North Avenue Church Podcast

Here Jerry, Scott, Mark, and Greg finished out the fascinating and too often neglected letter of 3 John.

Jerry, Scott, and Shane start week one in the too often neglected book of 3 John.

Jerry, Scott, and Grant finish out 2 John with its message to abide in the true teaching of Christ and not to "go on ahead" to another teaching that is not biblical.

Grant joins Jerry and Scott to set the scene for 2 John and to begin with John's emphasis on God's truth.

Jerry, Scott, and Zach finish out the book of 1 John.

Jerry, Zach, and Mark cover a couple of challenging aspescts of 1 John 5. What does it mean that Jesus came "not by water only but by the water and the blood" (v. 6)? Also, why does the KJV have such a different reading of v. 7-8 than modern English translations?

The formal cause of the Reformation was the issue of authority. Essentially the question was, "Who says?" What is our ultimate authority in this world? Is it Scripture only or Scripture plus "sacred tradition" and the Magisterium (the pope and his bishops)? This issue foundational to all other major differences between Catholics and Protestants. You can watch this message here.

Satan works through Nehemiah's enemies to attack him in four ways in Nehemiah 6:1-7:4.   Distraction (6:1-4) Defamation (6:5-9) Deception (6:10-14) Infiltration (6:15-7:4) Let us learn from Nehemiah's example how we can resist these tactics and so finish well.   You can watch this message here.

It's been a long break, but Sunday we picked back up our 'Questioning Catholicism' series! You can watch this message here.

Main idea: The greatest threat to God's people has always been the sin from within. Here, the people humbly respond with repentance as Nehemiah leads through godly confrontation and illustration. Choosing Sinful Exploitation (v 1-5) Responding to Godly Confrontation (v 6-13) Observing a Godly Illustration (v 14-19) You can watch this message here.

The Christian life is about the sword and the trowel. We are called to build (= the trowel) and defend (= the sword). This passage has become well known for this very reason. You can watch this message here.

Four ways to pursue ordinary faithfulness in a new year: By treasuring the Word of God (Psalm 1) By preaching the Gospel to ourselves consistently (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) By cultivating a firm belief in the sovereignty and goodness of God (Romans 8:28-32) By folding our lives into the local church where we are members (Hebrews 10:23-25) You can watch this message here.

In difficult times... We are tempted to trust in other powers [7:1-8:15] We are tempted to trust in other authorities [8:16-21] We must trust in the God who Saves [9:1-7] You can watch this message here.

Here are the two main points of Greg's meditation on the purpose of the incarnation from Philippians 2: The intentional unity of the church (v 1-4) The intentional incarnation of the Messiah (v 5-11) You can watch this message here.

Nehemiah shows us how to handle discouragement in the Christian life. I. Why We Are Tempted to Give Up (v 10-12) A. Our strength is low B. The burden seems too great C. Opposition grows from without and within II. Ways We Fight to Endure (v 13-14) A. Set a defense where you're most vulnerable B. Expose yourself to truth! C. Remember and fear the Lord D. Remember what is at stake You can watch this message here.

Why is the Christian life so hard? Here is the outline of the message: The Enemies Mock (v 1-3) Nehemiah Prays and the People Work (v 4-6) The Enemies Threaten (v 7-8) Nehemiah Prays and sets a Guard (v 9) You can watch this message here.

The people beautifully model unified work for the kingdom! A. Nehemiah Leads the People by... Showing the way forward Delegating the work into manageable portions Giving credit to the workers B. The People Avoid... Procrastination A preoccupation with (1) rank, (2) gifting, or (3) recognition C. The People Work... In Unity Diligently and Sacrificially You can watch this message here.

Nehemiah provides a wonderful example of bibical leadership in this passage. Nehemiah clearly communicates the problem (v 17a) Nehemiah clearly communicates the solution (v 17b-18a) The people and their enemies respond (v 18b-19) Nehemiah's uncompromising conviction in the face of opposition (v 20) You can watch this message here.

In this week's passage we learn about godly leadership from Nehemiah. Godly leaders... Use wisdom (v 9) Expect opposition (v 10) Know when to rest (v 11) Have a God-glorifying plan, yet don't reveal it prematurely (v 12) Clearly understand the problems they face (vv 13-16) You can watch this message here.

Main idea: Nehemiah shows us how to pray, plan, and act all while relying on God's good providence. Prayerful planning Courageous actions God's providence You can watch this message here.

Here is the outline for Nehemiah's prayer of repentance: Nehemiah turns to God first (vv. 4–6a) Nehemiah confesses sin (vv. 6b–7) Nehemiah prays God's promises in Scripture (vv. 8–9) Nehemiah points to God's past faithfulness (v. 10) Nehemiah makes his request (v. 11) [Audio is corrected at 1:38] You can watch this message here.

Nehemiah had a great job working as the cupbearer of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. Why did he give it all up to embrace the difficult task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls? The answer is the Lord developed in him a holy ambition for God's people, place, and glory. Do you have a holy ambition for your life? You can watch this message here.

Mark participated in a Q&A about Jesus and the Bible among other world religions.

Here is the outline of the sermon: Ezra mourns and prays over the sin amongst the people (9:1-15) The people respond with a plan for repentance (10:1-8) The people carry out their repentance (10:9-44) You can watch this message here.

This message focuses on the power of the new birth to bring about faith that overcomes the world.

