Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Psalm 116:1-19 | Ben Potloff | "I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy." How far gone is too far? What extreme need or danger is too much for God to handle? The truth is that there is no distance, no threat of death, no enemy, and no affliction that is too much for God to handle. In Psalm 116, we see that the Lord hears the prayers of his people and he rescues them....

Psalm 15:1-5 | Max Janusch | "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" This psalm asks a profound question and offers a simple answer. Who will dwell with God? Simply put, the righteous one will. This psalm reveals a predicament for all, who are guilty of sin, but points to the greatest hope of humanity. MAIN IDEA The righteous get to be with God. OUTLINE I. God...

Psalm 23:1-6 | Ben Potloff  | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures." What does confidence and trust in the Lord sound like? It sounds like King David's words in Psalm 23. Here, we see the hope that people of God have in the one who leads, comforts, protects, and saves. MAIN IDEA The Shepherd’s presence is my constant comfort. OUTLINE I. The Lord’s care...

Psalm 82:1-8 | Gavin Hesse | "Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!" We often downplay or altogether ignore God's role as judge. However, for God's people, his judgment promises deliverance and an end to wickedness. In Psalm 82, we see a picture of the hope and security that we have in the Lord. MAIN IDEA The Lord’s perfect justice offers rescue. OUTLINE I. The heav...

Psalm 33:1-22 | Max Janusch | "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." God is the creator and ruler of all things and all people. There is nothing outside of his control or his awareness. In Psalm 33, we see that God is truly worthy of the worship of his people. MAIN IDEA Your Lord is worthy of your worship. OUTLINE I. The Lord holds all things and all people. (vv. 1-...

Psalm 3:1-8 | Ben Potloff | "Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" For King David—and all of God's people—enemies and opposition abound. But, there is great hope for those who look to the Lord in their trouble. Here, we see that in the Lord there is security, sustenance, and salvation.  MAIN IDEA Enemies may surround, but the Lord saves. OUTLINE I. God’s people are often...

Psalm 73:1-28 | Tim Smith | "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." It often feels unfair that the wicked and ungodly seem to prosper in this life. Asaph, in Psalm 73, wrestles with the same frustration and comes to a glorious conclusion. Here, we are called to trust in the Lord and his plan for the godly and the ungodly.

Psalm 112:1-10 | Luke Hendrix | "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!" It is a wonderful thing to be counted among the people of God, for God loves and intends to bless his children. Here, we see the perseverance of the saints of God. OUTLINE I. Save your fear for the one who deserves it. II. Does fearing the Lord really guarantee us a charmed life? III....

Psalm 103:1-22 | Ben Potloff | "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" The more you consider the Lord's attributes, character, and works, the more reason you have to sing his praises, tell of his mighty deeds, and obey him. It is an honor to serve and praise the Lord! MAIN IDEA Bless the Lord for all His blessings.  OUTLINE I. Humans are fleeting, but God’s lov...

Psalm 14:1-7 | Ben Potloff | "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" How do finite people relate to an infinite God? How does mankind compare with the God who created it? In Psalm 14, King David considers man's position in the face of a holy, mighty, good, and wise God. MAIN IDEA Fools reject God, but God rescues His people. OUTLINE I. We are fools (vv. 1-3) II. God is faithful (vv. 4-7) 

Psalm 100:1-5 | Ben Potloff | "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!" Simply put, our God is worthy of our worship, adoration, service, and trust. Psalm 100 calls its readers to praise the Lord. MAIN IDEA The Lord is God. The Lord is good. Praise the Lord! OUTLINE I. He made us (1-3a) II. We are his (3b-5)

Romans 10:5-17 | Ben Potloff | All are unrighteous. So, how can we be made right before God and with God? There are two options, righteousness by our works or righteousness by faith in Christ. Only faith in Christ can make sinners righteous before God. MAIN IDEA Faith in Christ comes by hearing of Christ.  OUTLINE I. Faith in Christ is the only way people can be made right with God (vv. 1-13) II....

Genesis 10:1-11:9 | Gavin Hesse | With the story of Noah and the Flood behind us, the story of Noah's descendants has only just begun. No surprise to the readers of Gensis' early chapters, we once again find mankind brazenly rebelling against the God of heaven and earth. MAIN IDEA God is our Sovereign King. OUTLINE I. God will multiply his people (vv. 1-32) II. God’s power is bigger than man’s pri...

