Rock Harbor Church

Brandon Holthaus
  • 4.9 (198)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semimonthly

The newest sermons from Rock Harbor Church on SermonAudio.

  1. Aug 16

    Distorted Perception: When the Heart Changes What the Eyes See | Matthew 13:53–58

    Why is it that people can have the truth standing directly in front of them and still fail to recognize it? In Matthew 13 and 14, we see a powerful principle: the condition of the heart can distort what the eyes see. When Jesus returned to His hometown, the people were astonished by His wisdom and mighty works, yet they could not get past their familiarity with Him. They knew His family. They knew where He had grown up. To them, He was still "the carpenter's son." Instead of allowing the evidence to change their perception of Jesus, they forced Jesus back into the category in which they had always placed Him. Their familiarity became a stumbling block that contributed to their unbelief. Then Matthew takes us immediately to Herod and Herodias. Herod hears about Jesus, but his guilty conscience causes him to conclude that John the Baptist has risen from the dead. Herodias sees John not as God's prophet, but as a threat because John exposed the sin she wanted to protect. Herod himself knows the people regard John as a prophet, yet fear, guilt, political pressure, and the opinions of others influence his actions. Nazareth looked through the lens of familiarity. Herod looked through the lens of guilt and fear. Herodias looked through the lens of rebellion and unrepentant sin. Different lenses—but the same result: distorted perception. In this message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus examines how familiarity, pride, guilt, fear, past experiences, and unrepentant sin can cause us to misinterpret people and even miss what God is doing right in front of us. Matthew 13:53–58

  2. Aug 9

    The Final Phases of This Age | Israel, the Gentiles, Judgment, and the Coming Kingdom

    In this message, Pastor Brandon Holthaus concludes Jesus' Mystery Kingdom parables by examining the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Dragnet, and the Householder. Discover how these final parables reveal God's ongoing plan for Israel, His calling out of believing Gentiles during the Church Age, the coming Judgment of the Nations, and the establishment of Christ's Messianic Kingdom. This study explains why the Hidden Treasure represents Israel's believing remnant, why the Pearl of Great Price pictures Gentile believers, how the Net points to the future separation of the righteous from the wicked at Christ's return, and how the Householder summarizes God's entire Kingdom program. You'll also see how these parables fit together with Romans 11, Acts 15, Micah 5, Daniel 7, Revelation 17, and Matthew 25 to reveal the prophetic roadmap leading to the Second Coming. If you want to understand God's prophetic plan for Israel, the Church, the Gentile nations, and the Kingdom, this message ties these crucial passages together into one cohesive biblical picture. If this message encourages you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with others as we continue proclaiming the full counsel of God's Word. #BibleProphecy #Matthew13 #KingdomParables #Israel #ChurchAge #MessianicKingdom #EndTimes #SecondComing #Prophecy #Dispensationalism #Romans11 #Acts15 #Gentiles #IsraelOfGod #JudgmentOfTheNations #SheepAndGoats #HiddenTreasure #PearlOfGreatPrice #Dragnet #ArielMinistries #ArnoldFruchtenbaum #TipOfTheSpearMinistries #RockHarborChurch #BrandonHolthaus Matthew 13:44–58

  3. Jul 21

    The Mystery Kingdom Revealed: When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

    Why didn't Jesus establish the Messianic Kingdom during His first coming? Why did He suddenly begin teaching in parables? And what do the four soils reveal about the condition of our hearts, spiritual maturity, rewards, and the Church Age? In this in-depth study of Matthew 13:1–23, Pastor Brandon Holthaus explains why Israel's rejection of the Messiah marked a major turning point in God's Kingdom Program. Discover how the Mystery Kingdom unfolds between Christ's first and second comings and why the Parable of the Sower is the foundational key to understanding all of Jesus' Kingdom parables. In this message you'll learn: • Why Jesus changed His teaching from plain speech to parables • The four different heart conditions represented by the soils • Why the first soil never germinates while the other three do • The difference between shallow, worldly, and fruitful believers • How Satan attempts to snatch away God's Word • The role of persecution, worldliness, and spiritual maturity • Why receptivity—not intelligence—is the issue • What Jesus meant by "understanding" • The significance of the 30-, 60-, and 100-fold harvest • How the Mystery Kingdom relates to the Seven Churches of Revelation • Why life often doesn't go according to our plans—and how God is still accomplishing His Kingdom purposes The Parable of the Sower reminds us that the power of God's Word never fails. The determining factor is not the quality of the seed, but the condition of the soil. If this message encouraged you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with others. #Matthew13 #ParableOfTheSower #MysteryKingdom #KingdomParables

