Northwest Church of Christ Sermons

Roosevelt, Rowling and Hidden Gold

What do President Teddy Roosevelt, J.K. Rowling, and the Parable of the Talents have in common? They all challenge us to get off of the sidelines, get over our fear of failure, and get into the arena because that's where God's Spirit is calling us to live courageously. After all, when we overcome our fear of failure the only three potential outcomes are that we will succeed, God will rescue us, or we will grow in some way. 

Upside Down

In Acts 17, Paul goes into Thessalonica and is accused by his opponents of turning the whole world upside down every where he goes. But what exactly was it about Paul's gospel that made people willing to riot, commit murder, and go to such extreme lengths to silence him. This sermon looks at the most revolutionary elements of Paul's message and what it means for Christians today.

The God Who Sees Me

When Hagar is mistreated and has lost all hope, God shows up and makes promises to her about her future and her son's future. God tells her to name her son "Ishmael" which means "God Hears." Then she names God "El Roi" or "The God Who Sees Me." Later God makes it clear to David that he chooses leaders based on their heart and not their age or appearance. Truly God sees us, knows us, and loves us.

Heavenly Armor

This sermon finishes our Ephesians series with Paul's illustration of God's armor that every Christian should wear. This armor should help the Kingdom of God to resist and push against the spiritual forces of darkness by transforming Christians internally, by causing them to act externally, and to always be prepared spiritually. 

The Kingdom of Life

God is calling us into his kingdom where Jesus is Lord. As we follow Christ he leads us into new life and we are called to bring life into the world around us.

Power at Home

All too often throughout the church's history, the household code in Ephesians 5-6 has been abused to increase power over others. If we understand the Gospel through the posture of Philippians 2, we will willingly give up our power for God and others. But it we approach it with the posture of Simon the Sorcerer, we will seek to get closer to God to increase our power over others. If we understand this, it will reshape our marriage, our relationship with kids and parents, and every power dynamic in our life.

Before and After

This Sunday continues our Ephesian series as we move into Ephesians 4-5 and look at all the ways Paul expects Christians will cease to look like the old humanity and begin to look like the new transformed humanity. These new ways of living are less like rules and more like cures for our brokenness. And yet, so many Christians have before and after photos that look the same because they are getting in the way of the growth God desires for them. 

Diverse Unified Body of Christ

In Ephesians 4, Paul shifts from describing the Gospel to describing the implications for daily living for those who are in Christ. This begins by explaining that the diverse body of Christ must be united by people being humble, patient, and bearing with one another. Their shared beliefs should also help them hold together even when the world pulls them apart. And finally, the Spirit gives people gifts that they use to build up the body of believers. So are you living like a Gospel following person when it comes to unity and using your gifts?

The New Humanity

Because of the sin and rebellion against God in Eden and Babel, enmity, violence, and racism were created as a consequence. But the cross does more than save us from our sins. The cross destroys the dividing wall and any barrier between people. The cross unites people in Christ and brings peace and reconciliation. So anything you do that advances racism and division is advance the curse of Eden and Babel. And anything you do to advance peace, unity, and diversity advances the cause of the cross. This study of Ephesians 2:11-3:22 challenges us to be people of peace and unity in a world of divisions.

Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10 reminds us that we are saved by grace. We don't have to be shamed by our failures and we can't earn our salvation. Rather, we should live as people who understand that God's merciful, loving, grace saves us when we were once dead and headed towards wrath. But now, being IN CHRIST, receiving all the benefits that Jesus now has in the heavenly realm, we can choose whether to live as if we are waiting to die or we can choose to live as people fully alive in Christ now. What will you choose?