North Gate Church

In life, we humans constantly attempt to satisfy the right needs the wrong way. When life become overwhelming, or the obstacles seem too great, we fall into fear... but we fear wrongly. This week, Benjamin invites us to be afraid... of the right thing.

Jesus says not to be a moron, but at times we are. Is this surprising? Find out how to not be a moron.

Jesus begins bringing the Sermon on the Mount to a close with a series of warnings meant to help us to follow Jesus. He presents a frightening truth that we must all come to grips with.

Jesus warns of false prophets, but what are those and what do they have to do with trees, fruit, and wolves? Don't be deceived. Be ready.

Jesus spends much of the sermon on the mount giving us instructions on how to live life in the kingdom. Now, Jesus gives a warning and an invitation: find the gate.

Each week during worship, I share a word as we share in Communion. This special weekend, I wanted to share that message with you. - Benjamin

Living life in the Kingdom may seem complicated, but Jesus gave His disciples pure gold to make it simple! As Jesus begins the end of the sermon on the mount, He gives us the key to stability in life and in community.

The life that Jesus describes on the sermon on the mount is impossible to live. What are we to do? Jesus lays out simply that we are to ask, seek, and knock... and He might have something surprising in mind.

Is there a time where you should move on? Do you know any pigs and dogs? Jesus gives us an idea of what to do when someone rejects the good news...

Matthew 7:1 has been weaponized to make room for a dangerous game of human-sourced truth. We must understand Jesus' words when He tells us not to judge to live in true harmony. Find the massive beam in your eye. A friend may be able to help.

We live in a world of worry. Fueled by the desire to achieve, we may self-destruct in an implosion of anxiety. Jesus suggests another way.

Can you have two masters? Do you have a master at all? Trying to live our lives in two directions will tear us apart. Jesus warns us against a common idol. In the midst of it we must ask, "whom do I serve?"

Jesus warns us of darkness inside that masquerades as light... what are we to do? How do we shine the light?

Barabbas deserved to die. Yet, the people chose him as their savior. Who do you choose? Do you choose the real Jesus, or a Jesus that we think will give us what we want? Do you realize the gravity of His gift for us? This sermon walks us through the story of Barabbas and helps us to discover the real Jesus and what He did for us.

It's easy to judge others by their actions. When others express their worship of God, what happens in your heart? Are you worshipping Jesus, or are you worshipping who you want Him to be? These difficult questions come to the surface in this Palm Sunday look at Jesus's ascent into Jerusalem.

The question isn't, "will you worship?" The question is, "what will you worship?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego give us a powerful example of worship in the midst of idols. What do you deem worthy?

There are cycles in our lives that cannot be broken by trying hard. They are fueled by desire and reinforced through a diabolical repeat of those things that we wish to avoid but cannot. Something must change. There is a cycle that God intended, and we need intervention to live in it. We need to worship.

There are many things that we can invest in. Jesus calls us to keep His Kingdom in the forefront. Invest wisely.

Jesus is determined to help His disciples to live lives from pure hearts before the Lord. The fasting of the Pharisees tell a tale of many of our hearts.

As Jesus teaches us to pray, He welcomes honesty and humility in the face of temptation and testing. In just a few words, Jesus reminds us that He understands and that there is a way to deliverance.

God doesn’t manipulate us into forgiving others; Heforgives us into forgiving others. As we continue through the Lord's prayer, we see His heart for forgiveness in community. It might just be more freeing that you realize.

Relationships depend upon conversation. Conversation involves speaking and listening. Benjamin takes a look at Scripture to dismantle misconceptions about and remove barriers to hearing God that may unlock the conversation for you and God.

There's a way of living that trusts God for today. It isn't easy, but it's the call. There is bread for today.

Jesus, in teaching His disciples to pray, instructs them to ask for God's will to be done. Within these few words, we see an invitation to trust, submit, and question what's in our own hearts.

Do you know what gifts the Magi brought to Jesus after His birth? They might have given Him more than you realize.