In this message we hear about the power of God's love to transform our lives.

Here Mark breaks down a conversation he had with two Mormon "missionaries" over nine years ago. You can watch this video here.

Here is Greg's outline for the message: Ezra's godly heritage (7:1-5) Ezra's devotion to God's Word (7:6, 10-11) Ezra's favor with God and man (7:6, 9, 11-28; 8:31) Ezra's zeal for God's temple (7:7-8; 8:1-20, 24-36) Ezra's trust in God's power and protection (8:21-23) You can watch this message here.

The team discusses God's love which is so richly described in this passage.

Why is it incorrect to list Mormonism ('Latter Day Saints') within the Christian faith? You can watch this message here.

The team picks the 1 John series back up after an extended break. Here we are exhorted to have biblical discernment as Christians.

Greg and Zach Hutzell do a great job walking us through this fantastic passage on spiritual warfare and the armor of God.

As we overview four chapters of Ezra, here is the outline: Two Kinds of Opposition: a) Compromise from within (4:1-3); b) Pressure from without (4:4-5, 24; 5:3-4) God Providentially works through Political Leaders (5:5-6:13) God Providentially works through His Word (5:1-2; 6:14-22 Haggai 1-2) You can watch this message here.

Picking up from the first eight points of the last message, here we cover two more reasons God prunes us: (9) To give us new opportunities to proclaim the gospel! [Philippians 1:12-14] (10) To show the world we have a different kind of hope [1 Peter 3:14-17]

John 15:2 | God's Good and Painful Pruning How does God prune us? Through trials, difficulties, discipline, and suffering Why does God prune us? Because He loves us and wants us to bear more fruit John 15:2b, "...every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." God's pruning is never meaningless. It is always wise, every bit is necessary, nothing is wasted. It is always and only ever for our good. What kind of "fruit" does God seek by pruning us? EIGHT REASONS GOD PRUNES US: To purify our faith like gold [1 Peter 1:3-7] To help us grow in obedience [Hebrews 12:11] To increase our assurance [John 15:8] To make us more humble [2 Corinthians 12:7-10] To give us full, otherwordly joy [John 15:11] To enable us to comfort others [2 Corinthians 1:3-4] To prepare for us an eternal weight of glory [2 Corinthians 4:16-18] To give us deeper fellowship with Jesus [Philippians 3:10-11]

Yesterday, approximately 200,000 people came to the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizon, to celebrate Charlie Kirk's life. Listen in with us to some of the highlights as so many speakers pointed to Jesus Christ and the gospel explicitly. Let's pray that the Lord uses this great for the salvation of many! You can watch this message here.

Main idea: God's providence ensures that God's promises to His people are fulfilled. And the final result is His glory! God brings Nebuchadnezzar against his people God stirs Cyrus to action God stirs his people to action You can watch this message here.

You can watch this excerpt here and the full message here.

In this message, we delayed our series in Ezra for a week to address the events regarding Charlie Kirk's assassination this past Wednesday. How are Christians supposed to think and act biblically in response to a tragedy like this? You can wath this message here.

In this final message in the book of Philemon, we glean several lessons from the friends Paul mentions in this letter, especially in the conclusion. Philemon and Onesimus: Slavery Transformed (vv. 15-16) Aristarchus and Luke: Faithfulness Modeled (v. 24) Mark and Demas: Perseverance Needed (v. 24) You can watch this message here.

Here are the four points of Scott's message: A sinful woman (vv. 36-38) An angry Pharisee (v. 39) A powerful parable (vv. 40-43) A gracious Savior (vv. 44-50) You can watch this message here.

This is week three of our prospective members Sunday schools. Why is it so important that churches have a biblical view of conversion, evangelism, and discipleship? You can watch this message here.

In order to forgive others, you must... Put the Fellowship of Your Faith into Practice (v 17) Charge the Debt to Your Own Account (vv 18-19a) Realize that You are Fundamentally a Debtor, Not a Creditor (v 19b) Let Your Forgiveness Refresh the Hearts of Others (v 20) Obey Beyond the Minimal Requirement (v 21) Remain Accountable to Others (vv 22-24) Rely on the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (v 25) You can watch this message here.

Greg is joined this week by Zach Hutzell as they continue their series on spiritual warfare. You can watch this message here.

This is the second week of our prospective member Sunday school class. In it the team primarily addresses our church government and why we practice expositional preaching on Sundays. You can watch this message here.

Reconciliation and forgiveness between brothers and sisters in Christ are not optional when we live according to the logic of the gospel of grace. How Paul Pursues Reconciliation Between Onesimus & Philemon: Paul appeals rather than commands (vv. 8-9a; 14) Paul highlights his age and imprisonment (v. 9) Paul explains Onesimus's transformation (vv. 10-11) Paul states his affection for Onesimus (vv. 12-13) Paul foregrounds God's providence (vv. 15-16) Paul emphasizes the equality of our 'brotherhood' in Christ (v. 16) You can watch this message here.

What does Scripture teach concerning Satan and demons? You can watch this message here.

You can watch this message here.

The world and the flesh go alongside the devil as our enemies in our daily spiritual battle. You can watch this message here.

The story of Onesimus' conversion: He was formerly useless: A runaway slave (thief?), enslaved to sin He was transformed by God's kind providence He became useful and faithful You can watch this message here.

What does the Bible teach about spiritual warfare? You can watch this message here.