Northshore Community Church: Recent Episodes
Northshore Community Church
Northshore Community Church, led by Pastor Scott Scruggs and located in Kirkland, WA, serves the communities of Seattle, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, and beyond. Join us at 9 and 10:30 am. For more information about Northshore Community Church, visit www.northshore.church
We can become so used to our own habits and patterns that we stop noticing what may need to change. In this message from Exodus 18, Pastor Chad uses the relationship between Moses and Jethro to show why we all need people who can encourage us, ask honest questions and help us grow. Who has permission to speak into your life, and who might need the wisdom and support you can offer? Watch or listen to discover how God often answers our prayers through the people He places around us.
What if God is already at work in your life, but the noise around you is making it hard to notice?
In Acts 12, a young servant girl named Rhoda recognizes what everyone else misses and refuses to stop believing, even when no one takes her seriously. In this message, Pastor Katie Toop explores how attention shapes our faith, belief makes room for hope, and celebration helps us recognize God’s presence even when life is still hard.
Watch or listen and consider: Who helps you notice what God is doing, and who might need you to be that person for them?
He was rich, short, and one of the most hated men in his city — the kind of guy nobody wanted to be seen with. So he climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. What happened next changed everything.
In this next message in our Summer series, Find Your People, we dig into Luke 19:1-10 and the scandal-prone friendships Jesus kept; the ones with tax collectors, traitors, and outsiders nobody else would sit with. We unpack why tax collectors were despised enough to have songs written about them, why Jesus invited himself to dinner with the most hated man in town, and what all of it means for the "Zacchaeus" in your own life.
Who belongs in the credits of your life?
Barnabas earned the nickname “son of encouragement” because he stood beside people, saw their potential and gave them another chance. Discover what his story can teach us about the kind of encouragement that changes lives, and the kind of person we can become for others.
Watch or listen to the latest message in our Find Your People series.
David had it all — until sin piled on sin until he went numb, hiding behind a normal, "successful" life while secretly falling apart. Then a prophet named Nathan walked in and said four words that changed everything: "You are that man."
This message digs into 2 Samuel chapter 12 and asks a question most of us dodge: who has permission to tell you the truth? You'll get a real framework for truth-telling that heals instead of humiliates, five questions to ask before confronting someone you love, and this: your worst sin doesn't have to become your final identity.
The word "mentor" comes from a 3,000-year-old story about a journey home, and the truth that nobody makes it there alone.
In week two of our summer series "Find Your People," Pastor Scotty shares the story of Scott, the friend who saw something in him thirty years ago that he couldn't see in himself. He opens Paul's final letter to Timothy, the last words of a mentor to the man he shaped, and finds six marks of the kind of person we all need in our corner.
Whether you're 18 or 81, this one asks two questions worth sitting with: Who's your Paul? And who needs you to be theirs?
Most of us have plenty of acquaintances — but far fewer people we can call at 2am, share our real struggles with, or count on when life gets hard. In this message, we explore what the Bible says about deep, life-giving friendship, and why it matters more than we often realize.
Drawing from one of history's most remarkable friendships — David and Jonathan — we unpack what it actually looks like to be the kind of friend worth having, and how to find those people in your own life. We'll talk about constancy, transparency, sacrifice, and the surprising truth that the best model for true friendship is Jesus himself.
Whether you're surrounded by people but still feel alone, or you're simply ready to go deeper in the relationships you already have, this one's for you.
What do you do when God asks you to move before He gives you the full plan?
In this message, we look at the story of Abraham and the kind of faith that keeps taking the next right step. From leaving home without a destination, to waiting through years of uncertainty, to trusting God on the mountain with Isaac, Abraham’s life reminds us that God is still faithful in the middle of pain, delay, and surrender.
Wherever you find yourself this week, don’t wait for the whole map. Trust the One who holds it—and do the next right thing.
Greater Things was never just about a building. It was about creating space for kids, students, and families to know Jesus, grow in faith, and be launched into the life God has for them. Watch this special Sunday experience as we celebrate what God has done through Northshore and look ahead to the next generation we’re called to reach.
In the final message of our series through the miracles of Jesus in John’s gospel, we come to a quiet conversation between Jesus and Peter after the resurrection.
Peter had denied Jesus three times and returned to fishing. But Jesus met him on the shore, shared a meal with him, restored him, and called him forward.
This message looks at what Jesus does with our failure, shame, and calling — and how His grace meets us with forgiveness and purpose.
What do you do when Jesus doesn’t show up when you thought He would?
In John 11, Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that Lazarus is sick. They know He can heal. They know He loves them. But instead of rushing to Bethany, Jesus waits.
That delay raises a question most of us have faced in one way or another: Where is God when the thing we prayed against still happens?
In this message, we look at one of Jesus’ most powerful miracles and the claim at the center of it: “I am the resurrection and the life.” This story is about more than Lazarus walking out of a tomb. It’s about the hope Jesus brings into our grief, our uncertainty, our waiting, and even death itself.
In John 9, Jesus meets a man born blind, and almost everyone around him wants to turn his pain into a question of blame. Who sinned? Who’s responsible? Who deserves this?
But Jesus sees something different.
This message invites us to reconsider the way we see suffering, people, church, and even ourselves. Because the miracle in this story is not only that a blind man receives sight. It’s that Jesus exposes the blindness in everyone else and offers to open our eyes too.
When life gets rough, it can feel like you’re rowing as hard as you can and still getting nowhere. In John 6, Jesus meets His disciples in the middle of a storm and reveals something deeper than a way out. This message looks at what it means to trust Jesus when the future is unclear, control is gone, and the miracle you need may not come the way you expected.
What do you do when what you have feels too small for what’s in front of you?
In John 6, Jesus feeds thousands with five loaves and two fish. But the miracle begins with one boy bringing what he had. This message from Pastor Scotty Scruggs looks at what happens when we stop asking only what God can bring to us and start asking what we can bring to Him.
Your time. Your work. Your parenting. Your finances. Your pain. Your future.
Nothing brought to Jesus is wasted.
What if the miracle you need begins with an honest question?
In John 5, Jesus asks a man who has been stuck for 38 years, “Do you want to get well?” It’s a tender, challenging question for anyone carrying pain, disappointment, or places in life that have started to feel normal.
Listen as Pastor Eugene Cho explores the healing Jesus offers, and the next step He may be inviting us to take.
There’s a kind of pain that comes from watching someone you love suffer. You’d fix it if you could. You’d trade places if you could. You’d walk as far as it took just to get help.
Pastor Scotty continues "I Need a Miracle," our series on the signs of Jesus and what they mean for us today, with a message about what faith looks like when the need is urgent, the outcome is uncertain, and the person you’re praying for feels painfully out of reach.
There are moments when life stops feeling manageable and starts feeling impossible. Not dramatic for effect. Just real. The kind of moment where the only honest prayer left is, Jesus, I need a miracle.
This week’s message begins there, with a story that doesn’t look huge at first glance. No thunder. No spectacle. Just an ordinary setting, an ordinary problem, and Jesus right in the middle of it. Which might be better news than we think.
Because sometimes what we’re asking God to do is only part of the story. Sometimes the deeper miracle is what happens when He meets us in the middle of what’s run dry and refuses to leave it ordinary.
We’ve all said it at some point. In a moment that mattered, or a moment that didn’t seem like it should matter this much: I need a miracle.
This week kicks off a new series exploring the miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John, and the bigger questions behind them. Not just whether they happened, but what they were meant to point to—and what to do when the miracle you asked for never came.
If you’ve ever wondered what counts as a miracle, why some prayers go unanswered, or what any of this has to do with real life now, this is where the conversation starts.
“They didn’t know it was him.”
That’s how one of the most important moments in the Gospel of Luke actually unfolds. Not in a crowd, not on a stage—but on a road, mid-conversation, easy to miss.
Two people walk several miles, replaying everything that just happened, trying to make sense of a story that didn’t end the way they thought it would.
And somewhere along the way, everything shifts.
What do you do when you finally have the chance to get even?
That’s where this message lands.
Guest speaker Eugene Cho walks through the final moments of Joseph’s story—where the people who betrayed him are suddenly within reach, and everything could tip toward payback.
Instead, something unexpected happens. Not a dismissal of what was done. Not pretending it didn’t matter. Something stronger.
If you’ve ever carried something longer than you meant to, this one’s worth a listen.
If someone broke your trust years ago and suddenly walked back into your life…
What would you do?
Joseph faced that exact moment. What followed wasn’t a quick apology or an easy reconciliation—it was a complicated process that unfolded over months and revealed what real repair actually requires.
Step into the tension of the story and see how it unfolds.
Sometimes the moments that change everything don’t look dramatic at first. They look like waiting. Like disappointment. Like doors that stay closed far longer than they should. In the middle of Joseph’s story, just when it feels like nothing will ever change, something unexpected happens—and it reveals how God prepares people long before the moment arrives.
This message explores the quiet work God does in the seasons we would never choose. If you’ve ever wondered whether the waiting in your life has a purpose—or whether anything good could come from it—this conversation might help you see your story in a new light.
Life rarely moves in a straight line. One moment you feel certain about where you’re headed, and the next you’re holding on through twists you never expected—waiting, wondering, and asking God what He’s doing in the middle of it all.
Joseph knew that ride well. Between the promise God gave him and the life he was living stretched years of setbacks, silence, and circumstances that made no sense. The question his story leaves us with is simple and unsettling: what would someone in your exact situation do if they were absolutely confident God was with them?
Ever feel like you're failing because life didn’t go according to plan? This Sunday, we’re looking at Joseph in Genesis 39; a guy sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. But the text keeps saying one thing: “The Lord was with him.” Not “The Lord fixed everything,” just “He was there.”
We’ll talk about how real success isn’t about rising to the top, but staying faithful when you’re stuck at the bottom. How do you keep going when no one sees you? When your purpose feels delayed? We’ll walk through how God shapes us in the hidden years, and why faithfulness in the dark still counts.
If you’re in a season of waiting, disappointment, or just trying to do the right thing when it costs you — this one’s for you.
When life doesn’t go the way you planned, it can feel like the bottom drops out — the relationship you counted on, the job you thought would last, the dream you assumed was yours. This week we stepped into the opening chapter of Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 — a 17-year-old with big dreams whose life unravels in a moment. Betrayal. A pit. A caravan headed toward Egypt. And through all of it, God’s name isn’t mentioned once.
If you’ve ever said, “This is not how my life was supposed to go,” Joseph has been there. And yet his story becomes a doorway into how God works in the very places we can’t see Him yet.
Watch the message and let it meet whatever part of your life feels off script right now.
We’ve spent this series talking about phones, anxiety, and the way our devices have quietly reshaped our lives. But what if the deeper issue isn’t just what we’ve added… it’s what we’ve lost?
This week, we close by exploring something rarely talked about in church: a theology of play. From the Garden of Eden to Sabbath feasts to Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding, Scripture paints a picture of a God who delights in beauty, celebration, rest, laughter, and joy.
Get ready to rethink what God is like—and what it might mean to recover joy on purpose.
So many of us feel the weight of stress in ways we don’t always talk about, and it can be hard to know what to do with it. This week, Pastor Scotty reflects on the opening words of the book of James, inviting us to consider how moments of pressure might shape us rather than simply wear us down.
The message explores how our digital habits, our assumptions about struggle, and the stories we tell ourselves can all pull us into defense mode—or open us to a different kind of strength. If you’ve been walking through a season that feels heavy, this message offers a thoughtful, hopeful way to approach it.
So many people are carrying more worry than their bodies were ever meant to hold. We push through the day, pretend we’re fine, and try to manage the noise inside with our own strength — until something finally signals we can’t keep this up. This week, we’re talking about what that signal actually means, and why the ancient story of a king named Jehoshaphat might be the most relatable picture of modern anxiety you’ve never heard. If you’ve ever whispered “I don’t know what to do,” this message is meant for you.
We live in a world that keeps promising connection… yet so many of us feel more unseen, more isolated, and more anxious than ever. This week’s message digs into why that is — and what Jesus offers that our screens, our schedules, and even our smartest technology can’t replicate.
If you’ve been feeling the weight of disconnection (or you’re watching someone you love drift into it), this one will speak straight to the places we usually keep hidden. There’s a better way to be human — and a better way to be together — and we’re going there in this sermon.
In a time when our lives feels increasingly upside down, our screens promise connection but quietly shape our anxiety. This week in Hope for an Anxious Generation, we unpack why our digital habits run deeper than convenience—and how Jesus invites us into a way of living that restores freedom, presence, and peace. If you’ve ever felt mastered by your phone, or wondered why your soul feels stretched thin, this message will help you set life-giving boundaries and rediscover what your heart was made for.
As a new year begins, most of us feel the tension of wanting life to grow in a better direction—without quite knowing how. We’re busy, stretched, distracted, and often carrying more than we realize.
In this message, we explore an ancient idea with surprising relevance: a "rule of life"—the rhythms, habits, and practices that quietly shape who we’re becoming. Through three vivid images—a monastery, a vineyard, and an invitation from Jesus—we’re invited to consider how real fruitfulness doesn’t come from trying harder, but from staying connected and being formed over time.
Jesus’ promise is simple and startling: rest for your soul. This message is an invitation to slow down, remain connected to him, and thoughtfully shape the patterns of your everyday life so that growth happens naturally—from the inside out. Whether you’re feeling weary, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this is a moment to pause and ask: What is forming me—and where is it leading?
As a new year begins, most of us feel the tension of wanting life to grow in a better direction—without quite knowing how. We’re busy, stretched, distracted, and often carrying more than we realize.
In this message, we explore an ancient idea with surprising relevance: a "rule of life"—the rhythms, habits, and practices that quietly shape who we’re becoming. Through three vivid images—a monastery, a vineyard, and an invitation from Jesus—we’re invited to consider how real fruitfulness doesn’t come from trying harder, but from staying connected and being formed over time.
Jesus’ promise is simple and startling: rest for your soul. This message is an invitation to slow down, remain connected to him, and thoughtfully shape the patterns of your everyday life so that growth happens naturally—from the inside out. Whether you’re feeling weary, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this is a moment to pause and ask: What is forming me—and where is it leading?
After the lights come down and the routines return, many of us are left with the same quiet question: Is that it?
In this message from our Connected series, we sit with the tension that often follows Christmas—the gap between hope we sing about and the reality we wake up to. Through Mary’s encounter in Luke 1, we’re reminded that God doesn’t promise easy outcomes or clear answers. Instead, He offers something deeper: His faithfulness.
This message explores how God builds trust when the future feels uncertain—by naming what’s unclear, reminding us of where He’s been faithful before, and anchoring us in a word that does not fail. It’s an invitation to stop carrying the weight alone and to trust the God who is still writing the story.
Christmas often arrives carrying both joy and weight. In this Christmas Eve message, Pastor Scotty walks through the story of Mary to remind us that Christmas isn’t about having life together—it’s about a God who comes close when we don’t. Through humor, honesty, and the hope of Luke 1, we’re invited to see Christmas as the story of God’s power, promise, and presence meeting us right where we are. And like Mary, we’re invited to consider a simple but life-shaping question: Will I keep doing life my way—or will I say yes to God’s?
Most of us live with an inner voice that’s quick to criticize—reminding us of failures, regrets, or the places where life didn’t turn out the way we hoped. Over time, those voices shape how we see ourselves and even how we approach God.
In this message, we continue in the opening chapter of Luke and the story of Elizabeth, a faithful woman carrying years of disappointment and quiet disgrace. Her story reveals how shame takes hold—not always because of what we’ve done, but sometimes because of what hasn’t happened—and how God meets people right there.
As we reflect on the birth of Jesus, we’re reminded that Christmas is not about perfection or having it all together. It’s about a God who enters human weakness, lifts shame, and restores dignity. Through Jesus, disgrace does not get the final word—grace does.
What do you do when your faith is full of questions?
For many people, doubt feels like a dead end—something to hide, suppress, or fix. But what if doubt isn’t a barrier to God at all? What if it’s a bridge?
Continuing our series "Connected," this message from Luke 1 takes a look at the story of Zechariah—a faithful man who still wrestled with uncertainty—and we discover how God meets us not after our doubts are resolved, but right in the middle of them. This teaching explores why certainty is elusive for all of us, how faith actually grows through seasons of silence, and what it looks like to bring honest questions to God without fear or shame.
Whether you’re confident in your faith, quietly questioning, or somewhere in between, this message offers a hopeful and grounded invitation: your doubts don’t disqualify you—they may be the very place God wants to meet you.
This week in Connected, we step back into the very first story Luke tells in the Christmas narrative—not with Mary or Joseph, but with a quiet, faithful couple carrying decades of disappointment. And into that pain, God sends a promise through their son, John: to turn hearts back—to God, toward one another, and toward wisdom.
As Pastor Scotty unpacks the passage, we look honestly at the places where our own hearts have drifted this season: toward stress, toward screens, toward old hurts, or just toward getting through. And we discover the good news that God begins His reconnection story not out in the world somewhere, but right at home—in the relationships closest to us, and in the places where hope feels tired.
This message invites all of us, whether we’re in a season of joy or carrying something heavy, to consider one simple question: Which way is your heart turned right now? And how might God be inviting you to turn back—toward Him, toward someone you love, and toward the wisdom that can soften what life has hardened.
Most of us won’t say it out loud, but it’s there: that sense of distance, even when life looks full. That quiet ache that whispers, Why can’t I feel close to God right now?—and just as often, Why do I feel so far from the people in my life? In Luke 1, we see that the story of Jesus didn’t drift through history as rumor. It was intentionally handed down so every generation could know—right in the middle of doubt, noise, and relational strain—that God is truly near.
This message asks what we’re handing down in the everyday moments of our lives. Through our words, our habits, our generosity, and our presence, people around us receive something from us—hope or hurry, faith or fear, connection or distance. As Advent begins, we’re invited to choose differently: to pass on the story of Jesus in a way that restores connection with God and with each other, starting with our own lives.
What if the one thing you’re missing isn’t more strength, more clarity, or more control… but a deeper confidence that Jesus is actually alive right now? Acts 5 shows us a community that couldn’t be stopped—not because they were impressive, but because the risen Christ was with them, empowering ordinary people to live with extraordinary courage, unity, and hope.
This Sunday, we’ll explore why the resurrection was the center of the early church’s faith, why it still changes everything today, and how the living Jesus meets us in the real places we’re weary, uncertain, or holding on too tightly. Together, we’ll learn to search our hearts, surrender what’s keeping us stuck, step out in faith, and set our gaze on the One who goes with us.
If you’ve ever wondered where to find steady hope in an unsteady world, this message is for you—because He lives, and that changes everything.
We all fake it sometimes. A little image-management here, a little hiding there—just enough to look put-together on the outside, even when something’s breaking on the inside. But in Acts 5, we meet a couple whose decision to pretend becomes the most sobering moment in the early church. Not because they sinned, but because they hid.
In this week’s message, Pastor Scotty Scruggs walks us through the story of Ananias and Sapphira and shows why the greatest threat to our spiritual lives isn’t what's “out there”—it’s what we keep in the dark. You’ll learn why honesty is the doorway to healing, why God takes secrecy so seriously, and the three choices that move us from managing our image to actually being transformed.
If you’ve ever felt pressure to look more spiritual than you are, if you’ve ever carried a secret hoping no one will notice, or if you’re tired of pretending and just want to breathe again—this message is for you.
Welcome to a church where everybody’s welcome, nobody’s perfect, and anything’s possible.
What keeps us from living open-handed lives? In a culture obsessed with accumulation, Jesus tells a story that cuts straight to the heart of our fears about money, security, and control. This Sunday, guest speaker Eugene Cho continues our Unstoppable series by exploring how generosity isn’t about how much we have—it’s about what has us.
Through Acts 4 and the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, we’ll uncover the subtle barriers that keep us from the kind of unity and freedom the early church experienced. Because when we stop clinging to “mine,” we start to see what’s truly ours in Christ.
Join us as we discover the joy that comes when we loosen our grip and let God’s love move through our hands.
Pastor Scotty continues Unstoppable—the story of how the early church went from unlikely to unstoppable—with a simple question: What was the very first miracle of the church?
There were plenty of miraculous moments at the start: the Holy Spirit descending in tongues of fire, people speaking in new languages, thousands coming to faith, even the ground shaking as believers prayed for boldness. But the very first miracle wasn’t any of those.
It wasn’t loud or dramatic. It was this: all the believers were of one heart and one mind. For the first time in history, God’s people were completely united.
In a world built on division, this week we’ll explore how that same miracle—unity of heart and spirit—can still transform the Church today.
Ever feel like life keeps pushing against you? Like no matter how hard you try, the current is always stronger? Sometimes it’s just small stuff—the traffic, the deadlines, the misunderstandings. But other times, it’s deeper. It’s resistance that shakes your confidence, tests your faith, and makes you wonder if it’s even worth it.
This Sunday, Pastor Scotty continues our Unstoppable series by showing how the early church faced real opposition—political systems, cultural rejection, even violence—and yet somehow, it only made them stronger. They didn’t just survive; they grew into a movement that changed the world.
So how did they do it? And what can we learn when our own faith feels like it’s swimming upstream?
Join us as we discover how every obstacle can become an opening for God’s power to move through us. Because Jesus faced every kind of opposition—and still overcame. That same unstoppable Spirit is alive in us today.
We all live in a world we can see—work schedules, doctor’s visits, the everyday grind. But what if there’s a reality we can’t see that’s just as real, pressing to break through into ours?
That’s what we see in Acts 3, where a man who had never walked suddenly stands to his feet. Not because of luck or strength, but because the power of Jesus reached into his story and changed it forever.
In this week’s message from our Unstoppable series, Pastor Scotty reminds us that God’s power still moves in unseen ways. Healing isn’t just something He did long ago—it’s something He still does today. And when we live with faith and expectation, we become the beautiful gates through which His love and power flow into the world.
If you’ve ever felt spiritually stuck, this message reminds us that the difference isn’t about how much religious activity fills your life—it’s about what you’ve truly devoted your heart to.
