North River Podcast: Recent Episodes
North River Church
This is the North River Podcast! We are a church based in Marietta, GA. In this podcast we will be bringing our weekly sermon as well as additional programming in the coming weeks and months. Our Mission and Vision:We are a diverse family of believers who answered the call to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We are being transformed by God’s Word, His Grace, and the Holy Spirit. Through small groups and deep relationships with one another, we join in Jesus’ ministry and mission to make and mature disciples while we care for the needs of people. We do this to save as many as possible for the glory of God.
Nick Shoff kicks off our series on Hospitality, looking at how Jesus used food and drink at the center of his ministry (Luke 7:34).
Shawn Wooten gives an update from the mission field in eastern Europe, and inspires us to heed the call of Jesus to go and make disciples.
Tyrone Marcus, visiting from our sister church in Trinidad and Tobago, gives insights on communion from the Gospel of John.
Destiny Broadnax and Tom Masters share their thoughts on communion as part of our series: Family, Food, and Fix Your Eyes On Jesus.
Tom and Kelly Brown give their last sermon before they officially retire from the full-time ministry
Jeff Hickman looks at the biblical case for God's people being intimately connected as family.
Jeff shares thoughts about two moments in Jesus's life in which he defines family in the Kingdom of God.
Jordan closes out our Ephesians series, discussing the importance of letting the Word of God sink in.
Michael Burns talks about the abundance vs. scarcity mindset and how gratitude greatly affects our generosity.
Kendall and Dian Knight, and Ross Mackenzie close out our series in Ephesians, talking about our need to spread the good news to those around us.
We continue our series from Ephesians, reflecting on chapter 6 verses 1-4, which talks about parenting. Jordan is joined by John and Pam Durkota, Steve and Susan Adkins, and Ray and Princess Rowan as they share principles of parenting.
Jeff Hickman looks at the significance of Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem at Holy Week.
Jordan Massey continues our Ephesians series as we look at a very important passage on marriage.
Jordan continues our series on Ephesians, looking at how God has brought many different people together under a new identity.
Michael Burns and Kendall Knight continue our series on Ephesians, looking at how God reconciles us to each other and himself, destroying the barriers of hostility set up by dark spiritual forces.
Jeff Hickman kicks off our new series on Ephesians, looking at the opening verses, and the significance of our adoption into God's family through Jesus.
John and Pam Durkota and Jordan Massey continue our series on Stewardship, talking about the impact of Generosity.
Kendall Knight continues our series on Stewardship, examining many of the gifts that God has given us, and the privilege it is to use them for Him and His people.
Jeff Hickman begins a new series, looking at the biblical teaching on money and taking care of what God has given us.
Kendall Albert wraps up our series called Foundations, looking at what it means biblically to be part of God's church.
Jeff Hickman continues our Foundation series, looking at the process of conversion. Debbie Mackintosh shares her story.
Jordan Massey continues our Foundations series, looking at the biblical doctrine of sin through a lens of Grace and Truth.
Michael Burns continues our Foundations series, looking at the profound significance of The Way of the Cross.
Tom Brown continues our series on Foundations, looking at what it means to make Jesus Lord of our life.
Jeff continues our series examining the core doctrines of our faith. To view the video Jeff referenced, click the link below:
https://youtu.be/JAHSuW95tX0?feature=shared
Jordan Massey continues our series entitled "Foundations", examining our core doctrine about the Bible as the Word of God.
Jeff continues our Foundations series, looking at the biblical doctrine of how God seeks us, and how we seek him.
Jeff Hickman looks at 2 Corinthians 5, looking at what it means for us to be representatives of King Jesus and His Kingdom.
Jordan Massey starts off a new miniseries entitled "Therefore", looking at a concept expressed throughout the entire bible: God is THEREFORE we are. The mission doesn't start with us, it starts with God.
Jeff Hickman wraps up the sermon on the mount text, examining Jesus's teaching on the wise and foolish builders.
Jeff Hickman continues our Sermon On The Mount series, looking at Jesus's teaching on bearing fruit.
Jordan Massey continues our Sermon on the Mount series, looking at Jesus's teaching about Asking, Seeking, and Knocking.
