December 26, 2010 ~ "The Amusement Park Syndrome"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: The boxes are empty, is your cup filled with joy?

Proposition: We will examine more characteristics of the great joy available to all people.

December 19, 2010 ~ "A Well That Never Runs Dry"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Are you experiencing great joy?

Proposition: We will examine some characteristics of the great joy made available to all people.

December 12, 2010 ~ "How Good Is It?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: We could use some good news.

Proposition: We will examine some facts concerning the good news of great joy in Luke 2:10-11.

December 5, 2010 ~ "From One Celebration to Another"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Born for what?

Proposition: In Isaiah 54:4-11 we discover how the Messiah fulfilled the plan of God.

November 28, 2010 ~ "A Day of Skipping"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: As we prepare to celebrate the first advent, let us not forget the second.

Proposition: In Malachi 4:1-6 we discover some facts concerning the day of the Lord’s return.

November 21, 2010 ~ Thanksgiving

As is our tradition we took the opportunity of the coming Thanksgiving holiday to worship God and thank Him for all of our blessings and simply for who he is. There was no sermon, so there's no podcast this week. But our worship was a wonderful time of scripture, song, sharing and prayer. God is good.

November 14, 2010 ~ "Time to Take Inventory"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Serving with an attitude!

Proposition: In Malachi 3:13-18 we will examine two contrasting ways to serve the Lord.

November 7, 2010 ~ "At All Times, In All Ways"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Who is 100% faithful?

Proposition: In Malachi 3:6-12 we find some expressions of God’s faithfulness.

October 31, 2010 ~ "God's Invincible Plan"

Youth & Worship Pastor,

Rory Dardich

Introduction: How often does life seem haphazard?

Proposition: Romans 8:28-39 lays out how God operates in our lives as believers and why. Taking it seriously should challenge and even rearrange how we approach life.

*For some reason the introduction was not recorded. It set up digging into the passage by reflecting on how much life sometimes feels haphazard like the look of some modern art pieces (haphazard meaning, "lacking any obvious principle of organization"). We see in the passage that God's plan may seem that way to us but is anything BUT haphazard.

October 24, 2010 ~ "Can He See His Image?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Some question God’s justice, but don’t understand it. (2:17)

Proposition: In Malachi 3:1-5 we observe some ways in which God’s justice is expressed.

October 17, 2010 ~ "How Loyal Are You?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: What should we have in common with a good boy scout?

Proposition: In Malachi 2:10-16 we discover some areas in which our loyalty should be demonstrated.

October 10, 2010 ~ "Obedience is the Better Choice"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Are you all ear?

Proposition: In Malachi 2:1-9 we will examine traits of two contrasting lifestyles.

October 3, 2010 ~ "One Awesome God"

Elder, John Duebel

Victory House Ministries

Proposition: Through the story of Nineveh we can learn a lot about our God.

September 26, 2010 ~ "No Counterfeits Please"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: You spot a counterfeit by studying the real thing.

Proposition: In Malachi 1:6-14 we discover some traits one who lives an authentic Christian life.

September 19, 2010 ~ "The Proof is in the Pudding"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Where is God?

Proposition: In Malachi 1:1-5 we find three characteristics that help us understand God’s love.

September 12, 2010 ~ "A High-Altitude Exam"

Youth & Worship Pastor,

Rory Dardich

Introduction: Things look different from a bird’s eye view.

Proposition: Allow God’s Word to penetrate you as the Holy Spirit reveals anything you’ve been missing because you've been too close to it.

A few people asked about the Francis Chan podcast I mentioned & played during the message. You can find them HERE. Scroll down to the message dated 5/23/10, "Love God Love People". This was the 2nd to last message he gave before leaving Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. If you like, you can listen to a backlog of messages all the way back to 2005 and then most of 2001. Of course, there are messages from Cornerstone's other pastors too. :)

Also, if you weren't with us Sunday and would like to see the "Sports Church" video that was used you can see it HERE.

September 5, 2010 ~ "What Are We Celebrating?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Something old, something new…

Proposition: In 2 Cor. 3:1-11 we are reminded why we should give thanks for the new covenant of grace.

August 29, 2010 ~ "Where are You Looking?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Are you fretting or waiting patiently? (Psalm 37:1,7)

Proposition: In Psalm 37:1-11 we discover how we can wait patiently upon the Lord.

August 22, 2010 ~ "Resting Without a Vacation"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Why do you take a vacation?

Proposition: In Matthew 11:28-30 we discover how we can experience the rest that Jesus offers.

August 15, 2010 ~ "Are You Coming Apart?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: You don’t have to wait until you get to heaven.

Proposition: Hebrews 4:1-16 provides some guidelines for living in light of our promised rest.

For a second week in a row Pastor Neal used a music video to help drive the point home. You hear the song in the podcast, here's the video as shown on Sunday:

August 8, 2010 ~ "Dead and Alive"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Do you have a fuzzy, small picture or a clear, big picture?

Proposition: In Col 3:1-4 we discover some facts that should motivate us to keep an eternal perspective.

