Leaf River Baptist Church

Pastor Billy Hardy

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

  1. 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.

  2. Sep 27 ·  Video

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

    **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.

  3. Sep 20

    Strengthening the Church (Sept. 20, 2026) - Audio

    **Strengthening the Church| 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13** What does a healthy Christian church look like when suffering, opposition, and discouragement come? In 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13, Paul shows us the importance of strengthening one another in the faith. Paul sends Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians, Timothy returns with a report of their faith and love, and Paul responds with thanksgiving and prayer for their continued growth. This passage reminds us that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. Our hope is rooted in Jesus Christ—His death, resurrection, present reign, and promised return. Because Christ is our hope, we are called to stand firm, strengthen other believers, pursue holiness, and make the gospel known. As we continue our series following Paul's ministry in Thessalonica, we see that evangelism is not the end of our responsibility. The gospel creates a people who encourage one another, persevere together, and faithfully proclaim Christ in everyday life. **In this message we consider:** • Paul's Persistent Pursuit — 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5 • Timothy's Transformative Testimony — 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 • Prayer's Powerful Promise — 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 **Reflection:** Am I allowing the hope I have in Christ to strengthen others, encourage those who are struggling, and shape the way I live and speak each day? **Homework:** Identify one person who needs encouragement or needs to hear the gospel this week. Pray for them, reach out to them, and look for one opportunity to strengthen them with biblical truth or make Christ known. **Remember:** The hope Christ gives us was never meant to be kept to ourselves—it is meant to strengthen the church and point others to Him. #1Thessalonians #ChristianSermon #BiblicalHope #Gospel #Evangelism #ReformedTheology #ChristianLiving

  4. Sep 20 ·  Video

    Strengthening the Church (Sept. 20, 2026) - Video

    **Strengthening the Church| 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13** What does a healthy Christian church look like when suffering, opposition, and discouragement come? In 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13, Paul shows us the importance of strengthening one another in the faith. Paul sends Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians, Timothy returns with a report of their faith and love, and Paul responds with thanksgiving and prayer for their continued growth. This passage reminds us that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. Our hope is rooted in Jesus Christ—His death, resurrection, present reign, and promised return. Because Christ is our hope, we are called to stand firm, strengthen other believers, pursue holiness, and make the gospel known. As we continue our series following Paul's ministry in Thessalonica, we see that evangelism is not the end of our responsibility. The gospel creates a people who encourage one another, persevere together, and faithfully proclaim Christ in everyday life. **In this message we consider:** • Paul's Persistent Pursuit — 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5 • Timothy's Transformative Testimony — 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 • Prayer's Powerful Promise — 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 **Reflection:** Am I allowing the hope I have in Christ to strengthen others, encourage those who are struggling, and shape the way I live and speak each day? **Homework:** Identify one person who needs encouragement or needs to hear the gospel this week. Pray for them, reach out to them, and look for one opportunity to strengthen them with biblical truth or make Christ known. **Remember:** The hope Christ gives us was never meant to be kept to ourselves—it is meant to strengthen the church and point others to Him. #1Thessalonians #ChristianSermon #BiblicalHope #Gospel #Evangelism #ReformedTheology #ChristianLiving

  5. Sep 6

    Gospel Leadership (Sept. 6, 2026) - Audio

    Gospel Leadership | 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 What does gospel-shaped leadership look like? In 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12, the Apostle Paul gives us a picture of Christian leadership marked by boldness, integrity, humility, and sacrificial love. Paul shows us that gospel leadership is not about gaining power, recognition, or influence for ourselves. It is about faithfully proclaiming the truth, seeking God's approval over the praise of people, caring genuinely for others, and living a life that reflects the message we proclaim. Ultimately, Paul points us beyond himself to Jesus Christ—the perfect Leader who humbled Himself, served others, and gave His life for sinners. In this message, we will consider: • Bold proclamation that stands firm • Godly approval over human praise • Nurturing care for others • Integrity that inspires trust • How our everyday lives can point others to Christ Reflection: ~ Is my leadership—whether in my home, church, workplace, or relationships—shaped by the gospel through boldness in truth, sacrificial care, and personal integrity? Homework: ~ Choose one area of gospel leadership to grow in this week. Pray for God to strengthen you, serve someone sacrificially, and look for one opportunity to make Christ known. Remember: gospel leadership is not about gaining influence for ourselves, but using our influence to point others to Christ. #GospelLeadership #ChristianLeadership #1Thessalonians #BiblicalLeadership #Gospel #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #Evangelism

  6. Sep 6 ·  Video

    Gospel Leadership (Sept. 6, 2026) - Video

    Gospel Leadership | 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 What does gospel-shaped leadership look like? In 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12, the Apostle Paul gives us a picture of Christian leadership marked by boldness, integrity, humility, and sacrificial love. Paul shows us that gospel leadership is not about gaining power, recognition, or influence for ourselves. It is about faithfully proclaiming the truth, seeking God's approval over the praise of people, caring genuinely for others, and living a life that reflects the message we proclaim. Ultimately, Paul points us beyond himself to Jesus Christ—the perfect Leader who humbled Himself, served others, and gave His life for sinners. In this message, we will consider: • Bold proclamation that stands firm • Godly approval over human praise • Nurturing care for others • Integrity that inspires trust • How our everyday lives can point others to Christ Reflection: ~ Is my leadership—whether in my home, church, workplace, or relationships—shaped by the gospel through boldness in truth, sacrificial care, and personal integrity? Homework: ~ Choose one area of gospel leadership to grow in this week. Pray for God to strengthen you, serve someone sacrificially, and look for one opportunity to make Christ known. Remember: gospel leadership is not about gaining influence for ourselves, but using our influence to point others to Christ. #GospelLeadership #ChristianLeadership #1Thessalonians #BiblicalLeadership #Gospel #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #Evangelism

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