As we celebrate the fathers in our community during Fathers Day, we want to reflect on the nature of our Father in Heaven. During this episode we will take some time to discuss our own experiences with our earthy fathers and how that has impacted our perspective of God the Father. No matter what your background is with your earthly father, we are grateful for the chance to experience the character and consistency of God as He has so graciously adopted us as his daughters.
Kendall Knight looks at Jesus’s teaching on worry, examining the difference between half-minded living and Kingdom focus.
Are we at peace with God but at war with his children? Lee LaGuerre preaches about how we can live as the unified Body of Christ?
In honor of Mother’s Day, this month’s episode highlights various seasons of motherhood and the unique opportunities they present to allow the gospel to transform us. The desire for ease, perfection, control, and predictability often leave mothers feeling discouraged and disorientated by challenges they face. As we allow the gospel message to interact with the realities of motherhood, we hope that you find Biblical perspective and strength to face unexpected challenges in whatever season of life you are in today.
Jesus said “No one can serve two masters”. Guest speaker Matt Rollins takes a close look at this profound teaching of Jesus.
What does it mean to invest in heavenly things? Jeff Hickman continues our Sermon on the Mount series.
Jordan wraps up the mini series “Private Victory Before Public Victory” within our walk through the Sermon on the Mount.
This episode of The Well Podcast is a discussion surrounding the topic of waiting on God. Our guest shares her personal journey learning to wait on God in various seasons of life. We hope that as you listen it will serve as an encouragement to define your view of God in seasons of waiting in your own life.
Michael Burns continues our Sermon on the Mount series looking at Jesus's teaching on Giving to the Needy and where our motivation comes from.
Jordan leads us in a reflection and celebration of God’s power and love shown through the resurrection of Jesus.
What does it mean to love our enemies today? Kendall Albert examines Jesus’s teaching on this topic.
How should a Christian react when they are offended? Jeff Hickman looks at Jesus is teaching on retaliation.
This month we take some time to honor International Women's Day and have a discussion about the value of healthy spiritually beneficial friendships. Our guest, Ryan Holland, shares about her journey of building friendships through various life circumstances and transitions. Join us as we discuss Biblical practicals that have helped us build and maintain relationships over the years that have lead us to wholistic maturity as women, intimacy with God, and laughter with those we walk with in life.
Jordan continues our series looking at Jesus's teaching on sexual desire in the Sermon on the Mount.
This month’s episode of The Well is dedicated to exploring the truth behind the identity God offers us as women of faith. Varying seasons of life along with unexpected challenges can lead us to define ourselves in ways God never intended for us to be defined by. Join the conversation as we discuss how parenting, divorce, chronic illness and more can never effectively define us as women more than the words of God can.
What do salt, light, and a city on a hill have in common? When they are present, you notice. Michael Burns continues our Sermon on the Mount series.
Jeff Hickman continues our Sermon on the Mount series focusing on "blessed are the peacemakers" and "blessed are those who are persecuted".
Jordan continues our Sermon on the Mount series with a look at the beatitudes "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness", "blessed are the merciful", and "blessed are the pure in heart".
Welcome to the Well! A new segment of the North River podcast. Listen along as your hosts, Enid Tchir and LaToya Massey, introduce themselves and share about how Jesus found them at their own wells. Gaining inspiration from John 4, we hope that as we gather at The Well, we can enjoy the gift of faithful community with women around the world!
Jeff Hickman continues our series “In Atlanta As It Is In Heaven” looking at how God’s kingdom clashes with the kingdoms of this world.
Do we need to serve in order to find fulfilling joy? Jordan explores that question as he continues our series "Serve One Another In Love".
Chase continues our series “Serve One Another In Love”, addressing the rampant individualism that exists in our society, contrasted with the communal vision God has for his church and humanity as a whole.
Nick kicks off our new series on serving one another, focusing on how God wants to serve us! But will we let him?
Was there something wrong with your faith tradition? Jeff gives an another talk on Deconstruction, looking at Peter as an example of someone who had to re-examine some things he learned from his spiritual upbringing.
Jeff wraps up our series on Deconstruction, looking at how to keep following and trusting God beyond fairness and beyond our own understanding.
