Northwest Gospel Church - Eastside

In one of the oddest battle scenes in history, Israel defeats Midian by blowing trumpets and breaking jars. We’re told that the Lord set the swords of the Midianites against each other, and Israel won. In chapter 8, we see Gideon win another battle, but the narrative is quite different. The author took great care to remind us of God’s presence at every turn in chapter 7, but that language is oddly...

We’re now with our next judge: Gideon. What immediately sticks out (compared to the judges of chapters 3-5) is the length of this narrative, which spans three chapters of the book. More time is spent on Gideon than Ehud, Othniel, Shamgar, and Deborah... combined. While the flannel graph Sunday school lessons of our youth may have us believe that Gideon is the hero of this three-chapter story, what...

Once again, the people of Israel do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Already, we’ve seen the same story twice. Remember the pattern that was laid out for us in chapter 2: God’s people do what is evil, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace. And this week is no different. There’s evil (4:1), the Israelites cry out to God for rescu...

This week, we’re introduced to our first three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. It’s also here that we see the first two examples of the pattern we were introduced to in chapter 2, a pattern that we’ll see throughout the book: God’s people do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, they are oppressed, they repent, God sends a judge to deliver them, and then there is a time of peace.

The first two chapters of Judges grab the reader’s attention immediately, as it opens in the middle of a war. This is a Holy War. God’s people have been commanded by Him to enter the Promised Land and execute God’s judgment on the wicked nations therein by “devoting them to destruction” (Judges 1:17). From the outset, the reader gets a taste of this dark and exceedingly odd book. A king named Adon...

It's as Israel is settling in the Promised Land that God issues an interesting command. "Appoint cities of refuge ... that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there." It is in these cities alone where the manslayer could find protection from the avenger of blood, and it is in this passage where we see an incredible picture of the savior who redeems us from t...

This week, we continue in our four-part biblical theology series, The Story. Looking at Genesis 3:1-10, we see Adam and Eve, the first humans, rebelling against God and allowing death to enter into the world. Here, we see that on the day we defied God, we struck a deal with death.

Andrew Murch • What is the story of Scripture? We're familiar with the stories of Scripture, but what is the overall story of Scripture? Over the next four weeks, we'll examine where we come from, why we exist, how we became as we are, how our world’s brokenness developed, and what answer God gives to the pain that plagues us. Join us this Sunday as we explore the Origin Story of humanity.

Andrew Murch • This week, we come to the end of our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series. Psalm 2 is both a warning and a call to wisdom; wisdom that is practiced when we submit to King Jesus. Here, we see that there is no refuge from Jesus, only in Jesus.

Josh Lane • This week, we're continuing in our "If I Could Tell You One Thing" series with Philippians 3:2-14. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi to "press on" and remain in Christ despite what they will face. Here, we see that in Christ, our future is far more certain and beautiful than our past and present.

Brent Kimball • “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" The question of forgiveness is an important idea for Christians to understand. As followers of Jesus, we have been forgiven of a debt that we could never pay back. In light of that forgiveness, we ourselves are called to practice forgiveness. In our passage this week, we see that the forgiven are forgiving.

Nathan Noorlun • The Lord is near... This simple reality changes absolutely everything for absolutely everyone. As we continue in our If I Could Tell You One Thing series, we come to Philippians 4:5-23. Here, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, reminding them of the nearness of our God and of the imminent return of Jesus. We cannot hope to face the affliction and hardships of th...

Jake Gamble • "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God..." Our passage this week, Hebrews 4, reveals the incredible reality that despite sin and rebellion, God's people will enter the perfect rest that is only offered through Christ. Here, we see that there will be true rest offered through the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Gavin Hesse • As Christians, we know that we are called to take the gospel into the world. But how do we do that? This week, we turn our attention to 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. Here, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about how he and his fellow workers carry that good news into the darkness of the world. This passage calls us to boldly proclaim our risen Savior’s Glory.

Ben Potloff • This week, we examine Romans 3:9-26. In this section of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul instructs the church on the reality that no one apart from Christ is righteous. And on top of that, no one is justified by his own works. But there is hope! Here, we see that sinners are made right with God through faith in Jesus.

Sam Cassese • This week, we look at a scene in Matthew's Gospel most commonly referred to as "the Great Commission." Before Jesus ascends to heaven, he gives his disciples some final instructions for their mission. They are to make disciples. But what does this mean for us in 2021? Here, we see the glorious and Christ-exalting call that has been put on all of our lives.

Sam Cassese • This week, we look at Matthew 4:18-20: the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him. Upon hearing this call, these brothers left everything to follow Jesus. Ultimately, this short scene prompts us to ask, what is a disciple?

Jake Gamble · What kind of king are you looking for? All too often, in today's world, we look to those in power to make things right. But for those of us who are in Christ, where does our help come from? Where does our hope come from? Psalm 72 answers this question for us, giving us a clear picture of the caring King who will ultimately make all things right.

Noah Soistmann · This week, we look at Psalm 40:1-5. In this psalm, written by King David, we see God redeeming and restoring David. And in response to this restoration, God is praised and glorified. Here, we see that believers sing a new song to the Lord as we remember our deliverance from death.

Jake Gamble · Our sin makes us enemies of God, but there is good news. God is good and he has done everything that is needed for us to be brought back into relationship with him. Psalm 17, written by King David, speaks of this reality and the good news of salvation for God's enemies.

Josh Lane · "Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!" In our text this week, we see a plea from a desperate and downcast Israelite. This psalm of lament reveals important truths related to difficult circumstances, our posture in prayer, and the good news of what God has done in Christ.

Gavin Hesse · As we begin our Summer Psalms series, we look at Psalm 95. This incredible psalm points us to God as the object of our worship and reminds us that he alone is worthy of our worship.

Andrew Murch • 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.

Andrew Murch • 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.

Andrew Murch • "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 faith...