Rock Harbor Church

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.

In this powerful message from Matthew 3:1–12, we unpack the real purpose behind John the Baptist's ministry—and how it demanded a radical shift in Israel's perspective. John wasn't just calling for personal reflection—he was announcing the soon arrival of YHWH and the literal, physical, Messianic Kingdom promised to Israel. This wasn't some vague Greco-Roman idea of an inner kingdom in the heart. It was a national, earthly reign just as the prophets foretold. John's baptism symbolized a public commitment to believe God's message and accept the Messiah when He appeared. It pointed forward to the cleansing and forgiveness God would offer through Jesus (cf. Ezekiel 36:25–27; Zechariah 13:1). Those who believed John's message were spiritually prepared for the coming of Christ. This sermon invites you to reconsider your own perspective. Are you seeing reality clearly—or through the wrong lens?

What sets apart those who truly make a difference in their generation? In this video, we explore powerful traits from Scripture—demonstrated by leaders like David, Nehemiah, Joseph, Paul, and Abraham—that show us how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. From facing the truth and mastering self-control to trusting God for the impossible, each principle is rooted in the lives of real people who allowed God to shape their character for eternal impact.

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church's Sermon Audio channel. In this powerful message, Pastor Brandon explores what it truly means to *not put a stumbling block* in front of others. Drawing from Leviticus 19:14, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and Revelation 2, this teaching dives deep into the Hebraic meaning of stumbling blocks, gray areas, and how Christian maturity affects our freedoms. Pastor Brandon addresses: - The spiritual responsibility of leadership - How liberty must be balanced with love - The dangers of false modesty and ostentatious wealth - Gray areas like alcohol, clothing, social media, and holidays - The weight of consistency in our Christian witness - How Jesus bore our iniquity as our eternal Substitute - Real-world applications of bearing burdens—both physical and emotional Whether you are a seasoned believer or growing in your walk with Christ, this message offers clarity, conviction, and compassion rooted in the Word of God.

We live in a world of countless decisions—some small, some life-altering.

In this eye-opening message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus dives into the meaning of several powerful Hebraisms found throughout Scripture. From "Uncovering the Ear" to "Lifting the Horn" and "Girding Your Loins," these expressions reveal timeless truths about hearing God's voice, spiritual readiness, and living victoriously in the last days. Discover: - What it means to have "ears to hear" - Why many believers fail to hear God clearly - The danger of being spiritually stiff-necked - How God uses His "strong hand" to intervene in history and your life - The necessity of wise counsel in avoiding deception and staying on God's agenda

In this powerful expositional teaching, Pastor Brandon dives deep into Matthew 2 and uncovers the profound Hebrew roots behind the visit of the Magi. Far from a typical Christmas message, this lesson reveals the rich prophetic and historical context of Jesus' birth, showing how His arrival was anything but mythical—it was calculated, confirmed, and foretold. Discover: The true timeline of Jesus' birth (6–7 BC) Why the Magi believed in the Messiah and made the two-year journey How Balaam's prophecy and Daniel's influence shaped their faith What the star really was (hint: it wasn't a planet or asteroid) The sinister character of Herod—and how his reaction mirrors today's culture This message isn't just about ancient history—it's a wake-up call for our times. Just like the first century, our generation is either hostile, indifferent, or hungry for the true King. Which are you?

In this powerful message, Pastor Brandon takes us deep into the meaning and prophetic significance of Deuteronomy 8:3, where we're reminded that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." Through the lens of Israel's wilderness experience, Pastor Brandon uncovers a timely principle: freedom without spiritual dependence leads to disaster. This message connects ancient Israel's rebellion with the modern trends of government dependency, AI automation, and spiritual apathy in the Laodicean church age. He also explores the sobering doctrine of excommunication, walking through 1 Corinthians 5 and Romans 11:22, and highlights why many believers fail to thrive spiritually—they prioritize the physical over the spiritual.

In this powerful Memorial Day message, Evangelist Tim Lee shares his life-altering story—from the battlefield in Vietnam to the pulpit as a preacher of the Gospel. After losing both legs in combat, Tim's journey took a radical turn when he surrendered to Jesus Christ.

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church's Sermon Audio series. In this powerful message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus unpacks the misunderstood Hebraism: "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children." Is it about generational guilt or repeated patterns of sin and rebellion? Learn how idolatry, spiritual strongholds, and demonic footholds can impact families and why true freedom only comes through Christ. This teaching also delves into how Satan mimics God's covenantal structures, the importance of renouncing generational curses, and how to break free from ancestral occultic ties. Pastor Brandon gives a sobering call for believers to stop generational dysfunction and take spiritual territory through obedience, repentance, and bold faith.

In this powerful and eye-opening message, we walk through the true significance of the Lord's Supper by uncovering its roots in the Jewish Passover Seder. Far from being a casual tradition, Communion is a sacred symbol of our Messiah's suffering, sacrifice, and the call to remain in deep fellowship with Him.Discover:The prophetic meaning behind each Passover elementHow Jesus modeled servant leadership by washing the disciples' feetThe warning of partaking in the Lord's Supper in an unworthy mannerThe roles of Elijah, broken bread, and the cup of redemptionWhy fellowship—not just salvation—impacts your eternal rewardThis message will stir your heart and bring new life to a sacred practice that many have overlooked. Don't miss this deep dive into the mystery, beauty, and call to action that the Lord's Table represents.

Welcome to Rock Harbor Church on Sermon Audio. In this powerful teaching, Pastor Brandon Holthaus exposes the dangerous rise of unrestrained behavior—both in the world and inside the modern Church. From the orgiastic rebellion at the Golden Calf to today's woke culture and apostate pulpits, this message traces the biblical pattern of casting off restraint and highlights the cost of refusing to confront sin.Drawing from Exodus 32, Psalm 2, Romans 1, and 2 Thessalonians 2, Pastor Brandon unpacks the spiritual, societal, and prophetic implications of moral chaos and the Church's God-given role as a restrainer in the last days. This isn't just about culture—it's about leadership, courage, and the call for believers to stand as salt and light in a decaying world.Are we delaying the decay… or contributing to it?Grab your Bibles, take notes, and prepare to be challenged.