Kendall and Makenzie Albert continue our series on Deconstruction, talking about how to respond when things don’t turn out as we would like.
Jordan continues our series on Deconstruction, discussing our need to define our culture based on the Bible, and not the other way around.
Jeff Hickman helps us walk through what do when things don’t turn out to be as we believed, using the Scriptures as our guide.
Michael Burns opens up our series on Deconstruction, taking his title from 1 Corinthians 2:2.
Jordan continues our series on The Mission, talking about the importance of believing in the Power of God.
Guest speaker Ben Barnett talks about the process that Jesus takes his followers through to get them ready to fulfill his mission.
Jordan continues our series on the mission, focusing on seeing the needs around us the way God sees them.
Jeff Hickman kicks off a new series entitled “The Mission”. In this lesson, we look at the macro story of the Bible, seeing how God’s heart has always been to rescue a broken humanity.
Francis Dassé, guest speaker from Ghana, delivers an inspiring message about the different kinds of faith we have as Christians, and how vital faith is to our walk with Christ. From August 7, 2022.
Jeff Hickman talks about the power of worshipping God together in person. Part of our Practicing the Way of Jesus series. From July 24, 2022.
Nick Shoff continues our series on the Spiritual Disciplines, focusing on the power of hearing God's word together as a community.
Lizzy Carrico, Tawina McNeely, Greg Dillon, and Chase Mackintosh discuss the practicals and benefits of establishing a Spiritual Rhythm of Life.
Jordan kicks off our summer Practicing the Way series with a lesson about the spiritual discipline of Rhythm (or Rule) of Life.
Tom Brown talks about The Holy Spirit leading us out of our comfort zone as we look at the Book of Acts.
Chase Mackintosh and Shawn Wooten discuss what it means when God's Spirit of Love is manifested in his people, as they look at Acts 3.
Chase interviews Shawn Wooten about disciples in Eastern Europe showing amazing love and kindness in the midst of war and devastation.
Jeff Hickman and Tony Karamitas preach about the power of God’s Holy Spirit to change lives on an individual and global scale, as we celebrate the day of Pentecost.
Kendall Knight shows how the power of a life transformed by the gospel is a compelling defense of the faith.
Michael Burns talks about how evil forces infiltrate the powers and principalities of this world, and how Jesus confronts these evil forces.
Tom Brown talks about what the resurrection of Jesus can compel us to do as Christians.
Michelle Wright, Gabe Lawrence, and Chip and Judy Michelle discuss the impact of the resurrection in their personal lives.
Jordan and LaToya Massey teach about the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus in our lives.
Tom Brown wraps up our series: “Winning the War In Your Mind”. We need each other in this fight.
Nick and Brie Shoff talk about the Holy Spirit and how it is through Him that we will win this war in our mind.
Chase Mackintosh begins a discussion from the scriptures about the New Testament concept of living by the flesh vs. living by the Spirit.
From our series “Winning the War In Your Mind”. Jordan talks about the Word Of God as the defense against the enemy’s lies.
Guest speaker Michael Burns continues our series, “Winning The War In Your Mind”, focusing in on the devil, the father of lies.
Jeff and Lin start a new series entitled “Winning The War In Your Mind”, based on the book by Craig Groeschel.
Ross Mackenzie talks about the intersection of faith and family as we navigate generational transitions in the Kingdom of God.
Jeff continues our series on Philippians, looking at chapter 3, on what it means to be allegiant to Jesus.
Jordan continues our series on Philippians about what it means to have a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.
Jeff Hickman continues our series on Philippians, focusing on what it means to be genuinely concerned for others.
Jordan Massey continues our series on the letter to the Philippians, focusing how we can have the unity to which Jesus has called us.
Chase interviews Matt Tchir as they dive into surrendering to God's Spirit, and understanding what it means to fear Him.
Guest Speaker Tom McGuirk digs into John 15 and Jesus’s calling to love with everything we have.
Jeff Hickman does some in depth teaching on the biblical practice of fasting, ahead of our three-week fast as a church (1/9 - 1/29). Click here for sermon slides.
