Sermons by Brad Harper
Exodus 2
The Development of a Deliverer SPEAKER: Brad Harper Introduction: Please turn in your Bibles to the second chapter of the Book of Exodus and listen carefully to the Word of the Lord: Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with…
Exodus 13:17-14:31
Divine Deliverance: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire SPEAKER: Brad Harper Note: The manuscript of this sermon is unavailable. However, the outline is below. Introduction: Deliverance from: Slavery Hopelessness An old identity Deliverance through: The reassuring guidance of God Confusion Faith Enemy attack An overwhelming obstacle Deliverance to: A place of insecurity and trouble A place for faith A place for God’s glory The road to the promised land Timeless truths to ponder: Our deliverance is based on a fact…
Ezra 3
First Things First: Priorities for God’s People Returning from Exile Date: May 3, 1992 Note: There is no manuscript available for this sermon. Below is the outline, and the audio is available. Introduction: Whenever you return from a long trip there is always a list of things that need to be done–mail that needs to be answered, bills that need to be paid, maintenance that needs to be done on the house, friends that need to be contacted, etc. Well, the Jews have…
Romans 5:1-5
The Benefits of Justification Introduction: For the last several months I have been working on my house. I am getting ready to sell it. I live in a small house, just over 800 square feet, which is no big deal except that the eat-in kitchen is not much larger than a postage stamp. Recently we became a family of five. And when the youngest of us is ready to sit at the table, forcing us to move it away from the wall, Robin will have…
Romans 6:15-23
You Gotta Serve Somebody! Introduction: What happens in our civilized American society when, for one reason or another, the laws of the land are temporarily unenforceable? It should embarrass all optimistic secular humanists that the answer to that question is usually flagrant and shameless crime. One need only recall the endless line of people running away from department stores in Los Angeles with all they could carry in the looting that followed the Rodney King verdict. Some seemed even unconcerned that their faces would…
Daniel 1
Accidental Tourists SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1 SPEAKER: Brad Harper Note: This manuscript has been edited, and information has been added, by Mike Andrus. Introduction: A couple of years ago a movie was released entitled “The Accidental Tourist.” The title was in reference to the main character who wrote a book for people forced to travel for their jobs. These people, in contrast to typical tourists, who are excited about their stay in a foreign land, despised the travel forced upon them and had no…
Daniel 2
The Dream That Became a NightmarE Note: This manuscript has been extensively rewritten by Mike Andrus. Introduction: Last week we began a chapter-by-chapter study of the book of Daniel, the story of the life of a godly Jewish man taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in the 6th century before Christ. It is a story which highlights the sovereignty of God over human history even in the midst of great disaster. Today we look at Daniel chapter two and the opening account…
Daniel 3
Flame Broiled Faith Note: This manuscript has been edited, and information has been added, by Mike Andrus. Introduction: I do not frequent Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, but I’ve heard a lot about it. It seems that the secret of their steaks, what really makes them a cut above the rest, is their process of quick flame broiling them over an open fire at 1800 degrees. This searing heat seals in the great flavor of truly fine beef. That is, as long as their chef, also…
Colossians 1:15-23
The Primacy of Christ’s Supremacy SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:15-23 SPEAKER: Brad Harper Introduction: Almost a hundred years ago the famous World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago. Even in those pre-automobile days some 21 million people visited the exhibits. One of the major features of the exposition was the World Parliament of Religions in which representatives of the world’s great faiths met to share their best points and possibly come up with a new world religion. The great evangelist D. L. Moody…
Colossians 4:2-6
Right Angle Christianity SCRIPTURE: Colossians 4:2-6 SPEAKER: Brad Harper Introduction: In their admonitions concerning how believers should live, many biblical writers are fond of using what might be called a “right angle” image. They emphasize a balance between a vertical relationship (with God), and a horizontal relationship (with the world in which we live). Several general patterns emerge from this image. For example, a relationship with God is the necessary foundation for right relationships with people. Or, the other side of…
Luke 9:10-17
Is Your Life a Ministry? Introduction: Good morning! As usual, it is a joy to be here with you today. I bring you greetings from Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Webster Groves. We are continuing to enjoy God’s blessing at Cornerstone since you planted us a year and a half ago. In fact, tonight our people will vote on the hiring of our current part-time pastor of student ministries, John Richardson, as full-time Associate Pastor of Community Life. We are very excited about that. Also, you…
James 4:1-10
Conflict in the Church Note: This sermon was preached in 1991. James 3:13-18 was covered by Associate Pastor Brad Harper, but the manuscript is not available. Introduction: A father heard a commotion in his yard and looked outside to see his daughter and several playmates in a heated quarrel. When he reprimanded her his daughter explained, “We’re just playing church!” Actually, that’s not too hard a scenario to believe. One of my favorite books is entitled Great Church Fights. It was written by a Conservative Baptist pastor named…