North Side Resources: Recent Episodes
North Side Baptist Church
In this episode, we discuss:
• What application can we draw from the Jews' view of the Messiah?
• How has Jesus changed our values as a society at large?
• How do we attempt to fix our problems in a "religious" way?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What application can we draw from the four religious groups?
• How should the ultimate marriage in heaven cause us to view our marriages here on earth?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How is this passage taken out of context?
• How do we see the authority of Jesus in this Passage?
• How is Jesus a different kind of king?
• What are ways we can tell that our values are changing?
In this episode, we discuss:
• If God blesses us, do will still earn what we have?
• Does God's kindness, goodness and patience have a limit?
• How can we tend to, in a religious way, justify ourselves?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why does Jesus quote a verse from Isaiah in Luke 19?
• Does Jesus cleanse the temple? Or is there something more significant happening?
• Are we created to worship?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why was Israel concerned with the Messiah establishing an earthly kingdom?
• What is significant about Jesus' humility?
• Why was Jesus sorrowful toward Jerusalem?
In this episode, we discuss:
• If Jesus was crowned King, was He not already King before?
• Could Jesus come back today?
• How do we intentionally leverage our lives for Christ?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is significant about the church growth movement in America?
• Can we find any good in the Tree/Crowd/Home analogy?
• If God is the center of salvation, what does that mean for us?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is significant about the theme of Jerusalem in Luke?
• Why can we trust the Scriptures?
• How should we look at the fact that the meaning of this text was hidden from the disciples?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does it mean to examine your faith?
• In what ways is the Christian faith reasonable and logical?
• What is impactful about the resurrection being physical?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is the Kingdom of God such a significant theme throughout Luke?
• What is significant about Jesus' view of children?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How do we see approval as a theme in this passage?
• How does approval affect our relationships?
• Should we see ourselves in the Pharisees more often than we do?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why pray if God is sovereign?
• How can we wrongly see the prosperity gospel in this passage?
• Is it possible for a true believer to faint and lose heart?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is wisdom from God’s Word important?
• What is the benefit of allowing our pain to join us with other people?
• How do we see obedience play out among the ten men with leprosy?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How do you know if you have truly forgiven someone?
• What does unforgiveness do to our hearts?
• How do we develop a forgiving heart?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Is this a parable or a historical event?
• What are some practical applications in this passage for believers?
In this episode we discuss:
• What does it mean that we sometimes hang heavy weights on thin wires?
• If God is the wire we hang our weights on, how does this change how we view the local church?
• What does Jesus mean when he tells the Pharisees “For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight”?
In this passage, we discuss:
•Why is it important to read the Bible in context
•What can we learn from the older brother in this parable?
• How can this passage help us think about true repentance?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does Jesus mean when he uses the word “hate” in this passage?
• How do we count the cost of following Christ?
In this episode, we discuss:
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Why is loyalty an important application from this passage?
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What are ways that we can be distracted?
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What are practical ways that we can live out our commitment to the local church?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why did the Jews not understand the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6?
• Which one of these truths about the Messiah do we typically neglect the most?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is Advent?
• What is the difference between working for your salvation and striving for your salvation?
• How should this passage help those who might struggle with a desire to work for salvation?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How are we to apply this passage?
• What would you say to the person who is in the trenches of a tough situation?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does this passage say?
• Should we discipline church members who don’t attend or give regularly?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How has faithfulness been a significant theme in the last few chapters of Luke?
• How should we view rewards in heaven?
• If hell means separation from God, how do we reconcile that with the fact that God is omnipresent?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How do we apply Luke 12:23?
• What does it mean for us to have both a soul and a body?
• If God cares about us, then why is there so much hunger, pain and suffering?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What stuck out to you in this passage?
• What is a meaningful life in reference to verse 15?
• How do we grow in being rich in God?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why are our hearts created to be influenced?
• How can we check our hearts when valuing tradition over the Bible?
• How do we interpret verses 8-10?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Is the definition of a religious hypocrite?
• Is there any hope for the people in this passage?
• How should a Christian respond if someone were to say they are living hypocritically?
• What sticks out to you in this passage?
• Is it okay to ask God for a sign?
• Looking at verse 35, how does this verse cause us to respond?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the big takeaway from this passage?
• What does it mean that Jesus is the strongman?
• What is the significance of Jesus' warning in verses 24-26?
• Why is it important to apply Scripture and not simply study it?
In this episode, we talk to Pastor Jeff about three important subjects to talk about with your teenager.
In this episode we revisit manifestation and then we dive into higher education and the Great De-Churching.
In this episode, we dive into a recent trend on TikTok, social media, and Gen Z’s view of work.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the conscience and how is it different than the Holy Spirit? • What is the difference between the outward man and the inward man? • Why should we preach the Gospel to ourselves daily?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How do we understand verse 9 when it says, "God showed no concern for them?" • What's the betterness of the new covenant and how then should we live? • What does it mean that the old covenant is obsolete, yet is still passing away?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the author or Hebrews spending so much time on the High Priest? • What's the significance of the language used in verse 2 of chapter 8? • How should we think rightly about belonging to a church family?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is the resurrection so significant for our personal and corporate walk with the LORD? * What is the significance of women being the first to the tomb? • How do we practically celebrate Easter every week?
In this episode, we discuss:
• If Jesus is interceding for us, does that mean that God the Father is still angry? • Does Jesus stop being the high priest when he dies? • How should we live knowing that we are saved to the uttermost? • What does it mean to draw near to God?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Was Melchizedek Christ incarnate? • How does the author resolve the issue of Jesus not being from the tribe of Levi? • What is the significance of foreshadowing in the Old Testament? • What's the hope in this passage?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does it mean or look like to love the name of God? • What is the meaning of perseverance? • Why is important to remember God's faithfulness?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Who are the two groups represented in this passage? • How do we press on toward maturity? • How should we think through tough passages?
In this episode, we discuss: • What would be considered milk and what would be considered solid food in our spiritual journey? • What does the phrase good and evil mean in verse 14. • How can our freedoms and comforts prohibit us from growing into mature followers of Christ?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is the Old Testament important and why should we seek to understand it? • How should we approach a conversation with our Catholic friends in light of this passage?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How should we respond to our sin in light of Jesus being our great high priest? • How does this passage change the way we think about prayer? • What does it mean that Jesus is tempted in every way?