  4. Jul 17

    The Test of Assurance Faith Based Living vs Performance Based Living | 1 John 5:6-21

    The sermon argues that believers must base their assurance of salvation on God's testimony rather than personal performance, distinguishing clearly between the security of salvation and the process of discipleship. It critiques theological systems like Arminianism and Lordship Calvinism for blending these categories, which leads to doubt and a works-based mentality. The speaker emphasizes that faith in the historical reality of Jesus Christ provides confidence in prayer and protection against worldly idols. By understanding their positional truth in Christ, believers can overcome spiritual failure without questioning their eternal status. Ultimately, the message calls Christians to reject performance-based religion and rest securely in the finished work of Jesus.

  5. Jul 17

    The Test of Confidence Before the Lord | 1 John 2:28-3:3

    The sermon examines the believer's need for confidence when standing before the judgment seat of Christ, distinguishing between salvation acceptance and behavioral approval. It emphasizes that true discipleship requires stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, warning that lazy faith results in lost rewards despite eternal security. The speaker connects eschatological hope with present moral purity, arguing that the imminent return of Jesus should motivate holy living and resistance to cultural pressures. By contrasting the parable of the talents with modern apathy, the message urges believers to actively pursue righteousness rather than remaining spiritually stagnant. Ultimately, the central theme asserts that a life aligned with Christ's character ensures confidence at His coming, while compromise leads to shame.

  6. Jul 17

    The Test of False Spirits | 1 John 4:1-6

    The sermon emphasizes the critical need for believers to exercise spiritual discernment by testing all teachings and supernatural manifestations against the truth of Scripture. It distinguishes between tests of salvation and tests of discipleship, asserting that true fellowship with God is evidenced by obedience rather than mere emotional experience or miraculous signs. The central criterion for identifying false spirits is their refusal to affirm the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ as revealed in the incarnation. The preacher warns that the spirit of Antichrist is actively working through worldly systems, cults, and compromised religious leaders who avoid biblical doctrine. Ultimately, believers are equipped with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to resist deception, while those who reject apostolic truth remain under the influence of the world system.

  7. Jul 17

    The Test of Fellowship | 1 John 1:5-9

    The sermon examines the first test of discipleship in 1 John, emphasizing that correct theology regarding Jesus Christ is essential for maintaining fellowship with God and other believers. It warns against false doctrines that distort the person and work of Christ, which disrupt spiritual communion and lead to a loss of joy. The preacher argues that believers cannot claim fellowship while practicing sin or denying their guilt, as this places them in darkness. True restoration requires honest confession where one agrees with God's assessment of their sin rather than minimizing it. Through daily repentance and reliance on the cleansing blood of Christ, believers can restore their intimate relationship with Him and experience fullness of joy.

  8. Jul 17

    The Test of God Loving Through Us | 1 John 4:7-16

    This sermon explores the nature of agape love as a definitive test of spiritual maturity and discipleship within the Christian life. It defines this divine love not as sentimentality or contractual obligation, but as a self-sacrificing action extended regardless of the recipient's worthiness, modeled by God's sending of His Son. The message emphasizes that believers can only exhibit this love through deep experiential knowledge of God and humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, rather than mere intellectual assent to biblical facts. By rejecting performance-based religion and embracing grace, Christians become visible conduits of God's invisible nature to a watching world. Ultimately, the call is to grow in obedience so that believers may reflect Christ's unconditional love to others.

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4.9
out of 5
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About

The newest sermons from Rock Harbor Church on SermonAudio.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Holthaus
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rock Harbor Church
  • Show Website
    Rock Harbor Church

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