Have you ever felt like you "hit the wall" spiritually? Jim and Lindsay Long talk about their experience with this and how God brought them through.
Christ Stages Map
Journey of the Soul Book page
Journey of the Soul Leader Guide (For small Groups)
Journey of the Soul Small Group Videos (Free)
If you are interested in being part of a Journey of the Soul small group or perhaps leading a small group through the material, please email Lindsay or Jim to get connected.
Lindsay and Jim have completed the online and in-person Soul Shepherding Spiritual Direction Certification Program. They are now assisting Bill and Kristi Gaultiere with the 24 month Soul Shepherding Institute with four unique east coast retreats (2 per year). Click here if you would like more information about the Institute.
If you are interested in finding out more about Spiritual Direction, click here.
If you are considering finding a Spiritual Director, Spiritual Directors are listed here.
Other Programs/ Resources Lindsay and Jim recommend are:
Dallas Willard School of Kingdom Living ( an 18 month online and an in-person immersion in Dallas Willard’s teaching on “putting on the character of Christ” through the many facets of biblical discipleship.)
Renovare (24 Month Spiritual Formation Program)
JanJohnson.org (Author and Spiritual Formation Teacher)
DWillard.org (Dallas Willard Free Resources: Articles, Audio, Video)
Jeanie Shaw’s Blog: https://jeaniesjourneys.com
Robert Carrillo’s Way of the Pilgrim
You can reach out to Lindsay and Jim via email below.
LindsayLong3@gmail.com
JimLong.SD@gmail.com
What is God doing among us? Nick Shoff points us Jesus, reminding us to celebrate all of God’s blessings.
Guest Speaker Michael Burns speaks on the transformation of mindset that the Kingdom of God brings.
How can we be faithful in every situation? Chase interviews Chris Haddock about how being close to the King is a main defining characteristic of life in His Kingdom.
What is worship? How are we supposed to worship? Chase and Sherwin examine some biblical passages exploring these questions.
Jeff, Mark, and Lin share an inspiring story about God’s message going out and having effects in extraordinary ways.
Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" Guest speaker Todd Asaad
How can we hear the voice of the King? Chase interviews Jeff Hickman about how we can put ourselves in position to truly be in the presence of God.
Why do we need small groups? Jeff Hickman and Lin Ottenweller speak on the importance of intimate relationships within the church at large, looking at examples from the lives of Jesus and Peter.
Tom starts off a three part series about small group relationships, focusing on praying for each other and with each other.
Jordan Massey continues our series on Life Giving Relationships, talking about the biblical teaching of encouragement.
Tom Brown continues our series, looking at the New Testament word noutheteo, which means “to put on one’s mind”
Jordan Massey kicks off a new series exploring deep relationships in the family of believers.
Jeff Hickman, Melanie Cicercia, and Chris Haddock speak on what true love and service look like through real life examples.
Jordan Massey continues our series "Serve Together" with a message focusing on how we can serve in the mission, allowing God's love to flow through us.
Kendall Knight brings us part two in our series "Serve Together". He takes a deep dive into the meaning of the biblical Greek word doulos (slave), and the scriptures that teach on its significance for us as followers of Jesus.
Jeff Hickman looks at the teaching and life of Jesus, how he lived as a servant, and how he calls us to do the same.
Sherwin and Debbie Mackintosh, Olu Kassim, and Jeff Hickman take a closer look at the theory and practice of biblical hospitality.
Tom Brown continues our series on practicing the way of Jesus, looking at what it means to practice hospitality without grumbling.
Jordan Massey continues our series Practicing the Way, focusing on Jesus's practice of eating and drinking with people as part of his ministry. Visit the sermon page for more resources.
Guest speaker Tom McGuirk brings us a message about the collective temple of God.
Note: the scripture reference to 1 Corinthians 6:19 was from the ESV.
Jeff Hickman continues our series on the spiritual disciplines, looking at the discipline of prayer.
Guest speaker Shawn Wooten continues our series on Practicing the Way of Jesus, talking about the Bible as God’s love letter to us.
Tom Brown continues our series “Practicing The Way”, looking at the spiritual discipline of Bible study.
