Northwest Church of Christ Sermons

The Thanksgiving Emotion

Thanksgiving is one of many emotions God gave us. However, so many other emotions can get in the way of expressing thanksgiving. Especially on a year like this, grief, sadness, anxiety, frustration and many other things can block our gratitude to God. So to get ready for Thanksgiving this year we may need to spend some extra time being honest and practicing better emotional literacy with God and others to get ready to give Thanks.

Rich Man and Lazarus Get Framed

This sermon focuses on the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus and how it's not about how generosity can save us, but that people who believe in Jesus Christ, resurrected and exalted, can choose to live a life like his. This life recognizes all people are made in God's image, that Jesus treats all people as God's children, and that everything we are given is entrusted to us by God to use for His good purposes.

Who is Blind?

In John 9, we read about how Jesus used mud to heal a blind man and pick an argument with the Jewish leaders. The entire story reveals dramatic turns of who is dishonored, who sees clearly, and who is really blind. 

Guilt and Shame Part 2

Now that we understand that God uses healthy guilt and that Satan seeks to bind us with isolating and life-stealing shame, we need to talk about how to break out of shame. Satan uses many lies and this sermon explores four major shame-inducing lies and how God's truths can help us break free from shame. You are not worthless, you should not keep your shame a secret, you cannot lose your salvation by works any more than you can earn it that way, and your sins are not greater than the power of the cross.

Guilt and Shame Part 1

This sermon explores how guilt and and shame are very similar feelings but guilt is the feeling in God's hands and shame is what it becomes in Satan's hands. Guilt tries to pull us out of the pit our mistakes put us in while shame seeks to bind us there forever. Recognizing this allows us to reject shame's lies and choose God's good guilt to heal us when our mistakes leave us in in pit. The story of Adam and Eve and the woman caught in adultery reveal what this looks and feels like in life.

Disruptive Opportunity

2020 has been a year filled with global disruptions. As Christians and as a church, we can choose to simulate our default desires, go into maintenance mode, respond emotionally, or sit in nostalgia. But the truth is that none of those will help us thrive in the long run. But if we can learn to see the opportunities God puts in front of us, be aware of the spiritual gifts he gives us and resources he loans us, then we can choose to step forward and grow God's Kingdom. Are you willing?

Lead Like Jesus

This sermons coincides with our confirmation of five new deacons. But whether you have an official title at church or whether you just want to be a better Christian at home, work, in the church, or in the world, this sermon gives practical Biblical advice on Christian leadership. It focuses on prayer, being strong and courageous, being loving and united with one another, continuously serving others with humility, and setting an example in holy living.  

When Two or More Gather

We started this year talking about how the church needs to find new ways to connect the world and create disciples. Discipleship always requires more action than study or talk. This week we launched Spiritual Formation Groups, which are groups of 2-3 same gender adults committing to spend an hour a week talking about how God shows up in their lives, praying together, and reading the Bible together. To find a copy of the instructions on how to create a Spiritual Formation Group, check out www.nwchurchokc.com and click on the link for Spiritual Formation Groups. All it takes is two or three gathered in Christ's name.

Backs Against the Wall

The is the final sermon in the series on when God was King and the sermons of Moses in Deuteronomy. This week looks at three stories where Israel had their backs against the wall and had to decide if they would have faith in God or if they would choose doubt. These events at the Red Sea, on the banks of the Jordan, and at the walls of Jericho remind us that if we will trust God he will be a King worthy of following with obedience and relationship.

Ten Wonderful Words Pt 2

Jesus reinterprets the commands of Deuteronomy in ways that seem surprising. But when you really consider some of the deeper truths in the Ten Commandments, they start to make sense. This sermon shows that the command to "not take the Lord's name in vain" is directly connected to how we treat other people. You cannot treat God's children badly and give glory to God. If you want to love the Lord your God, then you must love your neighbor. Jesus said it, and this study of Moses' sermons shows how he may have come up with such an incredible idea.