Sermons on Russ Lawson:

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

Overcoming Fear Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Oct 3, 2016

Fear is a thief. It steals the inner sense of tranquility and well-being that should be the constant state of each and every believer. It keeps us focused on our past and uneasy about our future. It renders our present un-enjoyable.

Boldness: Confronting fear and insecurity Judges 6 & 7 Fear is a thief. It steals the inner sense of tranquility and well-being that should be the constant state of each and every believer. It keeps us focused on our past and uneasy about our future. It renders our present un-enjoyable. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Discovery: Labels Lie Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Oct 20, 2016

Our identity is found only through an understanding of the grace of Jesus Christ

Discovery: Labels Lie Luke 7:36-50 Where do you see yourself in this passage? 1. Too many times we see ourselves like Simon the Pharisee: labeling others 2. Too many times, we see ourselves like the woman: labeled by others 3. Too few times we see ourselves like Jesus: seeing self ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Runnin' With The Devil Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jun 30, 2015

The Devil has put many things in our lives that distract us from hearing the word of God.

June 28, 2015 Church Planting Runnin’ with the Devil Acts 13:4-12 Opening words: At the very heart of this morning’s scripture lesson is a very complex topic, the Devil. Did you know, in the Bible, the Devil is called by 42 different names? Those names are interchangeable. In this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12, Acts 11:1-23

Denomination: Methodist

Land Of The Free Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jul 8, 2015

In America we have freedom of choice, speech and religion

July 5, 2015 Independence Day 2015 Land of the Free Galatians 5:1-6 Opening words: This is the history of Independence Day. In June of 1776, a Virginian by the name of Richard Henry Lee proposed an American independence from England. The idea kept gaining support until the Second Continental ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

My Addiction Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jul 21, 2015

Preaching has taken over my life!

July 12, 2015 Church Planting My Addiction Acts 13:13-15 Opening words: I love this story. There was a pastor who never prepared his sermons in advance. His name was Ralph. Every Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while the church was singing the hymns, desperately praying, "Lord, give me ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:13-15

Denomination: Methodist

Follow Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

The essence of the Christian life is following Jesus and results in a kingdom focus

August 18 Follow Acts 1:6-8 Fan: enthusiastic admirer Luke 9:57-62 A fan will follow when it’s comfortable A fan will follow when it’s convenient A fan will follow if it doesn’t cost much A true follower: 1. Is empowered by the Spirit. Acts 1:8a Titus 3:5; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist