Series: Radical Kingdom: Hidden Majesty

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

February 8, 2026

John the Baptist's message after 400 years of prophetic silence was clear: repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. True repentance involves three components: a change of mind, heart, and life. It's not about cleaning ourselves up before coming to God, but rather an invitation to turn from sin toward His grace. The religious leaders of John's time appeared righteous but lacked genuine repentance, while authentic faith requires honesty about our struggles. Jesus' baptism demonstrates the gospel - He identified with sinners and took our curse so we could receive the Father's blessing. Repentance is urgent because time is limited, and it separates authentic Christians from those merely going through religious motions.

1. Repentance is the Way that We Prepare to Encounter Jesus. (vv. 1-3)

2. Repentance Begins with the Realization that We are Filthy. (vv. 4-6)

3. True Repentance is Demonstrated by Life Change (vv. 7-9)

4. We Need to Repent Now Because Time is Running Out (vv. 10-12)

5. Jesus Makes Our Repentance Effective for Salvation (vv. 13-17)

Preached at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, Pleasant Garden, NC

January 30, 2026

Pastor Brian preaches at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, the sending church for Growing Faith, at a special Friday night service on January 30, 2026.

1. The Mission is Making Disciples (v. 21)

2. Encouragement is Necessary for the Hard Days (v. 22, 26)

3. The Mission Calls for More and More Leaders (v. 23)

4. The Mission Never Rests (vv. 24-25)

5. God is Opening a Door (v. 27)

Series: Radical Kingdom: Hidden Majesty

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

January 11, 2026

1. God Reveals Himself So All Kinds of People Will Seek Him (vv. 1-2)

2. "Religious" People Often Stop Seeking Jesus (vv. 3-8)

3. True Joy Comes From Seeking Jesus (vv. 9-10)

4. Seeking Jesus Results in Worship and Surrender (vv. 11-12)

The wise men's journey to find Jesus reveals a powerful contrast between those who actively seek Him and those who have grown comfortable in their religious knowledge. While foreign astrologers traveled great distances following God's star, the religious leaders in Jerusalem knew the prophecies but couldn't be bothered to make the five-mile journey to Bethlehem. True joy comes not from reaching a spiritual destination, but from actively seeking Jesus daily. When we pursue a deeper relationship with Him, we experience the same overwhelming joy the wise men felt when they realized God was leading their journey. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we're still genuinely seeking to know Jesus better, or if we've settled into religious routine and comfort.