Rock Harbor Church

In this powerful teaching, Pastor Brandon unpacks the principle of **collective guilt** from Nehemiah 13:18 and shows how Israel's failure to keep the Sabbath years led to the Babylonian exile. He explains how patterns of sin can be passed down generationally—and why we must be the ones to break those destructive cycles in our families.  This message also dives into spiritual warfare through the book of Job, revealing Satan's surveillance, schemes, and attempts to rob believers of their influence. Pastor Brandon explores the symbolism of **Behemoth and Leviathan**, connecting them to biblical themes of chaos, pride, and ultimately Satan's opposition to God.  From generational cycles to perseverance through suffering, this teaching is a call for believers to wake up, stand firm, and trust in God's power to overcome darkness.  

In this message, Pastor Brandon explores powerful biblical idioms and what they reveal about God's presence and purpose in our lives. From the phrase "the hand of the Lord was upon him" in Ezra to Jesus "setting His face toward Jerusalem," Pastor Brandon unpacks how these expressions point us to God's providence, guidance, empowerment, and calling. You'll learn how to recognize God's hand in your own life, how to walk with direction and perseverance, and how to understand the gifts He has entrusted to you. This teaching will encourage you to trust God's providence, embrace your calling, and live with purpose.

**When God Turns Disgrace into Glory — Matthew 4 Explained** In Matthew 4, Jesus relocates His headquarters to **Capernaum** in **Galilee**—a region many considered disgraced and unlikely for the Messiah. Yet this is exactly where the Light dawns. In this message we unpack why Jesus chose Galilee, what "**Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand**" truly means, and why pastors must serve as **watchmen** who speak to the moral and political realities of their day. ### What You'll Learn - **Why Galilee?** How a land once marked by shame became the launchpad of Messiah's ministry (Isa 9:1–2; Matt 4:12–17). - **Prophets & Pastors as Watchmen:** John the Baptist confronted corrupt power (Herod/Herodias) and suffered for it—modeling the church's duty to apply Scripture to culture (Ezek 33; Acts 20). - **"Kingdom at Hand" Clarified:** Understanding God's kingdom program—universal, theocratic (past), spiritual (present), mystery (church age), and **messianic** (future millennial reign). - **Strategic Wisdom of Jesus:** Why Jesus avoided premature conflict and set up in a high-traffic hub where news would spread quickly. - **From Guilt to Grace:** How the Lord transforms the "Galilee" of our lives—our failure and shame—into places of light, freedom, and calling (Rom 8:1; 1 Jn 1:9). - **The Rejected Stone:** The world's "discarded" stones become God's cornerstones in Christ (Ps 118:22; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 2:14). ### Key Scriptures Matthew 4:12–25; Isaiah 9:1–2; Ezekiel 33; Acts 20:26–27; Luke 4:16–30; John 4:43–45; Psalm 118:22; John 5:24; Romans 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:14. --- ### Apply It - **Reset your mindset:** Repent = "chan

In this teaching, Pastor Brandon examines what it means to "sell yourself to do evil" (1 Kings 21) and the serious implications of this contractual, covenantal language. From Ahab and Jezebel's idolatry to modern-day occult practices, he shows how selling oneself to sin is a transactional surrender to demonic authority—but also how God provides a way back through repentance and restoration. You'll also hear insights into: ✅ How Jezebel introduced false gods into Israel ✅ Why Ahab's weakness allowed the Jezebel spirit to thrive ✅ The biblical truth behind "selling your soul" and demonic covenants ✅ Why no covenant with the occult is permanent—freedom is always possible through Christ ✅ The Hebraism of God "removing His face" and the danger of being out of fellowship ✅ The seriousness of sin, repentance, and walking in covenant blessing ✅ The true meaning of being strong in the Lord—not fleshly strength, but strength in His promises The call is clear: Don't be deceived by false power or worldly gain. The enemy may offer fame, wealth, or seduction, but it always comes at a price of destruction. True blessing is found in fellowship with God and in ministering to others through the strength He provides. For more teachings and resources, visit:

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church's Sermon Audio channel. In this powerful message, Pastor Brandon unpacks key Hebraisms and idiomatic expressions from Scripture, showing how they reveal God's ownership, authority, and eternal covenant with His people. From the priestly blessing in Numbers to the prophetic visions in Revelation, Pastor Brandon explains why God placing His name on His people and His land is central to understanding Israel, the Church, and the spiritual battle we face today. This teaching dives deep into: - God's name as a mark of ownership and authority - Why Israel and Jerusalem remain central to God's plan - The biblical roots of anti-Semitism - The dangers of moral relativism in Judges and its connection to modern culture - David as "a man after God's own heart" and what that really means - The consequences of private sin becoming public fallout - The true meaning of the "still small voice" as the voice of the remnant

