A special sermon on loss. Grieving together as God's people is an important part of being God's people. This sermon looks at various forms of loss and grief.
Scriptures: Luke 2:25 - 52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13

The conclusion of the series. Worship is more than just singing, giving, communing, preaching, praying. The first and most significant act of worship is SUBMITTING to God.
Scriptures: Matthew 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:22-25, 11:-17-32

We are call to have time with God on a regular basis and then God calls us to do his will. (Due to technical problems the recording quality is very poor.)
Scriptures: Romans 12:1&2

Giving is worship. The word "Holy" described the first fruits of the Israelites labor and energy. How does your "experience" of offering your money to God impact your week to week "experience" of worship?
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 50:12, I Chronicles 29:11

Do We Love God's Word? People are hungry for God's Word. Churches should be a place of preaching & teaching.
Scriptures: Isaiah 55:8-11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Amos 8:11-12

Worship is about more than the musical style. But often we let our preferences define worship for us. Chris introduces a new series.
Scriptures: Matthew 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:22-25, 11:-17-32

Worship is passionate. Worship is submission. Worship is both physical and spiritual. Does worship move you and others? Some things often stand in the way - tradition, comfort, & preference. Chris introduces a new series.
Scriptures: Matthew 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:22-25, 11:-17-32

A recap of Kidz Camp2010. Chris reviews the 4 virtues learned at camp.

How do you pour out your life into people. Do we go against our culture? Chris tells the story of Miss Myrtle.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:1-11

What is our story. "Story" is relationship. This message includes: The actor, the launch, the camp, the facility, the fall, the family, the story, the call.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:5, Psalm 127

"Live such good lives." We should be good because we are God's. "...let your light shine before people,that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."--Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:16
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 2:1-3

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:9-11
Scriptures: 1 Peter 2

What will we do when our world no longer accepts our beliefs and violently attempts to destroy our faith?
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1

Chris discusses what is lasting and what is not lasting.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:1-9; Matthew 6:19-24

Three questions that challenge our culture. How can the young secure their hearts? How can I have spiritual strength and success? How can I keep from becoming an argumentative Christian? God’s Word is where we need to be to answer the questions of life.
Scriptures: Psalm 119:9-16; Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 2:14-16; 2 Peter 1:12-21

Chris discusses how we are the continuing story of the book of Acts. Every part of us is a part of that mission: our lives, time, money – all of who we are.
Scriptures: Acts 1, 2, 8, 28, 29; Romans 10:13-17

Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples should make us stop and think. In the upper room He urged followers to love and to be defined by love. In the Great Commission He instructed that we should take the message into the world persuading, baptizing and teaching. He then told the Apostles to go to Jerusalem and…wait. That’s right: wait.
Scriptures: Matthew 4:23 Luke 17:21 Matthew 4:16-17 Matthew 13:44-46 Mark 10:15 Matthew 7:21 Matthew 5:19 Matthew 24:14 Mark 1:15 Matthew 6:9-13

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom. It’s not like any kingdom on this earth. It’s not like any kingdom ruled by humans. It’s a kingdom with no geographical boundaries or borders. It’s a kingdom defined by belief, sacrifice, love, service, and especially by the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. What does the Kingdom mean to you?
Scriptures: Matthew 13:45-46; Matthew 13:44; Matthew 13:31-32; Matthew 22:1-14, Acts 19:1-7, John 3:5

Taking vows and practicing moderation is both Godly and biblical. However, to define our Christianity by what we aren’t rather than by our new life in Christ is not spiritually healthy. And people who base their religion on rules will condemn regardless of what you do. I know because they condemned Jesus and they condemned John. Let’s talk about God embracing both!
Scriptures: Luke 1:15; Luke 5:33-39; Luke 7:18–35

John the Baptist. John “the Baptizer.” What a name. Baptism–the act of being immersed in water to symbolically wash a person clean–had been practiced for centuries. Known in Hebrew as mikvah (ceremonial washing), immersion in water was utilized for conversion and ritual cleansing. John’s baptism was a call to repentance to prepare for the coming Kingdom. Jesus never baptized anyone but changed the meaning of baptism forever.
Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18; Matthew 11:1-19; John 3:22–36; Acts 19:1-7

The two most influential cousins in history are Jesus and John the Baptist. I suppose most of us view fame as being accompanied by fortune. Not in their case. They are famous because of their messages, their lives and their deaths. In fact, their fame came at the ultimate cost with none of the earthly wealth and notoriety we often desire.
Scriptures: Luke 1–3, Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 17

Baby dedications are interesting to officiate. Most parents who want to dedicate their children to the Lord are following in the footsteps of many Bible characters or people of faith. I believe this is a noble thought. But can I dedicate someone else’s life? Not really. Baby dedications are a statement of personal dedication, “I am dedicating my life to raising this child in paths of faith.” It’s more of a parent dedication than a baby dedication.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 1, Luke 1:13-17, Luke 1:30–33, Proverbs 22:6

What we see is often determined by what we're looking for.
Scriptures: John 20:1 - 9, John 11

The message Amos is called on to deliver is 90% destruction and 10% life. But, it’s like a sad story that has a great ending; the great ending makes the preceding journey of life worth reading. In the end, God is always a fan of restoration and renewal. In the end, God always leaves things with hope and blessings rather than curses and condemnation.
Scriptures: Amos 9:11 – 15