Jordan picks up our series from last summer, "Practicing the Way", teaching on what it means to be with our Rabbi (teacher).
Tom Brown continues our series, looking at how God's Spirit can empower us to give grace to those who have wronged us, remembering that God has given us abundant grace.
Jeff Hickman continues our series "Spirit-Filled Relationships", confronting the confusion that many of us have about the Holy Spirit, and His role in our lives.
Jordan Massey and Kendall Knight tag team this message, continuing in our series on Spirit-Filled Relationships. How can we, in humility, respond based on the Spirit instead of the situation? View sermon page here
This week's sermon comes from our joint service with our sister churches from across metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Kindred Howard from Athens speaks on what our journey will look like if Jesus is our destination.
Jordan kicks off a new series focusing on how we need to surrender and let God’s Spirit fill us and manifest His qualities in our relationships with one another.
Jeff Hickman continues our series on the Family of God, looking at the global inclusiveness of Jesus's mission, the greatest invitation ever given.
Nick and Brie Shoff continue to explore how to be Faithful Together, looking at intergenerational relationships.
Tom Brown explores the biblical concept of a New Humanity, looking at the union of rich and poor in the body of Christ.
Jordan Massey continues our series "Faithful Together" exploring the idea of being "One in Christ".
Jeff Hickman and Chase Mackintosh trace the origins of God's vision for a unified humanity in His image, looking from the creation narrative in Genesis 1 through the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. What does it mean to be "Faithful Together" and how do we do it?
"God our Provider". Tom continuous our series on the names of God.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION/DISCUSSION
Genesis 22:1-18
- Why would God ask this of Abraham? Why does God require us to go through difficult trials?
- Because Abraham trusted God and obeyed him even the face of extreme hardship and confusion, God blessed him. Will you still obey even when circumstances are perplexing?
- Abraham called the mountain "The LORD will provide". What will you name your "mountain", the thing that God has gotten you through or will get you through?
Jordan Massey focuses our attention on God's unchanging nature as we study God's Faithfulness.
Don Burroughs, Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, gives a talk at one of our community zoom midweek services on January 21, 2021. The talk focuses on spiritual truths from Philippians 4 as well as our God-given psychology of contentment during trying times.
Video available at YouTube.com/NorthRiver
Tom Brown continues our January series "He Is Faithful", focusing on the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit.
"Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit", says the Lord Almighty.
Jordan Massey continues our focus on God's faithfulness, showing through the scriptures how God's faithfulness is greater than our perceptions and faithlessness, and how Jesus fulfills His promises.
Tom Brown continues our new series, focusing on how God is faithful, and what our response should be.
Jeff Hickman starts off the New Year as we focus on being Faithful Together, we must first understand that God Is Faithful.
Jeff closes out our theme for the year, and looks ahead to 2021, in which we will be exploring the theme "Faithful Together".
What would it have felt like knowing a promised was being fulfilled after hundreds of years of waiting?
This week, our Thrive Ministry, which is made up of singles and young marrieds, give a talk about what it means for Jesus to be called “Emmanuel”, “God with us”.
As we head into the Christmas season, we reflect on a name that we hear a lot this time of year: Immanuel, which means "God with us".
Jordan Massey wraps up our Joy of Giving series with some biblical teaching on financially supporting the church. He explores three main questions: Should we give? How much should we give? Why should we give?
Dr. Ben Barnett from Bridge Pointe Church leads our thoughts this week as part of our All Atlanta Virtual Service.
Douglas Jacoby continues our series "Joy of Giving", talking about obstacles that get in the way of our generosity.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Father, are material assets competing with You for lordship over my life? Have I been giving enough to experience a joyful liberty from the tyranny of money and things?
- 1 Timothy 6:7–11
- Ezekiel 28:4–5
- Revelation 3:17–18.
Lord, I realize that in most places around the world, I would be regarded as extremely wealthy (even if I am lower or middle class in this place and time). Have You put so much into my hands because You have blessed me with the gift of giving? What have I been missing out on by not exercising this gift to a greater degree?
- Romans 12:5–8
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
- Galatians 6:9
Excerpt From “The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated.” by Randy Alcorn
Harold Channer has a conversation with Chase Mackintosh about his life and ministry at North River Church, lessons he has learned, and what is the Christlike response to our current climate.
