Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Daniel 9 | Ben Potloff | In a scene that ties back to chapter 6, as well as numerous other places in the Old Testament, Daniel 9 recounts that prayer of Daniel for the people of Israel. In the midst of exile, God called his people to remain faithful and, by their faith, keep the promises of God in focus. Here, we see how redeems and restores his people even through exile. Find sermon discussion qu...

Daniel 8 | Ben Potloff | If you thought chapter 7 was a little weirdness mixed with a lot of hope, then you're in for more where that came from. In a scene that is distantly similar to the opening of the book of Ezekiel, Daniel is confronted with a vision of a ram and goat. Here, we see the glorious reality that the Prince of princes will overcome those in opposing him. Find sermon discussion ques...

Daniel 7 | Ben Potloff | "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man..." Chapter 7 begins the apocalyptic half of the book of Daniel. This passage rewinds to a dream had by Daniel during the reign of Belshazzar (Daniel 5) and the dream's interpretation. Here, we see critical truths about the dominion of the God who has proven himself faithful...

Daniel 6 | Max Janusch | Along with the story of the fiery furnace, Daniel and the lions' den is one of the most commonly known stories from the book of Daniel. But this tale looks much different than the Sunday school version that so many people are familiar with. Daniel 6 follows Darius as he organizes his newly conquered territories, is duped by some of his most trusted advisors, and experience...

Daniel 5 | Ben Potloff | As our journey through the book of Daniel continues, we come to an interesting story with a new Babylonian king, the desecration of the temple vessels, a wild party, and–most importantly–the same faithful God. Here, we see that God keeps his promises and humbles the proud.

Daniel 4 | Ben Potloff | Already in the book of Daniel, we have seen incredible highs and devastating lows. Daniel 4 brings us another sleepless night from King Nebuchadnezzar, another scene of frustration as the Babylonian wise men fail to give an interpretation, and another example of how God is working in the midst of Israel's exile in Babylon. In this passage, Daniel informs Nebuchadnezzar tha...

Daniel 3 | Ben Potloff | In Daniel 3, we come to the first of a few popular–but often misinterpreted–stories in the book of Daniel. On the heels of Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the king builds a statue and demands that everyone bow to it. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow and are condemned to burn alive in a furnace. But something miraculous happens; Dani...

Daniel 2 | Ben Potloff | After being introduced to the major characters and the setting in Daniel 1, chapter 2 takes us to the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who is troubled by a dream that is left uninterpreted by some of his most trusted wise men. But Daniel, empowered by the Lord, interprets this dream and the king glorifies God. Here, we see that God intervenes in order to save people.

Daniel 1 | Ben Potloff | In the opening chapters of the book of Daniel, we are introduced to the book's namesake. Daniel's account opens as he is dragged into Babylonian captivity. But Daniel remains faithful, and he offers a model of how God's people live in exile. In an account that feels all too similar to Joseph in Genesis 41, God's providence leads Daniel to the highest courts of the Babyloni...

Colossians 3:1-17 | Max Janusch | We've all heard the expression: "New year, new me." But what does Scripture tell us about our "new" selves? To answer this, we look to Colossians 3. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, lays out two important lists in this passage, things that Christians put off and things Christians put on. Here, we see that the Christian life requires the...

Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-11 | Ben Potloff | Only in light of the Old Testament's foreshadowing can the birth of Christ be recognized and appreciated for its gloriousness. As our Advent season comes to its high point, we are left with the scene of the Lord Jesus born to a virgin in a manger. The story of Christ's birth is the story of a God who would humble himself, take on the limitations of humanity, an...

Isaiah 9:1-7 | Ben Potloff | "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." In the Advent season, we consider the hope with which Israel looked forward to the coming of the Savior, and our hope in the Savior's second coming is renewed. The Savior to be born, the Savior who will again return, is nothing less than the...

2 Samuel 7:1-17 | Ben Potloff | "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, 'Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'" God's covenant with David is a critical moment in the Bible plot. This covenant sets the trajectory for one to come from the line of David and reign eternally on the throne. Who will this coming king be? What will he do as he e...

Genesis 3:15 | Max Janusch | From the moments following the Fall in the garden of Eden, God has made it clear that his intention is to send a savior to crush Satan and deliver his people. It is from the ashes of Adam and Eve's disobedience that the first gospel is proclaimed. Here, we see that God will destroy the devil through the woman's womb.

3 John 1-15 | Ben Potloff | This week, our journey through the letters of John comes to a close. In 3 John, the notes of pastoral care and genuine Christian conviction continue ringing as John addresses some specific people and situations. Here, we see that Christians reflect Christ in how we live.

2 John 1-13 | Ben Potloff | Often overlooked, John's second epistle ties closely to his first letter and some important points that he makes throughout his writings. How should Christians respond to those who claim Christ but whose lives don't support the same message? John's words here remind us of important truths to consider when weighing our Christianity against the real thing.

1 John 5:13-21 | Ben Potloff | This week, our journey through 1 John comes to a close. Throughout this epistle, John has reminded us of the marks of real Christianity, and he's called us to examine our own faith against the real thing. This letter closes with assurance for those who are genuinely in Christ.

1 John 5:1-12 | Ben Potloff | John's first epistle boils down to one crucial element: Jesus Christ. Do you have Jesus Christ? Are you in Jesus Christ? Where do you abide other than Jesus Christ? These questions permeate John's letter as he continues to exhort believers to abide in Christ, testify to Christ, and live according to the commandments of Christ.

1 John 4:7-21 | Ben Potloff | In 1 John 1, we read that "God is light" and walking in the light means loving one another and being cleansed of our sin by Christ. Here, in 1 John 4, we read that "God is love" and walking in love means loving one another and living through Christ. With each passing week, John continues to develop and clarify the message that he has been stating from the beginning: a...

1 John 4:1-6 | Ben Potloff | How can Christians discern the voice of God the Holy Spirit and the many voices of this world? Ultimately, it is the voice of God that confesses Jesus Christ. If something or someone does not confess that Jesus Christ has come, then we know that the voice is of the world, the flesh, or the devil. Knowing this, Christians can have confidence as we test the spirits aroun...

1 John 3:11-24 | Ben Potloff | Once again, John confronts us with a biblical test for our Christianity. Are we abiding in Christ, living without a love for the world, and loving our brother in tangible ways? If so, we know that our faith is the real thing. If not, we ought to recognize God's call to put our faith in Christ.

1 John 2:28-3:10 | Max Janusch | When it comes to testing one's faith against the real thing, what you practice means everything. Scripture teaches that people are either born of God or they are born of the devil. This reality frames the glory of the gospel as God's word reveals that Jesus Christ came for the sake of undoing the works of the devil. In this passage, we see that what we do reveals w...

1 John 2:15-27 | Ben Potloff | What does it mean to hate the world? What in the world is an antichrist? As we continue through our journey in his letters, John gets to the heart of a couple very important issues for every Christian to consider. As with the rest of John's first epistle, there is a clear test that every Christian should take, comparing his or her faith with the real thing.

1 John 2:3-14 | Ben Potloff | As we continue in our journey through John's letters, we come to another passage that directs Christians to test their faith against the real thing. This passage gets at the heart of how Christians can be sure that they know and abide in God. Here, we see that to know and abide in God means that you obey Christ's commandments.

1 John 1:5-2:2 | Ben Potloff | What does it mean to walk in the light? The themes of light and darkness saturate the Bible, and they are especially important in the writings of John. Additionally, how does the reality of Christ's death on the cross connect with how Christians are called to walk in the light? Here, we see that Christ is where these themes, their importance, and their fulfillment me...