When the early church felt the same question—what do we do now?—they didn’t add more programs or check more boxes. They devoted themselves to Scripture, community, reconciliation, and prayer.
Discover how moving from dabbling to devotion can transform not just your faith, but your whole life.
We all have passions—sports, food, hobbies, causes—that shape how we spend our time and energy. But have you ever stopped to wonder what God is passionate about? What moves His heart?
This week, Wolfgang continues our series Unstoppable by exploring what God cares about most—and how His heart for the world invites us to expand our own. When we align our passions with His, we discover a life that’s not just full, but eternal in impact.
Have you ever felt like something was missing? You might have the dream job, a beautiful marriage, even more than enough money—but deep down, there’s still a gap you can’t explain.
This Sunday, as we continue our Unstoppable series, Pastor Scotty walks us through Acts 2—the moment that marked the true beginning of the church. Building on Acts 1, he’ll show us how what feels missing inside of us is actually found in the Spirit of God, who launched a movement that couldn’t be stopped and is still changing lives today.
Come and be reminded that you’re not alone in your faith. The Spirit still works in mysterious and powerful ways, and God wants to fill what’s missing in you and use your life to change the world.
Most of us know the feeling—life gets complicated, messy, overwhelming. Prayer slips down the list, crowded out by the next urgent thing. At first, it feels small. But over time, the absence of prayer leaves cracks in our souls. We grow weary. We get numb.
In this message Pastor Scotty unpacks the hidden cost of a prayerless life, and why prayer was never just a side practice for the early church—it was the source of their strength and the reason the gospel spread.
The same is true today. Without prayer, faith withers. With prayer, lives are renewed and hope takes root. Join us as we rediscover the good news that prayer has never lost its power—and it’s never been out of reach.
What did you want to be when you grew up? From the start, we’ve all carried dreams of what our lives might become. But Jesus invites us into something far greater: to live as witnesses of who He is and what He’s doing in the world.
This Sunday, Scotty takes us into week two of Unstoppable, showing how the church went from unlikely beginnings to the fastest-growing movement in history. And just like those first followers, our purpose isn’t just about what we do—it’s about bearing witness to Jesus so that His unstoppable work continues today.
Scotty kicks off our new series, Unstoppable, by walking us through the opening chapters of Acts. For the next 12 weeks, we’ll journey together through this book and discover how the greatest underdog story in history unfolded.
Come see how God used ordinary men and women to launch a movement that, against all odds, became unstoppable.
Have you ever done something you were sure was impossible? Something that was physical, emotional, or spiritual, but you made it through? What was the feeling you had when you finally got through that challenge?
Steven Bolt ends our series, “That’s a Promise,” by sharing the story of Jesus speaking with his disciples and the challenge He presented them. He led them to the very doorway to the underworld believed by those at that time, and declared, “I will build my church.” That’s the challenge, the calling, that God has in store for His ministry.
Come along as we come awake, arise, and advance God’s challenge to us, because the thing is, is that we get to do this. Can you believe we get to do this? The impossible isn’t where faith stops; it’s where faith starts.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word deconstruction? Negativity? Loss? It’s a popular word, if not a polarizing one. We can think of it as the process people go through when turning away from their faith, but it can be used in different ways. Deconstruction at its worst can be tearing things down without feeling the need to discover. But deconstruction can be healthy when people going through it have the courage to ask the really hard question of what and why do I believe in.
Wolfgang ends our series, “That’s a Promise,” with the reassurance that God wants to hear our questions, even the really hard ones. Because wrestling with our faith doesn’t make us bad Christians—it’s the opposite. It makes us normal.
Join us as we talk about what it’s like to have the courage to honestly ask questions and wrestle with what’s real and what’s true. The goal isn’t simply to destroy, it’s to discover, or re-discover what’s authentic within your faith.
Some truths sound backward until you live them. This week, Scotty Scruggs explores one of Jesus’ boldest promises: When you give first, what you need will be given to you.
It’s the paradox of generosity—where letting go leads to abundance, and giving opens the door to joy you can’t buy. In this week’s message from our series "That’s a Promise," you’ll hear how this upside-down way of living can reshape your relationship with money, purpose, and trust in God.
Whether you’re navigating career decisions, raising a family, or searching for meaning beyond the next purchase, this conversation will challenge what you think you know about security… and invite you to experience the life God promises.
When faith feels dry, where do you go? Some seasons, following Jesus feels vibrant and alive. Others, it’s like showing up to an empty well—draining, difficult, and honestly, disheartening.
This week, Kiki Edwards names the quiet obstacles that sneak in and drain our spiritual life—and how the enemy uses them to keep us from experiencing God, especially when we’re hurting or worn out. But what if these dry seasons aren’t signs of failure… but invitations?
Join us as we explore how even the most fragile seasons can become sacred ground. Because Jesus doesn’t just promise to meet us in our strength—He draws near in our fatigue, our questions, and even our silence. Let’s learn how to seek Him there.
If you've ever walked through tragedy or heartbreak and been told “God works all things for good”—and it didn’t feel like enough—you’re not alone.
This week, Steven Bolt unpacks one of the most quoted (and most misunderstood) promises in the Bible: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)
This isn’t a feel-good platitude for coffee mugs. It’s a hard-won truth for real life—a promise that God is present, active, and redeeming even when we can’t see it yet. Come wrestle. Come rejoice. And maybe discover that what feels like the end might just be a new beginning.
What if the one thing you believed disqualified you from God's love... was the very thing He ran to meet you in?
Whether you’ve wandered far or worked hard to stay close, there’s a part of us all that wonders: Am I really still worthy of love? In this message, Pastor Scotty walks us through Jesus’ most famous story about two sons—one who ran, and one who resented—and the kind of Father who loves them both with arms wide open.
This isn’t just a story about rebellion or religion—it’s about a love that refuses to give up on you. A love that doesn’t wait for you to get it all right. A love that comes running.
Watch now and rediscover the promise at the center of every other promise: God loves you—no matter what.
The world keeps handing us promises—of success, happiness, security—but they almost always come with a catch. And when they finally break (because they do), we’re the ones left picking up the pieces, battling fear, anxiety, and wondering where to turn.
This week, Pastor Chad is opening up a conversation we all need. What do we do when life drops us into the valley—when we’re desperate for something solid to hold onto? Do we keep reaching for the same promises that let us down time and time again, or is there a different kind of promise waiting for us?
Come discover why you don’t have to walk through any valley alone. This is a message about presence, hope, and a promise that’s actually worth trusting—no matter where you find yourself right now.
Ever feel like a half-finished project—stuck, messy, or not where you thought you’d be by now? In this message, we explore one of the most hope-filled promises in Scripture: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
Wolfgang unpacks why this promise matters for every work-in-progress moment of your life. From stories of unfortunate life choices to glimpses of God’s creative power in galaxies and mountains, you’ll see how the God who shaped the universe is still shaping you. Discover how justification, sanctification, and the ultimate promise of glorification give us confidence that our lives—and this world—are headed somewhere good, even when we can’t see it yet.
Listen in and be encouraged to take your next step, trusting that God never abandons what He starts.
Can God actually be trusted? It’s the question behind every fear and every fragile hope. In this kickoff message, Wolfgang walks through the story of Abraham and Sarah—years of waiting, moments of trying to force God’s hand, and finally laughter when God keeps His word in an impossible situation. If you’re wrestling with doubts or worn out from waiting, see how God’s track record can give you courage to trust again. Because His promises are only as good as His character—and this God always keeps His word.
In the final week of Side by Side, Pastor Scotty brings the conversation back to where so much of Jesus’ ministry happened—around a table. With humility and biblical depth, he unpacks why Northshore’s Overseers believe that men and women are called to lead side by side—not in reaction to culture, but in response to God’s original design and Jesus’ redemptive work. It’s a vision rooted in mutuality, shared authority, and the belief that spiritual leadership should reflect the full image of God in both men and women.
But this message is about more than leadership. It’s about what makes us a family. Because while disciples are formed by listening to Jesus, we become a family by eating with Him. Around that table, we learn to stay together through disagreement, to love across difference, and to embody a kind of unity the world desperately needs to see.
In Part 3 of Side by Side, we continue our 4-part series by exploring what the Bible says about men and their roles within the church. Last week, we looked at what God says about the roles of women, and this week Pastor Scotty walks us through how men and women aren’t in conflict with each other, but are equally called to serve and honor God and point people to the gospel of Jesus.
God’s vision isn’t about pitting men and women against each other to see who holds ultimate authority — it’s about equality, mutuality, suitability, and intimacy between them. So stay curious, and if you missed Parts 1 or 2, make sure to go back and watch—they lay the foundation for the conversation we’re building week by week.
In Part 2 of Side by Side, we continue our 4-part series by digging into what the Bible really says about women and their roles alongside men. Starting in Genesis and tracing through Paul’s letters, Pastor Scotty walks us through a clear and thoughtful exploration of God’s design for leadership in the church.
What we find isn’t just equality in personhood—it’s mutuality in calling, authority, and responsibility. So lean in and stay curious. And if you missed Part 1, make sure to go back and watch—it sets the foundation for the conversation we’re building week by week.
Pastor Scotty kicks off Side by Side by clearing the ground: This series isn’t about culture wars, twisting Scripture to fit modern trends, or sidelining men. It’s about drawing near to Jesus, trusting His Word, and asking how we—men and women—can faithfully serve His church.
If you’ve ever wondered What does the Bible really say?—or if you’re wary of agendas overshadowing truth—this is where we start. Come ready to engage, reflect, and let the Spirit reshape us together.
Is there a deeper difference between simply calling yourself a Christian and truly following Jesus? What does it mean to live a life devoted to learning and practicing the way of Jesus—to love sacrificially, serve humbly, and pursue righteousness—rather than settling for the comfort of a religious label? Jesus Himself challenged those who claimed His name but didn’t embody His teachings, warning that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven. So what does He think of those who wear the title of "Christian" but ignore His call to live differently?
In this sermon, Wolfgang concludes our powerful series, When Christians Get It Wrong by diving into Jesus' closing words in His revolutionary Sermon on the Mount. Last week, we explored His stark warnings about false prophets, but now we turn to an even more urgent question: How can we recognize—and avoid becoming—false followers? Jesus doesn’t just want admirers; He demands disciples who build their lives on His words and put them into practice. Join us as we wrestle with what it truly means to follow Him.
People can be tough critics of many things in life—including the Church. For good reason. Research and real-life stories point to painful experiences like the absence of authentic community, moral failures, or even abuse within church walls. These wounds have left many disillusioned and betrayed by people who were supposed to reflect Christ. It’s one of the ways Christians have gotten it tragically wrong.
This Sunday, Wolfgang continues our series When Christians Get It Wrong – And How To Get It Right, looking at the final section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In it, Jesus offers a sobering warning about false prophets—those who look trustworthy on the outside but lead others toward destruction. We’ll learn how to discern the difference between what’s real and what’s counterfeit, and how Jesus equips us to do just that. Because no matter who may have failed you in the past, Jesus never will. His is the only life truly worth following.
As we continue our series When Christians Get It Wrong, Pastor Scotty Scruggs tackles a tough question: Are Christians really as intolerant as some believe—and what does Jesus say about that?
Jesus didn’t avoid people who were different. He moved toward them with love, grace, and truth. This message invites us to examine how the presence of Jesus in us should shape the way we engage a divided world—not with distance or judgment, but with compassion that reflects the heart of God.
In week two of our series When Christians Get It Wrong, Pastor Scotty Scruggs explores a question many of us wrestle with: How do you speak truth without tearing someone down? Is there a way to confront what’s wrong—without condemning the person?
Jesus offers a surprising answer. Before we point fingers, we need to look in the mirror. Join us as we unpack His invitation to trade condemnation for transformation—starting with our own hearts.
Pastor Scotty Scruggs kicks off our new series, When Christians Get It Wrong, by exploring what happens when we think we’re right—but miss the heart of Jesus' teaching.
This first week, we’re diving into one of the biggest ways we get it wrong: judgment. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us plainly, “Do not judge.” Yet today, Christians are often known more for criticism than compassion.
Join us as we unpack why judgment takes root in the first place—and how choosing grace instead can transform not just our relationships, but our lives.
Be transformed this Easter with Northshore as Pastor Scotty Scruggs walks us through the incredible and true story of Jesus's resurrection, and the good news that He rose again. In this sermon, experience the promise that Easter represents; that the same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is the same power that can bring you back to life, because when we can't, He can. Whether you're a long-time believer or a newcomer to the faith, you'll find encouragement, inspiration, and a renewed sense of hope in this uplifting Easter service. Join us as we celebrate the risen king and discover how Jesus can change everything for anyone.
Experience the most pivotal week in history like never before. Journey through the raw emotions and transformative moments of Holy Week—from the triumphant cheers of Palm Sunday to the shocking upheaval in the temple, the heart-wrenching betrayal of Judas, and the ultimate sacrifice of the cross. Each day unfolds with gripping symbolism—palms, a whip, silver coins, a magnifying glass, a cup, and a crown—challenging you to confront your own compromises, questions, and convictions. Discover how Jesus’ intentional actions 2,000 years ago still speak directly to your life today, inviting you to welcome Him as King, cleanse your heart, and embrace the freedom He offers. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt, seeking purpose, or longing for renewal, this powerful retelling will reignite your faith and draw you into the awe-inspiring story of redemption. Don’t just observe Holy Week—let it transform you.
Worry and anxiety can feel like relentless companions, stealing joy and clouding the future—but Jesus offers a different path. In this powerful message, discover how God’s truth dismantles the lies that fuel fear: You are not alone. You are deeply valued. You were never meant to carry life’s burdens by yourself.
In his sermon on the mount, Jesus redirects our gaze—from the chaos of "what if" to the Creator who clothes the flowers and feeds the birds. Learn how to confront anxiety with faith—not shame—and trade isolation for the peace of God’s presence. Whether you’re overwhelmed by tomorrow’s uncertainties or tomorrow’s struggles, this reminder stands firm: The same God who calms storms walks with you in the storm. Find hope, practical steps, and the freedom to live one day at a time — anchored in His care.
In a world driven by instant gratification—where Cookie Monster’s motto, "see cookie, want cookie, eat cookie,” defines our impulses—Jesus invites us into a countercultural practice that transforms hunger into holy purpose. Join Wolfgang for a compelling exploration of fasting out of Matthew 6, where he unpacks how this ancient spiritual discipline isn’t about deprivation but discovering a deeper appetite for God’s presence. Through humor and practical insights, learn how fasting exposes the cravings beneath our cravings, redirecting our hunger toward the One who truly satisfies. Whether you’re new to fasting or seasoned in spiritual practices, this sermon offers fresh perspective on surrendering control, embracing dependence, and finding joy in feasting on God’s grace. Ready to trade temporary fixes for eternal nourishment? Press play and hunger for something more.
The greatest trick we fall for isn’t always obvious—it’s the quiet exchange of our time, energy, and dreams for things that won’t last. In this week’s message, we continue to dive into Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, where He warns us to be careful, to watch out for the lies of this world, and to redirect our focus onto what truly matters: the Kingdom of Heaven. What are we chasing, and why does it often leave us feeling empty? This isn’t about guilt or giving up what we love—it’s about uncovering the truth that only God’s eternal promises can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. Join us as we explore how to stop falling for the world’s empty promises and start investing in what lasts forever.
What if your relationship with money is built on lies? In week 2 of “Don’t Fall for It,” we expose four hidden myths that fuel financial anxiety and empty pursuits: the illusion of ownership, the endless chase for “enough,” the delusion that wealth breeds generosity, and the false promise of security. Jesus’ radical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount confront these deceptions head-on, revealing how money distorts our hearts—and how generosity rewires them.
From a 6-year-old’s 57 cents that sparked a global legacy to the haunting parable of a man who stored everything but lost his soul, this sermon uncovers why true freedom begins when we stop clinging and start giving. Discover practical steps to break the cycle of “more” and live with open hands in a world obsessed with accumulation.
What does an $850,000 Instagram scam have to do with your daily struggle for approval? In this eye-opening message, Pastor Scotty unpacks how our hunger for validation—whether through likes, accolades, or hiding our flaws—leaves us vulnerable to deception and discontent. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6:1 (“Be careful not to perform for applause”) becomes a lifeline as we confront modern-day hypocrisy: the pastor who craves sermon claps, the parent obsessed with “perfect” kids, and you.
You’ll walk away with two game-changing phrases: “I don’t care what you think” and “I deeply care what God thinks.” Learn how anonymous generosity, embracing an “audience of One,” and surrendering your need for recognition can unshackle your soul. Through real stories and biblical truth, discover why God’s approval—proven on the cross—is the only validation that never fades. Stop performing. Start living. Your freedom begins here.
In a world filled with half-truths and spin, this sermon explores humanity’s universal struggle with lying—from toddlers fibbing about snacks to adults bending truths daily. Drawing from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:33-37, the message challenges us to let our “Yes be Yes” and “No be No,” calling us to radical honesty. It’s not about avoiding oaths but dismantling the heart’s tendency to manipulate, exaggerate, and hide.
The sermon exposes how even subtle lies—in relationships, social media, or casual promises—erode trust and distance us from God’s design for integrity. Jesus invites us into a countercultural way of life where words align with reality, and authenticity replaces image management. True freedom comes from hearts transformed by grace, not polished performances.
Closing with hope, the message reminds us that honesty begins with embracing our identity as beloved children of God. His forgiveness covers our failures, and His Spirit empowers us to live truthfully—even when it’s hard. Tune in to rediscover the liberating power of a life rooted in radical truth.
Ever held onto a lie that shaped how you love, forgive, or see yourself? In this sermon from our series "Change of Heart," Pastor Kiki shares raw stories to unpack how Jesus flips the script on revenge, bitterness, and the lies we cling to. Discover why mercy isn’t weakness, forgiveness isn’t about feelings, and how God’s radical love can rewrite even your deepest wounds.
This isn’t a sermon about being “nice.” It’s about freedom. Through Jesus’ shocking teachings in Matthew 5 (“Turn the other cheek,” “Love your enemies”), Kiki reveals how to break cycles of hurt and step into a life marked by peace, not payback. Think it’s impossible? You’re not alone—but what if grace could change everything?
Join us for a conversation that’s equal parts challenging and hopeful. Whether you’re wrestling with old pain, stuck in unforgiveness, or just curious about Jesus’ upside-down way of living, this series will give you practical steps to trade lies for truth—and finally breathe free.
What happens when the fairy-tale promises of marriage meet real-life struggles? In a world where divorce is common and marriages often falter, how does Jesus speak into the pain and stigma?
Pastor Scotty continues our “Change of Heart” series with a compassionate look at marriage, divorce, and God’s grace. Exploring Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, this message reveals how He challenged cultural norms to protect the vulnerable and address the heart’s deepest struggles.
From flawed marriages in the Bible to the hope of second chances, this sermon offers grace for the broken, whether your marriage is strong, struggling, or has ended. Discover a God who turns broken vows into opportunities for redemption and calls us to love with humility and mercy.
Come as you are—married, single, or divorced—and find hope in a God who heals and restores.
Let’s get real. Sexuality and desire are part of our humanity, yet many of us carry hidden pain, shame, or silent battles—especially in a world (and even church) where it’s easier to pretend than to bring our struggles into the light. But here’s the truth: God isn’t embarrassed by your story, and neither are we.
Jesus reminds us that desire itself isn’t the enemy—it’s a gift. The danger begins when lies twist that gift into something that isolates and destroys. Pastor Scotty opens up about his own journey, revealing how Jesus breaks the grip of lust with grace and truth.
This isn’t about condemnation. It’s about freedom. No matter where you’ve been, there is hope. Jesus doesn’t just forgive; He heals. He doesn’t just call us out; He calls us beloved.
You’re not alone. You’re not stuck. And you don’t have to hide. This is a safe place to heal, to find hope, and to take the next step toward freedom.
Not all anger is wrong—Jesus Himself expressed righteous anger at injustice and sin. But while anger can be a natural and even necessary response to wrongdoing, it can also take root in unhealthy ways—turning into resentment, contempt, or bitterness. In this message, we’ll explore Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where He calls us to look beyond surface-level behavior and examine what’s growing in our hearts. Anger, like bad fruit, often stems from deeper roots of pride, hurt, or unmet desires, and Jesus invites us to address the source rather than just manage the symptoms.
Through four practical steps—stop, go back to the person, lead with kindness, and stay humble—we’ll discover how to handle anger in a way that honors God. This isn’t about suppressing our emotions but surrendering them to Christ, allowing His grace to transform us. Whether you wrestle with grudges, passive aggression, or a sense of justice that burns hot, there’s a better way forward. Join us as we learn to let anger serve its right purpose without letting it take over our hearts.
In this sermon, Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-20 invite us to consider what kind of fruit our lives are bearing. True righteousness isn’t about following rules or keeping up appearances—it’s about becoming a healthy tree that produces good fruit naturally. As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we’ll explore how Jesus transforms us from the inside out, cultivating a life where love, humility, and grace grow effortlessly from a renewed heart.
As we enter the final week of our Overwhelmed series and 21 Days of Prayer, we turn to the prayer Jesus gave us—the one that reshapes our hearts and reveals a God who always answers. This isn’t about quick fixes or perfect words; it’s about discovering a Father who is closer than we imagine, faithful to His promises, and present in every moment of our lives. If you’ve ever felt like your prayers go unanswered or wondered if God is listening, this message will guide you into the depth and simplicity of the prayer that changes everything. Step into this final week ready to experience peace, hope, and the transforming power of prayer.
Life doesn’t have to leave you spinning. In our “Overwhelmed” series, Pastor Scotty reminds us of the profound simplicity of prayer: just asking God.
This week, explore how God has tied His faithfulness and reputation to answering the prayers of His people. Prayer isn’t about perfect words or rituals—it’s about trusting that He hears, He cares, and He responds. Come discover the joy of bringing your needs to the One who never fails and find peace in His unwavering faithfulness.
