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 People Living in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

/

Title:  The People Living in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light (cf. For to Us a Child is Born!)

Text:  Isaiah 9:1-7

Sometimes our world is dark:

  • Lamentations 3:1-7
  • Job 3:(4)
  • Psalm 88
  • Isaiah 8:11-22

Jesus brought light!

  • Who would receive it? Precisely those who had suffered the most – v. 1, 4-5 (consider Zebulun and esp. Naphtali)
  • There is growth – v. 3, 7
  • The occasion – the birth of the King v. 7
  • The result – Justice and righteousness – v. 7

The People Living in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light Read More »

Immanuel – God With Us

/

Title:  Immanuel – God with us

Texts:  Matthew 1, 2; Luke 1, 2

The incarnation is a matter of faith in and of itself…

  • Mary – Luke 1:26-38
  • Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25
  • Magi – Matthew 2:1,2,12
  • Herod – Matthew 2:3-8, 16-18

The incarnation is a matter of faith in what it means for us…

  • Immanuel – Matthew 1:27
  • Jesus – Luke 1:31
  • Savior – Luke 2:11
  • Christ – Luke 2:11

We take Jesus as He is…

  • Compare with Joash – II Chronicles 22:10, 24:1-2
  • Jesus at the temple – Luke 2:41-52

We give Jesus His due…

  • Our gifts – Matthew 2:11
  • Our worship – Mark 5:22,33; Rev. 1:17; Phil. 2:10-11
  • Our obedience – John 14:23, Heb. 5:9, II Thess. 1:8

Immanuel – God With Us Read More »

The Church

/

Title:  The Church

Title text:  Ephesians 3:20-21

The church is where God’s favor rests….

  • I Corinthians 1:2
  • I Corinthians 12:28
  • Ephesians 1:22; 3:10,21; 5:29

The church is where people learn to live together….

  • Philippians 4:2-3
  • Philemon 8-12
  • Matthew 18:15-20
  • Ephesians 3:2-6

The church must pass itself down to all….

  • Our own…
    • Psalm 119:9-16

II Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2

The Church Read More »

Be Patient Like Jesus

/

Title:  Be Patient Like Jesus

Text:  John 11:1-44

Being patient will sometimes cause misunderstanding….

  • We are up against an instant gratification culture… Ps. 27:14, 37:7, Is. 41:31
  • There is a conflict between being and seeming… John 11:25-27
  • Some will never get it… John 11:47-48

Jesus looked for the  greater impact…

  • Teachable moments John 11:25, 41-42
  • Jesus wanted to instill belief v. 15, 45

Jesus looked to glorify God!  v. 40

Be Patient Like Jesus Read More »

Redefine Like Jesus

/

Title:  Redefine Like Jesus

Text:  Luke 24:13-35

Reality is clear….

  • Jesus reprimands them for their foolishness… This should be obvious!
  • Shifts all they know into the person of Himself! (The resurrection proves the worldly perspective wrong.)

A shift from sight to faith

  • Jesus was invisible to them!
  • What else is invisible to us?
    • Are we blind to the change Jesus is making in people?
    • Are we blind to the change Jesus wants to make in us?

A shift from the temporal to the eternal

  • Jesus defeats death….
  • Jesus instills hope!
    • In Himself….
    • For us!

Redefine Like Jesus Read More »

Forgive Like Jesus

/

Title:  Forgive Like Jesus

Text:  Luke 23:32-43

Jesus forgives freely….

  • The criminal….
    • Fears God
    • Recognizes his own guilt
    • Knows Jesus’ own salvation is through death, not in avoiding it…
  • “Today you will be with me in Paradise….”
  • Romans 5:8
  • Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus brings life!

  • John 1:4
  • John 10:10
  • In keeping with God’s purposes
    • Psalm 30:4-5
    • Proverbs 13:12

We have a tremendous obligation and privilege!

  • We forgive without limit…
    • Matthew 18:22
  • Our actions and inactions are tied to eternity….
    • Matthew 18:18

Forgive Like Jesus Read More »

Pray Like Jesus – John 17

/

Title:  Pray Like Jesus

Text:  John 17

Emphasizes the glory of God and Jesus

  • Glory used 9 times in chapter 17.
  • It is something we speak about….
  • It is something we bring about in our actions!

Jesus’ prayer shows concern for His own….

  • The connection among those who follow Jesus….
  • “In your name….” We belong to the same name!
  • Protection as we strive to share with others – v. 15
  • To make and to keep holy….

Jesus thinks in the long-term….

  • Prays for the world….
  • Jesus had us in mind….
  • Do we think long-term?
    • II Kings 20:17-20

Pray Like Jesus – John 17 Read More »

Be Sure Like Jesus

/

Title:  Be Sure Like Jesus

Text:  Mark 3:20-35

When you do the right thing, you will face opposition

  • Genesis 39 – Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
  • Acts 16:16-24 Paul in Philippi
  • John 15:18-25 “The world hates the disciples”

Jesus was sure what He was about:  Mark 5

  • Some called Him crazy
    • Defied normal convention – attracting crowds, couldn’t eat.
  • Some attributed his actions to dangerous or wicked origins or purposes

Jesus challenged both claims:  Mark 5

  • Redefines relationships and priorities: v 31-34
  • Calmly sets out the facts: v 23-30
  • Leaves ego out of it (Mt. 12:32, Luke 12:10)
  • Gives sufficient warning to where the real danger lies. Jude 9, Romans 12:19

Be Sure Like Jesus Read More »

Be Intentional Like Jesus

/

Title: Be Intentional Like Jesus

Text:  Mark 5:21-43

Jesus does not lose sight of His mission…

  • Just returned from healing the demoniac in Gentile territory
  • The good news is for all….
    • Jairus – the synagogue ruler with status
    • An unknown, unclean woman

Jesus calls us to see His mission

  • The woman – Faith cannot be anonymous
  • Jairus – God works in His time
  • The crowd – we won’t see God’s glory if we refuse to see it

Be Intentional Like Jesus Read More »