September 26, 2021 ~ "Hospitable Community"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Rom. 8:1, 8:15-16, 12:13, 15:7; 1 Cor. 9:12, 19-23, 10:32-33; Phil 2:3-5; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb 13:2; Lk. 5:29-32, 10:38-42, 14:12-14, 19:5-8, 21:1-4; Mk. 6:42-44; Jn. 6:35-36; Rev. 7:17

We aim to welcome others into our community corporately and into our lives personally as Christ has welcomed us. (Rom. 15:7)

 
I. What does a hospitable heart posture look like corporately?

    a. Removing all barriers to the gospel except the gospel itself. (1 Cor. 9:12, 9:19-23, 10:32-33)

    b. Considering the interests of others as more significant than our own. (Phil. 2:3-5)

II. What does the practice of hospitality look like personally?

    a. It is about making others feel welcome and loved. (Rom. 8:1,15-16, 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb. 

        13:2)

    b. It helps others get into our homes. (Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb. 13:2)

    c. It is based on grace. (Lk. 14:12-14, 5:29-32)

    d. It is marked by generosity and joy. (Lk. 19:5-8, Mk. 6:42-44, Jn. 6:35-36, Rev. 7:17, Lk. 

        21:1-4)

    e. It helps others encounter Jesus both inside and outside the church. (Lk. 10:38-42)

III. What does this mean for Northwood?

    a. We want to remove every barrier to the gospel except the gospel itself.

    b. We want to regularly ask “How would someone who is new or different than me experience 

        our community and worship?”

    c. We want to practice hospitality by inviting one another and our neighbors into deeper 

        relationship through coffee, lunch, dinner, and time in one another’s homes.

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Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

September 19, 2021 ~ "Dependent on the Spirit"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

John 15:26-16:15

This text is tailored to teach us that the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to point others to Jesus.

 
I. The Principle (15:26-27)

II. Why do we need the Holy Spirit to empower us to point others to Jesus?

    a. We need the Holy Spirit to keep us from falling away. (16:1)

    b. We need the Holy Spirit because in Jesus’ absence the world will oppose Jesus by 

        opposing his followers. (16:2-6)

III. How does the Holy Spirit empower us to point others to Jesus? (16:7-15)

    a. The Holy Spirit helps us in Jesus’ absence. (16:7)

    b. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of their need for a Savior. (16:8-11)

    c. The Holy Spirit guides Jesus’ disciples into the truth about Jesus. (16:12-13)

    d. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus through Jesus’ disciples. (16:14-15)

IV. What does this mean for Northwood?

    We aim to depend upon the Holy Spirit to empower and direct our ministry. A few ways we 

    can do this is:

    a. by individually praying for one another using the Weekly Word and Prayer and the Church 

        Directory.

    b. by pausing to pray in the moment as a need is shared or wisdom is needed.

    c. by intentionally praying in corporate worship for the Spirit to work.

    d. by regularly gathering together to pray for God’s priorities to come to fruition.

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Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

September 12, 2021 ~ "Submitted to the Scriptures"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

John 5:19-47

This text is tailored to teach us to listen, believe, and submit to the voice of Jesus.

 
I. Why should we listen, believe, and submit to the voice of Jesus?

    Because the Father offers life and executes judgment through Jesus. (v. 19-29)

II. Where can we hear the voice of Jesus?

    We can hear the voice of Jesus through the Father’s testimony about Jesus, especially in the 

    Scriptures. (v. 30-47)

III. What does this mean for Northwood?

    We aim to search the Scriptures to know Jesus and to submit all of our beliefs, values, and 

    practices to him.

    a. This involves letting Jesus set the agenda for us by preaching the whole counsel of God.

    b. This involves reading, discussing, and applying the Scriptures both formally and informally 

        in community.

    c. This involves showing how every Scripture points to Jesus and his gospel.

    d. This involves regularly asking how the Scriptures inform our beliefs, values, and practices 

        so that we are always growing into further submission to Jesus.

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Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

September 5, 2021 ~ "CBR: Ezekiel 40"

Guest Speaker Gianluca Cueva

Ezekiel 40

(No sermon notes were available)

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Since we are live streaming on YouTube during this time of separation, you can also CLICK HERE to watch the entire service if you prefer!

August 29, 2021 ~ "Gospel-Centered Ministry"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Galatians 1-3

We aim to apply God’s grace in Christ to all of life.