Feeling overwhelmed as you step into 2025? You’re not alone. Life’s pressures can feel relentless, leaving us stretched thin and uncertain. But what if the solution isn’t trying harder or doing more? In this new series, “Overwhelmed,” Wolfgang invites us to confront the weight we carry in a surprising way—through prayer.
Discover how acknowledging your limits and turning to God’s strength can transform the chaos. This week, we explore how prayer isn’t just a practice but a powerful step toward peace, clarity, and a life anchored in God’s presence. Listen in and start your year with hope.
Life often feels like it’s lived in the “in-between”—those spaces of uncertainty, waiting, and longing. From the moments after Christmas to the threshold of a new year, we wrestle with what’s next. In Matthew 2, we find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph navigating their own in-between, fleeing danger and seeking refuge in Egypt. What can their journey teach us about God’s faithfulness in our waiting?
Join us as we continue our You're Invited series and explore how God works behind the scenes, meets us in our waiting, and reminds us that we are never alone. Whether you’re navigating the space between joy and pain, faith and doubt, or a promise and its fulfillment, this message will encourage you to trust in the God who is always with us—especially in the in-between.
Beneath the joy and lights of the Christmas season, often we can still feel tired, burdened, and searching for something—or Someone—to put our hope in. In the Christmas story, there’s a phrase that echoes more than any other, one that resonates throughout the Bible: Do not be afraid.
It’s a message for all of us who wrestle with the “what if’s” of life—our doubts, our fears, and our unanswered questions. And it’s not a new struggle. Over 2,000 years ago, when Christ was born, people were asking those same “what if’s.”
But Christmas reminds us of a profound truth: Hope has a name. His name is Jesus.
This Christmas Eve, let’s rediscover a hope that can turn our “what if’s” into even if’s. Even if we face hardships, even if the world feels uncertain, even if we don’t have all the answers—we have a reason to hope.
For a world gripped by fear, the good news of Christmas is this: God is with us—and because of Him, we don’t have to be afraid.
Do you have something that you're carrying around in your life? Is it fear? Perhaps it's bitterness and negativity that can easily be passed onto others. Ask yourself, is what you’re carrying worth catching? This week Wolfgang shares how we carry things around in each of our lives that can impact the ones we come into contact with. The good news is, we can spread positive and uplifting things just as well as the bad ones. Hope, faith, and the good news of Jesus can be just as contagious to others. Join us in spreading the word that God has come and we are made right with Him in believing in His son, Jesus. This is such good news—and good news is contagious.
Deep down, we’re all searching for something. Purpose. Peace. Belonging. Sometimes, it feels like the questions outnumber the answers. But what if the very act of searching reveals something essential about who we are—and who God is? In this message, we’ll explore the journey of the Magi and discover that God isn’t hiding from us. In fact, He’s searching for us too. If you’ve ever wondered if your questions disqualify you from faith, you’re not alone—and this message is for you.
What happens when our insecurities drive our decisions? This week, Pastor Chad explores the contrasting hearts of King Herod and King Jesus. While Herod clung to his fragile power with fear and control, Jesus embraced humility, love, and an open invitation to all. Herod sought to build his kingdom through force and exclusion, but Jesus invites us into a Kingdom of grace and warmth. In a season marked by celebration and connection, how do we keep our hearts from growing cold like Herod's? Join us as we consider what it means to live with warmth, love, and a heart open to Jesus' invitation.
"Everybody's Welcome" kicks off the Christmas season with an unforgettable reminder of God's great invitation to all. Pastor Scotty Scruggs unpacks the heart of the Christmas story through the parable of the great banquet, showing how Jesus calls the most unexpected and unlikely guests to His table. From ancient shepherds to modern skeptics, this message highlights the radical inclusivity of God's love and the joy of inviting others to experience it. Discover how you can extend this invitation to the world around you as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
Over the past nine weeks, we’ve been journeying through the Beatitudes—those beautiful blessings Jesus shared in His Sermon on the Mount. This Sunday, as we wrap up our series Upside Down: The Secret to the Good Life, Pastor Scotty takes us deeper into a truth that’s not another beatitude, but just as profound. It’s about how Jesus sees His followers, how He sees you—as salt and light in the world.
Jesus calls us salt, not just to say we add something good to the world, but to remind us that we sustain it, preserving and bringing life where it’s needed most. And when He calls us light, it’s not just a metaphor; it’s a declaration. In a world often stumbling in the dark, we reflect His light, guiding others toward hope, love, and the way of Christ.
No matter where you find yourself right now—whether life feels overwhelming or steady—this truth stands firm: you are salt, and you are light. Join us as we uncover what that means for you and the world around you.
For eight weeks, we've explored Jesus' vision of the "good life" in the Beatitudes, flipping the world's expectations upside down. This week, we conclude the Beatitudes with the most unexpected blessing: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness."
In a culture that values comfort, power, and approval, Jesus offers a countercultural truth—true blessing comes not from avoiding opposition but from standing firm in faith, even when it costs us. We'll uncover how persecution is an inevitable part of discipleship, the eternal rewards it brings, and how Jesus' ultimate victory gives us courage to endure.
Explore the paradox of finding joy in the midst of struggle and discover what it means to live the truly "blessed" life.
In this week’s message from our Upside Down series, we’re diving into Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. Often misunderstood, peace is more than quiet or the absence of conflict; it's the transformative concept of "shalom" — a state where everything is as it should be. As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we explore what it means to embody shalom in a world desperate for restoration. Join us as we discuss the true meaning of Jesus’ words and how the secret to the good life is not just to be church-goers but active bringers of peace, in whatever place God has called us to serve.
Have you ever wondered what it means to truly see God? In this message, we explore Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This promise invites us into something deeper than just spiritual insight; it’s an invitation to approach God sincerely, without hiding our flaws, doubts, or fears.
Through stories, scripture, and real-life reflections, we examine the nature of a “pure heart”—not as perfection, but as a heart made whole through Jesus. We’ll see how God’s love frees us to drop our defenses, letting go of the masks we wear and the secrets we keep. Join us as we uncover the beauty of seeing and knowing God, not through our striving, but by simply being in His presence.
This week in our series Upside Down: The Secret to the Good Life, Pastor Wolfgang invites us to rethink mercy—not as something we reserve for the moments that feel easy, but as a way of life that transforms everything. Mercy is a piece of saying “Yes” to Jesus in every part of our lives, responding to others with the same boundless grace and compassion He’s shown to us.
In a world quick to cancel, divide, and hold grudges, Jesus offers us an upside-down way forward. He calls us to live in the freedom of mercy—a mercy that extends beyond our comfort zones, beyond our likes or dislikes, and reaches the hearts of others just as it reaches ours. Join us as we explore how saying “Yes” to Jesus through mercy invites us to live the life we’ve always longed for: full of love, compassion, and true connection with God and others.
Pastor Scotty continues our series, Upside Down: The Secret to the Good Life, by asking, "What are you hungry for?" Beyond food, we all have deep desires—whether for success, approval, or security—that shape what we live for. But when those cravings can’t be fully met, who or what can satisfy them?
This week, we’ll uncover how Jesus addresses our deepest longings, not by offering temporary fixes but by filling us with righteousness and healing our brokenness. Continuing to draw from the Beatitudes, this sermon explores how the hunger for righteousness is not about following more rules, but about restoring our relationships—with God, with others, and with ourselves.
Join us as we discover how Jesus meets us in our unmet desires, offering more than just temporary relief—He provides lasting fulfillment. Experience the invitation to step into the kingdom today, where Jesus offers to fill the hunger and thirst of your soul.
As we continue our Upside Down: The Secret to the Good Life series, Pastor Kiki will take us into an unforgettable experience from her visit to a San Quentin prison. You wouldn’t expect to find freedom behind bars, but that’s exactly what she saw—men living with a sense of peace and hope, despite their circumstances. How can that be? It’s because they surrendered their lives to Jesus, discovering a freedom that isn’t about control but about trust. This week, we’ll dive into what it means to live with that same kind of freedom through something Jesus calls meekness. It’s a countercultural strength that He says will help us inherit the earth. You won’t want to miss it.
Grief isn’t something we usually embrace, but in our series, 'Upside Down: The Secret to the Good Life,' Pastor Scotty flips the script. This week, we’re diving into Jesus’s teachings about mourning—how He not only acknowledges our pain but promises comfort and blessings to those who grieve. Join us as we explore how God meets us in our darkest moments, offering healing and hope when we need it most.
This week, as we kick off our new series, Upside Down: The Secret to a Good Life, Pastor Scotty dives into the opening of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ revolutionary answer to the question, “Who’s truly living the dream?” Society often tells us that success, status, or rule-following define the blessed life. But Jesus turns these assumptions upside down, revealing that those who seem spiritually or materially empty—those poor in spirit—are actually the ones truly blessed.
Join us as we explore what it means to live in the kingdom of God, where His blessings are not earned by effort but freely given to those who acknowledge their deep need for Him. Uncover how Jesus invites the least, the last, and the lost to experience the good life, right where they are.
This Sunday is extra special at Northshore as we celebrate our launch weekend! We’re thrilled to mark the beginning of having two Northshore campuses in the region with the launch of Northshore Mill Creek. As Pastor Scotty shares the message with both congregations today, he’ll be diving into the powerful parable from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount about the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. In this story, Jesus paints a picture of how we all build our lives and face storms along the way. The choices we make and the foundations we lay will shape what happens next in our journey. Let’s come together to reflect on what it means to build wisely!
As we continue our two-part Reset series, we focus in on the mission that Jesus gave His followers—the Great Commission. This week, we'll dive into what it means to follow Jesus and how that call transforms us into disciples who make disciples. Discover how Jesus' authority compels us to go out, not just to be with Him, but to share His love with others. Whether you're in Kirkland or Mill Creek, you're part of a mission to reach our neighbors, the next generation, and those in need with the life-changing message of Jesus.
Pastor Scotty unpacks one of the most profound moments in the Gospels—Jesus’ simple yet life-changing invitation, “Come, follow me.” Through historical exploration, we uncover how this call wasn't just an offer to believe, but an invitation to a new way of life; one that Peter, Andrew, and others immediately embraced. Discover the depth of Jesus' invitation and what it means to truly follow Him, not just in belief, but in every aspect of your life. This is a message for everyone, whether you’re deeply rooted in faith or just beginning to explore.
God celebrates with joy when we return to Him. Through a heartfelt sermon, Pastor Wolfgang explores the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son as we reflect on the deep love God has for each one of us.
Discover the power of compassion and kindness in our pursuit of those who are far from Jesus, as we learn from the ways we foster connection and growth through events like Community Serve Day, care groups, and Alpha.
Be inspired by this moving message that encourages us to share the good news with others, celebrating the moments when the lost are found and embracing a heart of empathy and understanding in our daily lives.
Learn about the power of God's forgiveness and love in our final message in the "Live It Out" series, covering the life of David. Join us as we explore how God rescues us from our past and offers us a chance for renewal.
Through the story of David, Pastor Scotty shows us how we aren’t the hero of our stories, but rather it's the God who saved you from your past and gives you strength in the present. This encouraging message reminds us that God has a beautiful future for us, if not in this life, then most certainly in the next.
Discover the power of God's unconditional love in our latest message in the "Live It Out" series on 2 Samuel 12. Join us as we explore how God steps into our messes and offers us a chance for renewal, even in our darkest moments.
Through the story of David and Nathan, Pastor Steven shows us how confronting hidden sins and embracing forgiveness can transform our lives. This inspiring message reminds us that no matter how far we've run from Him, God's love is always there to pick us up.
Subscribe for more uplifting content and share this message with anyone who needs a reminder of God's limitless love and grace.
In this real and raw "Live It Out" series message, Pastor Wolfgang dissects King David's moral downfall, highlighting the dangers of spiritual complacency and unchecked desires. By examining David's choices and their consequences, we gain insights into the importance of spiritual disciplines and listening to the power of the Spirit and God's guidance in our own lives.
Through this powerful message, Wolfgang shows us three key moments of decision-making in David's story and we learn how to navigate similar crossroads. Together, we can build a supportive community that embraces vulnerability and honesty, allowing us to grow in faith and commitment to God.
Join Pastor Scotty in this transformative sermon as we continue to explore the life of David in the "Live It Out" series. This message uncovers David's response when he faced discouragement, connecting his story to our own experiences . Discover the powerful example of King David, who found the strength to overcome his own discouragement by turning to the Lord for encouragement. As we navigate life's trials, we can remember that discouragement happens to everyone. It's crucial to equip ourselves with the tools to stay encouraged through God, no matter the circumstances.
Learn how to develop an encouragement plan rooted in your faith, and experience Pastor Scotty's wisdom as he guides us on a path toward resilience and unwavering trust in God's plan for us.Together, we can find inspiration in the lives of those who faced discouragement and found the strength to persevere. Join us each week as we explore the transformative power of encouragement and learn to live out our faith with grace, courage, and an unshakeable foundation in the Lord.
In this soul-stirring sermon, Pastor Kiki guides us on an emotional journey towards a deeper, more authentic love for Jesus. We begin by reminiscing about our first innocent encounters with love, and how those experiences shape our capacity to love Christ. Through heartfelt personal stories and powerful biblical insights, we delve into the profound lessons found in Psalm 63, where David's relentless pursuit of God amidst adversity sets an inspiring example for us today.
Kiki encourages us to embrace emotional vulnerability in our relationship with Jesus, addressing the barriers we've constructed due to past hurts and disappointments. By transforming these obstacles into pathways for growth, we can cultivate a closer intimacy with God. The sermon urges us to prioritize our connection with Jesus above all else, embracing the discipline of seeking Him earnestly and allowing His presence to fulfill our deepest longings.
Embark on this transformative journey as we learn to love Jesus with our entire being—heart, mind, and strength—and experience the life-changing power of His unfailing love. This powerful message offers hope and inspiration for both new believers and seasoned followers, guiding us towards a more passionate, meaningful relationship with Christ.
This Sunday, Pastor Wolfgang brought a timely message examining a little-known story from King David's life that resonates deeply in today's world. In 1 Samuel 30:9-12, David's small act of kindness leads to surprising blessings, prompting us to rethink how we treat strangers and enemies. Reflecting on Jesus' teachings, we'll consider loving not only friends and family but also strangers and adversaries. In light of recent events, we emphasize the importance of rising above divides, embracing love and hospitality. Join us to learn how to live out radical love and generosity, inspired by Jesus' ultimate example.
In this message from our "Live It Out" series, Pastor Stan helps us look at the life of David to uncover how forgiveness plays a crucial role in shaping our lives. Despite his many successes and failures, David's experiences with forgiveness—both giving and receiving—leave a lasting impact. Discover how David’s story teaches us to embrace Christ's example of forgiveness in our own lives, helping us live with greater purpose and freedom. Tune in to learn practical ways to let the power of forgiveness transform you.
In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor David Choi explores the profound significance of wilderness experiences in our lives through the lens of 1 Samuel 24:1-7. Drawing from David's encounter with King Saul in the cave at En Gedi, this message dives into the role of faith, integrity, and trust in God's plan during challenging times.
Discover how to redefine the wilderness as a place of spiritual refinement rather than mere hardship. Examine David's pivotal decision to spare Saul's life, demonstrating his unwavering faith and trust in God's timing. Learn how our own wilderness experiences shape us into who God intends us to be, as Pastor David encourages us to embrace these transformative seasons as opportunities for deeper spiritual growth and reliance on God.
Join us in this week's sermon, “Run to the Battle,” part of the Live It Out series, as Pastor Scotty dives into the timeless tale of David and Goliath. Uncover fresh perspectives on this legendary story and discover how David's unwavering faith transformed him from an underdog shepherd to a courageous champion.
In this episode, Scotty brings the historical and spiritual context of 1 Samuel 17 to life, revealing how God uses ordinary moments to prepare us for extraordinary acts of faith. Learn to face your own giants with confidence, drawing strength from belief in the victory of Jesus over the giant of sin and death.
Join us this week as Pastor Scotty launches our new series, "Live it Out," delving into 1 Samuel 16 and the introduction of David. This passage is the story of God choosing David to be king, and how through many surprises reveals him to be the choice to lead Israel. Not because of any impressive outward appearance David possessed, but He saw inward into David’s heart, and through that he was chosen to be anointed and blessed. This is how God sees us, not through what we look like, or what we own, or how we act in front of others, but what is on the inside. This is how we are chosen by Him.
In this final message of our series, "How To Unburden Your Life," we dive into the power and practice of asking God. Just as a child asks their parent for what they need, God invites us to bring our requests to Him boldly and confidently. As we take the opportunity to celebrate all that God has done through our church this year, this sermon explores the significance of prayer, how it transforms us, and the strength that comes from praying together. Join us next week as we kick off a new series on the life of David, “Live It Out,” exploring practical ways to live out your faith in every moment.
Join guest speaker Eugene Cho in this transformative sermon as he dives deep into the challenge of living resentment-free in a world filled with hurt and pain. With a powerful message grounded in 1 John 4:19-21, this sermon explores the true meaning of forgiveness and how it can reshape our lives and relationships.
Discover the misconceptions surrounding forgiveness and learn practical steps to overcome anger, bitterness, and resentment. Through engaging illustrations and thought-provoking quotes, Pastor Cho invites us to embrace God's love and choose love over resentment in our daily lives.
Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and challenged by this impactful sermon on letting go of resentment and pursuing a life of forgiveness.
In this captivating sermon, Pastor Steven draws from 1 John 4:16-18 to inspire us to overcome fear and embrace life's uncertainties with unwavering faith. Through a blend of personal stories, humor, and biblical wisdom, he challenges us to release our need for control and step out of our comfort zones, trusting in God's love and plan.
Pastor Steven shares uplifting tales of biblical figures who took leaps of faith and discovered God's love in unexpected ways. He provides practical advice for finding courage amidst the unknown and confidently embracing life's surprises, grounded in God's plan. Join us for an empowering message that will encourage you to live life to the fullest and rely on God's love, even in chaotic times.
This week, Pastor Scotty continues our series, "How to Unburden Your Life," by exploring the spiritual battle between good and evil. In 1 John 4:1-6, the Bible reveals that we face not only human challenges but also spiritual struggles.
We must be spiritually aware, as unseen forces constantly try to influence us. Let's wake up to this reality, knowing that God will triumph over darkness. As John writes, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
Experience the welcoming community at Northshore as we journey together to embrace a life unburdened by the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to love God and others more deeply.
This week, Pastor Scotty digs into the beautiful connection between loving God and loving the people around us, encouraging us to show radical compassion in our daily lives.
Drawing from 1 John 3:11-18, we’re reminded that true love isn't just a feeling—it's an action. Scotty shares how Jesus laid down His life for us and challenges us to do the same for others through sacrificial love.
With relatable stories and deep insights, we’re invited to practice love in ways that might cost us something—from small acts of kindness to joining community initiatives. So join us on this journey, and let's learn to love together!
Connect with the welcoming community at Northshore, and join us as we explore the path to a life unburdened to love God and others.
In this sermon, Pastor Scotty delves into the power of Scripture to protect and guide in a world filled with deception. Uncover how your choices and experiences, when rooted in God's Word, safeguard your beliefs and identity from being led astray. Discover the essential role of discerning truth through Scripture and learn to navigate the complexities of today's world with confidence.
Embrace your true self in Christ and a life of purpose grounded in faith. Listen now and emerge empowered to walk your path with clarity and conviction, shielded by the transformative truth of the Bible. Protect your spiritual journey and stay firmly rooted in God's love and guidance.
Ever felt caught up in the world's values and desires? It's easy to get wrapped up in pride, temporary pleasures, and wanting more things. This week, Pastor Wolfgang continues our "How to Unburden Your Life" series by looking at 1 John 2:15-17.
The passage tells us to love people in the world like God does, but be careful not to chase after things that feel good but don't last. By knowing Jesus and living His way, we can find true happiness and freedom from the draw of the world.
Connect with the welcoming community at Northshore, and join us as we explore the path to a life unburdened by temptation of the world.
Ever found yourself trapped in a web of self-deception, convincing yourself that everything's fine when deep down you know it isn't? You're not alone. This week, Pastor Scotty continues our "How to Unburdened Your Life" series, delving into the powerful message from 1 John 1:5-2:2.
The passage reveals that claiming to be without sin is self-deception, and it weighs heavily on our souls. Experience the life-changing freedom that comes from confessing our sins to Jesus, the light that dispels the darkness.
Don't let self-deception hold you captive any longer. Connect with the welcoming community at Northshore, and join us as we explore the path to a life unburdened by denial and deception.
Are you tired? Worn out by the perpetual burdens of life? Join us this week as Pastor Scotty launches our new series, "How to Unburdened Your Life," by exploring 1 John 5:1-4 and reveals how Jesus transforms our burdened, tired lives with the promise of rest for those who follow Him and learn the unforced rhythms of grace. He won't put anything heavy or ill-fitting on us, but instead shows us how to live freely and lightly, even in the worst of circumstances.
Experience a transformative Easter sermon with Pastor Scotty Scruggs, streamed live from Northshore. Through captivating storytelling and relatable examples, Scotty will delve into the deep significance of Jesus' resurrection. This sermon is designed to help you overcome obstacles, find new life in Christ, and encounter the life-changing power of the risen Jesus. Whether you are a long-time believer or a newcomer to the faith, you'll find encouragement, inspiration, and a renewed sense of hope in this uplifting Easter service. Join us for a compelling blend of humor, authenticity, and biblical truth that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.
Building on last week's message about Jesus' teachings on forgiveness, we've seen the challenge of forgiving others, even when it seems beyond our ability. However, there's someone else we often find even harder to forgive—ourselves. Join Pastor Wolfgang as he explores the transformative exchange between Jesus and the thief crucified beside Him. Discover how Jesus' response urges us to move our focus from our past mistakes to His sacrifice and love. How much would you give for a clean conscience? Jesus has already given everything for you. No sin is too great to be out of reach of God's grace. Learn how accepting this truth can bring the healing power of forgiveness into your life and enable you to live in the freedom that Jesus has bought for you.
