October 17, 2021 ~ "CBR: Mark 14:32-42"

Elder Ron Padilla

Mark 14:32-42

We will learn from Jesus’ perfect example that discipleship requires dependence.

 
I. Discipleship requires dependence on each other.

    a. Through intentional relationships with a few (vs. 32-33)

    b. Through full transparency with each other (vs. 34)

    c. Through teaching and admonishing each other in love (vs. 37-38)

II. Discipleship requires dependence on God.

    a. Through deep, meaningful prayer (vs. 35,39)

    b. Through a willingness to obey God no matter the cost (vs. 36,41)

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October 10, 2021 ~ "Redemptive Community"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
1 John 1:5-10

This text is tailored to teach us that when we have fellowship with the God of light, we will walk in the light.

 
I. Our Message: God is light and in him there is no darkness, no not at all. (v. 5)

II. Three False Perspectives

    a. We can have fellowship with God without being transformed. (v. 6)

    b. We can be totally free from the presence of sin once we have fellowship with God. (v. 8)

    c. We are not sinners in need of a Savior. (v. 10)

III. Three True Perspectives (v. 7, 9)

    a. We have fellowship with God when we walk in the light.

    b. We have fellowship with others when we walk in the light.

    c. The foundation for walking in the light is the blood of Jesus.

IV. What does this mean for Northwood?

    We aim to be transformed by the redemptive power of the gospel as a transparent, gracious community.

    a. We will welcome one another as we are, yet we will not be content to stay as we are.

    b. We will not relate to one another based on performance, but grace.

    c. We will not hide our sin nor our burdens, but confess our sins and share our burdens.

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October 3, 2021 ~ "Reconciled Community"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Ephesians 2:11-22

This text is tailored to teach us that Christ’s blood has purchased our reconciliation with God and to others across the barriers that divide us.

 
I. Remember who we were: we were separated from Christ. (v. 11-12)

II. Remember what Christ has done: Christ has reconciled us to God and to one another by making peace through his blood. (v. 13-16)

III. Remember who we are together:

    a. We have access to God through the Spirit. (v. 17-18)

    b. We are citizens with the saints. (v. 19a)

    c. We are members of God’s family. (v. 19b)

    d. We are a holy temple. (v. 20-22)

IV. What does this mean for Northwood?

    We aim to demonstrate that our community is united because of Christ across every barrier that could divide us.

    a. We will pursue being a reconciled community first by inviting others to be reconciled to God through Christ.

    b. We will pursue being a reconciled community by cultivating reconciliation among one another.

    c. It is our prayerful hope that many relationships in our community will defy explanation apart from the gospel.

    d. It is our prayerful hope that Northwood would increasingly give the world a glimpse of the age to come by reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area.

V. Reflection

    a. How many of your relationships within our church family defy explanation apart from the gospel?

    b. What are some of the identity markers in your life that make it difficult for you to cultivate friendship with someone who has a different identity marker than you?

    c. How can you or are you pursuing relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ who are different than you this week out of our shared identity in Christ?

    d. How does Christ’s reconciling work on the cross motivate you to pursue reconciliation?

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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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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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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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September 5, 2021 ~ "CBR: Ezekiel 40"

Guest Speaker Gianluca Cueva

Ezekiel 40

(No sermon notes were available)

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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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July 18, 2021 ~ "Hope Through Lament"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
Psalm 42-43

This text is tailored to teach us to hope in God when we’re cast down.   

 
I. When you’re dry, hope in God.  (42:1-6a)

II. When you’re torn, hope in God. (42:6b-11)

III. When you’re defenseless, hope in God. (43:1-5)

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July 11 ~ "Thanks in Troubled Times"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
Psalm 107

This text is tailored to teach us to give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love. (v. 1-3)   

 
I. Four Reasons to Give Thanks in Troubled Times

    a. The Lord satisfied the hungry (v. 4-9)

    b. The Lord freed the enslaved. (v. 10-16)

    c. The Lord healed the foolish. (v. 17-22)

    d. The Lord calmed the storm. (v. 23-32)

II. How do we know that the Lord still shows steadfast love in troubled times?

    Because the Lord did not just show steadfast love, he is a God of steadfast love. (v. 33-42)

III. How can we give thanks to the Lord when we are in troubled times?

    Consider the steadfast love of the Lord. (v. 43)

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July 4, 2021 ~ "Celebrating the King"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
Psalm 45

This text is tailored to teach us to celebrate the king. (v. 1)   
 
I. Celebrate the king’s attributes. (v.2-9)

II. Celebrate the king’s attributes. (v.2-9)

III. Celebrate the king’s future glory. (v. 16-17)

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June 27, 2021 ~ CBR: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Elder Ronnie Graley

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

This text is tailored to teach us to be prepared for Christ’s coming.   
 
