North Avenue Church Podcast

The Riches of the Gospel in a Greeting | Titus 1:1-2

Jerry, Fred, Scott, and Jared discuss the beginning of Paul's letter to Titus. There is a whole lot packed into the opening greeting and it is worth time lingering over just the opening two verses to see what is in each phrase!

John MacArthur on the Land/Kingdom Promised to Israel: A Progressive Covenantal Critique of Dispensational Premillennialism

This message critiques some of the charges John MacArthur has leveled against non-dispensationalists regarding biblical interpretation, the Old Testament, Israel, the church, and the millennium.

You can watch this message here.

John MacArthur's Dispensationalism: A Progressive Covenantal Response

John MacArthur is one of the most influential pastors alive today. We have been blessed by his 55 years of faithful ministry at our church. However, on the issue of Israel and the church we have some important disagreements. Here we walk through part of a message he gave at the 2007 Shepherd's Conference and respond to his critiuques of the non-dispensational position we hold.

You can watch this message here.

Boaz Redeems Ruth | Ruth 4

Today's podcast covers chapter 4 of the book of Ruth. Featuring Jerry, Fred, Scott, and Jared.

The Death of John the Baptist | Matthew 14:1-12

Mark got the idea of outlining the message around the four main characters of the story from Eric Alexander's helpful message here.

1. Herod’s weakness vs John’s strength
2. Herodias’s grudge
3. Salome's dance
4. John’s death

Discussion Questions:

1. Herod's moral weakness is seen in his people-pleasing and fleshly decision making. He is easily swayed by others into doing what is wrong and does not stand by biblical convictions. Where do we see Herod's moral weakness in this story? What can we learn from his negative example?
2. How does John the Baptist's humble strength and courage show itself in this story? How can we be more like John and less like Herod?
3. Herodias is also controlled by sinful desires, is unfaithful to her first husband, and nurses a grudge against John that turns deadly. What can we learn from her negative example? How can we specifically fight the temptation to nurse grudges in our heart?
4. To some readers, John's death may seem utterly ridiculous and even meaningless as the story unfolds. How can we be encouraged by the absurd circumstances surrounding his death? Was it truly meaningless? (Have someone read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). How can we fight to believe God's good purposes for us in our own suffering, especially when it becomes discouraging to us?

You can watch this message here.

What About the Land Promise to Israel? | A Progressive Covenantalist Response to Dispensationalism

Perhaps some listeners may be on board with what we've covered over the past several sessions on this topic and agree that the church is the true, restored Israel of God in Christ. However, you may have a big lingering question: What about the land promise to Israel in the Old Testament?

You can watch this message here.

A Matter of Discipline | Proverbs 23 [Black Mountain Men's Retreat: Session 3]

This is Bob McAndrew's third and final message from Satruday evening at the Black Mountain Men's Retreat. Here are the three points:

1. Don't let gluttony get the best of you
2. Don't let greed get the best of you
3. Do let godly instruction get the best of you

You can watch this message here.

When Jesus Doesn't Meet Our Expectations | Matthew 14:22-33

Three main points emphasis run through this passage:

1. Jesus will continue God's kingdom plan in God's way and on God's timetable
2. Jesus will reveal Himself in an unforgettable way to His disciples
3. Jesus will reveal to.His disciples thay they still had a LOT of room to grow

Outline of the passage:

1. Jesus's Insistence (vs. 22-24)
2. Jesus's Appearance (vs. 25-27)
3. Jesus's Salvation (vs. 28-32)
4. The Disciples' Worship (vs. 33)

You can watch this message here.

Before a Man Commits Adultery He Should... | Proverbs 5 [Black Mountain Men's Retreat: Session 2]

This is Bob McAndrew's second message from Saturday morning at the Black Mountain Men's Retreat.

Before a man commits adultery he should...

1. Understand what it is going to cost him
2. Understand what he already has at home
3. Understand that the Lord is watching him

You can watch the message here.

The Fear of the Lord: An Introduction to Proverbs | Proverbs 1:1-7 [Black Mountain Men's Retreat: Session 1]

This is Bob McAndrew's first talk on Friday night at the Black Mountain Men's Retreat in North Carolina. In this message he introduces the book of Proverbs and asks three questions:

1. What is a proverb?
2. What is the purpose of Proverbs?
3. What is the motto of Proverbs?

You can watch this message here.

Ruth Goes to Boaz at the Threshing Floor | Ruth 3

Jerry, Scott, Papa, and Jared lead us through this important turning point in the story of Ruth.

Discipleship: Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry | Ephesians 4:11-13

Jerry did a great job reminding us of the importance of discipleship in the Christian life. No matter who we are, no matter our gifting, we are called to disciple others and to be discipled. This is basic to the Christian life and something we all should consider how we can do this more wisely and passionately.

You can watch this message here.

Ruth and Boaz Meet | Ruth 2

Jerry, Papa Fred, and Jared team up to walk us through Ruth 2 where Ruth and Boaz meet for the first time.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand | Matthew 14:13-21

Here are the points for Scott's message:

1. The compassion of Jesus
2. The test that Jesus gives
3. The sufficiency of Jesus
4. The identity of Jesus

You can watch this message here.

The Church as the Restored, True Israel of God in Christ

The Old Testament teaches that Gentiles will be included in the restored Israel (see, as one example, Psalm 87). However, the New Testament reveals a "mystery" previously hidden that the restored, true Israel of God has been restructured around identification with the Messiah by faith alone, not ethnic background or observance to the Mosaic law. This is why, we argue, Paul refers to the church as "the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16) and other NT authors apply titles previously reserved for Israel to the church.

You can watch this message here.