Northwest Church of Christ Sermons

Year in Review

Earlier this year we talked about the spiritual importance of remembering all has God done so we can praise him, give him thanks, and also see what he has done so we better know what he is calling us to. This sermon reviews some of the major ministry efforts from NW in 2019 and begins to point us forward toward new ministry and vision in 2020.

It's a Wonderful Life

During the Christmas season we talk a lot about how important the birth of Jesus really is, but what if Jesus had never been born? This sermon asks the questions of "It's a Wonderful Life" about Jesus, focusing on three scenes from the life of Jesus as he encounters the Woman at the Well, Legion, and Zacchaeus. Finally, we ask what difference has the birth of Jesus made in your life? Because if he hasn't yet, then it's time for you to encounter the man who changes lives so you can become transformed. What are you waiting for?

God in Us

When Mary became pregnant, Joseph was told by an angel that the child would be known as Immanuel, which means "God with us." When it came time for Jesus to leave and go sit at the right hand of God, he assured his disciples by telling them that it was good for him to leave so they could receive the Holy Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, those who believe in Jesus would go on to do even greater things. In this way, the world continues to be blessed today because though Immanuel (God With Us) is now with God, the Holy Spirit remains God In Us.

God on Earth

The Old Testament has several crises that keep coming up over and over again and they revolve around the questions: Can God dwell among His people (without destroying them) and can the people of God live in the presence of God? This is further complicated by the difficulties related to God's promises to Abram. So at the end of the Old Testament, you can't help but wonder...can God live with us. Then, when all seems lost, the angel tells Joseph that Mary will have a son and he will be called Immanuel, which means "God with us." Jesus, at his birth, becomes the answer to the problem. Ever since then, God has lived with us and in us in the person of Jesus and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

A Fruit Called Self-Control

This final sermon on the nine fruits of the Spirit focuses on the character trait of self-control. We live in world that constantly encourages us and tempts us to throw out all control and pursue temptation, escapism, distraction, and addiction. However, the Spirit invites us to recognize that God's way is the best way and the Spirit empowers us to pursue self-control and self-discipline in our lives.

A Fruit Called Gentleness

Gentleness is not weakness and it is not the opposite of strength. Gentleness is when God chooses to not respond harshly or by rejecting us when that is what we deserve. God's gentleness is evident throughout Israel's history, made abundantly clear in the life and ministry of Jesus, and is now planted in his followers through the power of the Spirit. The NT contains multiple instructions to Christians to be gentle when they share their faith. However, in our world people tend to not share their faith or do so harshly. We need to reclaim this fruit of the Spirit to share our faith with people with the gentleness of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

A Fruit Called Faithfulness

The Holy Spirit places in us the fruit of faithfulness. This can be powerfully demonstrated in marriages that are a living image of faithfulness in our church and in our families. However, the association that we have with faith, or mental agreement, is often weaker than the Biblical idea of faithfulness. Perhaps we could come closer to Biblical faithfulness if we thought of it as "allegiance" to King Jesus.

A Fruit Called Goodness

Often we use the word "good" to mean something between okay and great. But when we talk about the fruit of goodness the Spirit grows in us, coming from the very goodness of God, it means much more. This kind of goodness is filled with integrity, sincerity, purity, and is all the way good all the way through without pockets of evil or areas of shadow. This sermon illustrates this in the actions of Daniel and Ananias and Sapphira, showing how goodness is reflected in what we do in big and small ways and when people are watching and when they aren't. Are we a good church? Are you a good person? Are you holding on to pockets of darkness in your life that you need to surrender to the goodness of the Spirit?

A Fruit Called Forbearance

The spiritual fruit of patience or forbearance gives us an incredible ability to maintain relationships and bear with people who are often very difficult to be around. It is the idea of steadfastness or being long-tempered instead of short-tempered. There are three Biblical principles that can help us to bear with difficult people. Remember that God is patient with us, that we need to look for the image of God in others, and remember that the cross has always empowered Christians to break down barriers and have strong relationships with difficult people.

A Fruit Called Kindness

When we think of kindness we think of good manners and friendliness. But when the Bible speaks of God's kindness it tells stories of his giving life, providing abundance, granting salvation. In the same way, when we actively do good to others we demonstrate the kindness that is given us by God's Holy Spirit. This sermon demonstrates the power of kindness through several members sharing poems and their testimonies of spiritual kindnesses in their lives.