North Avenue Church Podcast

Disney Plus on Wokeness and Reparations: A Brief Critique

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

The Golden Rule and Its Counterfeits | Matthew 7:12

What does the Golden Rule really mean?

1. The Golden Rule does not mean that you treat others according to your own tastes and preferences!
2. The Golden Rule arises from a deep love for God
3. The Golden Rule is not based on how others have treated you in the past
4. The Golden Rule is not based on how others may treat you in the future
5. The Golden Rule is meant to devastate us and lead us to Christ

You can watch the message here.

A Critique of Tim Keller & Eric Mason: On Wokeness, White Privilege, & Reparations

The teaching team wants to be clear that they are not critiquing Keller and Mason out of some personal dislike. Both Keller and Mason were pastors that they would have recommended in the past. Keller used to be one of Mark's favorite teachers to listen to and read. However, sadly, the woke worldview has begun to creep into their teaching and we now have serious concerns with some of what these men teach.

You can watch the message here.

Jerry Ediger’s Testimony: God’s Faithfulness through 39 Years in a Wheelchair | Part 2

Mark had the privilege of interviewing Jerry Ediger for a second time about his life and God's faithfulness. He has had diabetes most of his life and been in a wheelchair since he broke his neck at age 17. Jerry's story is an amazing display of God's providence throughout Jerry's many trials. Listen in and be prepared to laugh and be encouraged!

You can watch the message here.

Judge Not! | Matthew 7:1-6

Matthew 7:1 may be the most frequently quoted and most widely misunderstood verse in all of Scripture. For that reason it is all the more important that we understand and apply it correctly! In this message we see what Jesus did not mean and what He did mean in this passage. What does it mean to not judge? When is it right to judge? What is the difference between a judgmental attitude and wise, biblical discernment? What does it mean to not cast our pearls before pigs? These are some of the questions addressed in the message.

You can watch the message here.

Reparations and Generational Guilt: A Biblical Critique

Reparations are now being taught by Disney as a kind of indoctrination to for our children. However, far more disturbingly is how popular reparations have become among the Evangelical world, including the Reformed world. In this message we hear from various evangelical leaders and the teaching team offers a critique of this view.

You can watch the message here.

Paul’s Ambition to Preach the Gospel to the Gentiles | Romans 15

The teaching team covers Romans 15 which highlights the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles.

Are Racial Disparities Due to Discrimination?

It is tempting today to argue that all racial disparities in our culture are due to discrimination of one kind or another. But does this bear out with the facts and data? The truth is more complicated than that.

Throughout this message, the main point is that disparities are due to a wide range of issues. Even the last five minutes of the message are not meant to blame all disparities on the passing of Medicaid in 1965. These issues are complex, but the main point is to say that CRT is wrong to claim that all disparities between ethnic groups are always due to racism and discrimination.

You can watch the message here.

The Significant Sin of Anxiety | Matthew 6:31-34

Scott preached for the first time since October and shared a powerful message about trusting God in the midst of the uncertainties and trials of life. There is much we can learn here! Let us commit to respond to anxiety with God's Word and Spirit.

Here is the sermon outline:

1. The significant sin of anxiety
2. There is no reason to worry
3. What are you seeking?
4. Seven ways to fight the sin of anxiety

• Flood our lives with what fills with faith
• Live a day at a time
• Unmask the sin of anxiety
• Fight the sin with specific Bible verses
• Take things to God in prayer
• Immerse yourself in God's Word
• Remember the gospel

You can watch the message here.

The New Religion of Wokeness

The Woke worldview is spreading through institutions in the world including the church. It functions like a new religion in many ways. It is important that Christians are able to identify and reject its false assertions.

You can watch the message here.

The Weaker Brother | Romans 14

The teaching team talks about how the strong brothers should show kindness to the weaker brothers.

Ask, Seek, and Knock | Matthew 7:7-11

Included below are the five sermon points along with discussion questions for further reflection.

1) WE SHOULD NOT ASK FOR AN IDOL

How can we tell if we are actually beginning to pray for an idol? (Have someone read James 4:2-4)

2) WE SHOULD ASK HUMBLY

How can we grow in praying in humble dependence on God’s fatherly care? (Have someone read Matthew 7:7-11)

3) WE SHOULD ASK FOR MORE OF GOD

What can motivate us to pray more earnestly for more of God Himself in our lives and the lives of others? (Have someone read Luke 11:13 and Jeremiah 29:12-13)

4) WE SHOULD ASK FOR THE SALVATION & SANCTIFICATION OF OTHERS

How do we pray more earnestly for the salvation of others, especially those in our family? (Have someone read Romans 10:1)

What can help us pray more earnestly for the sanctification of others? (Have someone read Colossians 1:9-11)

5) WE SHOULD ASK PERSISTENTLY

What has helped you pray more persistently about matters of eternal importance? (Have someone read Luke 11:5-10)

You can watch the message here.

Black Lives Matter: Exposing Its False & Dangerous Narrative

This week the teaching team builds off of the previous week and continues to expose the false and dangerous narrative that the BLM movement has created using Critical Race Theory as its ideological foundation. BLM promoted the motto "Defund the Police" which led to the tragic consequences of higher crime, including more theft and murder, over the past three years, especially for black and other minority communities in our country.

You can watch the message here.

Love Others and Make No Provision for the Flesh | Romans 13:8-14

The teaching team discusses the last verses of Romans 13 and how love is the fulfillment of the law.

Do Not Be Anxious | Matthew 6:25-30

Worry and anxiety are on the rise in our culture. We worry about all kinds of things and often think there is no way to win the battle. However, Jesus has something better for us than worry. Jesus gives us reasons to trust our Heavenly Father so that worry can be lessened and even destroyed as we learn to walk by faith in His promises.

You can watch the message here.