Sermons on Russ Lawson:

Genuine Faith Is Marked By Effective Prayer Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Aug 15, 2018

How’s your prayer life? Genuine faith prompts us to pray in all circumstances Genuine faith prompts us to learn to pray effectively

Genuine faith is marked by effective prayer 5:13-20 How’s your prayer life? 1. Genuine faith prompts us to pray in all circumstances. James 5:13-16a? a. In times of suffering v.13a suffer (kakopathei): suffering from any source b. In times of gladness v.13b c. In times of ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Circles: God's Design

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Aug 15, 2018

God designed and created: Universe, Humans, Marriage

God designed and created:? Universe Humans Marriage God’s design for us: 1. God designed and created us for His glory Genesis 1:26 ? What this means is that: ? We are the pinnacle of God’s creation ? We are unique in creation ? We have a high and holy purpose: to glorify God 1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Circles: Brokenness

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Aug 15, 2018

We are broken people living in a broken world. And why is that?

We are broken people living in a broken world. And why is that??1. We choose to depart from God’s design. Genesis 3:1-7 ? sin: choosing our way over God’s way; rejecting God’s design for our own design. Isaiah 53:6 Romans 3:23 2. When we depart from God’s design, it always leads to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Three Circles: Gospel

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Aug 23, 2018

The gospel means that God made a way out of our brokenness. The gospel is simple. The gospel is God’s promise to us—if we repent and believe. The gospel continues in power to reorient us to experience God’s design.

Three Circles: Gospel (Put 3 circles in notes) 1. The gospel means that God made a way out of our brokenness. ? Genesis 3:14-15 1 Peter 3:18. John 3:16 The Heart of the Gospel: God sent His one and only Son to shed His blood once and for all to cover us. 2. The gospel is simple. 1 ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

I Am A Christ Follower Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Aug 29, 2018

Three dimensions to His call on our lives: Jesus calls us to repent, Jesus calls us to follow, Jesus calls us to abandon.

I Am a Christ Follower Matthew 4:17-22 Three dimensions to His call on our lives: 1. Jesus calls us to repent. v.17 ? Ultimately repentance is an admission, an acceptance of what Jesus says about us: that our hearts are prideful, filthy, depraved, and yes, even wicked and deserving of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

I Am A Partner Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Sep 5, 2018

Christ followers partner with God on His Mission.

I Am a Partner?Philippians 1:1-11? Five Dimensions of Rush Creek Partnership: 1. We are partners in the gospel vv.3-5 Gospel is the restoration of the image of God in the soul of humans. ? Partnering in the Gospel means: ? * Praying for those God has placed in your life who may be far ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Am A Servant Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Sep 18, 2018

Each person that calls their church home is indispensable to the mission God gave us.

I Am a Servant ?Romans 12:3-8?September 23, 2018 What is to be the nature of our role in the Body of Christ? ?1. I seek positions of service. v.3 2. I participate on the team. vv.4-5 ?3. I invest what has been entrusted. vv.6-8 ? If you watched March Madness this last Spring, you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Connected Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Sep 18, 2018

Being connected pushes me towards Spiritual Growth,
 Being connected pushes me towards Fellowship, Being connected pushes me towards Generosity,
 Being connected pushes me towards Contagion.

I Am Connected?Acts 2:41-47? I am connected to the Body vv.41-42 ? Through Jesus For a different life ?I am connected to the Mission vv.43-45 ? To see God do the miraculous To sacrifice what is necessary I am connected to a Group vv.46-47 ? Doing life together Sharing life in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

It's A Worthy Race Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Oct 4, 2018

If you’re a Christ-follower, God has called you to be a runner. Are you running? If you’re a Christ-follower, God has called you to be a runner. Did you know that? And Are you running the race well?

It’s a worthy race. Hebrews 12:1-3 Story of someone who was running for their or someone’s life… Hebrews 12:1-3 Are you a runner? I ran track and cross country in high school. When I got out of college and moved to Houston to work for Shell, I began to run to maintain my health and weight. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

It's A Challenging Race Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Oct 9, 2018

1. We are called to action 2. Our action must be decisive. 3. We must decide to release ALL distractions.

“It’s A Challenging Race.” v.1b 1. We are called to action 2. Our action must be decisive. 3. We must decide to release ALL distractions. Opening Illustration (video of runner tripping in tape from 00:02-00:51 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMlxxNRQRro ) Turn to Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Christmas: A Promise Fulfilled Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 30, 2017

Christmas is the fulfillment of a promise God made long ago to bless the world. A promise of Hope, Joy, Victory & Unfolding.

This is Christmas: A promise fulfilled Isaiah 9:1-7 December 3, 2017 It’s a promise of hope v.2 It’s a promise of joy v.3 John 16:22 James 1:2-3 1 Peter 1:8-9 Romans 15:13 It’s a promise of victory vv.4-5 It’s a promise unfolding vv.6-9 Opening Illustration of someone ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Christmas: A Miraculous Birth Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Dec 11, 2017

3 misconceptions about Mary: She was sinless, The perpetual virginity, She as the co-redemptrix of humanity .Four angelic predictions about Jesus: He will be great, He would be called Son of the Most High, He will be given the Throne, His reign won't end.

A miraculous birth Luke 1:26-38 December 10, 2017 Three misconceptions about Mary: 1. Mary was sinless 2. The perpetual virginity of Mary 3. Mary as the co-redemptrix of humanity Four angelic predictions about Jesus: 1. He will be great v.32a 2. He would be called the Son of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Christmas: God With Us Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Dec 19, 2017

What does that mean, that God is with us? God is faithful, God is powerful, God is love, God is present.

December 17 God with us Matthew 1:18-25 What does that mean, that God is with us? 1. God is faithful Isaiah 41:10 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Isaiah 26:3 2. God is powerful 3. God is love “Let Him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let Him in can He pull us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Unique Story Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jan 15, 2018

Our story and God’s story are intertwined: 1. Our story begins with and revolves around God.2. Our story is designed by God.3. Our story is wrapped up in worship.

A Unique Story Genesis 1 & 2 Until you understand God’s story, you will be missing important pieces of the puzzle in your own life. Our story and God’s story are intertwined: 1. Our story begins with and revolves around God. Psalm 90:2 Genesis 1:1 God is Eternal: there has never been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Messy Story Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jan 15, 2018

Every ounce of disease and death, both with our bodies and with our souls, is traced back to one single event: The Fall 1. Our story contains deception. 2. Our story contains disobedience. 3. Our story contains devastation and disappointment

A Messy Story Genesis 3 Every ounce of disease and death, both with our bodies and with our souls, is traced back to one single event: The Fall 1. Our story contains deception. Vv.1-5 Revelation 20:2 2. Our story contains disobedience v.6 Isaiah 53:6 3. Our story contains ...read more

Denomination: Baptist