North Avenue Church Podcast

Beware of those who Pervert the Grace of God | Jude 4-7 (Week 2)

Jerry, Scott, and Zach discuss the warning Jude presents about those who "pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

Church Membership and Church Discipline | Prospective Member Meeting: Week 1

What does Scripture teach about church membership and church discipline? Does the New Testament assume believers should be members of a local church?

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The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength | Nehemiah 8:9-12

What created the joy of the Lord in God's people in Nehemiah 8? And what was the nature of this joy according to the text? Answering these questions can enable us to better 'rejoice in the Lord always'!

I. What precedes this joy?

1. Eager Initiative (v. 1-2)
2. Prolonged Attentiveness (v. 3-4, 7-8)
3. Passionate Reception (v. 5-6)
4. Brokenhearted Grief (v. 9)

II. What is the nature of this joy?

1. It is an understanding joy (v. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12)
2. It is a holy joy (v. 9b, 10b, 11b)
3. It is a neighbor-loving joy (v. 10a)
4. It is a God-centered joy (v. 10c)
5. It is a strengthening/protective joy (v. 10c)
6. It is an obedient joy (v 12)

Spurgeon, "What a gracious God we serve, who makes delight to be a duty, and who commands us to rejoice! Should we not at once be obedient to such a command as this? It is intended that we should be happy."

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Introducing Jude: Contend for the Faith | Jude 1-3 (Week 1)

Jerry, Scott, and Zach lead us in the first Sunday school in the book of Jude.

Don't Be Like Diotrephes: He Liked to Put Himself First | 3 John (Week 2)

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

Truth and Love | 3 John (Week 1)

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

Abide in the Teaching of Christ | 2 John (Week 2)

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.

Let Us Be People of the Truth | 2 John (Week 1)

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

Prayer, Sin, and God's Protection of His Own | 1 John 5:13-21

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

What Does It Mean that 'Jesus Came By Water and By Blood'? | 1 John 5:6-12

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?

AUTHORITY: Sola Scriptura vs. Catholic Tradition and the Pope

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.

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Four of Satan's Tactics as We Seek to Finish Well | Nehemiah 6:1-7:4

Satan works through Nehemiah's enemies to attack him in four ways in Nehemiah 6:1-7:4.

 

1. Distraction (6:1-4)
2. Defamation (6:5-9)
3. Deception (6:10-14)
4. Infiltration (6:15-7:4)

Let us learn from Nehemiah's example how we can resist these tactics and so finish well.

 

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Problems with Catholicism on Authority and Grace

It's been a long break, but Sunday we picked back up our 'Questioning Catholicism' series!

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The Sin from Within | Nehemiah 5

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.

1. Choosing Sinful Exploitation (v 1-5)
2. Responding to Godly Confrontation (v 6-13)
3. Observing a Godly Illustration (v 14-19)

You can watch this message here.

The Sword and the Trowel | Nehemiah 4:15-23

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.