In this episode, we discuss:
• In this passage, is the rest a future rest or a rest of soul here and now? • How do we know if we are doing things out of the wrong motive, spiritually speaking? • What does it mean to 'make every effort to enter the rest? Isn't that contradictory? • What are some things that our culture adds to Jesus alone in hopes of gaining salvation?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the significance of the language of "rest" in the Bible? • What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? • How would you defend the doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved" from the Scriptures? • What about those that say there were saved, but now deny the Gospel?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the Therefore in this passage, there for? • What does it mean to consider Jesus? • Can a true believer lose their salvation?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does it mean to rule and reign with Christ? • Why doesn't Everyone mean Everyone? • How does this passage help us live with the end in mind? • What is the significance of Christ as our great high priest?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How can we know that we are drifting? • How can we guard against drifting? • What does repentance look like?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How is God pleased with me? • What does it look like to have communion with Christ? • How does God's sovereignty give us hope for today?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What does it mean to be just? • How can we challenge the temptation to care more about perception than God's plan? • How should we deal with personally or council others in times of spiritual darkness?
In this episode, we discuss: • How did we get the Bible? • Is the Bible still relevant today? • Can we trust the Word of God?
In this episode, we discuss: • Why was creation subjected to futility? • What does the "first fruits" of the Spirit mean? • What is the difference in how we use the word hope and how the Bible does?
In this episode, we discuss: • How is it possible for God to not be disappointed in us? • What should we make of the list of things that cannot separate us from the love of God? • Is God angry when I sin? • If God is not disappointed with me, why does he sometimes discipline me?
In this episode, we discuss: • What is the "bad news" of the Gospel? • What is the good news of the Gospel? • What are we saved from in salvation? • What are we saved to in salvation?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the Kingdom of God and how should we think about it today? • Does God promise to rescue us from every trial? • Our favorite parts of the book of Acts.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why is fear such a dominant enemy of the faith and how can we fight against it? What is common grace and how is it shown in the world and through the church? How has the presence of God's people affected the world for good?
In this episode, we discuss:
What are some rival stories to the true Gospel story? Why should we share our testimony? How should the reality of being set apart change the way that I live?
In this episode, we discuss:
What does this passage say? What did this passage mean to its original audience? What does this passage tell us about God? What does this passage tell us about man? How does this passage change how I relate to people? What does this passage demand of me? How does this passage change the way I pray?
What does this passage say? What did this passage mean to its original audience? What does this passage tell us about God? What does this passage tell us about man? How does this passage change how I relate to people? What does this passage demand of me? How does this passage change the way I pray?
• Why is righteousness so important to the conversation of the Gospel? • How should we think about self-control as a believer? • How will the believer be judged in the end?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What hurdles do we face to seeing our lives in light of eternity? • How do we live in a godless culture without compromise? If we are viewed as a plague how then shall we live? • What do we lose if we don’t believe in the providence of God?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the difference between God's sovereignty and God's providence? • What is the ultimate plan of God? • Why is the doctrine of God's providence difficult to accept sometimes?
In this episode, we discuss:
• How should we think about our conscience Biblically? • How does God’s Sovereignty affect how we live? • What do we learn about the flesh from Paul’s actions in this text?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What should we do when we find ourselves slipping away from the marks of a persevering saint? • Can you lose your salvation? • How can we guard against making faith a means to an end (prosperity thinking)?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Is Paul wrong in his participation in the vow with the four men? • Where is the line between accomodating (becoming all things to all people) and affirming the actions of people? • Would it ever be more loving or the right thing to do to oppose a decision of somebody for the sake of a Gospel witness?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Should we use the language of "God told me?" • How is prophecy used in the New Testament and today? • What should we learn from this passage as believers?
In this episode, we discuss: • Who does Paul have in mind when he says we work on behalf of the weak? • Where is the line between a healthy desire and sinful coveting? • Is there a wrong way to give or a wrong way to think about giving?
In this episode we discuss:
• How do we as elders of North Side lead the church? • How do we as elders of North Side care for the church? • How do we as elders of North Side feed the church? • How do we as elders of North Side protect the church?
In this episode we discuss: - Where else in Scripture do we see the teaching for elders in the New Testament church? - Why are most Southern Baptist churches not elder-led? - What are the strengths of having a plurality of elders and not just one elder/pastor?
In this episode we discuss: - Is it possible for a Christian to harden his/her heart? - What are some warning signs of that happening? - What are some ways to correct this?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What are some topics in the church culture at large today that should think about "more accurately" in our teaching? • How much do you have to know to be saved? • Should you ever consider being rebaptized? • What is the baptism of the Spirit?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• When is it permissible to give up on people like we see Paul doing in this passage? • What should we learn from Paul's role as a teacher in Corinth and not simply a missionary? • How should we understand specific promises made to individuals in the Scriptures? Are they for us too?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Can you be noble-minded if you aren't a believer? • What does spiritual junk food mean and is it sinful? • How do we wisely examine the Scriptures?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the glory of God? • Why did God create the world knowing that it would include pain and suffering? • What is the wrath of God?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is it so important to embrace the God of the Bible as the author of truth? • What are healthy evangelism practices? • What are some difficult teachings of the Bible that are hard to submit to and that our culture belittles us for believing?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is joy? • Do we really have a choice in our joy or is it a result of our regeneration? • How closely is our current joy tied to our future reality in Christ? • Is God sovereign over earthquakes?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Does the size of North Side change how we think about the question, "How will this affect my church family?" • The Lord's salvation is a major theme in the book of Acts. How should we understand the scriptures when it says that the Lord opened the heart of Lydia? • How should we respond when God closes a door/opportunity? • How do we know that our particular interpretations are right when it comes to distinctive within our church (Baptism/How the Lord speaks/How salvation works/Complementarianism)? • How should the fruit of the Spirit shape how we disagree with people?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Can Christians ever disagree in a healthy way? • What are some examples of truth issues where we can't compromise? • What are some examples of conviction issues where we can disagree? • What are some examples of preference issues where we should be careful not to elevate over truth or conviction issues?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Was the Reformation really necessary? • Should we say things like, "You can't be a Christian if _____________? • How can we guard against an "easy-believism" that's not really saving faith?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• How should this passage challenge the way we live? • How should we think about "Celebrity" Christians? • How do we know when we have made something an idol?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What happens to the man or woman who never hears the Gospel? • Is the doctrine of election a Baptist doctrine? • How should we think about difficult doctrines, like election, in the Bible?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• If Jesus declared, "It is Finished" on the cross, why is the resurrection so important? • What does it mean to be freed or justified from all things? • How should we understand God as a God of love but also a God of judgment?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What would the phrase "teaching of the Lord" have meant in this passage? • What does it mean to say that we are in the business of the Gospel? • Is it possible for us to make crooked the straight paths of the LORD?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• If God only speaks through His word, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit? • What do we mean when we say that we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture? • Why is the local church so important in this conversation?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• If peace is something we can have through our hope in Jesus, how should we think when we don't have peace? • In this passage, John is killed but Peter is saved. What lessons should we learn from this reality? • What can we learn about prayer from this passage?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Were the Jews that were only speaking to other Jews wrong in the same way that Peter was? • Do we still have prophets today and what is the role of prophecy? • Should we only seek to take care of the church and not the outside world? • Why is encouragement important?