I. Why should we be prepared?

    a. We should be prepared because Christ’s coming will come like a thief in the night. (v.1-2)

    b. We should be prepared because Christ’s coming will be glorious for some and destruction 

        for others. (v. 3-5)

II. How can we be prepared to live as children of that day?

    a. We prepare by being watchful and sober-minded. (v. 6-10)

    b. We prepare by encouraging one another. (v. 11)

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June 20, 2021 ~ “The Day of Judgement”

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Joel 3:1-21

This text is tailored to teach us that the Lord is with and for his people through his coming judgment.   
 
I. The Lord’s coming judgment on others emerges from his love for his people. (v. 1-8)

II. The Lord’s coming judgment will be decisive over all his enemies. (v. 9-16a)

III. The Lord’s coming judgment will result in abundant life for his people.  (v.16b-21)

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June 13, 2021 ~ "The Day of Restoration"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Joel 2:18-32

This text is tailored to teach us that the Lord will restore.
 
I. Why does the Lord restore? 
    The Lord will restore because he is jealous and compassionate. (v. 18)

II. How does the Lord restore?
    A. The Lord will restore physically. (v. 19-25)
    B. The Lord will restore spiritually. (v. 28-31, cf. Num. 11:29, Acts 2:14-21)
    C. The Lord will restore everyone who calls on his name. (v. 32, cf. Rom. 10:12-13)

III. What is the result of the Lord’s restoration? (v.26-27)
    A. We will be satisfied. (cf. John 6:35)
    B. We will praise the name of the Lord.
    C. We will never be put to shame.
    D. We will have the Lord in our midst. 

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June 6, 2021 ~ "The Day of Returning"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

Joel 2:1-17

This text is tailored to teach us that the Lord himself opposes us, yet even now the Lord invites us to return to him.

 

I. The Lord himself opposes us. (v.1-11)

    A. Those who presume upon God’s kindness should fear. (v. 1, cf. Rom. 2:3-5)

    B. No one can endure  the day of the Lord. (v. 2-11, cf. Matt 24:29 )

II. Even now the Lord invites us to return to him. (v.12-17)

    A. How do we return to the Lord?

        1. Return with whole-hearts. (v. 12a)

        2. Return with integrity. (v. 12b-13a)

        3. Return in community. (v. 15-16)

    B. What can we expect if we return to the Lord?

        1. We can expect God to be gracious. (v. 13b-14)

        2. We can expect God to act on our behalf for his glory. (v. 17)

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May 30, 2021 ~ "The Day of Disaster"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit
Joel 1:1-20

I. The Disaster (v. 1-4, 7)

II. The Call to Respond 
    A. Wake up to the reality of disaster. (v.5-7)
    B. Lament the devastation of the disaster. (v. 8-10)
    C. How to Lament:
        1. Turn to God.
        2. Bring Our Complaint.
        3. Ask Boldly.
        4. Choose to Trust.
    D. Be ashamed of the effect of the disaster. (v.11-12)
    E. Cry out to the Lord. (v.13-14)

III. Why should we respond in this way?
    A. Because the Day of the Lord is near. (v.15-18)
    B. Because this is the model given to us. (v. 19-20)

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May 23, 2021 ~ "CBR: The Curse and the Countercurse"

Pastor Josh Leamon

Galatians 3:10-14

1. The Problem: The curse of relying on the works of the law (v. 10).

• Once we know the law of God, we find ourselves under its curse due to our inability to follow it perfectly.
• The curse of failing to keep this law (which is sin) is death.

2. First Evidence: Justification cannot come through the law for us (v. 11). 

• Even after we know the law of God and our imperfection, we still might try to rely on our works.

3. Second Evidence: The one who is perfectly able to do the law will experience life (v. 12).

• Paul’s citation of Leviticus 18:5 is a veiled reference to Christ himself.

4. The Solution: This problematic curse of the law is solved through a countercurse found in the grace of Jesus.

This text teaches us that the gospel is that Christ was cursed by God for us.

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May 16, 2021 ~ "Standing Firm"

Pastor Mitchell Cruit

This text is tailored to teach us to stand firm in the true grace of God. 

I. Peter’s Purpose (v. 12-14)

II. How can we stand firm in the true grace of God? (v. 6-9)

    A. Accept your suffering. (v. 6-7)

    B. Resist the devil. (v. 8-9)

III. Why can we stand firm in the true grace of God? Because we can trust in God. (v. 10-11)

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