Northwest Christian Church Podcasts

The term “shepherd” is one we use all the time but, because of our modern, high-tech worldview, we may not always understand all the nuances of what that term means. When David wrote Psalm 23, people understood all the layers of meaning of what a shepherd did. As we dig in more on what this term shepherd means and then we look at Psalm 23:1 where God offers to be that shepherd, well, consider your mind blown!

There are some passages of scripture that are really hard to preach on. Sometimes that is because the language and theology are tricky. Sometimes it’s because they are SO familiar, we don’t think there is much we can learn from them. As the saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt.” Psalm 23 is like that. It is so familiar that we can miss its power. As we begin our new series, hopefully you will see that there is so much more to this psalm than meets the eye and it points to something so much greater than many of us could have imagined!

Paul stands in chains, yet he’s the only free man in the room. Agrippa sits on a throne, yet he trembles under truth. In Acts 26, the light that transformed Paul now confronts a king and exposes the danger of being near the Kingdom, but never entering it. This message will press on the heart, break through hesitation, and call every listener from “almost persuaded” to fully surrendered. This isn’t a moment to admire the truth. It’s a moment to respond to it.

This week we will explore Mark 10:17-27 where we see a man known for his wealth approach Jesus and presents a sincere question, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The man's posture reveals great respect. He runs and kneels before Jesus, yet his worldview is shaped by works-based righteousness. He sees eternal life as an achievement to earn, not a gift to receive. Here we see admiration without true discipleship.

The Bible begins and ends in a Garden, in the presence of God, around a tree. This week, we attempt to wrap up our series, “I love to tell The Story,” by looking at the entire narrative arc of the Bible. We will talk about how we strive so hard to return to the joy of the Garden, but there is only one way to get there. Because of a man who died on a tree, we have the ability to get to that perfect Garden and meet around the tree.

Roughly 80% of the world believes in “heaven.” The views of heaven vary greatly but many think of heaven as a peaceful, tranquil place that is filled with clouds and white columns and may or may not involve robes and harps. The Bible has a VERY different picture to paint of what heaven looks like and I can’t wait for it to get here!

When you’re young the end seems like forever away. It’s why we don’t invest like we should, eat healthy like we should, plan like we should. We think the end is too far away. In fact, that philosophy doesn’t end when we’re no longer young. Most of us don’t like thinking about it but the Bible talks about the end all the time. And once we really understand the end, it changes everything!

Life can be hard sometimes. We struggle with what to say. We struggle with how to respond when things don’t go according to plan. Sometimes we even struggle with what God is doing in our life. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul shares some words of encouragement for us all when we find ourselves here.

They say that the sequel is never quite as good as the original. Usually that’s true, but when it comes to God’s story, the sequel (which we are a part of!) is just as good as the original! Today, we begin to see how the Gospel of Jesus spreads as the sequel to the story of God launches on “opening day” of the church.

Jesus didn’t answer the disciples’ questions about timing—He gave them a mission. Between His ascension and return, His people are called to live with urgency, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are sent as witnesses, not just waiting for the end, but actively proclaiming the risen King. The story of Jesus continues through us as we carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.