Galen Harrill

Galen Harrill's passion for the church developed as he saw God working powerfully in his native Northeast through the individual and collective activities of churches throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. His participation in these works greatly matured his love of service in a cause greater than himself and challenged him to seek how he might further God's Kingdom wherever God placed him. In college, he gained experience in ministry and missions as he served internships in Illinois, California and Kenya. After earning degrees at Abilene Christian University, he worked with a small church in Philadelphia while preparing to go abroad. In 1995 he moved to Prague, Czech Republic to serve with a church planting team among a predominately atheistic population. It was there he faced his greatest challenges as he grew to understand the limitless power of faith working in the lives of God's people. He met and married his wife while serving in Prague and two of their three children were born there. They returned to the States in 2005 and moved to Pennsylvania, where Galen has worked as a special education teacher and itinerant preacher. Officially, he has served with churches in East Lansdowne, Pottstown and North Wales, PA. He currently preaches at the North Penn Church of Christ in North Wales. While serving as preacher for this congregation over the past three years, Galen has helped to nurture this loving congregation to greater depths and heights of love and service for Christ. Galen holds two bachelor's degrees in Biblical Studies and Human Communication and two master's degrees in Missions and Educational Leadership. He lives in Lancaster County with his wife and three children.

The Rich Young Ruler

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Title:  The Rich Young Ruler

Text:  Mark 10:17-31

“Why do you call me good?”

  • Jesus will not be deterred by nice words. This is a society determined to maintain a certain social structure, keeping the “sinners” apart from the “righteous.”
    • Did the young man understand his spiritual condition? 3:23
  • Jesus wants people to think!
    • Requires time… requires space….
    • If we call Jesus “good,” than we are calling Him “God.” If we call Him “God,” we must listen to Him.

Jesus sees the man clearly

  • Jesus is prompted by love….
  • Jesus acts in the man’s best interest….
    • The two above points are synonymous!
  • Jesus knows what stands in the man’s way….
  • Jesus holds out hope!
    • No-one can do enough to enter Heaven – this is by God’s grace!

Jesus turns to the needs of the disciples….

  • Corrects their thinking….
  • Encourages them in their proper decision….

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Hope – “At That Time….”

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Title:  Hope – “At That Time….”

Main Text:  Jeremiah chs. 30-31

Jeremiah’s shifting emphasis….

  • Hope for Israel – 31:7-9, 15-20
  • Hope for Judah – 31:23-25, 31
  • Through trouble and judgement – 30:7,11; 31:18-19
  • Through God’s character – 30:10-11, 18-22; 31:9, 11, 13-14

Application….

  • We can expect trouble… Rachel – 31:15; Jeremiah himself
  • We are saved through trouble – 30:7, II Corinthians 4:17
  • God does right by His people – 31:15-17, 27-30

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A Reason for Thanksgiving

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Title:  A Reason for Thanksgiving

Text:  Various

Blessing and Deliverance – Old Testament….

  • Psalm 136
  • II Chronicles 20
  • Psalm 88 – not always seen – considered the saddest song in the psalter

Blessing and Deliverance – New Testament….

  • Everything is better! (In comparison with Psalm 88)
    • Hebrews 7:18-22; 11:16, 35;
  • We have Christ! – Colossians
    • Inheritance and forgiveness – 1:12-14
    • Reconciliation – 1:21-22
    • Fullness – 2:2-5; 9-10
    • Resurrection – 2:12

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Thanksgiving!

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Title:  Thanksgiving!

Text:  Psalm 95

Our God is a great God!

  • Psalm 95:3,4,5
  • Job 38-41

God shares His greatness with us! – Psalm 95:1,6,7

Our response is joy, thanksgiving, and worship!

  • Psalm 95:1,2,6
  • II Samuel 6
  • Acts 3:1-10

Any other response is absurd…. Psalm 95:8-11

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Faith that Endures

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Title:  Faith that Endures

Text:  Hebrews 10:35-36

Endurance allows us to withstand hard times

  • Job – Job 1:5, 20-21
  • The Women – Luke 23:55-56

Our worship is a matter of the heart….

  • Isaiah 1:11-14
  • Jeremiah 6:18-20
  • Hosea 5:5-6
  • Revelation 2:1-5

Practical steps….

  • Lean on scripture, be encouraged by one another!
  • II Timothy 3:16-17
  • I Corinthians 14:26-33
  • Ephesians 5:19-20

Colossians 3:15-17

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Hope and a Future

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Title: Hope and a Future

Text:  Jeremiah 29:11

Our dilemma….

  • We are forward thinking… Luke 12:20; James 4:13
  • …but not very insightful…. Luke 16:1-9; James 1:6
  • We should not be caught off-guard… Matthew 24:6

Approaching the future with hope….

  • Instilled within us through trouble – Romans 5:3-5
  • We have the responsibility to nurture it – I Corinthians 9:10; I Samuel 25; Psalm 126:4-6; I Timothy 6:17-19
  • It is sure – I Corinthians 15:12-28

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Living in the Spirit

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Title:  Living in the Spirit

Text:  Galatians 5:16-25

The Spirit gives life!

  • John 6:63
  • New birth – John 3:6, 6:63,
  • Resurrection – Romans 8:10-11, II Corinthians 3:6

The Spirit frees!

  • Romans 8:2
  • II Corinthians 3:17
  • Galatians 5:18

Life by the Spirit is obvious….

  • Judges 13
  • I Samuel 10:11
  • Galatians 5:22

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How Long? Revelation 6:9-11

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Title:  How Long?

Text:  Revelation 6:9-11

We are in the end times….

  • Hebrews 1:1-2
  • Hebrews 9:24-28
  • Matthew 28:19-20
  • Acts 17:30-31

God knows His own

  • Ephesians 1:13-14
  • Revelation 7
  • Revelation 11:1-2

Our task is to be faithful – He is coming!

  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
  • II Corinthians 4:17
  • II Peter 3:8-9

Revelation 22:7-21

How Long? Revelation 6:9-11 Read More »