Northwest Gospel Church Sermons Camas/washougal

It’s been stated before, but it needs to be said again. Although God is not explicitly named in the pages of the book of Esther, he is clearly at work. This section of the story highlights how God is sovereignly in control, even when he seems most absent. The King’s sleepless night, Haman’s entrance, and Haman’s recommendations to the King are all examples pointing to how God is working.

In Esther 5 we see the setting of the stage for the climactic end of the book. Esther prepares to go before the king to make her request for the salvation of her people. We see Esther acting strategically in her approach as she risks her life on behalf of the Jews.

This chapter addresses a few major principles in the life of a Christian: obedience, faith, and boldness. We see our own lacking in how we can easily identify with Esther’s stubbornness and fear. More importantly and although not explicitly mentioned, we clearly see our faithful God sovereignly in control over all things. Here, we see that while staring death in the face, Jesus stood in our place.

This week, we continue on our journey through the book of Esther. As we learn more about the makeup of our characters, we’re left longing for a savior and hoping that we might see more of God working behind the scenes. Here, we see that while the enemy plots, God’s purpose prevails.

The book of Esther asks the question, “Does God see and care for his people even when they’re far from home?” The book will not answer this explicitly, but rather through a number of times when God is at work behind the scenes... the first of which being an orphaned Jewish woman miraculously coming into the most favored and influential position in the household of the reigning pagan empire.

This week, our time in Paul's letter to Titus comes to a close. In this final chapter, we see Paul giving Titus some final instructions. He tells Titus to remind the Cretan churches of how they should conduct themselves. Titus is to teach his people to "devote themselves to good works." Here, we see that we should treat others the way God has treated us.

As we near the end of Paul's letter to Titus, we come to an incredibly impactful and dense text. Paul reminds Titus of Jesus' appearance to us, sacrifice for us, and mercy shown to us. Here, we see that we live by grace while we wait for glory.

This week we come to Titus 2. The Apostle Paul urges Titus to "teach what accords with sound doctrine." He gives examples and illustrations to Titus as he continues to instruct him on how he should be leading the local churches on the island of Crete. Here, we see that Gospel-Centered churches are known through Godly-driven members.

In our text this week, the Apostle Paul instructs Titus on why local churches need qualified elders and what kinds of people hinder the health of a church. Here, we see that a distorted gospel will make us a dysfunctional family.

This week, our text covers the Apostle Paul's introduction to his letter to Titus, his reasons for placing Titus in Crete, and the qualifications for elders in the local church. Here, we see that God leads His people through godly leaders.

In order to set the vision for 2020, we turn to Romans 12:3-21. In these verses, the Apostle Paul teaches on the gifts given to believers and how they should be handled. He also covers the characteristic of a true Christian. Here, we see that our aim is to be a community of humble servants who love each other and the world.

This week, we continue the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. This text covers the powerful signs that God showed Moses and then Moses return to Egypt. Here, we see God's powerful work continue.

This week, we pick up Moses' story after he flees Egypt and settles in Midian. This chapter details Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Here, we see that God came down to bring His people up.

This week we are introduced to a new character. Our text begins with the birth of Moses and how the dramatic opposition from Pharaoh in Exodus 1 brings us to this point. Our text then tells of Moses' journey away from Egypt and we see the beginnings of the work that God is going to do. Here, we see that the plan of God is the redemption of His people.

This week we jump into the Book of Exodus, where we see that the nation of Israel has greatly increased in Egypt since the end of Genesis. In the first chapter of Exodus Pharoh oppresses Israel by enslaving them, ordering midwives to kill Israelite babies, and demanding that all of Egypt deal cruelly with Israel. Here, we see that God uses our faithfulness as He faithfully keeps His promises.

Our text this week is another combination of stories where Jesus shows us that his ethic of the kingdom is different than ours. Godly power, authority, and glory look different than we expect. Like the disciples, we must allow Jesus’ life and work to shape us into the people of his kingdom, not our own.

At this point in our text, Jesus’ ministry is in full swing. There are some who believe he is a prophet. There are others who think he’s John the Baptist. There are even religious leaders who think that what Jesus is doing is demonic. In the text this week, Jesus poses the question: who do you say that I am? Here, we see that we are called to die with Christ…and live.

This week, we come to one of the most well-known stories from Jesus' ministry; the feeding of the 5,000. When you take the passage as a whole we begin to see a larger theme than just food mysteriously appearing. We begin to see providential provision. Jesus provides our every need. This text shows us that Jesus provides for those He calls.

Our text this week brings us to Jesus' healing of a woman and Jairus's daughter. At first, Jesus’ ability to multitask these two situations seems weak. However, Jesus masterfully uses the situation to teach us an unforgettable lesson on faith and God’s timing. Here, we see that Jesus brings outsiders in.