North Avenue Church Podcast

When is the Kingdom Restored to Israel in Acts? | A Critique of the Dispenational View of Acts 1:6-8

Acts 1:6-8 is a key passage in the debate between all forms of Dispensationalism and Progressive Covenantalism and Covenant theology. What are the disciples really asking? And, more importantly, how does Jesus answer their question in verses 7-8?

You can watch this message here.

What Defiles Us Comes from Within | Matthew 15:10-20

Sermon summary: Blind spiritual guides don't believe their highest authority comes from above or that their deepest defilement comes from within. (And by nature, none of us do.)

Jesus gives several warnings about these blind spiritual guides.

They are blind regarding:

1. Themselves (v 12-14)
2. Authority (v 1-8)
3. Worship (v 7-11)
4. Indwelling sin (15-20)

Mark borrowed numerous ideas for points three and four from Kevin DeYoung here, here, and here.

You can watch this message here.

Progressive Covenantalism: Understanding Israel and the Church (An Overview)

This is an overview of what Scripure teaches about the relationship of Israel and the Church. It was preached in September of 2020 near the beginning of our Acts series, but since it is relavant to our current Progressive Covenantalism series, we are reposting it now.

You can watch this message here.

What We Believe About: Evangelism, Discipleship, Elders, God's Sovereignty, & Gender Roles | Prospective Members' Meeting: Part 2

This is the second of two sessions from our most recent prospective members' meeting (3/23/24).

You can watch this message here.

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church | Prospective Members' Meeting: Part 1

This is the first of two sessions from our most recent prospective members' meeting (3/23/24).

You can watch this message here.

Resurrection Sunday and Our Living Hope | 1 Peter 1:1-9 [Easter]

Our Living Hope:

1. Where did it come from?
2. Where is it bringing us?
3. How does it affect our lives right now?

You can watch this message here.

The Final Hours of Jesus' Life: The Cup and the Cross | Mark 14:32-42; 15:15-39 [Good Friday]

Scott had four points to this message:

1. Sorrow
2. Humiliation
3. Alienation
4. Salvation

You can watch this message here.

Scripture vs Man-Made, Legalistic Tradition: A Question of Authority | Matthew 14:34-15:9

The message had the following two points:

1. Man-Made, Legalistic Tradition
2. God-Breathed, Infallible Scripture

You can watch this message here.

The Riches of the Gospel in a Greeting | Titus 1:1-2

Jerry, Fred, Scott, and Jared discuss the beginning of Paul's letter to Titus. There is a whole lot packed into the opening greeting and it is worth time lingering over just the opening two verses to see what is in each phrase!

John MacArthur on the Land/Kingdom Promised to Israel: A Progressive Covenantal Critique of Dispensational Premillennialism

This message critiques some of the charges John MacArthur has leveled against non-dispensationalists regarding biblical interpretation, the Old Testament, Israel, the church, and the millennium.

You can watch this message here.

John MacArthur's Dispensationalism: A Progressive Covenantal Response

John MacArthur is one of the most influential pastors alive today. We have been blessed by his 55 years of faithful ministry at our church. However, on the issue of Israel and the church we have some important disagreements. Here we walk through part of a message he gave at the 2007 Shepherd's Conference and respond to his critiuques of the non-dispensational position we hold.

You can watch this message here.

Boaz Redeems Ruth | Ruth 4

Today's podcast covers chapter 4 of the book of Ruth. Featuring Jerry, Fred, Scott, and Jared.

The Death of John the Baptist | Matthew 14:1-12

Mark got the idea of outlining the message around the four main characters of the story from Eric Alexander's helpful message here.

1. Herod’s weakness vs John’s strength
2. Herodias’s grudge
3. Salome's dance
4. John’s death

Discussion Questions:

1. Herod's moral weakness is seen in his people-pleasing and fleshly decision making. He is easily swayed by others into doing what is wrong and does not stand by biblical convictions. Where do we see Herod's moral weakness in this story? What can we learn from his negative example?
2. How does John the Baptist's humble strength and courage show itself in this story? How can we be more like John and less like Herod?
3. Herodias is also controlled by sinful desires, is unfaithful to her first husband, and nurses a grudge against John that turns deadly. What can we learn from her negative example? How can we specifically fight the temptation to nurse grudges in our heart?
4. To some readers, John's death may seem utterly ridiculous and even meaningless as the story unfolds. How can we be encouraged by the absurd circumstances surrounding his death? Was it truly meaningless? (Have someone read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). How can we fight to believe God's good purposes for us in our own suffering, especially when it becomes discouraging to us?

You can watch this message here.

What About the Land Promise to Israel? | A Progressive Covenantalist Response to Dispensationalism

Perhaps some listeners may be on board with what we've covered over the past several sessions on this topic and agree that the church is the true, restored Israel of God in Christ. However, you may have a big lingering question: What about the land promise to Israel in the Old Testament?

You can watch this message here.

A Matter of Discipline | Proverbs 23 [Black Mountain Men's Retreat: Session 3]

This is Bob McAndrew's third and final message from Satruday evening at the Black Mountain Men's Retreat. Here are the three points:

1. Don't let gluttony get the best of you
2. Don't let greed get the best of you
3. Do let godly instruction get the best of you

You can watch this message here.