North Avenue Church Podcast

Eight Reasons God Prunes Us Through Suffering | John 15:2

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:

1. To purify our faith like gold [1 Peter 1:3-7]
2. To help us grow in obedience [Hebrews 12:11]
3. To increase our assurance [John 15:8]
4. To make us more humble [2 Corinthians 12:7-10]
5. To give us full, otherwordly joy [John 15:11]
6. To enable us to comfort others [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]
7. To prepare for us an eternal weight of glory [2 Corinthians 4:16-18]
8. To give us deeper fellowship with Jesus [Philippians 3:10-11]

Charlie Kirk's Christ-Centered Memorial Service: Highlights and Reflections

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.

God's Promise-Keeping Providence in a Pagan World | Ezra 1:1-3:6

Main idea: God's providence ensures that God's promises to His people are fulfilled. And the final result is His glory!

1. God brings Nebuchadnezzar against his people
2. God stirs Cyrus to action
3. God stirs his people to action

You can watch this message here.

Six Pastoral Reflections on Charlie Kirk's Assassination

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

Unashamed Courage to Speak the Truth without Fear | 2 Timothy 1:6-14

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.

Lessons From Paul's Friends: Aristarchus, Luke, Mark, & Demas | Philemon 15-16, 23-24

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.

1. Philemon and Onesimus: Slavery Transformed (vv. 15-16)
2. Aristarchus and Luke: Faithfulness Modeled (v. 24)
3. Mark and Demas: Perseverance Needed (v. 24)

You can watch this message here.

Tears on Jesus' Feet: Those Who are Forgiven Much, Love Much | Luke 7:36-50

Here are the four points of Scott's message:

1. A sinful woman (vv. 36-38)
2. An angry Pharisee (v. 39)
3. A powerful parable (vv. 40-43)
4. A gracious Savior (vv. 44-50)

You can watch this message here.

Why Our Church Seeks a Biblical View of Conversion, Evangelism, & Discipleship | Prospective Member Class: Week 3

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.

How to Forgive Others in Christ | Philemon 17-25

In order to forgive others, you must...

1. Put the Fellowship of Your Faith into Practice (v 17)
2. Charge the Debt to Your Own Account (vv 18-19a)
3. Realize that You are Fundamentally a Debtor, Not a Creditor (v 19b)
4. Let Your Forgiveness Refresh the Hearts of Others (v 20)
5. Obey Beyond the Minimal Requirement (v 21)
6. Remain Accountable to Others (vv 22-24)
7. Rely on the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (v 25)

You can watch this message here.

Gaining Victory Over the World, the Flesh, and the Devil | Spiritual Warfare: Week 4

Greg is joined this week by Zach Hutzell as they continue their series on spiritual warfare.

You can watch this message here.

Why Are We a Plural-Elder-Led Congregational Church with Expositional Preaching? | Prospective Member Class: Week 2

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.

For Love's Sake: Paul's Appeal to Onesimus | Philemon 8-16

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:

1. Paul appeals rather than commands (vv. 8-9a; 14)
2. Paul highlights his age and imprisonment (v. 9)
3. Paul explains Onesimus's transformation (vv. 10-11)
4. Paul states his affection for Onesimus (vv. 12-13)
5. Paul foregrounds God's providence (vv. 15-16)
6. Paul emphasizes the equality of our 'brotherhood' in Christ (v. 16)

You can watch this message here.

Spiritual Warfare: Satan and Demons

What does Scripture teach concerning Satan and demons?

You can watch this message here.

Church Membership & Discipline | Prospective Member Class: Week 1

This is our first prospective members class. We spend most of the time covering what Scripture teaches about church membership and church discipline.

You can watch this message here.

Spiritual Warfare: The World & the Flesh

The world and the flesh go alongside the devil as our enemies in our daily spiritual battle.

You can watch this message here.