In this episode, we discuss:
• Was the Old Testament racist to only include a particular people? • What is Critical Race Theory (CRT) and how should we think about it as Christians? • What is the best pork dish to eat, now that we can?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What is the connection between healings and salvation in the book of Acts? • Why don't we see more healings today like we see in the book of Acts? • What should we do when we come to a passage that we are tempted to skip over?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Why don't we immediately baptize in the same way we see in the early part of the book of Acts? • Why do Christians suffer? • What is the role of encouragement in the life of the Church?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• How did Christians get to Damascus? • What is meant by the doctrine of the union of Christ? • Is baptism important to our faith?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Is it possible to be religious, but not saved? • What should you listen for in evangelism? • Can you be saved without hearing the Gospel?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• How should we understand the Holy Spirit coming to Samaria as a sign from the Apostles? • What does it mean to rebuke someone and what role does it play in the church? • What is the difference between justification and sanctification?
In this Roundtable episode, we discuss:
• Why is it so challenging to share our faith? • How do I begin a Gospel conversation with my lost friends? • We say goodbye to the greatest Roundtable host ever.
In this episode of the roundtable we discuss:
· Who is Saul and why is he mentioned in this passage? · Were the Jews justified in their killing of Stephen? · What should we learn about God from the persecution of the early Church?
During this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Why did the Jews get so angry with Stephen? • What does the story of Stephen teach us about boldness, grace, and being filled with the Holy Spirit • How does this passage teach us to see others – specifically those who revile us?
In this episode, we discuss:
• What are some ways that Satan discourages followers of Jesus? • How should Believers seek unity? • Why should we value the Word of God as the ultimate source of truth?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Does God still physically heal today? Should we expect healing when we pray? • What does it mean that the Gospel can't be stopped? • What does sharing the Gospel costs us?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• the story of Ananias and Sapphira • in what ways can we deceive others with religious language/activity? • How does this story apply to us today?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
- What's so disturbing about the Gospel in today's culture?
- What does being filled with the Holy Spirit mean?
- Why is the claim that Jesus is the only way to God so important and controversial?
- Is it ever right for Christians to disobey authority placed over them?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• why Peter and John healed the lame beggar • how this story helps us see our role in the world
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Why did new followers of Jesus meet at the temple and how did they use it? • What are some of the "truth" systems that our culture embraces? • How do you have "koinonia" (Christian fellowship) in a church our size? • Can you be in small group without experiencing real koinonia?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What did Joel's prophecy mean about the "last days"? • Can a Believer be "cut to the heart"? • What is the process/order of salvation?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Would the events at Pentecost be a normative experience for Christians today? • Why did the Holy Spirit have to come? • How can we be led by the Spirit?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• How should we understand 2 Chron. 7:14? • How can we trust the validity of God's Word? • Why is the ascension of Jesus important? • Why did casting lots stop being practiced after Jesus sent the Holy Spirit?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What is the kingdom of God? • How do we explain the kingdom of God to a non-believer? • What did Jesus mean when he said he will "baptize with the Holy Spirit?"
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What does it look like for God to discipline His children? • Why don't we do a public invitation at the end of each Sunday gathering? • What are some ways we ignore the voice of God in our lives?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What does self-sufficiency lead to in the life of a Christian? • How can we seek to be more dependent on Jesus? • What are some ways we can be more dependent on our church family?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• The context and meaning of Revelation 3:5 • Why do churches grow and decline? • What makes a healthy church?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What does unrepentant compromise result in for a professing Christian? • How can the Church be both distinct from the world while also evangelizing and preserving God's truth?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Modern church compromises • The image of Christ bringing a double-edged sword • The gift of repentance
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• our cultural lenses of pain and suffering • suffering and persecution in the Church • how to respond to pain and suffering
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• How do we balance our pursuit of the Lord in spirit and in truth? • What do our routines and habits have to do with what we love?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Why are modern Christians so interested in the timing of Jesus' return? • What does it mean to be "ready" for Christ's return? • Why is knowing "the story" important for lives and how we engage the people around us?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What does it mean to "abide" in Christ? • How does spiritual growth happen over the course of one's life? • How do we distinguish "doing" for the Lord and "being" for the Lord?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What is Biblical repentance? • Why do we have to repent if we are already justified by Jesus? • How do you truly repent if you do something that you fully knew was wrong when you did it?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What must happen for a person to respond in faith to God? • What does salvation mean for the Christian life? • How do we see life through a Biblical lens?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What do we mean when we say that Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets? • Does Isaiah 53 promise us physical healing? • In light of this passage, how should we live?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• What is a covenant? • What are the major covenants of Scripture? • Why are covenants important to the Biblical story?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden? • Is the garden of Eden still on earth today? • When did the fall actually happen? • and more!
In this episode of our Roundtable podcast, we discuss:
• What is God's glory? • Would God still deserve glory if he had not redeemed us? • Did God create man and woman on the same day? • What did God mean when he said creation was "good"?
Watch/listen to all episodes at northsidebc.org/roundtable.
In this episode of our Roundtable podcast, we discuss:
• what counts as suffering? • prayer in the midst of suffering • who is behind suffering?