Getting the weeds out of the plants is always necessary, but it’s also hard work. For the weeds, it’s a destructive process. But, for the healthy plants it brings life and the ability to really grow and expand. Every now and then, God has to weed the garden of humanity. When His people are the weeds, it especially breaks His heart.
Scriptures: Amos 9:1-10

God puts a basket of fruit on the table of life and says, “The time is ripe” for Israel to reap what she’s sown. The image is a contradiction. After all, when is harvest not a good thing? When is it a negative to see a basket of fruit?
Scriptures: Amos 8

In Amos 7, God says He’s putting a plumb line in the midst of Israel. Why would he do this? Because, spiritually speaking, the people are “plum’ lyin’ ” (as stated by a good Southerner). The problem is that you can’t lie to God – He always knows the truth. You can only lie to yourself and to others.
Scriptures: Amos 7:1-9

It is projected that our nation constitutes 5% of the global population but uses 24% of the world’s consumables annually. God is not opposed to blessings and wealth unless the policies that lead to the blessings and wealth are also policies of destruction and oppression.
Scriptures: Amos 6:1-14

The prayers and lives of the Saints have been considered a “good smell” to God (see Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:18). But when our lives are not being lived right, we just smell. Our odor becomes a spiritual stench to God. He can’t stand to be around us because of our spiritual BO (body odor).
Scriptures: Amos 5:18-27

God doesn’t ask that much of His people. We often make living for God too complex. Living for God is really about being good to people, just to the oppressed and loving to everyone. Yes, we’re called to avoid certain behaviors for our own good. But primarily, we are called to love humanity with the passion of our Creator.
Scriptures: Amos 5:1-17

Our children, our wives, our husbands are consumed with consuming. The problem is, that we can’t consume here without depriving others elsewhere. The message of Amos in chapter 4 screams a loud message to indulgent societies like ours. The question is: Will we listen?
Scriptures: Amos 4

Amos isn’t a prophetic word about rejection, but a call to meaningful reconciliation…on God’s terms. No negotiations. No grey areas. No bargaining, just a call to return to the relationship in meaningful, immeasurable ways.
Scriptures: Amos 2:4 – 3:15

One by one every enemy of Israel is paraded before them in defeat. The crowd anticipates the victory only to discover that of all nations left in despair, none stands more decimated than Israel.
Scriptures: Amos 1:3 – 2:3

Amos was a country bumpkin sent to prophecy to the city slickers. He talked with a different twang. His expressions came with a different style, but his message was straight from God.
Scriptures: Amos 1:1-2, 8:11-14, 7:10-17

We need to be challenged and encouraged. When we need these two together, there is no greater place to find these words than in the writings of God. Hear then the prophet.
Scriptures: Isaiah 6, Joel 2:28 - 32, Acts 2

The final of four lessons on leadership. Where are we going in the next year as a church? Chris discusses our vision for 2010.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 13:1-3 & 15/16

The third of four lessons on leadership. The transition to a new style of leadership? A conversation between the four catalyst leaders of the Northwest Church.
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:11ff

The second of four lessons on leadership. We are here for one basic reason, our God is a giving God. He gave us life, each other,and most of all he gave us Jesus. So what can you give God?
Scriptures: John 3:16, Nativity Readings

The first of four lessons on leadership. How do you trust? What happens if trust is broken? Trust is extremely important when it comes to finances, so transparency becomes an essential.
Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-30, I Corinthians 16:1-4, Philippians 3:12-16

Being baptized does negate grace, does not eliminate temptation, and is nothing without belief but it does provide for New Life, New Clothes and a Clean Conscience.
Scriptures: Romans 6:1-7, Galations 3:26-27. 1 Peter 3:18-22

Our role is to test everything... but that doesn’t mean to extinguish the flames of the Spirit that are burning within a person. Sometimes when we are testing, we are also tiring – wearing people out.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 28

Ike and enterPraise joined us for a weekend of worship. Ike shares from the heart how we should live like Jesus. People should know that we have been around Jesus by what we say and do.
Scriptures: Acts 3-4, Luke 20, Matthew 28:19-20

So much of life and Christian living gets down to attitude: Attitude towards God and towards others. I love Paul’s closing encouragements because it’s a simple call to live in a way that brings blessings to the lives of others.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:12 - 18, Luke 23:34

Ever need to stop, collect yourself, and think through where you've been? At this point in this study, we need to stop and get to the point ... make sure we're not missing the point.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 1

One of the most difficult realities of life is death. Paul wrote that people should not lose hope because this life and this flesh isn’t all there is to life.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11, John 14:1-6, Matthew 24:36 - 44

Our lives need to intentionally manifest the love of Christ, especially to those who do not believe in Him.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Ecclesiastes 7:16, John 13:34-35

We can learn how to live in a way that pleases God. The problem is we tend to desire our own pleasure over God’s happiness.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Luke 3:21-22

We should be missional and we are all missionaries. How to be better encouragers of each other.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, Luke 22:31-32

We need to be storing up our treasures in heaven. Who (not what) is your greatest achievement?
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-29, Matthew 6:19-21

How do you approach your ministry/relationships? Paul uses four metaphors: mother, friend, brother, and father.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

We all know everyone has a reputation. Did you know that every church also has a reputation?
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10, Luke 2:52

1 Thessalonians is a letter that speaks of leadership, ministry and relationship. This is the intro to new 11 week series.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6, Matthew 4:19-20

Chris Goldman's begins his preaching ministry at the Northwest Church with a sermon on how it takes all of us to fulfill God's mission for us.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4