Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Ben Potloff • As we continue in our journey through Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, we come to the beginning of chapter 2. Paul explains to the Thessalonians how they have gone about ministering to the church. They have sought to minister gently and lovingly and with godly character. This passage shows us the example of Paul and calls us to model this love, compassion, and maturity. Here...

Ben Potloff • This week we begin a new sermon series in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians: This Present Life & Our Future Hope. In this passage, Paul opens his letter by rejoicing in the faith, hope, and love that marks these early Christians. Here, we see some of the clear signs of a community transformed by the gospel.

Ben Potloff · "Authority" has become a dirty word in our culture. The word "discipline" causes even more stirring in the seats. But what is biblical discipline? What is church discipline? Is it simply those in authority lording their power and position over others, or is it a God-given gift to correct and help the Christian look more like his or her savior?

Ben Potloff · Are Christians really commanded to submit to church leadership? Our passage this week sets the record straight when it comes to submission to church leaders. And more than that, this verse gives God's reasons for this submission. Here, we see that Church members obey Church leaders who will give an account to God.

Ben Potloff · As Christians, we believe that God has revealed himself through the words of Scripture. This week's passage contains some of Paul's most impactful teaching as it relates to God's Word. Here, we see that the Church is tethered to the truth through the preaching of the Word.

Ben Potloff · Why is the gospel so important for Christians? This week, we turn our attention to 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. In this passage, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers of the true gospel and calls us to respond to that good news.

Ben Potloff · As we begin our Church Matters series, we examine Matthew 28:18-20, also known as the Great Commission. Following his resurrection from the dead, Jesus gives his disciples some final instructions for their ministry on earth. Jesus calls his followers to take the gospel into the world and to make disciples. This passage reveals to us the mission of the church and our calling as follow...

Dave Bertolini • This week we come to Luke 19:11-28, the Parable of the Ten Minas. In this scene, Jesus once again pauses his journey toward Jerusalem to instruct his followers on discipleship and the kingdom of God. Through this parable, Jesus is urging his followers to live faithfully, work diligently, and patiently wait for the Master to return.

Ben Potloff • This week, we come to the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. With this short story, Luke gives his readers a clear image of Jesus' mission on earth. Here, we see that Jesus is the one who saves and following him requires repentance.

Nathan Noorlun • "Son of David, have mercy on me!" This week, we read of a plea for mercy from a blind and broken man. As Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, he passes by the city of Jericho where he encounters this man and heals him. This miraculous scene reveals to us the heart of our savior, the faith that we all must have in him, and the healing that Jesus brings to those who would put their fai...

Ben Potloff • This week, we come to Luke 18:15-34. While a number of these verses are often quoted and referenced, there is an underlying theme that must not be missed: the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus instructs his disciples on the posture of one who wishes to be a part of that kingdom, the things of this world that blind us to the reality of that kingdom, and what it will cost for that kingdom to...

Ben Potloff · Jesus Christ is risen! This Easter, we continue in The Gospel According to Luke: Kingdom Stories. Luke 18:9-14 contains the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Through this interesting scene, Jesus instructs his followers on the necessity of humility and the danger of self-righteousness.

This Good Friday, we remember the suffering of Jesus and how it informs our lives as his followers. Christ's suffering leads to our redemption and our suffering is redeemed.

Ben Potloff · At first glance, this text appears to be about prayer. While there are principles about prayer that can be gathered from this parable, the primary point is the vindication of God’s suffering people. The point here is that “God patiently listens to his elect as they pray in their continuing distress, waiting for the proper time to act on their behalf” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary...

Ben Potloff · In our passage this week the Pharisees finally ask the question that has been a long time coming. When will this kingdom come? Again wanting to test Jesus, these religious leaders ask this question then wait to catch Jesus as they have so many times before. But Jesus doesn’t respond to their question in the heretical way they were hoping. Instead, Jesus describes to them the true rea...

Nathan Noorlun · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personal accountability. We are responsible for how...

Ben Potloff · This week, Luke is tying together temptation, confession to one another, faith, and being faithful servants of God. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, and ultimately his death, he is teaching his disciples how they live out the Kingdom Ethic when he is gone. He provides no room for loner Christianity, but he also doesn’t forget personal accountability. We are responsible for how we...

Ben Potloff · This week, we read of a rich man and a poor man. Here, Jesus is highlighting the Pharisees' desperate need to hear and receive. As we go through this week’s text, let’s examine our own hearts and ask, will we respond to God’s word?

Ben Potloff · We’ve just come out of three chapters full of the parables of Jesus. In these metaphorical stories, he’s been teaching us about the heart of God and the kingdom of God. To be honest, all this talk of the kingdom of God has the religious leaders pretty upset. Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into the box they’ve attempted to put him in, in spite of the fact that every ounce of the Scriptures...

Ben Potloff · The parable of the dishonest manager is rather perplexing at first read. But, when we look closely, there's an important message that Jesus wants to teach his followers. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, urges them to be faithful in all their dealings with wealth. The world is often more intentional with their wealth than believers are (v. 8). While the world’s methods and means are...

Ben Potloff · The story of the Prodigal Son is not only the story of the tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’ day, but of all of us today. We are created to be with God and experience relationship with him, but we have all rebelled and gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6). This story teaches us that despite our rebellion, God is overjoyed to bring us back into relationship with him. Our God is a graciou...