Resentment imprisons us, while forgiveness unlocks the door to freedom. In this sermon, we examine the transformative power of forgiveness through the lens of both personal experiences and biblical accounts of Jesus's journey on the cross. As we delve into the intersection of our struggles and Jesus's teachings, we'll find solace in his example.
Join Pastor Scotty as we reflect on how embracing Jesus's path can free us from the chains of bitterness, strengthen our relationships, and lead us to a more fulfilling life. Through this exploration, we can experience the true potential of forgiveness and move beyond the pain of past hurts and trauma.
When have you felt the most desperate for your needs to be met? In this week's "Jesus Gets It" sermon, Pastor Bryce Goff reflects on the moment when Jesus, hanging on the cross, cried out in thirst and received a drink before giving up His spirit to God. Through His own experience of physical pain and thirst, Jesus demonstrated His deep understanding of our physical and spiritual needs, and His desire to fulfill them. In this powerful message, we'll learn how Jesus' act of sacrifice not only satisfies our own needs but also calls us to share His "living water" with others. Jesus' compassion and care extend beyond our individual lives, encompassing the needs of our neighbors both near and far. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your faith and draw inspiration from Jesus' profound act of surrender on the cross.
What do you do when life takes an unexpected turn? When challenges pile up and you're confronted with a sudden, difficult reality? In this week's "Jesus Gets It" sermon, Pastor Scotty examines the moment when Jesus, on the brink of His final breath on the cross, surrendered His spirit to God. He didn't fight His circumstances or question God's plan. Instead, He showed us what it means to have faith in the face of uncertainty.
Through this message, we'll discover how to apply that same faith in our own lives when the unexpected happens. We'll learn about the power of surrendering to God and explore the incredible things He can do when we trust Him completely. Don't miss this chance to grow in your faith and learn from Jesus' ultimate act of surrender.
Have you ever felt the sting of rejection or betrayal from your own family? Do you know the pain of a broken home, where the people who should love and support you the most let you down? In this week's sermon in the "Jesus Gets It" series, Pastor Wolfgang explores how Jesus, even in his moment of deepest suffering on the cross, created a new family that welcomes everyone. Through this message, we’ll learn not only how to find healing and wholeness in our own lives, but also how to extend that same love and understanding to others. Discover the transformative power of knowing that no matter how fractured our relationships may be, Jesus understands our pain and offers us hope and redemption. Join us as we explore the beauty of being part of a family that reflects God's unconditional love.
Explore the depths of faith and suffering in our new series, "Jesus Gets It." In this first sermon, we delve into the challenging mo ents when God seems silent, drawing parallels to the uncertainties and waiting periods in our own lives. Pastor Scotty brings a conversational and relatable touch to the profound theme. The narrative weaves through the complexities of feeling understood, the silence of God, and the unique perspective Jesus offers on the cross. Discover the hope and understanding that comes from knowing Jesus gets it, even in our moments of what feels like abandonment and unanswered prayers.
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Scotty concludes our "Break Through" series by exploring the deep wonder of the cross of Jesus in Paul's letter to the Galatians. We delve into the life-changing truths of God's unconditional love, the power of redemption, and the clarity of our divine calling. These themes are deeply connected to the cross and offer hope and purpose to all who embrace them. And stay tuned next Sunday as we begin a new series, "Jesus Gets It." Let's discover together how the cross can bring transformation and growth in our lives.
Are you ready to take your faith journey to the next level? Join Pastor Scotty as he delivers another powerful message in our "Break Through" series. In this week's sermon, "Why Good Intentions Are Not Enough," we delve into the heart of Galatians 6:7-9 to uncover the keys to achieving real breakthroughs in your life. Discover why wishful thinking falls short, and how intentional action is the true path to transformation. Learn the timeless truth that you reap what you sow, and that the harvest reflects the seeds you plant. This isn't just theory - it's a practical guide to living a life of impact. Don't miss out on this life-changing message that can help you move beyond good intentions and step into the fullness of what Jesus has in store for you. So tune in, engage, and let's embark on this journey of faith together. Your breakthrough is waiting!
"Get ready to break free from the pursuit of fleeting happiness and discover the lasting joy that comes from knowing Jesus! In this installment of the "Break Through" series, Pastor Scotty Scruggs invites us to consider whether we're truly free, and how Jesus' grace can unlock a life of growth and fulfillment. So, don't just chase happiness - pursue the freedom that comes from a life centered on Christ."
"In the latest sermon from the "Break Through" series, Pastor Wolfgang shares the joyful news that through Jesus, God invites us all to become part of his loving family. Drawing on his personal experience as an adoptive father, Wolfgang paints a touching picture of the profound love he felt for his adopted daughter, and how it pales in comparison to the intense longing God has for each of us. He underscores the incredible lengths to which Jesus went to bring us into his inheritance, driven by his deep desire for us to know the unconditional love and belonging that comes with being part of his eternal family. This powerful message reminds us that we are cherished, valued, and always have a place in God's heart."
This week, Pastor Stan dives deeper into our "Break Through" series with a powerful message about how God's love and grace can transcend even the toughest circumstances. Drawing on Paul's letter to the Galatians, we explore how the real gospel offers freedom and hope in contrast to the constraints and pitfalls of false teachings. Join us for this inspiring message and discover how to experience God's breakthrough in your own life. Let's grow together in faith and witness the transformative power of God's love! Stay engaged – subscribe for weekly sermons and connect with the welcoming community at Northshore.
Have you ever felt stuck in a certain habit, situation, or pattern? Do you find yourself trapped and unable to get unstuck? Join us this week as Pastor Scotty launches into Paul's letter to the Galatians and introduces our new series "Break Through," exploring how God breaks through no matter the circumstances. This promise shows us that real breakthrough in our lives is rooted in the gospel of Jesus – that your faith isn't based on how you live, but on who now lives in you.
In the final installment of the "Down to Earth" series, Pastor Scotty tackles "The Entitlement Trap" — the damaging belief that God owes us something in this life. Join us as we examine how entitlement holds us back from true humility, and learn how to break free from its grip. Don't miss this powerful conclusion as we seek to live a more grounded, authentic life in Christ.
In our final episode of Whispers of Advent, we turn our gaze towards the future with hopeful hearts. As we anticipate the unseen and prepare to freshly welcome Jesus into our lives, let's come together in prayer and reflection. Join us in embracing the mystery of Advent, trusting that the light of hope will guide us into a season of joy, peace, and a renewed connection with the Spirit.
In the glimmering lights and joyous celebrations of this season, have you ever felt that your joy remains just out of reach? As we gather on this Christmas Eve, let's discover a profound joy—one that not only survives in the face of suffering but also persists through pain. This joy serves as a guiding light, leading us to the very heart of why we celebrate: the arrival of Jesus, our savior, who brings resilient joy to our lives. Join us in unwrapping the gift of this deeper joy that transcends the festive moments, anchoring us in the true meaning of Christmas.
In this third week of Advent, we invite you to join us in a reflective prayer of the examen. Together, let's pause and look back on our lives, acknowledging where God has been present. By practicing gratitude and awareness, we pave the way for a deeper connection with the divine in the days to come. Tune in to explore the richness of the past and create space for God's continued presence in our unfolding stories.
Pastor Stan Markowski shines a light on the less-celebrated aspects of the Christmas story, portraying Jesus' birth as a narrative filled with shame and societal stigma. Looking at the cultural context, the sermon challenges the conventional perception of a joyous and idyllic nativity scene, bringing recognition to the pain and difficulties woven into the Christmas narrative. Ultimately, the message emphasizes the profound empathy of a God who chose to enter the world in a way that's familiar for anyone experiencing hardship and loss durning the holiday season.
Explore the contrasting lives of King Herod and King Jesus. As we approach Christmas, Pastor Wolfgang guides through the simplicity of Jesus' humility against Herod's pursuit of power. Reflect on the choices we make in defining greatness and uncover the timeless wisdom found in the Christmas story. This sermon is an invitation to examine our hearts and consider the impact of our own choices, so listen and take a moment of reflection during this holiday hustle.
In the second week of Advent, embark on a unique prayer experience. Through imaginative prayer, we step into the shoes of the characters of the nativity story, immersing ourselves in their emotions, challenges, and joys. Join us as we gain new insights and deepen our connection with the timeless tale of the birth of Jesus, finding inspiration for our own spiritual journey.
In his sermon, "My Life for Yours," Pastor Scotty takes the “Down to Earth” series in an unexpected direction. Join us as we explore the subtle parallels between our mindset in relationships and the humility shown by Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection. Pastor Scotty offers three straightforward yet profound steps to redefine connections. It's not your typical relationship advice – expect practical insights that cut through the noise. The sermon wraps up with a candid discussion about the common struggle with sin, leaving you with practical takeaways for genuine transformation.
Join us in the first episode of our "Whispers of Advent" series as we delve into a heartfelt welcoming prayer, setting the tone for the season. Together, we open our hearts to God, expressing our openness to His plans for us during this Advent journey. Discover the power of embracing the anticipation and preparing our spirits for the joy and blessings that lie ahead.
What if strength was actually found in humility? Pastor Scotty Scruggs opens our series, Down to Earth, challenging us to explore whether humility could be the missing piece we've been overlooking. As this series begins, dive into the core of humility, grasp its significance, and learn how to integrate it into your daily life. Uncover the deep connection between humility and following Jesus in this illuminating sermon.
Does it feel like God’s not listening? Are you worried you’re just too broken to be loved? Explore the stories of Esther and Moses in this sermon as Kiki Edwards weaves a narrative that resonates with our lives today. Touching on identity, purpose, and God's enduring love, see yourself as a modern-day Esther and Moses, engaging actively with the world through prayer and action. This sermon envisions a Church that responds passionately to God's call, bringing hope to our complex world. It invites us to say 'yes' to our unique roles and embrace our true identity in the face of suffering.
Haman is one of history's nastiest villains, but the book of Esther is a story packed with plot twists. This sermon dives into mistreatment, betrayal, and uses Haman's vendetta as a cautionary tale. All the while, it becomes clear we can embrace forgiveness in the face of offense, guided by scripture and Jesus’ ultimate example of forgiveness on the cross. Let this message bring you into a space to reflect, pray, and seek God's healing in your life.
Where is God? I’m looking, but I can’t see Him. I’m believing, but I can’t feel Him. What do we do when we can’t see God at work? These are questions we have in our lives that happen to be some of the tensions that is at the heart of the book of Esther. In fact, Esther is the only book in the Bible where God's name is mentioned in the text. But that doesn’t mean that God is absent in this story, or yours. It just means that God is working, even when you can’t see it.
If you could ask God for one thing… just one thing, what would it be? In Psalm 27, David said, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. David is reminding us that the presence of God is better than anything we can ask for. It’s better than having the best job or a nicer home, a better self-esteem, or more popular friends. It’s in the presence of God that we can be fully known and fully loved. That no sin and shame can hold us or bind us. It’s the in the presence of God that we are healed and set free.
What are you chasing? What are you after? These questions aren’t ones that a lot of people stop to think about very often. We just sort of get caught in the routine – day in and day out we just do our thing without really thinking about where it’s taking us. But sometimes something happens that causes us to pause – to reevaluate – to get honest about what our lives are about, what we’re chasing. This week, Pastor Wolfgang challenges us to find a new practice or rhythm that will develop into training our souls and chasing faithfulness.
What must I do to inherit eternal life? This week, we look at the story of a deeply devout man with great wealth, but when he asks this question to Jesus, it shows he is clearly missing something in his life. Found in Mark 10:17-22, the story reminds us that living generously isn’t the product of having greater wealth, but rather it's what happens in your heart when you redirect your treasure and start investing in what God values. Pastor Scruggs tell us that this personal, sacrificial and transformational kind of generosity, is something all of us can prioritize in our lives, no matter who we are, or what we have or what’s going on.
What's your story? This week, we dive into the story of a man who was blind and, through the miraculous work of Jesus, was healed and could now see. Found in John 9:13-25, the story reminds us to be aware of the work God is doing around us, not only through healing but in many other ways. Although God is always working, oftentimes, it can be difficult to share what he has been doing in our own lives. Pastor Wolfgang challenged us to take a step this week and share our story with one other person this week.
Have you ever felt worried or focused on a lot of different things? But you missed the one thing that matters most? We can believe in God, we can go to church, we can try to do what the Bible says to do, and still miss the one thing that really matters. This week we look at Luke 10 and the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha. From this scene we can see that all of our “doing” for God is less important than our “being WITH” God. The one thing that’s needed is to sit at His feet.
Having a community around you during good times is great, having them around you when life gets hard is critical. This week, Pastor Scotty, has us look at why God built the Church around this idea of interdependence and reminded us that we were never meant to do life alone. Scripture tells us that the best relationships around us should be framed with the text in John 15:12-14: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. The Church was created so you could enter into a relationship with God and those around you. The message this week encourages us to take a step towards that today.
The number of relationships we have is important, but their depth matters more. This week, we look at the life of Jesus and discover the keys to deep, authentic, and life-giving relationships by looking at how he built friendships with and between his disciples in Mark 3. No matter how you would rate the depth of your relationships today, because of Jesus' model for relationships, we can start taking steps today to build richer friendships today.
"If I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice." That was one of the most common phrases from a research study that looked at the effects of loneliness. Whether you've thought yourself, chances are there are people around you who struggle with not having enough close relationships. The reason? God created you to be in community, not just talk about the weather and sports, but deep, genuine relationships with close friends—the type of relationships where they know everything about you and still want to be around you. Tune in this week as Scotty unpacks the biblical model for friendships and how to start prioritizing it today.
Curiosity can be a powerful tool to discover more about who God is and get to the root of questions like who is Jesus, how do I have faith, why do I pray, what is the meaning of life, and the question we explored this week, why did Jesus die? Featured this week is a video produced by Alpha, a program that helps those who wrestle with life's big questions or are trying to understand God's love. To learn more about Alpha and sign up for the upcoming session, visit northshore.church/alpha.
Many have an unspoken fear—that maybe God isn't big enough. You might go to church and say all the right things, but how you live daily might tell a different story. If you're constantly worrying about the future, chasing after money and status, or trying to control everything, it's like you're saying God can't handle it. But here's the thing: When you find the courage to say, "I can't, but God can," you open a new door. You allow yourself to reconnect with the God who created the universe, the God who's not confined by your doubts or fears. God has worked miracles in the past; will you trust Him to do that for you?
God loves you and has a plan for you, but the ball is in your court. You must move your faith into action, which often requires courage. We see that illustrated in the story of King David's head of security. This man didn't have the influence of a king, but he still found courage in God to make an impact that changed the world forever.
Consider these questions to find the courage to move faith into action...
Am I prepared to say yes?
Am I willing to confront my fears?
Am I willing to be different to make a difference?
You may find yourself stuck at some point in your life. Stuck by your past or from fear of the present, unable to move forward into the power and promise of God in your life. The strange yet powerful story of Lot's wife shows that because of the cross and the invitation available, you can move forward in Jesus.
When you think about connecting with God, prayer and bible reading quickly come to mind. Have you ever considered drawing closer to God by meeting needs and caring for others? Encountering God is not only a private experience between God and you, but it also includes how you engage with others. Jesus calls us to "love the Lord your God" as the first and greatest commandment. And the second part of that commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Whether this is how you're wired or not, this message will give you practical ways to love your neighbor well and go deeper with God.
God is always inviting you to know him more deeply. Just as you want to be fully loved, so does God, and the way to do that is by seeking Him through prayer and worship. Get out of your comfort zone, and you will find God. When you celebrate and respond to God, he draws near. There's something powerful about coming together in corporate worship to remember who God is and what He's done. If you need a fresh encounter with God, this message will encourage and strengthen your faith to know Him more.
In this message, explore passages from God's Word that shed light on the role of the mind in your relationship with Him. See how renewing the mind contributes to our spiritual growth. With each scripture, we ask:
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Why does the mind matter?
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What does a mind engaged with God look like?
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And most importantly, how can we practically engage our minds in this pursuit?
Explore the intellectual pathway of connecting with God through your mind.
You may have cherished family traditions, like a yearly vacation spot or unique dishes reserved for holidays. These customs and symbols are not merely superficial routines; they hold profound significance in our lives.
This message explores how these seemingly ordinary practices connect you to God and can remind you of your place within His larger story. Spiritual traditions show that you are a part of something greater, linked to the lineage of God's people that stretches back centuries.
Find practical ways to incorporate traditions into your life, enabling you to connect with God on a deeper level. Discover how these ancient practices can bring meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging to your spiritual journey.
During this series, we aim to have an authentic, alive connection with our Creator; for some, that means withdrawing and removing distractions. Reflection and meditation can be rewarding ways to sense the nearness of God. And even if that doesn't describe you, learning to incorporate this practice will deepen your connection with Him.
One way that many people connect with God is by being outdoors. Whether you love nature or not, you’ve probably appreciated a sunrise or been overwhelmed by the size of His creation. As we’ll continue to explore in the series, not everyone experiences God in the same way, and being outside is just one of the ways. Whether this describes you or not, you’ll find helpful perspectives on seeing and hearing God outside.
Prayer is a living conversation with a mighty God. It's more than praying for our meals or calling out to God when we're in need; it's about communion with our Creator. Just like the disciples who yearned to learn the art of prayer, we must also embrace it as a learned practice. When you look at the acts of the disciples, we see that they encountered the Holy Spirit in profound and remarkable ways. But it required practicing the habit of prayer. The same is true for us. If we want to know and experience God intimately, we must embark on the journey of learning to pray.
God has done and continues to do, amazing things in and through Northshore Community Church. In the service, we pause to celebrate and show our gratitude for how lives are being transformed and changed in every area of this church and around the world. And as we look to the future, we anticipate the greater things God will do.
A regular-sized domino can knock over a domino as tall as the Empire State Building in under 30 dominos. That’s the power of a single leap of faith, and that’s the impact we can have. It can be challenging to lead people to say Yes to Jesus, but Jesus only needs one small act of faith. No matter how much we can give, God can multiply it.
Most of us have been in situations that seem impossible. We may have faced something out of our control and wondered, "Where is God" or "How will we get through." As we continue our series called Greater Things, we find hope in these truths, God is present, and nothing is too hard for Him.
Jesus sacrificed for us, giving His life so we could live. Sacrifice is the way of the kingdom. It's how God operates, and it's how He calls us to live. But sacrifice isn't meant to be a burden or a call to a miserable life. As we discover in this message, Kingdom living brings abundant joy. And that joy comes from sacrifice.
Have you ever been in a situation like a meeting or a conversation with something to accomplish or do and you just wondered to yourself, what's the plan? Where are we going? What's going to happen next? In this second week of Greater Things, we talk about what God's plan actually is, what His intention is for our world and what that has to do with you and with me.
God calls us to live by faith. Not foolishly or blindly, but with bold, sacrificial faith.
God called Abraham and Sarah to leave everything behind before He told them where they were going. They had to live daily by faith, and God used them to change the world.
God can do that again through us, and He can do even greater things than we’ve seen before. Because the greater our faith, the greater He works.
Are you looking for answers to the big questions about prayer?
This message explores the common doubts and fears that hold us back from talking to God. Join us as we discover the power of prayer and how it can transform our lives. Prayer is simply a conversation with our Creator, and this message will inspire you to come honestly before God and experience His presence in a new way.
In this message, we explore the life-changing impact of Jesus and the incredible healing and transformation available to everyone. At Northshore, we believe that Jesus came to bring healing, life, and change to all who come to Him and that His power to change lives is limitless.
What does it truly mean to surrender everything and enter into God's kingdom? In this powerful sermon, we'll explore the shocking story of the only one who said 'no' to Jesus' invitation, and discover the cost of following Him. Are you ready to take the challenge?
The whole Gospel means that Jesus cares about your soul and your body. Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand people because he didn't want them to leave and faint on the road from hunger. This shows us that God is concerned about justice here on Earth just as much as He cares about your spiritual life. It's the whole Gospel.
Are you seeking to understand what it means to live a life transformed by Jesus? In this inspiring sermon, Abby Odio explores the power of Jesus and how it can change everything for anyone.
As humans, we all have aspects of ourselves that we long to change - whether it's our habits or character. We were created to flourish, and in Christ, we can become new creations. Drawing on 2 Corinthians, Abby challenges us to not settle for what's old and to take hold of the new life that Jesus offers.
Discover how Jesus can change everything for you.
Have you ever wondered if Jesus can truly change your life?
The answer is a resounding yes! In this powerful sermon, we explore the question of who Jesus really is and how He can transform everything about us. Drawing from Mark 4, Scotty shares the story of Jesus and His disciples on a stormy sea, highlighting how the disciples were saved not by the calm of the storm but by the presence of Jesus in their boat.
Having Jesus in your boat is the key to weathering any storm that life throws your way. Whether you're facing personal struggles or dealing with external circumstances, Jesus can change everything about you and give you the power to do the will of God in every part of life.
If you're searching for God or feeling like you're rowing through the waves of life alone, this message is for you. Be challenged to put your trust in Jesus and let Him be the guiding force in your life. And for those who already have Jesus in their boat, be encouraged to take the next step and trust Him fully in every area of your life.
Watch this inspiring message from Scotty Scruggs and discover the life-changing power of having Jesus in your boat.
When we reach our limit and can’t muster the strength to change, society tells us that we don’t need to change. But Jesus has a different way. That moment when you can’t find your way forward when there’s no way out, Jesus steps in. And that’s good news!
What do we do when we face emotional pain? We know how to diagnose a cold or a broken arm, but the pain in our souls is internal and harder to pinpoint. The ambiguity can leave us feeling hopeless and lost. However, God's plan is to give this pain a purpose and that we would find healing through serving others. The miracle is that God can turn one's pain around and use it for good.
Anxiety is a severe issue today, a struggle most people face to some degree. Often we question whether we can turn to God when we worry, assuming He will reprimand us for not measuring up. Through the story of Elijah, we see that God doesn’t condemn us or leave us in our anxiety; instead, He invites us to trust Him to walk through it with us.
On June 30th, 2013, Brendan McDonough, a firefighter in an elite squad called the Granite Mountain Hotshots, lost 19 of his brothers fighting a wildfire in Yarnell, Arizona.
