Northshore Messages

Does it feel like God’s not listening? Are you worried you’re just too broken to be loved? Explore the stories of Esther and Moses in this sermon as Kiki Edwards weaves a narrative that resonates with our lives today. Touching on identity, purpose, and God's enduring love, see yourself as a modern-day Esther and Moses, engaging actively with the world through prayer and action. This sermon envisions a Church that responds passionately to God's call, bringing hope to our complex world. It invites us to say 'yes' to our unique roles and embrace our true identity in the face of suffering.

Haman is one of history's nastiest villains, but the book of Esther is a story packed with plot twists. This sermon dives into mistreatment, betrayal, and uses Haman's vendetta as a cautionary tale. All the while, it becomes clear we can embrace forgiveness in the face of offense, guided by scripture and Jesus’ ultimate example of forgiveness on the cross. Let this message bring you into a space to reflect, pray, and seek God's healing in your life. 

Where is God? I’m looking, but I can’t see Him. I’m believing, but I can’t feel Him. What do we do when we can’t see God at work? These are questions we have in our lives that happen to be some of the tensions that is at the heart of the book of Esther. In fact, Esther is the only book in the Bible where God's name is mentioned in the text. But that doesn’t mean that God is absent in this story, or yours. It just means that God is working, even when you can’t see it. 

If you could ask God for one thing… just one thing, what would it be? In Psalm 27, David said, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. David is reminding us that the presence of God is better than anything we can ask for. It’s better than having the best job or a nicer home, a better self-esteem, or more popular friends. It’s in the presence of God that we can be fully known and fully loved. That no sin and shame can hold us or bind us. It’s the in the presence of God that we are healed and set free.

What are you chasing? What are you after? These questions aren’t ones that a lot of people stop to think about very often. We just sort of get caught in the routine – day in and day out we just do our thing without really thinking about where it’s taking us. But sometimes something happens that causes us to pause – to reevaluate – to get honest about what our lives are about, what we’re chasing. This week, Pastor Wolfgang challenges us to find a new practice or rhythm that will develop into training our souls and chasing faithfulness.

What must I do to inherit eternal life? This week, we look at the story of a deeply devout man with great wealth, but when he asks this question to Jesus, it shows he is clearly missing something in his life. Found in Mark 10:17-22, the story reminds us that living generously isn’t the product of having greater wealth, but rather it's what happens in your heart when you redirect your treasure and start investing in what God values. Pastor Scruggs tell us that this personal, sacrificial and transformational kind of generosity, is something all of us can prioritize in our lives, no matter who we are, or what we have or what’s going on.

What's your story? This week, we dive into the story of a man who was blind and, through the miraculous work of Jesus, was healed and could now see. Found in John 9:13-25, the story reminds us to be aware of the work God is doing around us, not only through healing but in many other ways. Although God is always working, oftentimes, it can be difficult to share what he has been doing in our own lives. Pastor Wolfgang challenged us to take a step this week and share our story with one other person this week. 

Have you ever felt worried or focused on a lot of different things? But you missed the one thing that matters most? We can believe in God, we can go to church, we can try to do what the Bible says to do, and still miss the one thing that really matters. This week we look at Luke 10 and the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha. From this scene we can see that all of our “doing” for God is less important than our “being WITH” God. The one thing that’s needed is to sit at His feet.

Having a community around you during good times is great, having them around you when life gets hard is critical. This week, Pastor Scotty, has us look at why God built the Church around this idea of interdependence and reminded us that we were never meant to do life alone. Scripture tells us that the best relationships around us should be framed with the text in John 15:12-14: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. The Church was created so you could enter into a relationship with God and those around you. The message this week encourages us to take a step towards that today. 

The number of relationships we have is important, but their depth matters more. This week, we look at the life of Jesus and discover the keys to deep, authentic, and life-giving relationships by looking at how he built friendships with and between his disciples in Mark 3. No matter how you would rate the depth of your relationships today, because of Jesus' model for relationships, we can start taking steps today to build richer friendships today. 

"If I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice." That was one of the most common phrases from a research study that looked at the effects of loneliness. Whether you've thought yourself, chances are there are people around you who struggle with not having enough close relationships. The reason? God created you to be in community, not just talk about the weather and sports, but deep, genuine relationships with close friends—the type of relationships where they know everything about you and still want to be around you. Tune in this week as Scotty unpacks the biblical model for friendships and how to start prioritizing it today.

Many have an unspoken fear—that maybe God isn't big enough. You might go to church and say all the right things, but how you live daily might tell a different story. If you're constantly worrying about the future, chasing after money and status, or trying to control everything, it's like you're saying God can't handle it. But here's the thing: When you find the courage to say, "I can't, but God can," you open a new door. You allow yourself to reconnect with the God who created the universe, the God who's not confined by your doubts or fears. God has worked miracles in the past; will you trust Him to do that for you?

God loves you and has a plan for you, but the ball is in your court. You must move your faith into action, which often requires courage. We see that illustrated in the story of King David's head of security. This man didn't have the influence of a king, but he still found courage in God to make an impact that changed the world forever.Consider these questions to find the courage to move faith into action...Am I prepared to say yes?Am I willing to confront my fears?Am I willing to be different to make a difference?

You may find yourself stuck at some point in your life. Stuck by your past or from fear of the present, unable to move forward into the power and promise of God in your life. The strange yet powerful story of Lot's wife shows that because of the cross and the invitation available, you can move forward in Jesus.

The story of Hosea is extreme, but it expresses of God's limitless love for you. God asked the prophet Hosea to do something scandalous, unbelievable, and even dangerous to reveal the good news that God passionately cares for you.

When you think about connecting with God, prayer and bible reading quickly come to mind. Have you ever considered drawing closer to God by meeting needs and caring for others? Encountering God is not only a private experience between God and you, but it also includes how you engage with others. Jesus calls us to "love the Lord your God" as the first and greatest commandment. And the second part of that commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Whether this is how you're wired or not, this message will give you practical ways to love your neighbor well and go deeper with God.

God is always inviting you to know him more deeply. Just as you want to be fully loved, so does God, and the way to do that is by seeking Him through prayer and worship. Get out of your comfort zone, and you will find God. When you celebrate and respond to God, he draws near. There's something powerful about coming together in corporate worship to remember who God is and what He's done. If you need a fresh encounter with God, this message will encourage and strengthen your faith to know Him more.

In this message, explore passages from God's Word that shed light on the role of the mind in your relationship with Him. See how renewing the mind contributes to our spiritual growth. With each scripture, we ask:- Why does the mind matter? - What does a mind engaged with God look like? - And most importantly, how can we practically engage our minds in this pursuit?Explore the intellectual pathway of connecting with God through your mind.

You may have cherished family traditions, like a yearly vacation spot or unique dishes reserved for holidays. These customs and symbols are not merely superficial routines; they hold profound significance in our lives.This message explores how these seemingly ordinary practices connect you to God and can remind you of your place within His larger story. Spiritual traditions show that you are a part of something greater, linked to the lineage of God's people that stretches back centuries.Find practical ways to incorporate traditions into your life, enabling you to connect with God on a deeper level. Discover how these ancient practices can bring meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging to your spiritual journey.