In this episode of our Roundtable podcast, we discuss:
• Paul's final greetings to the church at Corinth • What Paul meant in verse 22 • Overall takeaways from the letter
In this episode of our Roundtable podcast, we discuss:
• is the work of Lord planned or spontaneous? • how do we do the work of the Lord together? • what distracts us from the work of the Lord?
In this episode of Roundtable, we discuss:
• are Christians required to "tithe" today? • is giving a necessary act of worship? • and more!
In this episode of our Roundtable podcast, we discuss:
• the trumpet sounds • the work of ministry • takeaways from chapter 15 • and more!
In this episode of Roundtable we discuss:
• Did Jesus have a different resurrected body? • Will resurrected bodies be on the new heaven or new earth? • Are saved loved ones watching over us in heaven right now? • and more!
Song: Lately Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Licensed by Soundstripe
In this episode of Roundtable we discuss:
• Baptism of the dead • Genealogies • Christian persecution • Deceptive teaching • Engaging the culture • and more!
Song: Lately Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Licensed by Soundstripe
In this episode, we discuss:
• the significance of our earthly bodies • what does Scripture teach about cremation? • if Jesus is ruling and reigning now, what does that say for evil, pain, and suffering?
Song: Lately Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Licensed by Soundstripe
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why is a bodily resurrection important? • When do we get our resurrected bodies? • Do angles have bodies? • and more!
Song: Lately Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Licensed by Soundstripe
In this episode, we discuss:
• What is the gospel? What are the essential pieces of the gospel story? • Why did Paul validate Christ's resurrection for the church at Corinth? • What is Paul saying about the nature of salvation in verse 2? • What are some rival stories in our culture that capture our imagination and give us a false hope?
Song: Lately Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Licensed by Soundstripe
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why was Paul addressing order in the worship gatherings and what implications does that have for our gatherings today? • Why did Paul say "women should keep silent in the churches"? • What does it mean to speak in tongues? • Emotionalism, single women, and more!
How can we redeem our time for the glory of God? What does it look like to build your life around the opportunities God gives us to demonstrate and declare his Gospel?
In light of the present circumstances, where is your devotion? What is distracting you from full devotion to Jesus and the Kingdom of God?
What does it mean to be a good steward of our resources? How does God use our finances for His glory?
What does it mean to Biblically serve? Who should we serve? How do we cultivate a rhythm and discipline of service in our lives?
What does Scripture teach us about fasting? How does fasting lead us to depend on Christ in the absence of something else?
How do we process and pray through our sins and failures? How do we know if we have genuinely confessed our sins? What if failing and confessing actually brings us joy and teaches us to rely on Christ's forgiveness?
What does it mean to make prayer a consistent discipline? How can we pray with more intention and meaning?
God has revealed himself TO his people THROUGH His Word, the Bible. But we often treat reading it as optional. Why is reading God's revelation to us important and how do we make it a daily priority? How will the Spirit change us if we do?
What is the Biblical picture of worship? What does it mean to worship everyday? How does worship relate to spiritual disciplines?
This EQUIP class teaches about the meaning, importance, and the necessity of gathering with God's people, the church.
What does it mean to live God's ways? What should a Christian desire? How are Christians different than the world?
What does it mean to be saved by God? How can you define spiritual maturity? What is a disciple?
1 Corinthians chapter 15 teaches us that if Christ has not been recreated from the dead then the whole of Christianity collapses. Without the resurrection, followers of Jesus live poor worthless lives with no hope. But because Jesus is alive our lives and our faith have value beyond description.
God's gift of eternal life is a gift that begins with a rescuing is from the power and domain of sin. But it's also a gift of renewal as he gives us His spirit and a new nature that results in our sanctification. The end result of this gift is eternal life.
Everybody is a slave to something or somebody. In Romans 7:16-19 we learn that we are either a slave to sin or a slave to God. Who we serve is an intentional choice that we make every day. As believers, we are slaves to God.
As Christians, we grow in righteousness as we grow to understand who we are in Christ, how sin works to defeat us, and what we can actually do to war against sin and live for the glory of God.
As believers, we need to act like who we are. God no longer sees us as United with Adam but United with Christ. In a real sense, sin is no longer our ruler or master but God is. Therefore, we must affirm the fact that we are dead to the rule of sin and alive to the rule of God.
Romans 6:1-7 is a beautiful passage that continues Paul's thought from Romans Chapter 5 of "...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more..."
In Romans 6:1-7, Paul reminds us as believers that if we have indeed been born again, we are dead to sin and walk in newness of life! He explains this truth using the ordinance of baptism. The imagery of being "crucified" with Christ and "risen" to walk in newness of life is shown in baptism is one all believers can understand. Paul concludes this passage with the great news that he proclaimed in the beginning: if we are believers, we are united with Christ, dead to sin and no longer a slave to sin!
God gave His Law to man to show man his ruined condition and to show man the abundance of God's grace. The result for the believer is a deep abiding worship of God.
All of mankind belongs to one of two headships. The entire human race is either in the family of Adam or the family of Christ. While being in Adams family brings death, being in Christ's family bring life.
If God has shown us His love by justifying us through the death of His son, why would we ever expect that he wouldn't now keep us saved, a much easier thing to do? If he saved us when we were enemies, can we now not expect him to keep us saved as His son?
God's eternal plan has been to love a sinful, helpless, rebellious people, by saving them from His wrath, through the blood of Jesus Christ. God's plans never fail!
As Christians, we know that the tribulations of life are there to develop our character and prove our faith. Therefore, we can rejoice through our pain.
When we understand that we are justified by faith alone, we can truly enjoy peace with God, assurance of salvation and stand confidently in the hope of the future.
Biblical faith believes the unbelievable, grows stronger instead of growing weaker and always gives glory to God.
Man is made right with God by faith in Christ alone. Religious acts and religious obedience have no part in God justifying sinners.
The good life comes from good relationships. Good relationships come from what we say, what we sow and what we seek.
The problem with a works salvation is that it promotes boasting in our salvation and positions God where He is indebted to us. The life of Abraham and David prove that justification is a result of faith alone and not of works.
When we understand the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, we find that what he did removes all of our attempts for taking credit for any of our salvation. It removes all the distinctions we often make between ourselves and others and it establishes the Old Testament Law.
Only by God's Grace and His given righteousness can our lives be redeemed and the sins we've committed be washed away.
The truth of God is often met with questions. Paul anticipates some of these questions and answers them with assurance of the truth.