This tragedy led him back to addiction, depression, and PTSD. Brendan opens up about his journey of struggle and hope as he found community and faith that would powerfully restore his life.
What do you do when you don’t like yourself? Feelings of low-self worth impact many people to some degree. Some people may lack confidence that they can succeed or even feel they don’t matter. Others may feel there is something fundamentally wrong with who they are. In this message, we address the lie of shame and self-condemnation so we can discover how God sees us and how His love changes everything.
Depression can feel like being trapped in a dark cave. It can feel overwhelming and hopeless. Most of all, it can cause us shame. But as we look at the lives of God’s faithful followers in the Bible, we see that depression was all too common, as it is today. We see that this depression is not who we are, and we are not alone in the darkness.
The most important aspect of your life is your inner well-being. Jesus died to redeem all of creation, including your mental health. The good news is that you don't have to be strong or put together. As the church, we want to be people who know it's ok to ask for help and to be help to others.
Oh, night, divine! Jesus' birth was incredible, not only because it was a moment people were waiting for, but because he was God in the flesh. In this message, we look at the name Emmanuel, which means God with us. He is present with us, walking with us in every moment.
The birth of Jesus was so that those closest to the event couldn't help but break out into song. After Zechariah heard the promise of a coming savior, he sang words of celebration and promise. The lyrics were filled with relief because, finally, God would bring salvation, we would receive mercy, and one day, healing would come to broken relationships between God and His people. And this is still good news for us today.
The first Christmas song wasn’t “Silent Night” or “White Christmas.” It was a song sung by Mary as she responded to the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus. Like Mary, may we learn to say yes, and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
Navigating life takes guidance. We seek out mentors or listen to podcasts to learn about relationships, money, or parenting. It’s why there are 5.6 billion Google searches a day. But, there is a Guide available to us that we can always trust, the Holy Spirit. In the final message of this series, we learn how to find guidance and be led by the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, which means He is available to us at any moment. What a wonderful gift from God! In this message, learn to encounter the Spirit through prayer to live more like Jesus.
Life in the Spirit is not about what you do; it’s about the kind of person you are becoming. In this message, guest speaker Abby Odio walks us through the qualities of God, like love, kindness, and self-control, and shows how we can reflect those qualities through the Holy Spirit.
The most critical work of the Holy Spirit is bringing conviction. It's one of the ways He works in our lives. As we say yes to Jesus daily and aim to live more like Him, the Spirit's conviction reveals broken areas. In this message, we look at how conviction brings joy through freedom from sin, guilt, and regret.
Who is the Holy Spirit? Jesus gave us the gift of the Spirit, but many of us don’t know what difference He makes in our lives. In this first message of a new series entitled A Spirit Filled Life, find out how the Holy Spirit brings freedom, power, and a life worth living.
The God of the universe is knocking on your door. Not the door of your home but the door of your life. Many of us don't realize it because of pride. We're good Christians, we've done the right things to make life secure, and we have it all together. We're happy to believe in Jesus to get into heaven, but we don't need God down here (or in our everyday life). And still, Jesus is knocking. In this message, learn about the joy of saying yes to Jesus, inviting Him in, and allowing Jesus to change everything.
Who am I? Where do I belong? These are questions we all wrestle with, questions Jesus addresses in His letter to Philadelphia. Jesus opens a door to the church in Philadelphia, a door that invites them to be a part of His mission, bringing hope and healing to a world that desperately needs it. Discover what it means to be called a child of God and to live as part of His family.
When things are going right in life, we’re crushing it at work, or finances are good, it can be easy to phone it in. Complacency can set in, and we often neglect prayer or no longer surrender our plans to Jesus. But success is not dependent on how well things are going but on how well-connected we are to God. In this message, learn how to avoid complacency and cling to Jesus, no matter the state of our lives.
It’s easy to live life doing whatever it takes to succeed and leave what’s left over to those God calls us to love. We may not sacrifice animals to other gods, but when we frequently miss key moments to love others because we’re too busy, we sacrifice time with our kids, intimacy with our spouses, or connection with our neighbors on the altar of success. You may think the most significant thing you can experience is a job promotion or having authority and influence. In the book of Revelation, Jesus’ letter to Thyatira promises to give us a promotion far exceeding all of that.
“I know where you live.” Jesus wrote these words to the church in Pergamum. The city was a place of worship for many gods, and the church stood in stark contrast, proclaiming Jesus as Lord. But Jesus knew the temptation they faced, not to reject Jesus, but to worship Jesus and... To include idol worship in their practices. In this message, those same temptations are ones we face today, and we find hope in the One who calls us to be the light of the world.
Have you ever gone through something that felt like a weight and left you discouraged? Maybe you struggle with fear, feeling the world's weight on your shoulders. That fear and weight is no surprise to God. The Bible says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." As we dive into this message, we learn that following Jesus isn't about finishing but about being faithful along the way.
The first letter in Revelation was written to the church in Ephesus. Jesus commends them for their hard work and patience. But he points out one thing, they have forsaken their first love. It’s a heart condition that any of us can easily fall into. As we dive into this first message of our series, why we can easily lose that love and how we can rekindle that love Jesus and for those around us.
Throughout this series, we’ve discovered that serving others is the only worthwhile way to live. In this final message, Jesus describes how we should live differently, using the image of a seed planted in the ground. Farmers know how to use a seed to produce a harvest. In the same way, we live lives that honor God. It’s not an invitation to throw our lives away but to surrender to truly live.
Every person who follows Jesus has been given a gift. Sometimes they’re called Spiritual Gifts. These gifts are given to each person to enable us to serve in a distinct way. In this message, we’ll look at several ways we’re empowered to serve that are outlined in Scripture. You’ll also have an opportunity to examine what gifts you have been given to bless people around you.
Jesus gives us a tip for a great investment strategy, one that God himself guarantees. It's not a tip about where to put our retirement or our kids' college fund – it's a tip about where to invest our lives. This investment is about more than our money. It's about how we spend our whole lives, the most important investment we can make. Listen to this week's message and consider the question, "Where are you investing your life?"
There are a lot of ways that people try to climb up the ladder and live a successful life. But what if we are climbing the ladder the wrong way? In this message, we'll look at how Jesus defines success and how living this way will create a life that leaves you fulfilled in a way that money or status never could.
You can make the worst decisions or the right choices in life. Why does it matter? Because how you live today impacts the person you will become. Dive into what Proverbs says about your decisions and, more importantly, where you should put your trust.
We all know how easy it easy to wreck our lives with how we handle our money. Proverbs paints a picture of what it looks like to manage our finances poorly or manage them wisely. It also gives us a simple but powerful plan for how to steward our money well.
We wreck our lives by comparing ourselves to other people. When we compare ourselves to other people, we experience more anxiety and tension in our lives. What's the remedy to comparison? Gratitude!
Proverbs has a lot to say about what we say. Your words can build people up or they can tear them down. As followers of Jesus, how we speak to others is directly related to how we love others. Thankfully, God gives us a way to control our tongue.
The book of Proverbs is kind of like the Bible’s lifehack section. It’s a book of wisdom that we can apply to our lives. So, what does Proverbs have to say about relationships? In this message, not only will we discover the kinds of people we should surround ourselves with, but also how God can use us to be a friend with others.
The book of Proverbs describes two paths, the way of the wise and the way of the fool. The path of the wise is not an easy road to walk, but it leads to a fulfilled life that God intends for us. The foolish path is easy, but the result is a shipwrecked life. As we make wisdom our sole purpose, it can help us avoid the dangers and obstacles threatening to wreck our lives.
To get rest right, you must get work right. Our culture today praises an overworked lifestyle, believing the lie that people who work hard are more productive. The reality is that we need to rest, or we will eventually wear out. We need to Sabbath well. In this message, discover the goodness and rest found through better work.
God instructs Followers of Jesus to "remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." But how do we keep the Sabbath in our 21st century, 24/7, edge-of-your-seat world? In this message, we learn how to Sabbath by looking at God's first Sabbath. After God created the universe in 6 days, He rested - He observed the first Sabbath. This story in Genesis gives us 4 ingredients for how to Sabbath in our lives and how we can find better rest.
Doubts don't make you an unbeliever; they make you human. Struggling with doubt can lead to stronger faith. But, in our doubt, we can go two ways, either the way of a seeker in search of answers or the way of a cynic giving up hope. In God's Word, there is a promise to the seeker that if you seek Me, you will find Me. May we be encouraged to seek Jesus because the God of the universe is ready to be found.
Why are many people "done" with the church? Maybe it's hypocrisy or the hurtful actions of a pastor, and perhaps the "Christianity" that someone grew up with was revealed as legalistic or consumeristic. Thankfully, we don't have to throw out our whole faith because of past experiences. We can trust Jesus' words just as Peter did when he declared, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Should we base our beliefs on the Bible? Some believe it contains fictional stories or believe this book is outdated and irrelevant to our lives. Learn why the Bible holds truth for today and promises for our future.
Everybody has doubts. Doubt is simply being uncertain about something, and there is plenty of uncertainty in our world. Some uncertainty leads to questions of faith, the Bible, or even God. In this message, we ask, "Does God really exist?" If He does exist, how do we know it? As we dive into the truth about God, we find that He not only gave His Son for us but invites us to experience so much more
Have you ever experienced a difficult season where you are looking for direction, healing, or just some hope? Maybe you've prayed, but nothing seems to change. After a time, you might wonder if God sees you or if He's really there. If you've experienced that, be assured you are not alone, and there is a way forward. We can navigate these seasons and deepen our faith in Jesus.
Israel was free from Egypt; they crossed the Red Sea and traveled through the desert. Moses knew that if Israel was to make it to the Promised Land if they would be truly free, they would need God’s presence. The same is true for you today. As we close out this series, we recognize that we can never be set free without the presence of God.
What do you love most in life? The things that matter most can often take the place of God and become idols. Even though we don’t bow to golden statues, we can easily elevate things like money or success above God. It’s essential to recognize what we have elevated so we can lay them down and make God the main thing.
Israel faced their first battle in the desert, and God promised victory as long as Moses kept his arms up. After a while, Moses needed those close to him to keep his hands raised. You may be facing a "battle" or know someone walking through a tough time. When we reach out for help or extend help to others, we experience absolute freedom.
During Israel's 40 year journey in the desert, God was working in the hearts of His people. It demonstrates how God wants to work in our hearts as well. He wants us to bring our cares and worries to Him and not leave them at the door because the God of the cosmos can handle your needs and concerns.
As we continue to look at the story of Exodus, how God set Israel free from Egypt, we see a perfect picture of how God wants to set us free. We see a picture of God's enduring forgiveness and grace. His words to Israel are still true for us today, "Do not be afraid; I will fight for you."
In the last message, we talked about the reasons why we experience bondage in our lives. This message describes the problem of our excuses. Our excuses play a big part in why we’re stuck in life. But for every excuse, God has an answer, and he wants to see you set free.
What excuses are holding you back?
We’ve all experienced bondage from something in our life. How do we find true freedom? As we dive into the book of Exodus, we’ll follow a story of how God delivered Israel from slavery to a promised land. There’s hope knowing that Christianity isn’t about rules; it’s about a reversal. It’s God turning darkness into light, suffering into joy, and bondage into freedom. It’s God staring death in the face and saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Relationships can be such a source of joy and fulfillment in life. But relationship wounds can be some of the most difficult and painful.
These are the hurts that hurt the most. They go deep, and they can last a very long time. As we wrap up our Relationship Goals series we look at how we can experience healing from those kinds of relational wounds.
We all have those toxic people in our lives. And if we don’t, we will. What do we do when faced with toxic relationships? Are we loving like Jesus if we walk away from them?
In this message, we’ll first look at how to identify the signs of a toxic relationship. Then through the story of Saul, we’ll learn three guidelines that will help us navigate those relationships.
Navigating conflict in relationships can be challenging and even painful. However, healthy relationships don't avoid conflict; they engage in it and try to resolve it biblically. As we look to the Bible on how to do this, we'll discover God has given us three gifts to engage conflict in a healthy way.
The Bible is full of dysfunctional relationships, and chances are your life is too. We often try to make relationships better by exercising control, idolizing other relationships, or passing the responsibility onto others. But our primary goal to better relationships is to put God first in our relationships.
When someone says that they're a Christian, what does that actually mean? Did they grow up in a Christian home? Do they act a certain way or follow certain beliefs? As we look to the Bible, Jesus never called us to Christians but to follow Him and become disciples. Learn how following Jesus and becoming a disciple can change your life in more profound ways than you can imagine.
Sometimes there are moments when it feels like the game is lost and the hope of winning is gone. Your marriage or career is in trouble, you've fallen back into bad habits, or you're feeling alone and afraid. But here's the good news...Jesus died and then came out of the tomb. Sin lost, which means the game is already won. This also means that God is able to do immeasurably more through you than you can ask or imagine. Learn about how God can do even greater things through us when we move from being passionate spectators in the church to getting on the field and changing the world.
We know that people don't accidentally find themselves in a relationship with Jesus. It's never an accident when the lost get found, the lonely find community, the hurting find healing, the bored find purpose, divisions get mended and relationships are restored. This life-changing relationship only happens when followers of Jesus do whatever it takes to create a seat for the next person at the table.
We know that we want to be the kind of people who share the good news. We want to shout it to the world that we have a generous God, who gave his life for the sake of others! Often though, we feel like we don't have enough training, or that we're not in the best spiritual shape to win over the hearts of others, so here are five pointers that can help us share our faith and overcome these doubts.
When it comes to sharing our faith, it's something that we want to do, and we know we should do, but in reality, we find ourselves afraid of taking that first step. Often these fears arise out of misconceptions about what we think those experiences should look like and what should happen in those moments. Find out how sharing our faith can be a natural part of our conversations and can even be a source of joy.
Striking up a conversation about Jesus can seem tricky, awkward, and painful to the point where we might become apprehensive to share our faith or even have spiritual conversations. But what if these conversations didn’t have to be that way? Join us for Real Talk, a series on how we can have more normal, humble, and even delightful conversations about what matters most in life, a relationship with Jesus.
When fear shows up in everyday facets of life, so often, the prevailing temptation in overcoming our fears is self-preservation, whatever the cost. But as we look to Ruth's story in the Bible, overcoming fear involves ordinary acts of self-sacrifice, loving others, and trusting that God is relentlessly by your side wherever you go.
We all face fearful moments in life that can feel overwhelming. Sometimes in those moments, you want to believe that if only you were more successful, had more money, or somehow became stronger, you wouldn't be afraid anymore. But as we look to the Bible, overcoming fear and being courageous isn't about what you can do by yourself. It's about looking to God, who stands with you and will be strong for you.
If you’ve ever been paralyzed by fear, you know it consumes your thoughts and eventually starts to impact how you make decisions in life. But what would your life look like if you had a little more courage? Find out how God can help you take action in the face of fear.
82% of the general population believe the myth that Jesus said, “God helps those who help themselves.” We all want to help ourselves to become better, and so does God, but as we look to what Jesus actually says, we learn that God helps you when you seek him.
Have you heard people say, "God won't give you more than you can handle," but felt like the pain, pressure and struggle you are facing are just too much to bear alone? Well, you don't have to do it alone. God's grace is sufficient enough to carry you through even the most difficult moments of life.
Have you ever met a person who went to church all the time and tried really hard to be a good person, but they complained all the time, had a bad attitude or were just kind of a jerk? Or maybe that person happens to be you? Here's the thing: you don’t have to try harder for God to love you. He doesn’t want you to focus more on the rules and regulations, he wants you to accept his grace freely given.
Have you ever felt like you've gone too far for God to love you? Well, that couldn't be farther from the truth! Just like the father in the story of the prodigal son, no matter where you're at in life, Jesus is waiting for you, ready to come running with arms wide open. That's what makes following Jesus different than any other religion or way of life. Our God is not a God who forgives people once they've earned their way back. Instead, our God is a God who runs to us, in the midst of our sin, with a compassionate embrace and forgives us.
You don't have to see the whole staircase to take your first step in faith. You just need to know the most important truth, that Jesus is alive, to move forward in your faith. From there, you can learn to hear God's voice, notice how emotions intersect with your worship, and, most importantly, come to the table.
Are you tired and worn out from trying to control something that only God can control? Then, Jesus says, "Come to me, bring it to me, and I will give you rest." You have a chance to experience the freedom that can come with surrender, a chance to be reminded of the rest God has for you – the confidence you can have in him. Whatever it is you need to surrender, you can trust God with it.
We all deal with temptations to compromise or give in as a way to escape the pressure and get some relief. After over a year of life in the COVID era, many of us feel tired and worn down, turning to bad habits as a way to cope. So, how do we find healthier ways to deal with the stress? Through intimacy with God, which helps us push through the temptation. And we are lucky to have a God who empathizes with us in every temptation we face. He gets it – and he can get us through it.
Guest speakers, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, join Pastor Scotty to talk about all things relationships. From empathy to forgiveness, they cover topics that can help improve any and all relationships, from a Christ-centered perspective. After a year like no other, all of our relationships could use a little boost!
Jesus came into the world not to condemn it, but to save it. He did that not through judgment, but through peaceful non-cooperation with hate, fear and injustice. In Christ, there is no condemnation. So, if Jesus doesn't judge, neither should we. Other people don't need judgment; they need grace, and it's our job to show it to them.
How can we trust God when we're not in control? This past year of isolation has disrupted many of our life plans. Our academic, work and home lives have all been interrupted and will potentially look different for the rest of our lives. When we have anxiety about the future or difficulty adjusting to change, we need to learn how to trust the one consistent force in our lives: God.
No matter how messy our lives get, God is not angry with us. So, we don't need to hold on to anger in our lives either. We're not talking about the momentary, rightful feelings of anger when we experience pain or injustice. While it's not a sin to be angry, the ongoing, brooding, resentful anger that grips onto our souls and causes other problems in our lives. That's why Jesus stands ready to offer us transformative grace–so that we can find freedom from anger.
Jesus doesn't just reach out to weary people; he became one himself. The holy, all-powerful, mighty God became a human being. He faced all the same difficulties and disappointments. He is the only God who can look at your life and relate to everything you're going through. In Jesus, God became approachable, and we can trust him.
What we carry around on the inside is going to be revealed on the outside. So, what are we filling our lives up with? When we fill up our lives with more strength, wisdom and security, it shows the world that our true hope is in Jesus. And even more so, we can withstand the pressures and hardships that life throws our way.
Join us in celebrating that Jesus is alive! This Easter Sunday, Pastor Scotty delivers a special message from a graveyard. In a place of fear, heartache and discouragement, Easter is God's response, providing us with hope for the future. What does that hope mean for your life today?
Join us for an intimate Good Friday gathering, as we sing worship songs, reflect on Jesus' love for us and remember the Easter story. There may be sorrow now, but the resurrection is on Sunday!
In our last week of the Restart series, we close out the book of Acts and learn how God designed the Church to be an unstoppable force. God is still helping hurting people find healing, lonely people find belonging and weary people find rest, and He is inviting us to play a part in that story! We must carry on with the same passion and faith as those in the book of Acts.
What sets Christianity apart? Not a different set of rules and regulations, but the person of Jesus. Our infinitely big God became a vulnerable human being who lived, died and was raised from the dead so that we could find him and know him. We don’t have to be smarter, better or more successful for Him to love us; we just need to repent.
Everything we do, we do with the mission of leading people into life-changing relationships with Jesus in mind. However, leading people to Jesus doesn't just take a pastor; it takes an entire team of people committed to seeing a victory happen in that person's life. That's the most significant part of being on a team! When the team wins, when we see triumph in one more person's life, we all celebrate
God doesn't just lead us through conflict; he redeems conflict. He can redeem bad decisions, snap judgments, mismanaged conflict and even painful regrets. All we have to do is let him in and let him lead us. Conflict isn't going away, but if we trust God as our guide, he can use that conflict to build unity, integrity and love.
Sometimes we don't understand why God is calling us to do something. At times, the things he calls us to do can feel scary, intimidating, or even scandalous. The good news is, no matter what you've done, that scandalous invitation is still open. God wants you back, so what's your next step going to be?
No matter what you've done, God can change everything for anyone, including you. Have you asked him to do that in your life? Even if you've been knocked down or made mistakes, God is standing there ready to forgive and restore you. He may just be using that difficult season in your life to do something even more extraordinary within you. God doesn't just change everything for anyone – he wants us to be part of his story.
Challenges are happening all around us, but they're also happening inside our souls. In each episode of Soul Food, we will dive into the needs and longings of our souls. That way, we can experience God's healing in every aspect of our lives.
In this episode, Scotty and Sue discuss boundaries; fences we put up to stay responsible for the things we are responsible for without overstepping into others' lives. The boundaries we set in our lives influence everything from our relationships to our emotional health. Basically, setting healthy boundaries allows us to be good stewards of our lives.
As we restart, we need to be the kind of people that aren't pretenders, but people in the process figuring out how to follow Jesus. When we're real, it grabs people's attention. Real is what most people are looking for in our world – they're not looking for perfect – they're looking for real and authentic. How can you take a step towards authenticity today?
Many in today's western church grossly underestimate God's power to heal. However, that power is one of the hallmarks of the kind of church God is calling us to be. A place of healing. A place, not for perfect people, but for broken people. If we want our church to be a place of real recovery, we need to more dependent on the Holy Spirit. Boldness, courage and perseverance in faith are not products of willpower or determination; they come from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
What if, instead of just coming back to church, we live our lives as proof that Jesus is still in the resurrection business? In our relationships, careers, finances, and the way we treat others, we can be that proof. We can live in such a way that when the world looks at Northshore, they don't see people sitting in church but see the power of the Holy Spirit transforming the Puget Sound and beyond, one life at a time.
Maybe our biggest takeaway from 2020 is asking who we can bless and how we can love. Maybe what God has been trying to teach us is that humanity's ugliness will never be redeemed by more cursing, only by more blessing. Blessings don't come through shouts of hatred or blame, but simple acts of love. Everybody needs love, and you never know what a little blessing may do.
