North Avenue Church Podcast

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.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Hidden Treasure | Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46, 53-58

Here is the sermon outline:

1. The Kingdom of Heaven has Small Beginnings (v 31-33)
2. The Kingdom of Heaven has Infinite Worth (v 44-46)
3. The Kingdom of Heaven has often been too Easily Rejected (v 53-58)

You can watch this message here.

Ruth 1 | Suffering and God's Sovereignty

Jerry, Scott, Papa Fred, and Jared Smith all teamed up to help lead us through the first week in Ruth.

How Will Gentiles Be Included in the Restored, True Israel?

The Old Testament makes clear that Gentiles will be blessed in the time of the restoration of Israel from exile. However, to what degree and in what way the Gentiles will be included isn't as clearly revealed in the Old Testament as it is in the New. What does Scripture teach is the relationship between Israel and the church and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the new covenant era?

You can watch this message here.

Final Judgment in the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds | Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50

Here is Scott's outline regarding final judgment:

1. Judgment is necessary
2. Judgment is delayed
3. Judgment is certain
4. Judgment will be thorough and permanent

You can watch this message here.

Should Christians Attend LGBTQ 'Weddings'? | An Earnest Response to Alistair Begg

We decided to take a Sunday to discuss this recent contraversy with a pastor we have often quoted at our church, Alistair Begg. Is it ever right for a Christian to attend an LGBTQ 'wedding'? If not, why not? This is an issue of our day for which Christians must have biblical clarity.

You can watch this message here.

The Double-Edged Purpose of Parables | Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35, 51-52

Mark borrowed these two points and a lot of the structure of this sermon from Don Carson's very helpful sermon here.

1. Jesus tells parables because in line with Scripture (Isaiah 6), His message blinds, deafens, and hardens (v 10-17)
2. Jesus tells parables because in line with Scripture (Psalm 78), His message reveals things previously hidden in Scripture (v 34-35, 11-12, 16-17, 51-52)

You can watch this message here.

Biblical Counseling | Week 5

Jerry and Josh Crouse wrap up this important five week series on Biblical Counseling by spending some time in Proverbs among other passages.

How the New Covenant is Better than the Old

The Old Testament itself clearly teaches that the New Covenant is in some importnat ways similar to and yet dissimilar and far better in many ways.

You can watch this message here.

The Parable of the Four Soils | Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Here is the outline:

1. The Pathtway soil (v 1-4, 18-19)
2. The Rocky soil (v 5-6, 20-21)
3. The Thorny soil (v 7, 22)
4. The Good soil (v 8-9, 23)

You can watch this message here.