Religion leads to devotion out of duty. God has called his children to enter into a relationship with Him, therefore serving Him with delight.
There will come a day of judgement for all men, in which God will judge not based on race or appearance, but on the heart of man.
God's grace is sufficient to save us from our sins, but He also desires to grow us past our sins. A faith that saves will also sanctify.
We need to be mindful of the goodness of God. How much has he given us? How often do we whine? We need to repent.
Scripture commands us to put off the old self that has died to sin through Christ and put on the holiness that He gives us.
In regards to our personal holiness, God's Word is clear that handling your mind and body in the area of sexual purity is vital to your sanctification.
What are the essential spiritual disciplines each believer needs in the pursuit of holiness?
Our pursuit of holiness is a personal struggle. With God's guiding hand, we "strive... for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."
In the fight against sin, we must be properly equipped to defend the advances of the enemy and fight back with the proper weapons.
Every person is in the pursuit of something. As children of God, our pursuit should be towards holiness, the holiness of God.
There will come a day when every man will be judged before the throne of God. On that day, we will not be judged by the world’s standard but by God’s standard.
Before we begin our journey toward personal holiness, we must first recognize the perfect holiness of God.
God has given knowledge of his existence to every man, through the display of his glory in nature and his righteousness in our moral conscience. However, sin causes man to suppress the truth of God and deceive himself in thinking that God doesn't exist.
You can't celebrate the good news of the Gospel until you grasp the bad news of the wrath of God. Hell is God eternally departing from the soul that has consistently departed him.
The gospel is the good message of how God gives salvation to provide righteousness through faith. Therefore, I may be ashamed of my past, performance, and progress, but I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Shame is the first recorded result of sin. Where guilt is a sense of doing something wrong, shame is the sense that we are wrong or something is wrong with us. Only God can cover shame, and He accomplishes this through the Gospel.
Salvation is much more than just being forgiven. The gospel changes our very nature and we become a people who desire to grow more like Christ.
The gospel of God has centered around the person and work of Jesus Christ from the very beginning. In Paul's introductory comments in the Book of Romans, we see that he had committed his life for the sole purpose of spreading this gospel.
My life will be determined by the choices I make between what is easy and what is right. The wise will leave their simple ways and experience life. The foolish will maintain their simple ways and experience death.
Sex can either be delightful or devastating. The Book of Proverbs gives clear warnings against immorality and adultery.
Work is not a curse, but it has been cursed by sin. God wants His people to work for His glory and our good.
A home is built on more than carpentry skills. Rooms are filled with riches greater than possessions. Marriage and the family are institutions created by God to put His glory and His gospel on display.
When we consider the things God has blessed us with, we should also consider what He expects us to do with them. Every spending decision is a spiritual decision based on worship, trust, and contentment.
In the age of social media, we all have many "friends". However, not many of them would stand up to the test of biblical friendship. A wise friendship is rooted in commitment, honesty, and truth to each other and to Christ.
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and yet we still speak words everyday. God's word is clear what kind of words are wise and what kind are foolish.
"The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD." As we begin our study of the wisdom in Proverbs, it is important to know what wisdom is, what a wise person is like, and how wisdom is attained.
The question is not if we have been called. It is where will we be going? When Jesus first sent His disciples, now apostles, out to share the gospel, they were sent to their own people before they could reach the nations.
We need to change our mind concerning what is the church. We don’t come to church – we are the church! We need a change of mind in order to change our behavior so that we are effectively engaging the culture we live in for the glory of God.
The church is not called to be an institution, but a movement of people who represent the head of the church, Jesus Christ, in everyday life through word and deed.
Christianity is no longer at the forefront of our society. So how do we, as the church, fulfill the Great Commission when we are no longer the center of attention?
God's judgment is coming to all humanity. The saved will inherit a new heaven and new earth. Those lost will suffer eternal punishment. As believers, God has given us the privilege to carry the gospel (power of salvation) to every nation, tongue and tribe!
The phrase, “no one seeks for God” (Rom. 3:10), portrays every single person in the way he is or the way he was. God is the one who works a change in man.
You can’t know the joy of being found until you know the fear of being lost, and yet our God has saved His people by His grace through the blood of Christ. In that we can greatly rejoice.
God is high but he dwells with the lowly. Only the humble ones can dwell with the Exalted One.
We have been saved by God for God. Our religious activity means nothing to God when we make it about ourselves
God talks to those who are thirsty, broke, and desperate. Why do people spend their entire lives pursuing things that do not satisfy? God’s Word is enough.
Jesus did not come to save us from our circumstances. He came to save us from our sins.
God is faithful to do what He says He will do. Even though we do not always understand His timing, God's wrath and God's grace each come at the right time to bring us goodness and Him glory.
God is completely sovereign. That means He has a plan, and that plan will happen. His plan is for His glory and also for our good. However, God doesn't always work the way we expect Him to.
All of God's creation was made by Him and for Him. We, as a part of that creation and His redeemed people, show live life in such a way that His glory is magnified in all things.
God never reassures people based on their potential but with his presence. The greatest promise of God is the presence of God. God’s presence is the only promise powerful enough to subside my fears.
While we wait for the LORD to fulfill his promise, we stay faithful fulfilling his commandments. There are times we are given enough strength to soar, to run, or just to walk. Whichever amount we receive, just keep moving.
In this interview video of Scott Smith, Scott shares his and Judy’s story of how to love one another when the unexpected and the life-changing happens.
You can’t love someone you don’t know. In this session, we give you some ways to get to know not only who your spouse is but who they are becoming.
Many letdowns in marriage happen when our expectations set our spouses up for failure. What exactly are we supposed to help one another do?
Through the story of Hosea, we see the power of redeeming love within a marriage relationship.
In this intro session, we look at Malachi 2 and seek to divorce-proof a marriage by looking at the steps that drive us away from our spouse.
When Israel found itself in a desperate situation, instead of acting desperately, or rashly, they went to God reverently to seek His guidance and help.
Fear often leads to places God has already rescued us from. When we realize that rescue is only in Him, our Heavenly Father is waiting for us.
When we are spiritually blind, not only is it impossible to live the way God intends but also to worship Him the way He deserves.
How can I live at peace? 1) Set my mind to think about God. 2) Set my heart to put trust in God.
Where is this ruthless world headed? As you look at the state of our world, it is easy to get overwhelmed with its course and direction. How are believers to respond?