Towards the end of Neal's message there was a video using Tim Hughes' "Everything". You hear the song in the podcast, but here's the video for better understanding & impact:

August 1, 2010 ~ "The Journey"

Elder, John Duebel

Victory House Ministries

John took us in a different direction today inviting the Northwood family to join him on the path he's been walking lately. We read Scripture (that last of each group you'll hear as we read it together) and heard from John, then celebrated in response with songs of worship.

The scriptures included were:

Psalm 9:10, Psalm 31:5, Proverbs 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:17

Proverbs 30:8-9, Ecclesiastes 5:13-15, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Luke 12:15

John 1:16-17, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 9:8

July 25, 2010 ~ "Do You See Eternity In It?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: “Contrary to the way you may feel sometimes, work itself is not a curse. It was a part of the Lord’s blueprint for daily life in paradise”~ Kurt De Haan

Proposition: We will examine how one with an eternal perspective should view work.

July 18, 2010 ~ "What Is Your Treasure?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Money talks but what does it really say?

Proposition: In Matt 6:19-33 we discover how one with an eternal perspective views possessions.

July 11, 2010 ~ "Not Just Once a Week"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Focusing on the eternal, which will not be removed. (Hebrews 12:2-27)

Proposition: Hebrews 12:28-29 describes the kind of worship an eternally focused believer offers to God.

July 4, 2010 ~ "The Real Declaration of Independence"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Do you appreciate your greater freedom?

Proposition: We will examine the freedom we can experience through Christ.

June 27, 2010 ~ "A Long-Term View"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: In light of eternity, what sort of people ought we to be? - 2 Peter 3:10-11

Proposition: We will examine some traits of one who lives with an eternal perspective.

June 20, 2010 ~ "Struggle Between Two Worlds"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Two issues to consider: direction and possible obstacles.

Proposition: We will examine how we can maintain an eternal perspective in this temporal world.

June 13, 2010 ~ "An Eternal Purpose"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: “Our life now, the one filled with such triflings as planting tulips as well as with monumental decisions like choosing a spouse, was meant to be lived in the light of the one to come.” ~ Stacy & Paula Rinehart in “Living For What Really Matters: Long-term Values In A Short-term World”.

Proposition: Understanding these facts should help us fulfill our eternal purpose.

June 6, 2010 ~ "A Proper Participation"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Proceed with caution that we might please the Lord. (1Cor 10:1-13)

Proposition: In 1Cor 10:14-22 we discover a proper approach to the Lord’s Supper.

May 30, 2010 ~ "No Substitutes Allowed"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: God will tell us all we need to know.

Proposition: In I John 5:18-21 we will examine some certainties on which to build our lives.

May 23, 2010 ~ "Blessed Assurance"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: What you know can help you!

Proposition: We can live with confidence because of these certainties in I John 5:13-15

May 16, 2010 ~ "Court is Adjourned"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: One of the most crucial questions facing us today: Who is Jesus?

Proposition: We will examine the importance of the testimony concerning Jesus in 1 John 5:6-12.

May 9, 2010 ~ "Spiritual Birthmarks"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: The new birth leaves the same marks upon each of us. (vs 1)

Proposition: In I John 5:1-5 we discover some characteristics of one who is born of God.

May 2, 2010 ~ "The Power of Memory"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Why is remembering so important?

Proposition: In Deuteronomy 8:11-18 we discover some things we must remember.

April 25, 2010 ~ "Is Your Love Growing?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Love is the total picture.

Proposition: In 1 John 4:12-21 we discover how we know we are being perfected in God’s love.

April 18, 2010 ~ "Is Love That Important?"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: A popular topic wherever you go.

Proposition: In 1 John 4:7-11 we will examine some reasons why we must love one another.

*A power outage at the beginning of the service forced us to change plans and Pastor Neal preached first. About half-way through the message power returned and we were able to record the remainder of it. That is what is presented here.

April 11, 2010 ~ "Diabolical or Divine"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Why do we need a Truth-O-Meter?

Proposition: In 1 John 4:1-6 we discover a two-fold test to discern the truth.

April 4, 2010 ~ Easter Sunday

We were in downtown Safety Harbor again this year on Easter Sunday. It was a great time of proclaiming the truth of Jesus' death, resurrection & love to anyone who would listen!

Of course, we weren't recording the service in the park, so, suffice it to say for this entry...

HE IS RISEN!

March 28, 2010 ~ "The Real Thing"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: What does the world want today? (vs 10)

Proposition: In 1 John 3:10-24 we will examine some facts concerning real love.

March 21, 2010 ~ "A Dual Impact"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Which event is more important, the 1^st or 2^nd?

Proposition: In 1 John 2:28-3:10 we discover how Christ’s two appearances should affect our daily lives.

March 14, 2010 ~ "The Truth is Essential"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: Sincerity is not enough.

Proposition: In 1 John 2:18-27 we discover our proper response to the truth.

March 7, 2010 ~ "Successful Resistance"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: What is this world that seeks to conform us? (Rom 12:2)

Proposition: In 1 John 2:12-17 we discover some steps to overcoming the pressures of the world.

February 28, 2010 ~ "LOVE: The Social Test"

Pastor Neal Brown

Introduction: May love never lose its value!

Proposition: In 1 John 2:7-11 we discover some facts concerning love in the life of a Christian.