Tom Brown continues our series on the Joy of Giving with a focus on investing in our future hope, eternity with God.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
Father, what’s the eternal downside in giving as much as I can give to You now? In contrast, what’s the eternal downside of minimizing or delaying my giving?”
- Luke 16:10–12
- Luke 19:17
- Mark 10:29–30
- 2 Corinthians 5:9–11
Father, if I don’t release my resources now for Your kingdom causes, will I be in danger of becoming more wrapped up in earthly, rather than heavenly, treasure?”
- 1 Timothy 6:17–18
- Matthew 6:21
- Hebrews 3:15.
From The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updatedby Randy Alcorn
Jeff Hickman starts off our series for the month of November, focusing on the biblical teaching of giving and stewardship, drawing on insights from the book The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Father, what am I guarding and keeping for myself that’s preventing me from depending wholeheartedly on You? Which of “my” assets can I give to You, so that You, not money and things, will be my center of gravity?
- Luke 16:13
- Psalm 42:1–2
- Matthew 5:6
Lord, am I honoring You as owner of the assets You’ve entrusted to my care? Or am I treating You as a mere financial consultant, to whom I pay a fee (2 percent, 10 percent, or…)? Have I been acting as if I own the store and You work for me rather than recognizing that You own it and I work for You?
- Leviticus 25:23
- Deuteronomy 10:14
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Questions taken from:
The Treasure Principle (Revised and Updated) by Randy Alcorn
Kendall Knight closes our our series on the miracles with a powerful look at the significance of the resurrection.
Jordan Massey continues our series on the miracles of Jesus, taking a closer look into the significance of Jesus calming the storm.
Tom continues our series looking at the miracles of Jesus as Jesus turns water into wine.
Jesus did miracles, but the people had to have faith in order to experience the benefits. Do you believe?
Jeff Hickman kicks off a new series looking at the Miracles of Jesus. This week's message looks at the healing of a royal official's son in John 4.
"Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Nick Shoff wraps up our series "Radical Every Day (RED)". Is following Jesus worth it? Hear what he has to say!
Jeff Hickman continues our series "RED: Radical Every Day", focusing on the revolutionary words of Jesus:
"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Luke 6:45).
We can do the right thing, but what is in our heart?
Tom Brown continues our series on following the words of Jesus (Radical Every Day) with a lesson on humility, entitled "LoweRED".
Jordan Massey starts off our series entitled "RED: Radical Every Day", focusing on the words of Jesus, which are world-changing!
FOR SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION/PERSONAL REFLECTION
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
Matthew 16:21-26
- Why did Peter react as he did?
- Why did Jesus rebuke Peter so strongly?
- How does power work in God's Kingdom?
- What is the difference between Kingdom power and worldly power?
Luke 9:23-26
- Why is self-denial crucial for a disciple of Jesus?
- What are the hardest areas of self-denial in your life?
- Jordan mentioned one of the most radical words in Luke 9 is DAILY. What keeps you from pursuing anything DAILY?
- What can you start or stop doing so you can become a person who is consistent on a daily basis?
- "The cross" was associated with being a revolutionary in this time. Why should we view Jesus as a “revolutionary” leader? In what ways do you consider yourself a revolutionary in this world?
For further study on Self Sacrifice & Self Denial:
- Mark 10:41-45
- John 12:23-26
- Acts 4:32-32; 5:40-42
- Romans 6:1-14
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
- Galatians 2:19-21
- Philippians 2:3-8
- Colossians 3:1-13
How are you doing at denying yourself as you follow Jesus? Ask you spouse, roommate, or close friend.
Are you known for your sacrificial love? Ask your spouse, roommate, or close friend.
This week:
Practice praying for surrender to the will of God and the lordship of Jesus. Pray to empty yourself and be filled by God's Spirit through the leadership of Jesus.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." What does it mean to take Jesus's yoke?