When God sees people hiding, he doesn't turn his back; he comes looking for them. It's the reason Jesus came to earth, to connect with us, make us whole, and give us peace with God and peace with others. Scripture says that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love people. They go hand in hand. We must learn to live in relationships with God and others, to live as a community.
God hasn't been absent—he's been growing a church that's based not on convenience or consumerism but on real trust that God always keeps his promises. And he's inviting you to trust him in that way in 2021. He's inviting you to not into a year of greater comfort in your circumstances, but a year of greater trust, provision, and joy, regardless of your circumstances. Because in the end, the test isn't about what You can do for Him—it's about what He can do in you.
We're not in control; God is...and that's a good thing! If we look back at the year, we can see and celebrate how God has provided. We can still trust God because even though we didn't see it coming, not even the most major events caught him by surprise. Through it all, he promises to care for us and give us what we truly need.
In the crisis of 2020 and beyond, we are all in need of a hero. Jesus is the ultimate hero of the year, continuing to transform lives and give hope to people in need. We have seen so many people partner with Jesus in heroic ways to protect the vulnerable, comfort the lonely, and continue to lead people into life-changing relationships with God.
Miracles are signs along the way, pointing us toward faith in God. That’s the whole point. You may be holding out for a miracle, but the greatest miracle is a relationship with the God behind the miracle. And the miracle he wants to do in you is greater than any miracle he could do for you.
Challenges are happening all around us, but they're also happening inside our souls. In each episode of Soul Food, we will dive into the needs and longings of our souls. That way, we can experience God's healing in every aspect of our lives.
In this episode, our Senior Pastor, Scott Scruggs, and our Director of Recovery and Support, Sue Dils, introduce you to our podcast and start the conversation about what is good and healthy for our souls as we navigate day-to-day life. They specifically touch on self-care and how to care for ourselves so that we can be there for others.
Sometimes the miracle you need most is not what God can do for you, it’s what God can do in you. How he can transform the person you are in the midst of whatever circumstances you’re in. How he can redeem your character, give you patience, build your courage, and grow your faith. Because when you welcome Jesus into your life, when you give him access to all of who you are, your transformed life is the miracle.
When Jesus came to earth as a baby, he didn’t just come to teach us how to be better people or live better lives. He came to lay down his life for us – to pay the debt we were too spiritually bankrupt to pay ourselves. And he offers us the miracle of forgiveness—the miracle of a new beginning. There may be consequences, but spiritually speaking, our debt is paid. Our past is forgiven—his love and grace define our future.
Faith doesn’t just believe in God’s existence; it trusts in God’s timing. The good news about Jesus is that, from his perspective, he always shows up right on time. Jesus has come to make a way for you. To open a door for you. To repair a relationship for you. To break addiction for you. To restore a loss to you. To raise a life for you. And that means whatever is happening in your marriage or your family or your career or your health, your pain is not the end, your feelings are not forever, your tears will be wiped away, and your story is not done.
Now more than ever, we need to spend time remembering who God is and what he has done. Not just on Sundays or holidays, but every day, we need to worship. This is the soul food we all need. To be reminded of who God is and what he has done. We need it. This is one of the reasons this season has been so hard for so many people. We need to have our hope renewed and restored. That’s what happens when we worship.
There's a painful division that puts the church's unity and integrity in this country at risk today. And it's the way we've become divided by politics. Over the past few weeks, we've been in a series called Focus: How to Follow Jesus When Everything's Political. But the real challenge before us is not how to Follow Jesus when everything's political. It's how to follow Jesus when everything is partisan...when the litmus test for being a true Christian gets boiled down to the right vs. the left, conservative vs. progressive, red vs. blue.
You can be politically right and still be spiritually wrong. Regardless of how you vote, you still need to strive to keep the life and teachings of Jesus at the center of everything you say and do. Rather than looking at Scripture through the lens of your preferred politics, look at politics through the lens of your faith. We must all discern how to honor God with both our votes and our lives.
Rev. Eugene Cho speaks about engaging in politics as a Christian. His many passions involve leadership, justice, the whole Gospel, and the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on this earth. Eugene is the founder and former pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, the founder of multiple non-profits and grassroots organizations. He has authored two acclaimed books, including his latest; Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics.
No matter who you plan to vote for, there is no name on the ballot this year or any year who has the answer our world needs most: the redemption and transformation of every human heart. Because no matter which leader is in office or which party is in control, Jesus is on the real throne. He has been for 2000 years. And he’s not up for election.
Rather than getting overwhelmed by whatever life throws at us, learning to take life one day at a time will not only help us get through the day, but it might lead to growth in our lives we never thought possible. Let’s not pretend this is easy – it’s not. But, God promises to walk with us each day, one day at a time – to give us an infusion of the kind of hope and encouragement we can find in his word to keep going.
Pain and suffering are not ideal, but in those seasons, we grow the most. At our lowest points, we experience God's power the greatest. It's in those moments that the church becomes more than just a building, but a group of people called on mission together to serve. Service is so central to the Christian life, it's one of the most touched on topics in scripture. Serving is how we can go deep and wide in our faith, furthering our impact on the world.
We need to stop just going to church be the church. In Corinthians, Paul says, “You are the building,” referring to the people that he is writing to as not just God's coworkers, but God's building. The best expression of the gathered church is much more like a Life Group than thousands of people gathered in a building. This type of community, of the Church, could be what's missing in your life.
Jesus can change everything for anyone, but he will also give anything to save any one person. In one of Jesus' most famous parables, the Good Shepherd leaves his 99 other sheep to rescue the one that was lost. When he finds it, he Joyfully puts it on his shoulder. If you want Joy in your life, it starts with this, being a part of the mission of God to reach people, to reach any-one. So, who's your one?
There is a big difference between Greek words for time, Chronos (the clock moving) and Kairos (the way Jesus talked about time as full of potential and possibility). When Jesus announced the time has come and the kingdom is here, he was saying the Kairos has come. Now is the moment. What happens when we realize that we’re living in Kairos, not Chronos time? We meet people where they are at, serve those in need, and give without strings. All so others can know there is a God who loves them, a church who sees them, and a hope that can sustain them.
Over the last six weeks, we have been walking through the Lord’s prayer. We have been learning how to pray and how to live. However, no matter how long we have been following Jesus, there are always opportunities to go deeper. So, over the course of this service, we are going to pray through this prayer section by section, as a time to think and reflect.
The key to overcoming temptation isn’t fighting it, it’s refocusing. Shift your thoughts. The Bible never says resist temptation – it says resist the tempter. There’s a big difference. The key is to refocus your attention because whatever gets your attention gets you. The more you fight something – the more you focus on it. So, when it comes to temptation, refocus rather than resist.
To pray “forgive us our debt" implies not just that we have done something wrong, but that we cannot make those wrongs right on our own. That’s why Jesus went to the cross and willingly gave up his life. It was to cancel our debts. We can’t make our relational debts right on our own, but God can and has already forgiven them. All we must do is ask.
We want to be self-sufficient, not depending on anyone else. And while it’s important to have a good work ethic, the Bible is also clear that God is our provider. I think that's exactly why this line in the prayer, “give us today our daily bread,” is so important. In our modern culture, it can be too easy to forget our daily dependence on God, but it’s so important to remember and recognize.
Through every word and action, Jesus shows what it looks like to live like the kingdom of heaven is coming. And through his death and resurrection he opens a door for us to decide – to pick a side in this battle. God’s kingdom and God’s will or my kingdom and my will? In praying these words, we’re picking a side in this struggle. We’re saying I want to see the brokenness of this world made right – I want to see it restored to its beautiful, intended state. And I’m not just going to pray that it happens, I want to be part of it.
There’s nothing wrong with bringing our requests to God – he tells us to do it – but Jesus says if you want to learn to pray well – if you want to learn to do this right, here’s where you start: Start with who God is. Start by recognizing and celebrating his name. And of course it’s not just his name, it’s what his name represents. It’s recognizing his power, his majesty, his holiness, his goodness, his character.
Most people, if they think about God, just assume that God is somewhere far away. But what if God isn’t far away? What if God isn’t found only in church services or religious spaces? What if God is right here? Well, 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus made this very claim about God. In fact, according to the gospel of Mark, the good news that Jesus announced was not about going to heaven, it was about heaven coming here.
Nobody’s perfect and we all miss the mark at times, but missing the mark can have significant consequences. So, the question is how do you make things right when you do something wrong? This week in the story of Jacob, we see how he attempts to make things right with his brother after 20+ years of avoiding the problem. The relationship can only be healed when he stops making excuses and finally takes on a posture of humility and vulnerability.
We all want to “win” in life, but God defines winning differently than the world does. It’s not about how much you make, how successful you are, or how popular you are, it’s about losing your life to God so he can save it. When Jacob finally got to a place where he had financial, job and relational security, it didn’t mean he was winning. He won because God promised to be with him. God doesn’t promise us prosperity, he promises us his presence, so what do we have to lose?
In this message, we continue the story of Jacob as he starts his quest for love. It leads him, along with other characters in this story, down a path of imperfection, frustration and rejection, but God still uses it for good. Ultimately, this story is about grace. It’s about a God who sees us and loves us in our imperfection and says that he will forgive, provide for and love us…all we have to do is ask him.
Like many of our own stories, the Biblical story of Jacob began with struggle. He grows up always trying to live up to his brother, seeking any power and privilege he can gain. Like Jacob, when we don’t feel loved as we are, we pretend to be someone we’re not. Many of us have gotten really good at pretending to be someone we’re not. We pretend because we don’t want to feel week, so we put on a mask and build a façade. But with Jesus, we don’t have to pretend anymore. With Jesus, we can stop pretending to be strong and finally admit our weakness, so that we can allow God to work in our lives authentically.
A Roundtable discussion between Scotty and local pastors in the Black Community around racial reconciliation.
Over the past few weeks, our country has witnessed the heartbreaking killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, along with the understandable outcry that has followed. Many of us are hurting, angry, confused, and wondering what to do. So, in this message, Pastor Scotty addresses what to do next.
You may be getting sick of hearing the word “unprecedented” to describe the times we’re living in, but the truth is that these times are very precedented as we look back through history. Humanity has faced pandemics before, and the church has often had to decide how to respond. In fact, the way Christians responded to pandemics and other wide-spread hardships was part of the reason the early church grew so rapidly. But it doesn’t have to stop with the early church! This is our generation’s opportunity to bring light into the darkness that surrounds us…not through what we say, but through our actions.
God is inviting every human into the process of transforming our lives, hearts and characters to look more like Jesus. However, it’s not instant. It’s a life-long process that moves slowly and causes us to grow in grit. We wait with grit, knowing that the best is yet to come. With grit, we focus our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate source of our hope that one day, all will finally be made right.
Many of us feel helpless, powerless and out of control right now. Maybe you’re an essential worker who can’t seem to get break. Maybe you’re furloughed from work and stuck at home. Maybe you’re missing out on graduation or a wedding. What’s even more frustrating? It seems there’s nothing you can do to change your situation. So, what can you do when there’s nothing you can do? Humble yourself, pray and seek God. The point is not what we can do, but what God can do.
The stay home restrictions in place have turned family life upside down. Home used to be a place for family, but now it’s also the office, classroom, playground, gym and hair salon. While it’s creating new opportunities for families, it’s also hard to get a break from one another. So how can we keep our relationships and marriages healthy in this new, anxiety-filled environment? It’s complicated, but it will take inviting Jesus back to center stage and surrendering your relationship to him.
This era is defined by two words: social distancing. Every relationship, besides whomever you live with, is now a long-distance relationship. And relationships are not meant to be kept at a distance. So how do we do we get closer to one another while keeping our physical distance? Thankfully, there are some biblical practices that can help, coming from a time of forced isolation in the life of the Apostle Paul. It doesn’t matter how you gather; it just matters that when you do, Jesus is always there.
Our new normal is tough, but it’s also giving us a chance to think differently about our spiritual lives. Whether your spiritual life consisted of going to church twice a year or praying for a few minutes a day before this new normal, it’s clear that we could all use a little more time reconnecting with God these days. You have the choice to let this new normal overwhelm, pretend to have it all together, or admit your need for Jesus and pursue a new normal day with him.
It’s going to take a while for things to go back to “normal.” So, in the meantime, we’re going to have to continue to navigate life and what following Jesus looks like in the new normal. We need to learn how to find God when we’re physically isolated, financially stressed, relationally strained and spiritually exhausted. It’s going to take trusting God and taking some bold steps, but this new normal also brings new opportunity for us to move closer to the vision God has given us for our lives.
Christianity is simultaneously the most inclusive and exclusive faith on the planet. ONLY Jesus has made a way for EVERYONE. Whether you know the Bible or not, or have a background in church, Jesus can change everything for you.
You will never truly know that God is all you need until God is all you have. Though we may be moved or feel shaken at this time, we cannot be overcome with the unshakeable God on our side. To live an unshakeable life in such a shakable world, we must not start with what’s temporarily true about God, but with what’s permanently true about God.
No matter where on the political spectrum you find yourself, talking about politics can be uncomfortable. Especially the intersection of politics and faith. Unfortunately, many Christians on both sides of the political aisle tend to believe that God is on their side and that the other side is morally corrupt. We let our political loyalties impact not just how we vote, but our faith and how we treat other people as well. While politics should never be where our primary loyalties lie, politics still matter to God because people matter to God. However, at the end of the day, what’s important is that our political differences make us better, rather than turn us against each other.
How can a good God allow violence? It’s one of the most difficult questions of faith. It’s hard to make sense of stories in scripture where God allows violence and destruction. The truth is that God is a warrior against sin and the pain that it causes. There are far more passages about God’s love and mercy than His wrath. The instances where God commands war are rare, and they were always to stop a greater injustice. Even in the midst of war, God also provides a way out for those who will turn to Him. Through the person of Jesus, God has absorbed all our violence, death and sin. The Lord your God is in your midst a victorious warrior, He is mighty to save.
Whether we’re praying for someone to grow old with or for a loved one who’s dying to be healed, feeling like your prayers never get answered is so hard. Why is it that God says yes to some prayers, no to others, and sometimes we just can’t seem to hear an answer from God at all? Maybe there’s a broken relationship in your life, maybe you just stopped believing that God really will answer your prayer, or maybe God actually has something better in mind. There’s no simple reason why prayers sometimes don’t get answered, but we do know one prayer God always says yes to. Whoever calls on God’s name will find salvation, freedom and love.
What does it mean for actually live out the things we know to be true? While actions and words seem to be more spread apart than ever in our culture, we need to find a way for the two to reconnect. It takes serious character development, being a good listener and walking the talk. What really matters at the end of the day is if we’re moving towards becoming the type of people God created us to be, becoming people who practice what we preach.
True love is love without strings. It isn’t judgmental or critical, it’s unconditional. Jesus showed this with the washing of his disciples’ feet, humbling himself in service to them, even those who he knew would betray him. Join us as we explore what this kind of humility and service looks like in our culture today. What is the 2020 equivalent of foot-washing?
It’s Super Bowl Sunday and we’re calling you all to be part of Team Northshore! As we serve out on mission together, we aim to be a place where everyone is more than a consumer at church, and a contributor in every nook and cranny of their lives. It’s how Jesus calls us to live and the only way everyone feels the love of God they desperately need.
What does it mean to be generous, to lead the way in that generosity? It’s a life-altering arrangement where generosity comes first, not last. God pushes us to lead the way with irrational generosity by giving us an example to follow. Through Jesus, we were given an irrationally generous gift of debt payoff. Even bigger than school or medical debt, the debt God freed us from pushes us to spread that generosity to others.
The church is meant to be a dream center. Martin Luther King Jr. knew how to dream big and we should too. Let’s learn to dream big together and pray even bigger. Even when we struggle to believe that our dreams will actually become reality, God helps us in our unbelief. What are your dreams and prayers for your family your community and the world?
Whether you’re sitting down at church or at the dinner table in your own home, it’s pretty likely that there’s an empty seat nearby. Do you ever ask yourself who should be in that chair? Who’s not here who should be? In this message, we’ll talk about how Jesus pushes us to go beyond including our family and friends at the banquet table to include the poor, the stranger and the outcast.
How can we aim to be a Jesus-centered church? By digging wells instead of building fences. Fences are meant to keep people either in or out and uphold the us/them boundaries in our culture. Wells on the other hand draw people in not by force, but by a need for fresh water that runs deep in every person. Let’s explore how Jesus is the living water we crave and how we can be a church family that shares that fresh well water with our neighbors.
As human beings, we are wired for the word yes. However, we don’t always see God fitting into that picture of yes. We often view God as a finger-pointing being who loves to say no. That picture of God is simply not true, and that’s where the Christmas story comes in. When we messed up, God could have said no and written us off, but He didn’t. Instead, God said yes by coming into the world through Jesus. The Christmas story of Jesus entering humanity as a baby proves that God’s heart for you isn’t a stress-producing no, but a joy-producing yes. Merry Christmas from Northshore!
The knowing/doing gap is having all of the data, knowledge and answers right in front of you, but never putting that knowledge into practice. Our biggest problem in the church isn’t information, it’s implementation. The Bible has all of the information and knowledge we need, yet there is a divide between reading Scripture and acting upon it. Jesus came to mend the knowing/doing gap and to show us how to transform our knowledge of God’s love for us into actions of love towards others. We can begin to show that transformative love by starting close to home, with what God has already equipped us in and even with just one person.
Every school has a formal and hidden curriculum. The formal curriculum includes things such as math, science and grammar. Meanwhile, the hidden curriculum includes things like who you sit with at lunch and who you choose to be friends with. It’s how the world works, the Church included. Unfortunately, the hidden curriculum of who’s in our group can cause us to have bias. We overlook the bad things our group does and magnify the good things. We view those in our own group as unique individuals and those outside as one big group of people who seem alike simply because they are aren’t like us. However, Jesus calls us to live differently. He calls us to get uncomfortable, stop avoiding others and confront our bias.
We all have that person in our lives who’s hard to love. Maybe they’re a co-worker you’re stuck on a project with or a family member who’s coming to visit for Christmas. If you don’t know who that person is, maybe you’re the one who’s hard to love. Either way, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are called to engage in redemptive conflict in the following ways: 1. Go – Go and bring up the conflict with the person you have the conflict with. They deserve to be the first to know. 2. Admit – Admit to your own share of ownership in the conflict. 3. Pray – Love your enemies and pray for them. 4. Stay – Stay committed to the relationship and don’t give up.
When we aren’t reconciled to God, we’re more than just passive bystanders to the divides on earth, we are part of the problem. In the first message of our Mending The Divide series, we discuss what it means to be reconciled to God. The problem we face is not the divide itself. God has crossed, closed and bridged the divide, making things right with us. The decision we now face is whether we will humble ourselves to receive the reconciliation that God already offers us, the first step to mending the divides in our lives.
Sometimes our lives are messy on the inside, but they look very neat on the outside. We’re really good at hiding the mess of who we are. We work hard to make it look like we’re okay, even when we’re far from it. However, it’s in the middle of the mess that we often meet God. It’s in the darkness that we discover His goodness, love and grace. Using the story of Zacchaeus, a man who met God in the middle of the mess, Pastor Wolfgang discusses the only way we can truly be okay. When you truly realize who God is, you don’t have to hide anymore, act like you’re perfect or that you have it all together. Just let Jesus inside, into your mess.
Pastor Wolfgang discusses what to do when you feel depressed as part of the sermon series, “It’s OK To Not Be OK.” Whether your depression is situational, seasonal or clinically diagnosed, it can cause you to feel that there is no meaning left in life. Meanwhile, the Church often chooses to play the quiet game when it comes to discussing feelings of depression, causing those who are depressed to become silent as well. The reality is that some of God’s brightest saints dealt with the darkest depression. Scripture clearly shows that God is close to the brokenhearted.
Relationships can be messy and deeply painful. In this fourth message in the It’s OK To Not Be Ok series, Pastor Scott addresses what the Bible really says about broken marriages and divorce. Marriage is a relationship that was intended to represent God’s deep commitment to us, but things have gone off course. Even when we face brokenness, unfaithfulness and lack of love in our relationships, God shows us how hope can be found. If your relationship is struggling, you feel like damaged goods or feel like you have done something that can’t be forgiven, we pray this message provides hope for you.
Pastor Scott addresses our need for connection and the painful reality of loneliness in the sermon series It’s OK Not To Be OK. Whether you’re dealing with a failed relationship, in an isolating leadership position, lacking in-person connection in spite of your social media followers or grieving a loss, loneliness is something we all struggle with and the health consequences are significant. Because God created us for relationship, there is a deep connection between your spiritual and relational life. Steps to establish deep relationships that strengthen your relationship with God include: 1. Get connected in person 2. Be vulnerable in person 3. Have hard conversations in person 4. Confess in person 5. Forgive in person
We don’t get to choose whether we’ll experience loss in life, but we do get to choose whether or not we will grieve. When we lose something or someone, we can hide how we feel or ignore or try to numb how we feel – we can pretend we’re okay. Or we can admit we’re not ok. Why? Because it’s okay to not be okay. The only path toward healing is acknowledging our not-okay-ness. As part of the It’s OK To Not Be OK series, Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang discusses God’s model for expressing grief and loss, as shown through scripture and the example of Jesus while He walked on Earth.
Anxiety is a not okay part of life that can cause you to feel weak, isolated and ashamed. It can even cause you to become angry with God, asking Him why He made you the way He did. In this second message in the It’s Ok To Not Be Ok series, Pastor Scott shares his own story with anxiety, his decision to go to counseling and the ways in which anxiety is impacting our lives. Living with anxiety takes courage. God created you perfectly, which means your anxiety is nothing to feel shame about. It isn’t a sign a sign of weakness. It’s something that God will use to draw you back to Him.
Kicking off the It’s OK To Not Be OK series, Pastor Scott discusses what happens when we don’t feel okay. Admitting that you are discouraged, depressed, anxious, sad or lonely is not an easy thing to do, sometimes especially so within the church. Sharing his own journey of experiencing seasonal depression when he moved from sunny California to rainy British Columbia, as well as countless examples from the Bible of people who didn’t feel okay, Scott discusses the first step to healing: asking for help.
