North Avenue Church Podcast

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)

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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.

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Ordinary Faithfulness for a New Year | Selected Scripture

Four ways to pursue ordinary faithfulness in a new year:

1. By treasuring the Word of God (Psalm 1)
2. By preaching the Gospel to ourselves consistently (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
3. By cultivating a firm belief in the sovereignty and goodness of God (Romans 8:28-32)
4. By folding our lives into the local church where we are members (Hebrews 10:23-25)

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Unto Us a Child is Born | Isaiah 7:1-9:7

In difficult times...

1. We are tempted to trust in other powers [7:1-8:15]
2. We are tempted to trust in other authorities [8:16-21]
3. We must trust in the God who Saves [9:1-7]

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A Cross-Shaped Christmas | Philippians 2:1-11

Here are the two main points of Greg's meditation on the purpose of the incarnation from Philippians 2:

1. The intentional unity of the church (v 1-4)

2. The intentional incarnation of the Messiah (v 5-11)

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Perseverance in the Face of Discouragement | Nehemiah 4:10-14

Nehemiah shows us how to handle discouragement in the Christian life.

I. Why We Are Tempted to Give Up (v 10-12)

• A. Our strength is low
• B. The burden seems too great
• C. Opposition grows from without and within

II. Ways We Fight to Endure (v 13-14)

• A. Set a defense where you're most vulnerable
• B. Expose yourself to truth!
• C. Remember and fear the Lord
• D. Remember what is at stake

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Perseverance in the Face of Opposition | Nehemiah 4:1-9

Why is the Christian life so hard?

Here is the outline of the message:

1. The Enemies Mock (v 1-3)
2. Nehemiah Prays and the People Work (v 4-6)
3. The Enemies Threaten (v 7-8)
4. Nehemiah Prays and sets a Guard (v 9)

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All Hands on Deck! The People Get to Work | Nehemiah 3

The people beautifully model unified work for the kingdom!

A. Nehemiah Leads the People by...

1. Showing the way forward
2. Delegating the work into manageable portions
3. Giving credit to the workers

B. The People Avoid...

1. Procrastination
2. A preoccupation with (1) rank, (2) gifting, or (3) recognition

C. The People Work...

1. In Unity
2. Diligently and Sacrificially

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What is Biblical Leadership? | Nehemiah 2:17-20

Nehemiah provides a wonderful example of bibical leadership in this passage.

1. Nehemiah clearly communicates the problem (v 17a)
2. Nehemiah clearly communicates the solution (v 17b-18a)
3. The people and their enemies respond (v 18b-19)
4. Nehemiah's uncompromising conviction in the face of opposition (v 20)

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Nehemiah's Godly Leadership Begins in Jerusalem | Nehemiah 2:9-16

In this week's passage we learn about godly leadership from Nehemiah.

Godly leaders...

1. Use wisdom (v 9)
2. Expect opposition (v 10)
3. Know when to rest (v 11)
4. Have a God-glorifying plan, yet don’t reveal it prematurely (v 12)
5. Clearly understand the problems they face (vv 13-16)

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Nehemiah's Prayerful Planning, Courageous Action, & God's Good Providence | Nehemiah 2:1-8

Main idea: Nehemiah shows us how to pray, plan, and act all while relying on God's good providence.

1. Prayerful planning
2. Courageous actions
3. God's providence

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Nehemiah's Passionate Prayer of Repentance | Nehemiah 1:4-11

Here is the outline for Nehemiah's prayer of repentance:

1. Nehemiah turns to God first (vv. 4–6a)
2. Nehemiah confesses sin (vv. 6b–7)
3. Nehemiah prays God’s promises in Scripture (vv. 8–9)
4. Nehemiah points to God’s past faithfulness (v. 10)
5. Nehemiah makes his request (v. 11)

[Audio is corrected at 1:38]

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