 
I. What is the gospel?

    a. The gospel is the good news that we can be legally declared righteous before God by faith   

        in Christ. (2:15-16)

    b. The gospel is the good news that we can be relationally restored to God by Christ’s loving 

        sacrifice for us. (2:19-20)

II. How can we distort the gospel?

    a. We can distort the gospel by changing the actual message that was revealed by Jesus 

        Christ to the apostles. (1:8-9, 1:12, 2:7-9)

    b. We can distort the gospel by walking in a way that denies the gospel message we believe. 

        (2:11-14)

III. What should we do if we’ve distorted the gospel?

    We should continue the way we first began: by receiving God’s promise in faith. (3:1-6)

IV. What might this mean for Northwood?

    a. We will be clear about what the gospel message is.

    b. We will invite non-Christians to receive God’s grace through repentance and faith.

    c. We will remind one another that the gospel is for Christians.

    d. We will bring the gospel to bear on every domain of life.

    e. We will commit ourselves to both gospel doctrine and gospel culture.

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August 22, 2021 ~ "Jesus Treasured Above All Else"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Matthew 13:44-52

Our vision is to see Jesus Christ treasured above all else and made much of through local churches in the Bay Area and in every corner of the world.

This text is tailored to teach us to treasure Jesus above all else.

 
I. Why should you treasure Jesus above all else?

    a. We should treasure Jesus above all else because his kingdom gives more than it costs. (v. 42-44)

    b. We should treasure Jesus because his kingdom is more precious than anything else. (v. 45-46)

    c. We should treasure Jesus above all else because we cannot have the kingdom without the king.  (v. 47-50, cf. Rom. 3:10, 23-24)

II. What happens when you treasure Jesus above all else? (v.51-52)

    When we treasure Jesus above all else, we make much of him out of the overflow of our hearts.

III. How did God plan for Jesus to be revealed as a treasure above all else? (cf. Eph. 3:10-11)

    God intended to reveal that Jesus is a treasure above all else through the church.

IV. What does this mean for Northwood?

    a. As we pursue our mission we want to prioritize making much of Jesus in and through the local church.

    b. We will need to regularly remind ourselves that both the goal and motivation of making disciples is treasuring Jesus above all else.

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August 15, 2021 ~ "The Mission of the Church"

 Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Matthew 28:18-20

This text is tailored to teach us to make disciples of Jesus Christ among all nations because of his authoritative presence.

 
I. The Call to Mission. (v. 19a)

    a. A disciple is a follower of Jesus.

    b. A disciple helps others follow Jesus, this is called discipling.

    c. A disciple makes disciples of all people.

II. The Shape of Mission (v. 19-20a)

    a. Making disciples involves going.

    b. Making disciples involves evangelizing.

    c. Making disciples involves teaching obedience.

III. The Implications of Mission

    a. Northwood exists to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ in the Bay Area and 

        among the nations.

    b. As a gathered church we will prioritize events, ministries, and programs aimed at making 

        disciples and equipping one another to make disciples.

    c. As a scattered church each of us will look for opportunities as we are going to make 

        disciples and to invite other members to join us in making disciples.

IV. The Foundation for Mission (v. 18)

    a. Making disciples is rooted in Christ’s authority.

    b. Making disciples is empowered by Christ’s authoritative presence.

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August 8, 2021 ~ "Our Only Hope"

Pastor Rory Dardich
John 14:1-14

This text is tailored to teach us that Jesus is our only real reason for hope.

 
I. Because He wants us to be with Him & He made the way!  (v.1-3)

II. Because Jesus is everything that matters and the exclusive way to God!   (v.4-6)

III. Because Jesus is God & knowing Jesus is knowing the Father!  (v.7-11)

IV. Because we’re able to work with Jesus & ask for things in line with His will & character!  (v.12-14)

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August 1, 2021 ~ "A Fully Satisfying Treasure, Psalm 16"

Pastor Neal Brown
Psalm 16

This text is tailored to teach us that a fully satisfying life only comes when we make the Lord our supreme treasure.

 
I. How do we make Him our supreme treasure?

    a. By trusting in Him as our refuge. (v. 1)

    b. By seeking Him as our only good. (v. 2)

    c. By delighting in the saints. (v. 3)

    d. By focusing on Him as our exclusive object of worship. (v. 4)

    e. By valuing Him as our present and eternal inheritance. (v. 5-6)

II. What are the results of making Him our supreme treasure?

    a. We will enjoy His counsel and instruction. (v. 7)

    b. We will experience stability and security. (v. 8-9)

    c. We will experience eternal joy and pleasures. (v. 10-11)

III. These verses find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. (vs. 8-11: cf. Acts 2:25-36, 13:35-37)

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