Too many churches in our day are known for what they are against. We want to be a church that is built on what we are for. So for this series, we’re going unpack what it means to be a church that is together for our neighbors, the next generation, and those in need so that the Puget Sound and beyond can flourish.
Too many churches in our day are known for what they are against. We want to be a church that is built on what we are for. So for this series, we’re going unpack what it means to be a church that is together for our neighbors, the next generation, and those in need so that the Puget Sound and beyond can flourish.
Too many churches in our day are known for what they are against. We want to be a church that is built on what we are for. So for this series, we’re going unpack what it means to be a church that is together for our neighbors, the next generation, and those in need so that the Puget Sound and beyond can flourish.
Too many churches in our day are known for what they are against. We want to be a church that is built on what we are for. So for this series, we’re going unpack what it means to be a church that is together for our neighbors, the next generation, and those in need so that the Puget Sound and beyond can flourish.
Alpha is a series of courses where anyone can share their thoughts and opinions and ask questions without feeling judged. Dinner will be served every week, and you’ll watch an Alpha video created to engage and spark conversation. These videos explore big issues about faith and life’s meaning. The discussion time afterward allows people with different thoughts, beliefs, and experiences to ask honest questions and have open conversations. In this message, Alpha covers the topic of "Why did Jesus die"? For more information about Alpha and the next upcoming course, visit northshore.church/alpha.
It’s easy to spend our lives being grumpy and critical. Sometimes things don’t go our way or people let us down. In the face of all this, is it possible to live with a deep sense of joy? Not the kind of shallow, saccharin-sweet happiness that fades in the face of challenges, but a deep sense of well-being that endures through the good and bad of life. In our new series starting next week, A Beginner’s Guide to Joy, we’ll learn from the New Testament book of Philippians what it means to live a life marked by lasting joy and discover how to experience it for ourselves.
It’s easy to spend our lives being grumpy and critical. Sometimes things don’t go our way or people let us down. In the face of all this, is it possible to live with a deep sense of joy? Not the kind of shallow, saccharin-sweet happiness that fades in the face of challenges, but a deep sense of well-being that endures through the good and bad of life. In our new series starting next week, A Beginner’s Guide to Joy, we’ll learn from the New Testament book of Philippians what it means to live a life marked by lasting joy and discover how to experience it for ourselves.
It’s easy to spend our lives being grumpy and critical. Sometimes things don’t go our way or people let us down. In the face of all this, is it possible to live with a deep sense of joy? Not the kind of shallow, saccharin-sweet happiness that fades in the face of challenges, but a deep sense of well-being that endures through the good and bad of life. In our new series starting next week, A Beginner’s Guide to Joy, we’ll learn from the New Testament book of Philippians what it means to live a life marked by lasting joy and discover how to experience it for ourselves.
It’s easy to spend our lives being grumpy and critical. Sometimes things don’t go our way or people let us down. In the face of all this, is it possible to live with a deep sense of joy? Not the kind of shallow, saccharin-sweet happiness that fades in the face of challenges, but a deep sense of well-being that endures through the good and bad of life. In our new series starting next week, A Beginner’s Guide to Joy, we’ll learn from the New Testament book of Philippians what it means to live a life marked by lasting joy and discover how to experience it for ourselves.
It’s easy to spend our lives being grumpy and critical. Sometimes things don’t go our way or people let us down. In the face of all this, is it possible to live with a deep sense of joy? Not the kind of shallow, saccharin-sweet happiness that fades in the face of challenges, but a deep sense of well-being that endures through the good and bad of life. In our new series starting next week, A Beginner’s Guide to Joy, we’ll learn from the New Testament book of Philippians what it means to live a life marked by lasting joy and discover how to experience it for ourselves.
Everybody makes decisions. But how do we know if we’re making the right choices? And what do we do if we make the wrong decision? And where is God in all of this? Join us on Sundays as we explore these questions.
Everybody makes decisions. But how do we know if we’re making the right choices? And what do we do if we make the wrong decision? And where is God in all of this? Join us on Sundays as we explore these questions.
Everybody makes decisions. But how do we know if we’re making the right choices? And what do we do if we make the wrong decision? And where is God in all of this? Join us on Sundays as we explore these questions.
Everybody makes decisions. But how do we know if we’re making the right choices? And what do we do if we make the wrong decision? And where is God in all of this? Join us on Sundays as we explore these questions
Everybody makes decisions. But how do we know if we’re making the right choices? And what do we do if we make the wrong decision? And where is God in all of this? Join us on Sundays as we explore these questions
Spiritual life is not a matter of trying harder, but training wisely. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, learning to follow Jesus means arranging our lives around activities that help us receive God’s grace and enable us to live our lives as Jesus taught and modeled.
Spiritual life is not a matter of trying harder, but training wisely. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, learning to follow Jesus means arranging our lives around activities that help us receive God’s grace and enable us to live our lives as Jesus taught and modeled.
John Ortberg, Senior Pastor of Menlo Church and best-selling author of “Soul Keeping” and “The Life You’ve Always Wanted”, explains how God has called us to joy.
Spiritual life is not a matter of trying harder, but training wisely. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, learning to follow Jesus means arranging our lives around activities that help us receive God’s grace and enable us to live our lives as Jesus taught and modeled.
Spiritual life is not a matter of trying harder, but training wisely. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, learning to follow Jesus means arranging our lives around activities that help us receive God’s grace and enable us to live our lives as Jesus taught and modeled.
Spiritual life is not a matter of trying harder, but training wisely. Like an athlete preparing for a marathon, learning to follow Jesus means arranging our lives around activities that help us receive God’s grace and enable us to live our lives as Jesus taught and modeled.
“Work” consumes as much time as just about anything else we do. But for many, it’s a source of grief instead of fulfillment. Between demanding supervisors, difficult coworkers and a constant pressure to perform we can become weary and even make compromises we regret. How do we discover God’s perspective on our work and experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from a job well done?
“Work” consumes as much time as just about anything else we do. But for many, it’s a source of grief instead of fulfillment. Between demanding supervisors, difficult coworkers and a constant pressure to perform we can become weary and even make compromises we regret. How do we discover God’s perspective on our work and experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from a job well done?
“Work” consumes as much time as just about anything else we do. But for many, it’s a source of grief instead of fulfillment. Between demanding supervisors, difficult coworkers and a constant pressure to perform we can become weary and even make compromises we regret. How do we discover God’s perspective on our work and experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from a job well done?
Have you ever noticed how getting older doesn’t always mean growing up? People of all ages can get stuck in cycles of childish behavior—such as blaming others or feeling entitled or avoiding commitment. Jesus teaches us not just how to find forgiveness, but how to grow up into the people God wants us to be.
Have you ever noticed how getting older doesn’t always mean growing up? People of all ages can get stuck in cycles of childish behavior—such as blaming others or feeling entitled or avoiding commitment. Jesus teaches us not just how to find forgiveness, but how to grow up into the people God wants us to be.
Have you ever noticed how getting older doesn’t always mean growing up? People of all ages can get stuck in cycles of childish behavior—such as blaming others or feeling entitled or avoiding commitment. Jesus teaches us not just how to find forgiveness, but how to grow up into the people God wants us to be.
Have you ever noticed how getting older doesn’t always mean growing up? People of all ages can get stuck in cycles of childish behavior—such as blaming others or feeling entitled or avoiding commitment. Jesus teaches us not just how to find forgiveness, but how to grow up into the people God wants us to be.
Have you ever noticed how getting older doesn’t always mean growing up? People of all ages can get stuck in cycles of childish behavior—such as blaming others or feeling entitled or avoiding commitment. Jesus teaches us not just how to find forgiveness, but how to grow up into the people God wants us to be.
Christmas can be a season of routine: putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, seeing family… But there was nothing routine about the first Christmas: angels appeared, shepherds left their flocks, wise men brought gifts. They were in awe of something so wonderful, nothing could adequately describe it. Join us this season as we rekindle the wonder and recapture the awe of what God did at that first Christmas.
Christmas can be a season of routine: putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, seeing family… But there was nothing routine about the first Christmas: angels appeared, shepherds left their flocks, wise men brought gifts. They were in awe of something so wonderful, nothing could adequately describe it. Join us this season as we rekindle the wonder and recapture the awe of what God did at that first Christmas.
Christmas can be a season of routine: putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, seeing family… But there was nothing routine about the first Christmas: angels appeared, shepherds left their flocks, wise men brought gifts. They were in awe of something so wonderful, nothing could adequately describe it. Join us this season as we rekindle the wonder and recapture the awe of what God did at that first Christmas.
Christmas can be a season of routine: putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, seeing family… But there was nothing routine about the first Christmas: angels appeared, shepherds left their flocks, wise men brought gifts. They were in awe of something so wonderful, nothing could adequately describe it. Join us this season as we rekindle the wonder and recapture the awe of what God did at that first Christmas.
Christmas can be a season of routine: putting up decorations, wrapping gifts, seeing family... But there was nothing routine about the first Christmas: angels appeared, shepherds left their flocks, wise men brought gifts. They were in awe of something so wonderful, nothing could adequately describe it. Join us this season as we rekindle the wonder and recapture the awe of what God did at that first Christmas.
Conventional wisdom says keeping is better than giving and having is better than sharing, but God invites us to use and see our money differently.
Conventional wisdom says keeping is better than giving and having is better than sharing, but God invites us to use and see our money differently.
Conventional wisdom says keeping is better than giving and having is better than sharing, but God invites us to use and see our money differently.
In the midst of life, through the chaos and the calm, through the wants and the needs, it can be a challenge to step back and see our lives through a better lens. Paradigm Shift is a series in Psalm 23 where we seek to understand how God gives us everything we need.
In the midst of life, through the chaos and the calm, through the wants and the needs, it can be a challenge to step back and see our lives through a better lens. Paradigm Shift is a series in Psalm 23 where we seek to understand how God gives us everything we need.
In the midst of life, through the chaos and the calm, through the wants and the needs, it can be a challenge to step back and see our lives through a better lens. Paradigm Shift is a series in Psalm 23 where we seek to understand how God gives us everything we need.
In the midst of life, through the chaos and the calm, through the wants and the needs, it can be a challenge to step back and see our lives through a better lens. Paradigm Shift is a series in Psalm 23 where we seek to understand how God gives us everything we need.
In the midst of life, through the chaos and the calm, through the wants and the needs, it can be a challenge to step back and see our lives through a better lens. Paradigm Shift is a series in Psalm 23 where we seek to understand how God gives us everything we need.
Jesus has a big dream for our world—that lives would be changed, relationships restored, addictions healed, injustice overcome, creation renewed. Our hope as a church is to be part of that dream. In this series, we’ll be looking at what Jesus calls his church to be and to do and how Northshore can be a place where Jesus can change everything for anyone.
Jesus has a big dream for our world—that lives would be changed, relationships restored, addictions healed, injustice overcome, creation renewed. Our hope as a church is to be part of that dream. In this series, we’ll be looking at what Jesus calls his church to be and to do and how Northshore can be a place where Jesus can change everything for anyone.
Jesus has a big dream for our world—that lives would be changed, relationships restored, addictions healed, injustice overcome, creation renewed. Our hope as a church is to be part of that dream. In this series, we’ll be looking at what Jesus calls his church to be and to do and how Northshore can be a place where Jesus can change everything for anyone.
Jesus has a big dream for our world—that lives would be changed, relationships restored, addictions healed, injustice overcome, creation renewed. Our hope as a church is to be part of that dream. In this series, we’ll be looking at what Jesus calls his church to be and to do and how Northshore can be a place where Jesus can change everything for anyone.
Jonathan Wolfgang will be giving a message titled "Grace Illustrated," a look at the life of Hosea. In this message, we'll see that God often demonstrates His grace towards us, even though we don't deserve it.
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom.
Getting spiritually healthy is a lot like getting physically healthy. It takes time, intentionality, and a wise trainer. Which brings us to a man named James. James was the brother of Jesus. So he didn’t just hear Jesus give sermons, he watched Him live out His life. Some years later, he put all that wisdom into a book that is still helping real people navigate real problems, like how to manage your anger or clean up relational messes or get through difficult situations. James was convinced that Jesus’ way of life could help anyone get healthy. So are you ready to get your soul back in shape? Are you ready for Jim Class?
TEXT 97000 to receive daily Jim Class encouragement and wisdom
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
This is an audio recording of Scott Scrugg's message at the Family Meeting. In his message, Scott touches on a few things that God is doing at Northshore and future plans. This recording does not include the Q&A session or the ministry highlights.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us April 8 – May 27 as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Too many people today experience some form of stuck-ness in their life. A habit they can’t quit. A fear they can’t shake. A regret they can’t overcome. But there is a way to experience the very same power that brought Jesus back to life—and it can radically transform yours. Join us April 8 – May 27 as we learn together how to get unstuck.
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
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Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?” (141764)
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
Our next series is “Frequently Avoided Questions.” We’ll tackle difficult topics such as, “Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?” and “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”
We are starting off the new year with a series titled “Love Matters.” Scott Scruggs and Jonathan Wolfgang will show us how we can improve loving others the way Jesus taught. Each week will tie into a chapter of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. There are also new small groups starting in January to discuss the new series. To join a small group, email smallgroups@northshore.church.
We are starting off the new year with a series titled “Love Matters.” Scott Scruggs and Jonathan Wolfgang will show us how we can improve loving others the way Jesus taught. Each week will tie into a chapter of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. There are also new small groups starting in January to discuss the new series. To join a small group, email smallgroups@northshore.church.
We are starting off the new year with a series titled “Love Matters.” Scott Scruggs and Jonathan Wolfgang will show us how we can improve loving others the way Jesus taught. Each week will tie into a chapter of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. There are also new small groups starting in January to discuss the new series. To join a small group, email smallgroups@northshore.church.
We are starting off the new year with a series titled “Love Matters.” Scott Scruggs will show us how we can improve loving others the way Jesus taught. Each week will tie into a chapter of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. There are also new small groups starting in January to discuss the new series. To join a small group, email smallgroups@northshore.church.
We are starting off the new year with a series titled “Love Matters.” Scott Scruggs will show us how we can improve loving others the way Jesus taught. Each week will tie into a chapter of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. There are also new small groups starting in January to discuss the new series. To join a small group, email smallgroups@northshore.church.
Is the story of Christmas for everyone? In this new series, we’ll explore how Christmas is about a world in need of rescue, a God who confirms his true nature, and an opportunity for all people to be transformed by Him.
Is the story of Christmas for everyone? In this new series, we’ll explore how Christmas is about a world in need of rescue, a God who confirms his true nature, and an opportunity for all people to be transformed by Him.
Is the story of Christmas for everyone? In this new series, we’ll explore how Christmas is about a world in need of rescue, a God who confirms his true nature, and an opportunity for all people to be transformed by Him.
At some point in our lives, everyone has said "no" to God, avoided God, run from God, or did the opposite of what they believed God wanted them to do. This series is about what happens when we run from God and how God brings us back to Himself.
At some point in our lives, everyone has said "no" to God, avoided God, run from God, or did the opposite of what they believed God wanted them to do. This series is about what happens when we run from God and how God brings us back to Himself.
At some point in our lives, everyone has said "no" to God, avoided God, run from God, or did the opposite of what they believed God wanted them to do. This series is about what happens when we run from God and how God brings us back to Himself.
At some point in our lives, everyone has said "no" to God, avoided God, run from God, or did the opposite of what they believed God wanted them to do. This series is about what happens when we run from God and how God brings us back to Himself.
There's more to Jesus than we tend to realize and we can have a relationship with Him that radically transforms our lives.
There's more to Jesus than we tend to realize and we can have a relationship with Him that radically transforms our lives.
There's more to Jesus than we tend to realize and we can have a relationship with Him that radically transforms our lives.
There's more to Jesus than we tend to realize and we can have a relationship with Him that radically transforms our lives.
There's more to Jesus than we tend to realize and we can have a relationship with Him that radically transforms our lives.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang finishes our series the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
What’s the main thing a church should be doing? It’s a question that every church should be asking all the time. Jesus helps to answer this question in Matthew 28:16-20.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
Watch as Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
Watch as Pastor Kerry Warren continues our series in the Greatest Stories Ever Told - The Parables of Jesus.
This Sunday we continue our series, The Greatest Stories Ever Told: The Parables of Jesus. Guest speaker Nate Hettinga will talk about The Worst Feeling in the World, and will look at God's passionate heart for those who don't know Him.
This Sunday we continue our newest series with Untapped Potential, where we'll explore how to use the talents God's given us for His sake. Volunteers: join us in the Baker Room after the services for special treats and a token of our appreciation for your service!
Everybody loves a good story. Stories can capture our imagination and give us a new perspective on life. Perhaps the greatest storyteller in history was Jesus himself. He often took the most profound lessons of life and wrapped them in simple stories everyone could understand. In this series we’ll take a fresh look at these ancient stories and discover what they teach us about our own story.
This Sunday we're celebrating more of our international partners as well as concluding our four-week series It's a Small World with A Big Need.
This Sunday we're continuing the It's a Small World series with A Big Team, where we'll explore how God is working through Northshore to change an incredible number of lives in India, as well as launching our Beans and Rice Challenge to build the Training Center to make a difference in the lives of so many more.
Due to the sensitive nature of our guest speaker, message video and audio will be delayed. Listen and watch it online or on the app later in the week. Message notes will not be available.
“For God so loved the world…” The most famous verse in the Bible begins with God’s heart for the world. So what in the world is God doing? Our world is getting smaller, but the need and opportunity is getting bigger. This Sunday, we'll be interviewing Katie T. who will talk about her work throughout Central Asia.
“For God so loved the world…” The most famous verse in the Bible begins with God’s heart for the world. So what in the world is God doing? Our world is getting smaller, but the need and opportunity is getting bigger. In this four-week series It’s a Small World, we’re going to explore God’s invitation to join Him in a global mission.
At some point, all of us, no matter how healthy we are in body, mind, and spirit, will pass from this life to the next. So what happens in the afterlife? What happens when you die? Is there really a heaven and hell? These are some of the important questions we’ll explore in our Afterlife series, because eternity hangs in the balance.
At some point, all of us, no matter how healthy we are in body, mind, and spirit, will pass from this life to the next. So what happens in the afterlife? What happens when you die? Is there really a heaven and hell? These are some of the important questions we’ll explore in our Afterlife series, because eternity hangs in the balance.
The mortality rate in this world is 100 percent. At some point, all of us, no matter how healthy we are in body, mind, and spirit, will pass from this life to the next. So what happens in the afterlife? What happens when you die? Is there really a heaven and hell? These are some of the important questions we’ll explore in our Afterlife series, because eternity hangs in the balance.
The mortality rate in this world is 100 percent. At some point, all of us, no matter how healthy we are in body, mind, and spirit, will pass from this life to the next. So what happens in the afterlife? What happens when you die? Is there really a heaven and hell? These are some of the important questions we’ll explore in our new Afterlife series, because eternity hangs in the balance.
The hope and joy of Easter goes much deeper than anything we can find in the Easter candy section of the stores.
The hope and joy of Easter goes much deeper than anything we can find in the Easter candy section of the stores. Whether you’re just curious about spiritual things or consider yourself a follower of Jesus, come experience the inspiration and celebration during this special day at Northshore.
Throughout this Questioning the Bible series, we've asked some deep questions about the Bible. From historical accuracy to the probability of miraculous events, from translation methods and to ways we should study such a truth-filled, God-breathed book. So how do we apply it all? How do we live in a way that reflects these facts and truths of what God has to say for us individually and the world around us?
Download the Audio: http://northshore.church/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/04-02-17.mp3
The Bible is packed full of deep truths, historical settings, and rich understandings of God and His creation. So how do we read through and study it all? Where do we start, and how to we break it down?
The Bible is composed of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, and originally penned in three different languages. The Bible has been translated in many different languages using different techniques and methods. How did we get the Bible we read today? Join us Sunday as we explore the Bible's canonicity and the different methods used to translate the Bible as we know it today.
The Bible is over 2,000 years old, composed of books written hundreds and thousands of years prior to even then. It speaks of kings and kingdoms long gone, and references times and dates around major historical events. Is what the Bible talks about and references real? Is it accurate? How can we trust something so old? Join us Sunday as we explore the validity of the Bible and how we can trust God's Word.
The Bible is referenced as the Word of God, but it was written by people. Is the Bible from God? How was it written by Him in the first place? Join us Sunday as we continue our series exploring questions surrounding the Bible.
Is the Bible relevant? Is the Bible from God? How can we trust it, how can we apply it, and what does it mean to live it out in our lives? In our new series, Questioning the Bible, we’re going to dive into these questions and more as we explore the origins and historical reliability of the Bible and discover why it really matters.
Is the Bible relevant? Is the Bible from God? How can we trust it, how can we apply it, and what does it mean to live it out in our lives? In our new series, Questioning the Bible, we’re going to dive into these questions and more as we explore the origins and historical reliability of the Bible and discover why it really matters.
Sometimes in times of brokenness, we pray and pray and pray for something to happen, for the situation to be fixed. But what happens when the answer seems to be complete silence? How do we express trust and patience in the midst of the pain? Join us Sunday as we explore Patience in Silence through Psalm 88.
When we're completely broken, how do we express patience? What does it mean for God to be always good in the midst of what seems to be impossibly hard? Join us Sunday as we explore Patience in Brokenness through Psalm 51.
This Sunday, we welcome former Seattle Sounder Steve Zakuani. Alongside Pastor Wolfgang, he'll share his story, helping us explore what it looks like to have patience in Suffering.
From standing in line at the grocery store or being put on hold during a phone call, life gives us ample opportunities to develop and practice patience every day. But there are also more challenging times when we’re experiencing pain and pressures and have no option but to wait and see how things will work out.
As we start the New Year, many people think of ways they want to grow or improve in 2017. But how do we actually grow? Do we dig deep and try to fix ourselves? Do we lie back and hope things just get better? Or is there another way?