What does God's Kingdom among us look like in Jesus's ministry in the first Century and today? To comment, please do so at our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/NorthRiver
Harold and Suzanne Carmen, Lizzie Carrico, and Teregi and Ann Coleman close out our series on The Kingdom of God with a message about representing this Kingdom as Ambassadors.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD: AMBASSADORS
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
- What does being an ambassador of the Kingdom of God look like in your life?
- How do we tend to regard people from a worldly point of view? What does it mean to not do that?
- What can take our focus off of the mission and off of our ambassadorial role?
John 6:66-69
- What made so many disciples of Jesus turn back?
- What were you rescued from to become a Christian?
- What role should gratefulness play in our lives as disciples?
- In what ways do I allow God to fill me with gratitude?
Philippians 3:10-11
- What does it mean to participate in Jesus’ sufferings?
- How does suffering affect our opinion about God?
John 15:16, 19
- How does knowing who you are help you know what to do?
- What would make the world hate Christians?
John 6:38
- How can we focus on representing Christ wherever we are?
- How can we, as ambassadors, take the focus off ourselves?
- What can prevent us from letting ourselves be used by God?
Chase Mackintosh continues our series on the Kingdom of God with a focus on Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5-7, known as the Sermon on the Mount.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD: CITIZENSHIP
What it looked like to live out citizenship in the Kingdom of God was first described by Jesus in the sermon on the mount. If you wanted to belong to His Kingdom then you had to live a different way than the world. His way was a completely different, upside down way of living.
- Why does the world trust in power, pride, and selfish gain?
- Why should we instead trust in self sacrifice, humility, and selfless love in the Kingdom?
Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn…”
Matthew 6:24 - “You cannot serve both God and money”
Matthew 6:25 - “Do not worry about your life”
Matthew 5:44 - “Love your enemies”
- Pick a couple of these teachings from the sermon on the mount. If you were following Jesus in the first century, when would you have seen Him live out this teaching and not just preach it?
- Imagine being there when it happened, how would it have affected you to see citizenship to the Kingdom lived out for the first time?
- Whether it’s one of these teachings or another, what teaching of Jesus’ Kingdom is hardest for you to truly accept and trust? Why?
- What steps can you take to adopt Jesus’ thinking in that area?
Matthew 13:44-46
- Do you still value the Kingdom of God like the treasure in the field?
- If not what is standing in your way?
Practicals:
- Slowly read Matthew 5-7 this week.
- Pick several teachings that stand out to you and write out how different the values are between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God.
- Have a conversation with a friend about a teaching you still wrestle with accepting, trusting, and truly holding to.
Jordan Massey, evangelist at North River, continues our series on the Kingdom of God.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD: ALLEGIANCE
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13)
For reflection:
- We can enter the Kingdom of God only if we submit to King Jesus and declare Him Lord of our lives. He must have our allegiance and devotion over all other kings and kingdoms.
- How is that difficult today?
- What other kings and kingdoms are trying to pull us from the Kingdom of God?
Matthew 6:24
- Why is it impossible to serve both God and money?
- What other "masters" are we drawn to serving?
Matthew 10:1-4
- What had Simon and Matthew, as a zealot and a tax collector, given up to follow Jesus?
- Do you identify with a particular political party or ideology (Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist, or other)? If so, are you more loyal to that party/ideology or to Jesus?
- Who do you trust to take care of your family more: political/social solutions or God’s kingdom?
- What makes you more happy: seeing your party gain the presidency or seats in Congress, or knowing King Jesus sits on throne?
- What angers or breaks your heart more: when you see your party lose a debate or on a law, or when you see God’s kingdom not being lived out?
- What allegiance do your social media accounts reflect: allegiance to Jesus or allegiance to earthly "kingdoms" (parties, organizations, or ideologies)?
Philippians 2:1-11
- How can Jesus's attitude and life help us overcome the divisive issues of today in our lives and in the church?
- What are ways that we can imitate his humility and obedience as other kingdoms are vying for our allegiance?
Practicals from Jordan:
- Pray through your loyalties in this world.
- Write out why you trust Jesus more than them.
- Why did you first make that good confession that “Jesus is Lord”?
- Read a book on Kingdom:
- The Kingdom of God by Jones and Brown
- Escaping the Beast by Burns
- Pray for both party leaders (1 Tim 2:1, Matt 5:43-44).
