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.

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

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Title:  Making the Most of Every Opportunity….

Text:  Matthew 24

Background….

  • Jesus condemns Jerusalem’s leaders – Matthew 23
  • He recognizes His rejection – Matthew 23:37-39
  • The disciples are awed by what they see

Jesus’ explanation….

  • Disciples think they are asking related questions, they are not….
  • Jesus explains –
    • Everything in this life is transitory
    • The world over-emphasizes its own importance – it is a deception
    • We must choose wisely

Why the persecution?

  • Jesus is honest with us
  • People don’t like their allegiances and values challenged
  • A life in Christ is inherently confrontational – John 3:19

Takeaways

  • Jesus is concerned with now
  • Don’t need to look for trouble
  • Hold on to the eternal

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Strengthening the Body, Engaging the World

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Title:  Strengthening the Body, Engaging the World

Text:  II Corinthians 10:1-6

Must have a standard for interpretation

  • Tied to God’s will and work… John 5:19-20, 30
  • Allows for proper interpretation – John 7:21-24
  • Tied to what God has revealed – Mark 12:28-35

Must teach new generation….

  • Judges 2:10-11
  • II Kings 22:8-23:3
  • Proverbs ch. 1-9
  • I Timothy 1:18
  • Titus 1:4

World engagement

  • Acts 1:8-9 – Spirit empowered
  • I Corinthians 5:9-10
  • II Corinthians 10 – Starts with the church, expands to the world….

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Blessed Assurance

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Title:  Blessed Assurance

Text:  Romans 8:14-39

God is listening to us in our struggles

  • It is a real struggle – Romans 8:17
  • It is temporary and cannot compare with the glory that awaits us – Romans 8:18

We live in hope of what we already have a taste of in Christ

  • We are baptized with a future orientation
    • Immediate forgiveness of sins
    • Immediate indwelling of the Spirit
    • Future redemption of our bodies v. 24, I Corinthians 15:42-44
    • Future inheritance – v. 24, 32
  • In Christ is key! – Romans 8:1, 39

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Purpose in the Problems (Why Adversity?)

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Title:  Purpose in the Problems (Why Adversity?)

Adversity purges….

  • Zechariah 13:9
  • Isaiah 1:21-28
  • Jeremiah 6:27ff
  • Ezekiel 20:38
  • Matthew 3:12

Adversity – purifies us!

  • Psalm 66:8-18
  • Isaiah 48:10
  • Jeremiah 9:7
  • Daniel 11:35, 12:10
  • Malachi 3:2-3
  • I Peter 1:6-7

Adversity perfects us!

  • Jesus the example and pattern (Pressing doctrinal question, how can Jesus be made perfect when he is already perfect?  Answer – He wasn’t perfect for our need until he experienced our need – He was made perfect for us.  Our suffering helps us be perfect for others in their need.)
  • Hebrews 2:10, 5:9, 7:28

Keeping perspective….

  • Temptation is not trouble! I Corinthians 10:13
  • II Corinthians 1:8 – 9

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Palm Sunday – A Time of Decision

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Title:  Palm Sunday – A Time of Decision

Text:  Matthew 21:1-17

The Triumphal Entry

  • Jesus sets the stage:
    • Walking vs. riding
    • Brings a crowd
    • Accepts the praise
  • Jesus is praised as king
  • Jerusalem has to make a decision

Jesus at the temple

  • Acts totally in charge
  • Enlarges the place of worship (money changers were in the Gentile section, excluding non-Jews from worship)
  • Specifically heals those who might be excluded – II Samuel 5:6-8
  • Does not back down – puts the decision in their hands

How will you decide?

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Be Holy

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Title:  Be Holy

Text:  Leviticus 11:44-45

If we are holy, we will be different….

  • Sometimes hard to square with – Deuteronomy 18:9; Luke 18:2; John 12:43
  • We are transformed – Romans 12:2; II Corinthians 3:18
  • It is noticeable – I Kings 22:8; Acts 4:13; Philippians 2:12-16
  • Contrasts: Galatians 5:19-26; Philippians 3:17-21; Ephesians 4:29-5:7

We will inspire fascination and awe

  • Mark 6:17-20
  • Acts 24:24-27
  • II Corinthians 2:14-15
  • Luke 5:8
  • Acts 16:16-34

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Holiness – Who is Like You?

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Title:  Holiness – Who is Like You?

Text:  Exodus 15:11

There is no God like God

  • God revealed: Exodus 19; Daniel 10:4-6; (Ezekiel 1:25-28; Isaiah 6:1-4); Revelation 1:12-16
  • Acknowledged: Isaiah 46:9; Deuteronomy 33:26-29; I Samuel 2:1-2ff

He set His people apart

  • Leviticus 20:24-26
  • Psalm 4:3
  • II Corinthians 6:17
  • Revelation 18:4

What it means….

  • We will look different…. Ephesians 4:17-24; 5:3-13
  • To praise and to witness….I Peter 2:9-12

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Holiness and Cleanliness

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Title:  Holiness and Cleanliness

Text:  Exodus 19:10ff

Reminded they are in the presence of God

  • Exodus 19:10
  • Exodus 30:19-21
  • Numbers 19:20
  • John 13:8
  • Hebrews 10:22

Lifestyle matters!

  • Psalm 51:2
  • Isaiah 1:16-18
  • John 13:10

Motives Matter!

  • Proverbs 16:2
  • Mark 7:1-7
  • James 4:1-10

Baptism as Washing

  • I Peter 3:13-21
  • Acts 22:16

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Holiness and Glory

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Title:  Holiness and Glory

Text:  Exodus 19

Holiness moves and is dynamic

  • Storm imagery…
    • Exodus 19:16, Psalm 29, Psalm 144:5-8, Exodus 33:21-23
  • Movement
    • Exodus 14, Psalm 19, Romans 6:4, Romans 8:21

How we glorify

  • It is in the doing!
    • Romans 2:7
    • John 15:8
    • I Corinthians 10:31
  • God ultimately glorifies us!
    • John 17:22
    • I Corinthians 2:7-9
    • II Corinthians 3:18
    • I Corinthians 15:42-44

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Holiness – Fascination

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Title:  Holiness – Fascination

Text:  Exodus 19:21-23

Attraction

  • Exodus 3:1-6, 33:13
  • Psalms 15:1, 24:3, 43:3

…despite our fears….

  • 33:18ff,
  • Isaiah 6:
  • Ezekiel 1:
  • Daniel 10:
  • Mark 9:1-6

God makes it possible!

  • II Corinthians 3:7 – 4:6
    • Unfading – v. 11
    • Unveiled – v. 16
    • Reflecting – v. 18
    • Fascinating to others – 4:2
    • Standing full-faced in the presence of Christ – 4:6

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