While it may not always make sense to us, God has a plan. His plan is better than anything we can come up with, and that's why is seems so foreign to us.
When we were in great darkness, God sent His Great Light into the world to rescue us. If this Light is in us, our response to all things should be rejoicing.
The words "fear not" are repeated throughout the Gospel accounts of the birth of Christ. God had told His people hundreds of years before that this very moment was the reason not to be afraid. The birth of God's Son gives hope to the world.
Isaiah, in the presence of the Lord, responds to God's forgiveness by becoming obedient, even when the desired results do not come.
In this love song from God to His people, we see a God who has lovingly blessed us. But what happens when our lives do not reflect the blessings God has given us?
In the opening chapter of the book of Isaiah, we learn a lot about the people God sent Isaiah to talk to. Even though God had redeemed and blessed His people, they had forsaken those blessings to follow their own desires. God calls them, and us, to repent of our sin and live according to His word.
As we wait for Christ's second coming, idleness is not an option. At the end of this letter, Paul encourages the church to continue trusting in God and obeying His word.
While sharing what has been going on with his family in West Africa, Greg shows us that God is with us wherever we go. He will ask us to go into some dangerous situations, but by believing that He has it all under control, we can overcome the danger before us.
Our God is faithful in everything. We can have confidence in Him that He will do all that we promises. However, we are still commanded to be obedient to God's word and submit to Him in prayer.
We are absolutely dependent upon God initiating mercy. It is through this grace that we are saved from our sin, but it also leads us into suffering in this world. God, however, promises to comfort us if we stay true to His word and rely on Him.
Paul is writing this passage to a hurting church that is being bombarded with false teachings and harmful deception. However, God has chosen these people to be saved and to be sanctified by the Spirit.
In this pastoral prayer, we are urged to seek God in building His kingdom through the church. This happens when we are strengthened by His grace to live "in a manner worthy of our calling".
There will be a day where every person will stand before God to be judged. For some it will be a time of condemnation, but for others it will be a time of comfort. The difference is the gospel of Christ.
How we live, as individuals and as a church, tells the world around us a lot about who we are and what we believe. Do the things we do as a church turn "the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) much like they did in Thessolanica?
Do you ever feel that your family isn't perfect? What can you do to help put things back together when it all seems to fall apart? God calls us to love one another in the same way he loves us - unconditionally. Your home cannot change if YOU stay the same.
This panel discussion navigates through many of the "foxes" that may attempt to eat away at your family. The pastors give very practical and very biblical advice on how to deal with 12 different areas of family life.
Sometimes the cracks we see in the walls can actually be a foundation issue. In the same way, a marriage that is not built upon the right foundation will eventually begin to crack.
In Joshua 24, we see the people of Israel gathered as their leader, Joshua, exhorts them to follow after God and Him alone. However, regardless of their personal decisions, Joshua vows "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Marriage can be defined as a permanent and exclusive, public, legal agreement between a man and a woman, to share every part of their life with the other person. In Ephesians 5, we find marriage as it relates to and is defined by the gospel of Christ.
Paul closes his first letter to the church at Thessolanica with a short, but complex prayer. He prays that God will complete the work of sanctification in the church and help it to persevere to the end.
As Paul is nearing the end of his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he has some very practical advice to help the church be the church better.
God has entrusted His sheep to the care of many shepherds. As the sheep of a local flock (meaning church), how how are we to treat our leadership (meaning shepherd/pastor)?
The second coming of Christ is something all Christians should be anxiously awaiting, but this hope in a future event should effect how we think and act in our present lives.
Sanctification is the ongoing process, through the Holy Spirit, of a person becoming more holy. In today’s passage, we see a few practical steps in the process, things that can be applied to everyday life.
Paul instructs the church to live a life of holiness. He warned them concerning the dangers of sexual immorality.
In Paul’s prayer for the church, we see him asking God to strengthen the church through growth in faith, love, and holiness.
In this passage, we see Paul giving thanks to God for a group of people who have been changed by His word. They both heard it and received it for what it was: the Word of God.
Leadership is influence, and everybody is an influence to someone. In this passage we are called to lead those around us with gentleness, without burdening them, and modeling a right life.
As Christians, we are all called to be spiritual leaders. God has strategically placed each of us in a position to lead those around us to knowing Him.
We serve a holy God. Because of that, we must also strive to live holy lives. It is the grace of God that sets us apart, to live differently than the world.
As James begins to wrap up his letter to the church, he wants us to see one more thing. Our speech is something that is addressed multiple times throughout the letter, but before he signs off, James challenges us with this: tell the truth, always. Do not use strong, oath-like language to try and cover up a lie, for this dishonors God and brings judgment on you.
Have you ever been wronged before? Mistreated? Or simply misunderstood? How do you deal with these situations? We look at what scripture says about those who treat us wrongly.
In James 5:1-6, James is addressing a group of people who are rich, and whose wealth has caused them to sin. How do we ensure that our wealth does not lead us into temptation but allows us to better glorify God?
Do you believe that God is sovereign? Does that effect the way you live? It is easy to think that you have control over your life, but often that leaves God completely out of the picture.
Our speech can build others up and tear others down. But there is a difference between correcting sin and criticizing someone. The Word of God should always be our standard, and love should be our motivation.
We do not have to repent, but as followers of Christ we get to repent. God allows us to repent to bring us closer to Him.
Quarreling is an inevitable part of the human life, but what causes it? Where do all our disagreements come from?
There is a difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Whatever wisdom you do have will show itself in the way you act.
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can also celebrate a newness of life. Christ died to put sin to death, but rose again to give us a new life for the glory of the Father.
The tongue is a powerful tool. It can be used to build up and to tear down. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can tame the tongue.
Which is necessary for salvation, faith or works? On the surface, the apostles Paul and James seem to disagree on which is more important. Today, we unpack two passages to get down to the heart of the matter.
Is the way to heaven through faith, or through a good life? Is it enough simply to have the right beliefs, or just the right actions?
In James 2:1-13, we are warned about the dangers of dealing with some people as more important than others. This not only disrespects people, but it also dishonors God. We are called to seek the glory of God and show the same mercy we have been given by God.
My faith is what my whole life is built upon. I should not, therefore, be afraid to examine my faith to see if it is pure in the sight of God.
