North Avenue Church Podcast

Of all the seven churches of Revelation, none receives so negative a response from Jesus as Laodicea. It is the church that makes Jesus want to vomit! As intense as the language of Jesus is here, there is much for all of us to learn and apply to our lives.

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These are some extended reflections on a very intriguing and often debated verse in Revelation 3 that we covered briefly this past Thursday night here. Some believe it is the single strongest verse used to support the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. However, we do think there is a more convincing way to understand it in the light of the whole context of Revelation, Jesus's words in Matthew 24, and Daniel's visions in Daniel 11-12.

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Here are the three points of the message:

1. God’s word stirs up God’s people (1:12-15)
2. God’s people grow discouraged (2:1-3)
3. God’s word brings fresh comfort & assurance (2:4-5)

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To understand the five points of Calvinism one must have a solid grasp on the T in the TULIP. Total depravity means moral inability. Is this really taught in Scripture?

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The Philadelphian church was perhaps the least impressive outwardly of all the seven churches. Yet, along with Smyrna (which was also not outwardly impressive) Jesus speaks more highly of them than all the other churches. There is much here for us to be encouraged by in our walk with the Lord!

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This is the first week where the team is walking through the five points of the Calvinist TULIP. They begin with total depravity which is really moral inability.

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In just 24 days God's word through Haggai changes everything that had not changed in 16 years.

God’s Word confronts sin:

1. By comparing passions (v 1-5)
2. By showing sin’s miserable results (v 6, 9-11)
3. By pointing to something better (v 7-8)

You can watch the message here.

Sardis is the first church to receive only negative criticism from our Lord, with the exception of a small few in Sardis who were still walking faithfully.

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Ezra chapter four focuses on opposition to the work (in the present) of rebuilding the temple and (in the future) the city of Jerusalem. Chapter five begins with God overcoming opposition with His word.

1. God’s Enemies Stop the Work through Intimidation (4:4-5, 24)
2. God’s Enemies Stop the Work through Political Force (4:6-23)
3. God Revives the Work through His Word (5:1-2)

At 25:32 Mark meant to say, "It is not the wrong side of history to believe in what Christianity teaches."

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The TULIP grew out of the soil of a significant discussion and disagreement regarding God's role in salvation. Did God choose us because He knew we would choose Him? Or, did God choose us so that we would choose Him? This topic is worth many hours of our best mental efforts and prayers as we pour over God's word.

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Tolerance has been a chief virtue in our culture over the past couple decades, however, Jesus shows that tolerance can very easily become sin that threatens the very life of His church.

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The question, "What is God's Will for My Life?" is popular and often based on unbiblical assumptions. What is a better and more biblical way to approach this issue?

Does God Have Two Wills? Is it actually true that God has a will of decree and a will of command? What does Scripture really say about this?

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God's enemies (both then and now) seek to...

1. Join God's people (v 1-3)
2. Intimidate God's people (v 4-5)
3. Politically stop God's people (v 6)

The basic idea behind these points (excluding their wording) was adapted from Don Carson's devotional book For the Love of God volume 2, January 4th.

You can watch the message here.

Smyrna and Pergamum are both experiencing attacks from Satanic opposition. Smyrna is holding fast to Christ, but Pergamum is beginning to compromise. There is much to learn for all Christians from Christ's letters to these churches!

You can watch the message here.

Here are the four sermon points for how worship is rekindled in Jerusalem:

1. They Gave Generously [2:68-69; 3:7]
2. They Worked in Unity [3:8-9]
3. They Praised Joyfully [3:10-11]
4. Some Wept Loudly [3:12-13]

You can watch the message here.