December has arrived and it always seems to sneak up on us. Walk in a shopping mall in the beginning of October and Christmas is everywhere. While people might not miss the day or the event, they might miss the meaning of what it’s all about. It’s safe to say that most people miss the truth, the experience, and the wonder of Christmas. So we’re going to imagine T'was the Night Before Christmas back in Jesus’ day—the very first Christmas Eve.
December has arrived and it always seems to sneak up on us. Walk in a shopping mall in the beginning of October and Christmas is everywhere. While people might not miss the day or the event, they might miss the meaning of what it’s all about. It’s safe to say that most people miss the truth, the experience, and the wonder of Christmas. So we’re going to imagine T'was the Night Before Christmas back in Jesus’ day—the very first Christmas Eve.
December has arrived and it always seems to sneak up on us. Walk in a shopping mall beginning of October and Christmas is everywhere. While people may not miss the day or the event, they might miss the meaning of what it’s all about. It’s safe to say that most people miss the truth, the experience, and the wonder of Christmas. So we’re going to imagine Twas the Night Before Christmas back in Jesus’ day—the very first Christmas Eve.
Many of the items on our priority lists are important, if not necessary to us, with those of greatest value residing at the top. However, we can put our faith in those items without realizing it, as if somehow completing those tasks and putting the time in to do so fulfills a deeper purpose. But when we take God off the list and put Him in the center of each item on that list, how does that affect how we work through those same tasks? What does it look like when God's values intersect with the earthly values we often cling so close to and even put our faith in?
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2f7RBpI
When we create a priority list, often we put the biggest, most impactful item first. At least if we accomplish those 2-3 important things, anything missed can more easily be pushed to the next day and we can rest a little easier. When we place Him on that priority list, our relationship with Jesus often becomes defined by how well you accomplish those tasks. But does his grace cover only things that we can check off? Or does the everyday things we do and say make a difference?
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2fCV3y8
Why am I here? What’s my destiny? Does God really have a plan for my life? However you want to ask it, the answer is the same. Yes…you were made on purpose for a purpose. No one is an accident no matter what they’ve been told. The key is embracing God’s universal purpose while also discovering our individual purpose.
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2dPoP1i
In our culture the Holy Spirit often comes across as something mysterious, beyond reasoning, told in the same vein as a ghost story around the campfire. The Bible reveals many of the unique and powerful ways the Holy Spirit works, gifting the people we read about with power beyond themselves. What does that power from the Holy Spirit look like? As followers of Jesus, how does the Holy Spirit reveal Himself in our everyday lives?
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2dGFpPu
In our culture the Holy Spirit often comes across as something mysterious, beyond reasoning, told in the same vein as a ghost story around the campfire. The Bible reveals many of the unique and powerful ways the Holy Spirit works, gifting the people we read about with power beyond themselves. What does that power from the Holy Spirit look like? As followers of Jesus, how does the Holy Spirit reveal Himself in our everyday lives?
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2dQ8HdP
Many people think they have a clear picture of who the Father is and who Jesus is, but when it comes to the Holy Spirit, it’s a little more confusing. This Sunday, we'll dive into what it means to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit and how He speaks into our daily lives.
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2dSBwnF
Many people think they have a clear picture of who the Father is and who Jesus is, but when it comes to the Holy Spirit, it’s a little more confusing. In this not-so-scary series, we’re exploring who the Holy Spirit is, His role in our everyday lives, and how He guides us to live the life we were created to live.
In political seasons such as this, it's often easy to forget what it means to love one another, what it means to share Jesus with one another. When moving to Canada actually seems like a viable option, we find that the Bible calls us to "honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17) As a church, what is our priority? As the church, what are our policies when it comes to the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of Heaven?
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2d9vNvG
Last week we were challenged to converse on politics with grace and understanding, bringing relationship first and displaying the love Jesus displayed in the midst of often heated discussions. However, while we practice grace in our dialogue with one another, we must also look in our own hearts and ask ourselves: as followers of Jesus, how do we live under the authority of our government? What does God say when it comes to the systems of American politics? Join us Sunday as we tackle God & Government.
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2dp9yAC
Whether you like any of the candidates or none of the candidates, as a follower of Jesus in a democratic republic, you have been given the opportunity to exercise your vote. In God & Politics, we’ll explore key passages in the Bible that give us a framework, not about whom we should vote for but how we should vote.
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2d0M893
In the words of Pastor Jonathan Alexander: "Yup...we're going there." With the upcoming Presidential election, American politics is in full swing. Whether you like any of the candidates, none of the candidates, or are threatening to move to Canada, as a follower of Jesus in a democratic republic, you have been given the opportunity to exercise your vote. In our new series, God & Politics, we’ll explore some key passages in the Bible that give us a framework, not about whom we should vote for but how we should vote. Remember—our only Savior and hope is Jesus, not our president, party, or political platforms.
Small Group Questions: http://bit.ly/2cHPskv
We’re nearing the end of the summer—a supposed time of rest and relaxation. But for many of us, we need a vacation from our vacations. There might be a deeper problem. We don’t know how to rest. As a result there is a part of God that we miss out on because there is a part of God we can only know through stillness.
We’re nearing the end of the summer—a supposed time of rest and relaxation. But for many of us, we need a vacation from our vacations. There might be a deeper problem. We don’t know how to rest. As a result there is a part of God that we miss out on because there is a part of God we can only know through stillness.
Having been around for decades, this has become one of our culture's most common sayings, both inside the church and out. So very often in a painful or sinful situation, an ambiguous "reason" is given that's culturally attributed to an act of God Himself as a way to define the seemingly inexplicable. Cancer? God has a reason for that. Sinful family patterns that can't seem to go away? God probably has a reason for that...but is that really who God is? What does the Bible say, and how does it confront this cultural explanation so many of us have grown to live by?
The "coexist" bumper sticker makes a statement that historically-competing perspectives and ideologies held world over can find common ground. It celebrates multicultural thinking as much as it argues that all these different roads lead to the same God. It's a very common belief in our culture, but if that's true, is Jesus' message of grace, restoration, and salvation the same as any other "road?" Or does Jesus exemplify a radically different kind of love that transforms hearts and changes lives?
The topic of judgment and what defines it is stacked up next to how our culture expects judgment to take place. Often, when it comes to commenting or even challenging one's choices or lifestyle, often the response is defensiveness and frustration. But when it comes to whether or not we should judge others, Jesus himself has something to say about it. Should Christians judge others? And if so, what does that look like?
You can do it. You have to do it. You need to change yourself, you need to do more. God isn't going to help you otherwise...but is that true? Does God's grace truly rely on the amount of work you do, or is God's love the radically different kind of love that loves unconditionally, the kind Jesus displayed?
It's considered a popular truth that by one cosmic accident, atoms and rock coalesced in such a way to spark the beginnings of life. But is that really truth? Is God some distant creator, or did He intentionally create each and every one of us for a purpose? Join us Sunday as we kick off our newest series Lies We Believe and join us afterward in the Community Lounge to talk about it over refreshments.
Guardrails serve to create a small accident to protect from what otherwise could be much larger accident. That same principle applies to driving as it does to other areas of our lives. Setting up the right guardrails in your life keeps you from much larger accidents in your marriage, the lives of your kids, and your relationship with God. But what do those guardrails look like on a daily basis? How should you place them both personally and physically?
The whole idea behind a guardrail is simple: they serve to create a small accident, protecting you from what otherwise could be a larger accident. That same principle applies to driving as it does to other areas of our lives. Setting up the right guardrails in your life keeps you from much larger accidents in your marriage, the lives of your kids, and your relationship with God. Where should you place guardrails in your life? What do they look like both personally and physically? Join us Sunday as we enter into our Guardrails series.
We all love stories. We love hearing them, we love telling them. In Mark 5 we read about a man whom Jesus cast demons out of. It gave him a compelling story, at the very heart of which was Jesus, and that story amazed the entire city. What would happen if we shared our stories about God’s work in our own lives? What does it look like to share the most life-changing story in the world with those around us?
When it comes to relationships, our family, friends, and neighbors are not the only people who Jesus calls us to love diligently. In Colossians 3:22, Paul challenges us to live as followers of Jesus in our workplace, to love on those who we spend 8+ hours a day with Monday through Friday. But when it comes to the weekly grind, how do we see God in the midst of our work? What does it mean to give our work to God, to "...do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men"? (Colossians 3:23)
In the last half of Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul challenges us to live out our new identity in Jesus on a personal, one-on-one level, to live out God's love authentically in each of our relationships. Friend or family, acquaintance or neighbor, we're called to press into the people we know and love around us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. What does it look like to live those out in our relationships day by day? How do we approach one another with the heart of Jesus?
When we choose to follow Jesus, we become known by a new identity, one that knows "...no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11) Building our roots in Jesus changes us from the inside out. What does it look like to live that new identity in our culture? How do we walk in integrity to the gospel in our every day lives and reveal the love of Jesus to the people around us?
To be rooted in Jesus means to be rooted in faith—real faith, a faith that is different from what our culture often defines as real and right, a faith that reflects God's call and direction in our lives and the communities around us. How can we root ourselves in a faith that leads us closer to Jesus? Join us Sunday as we explore what real faith looks like, and how we can discern what is fake.
The Pacific Northwest loves its fresh air and plentiful amount of tall, green trees. Underground lies a rich network of roots that allow the trees to stand strong all year long against rain, sleet, snow, hail—and the storms that bring them. Life with Jesus is much the same. Our rootedness and being grounded in Him allows us to stand firm and live tall against even the most raging storms of life. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he shows us how to go deep with Jesus so that we can live tall in our world—to live out God’s story in our community. Join us this season as we learn to get rooted in Jesus.
In the Pacific Northwest, we love trees—tall and green. Underneath the surface of the ground is a deep network of roots that allows the tree to live tall and green. That strong root system also helps those trees weather the storm. Life with Jesus is much the same. Our rootedness and being grounded in Him allows us to stand firm and live tall in the storms of life. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he shows us how to go deep with Jesus so that we can live tall in our world. Join us as we get rooted in Jesus.
There are many remarkable things about Jesus. One of the most surprising is this: the people who had the least in common with Jesus were the very people who were most drawn to Him. They were the outcasts, the doubters and the broken. They were familiar with struggle and pain. Yet it was in the midst of their struggle that they encountered Jesus. In our new series, Jesus for the Rest of Us, we’ll discover following Jesus isn’t about getting our act together; it’s about recognizing the struggles in our own lives and inviting Jesus to meet us there.
There are many remarkable things about Jesus. One of the most surprising is this: the people who had the least in common with Jesus were the very people who were most drawn to Him. They were the outcasts, the doubters and the broken. They were familiar with struggle and pain. Yet it was in the midst of their struggle that they encountered Jesus. In our new series, Jesus for the Rest of Us, we’ll discover following Jesus isn’t about getting our act together; it’s about recognizing the struggles in our own lives and inviting Jesus to meet us there.
There are many remarkable things about Jesus. One of the most surprising is this: the people who had the least in common with Jesus were the very people who were most drawn to Him. They were the outcasts, the doubters and the broken. They were familiar with struggle and pain. Yet it was in the midst of their struggle that they encountered Jesus. In our new series, Jesus for the Rest of Us, we’ll discover following Jesus isn’t about getting our act together; it’s about recognizing the struggles in our own lives and inviting Jesus to meet us there.
There are many remarkable things about Jesus. One of the most surprising is this: the people who had the least in common with Jesus were the very people who were most drawn to Him. They were the outcasts, the doubters and the broken. They were familiar with struggle and pain. Yet it was in the midst of their struggle that they encountered Jesus. In our new series,Jesus for the Rest of Us, we’ll discover following Jesus isn’t about getting our act together; it’s about recognizing the struggles in our own lives and inviting Jesus to meet us there.
There are many remarkable things about Jesus. One of the most surprising is this: the people who had the least in common with Jesus were the very people who were most drawn to Him. They were the outcasts, the doubters and the broken. They were familiar with struggle and pain. Yet it was in the midst of their struggle that they encountered Jesus. In our new series,Jesus for the Rest of Us, we’ll discover following Jesus isn’t about getting our act together; it’s about recognizing the struggles in our own lives and inviting Jesus to meet us there.
A microscopic pathogen. A YouTube video. A revolutionary idea. When something goes “viral,” it spreads contagiously, circulating the globe, bouncing from person to person, taking on a life of its own. Growing from 1 to 33.8 million followers in a little over three hundred years, the revolutionary message of Jesus went viral. In this series, we explore this virality through the life of Paul, a significant agent in the spread of Jesus’ message as he multiplied leaders, established churches, and kicked off church-planting movements that would spread to a global scale.
Two Pastors.
Two Services.
One Sunday.
Super Sunday.
Catch the action as Pastors Jonathan Alexander and Jonathan Wolfgang go head-to-head in one of the most unique messages you will ever hear. For four quarters, they duke it out on the gridiron (well okay…the stage), in an attempt to one-up each other with the greatest stories in the Bible.
When the fireworks clear and the new year begins, goals and resolutions slide into the forefront. It’s a time to refocus on those resolutions of self-improvement, a time to work toward a better you. But what if there is something more than self-improvement? What if there is a better way and a better question? What if the question is not “how can I become a better person?” but “how can I make this world a better place?” Re:solution will help us move beyond the typical focus on ourselves to a better way of focusing on Jesus and the people around us.
When the fireworks clear and the new year begins, goals and resolutions slide into the forefront. It’s a time to refocus on those resolutions of self-improvement, a time to work toward a better you. But what if there is something more than self-improvement? What if there is a better way and a better question? What if the question is not “how can I become a better person?” but “how can I make this world a better place?” Re:Solution will help us move beyond the typical focus on ourselves to a better way of focusing on Jesus and the people around us.
When the fireworks clear and the new year begins, goals and resolutions slide into the forefront. It’s a time to refocus on those resolutions of self-improvement, a time to work toward a better you. But what if there is something more than self-improvement? What if there is a better way and a better question? What if the question is not “how can I become a better person?” but “how can I make this world a better place?” Re:Solution will help us move beyond the typical focus on ourselves to a better way of focusing on Jesus and the people around us.
When the fireworks clear and the new year begins, goals and resolutions slide into the forefront. It’s a time to refocus on those resolutions of self-improvement, a time to work toward a better you. But what if there is something more than self-improvement? What if there is a better way and a better question? What if the question is not “how can I become a better person?” but “how can I make this world a better place?” Re:Solution will help us move beyond the typical focus on ourselves to a better way of focusing on Jesus and the people around us.
When the fireworks clear and the new year begins, goals and resolutions slide into the forefront. It’s a time to refocus on those resolutions of self-improvement, a time to work toward a better you. But what if there is something more than self-improvement? What if there is a better way and a better question? What if the question is not “how can I become a better person?” but “how can I make this world a better place?” Re:Solution will help us move beyond the typical focus on ourselves to a better way of focusing on Jesus and the people around us.
Chances are you or someone you know has been the victim of identity theft. An impostor posing as you can do serious damage and require a huge amount of work to resolve. But even deeper lies an even more destructive form of identity theft: spiritual identity theft. No matter where you are spiritually, it can be dangerously easy to find our worth and identity in unhealthy places. Pastor Jonathan Wolfgang will be talking about what God’s Word has to say about our identity in Christ, and what we can do to safeguard ourselves from falling victim to spiritual impostors.
Christmas is a magical time of year. From sacred carols to classic songs, the music of the Christmas season evokes memories, emotions, and a longing for something more. This December, join us as we explore some familiar Songs of Christmas like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and discover what “the most wonderful time of the year” is all about.
Christmas is a magical time of year. From sacred carols to classic songs, the music of the Christmas season evokes memories, emotions, and a longing for something more. This December, join us as we explore some familiar Songs of Christmas like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and discover what “the most wonderful time of the year” is all about.
Christmas is a magical time of year. From sacred carols to classic songs, the music of the Christmas season evokes memories, emotions, and a longing for something more. This December, join us as we explore some familiar Songs of Christmas like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and discover what “the most wonderful time of the year” is all about.
People love to play board games. They bring out that fun, competitive side of us. Roll a die. Take a spin. Take a risk. Cash it all in. And when the game is over, win or lose, it all goes back in the box…for next time. But how often do we treat our resources like a game? And who are we playing for? In our series Games We Play, we’ll use some popular board games to explore questions of what matters most and discover how to live a life that matters for both now and eternity.
People love to play board games. They bring out that fun, competitive side of us. Roll a die. Take a spin. Take a risk. Cash it all in. And when the game is over, win or lose, it all goes back in the box…for next time. But how often do we treat our resources like a game? And who are we playing for? In our series Games We Play, we’ll use some popular board games to explore questions of what matters most and discover how to live a life that matters for both now and eternity.
People love to play board games. They bring out that fun, competitive side of us. Roll a die. Take a spin. Take a risk. Cash it all in. And when the game is over, win or lose, it all goes back in the box…for next time. But how often do we treat our resources like a game? And who are we playing for? In our series Games We Play, we’ll use some popular board games to explore questions of what matters most and discover how to live a life that matters for both now and eternity.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ing” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. It’s tangible. It’s active. And it's hard. But “One Anothering” is vital to followers of Jesus. Join us Sunday to explore more about how we're called to an active faith.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ing” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. It’s tangible. It’s active. And it's hard. But “One Anothering” is vital to followers of Jesus. Join us Sunday to explore more about how we're called to an active faith.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ing” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. It’s tangible. It’s active. And it's hard. But “One Anothering” is vital to followers of Jesus. Join us Sunday to explore more about how we're called to an active faith.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ing” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. It’s tangible. It’s active. And it's hard. But “One Anothering” is vital to followers of Jesus. Join us Sunday to explore more about how we're called to an active faith.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ing” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. It’s tangible. It’s active. And it's hard. But “One Anothering” is vital to followers of Jesus. Join us Sunday to explore more about how we're called to an active faith.
The Christian faith is an active faith. It is an “ING” faith, especially as it relates to relationships. Love is one thing. It’s theoretical. But loving is another. It’s tangible. It’s active.
We’re called to make an Eternal Impact, Relational Impact, and a Local & Global Impact. These values orient us to the heart of God and why we’re here as followers of Jesus. As we explore our calling as individuals and as a church, we’ll get our bearings and head in the right direction as ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact for Jesus.
We’re called to make an Eternal Impact, Relational Impact, and a Local & Global Impact. These values orient us to the heart of God and why we’re here as followers of Jesus. As we explore our calling as individuals and as a church, we’ll get our bearings and head in the right direction as ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact for Jesus.
We’re called to make an Eternal Impact, Relational Impact, and a Local & Global Impact. These values orient us to the heart of God and why we’re here as followers of Jesus. As we explore our calling as individuals and as a church, we’ll get our bearings and head in the right direction as ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact for Jesus.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure or antagonism that is often accompanied by sinful emotions, words, or hurtful actions toward another person. It’s damaging and destructive. So get control of your anger before it gets control of you!
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
This summer, as we explore the subtle sins we’ve come to tolerate in our own lives, let us pursue a Spirit-empowered holiness so we can live the lives Jesus created us to live.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
When it comes to marriage and human sexuality, the message keeps changing. Society tries to define it for us, but our culture is always shifting. The Bible, however, teaches us exactly who we are. In His word, God teaches us His design for marriage and His design for sex; His way that is true and perfect, leading to joy and human flourishing.
Prodigal means “spend until you have nothing left.” And surely Jesus did. During this series we’ll encounter a heavenly Father who offers an extravagant, reckless grace to all who ask, from the most rebellious to the most self-righteous. And along the way we’ll discover that His reckless grace and love is the key to experiencing the life we were made to live.
The story of the older brother is short, but powerful. The older son perhaps was even more lost than his younger brother because he didn’t understand his need for grace. How do we struggle with pride? What does it mean to experience His extravagant grace?
The younger brother is the most well-known character in this story that Jesus tells. What does it mean for us to turn away, to want the gifts but not the giver? What does it mean to experience His extravagant grace upon returning?
Prodigal means, “spend until you have nothing left.” And surely Jesus did. During this series, we’ll encounter a heavenly Father who offers an extravagant, reckless grace to all who ask, from the most rebellious to the most self-righteous. And along the way we’ll discover His reckless grace and love is the key to experiencing the life we were made to live.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be a part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world; it’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move. The movement of the Holy Spirit throughout the centuries, the movement of the good news of Jesus—and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world. It’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
The world has never seen anything like “the” movement called the Church. People want to be a part of something bigger and something greater than themselves. The book of Acts tells the story of a group of first-century, rag-tag followers of the Risen Christ who became the movement that would change the world; it’s God’s movement because He is a God on the move, and He invites us to get on the move with Him.
Perhaps the reason many of us make New Year’s resolutions is that we like the thought that a new beginning is possible. We are all in need of change in some area of life. Even if you’ve made, and failed, to keep New Year’s resolutions; even if you’re cynical about new beginnings, they are possible, and there is hope.
Perhaps the reason many of us make New Year’s resolutions is that we like the thought that a new beginning is possible. We are all in need of change in some area of life. Even if you’ve made, and failed, to keep New Year’s resolutions; even if you’re cynical about new beginnings, they are possible, and there is hope.
Sunday, Jan 11 featured nationally-known speaker Michael Franzese, a former captain of the Colombo crime family-turned-Christ follower, on a new mission to change lives around the world. Listen in on a first-hand example of what it means to have a new identity in Jesus.
Perhaps the reason many of us make New Year’s resolutions is that we like the thought that a new beginning is possible. We are all in need of change in some area of life. Even if you’ve made, and failed, to keep New Year’s resolutions; even if you’re cynical about new beginnings, they are possible, and there is hope.
What words do you think are commonly used to describe Junior Highers? Maybe energetic? Awkward? How about wise?
“Filled with wisdom” is what the Gospel of Luke uses to describe Jesus when he was twelve years old. As a boy, he was intent on growing in wisdom. Join us Sunday as Pastor Tom Regan explores what we can learn from the boy Jesus, and what it means to follow him in the pursuit of true wisdom.