James 1:18 tells us we are justified by the word of God. In verses 19-25, James shows us how we are sanctified by it. We must be consumers of the Word, allowing it to cleanse us and to change us.
God has blessed us with all manner of good things. His very character is good. That has never changed, nor will it ever.
In James 1:9-11, we see a real example of why we must rely on God for wisdom. Both sides of the financial spectrum have their own temptations that can lead us away from God.
When we meet the trials that James tells us are coming, we need the wisdom of God to make it through.
Scripture: James 1:1-4 In the opening verses of the book of James, we are warned of the hardships that will come because of our faith. It is through these trials, however, that we become more like Christ.
Worship should be planned in such a way as to please one focus target – Jesus. To do that, we must keep our worship by the book.
God has called pastors to equip the saints for the work of ministry. All believers are called to grow and mature in Christ.
When the glory of the Lord descended on the newly built tabernacle, it was not the first or the last time God would manifest Himself to His people. God's presence, protection, and guidance are still evident in the lives of His people today.
As look forward to wrapping up our series in the book of Exodus, let us not miss the big things this book teaches us. Through the Israelites' journey out of Egypt, we see a lot about who God is and who we are as His people.
God desires to dwell among His people, and as His people we should desire that as well.
What does the Christian life look like? What part does God play in it? Even back in Exodus, God tells us exactly what role he expects to have in our lives.
Although hidden from the view of others, our desires are what defines us. As Christians, we should desire God and be content in Him.
God's Word teaches us that our words are very powerful, and how we use them can be destructive or edifying to us and those around us.
Biblically speaking, what constitutes stealing? While this commandment seems easy to follow, upon closer examination, we find that all of us are guilty of breaking God's law.
God views marriage the same way he views His relationship with His people. It is a covenant relationship that God builds and man should not seek to destroy.
The first commandment with a promise attached to it is “Honor your father and your mother.” This message will examine what such honor looks like and how it is to be carried out today.
Jesus taught that man was not made for the Sabbath, but that the Sabbath was made for man. This message will examine not only the fourth commandment, but the great blessing that comes from keeping it.
One of the greatest treasures God has given us is His name. God’s name is an expression of who He is. How we use God’s name is an expression of what we think of Him.
While the first commandment from God tells us who we should worship, the second commandment tells us how we should worship. God expects His people to worship Him alone and in the right way.
The Ten Commandments are a revelation of the very character of God. They reveal His righteousness and His expectations of His people in how those people relate to Him and to each other. The first commandment is the basis that the other nine are built upon. We are to have only one God.
One gets the impression that when God met with His people at Mt. Sinai, that it was a dangerous time. Out of fear and respect for God, there was a prevailing sense of reverence and awe. The people probably did actually tremble! Does anybody still do that anymore? Do you?
Before God goes any further with His people, He makes sure that they understand how He sees their relationship. God’s relationship with Israel then defines His relationship with the church today.
God’s people are most at peace when they live according to His word and His wisdom. Making sure there is an effective way to get God’s word to His people is the focus of our text today.
There is a big difference between trusting God and testing God. Testing God is a sin and one that is committed when we grumble about our circumstances. God wants us to know that He will always provide what His children need.
God doesn’t always lead his people down the easiest path. When following the Lord becomes difficult, we can certainly depend on God to fight for us, but we have to keep moving forward by faith.
God showed his power among the Israelites and the Egyptians with the plagues, and yet, in his final plague, he also showed his great mercy as he passed over the people who were covered by the blood of the sacrificial lamb.
The plagues God brought upon Egypt show us His passion for His word and His displeasure towards those who ignore it.
Without a doubt, God still calls people today just as sure as He called Moses. In fact, He still calls them to do the same things that He called Moses to do. This message will hopefully help us to recognize that call and respond appropriately.
This sermon will examine the perfect timing of God, the people that God uses, and the preparation that God often puts people through before He uses them. All of these things can be rather curious at times when viewed from a human perspective, but rather rewarding when seen through the eyes of faith. (Exodus 1-2)
It is not unusual for life to turn bleak and dark, if not even bitter, in a matter of moments. Blessings that God gives, and we are thankful for, can disappear without a moment’s notice. Such times call for a mature faith. This message examines what such a faith look like. (Exodus 1:1-14)
The Bible is not a collection of individual stories and treasured sayings. It is the one overarching narrative of how Jesus is reconciling a people unto himself.
Many people say that one’s family is the most difficult group of people to impact for Christ. Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see a different dynamic as God used family members time and time again to evangelize and disciple other family members. In this last message of our “Between Sundays” series, we focused on ways that you can impact your family all week-long.
Our mission is to make disciples. Making disciples is simply intentional friendships that are saturated with the word of God and Christ-centered.
All of us as followers of Christ have been called to make the gospel known through the everyday course of our lives. This sermon examines the motive, the message, and the method involved in fulfilling such a call.
In the same way church is not limited to space and time, so is worship. Worship is what we do because of what we value. We worship every day. What we worship is always value driven.
The question that asks what is the church is the wrong question. The better question is, “Who is the Church?”.
In Matthew 24, Jesus himself assures us of His return and tells us what to expect before he comes, when he comes, and after he comes.
What we celebrate today is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We also celebrate our own resurrection, a new life, that we have because of our identity with Christ. We have been crucified with Him and we have been resurrected with Him. This means, we have a new life. This message will examine what that new life looks like.
Jesus’ death on the cross provides grace and forgiveness to those who receive the gospel, but it does not provide a free pass to continue living in sin. For those called by Jesus Christ must put to death the sinful passions in their lives.
At the conclusion of the “Stand Fast” series, Pastor Jeff addresses frequently asked questions from the 2 Peter study. The two major issues he dealt with was concerning assurance of salvation and handling false prophets.
Knowing the truth should make a profound difference in how we think and how we live. Living with the end in mind impacts the here and now.
Even though the Bible teaches that Christ will one day return to earth to reward the righteous and punish the evil, many discount this promise by what they teach and how they live.
Knowing the characteristics of false teachers helps us determine who to guard ourselves against.
Knowing the characteristics of false teachers helps us determine who to guard ourselves against.
God is in opposition to everything that is in opposition to Him and His justice brings forth His wrath.
We are warned to be aware of those among us who distort and twist the truth of God for their own advantage.
