North Avenue Church Podcast

This was our last Table Talk for this summer! We focused on how all that we have is a gift from God that we must use for His glory. You can watch this message here.

Jerry, Mark, and Scott cover this section of 1 Thessalonians that alerts us to the fact that we are in the midst of a battle in the Christian life and we must keep our armor on, the gospel clear, and be actively invovled in a faithful local church. You can watch this message here.

The Golden Chain is a source of great comfort for the believer! However, we must make sure we understand each of the five linkes correctly. This sermon is a meditation on the first two. What does it mean to be foreknown and predestined? You can watch this message here.

You can watch this message here.

It has become popular to see Romans 9 as being mainly about (1) temporal blessings and judgments on *nations* in history, or (2) the salvation of individuals based on *foreseen faith*. However, there are good reasons to reject these views and accept that Romans 9 really does teach unconditional election unto salvation. Really! You can watch this message here.

To live as though Jesus is not returning is to live in the dark about where humanity is heading. No matter how intelligent or informed someone is about worldly things, to lack this knowledge is to be asleep to reality. As Christians, we must not give into moments of sleepiness, but sould be awake, aleter, and spiritually sober minded. We need to put on God's armor to be ready for battle, not sleeping on the battlefield. You can watch this message here.

This is our fourth Table Talk of the summer and we focus on the all-important issue of worship — both publica and private. You can watch this message here.

Romans 9 is the most important chapter on the doctrines of election and reprobation. What is it really about? You can listen to this message here.

Contrary to what is sometimes assumed, Paul tells us that certain things of global significance have to happen before Christ returns. These things are not happening currently as far as we can see. If this is the case, then in what sense is Christ's return 'imminent'? Borrowing from John Piper, we look at three ways: 1) prophetically near; 2) divinely near; and 3) potentially near. You can watch this message here.

While genuine Christians can hold differing views on the rapture, it is still an issue worth studying since it has a surprisingly large effect on how numerous passage are interpreted. This includes much of Revelation, the Thessalonians letters, the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 23, Mark 13, & Luke 21), and portions of the OT prophets. You can watch this message here.

This passage opens up the doctrine of election and reprobation. These are such weighty doctrines that must be studied with humility and a heart that is submissive to God's word. Here are the three points of the message: Introducing Malachi Jacob I Have Loved Esau I Have Hated You can watch this message here.

This is week three of this summer's Table Talk series on the Spiritual Discipines. This time we are focused on the importance of prayer. You can watch this message here.

In this last passage in Nehemiah, we see sin rear its ugly head all over again. What can we learn from a waning revival? The main idea: Indwelling sin never stops assaulting God's people throughout this fallen age. We must keep fighting it daily by God's grace and power! Here are the main points: Pagan Intermarriage Returns Nehemiah Responds Lessons from a Failed Reformation You can watch this message here.

Some of the questions from this message: How should Christians understand grief when it comes to the death of dearly loved fellow believers? What is the 'intermediate state' between death and resurrection? Why is resurrection so important? What will happen to deceased Christians when Christ returns? You can watch this message here.

The 'quiet time' is such an important part of the Christian life and of the means of grace. However, there is not one cookie-cutter way to approach this subject. How can Christians make progress in having quiet times that truly do stir our affections by the Holy Spirit's power and produce real transformation in our lives? Let us Learn to Wield Scripture in the Daily Fight to Commune with God. You can watch this message here.

There are three main points in Greg's message: Confront Diotrephes (v 9-10) Commend Demetrius (v 12) Imitate What is Good (v 11) You can watch this message here.

Christians should make it their ambition to ... what? Paul says, "...to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." What does this mean exactly? You can watch this message here.

This is the first Table Talk message of the summer! Here we are covering the spiritual disciplines. You can watch this message here.

Lust must be fought against! How does Paul (and the Lord throug him) teach us to fight? You can watch this message here.

This too often overlooked passage in 3 John tells us so much about how we should support missionaries. Zach helps us unpack the neglected details of this hidden text: Who should we support? How ought we support? Why should we support? You can watch this message here.

We're planning a three week mini-series in 3 John, the shortest book in the Bible by word count. This week Scott covered the introduction and conclusion of this letter. What riches are here for us in this too often ignored letter! Gaius’s godliness (v 1-3) A healthy body with an unhealthy soul makes for an unhealthy person (v 2) John’s greatest joy (v 4) The sweetness of Christian fellowship — especially face to face (v 13-15) You can watch this message here.

Sexual immorality is nothing new in a post-fall world. The culture of the Thessalonians had major issues in this area just as our world does today. Paul makes it clear that one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian should be "that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." You can watch this message here.

Mark, Scott, and John discuss all the theology and practical application that we get from Paul's prayer here and the doctrines which undergird it. You can watch this message here.