Before Jesus began His ministry, He faced the full force of Satan's temptations. In Part 3 of our Matthew study, we look at the third temptation—how the enemy uses doubt, distortion, and deception, and how Jesus shows us the way to overcome. [Full Description Below ⬇️] Description (Full): In this week's message, *Messiah's Temptation from the Father of Lies | Part 3*, we continue our deep study in Matthew by examining the third temptation of Jesus. Before beginning His ministry, the Messiah faced direct attacks from Satan. These temptations reveal timeless truths about how the enemy works—and how we can stand firm in God's strength. Pastor Brandon unpacks the spiritual battle behind temptation, showing us that whenever we step out in faith and obedience, we should expect pushback. Satan's tactics—doubt, denial, distortion, and deception—are still at work today. Yet, Jesus shows us how to overcome: by clinging to God's Word, refusing compromise, and worshiping God alone. We also explore practical applications for our lives: - Recognizing spiritual attacks when we step out in ministry. - Understanding the pattern of temptation that affects families, marriages, and churches. - Guarding against covetousness and idolatry by desiring God above all else. Jesus' victory over temptation assures us that He is our faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our struggles (Hebrews 4:15). He overcame so that we might overcome in Him.

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church's channel on Sermon Audio. We pray this message strengthens your faith and deepens your walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In this teaching, Pastor Brandon unpacks the profound biblical concepts of profaning the name of God and the cultural, covenantal, and spiritual significance of head coverings. Journey through Scripture from Leviticus to 1 Corinthians 11, explore the ancient Near Eastern shame culture, and discover how these practices connect to Genesis 6, the Nephilim, and the spiritual warfare believers face today. Pastor Brandon reveals the biblical pattern of spiritual authority, the dangers of rebellion, and the way fallen angels exploit breaches in God's order. Drawing from Jewish background, Second Temple literature, and modern parallels, this message sheds light on modesty, authority, and the unseen battle in the spiritual realm.

In this powerful and heartfelt service, Rabbi Jonathan Klein from Temple Beth El joins Pastor Brandon at Rock Harbor Church for a moving time of unity, gratitude, and shared faith. Rabbi Klein shares his deep appreciation for the Christian community's support of Israel — from providing security to raising funds — and reflects on the biblical and spiritual connections between the Jewish and Christian faiths. The service includes meaningful scripture, Hebrew blessings, worship, and a reminder of God's call for unity among His people. Pastor Brandon follows with a message on the second temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, revealing how the "pride of life" tempts us to find our worth outside of God. This teaching explores: - How the enemy attacks identity - Why knowing who you are in Christ is key to overcoming temptation - The importance of humility, obedience, and living to exalt God's name rather than our own Whether you are Jewish or Christian, this service is a powerful reminder of our shared calling to honor God, love one another, and stand together for what is right.

Messiah vs. The Father of Lies – Matthew 4:1–11

Jesus' baptism was not for repentance but for identification. Through His baptism, Jesus deliberately identified Himself with key truths and people, laying the foundation for His public ministry and ultimate mission. As Jesus identified publicly with God's plan, we must identify with Him publicly—refusing to compromise, even in a world that rejects Him (Luke 9:23–26; 1 John 2:28). Identity is the starting point for destiny. Both Jesus and Satan have a plan for your life, but each begins with how you see yourself. Your identity determines your destiny. True identity is found in Christ—when you see yourself as God sees you, you can live out the destiny He designed. When we stand with Him publicly and reject Satan's lies, we live out God's plan with confidence, hope, and purpose.

What is true freedom—and how do we lose it? In this powerful Fourth of July message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus walks us through Exodus 1–20, revealing how the Bible—not human philosophy—is the true foundation of liberty. From Egypt's tyranny to America's founding, from spiritual slavery to salvation in Christ, this message exposes the lies of modern culture and reminds us that *freedom must be fought for, maintained, and grounded in truth*. You'll discover: - How the founding fathers leaned on Exodus to shape America - The dangers of collective guilt and cultural consent to evil - Why tyranny thrives in a climate of lies and silence - How God delivers us not just *from* slavery—but *for* service to Him - Why freedom without morality leads back to bondage - The personal and national cost of liberty

In this sermon entitled "The Engine That Drives Behavior," Pastor Brandon unpacks the bold message of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:5–12, calling the nation of Israel to genuine repentance. But repentance wasn't just about sorrow or surface-level change—it was a radical call to change their thinking about the deeply ingrained teachings of Rabbinic Judaism. John confronts the false assumptions that had taken root: - That being Jewish guaranteed entrance into the Kingdom. - That the Messiah would affirm their traditions. - That external law-keeping was enough for righteousness. - That salvation could be earned or inherited by Israel through "the merits of the fathers." - That Gentiles had to convert to Judaism and keep the Noahic laws to be saved. - That there were multiple ways to be spiritually reborn and none of them included how Jesus explained it. John's call to repentance challenged Israel to abandon these theological distortions from the rabbis and recognize their need for Messiah—the Lamb of God. This repentance was not theoretical. In Luke 3:10–14, John outlines what true repentance looks like: justice, integrity, generosity, and contentment—right belief producing right behavior. True change doesn't start with action—it starts with conviction, with the truth renewing the mind. This message explores how belief (change of one's mind in relationship to truth) is the engine that drives godly behavior, and how embracing God's truth transforms not just what we believe—but how we live.