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.

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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 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.

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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 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.

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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 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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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 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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!

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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!

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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!

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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!

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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!

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)

>>click here to listen or right-click to download<<

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!