Genesis 9:18-29 | Ben Potloff | As Noah and his family exit the ark and resume life after the Flood, we're waiting to see what exactly is going to happen with this family and God's plan for all of humanity. Unfortunately, we see a return to Genesis 3 and 6 as sin and corruption once again appear in God's once-perfect creation. MAIN IDEA Humanity is sinful and needs a Savior.  OUTLINE I. Drunkennes...

Genesis 9:1-17 | Max Janusch | We've seen the sinfulness of mankind on display, God's just wrath against that sin, and His gracious work of saving Noah and his family through the Flood. Now, what's next? How will mankind move on from the Flood? Here, we see how God values life, calls humanity back to its original purpose, and seals it all with a covenant promise. MAIN IDEA God values life and prom...

Genesis 8:1-22 | Ben Potloff | All life has been blotted out from the corrupted and sin-scarred world; all except for God's chosen remnant, Noah and his family. But what will happen to these chosen people as the flood waters continue to cover the earth? And, how will humanity start again once back on dry land? MAIN IDEA A pleasing sacrifice secures God’s promise.  OUTLINE I. God keeps his promise....

Genesis 6:9-7:24 | Ben Potloff | God, grieving over the sinfulness and escalating wickedness of humanity, decides to wipe humanity from the face of the earth. But, God shows mercy on a single family who will be a remnant for humanity. Here, we see God speaking to and saving Noah and his family as he punishes sin and floods the world. MAIN IDEA Sin leads to death, but God’s promise leads to life. O...

Genesis 5:1-6:8 | Ben Potloff | Still being so early in the Genesis story, we begin to wonder how bad it will get. From the Fall to the murder of Abel and the boasts of Lamech, humanity's story goes from bad to worse. How bad can it get? When will God put a stop to this cycle of sin? MAIN IDEA God punishes evil, but provides grace. OUTLINE I. Mankind is wicked. (vv. 5:3-27, 6:1-2, 4-5) II. God is...

Genesis 4:17-26 | Ben Potloff | Now a fugitive, Cain's part in the story is not quite over. The second half of Genesis 4 shows us a bit of the lineage of Cain and what can go wrong when people reject God's design for His creation. MAIN IDEA God’s Word proves true. OUTLINE I. The curse of sin is passed down from generation to generation (vv. 17-24) II. Mankind’s sin cannot void God’s purpose and pl...

Genesis 4:1-16 | Ben Potloff | Everything went wrong in Genesis 3, and things continue to go from bad to worse in Genesis 4. Here, we are devastated to see Cain murder Abel and we are filled with hope in light of the news of the one who will come to restore Creation to its original and perfect state. MAIN IDEA Sin turns family into fugitives. OUTLINE I. Two brothers, two offerings, and two respons...

Psalm 16:1-11 | Ben Potloff | "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Looking back on Jesus' glorious resurrection, the Apostles remembered words originally penned by King David a thousand years before. God, faithful to his promises, delivered his Anointed One from the power of sin and death. MAIN IDEA To know God is to have life.  OUTLINE I. People who kn...

Psalm 118:1-29 | Ben Potloff | "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" As Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, the crowds joyfully quoted Psalm 118 and recognized Jesus as the long-awaited king of Israel. Jesus came not only as the rightful king but as the one who would lay down his life for his rebellious people. MAIN IDEA Lift up your voice, the Lord Saves. OUTLINE  I. God loves (v...

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 | Ben Potloff | Where does the gift come from? Does it come simply from the giver? Is it, more specifically, from someone's wallet or bank account? Or, does the gift come from a place deep in the heart and will of the giver? Here, we see that God loves the giving of those who do it worshipfully and cheerfully. MAIN IDEA God’s grace generates generous giving. OUTLINE I. God ble...

Mark 12:41-44 | Max Janusch | Does God care about the heart of the giver or just about the amount given? In Mark 12, Jesus draws his disciples' attention to the small offering from one poor widow. This offering, Jesus says, is far greater than the whole sum of all the donations of many rich people. Here, we see that we should give ourselves in our giving. MAIN IDEA In your giving, give yourself. O...

Malachi 3:6-10 | Ben Potloff | Malachi served as a prophet to God's people as they returned from Exile and rebuilt their way of life. God's people, under the guidance of God's Law, were charged with re-establishing their patterns for worship and holy living, and a critical area was their tithing and relationship with money. So, we ask, "What does the Bible really have to say about giving?" MAIN ID...