North Avenue Church Podcast

Ezra’s Wisdom and God’s Provision | Ezra 8

Sermon Summary: God provides for all His people’s needs through the wise, humble, and careful planning of Ezra. So let us learn to work hard and wisely as we entrust ourselves to God.

1. Ezra reviews the returning people (and finds no Levites) [v 1-20]
2. Ezra fasts and prays to God (and finds protection) [v 21-23]
3. Ezra entrusts the offerings to the priests (and finds them faithful) [v 24-36]

You can watch the message here.

Limited Atonement: But What About 2 Peter 2:1?

Since 2 Peter 2:1 is probably the single strongest verse used against the position of particular redemption we thought it might be useful to spend some extended time looking at what this text is really saying in its context. We must remember that virtually all true theological positions have biblical texts that at least superficially appear to contradict them on first glance, but confirm them upon further study. We believe this is true regarding 2 Peter 2!

You can watch this message here.

Limited Atonement: How a Controversial Doctrine Can Be Practical & Comforting

Is it really possible that a doctrine as controversial as particular redemption can actually be edifying, biblical, and comforting to the believer? Yes! Listen in and see what you think!

You can watch the message here.

Ezra and His Love for God’s Word | Ezra 7

This is the outline for the message regarding Ezra's credentials, for which Mark adapted points 1-3 from an Ezra-Nehemiah commentary:

1. Ezra's lineage (v 1-5)
2. Ezra's resolve (v 6-10)
3. Ezra's favor with King Artaxerxes (v 11-26)
4. Ezra's favor with the Lord (v 6, 9, 27-28)

You can watch the message here.

How Does Limited Atonement Explain the ’World’ Passages?

We continue in this message where we left off in the last one. How do we who hold to limited atonement respond to the 'world' passages regarding the atonement?

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How Does Limited Atonement Explain the ’All’ Passages?

In this message we address many of the most common "all" passages that are often used to object to particular redemption.

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A Deep Dive on Predestination and Limited Atonement

In this message, we cover a number of the most important texts, particularly from Jesus, John, and Paul, on the issue of unconditional election and limited atonement (or, more accurately, particular redemption).

You can watch this message here.

Limited Atonement = Effective Atonement: But What About the ’All’ & ’World’ Passages?

If the atonement is a real and effective atonement then it must be a limited atonement. Yet all views limit the atonement in one way or another. If this is true, what about the texts that seem to imply that Jesus died for "all" and the "whole world"?

You can watch this message here.

The Second Temple Completed: By God’s Word & Spirit! | Ezra 6:13-22 (Zechariah 4)

Here is the sermon outline (which Mark said he adapted from the ESV headings!):

1. Temple completed (v 13-15)

2. Temple dedicated (v 16-18)

3. Passover celebrated (v 19-22)

You can watch the message here.

Obedience, Opposition, & God’s Overruling Sovereignty | Ezra 5:1-6:12

Here is the outline of the message:

1. Obedience often leads to opposition (without and within) [5:1-10]
2. In government opposition: honor God, speak truthfully, and appeal to just laws [5:11-17]
3. Watch God turn your enemies into servants of your good [6:1-12]

You can watch the message here.

Does Scripture Really Teach Limited Atonement?

Is limited atonement really taught in the Bible? Although we prefer the language of "particular redemption" or "definite atonement" over "limited atonement," we must first to recognize that all Christians "limit" the atonement. We either limit it in its extent or it efficacy. The question really is: Does Scripture teach the atonement is unlimited in its extent and limited in its efficacy (as Arminians argue) or is the atonement limited in its extent and unlimited in its efficacy (as our teaching team argues)?

You can watch the message here.

Does Scripture Teach Libertarian Free Will or Calvinistic Compatibilism? | Acts 13

This is an age-old discussion, and yet it has real ramifications for how we live and how we understand our own conversion. Who's choice is ultimately decisive in your conversion to Christ?

You can watch this message here.

Common Objections to Unconditional Election: What About Foreknowledge & God’s Desire to Save All?

In this message the teaching team responds to some of the most common objections to the doctrine of unconditional election. First, isn't election based on foreknowledge (Rom 8:29; 1 Pet 1:1-2)? If so, doesn't that mean God merely chooses those He foreknows/foresees will believe? Secondly, doesn't God's desire to save all rule out the possibility that He elects only some?

You can watch this message here.

Jesus and the Demons | Matthew 8:28-34

Here the Greg's outline for the message:

1. Jesus comes to the demons (v 28)
2. The demons respond to Jesus (v 28-31)
3. Jesus responds to the demons (v 32)
4. The people respond to Jesus (v 33-34)

You can watch the message here.

 

The Sealed Scroll and the Slain Lamb | Revelation 5

The dramatic scene of Revelation 5 shows us the hopelessness and despair that comes for humanity without Jesus but the thrilling present and future that is ours because Christ has conquered and is reigning now.

You can watch the message here.