Here are the three points from the message: Nehemiah Confronts the People for Giving too Little (v 10-13) Nehemiah Confronts the People for Working too Much (v 15-22a) Nehemiah Fixes His Hope on God, not Man (v 14, 22b) You can watch this message here.

Jerry, Scott, and John walk through this next section of 1 Thessalonians 3.

Few issues show more clearly show the error of the supposed infallble authority of the Roman Catholic Church (or the Eastern Orthodox Church!) than that of icon veneration. That may sound strange, but both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox theologies claim that the findings of the Second Council of Nicea (787 AD) were infallible. And at this council, the veneration of icons is not just affirmed, but all who reject it are put under a supposedly infallible 'anathema'! This is no small matter. You can watch this message here.

Here are the three main points of the message: Godly Commitment (v 1-3) Ungodly Compromise (v 4-5) Godly Correction (v 6-9) You can watch this message here.

You can watch this message here.

Jerry, Scott, and John cover the first verses of chapter three. They focus on God's good purposes for the suffering in our lives.

The Catholic view of Mary contains numerous significant errors. What does Scripture really teach? You can watch this message here.

Zach, Scott, and John walk through an especially challenging section of this letter to properly understand.

Money is one of the greatest idols in this world. What can we learn about finances from this seemingly obscure passage in Nehemiah? There are many important principles here and in other New Testament texts that challenge us to participate in the joy of sacrificial giving! You can watch this message here.

Mariology is an area of Catholic theology where we see an unbiblical development throughout church history of Mary taking on a far more exalted position than Scripture gives her. How should we respond? You can watch this message here.

We should be thankful… For other Christians Because of the hope laid up for us in heaven Because of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ You can watch this message here.

Is there a New Testament case to make that Peter was the first in a long line of Popes? You can watch this message here.

Jerry, Zach, and John walk through the next section of chapter 2.

Jerry, Scott, and John walk through this next section of 1 Thessalonians.

The ascension of Jesus raises questions: Why did Jesus have to leave in order for the Spirit to be given? Why did Jesus say it was better that He go away in order for the Spirit to come? After addressing some of these important questions, we then look at the ascension through these three lenses: The Ascension of Our King The Ascension of Our Priest The Ascension of Our Prophet You can watch this message here.

What does the Roman Catholic Church officially teach about the Papacy and why do we believe Scripture does not support it? You can watch this here.

Jerry, Scott, and Zach lead us in this second week in 1 Thessalonians.

Here are the points from the message. Mark borrowed the first three from Alistair Begg's helpful sermon here. Peace (v 36) Panic (v 37-38) Proof (v 39-43) Prophets (v 44-46) Proclamation (v 47) You can watch this message here.

After we received world class teaching on Christology and Trinitarian theology from Dr. Steve Wellum, Mark and Greg review some of the things we can take away and also confess areas where our understanding of Christ as one Person in two natures at times fell short of the fullness of what Scripture teaches. It's not too late to grow! You can watch this message here.

Here is the outline for this Easter message: A Stranger on the Road (v 13-19a) The Gospel According to Cleopas (v 19b-24) The Gospel According to the Old Testament (v 25-27) Burning Hearts and Open Eyes (v 28-35) You can watch this message here.

Here is the outline for Scott's powerful message on Jesus's agony in Gethsemane and His crucifixion. The agony of Jesus The cup The cross of Christ The scandal of grace You can watch this message here.

This brief message was given to the students at WCA's Easter Chapel this morning.

In light of Easter, here is a fresh extended meditation on why the empty tomb matters. — Did you know *only* Matthew mentions the guards at the tomb? — And do you know *why* he spends 11 verses telling us about them? It matters! You can watch this message here.

Jerry, Scott, and John started us off on the first week in this new series on 1 Thessalonians.

Here are the four main points of the message: Unexpected sources recognize the king (18:35-19:10) In this parable, different responses to the King (19:11-27) An exuberant welcome for the King (19:28-40) Some surprising announcements from the King (19:41-48) The crowd has three false expectations: They expect Rome’s overthrow They expect the immediately re-establishment of Jerusalem as the primary city on earth They expect the rule of the Messiah from Jerusalem over all nations You can watch this message here.

Mark and Greg had the privilege of getting to ask Dr. Wellum some questions. They begin with issues related to the Trinity and Classical Theism. They also asked about the role of national Israel today. You can watch this message here.

Dr. Wellum gavea us a wonderful overview of Revelation 4-5. In chapter four, he shows us God's heavenly throne, surrounded by glory and angels. Then, in chapter 5, he shows us our hopelessness apart from Christ — the Lion and the Lamb — and the glory of our salvation in Him. You can watch this message here.