Leaf River Baptist Church

Pastor Billy Hardy

The message library of Leaf River Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Hardy.

  1. Oct 11

    Grieve with Hope (Oct. 11, 2026) - Audio

    **1 Thessalonians 4:13–18** How should Christians face death and the grief of losing someone they love? In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, the Apostle Paul reminds us that Christians grieve differently—not because death is painless, but because our hope is firmly rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this sermon, *Hope Beyond Grief*, we consider three truths from God's Word: 1. **Parting Without Despair** — We grieve, but not as those who have no hope, because Jesus Christ has conquered death. 2. **The Promise of His Coming** — Christ will return, and the dead in Christ will be raised. 3. **Prepare for Reunion** — Our greatest hope is that we will be with the Lord forever. This passage reminds us that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It rests on the finished work of Christ, His bodily resurrection, and His certain return. Whether you are walking through grief, seeking assurance in the face of death, or simply needing to be reminded of the hope we have in Christ, may this message encourage you to trust His promises, live faithfully, and share the gospel with those around you. **The central question is this: Are you in Christ?** Our hope beyond the grave is found not in our own goodness, but in Jesus Christ, who died for sinners and rose again. Repent and believe in Him, and rest in the hope of His saving grace. **Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV) **Key Truth:** We grieve—but not without hope. We wait—but not without certainty. Jesus Christ is risen, He is coming again

  2. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Grieve with Hope (Oct. 11, 2026) - Video

    **1 Thessalonians 4:13–18** How should Christians face death and the grief of losing someone they love? In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, the Apostle Paul reminds us that Christians grieve differently—not because death is painless, but because our hope is firmly rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this sermon, *Hope Beyond Grief*, we consider three truths from God's Word: 1. **Parting Without Despair** — We grieve, but not as those who have no hope, because Jesus Christ has conquered death. 2. **The Promise of His Coming** — Christ will return, and the dead in Christ will be raised. 3. **Prepare for Reunion** — Our greatest hope is that we will be with the Lord forever. This passage reminds us that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It rests on the finished work of Christ, His bodily resurrection, and His certain return. Whether you are walking through grief, seeking assurance in the face of death, or simply needing to be reminded of the hope we have in Christ, may this message encourage you to trust His promises, live faithfully, and share the gospel with those around you. **The central question is this: Are you in Christ?** Our hope beyond the grave is found not in our own goodness, but in Jesus Christ, who died for sinners and rose again. Repent and believe in Him, and rest in the hope of His saving grace. **Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV) **Key Truth:** We grieve—but not without hope. We wait—but not without certainty. Jesus Christ is risen, He is coming again

  3. Oct 4

    Love Loud -- Live Quiet (Oct. 4, 2026) - Audio

    **People Who Love Loud, Live Quiet | 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12** What does the gospel look like in the ordinary parts of life? After spending this series learning how to proclaim the gospel to others, we turn to 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 and see that our lives should support the message we proclaim. Paul calls Christians to love one another more and more, to live quietly, mind their own affairs, work faithfully, and walk honorably before those who are outside the church. Christian love isn't merely something we talk about—it should shape the way we live. In this message, we consider what it means to: • Love others intentionally and continually • Increase in Christian love rather than becoming complacent • Live a quiet and faithful life • Take responsibility for the ordinary work God has given us • Represent Christ well before unbelievers • Let our everyday lives give credibility to the gospel we proclaim Most importantly, this passage points us back to Christ. We don't live faithfully so that God will love us. We live faithfully because, in Christ, God has already loved us, forgiven us, and made us His own. **Big Idea:** The gospel produces people whose love is unmistakable, whose lives are unpretentious, and whose ordinary faithfulness gives credibility to their witness. **Reflection:** Am I loving the people God has placed around me in a way that reflects Christ—especially when that love requires patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, or serving without recognition? **Homework:** Identify one person God is calling you to love more intentionally this week and one area of your ordinary life where you need to walk more faithfully. Pray for God's help, take one specific step of obedience, and look for an opportunity to make Christ known through both your words and your actions. **Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 #1Thessalonians #ChristianLiving #ChristianLove #Evangelism #Gospel #Sanctification #ReformedTheology #JesusChrist #BibleSermon #Christianity

