out the better thing – sitting at the … Continue reading Sitting at feet of Jesus →

The apostle had challenged the believers to think and live with humility.  He reminds them that Jesus is our perfect example of humility for the Son of God set aside the advantages of His Deity in order to live as one of us.  And not only did He live as one of us, He submitted … Continue reading Mind of Christ →

Unity without uniformity. Coming together to the same goal under the same Lord empowered by the same Spirit to be one body in Christ. Paul teaches the Philippians believers of a new way without selfish competition and pride, but of being like-minded. It's not the norm in their culture, nor in our culture. But in … Continue reading Like-minded in Christ →

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 … Continue reading Live as Citizens →

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 … Continue reading To Live is Christ →

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 … Continue reading God Finishes His Work →

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 … Continue reading Guard your Mind →

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 … Continue reading Gentiles seek Him →

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 … Continue reading Joseph and Mary →

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 … Continue reading Stand Your Ground →

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 … Continue reading Submit to Christ →

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 … Continue reading Servant Leaders →

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 … Continue reading Filled with the Spirit →

Christ lived as an example of righteousness and holiness. But because we fail to follow that example perfectly, Christ also is our substitute to fulfill all righteousness for us. But those of us who have Christ in us by the new birth, He compels us to desire to follow His example, walking as He walked. … Continue reading Imitate Christ →

Walk worthy of being named for Jesus and of having His Holy Spirit indwelling you. Do not grieve the Spirit by walking more like the world that does not know God with their faculties dulled and blinded to the things of God who is Life. Rather lay aside those behaviors that are corrupt and be … Continue reading Walking Worthy →

Unity within the body of Christ is not to say there are not different roles and ways to serve in the same body. Christ the Head has designed His body to have a diversity of people within the body so that every one can be equipped and participate in the work that needs to be … Continue reading Growing Together →

Unity is not the same as uniformity. Paul has taught the amazing grace of God to bring diverse sinners to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Because of this and the indwelling Spirit giving power to live new life – Paul proclaims the challenge for God's people to live up to that calling by living … Continue reading Unity through One →

Paul prays in writing for the believers in Ephesus a second time in this letter. He prays for them to have strength in the inner man through Christ in their hearts. The Holy Spirit giving them power to know the love of Christ in its surpassing greatness so that they may persevere through the trials … Continue reading Prayer for Power →

Paul elaborates on the mystery revealed in Christ that the LORD God and His Messiah were not just a local god and hero, but to bring salvation to the ends of the earth for all nations to be given confident access to the God of the universe. Let's use that access with boldness in prayer. … Continue reading Access in Christ →

The LORD promises to bring forth a new creation: a new heaven and new earth. And on the new earth, there will be no more curse of corruptibility nor futility. It is hard for us to imagine what eternity in “heaven” will be like, especially a new heaven and earth conjunction. But Isaiah and John … Continue reading Work in Eternity →

In Christ, we are redeemed from the penalty for our sin. And having been reconciled in Christ to God also means that the barriers between people groups are broken down in the body of Christ. We are a new creation. Having made peace between us and God, He has made peace possible among the individuals … Continue reading He is our Peace →

Paul continues to elaborate on how gracious God for those who are in Christ. In fact, God saving people from their rebellious ways to put them in Christ is the most gracious act God has done for us. The rest is an extension of that overwhelmingly undeserving kindness. How will we respond? God has foreordained … Continue reading By Grace Made Alive →

The Gideons International Bible Ministry visited us this morning, so this is a short meditation on Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church.  Because Paul knew of their faith and love, he thanked God for them and prayed for them to know God's love and power for them as His church. They had much hope and … Continue reading Prayer to Know →

In Christ is a recurring thought throughout these verses as Paul describes the blessings we have from the Father. It makes sense because God the Father loves the Son and has given Him all things. In Christ we gain so much more than we would have on the outside. How do we get in Christ … Continue reading God blesses in Christ →

Generosity to the LORD is found in knowing that God has been generous to us first and that God delights in our being generous like Him. The Lord frequently challenges His people as Paul does the Corinthians in this letter. Let's see what God has to say about time, talents, and treasures. 2 Corinthians 9:5-11 … Continue reading God is Generous →

At 12 years old, Jesus was accidentally left behind in Jerusalem by his parents. He remained in the temple, making the most of the situation by learning and conversing with the experts of the Word of God. He was finding joy in the things of His Father. And He was accomplishing righteousness for us by … Continue reading God's Son, Mary's Son →

Ancient Landmarks – Come to think of it, all of Scripture is a reliable navigation tool for the journey of life. A solid foundation upon which to build one's life and for discerning this world's complexities. How can it be so? God breathed out its very words, guiding the prophets of old as they penned … Continue reading We Abide →

Ancient Landmark – Paul reminds the believers in Corinth that what he taught is also what he learned. What he had received, he delivered to them the same truths to believe and by which one stands in the faith. Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. He was buried and rose from the … Continue reading We Believe →

Ancient Landmark – the Great Commission Jesus commands His disciples to continue to go and make more disciples of the Kingdom of God. The authority belongs to Jesus and the good news is that He welcomes people from all nations to follow Him in His kingdom of heaven. And we have the privilege and empowerment … Continue reading Great Commission →

Ancient Landmark series covers three in this one dialogue Jesus had with a wise scribe of the law. What is the greatest commandment? Jesus gives us more than we ask. He repeats an ancient landmark of His day and another law of God. Will we hear the words of the Teacher? Mark 6:28-34 and Deuteronomy … Continue reading Greatest Command →

An Ancient Landmark that has been recited and meditated upon for generations of Christ-followers. Jesus taught His disciples a short model prayer that they could direct and inform their prayers to their heavenly Father. Matthew 6:9-13 Taught Sunday morning, July 7, 2024 by Brad D Harris We hope that this online service has blessed you.  … Continue reading Lord's Model Prayer →

So many people have found this psalm to be a source of calm and comfort in difficult times. The LORD as a Shepherd who cares for His people with provision, protection, presence, and peace. Let us contemplate its simple truths to prepare us for when we need a landmark to anchor our soul. Psalm 23 … Continue reading More than a Shepherd →

God created light and then created beings to show a physical light. His image bearers failed to live in His spiritual light. So He sent His Son to be spiritual Light and give spiritual light to those who believe in Him. They become His lights to show His Spiritual light in a dark world. And … Continue reading God's Light →

At the end of a particularly hurtful episode where the children of Israel betray the LORD and yet He forgives them, the LORD defines His character for Moses. The LORD is a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in covenant love and faithfulness… Exodus 34:5-7 Taught Sunday morning, June 16, 2024 by … Continue reading More than a Name →

The LORD spoke from the mountain these ten commands of His covenant with Israel but they have been taught much longer and wider than there. Jesus expounded them in His gospel of the kingdom (Sermon on the Mount). The apostles taught them and applied them to new Christians regardless of their ethnicity and culture. These … Continue reading Ten Commands – Part 3 →

The LORD spoke from the mountain these ten commands of His covenant with Israel but they have been taught much longer and wider than there. Jesus expounded them in His gospel of the kingdom (Sermon on the Mount). The apostles taught them and applied them to new Christians regardless of their ethnicity and culture. These … Continue reading Ten Commands – Part 2 →

Spoken by God from Mount Sinai, these Ten Commands form the basis of the covenant between God and Israel. And they create a well-known framework for all of us to live by. But do we know these as well as we think we do? This is the first part of our tour through these iconic … Continue reading Ten Commands →