- When it comes to social media:
- Pause. Pray. Love first. Lift up King Jesus over your opinion. Unite over divide.
- Consider getting off social media/news for a week.
What does it mean to be part of the Kingdom of God even with everything going on in the world right now?
The Kingdom that Jesus brought was very different than normal, earthly kingdoms. How does that affect the way we live in it?
Guest speaker Ed Anton from Hampton Roads Church joins us from his home in Virginia. Our identity as members of the Kingdom of God is found in Christ!
THE KINGDOM OF GOD: IDENTITY
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)
Matthew 3:1-2
- How did liberation from sin and the call to repentance impact your purpose in life?
- How does God’s Kingdom affect our worldview? Or How does God’s Kingdom give us a shared worldview?
- Is Christianity only about being liberated from sin?
Matthew 3:13-17
- What does this passage have to say about Jesus’ identity?
- What is God’s role in the process?
- What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness?
Galatians 3:26-29
- How does God's Kingdom give each of us a new identity?
- How does God’s Kingdom make all of us one?
- How does identity politics get in the way of our new identity in Christ?
- How is identity politics a worldview different from God’s Kingdom worldview?
- How do our other identities tug at us?
Philippians 3:3
- What is the difference between a righteousness of our own and one that comes from God?
- What are the main things that make up your identity? When do they come into conflict with your identity in Christ?
For Reflection:
- How would your life be different if you saw your identity though God’s eyes?
- How can you align and deepen your convictions to embrace the truth of who you are in God’s eyes?
Pray this week to be able to better view yourself through the lens of Kingdom identity, and ask God to show you ways to use His righteousness to bless others.
God announces the coming of His Kingdom in an unusual way. Are we still willing to listen?
Jesus is described as the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith in the opening sentences of Hebrews chapter 12. How can we be inspired by His example as we run our race called life today?
Jeff Hickman starts off our series for August 2020 on The Kingdom of God.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD: INAUGURATION
"There is only one gospel...it is the transformative story of how Jesus, who preexisted as Son of God, came to be entrhoned as the universal king...Jesus proclaimed the one gospel by announcing the inaugation of the kingdom of God as well as its anticipated culmination." (From Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Matthew W. Bates)
Some questions for reflection:
- Where in scripture do we see that Jesus's central teaching was on The Good News of the Kingdom of God?
- Is this different than the view you previously had on the meaning of "The Good News" or "The Gospel"? If so, how is it different?
- How is God's Kingdom at odds with earthly kingdoms today?
- How does individualism make the Kingdom of God smaller than it is supposed to be?
Read Psalm 2, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Daniel 7:13-14
- What are your reactions when viewing these prophetic passages together?
- How did Jesus fulfill these passages in his life, death, and resurrection?
- What are the implications of Jesus being sovereign and King over us?
1 Samuel 8:4-9
- Why does Israel ask for a King? Are there any parallels here to us and our lives?
- Why does God say that through this demand the people have rejected Him as their King?
- What does God's warning mean in verse 9?
Things to consider:
- In what ways do you see the nations rejecting or accepting the reign and rule of God?
- In what ways do you struggle to accept the reign of God in your own life?
- How can the cosmic, universal plan of Jesus's kingship express itself in the life of our church? In our individual lives?
Good idea for this week:
- Pray to understand what Jesus meant when he talked about the Kingdom.
Click here for more resources on this sermon.
What does it mean in scripture when it calls Jesus "a mediator"? What effect does this have on our relationship with God?
Jesus called himself "The Bread of Life". What does that mean and how should we respond?
"Light of the World" is one of the names Jesus used for himself. Michelle Wright takes a minute to explore what that means and how we apply that today.
This is the North River Podcast! We are a church based in Marietta, GA. In this podcast we will be bringing our weekly sermon as well as additional programming in the coming weeks and months.
Our Mission and Vision:
We are a diverse family of believers who answered the call to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We are being transformed by God’s Word, His Grace, and the Holy Spirit. Through small groups and deep relationships with one another, we join in Jesus’ ministry and mission to make and mature disciples while we care for the needs of people. We do this to save as many as possible for the glory of God.