  4. Oct 4 ·  Video

    Love Loud -- Live Quiet (Oct. 4, 2026) - Video

    **People Who Love Loud, Live Quiet | 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12** What does the gospel look like in the ordinary parts of life? After spending this series learning how to proclaim the gospel to others, we turn to 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 and see that our lives should support the message we proclaim. Paul calls Christians to love one another more and more, to live quietly, mind their own affairs, work faithfully, and walk honorably before those who are outside the church. Christian love isn't merely something we talk about—it should shape the way we live. In this message, we consider what it means to: • Love others intentionally and continually • Increase in Christian love rather than becoming complacent • Live a quiet and faithful life • Take responsibility for the ordinary work God has given us • Represent Christ well before unbelievers • Let our everyday lives give credibility to the gospel we proclaim Most importantly, this passage points us back to Christ. We don't live faithfully so that God will love us. We live faithfully because, in Christ, God has already loved us, forgiven us, and made us His own. **Big Idea:** The gospel produces people whose love is unmistakable, whose lives are unpretentious, and whose ordinary faithfulness gives credibility to their witness. **Reflection:** Am I loving the people God has placed around me in a way that reflects Christ—especially when that love requires patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, or serving without recognition? **Homework:** Identify one person God is calling you to love more intentionally this week and one area of your ordinary life where you need to walk more faithfully. Pray for God's help, take one specific step of obedience, and look for an opportunity to make Christ known through both your words and your actions. **Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 #1Thessalonians #ChristianLiving #ChristianLove #Evangelism #Gospel #Sanctification #ReformedTheology #JesusChrist #BibleSermon #Christianity

  5. Sep 27

    A Life that Pleases God (Sept. 27, 2026) - Audio

    **A Life That Pleases God | 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 | Sermon #6** What does it look like to live as someone who belongs to Christ? In 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, the Apostle Paul calls believers to walk in a way that pleases God. Our faith is not merely something we profess with our mouths—it transforms the way we live, think, relate to others, and respond to temptation. In this message, we consider the biblical call to holiness, sanctification, sexual purity, and accountability. Paul reminds us that God's will for every Christian includes our sanctification, and that we are called to honor God with our bodies, relationships, and daily choices. In Christ, we don't pursue holiness in order to earn God's acceptance. We pursue holiness because, through Christ, we have already received grace, forgiveness, and a new identity. ### In This Sermon: • Persevere in pleasing God • Pursue sanctification courageously • Prioritize accountability faithfully • Understand the biblical call to sexual purity • Learn how the gospel empowers believers to fight sin • Consider how our lives should reflect the gospel we proclaim **Big Idea:** True holiness is a radical commitment to living in alignment with God's purpose, shaping our relationships and guiding our actions in a broken world. **Reflection:** ~ Am I pursuing holiness in my relationships, thoughts, desires, and daily choices, seeking to please God rather than simply asking how much I can get away with? **Homework:** ~ Identify one area of your life where you need to pursue greater holiness this week. Pray for God's help, take one practical step to remove temptation or pursue purity, and share your goal with a trusted Christian who can hold you accountable. **Remember:** You were bought with a price and belong to Christ. Holiness is not how we earn His love, but how we respond to the grace He has already given us.

  6. Sep 27

    A Life that Pleases God (Sept. 27, 2026) - Audio

    **A Life that Pleases God| 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8** What does it actually mean to live a life that pleases God? In 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Paul calls believers to walk in a manner that pleases God. He reminds us that the Christian life is not merely about believing the gospel—it is about being transformed by the gospel and increasingly living like people who belong to Christ. Holiness is not simply about avoiding certain sins or asking, “How much can I get away with?” Biblical holiness points us toward God Himself. **Holiness is not just running from sin; it’s learning to walk with God.** In this message, we look at three ways Paul challenges Christians to pursue holiness: • **Persevere in Pleasing God** — Continue walking with Christ and pursue obedience “more and more.” • **Pursue Sanctification Courageously** — Take God's call to sexual purity seriously and make courageous decisions when confronting temptation. • **Prioritize Faithful Accountability** — Recognize that our sin affects others and that Christians need one another as we pursue holiness. We also consider the reality that sexual sin is not merely about personal consequences. It affects relationships, damages trust, and ultimately reflects how we view God and other people. But the Christian response to sin is not simply, “Try harder.” The gospel reminds us that we cannot make ourselves holy enough to earn God's acceptance. **We need Christ.** Jesus lived the righteous life we could never live, died for sinners, rose from the grave, and gives His people His righteousness and His Spirit. Because we belong to Christ, we can fight sin—not to earn God's love, but because we have already received His love in Christ. **Big Idea:** Because we belong to Christ, we should increasingly live like people who belong to Christ. **Key Question:** What sin do I need to kill because I belong to Christ? **Challenge:** Identify one area where you need to pursue greater holiness this week. Make a concrete plan, and ask a mature Christian to help hold you accountable. **Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8

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The message library of Leaf River Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Hardy.