Because of what’s at stake, the basics of our faith need to be heard over and over again.
Because of what’s at stake, the basics of our faith need to be heard over and over again.
True followers of Christ share a common faith. This faith is drastically different that what many professing Christians exhibit today. This message will examine what saving faith looks like.
This week we will be doing a recap of 1 Peter as we have completed our study of the book. We would love for you to join us as we read and sing through the Book of 1 Peter. The "Stand Firm" album is available FREE on the North Side app.
As Peter concludes his letter, he reminds us of several truths that encourage us to stand firm in times of trouble.
Christ has entrusted his flock to certain men in the church who will give an account to God Himself for how they shepherded them. The heart of shepherding God’s flock, is feeding them the word of God.
For the Christian, pain and rejoicing are not mutually exclusive. We can and should experience them both at the same time.
For our Christmas Eve 2013 service, we continued in our 1 Peter series, “Stand Firm.” Christmas is the perfect opportunity to show those around us the love of Christ and hospitality sets the stage for it all to happen.
The gospel not only is the means to salvation, but it is also the encouragement we need to stand firm during times of suffering.
Our lives should be characterized by hope instead of fear. We should always be ready to give a reason for such hope to those who ask us about it.
To enjoy more good days than bad ones, we must take care in what we say, we sow, and we seek.
Although a wife cannot change her husband, she can impact him through faithful and fearless submission.
God has called us to suffer for doing right so that we might make Him known through our suffering.
When we submit ourselves to human institutions, we align ourselves with God and show Him honor. When we do not submit ourselves to human institutions, we align ourselves with the devil.
Before we can stand firm in our battle with the world, we must first stand firm with our battle with our flesh. If the desires of our own flesh defeat us, then the world will have no trouble defeating us as well.
We once lived in darkness but through God’s mercy He has called us into His light. God has chosen us as His people to live lives that declare His praise.
As Christians, we have been united with Christ. God sees this union one way and the world sees it another.
The Word of God causes us to be born again and can also cause us to grow again. Therefore, we should both desire it and consume it, especially since we know how good it is.
Our souls are made holy as we obey the truth of the Word of God through the power of the Spirit of God. Such holiness of soul results in an extraordinary love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our pursuit of holiness is aided by a proper understanding of our relationship with God, the price He paid for us to have this relationship, and the shortness of our time here on earth.
Those who are children of a Holy God should live as God’s Holy children. The more we see as He sees, the more we will live as He wants us to live.
As believers, we can be encouraged by realizing we know things that neither the prophets knew or the angels know! With this knowledge, we can patiently persevere and follow the example of Christ who experienced glory after his time of suffering.
When faith tested through trials proves to be genuine it is valued and results in the glory of Jesus Christ.
As believers, we can be encouraged by realizing we know things that neither the prophets knew or the angels know! With this knowledge, we can patiently persevere and follow the example of Christ who experienced glory after his time of suffering.
As Christians, we will never be comfortable and at home in a world that God has elected us out of.
Scripture lays out a five-step corrective process that helps church leaders and members alike deal with the types of problems that do damage to churches, Christians, and the Kingdom of God. This process of Church Discipline is for the overall health of the church and individual believers.
Instead of being nominated and elected by a popular vote, biblical elders are called by God and approved by a local congregation.
God places spiritual leaders in a local church body to give oversight to that body. Biblically, these leaders are called elders. The fourfold function of an elder is to protect, feed, lead, and care for the flock of God.
God loves a cheerful giver. When Christians give back from what God has given them, it is an act of worship. It acknowledges that all we have belongs to God, and we want to use the resources with which He has entrusted us to invest in His Kingdom.
One of the church’s greatest resources is its members. Each member has been uniquely gifted by God to contribute to the overall mission and health of the church.
Worship is so much more than what we do during one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is what naturally flows out of a person that has been transformed by the Spirit of God. The true child of God has a better chance of holding back the ocean’s tide than he does holding back the Spring of Living Water that flows naturally from him once Christ has been poured into him. From the beginning God determined that He would seek a redeemed people that would worship Him in spirit and in truth. And what God seeks, He always finds!
Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He told His followers to be disciple makers. Jesus Himself had 12 disciples. This week we will look at what discipleship is and why it is an essential part of the church body, both in being discipled and discipling others.
We are called to go make disciples of all nations. Greg Sharpe, one of our missionary partners, shares why we take the gospel to the hardest places of the world.
The mission of the church is to make disciples. Anything that distracts from that mission must be removed. If we don’t grow people up in their faith, we are not fulfilling the Great Commission.
Too often people treat church membership like they would a YMCA membership. Biblically speaking, church membership is something so much more than an organization to belong to based upon what you can get out of it.
While many possible authorities exist for churches, North Side must determine what ours will be. The way that we desire to “do” church is based upon the authority of God’s Word.
Job was a righteous man that went through a terrible storm in his life. In this monologue, Travis Agnew shares the message of the entire Book of Job and shows how he stayed faithful through the storms.
No believer is immune to experiencing storms. Ken Petrus went through the loss of his son to cancer and realized that God is faithful even through the storms.
Believers are called to show steadfastness in the face of opposition. No matter the circumstances, believers are called to remain walking in the truth.
We show that the love of Jesus has changed us as we love one another and keep the commandments of God.
The Word is living and active. In this service, we recapped the Book of 1 John by simply reading through it and worshiping along the way.
As a final warning, John instructs believers to keep themselves from sin or the influence of idols.
The basis of John’s authority was the testimony of God in the coming of Jesus. John personally witnessed this and believed this and wants us to believe it too.
The world will not be overcome when the right political leaders are in place or all the systems align at the right time. The world will be overcome when believers stay faithful to God’s Word.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
John warned that false prophets would come to lead us away from the truth. We are called to test every teaching that comes our way.
John instructed that we are not to love only in word or talk but in deed and in truth. Believers are called to live lives of love on display.
John stated that no one who abides in Jesus will continue in sin. If we will all sin into the day we die, what does that mean concerning our salvation?
John taught that those who went away from the Church were never really a part of the Church in the first place. To display genuine conversion, remain in Christ.
A way to determine whether or not someone is born of God is if they keep His commandments.
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Therefore, His followers are called to walk in the light as well.
When Jesus came to earth, He came to reveal the truth. John testifies to this truth as one who was an eyewitness of all that Jesus said and did.