Northwest Gospel Church Sermons Camas/washougal

Colossians 3:1-11 | Ben Potloff | Now that our lives are in Christ, we are at war as we daily put to death that which used to reign in our mortal bodies. What was once dead is now alive and therefore has nothing to do with those things that bring death. We’ve been given a new self that is being transformed into the image of our creator as we walk according to his ways.MAIN IDEABe who you are in Christ.OUTLINEI. You have died with Christ, so put to death the old self (vv. 3, 5-9)II. You have been raised with Christ, so put on the new self (vv. 1-2, 4,  10-11)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. When Paul calls us to seek the things that are above what do you think that practically looks like day to day?2. What helps you daily practice setting your mind on things above? What hinders you from being able to do so?3. Paul calls us to deal violently with our sin by putting it to death. What is your daily mindset when it comes to your sin?4. This might be a good time to break up between men and women so you can discuss and confes

Colossians 2:16-23 | Ben Potloff | Is Christ enough? Is what Jesus did for us on the cross when He bore our sins in His body enough? When He shed His blood, when He died and was buried, was it enough? And when He rose again from the dead, was it enough? Was all that Jesus accomplished enough for us to stand before a Holy God, forgiven, cleansed, and washed from our sins? Paul’s response is a resounding YES!MAIN IDEAReligious experiences or rule-keeping can’t change you, but Christ can.OUTLINEI. Don’t be deceived by Christless mysticism and behavior modification (vv. 18-23)II. Don’t follow shadows when you can follow the real thing (vv. 16-17)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Has there ever been a time that others have passed judgment on your walk with Christ like those in Colossians 2:16? How does Paul encourage them in 2:17?2. What is meant by asceticism in Colossian 2:18, and is there a place for it in our faith walk with Christ? (Definition: a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures. An example w

Colossians 2:6-15 | Ben Potloff | Paul stresses to the Colossians they have found something authentic and very valuable in Christ but are being lured away from that treasure as their faith is being tested and challenged by tradition and persuasive intellectual arguments. He wants them to be established firmly in their faith, to know what is authentic compared to what is counterfeit. The Lord desired for them as well as us to be experts in our field, knowing what is true and genuinely from Him, contrasted to what is an imitation or a fake reproduction of Christianity. Paul then reminds the Colossians of the powerful work of Jesus on the cross, just how final and comprehensive it is. This is what Paul is calling them to put their hope in, the only gospel with the power to save and bring to life what was once dead.

Colossians 1:24-2:5 | Ben Potloff | We are called to make disciples of all peoples because God loves them. He made them. He wants to return them to community with himself. How will we do this? Truth and love. Righteousness and compassion. Paul writes that “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Not only is life in Christ but life to the fullest. These treasures and riches cannot be swallowed by the grave, destroyed by moths, or reduced to rubble. We become connected to Christ to spread his love. We are changed so that we cannot help but support our brothers and sisters, both those who are with us or will join us by God’s grace.MAIN IDEAGod’s wisdom is revealed when Christ is proclaimed. OUTLINEI. The minister’s mission is a struggle and toil (vv. 24, 29-2:1)II. The minister’s message is the m

Colossians 1:21-23 | Max Janusch | You have been saved by Christ so that you can be presented “holy,” “blameless,” and “above reproach.” This is incredible news for you who were once far off and sinning against God! The Christian life is not constant striving to clean yourself up before God. The Christian life is a day-in, day-out response to the work of Jesus Christ who has saved you in order to heal you, transform you, and bring you into deeper and deeper relationship with himself.MAIN IDEAThose reconciled to God remain rooted in the gospel.OUTLINEI. Christ has saved sinners for future presentation. (vv. 21-22)II. Present faith is based on gospel hope. (v. 23)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. After the sermon and time engaging the text, what questions do you still have about the passage? Are there words or phrases that you need help understanding?2. What seems to be Paul’s main point in this passage? What is the single most important idea that he is communicating?3. Discuss how Paul describes what a Christian is. What

Colossians 1:15-20 | Ben Potloff | Through Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, God gives us poignant insight into the nature of Jesus. We learn that Jesus is sovereign and powerful, and our beautiful earth and heavens were created through him.MAIN IDEAJesus is first and foremost. OUTLINEI. Jesus is the God and Creator of all (vv. 15a-17a, 19)II. Jesus is the Ruler & Reconciler of all (vv. 17b-18, 20)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. When Jesus walked on Earth, how do you think his followers saw him? (Did they see God? Did they see a man? Any other insights?)2. How is God revealed to us personally when we reflect on the character of Jesus?3. Read verse 18. How does it impact us here and now, knowing that Jesus is the head of the body, the church? 4. What do you think it means that God’s fullness dwells in Jesus? 5. How does Jesus hold all things together? What is the significance of this verse?

Colossians 1:9-14 | Ben Potloff | Paul did not establish and probably never visited the church at Colossae. He was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter. Regardless of his circumstances and the absence of a historical or physical connection, Paul knew that he had a relationship with these believers – they had the same Father. He, along with Timothy, prayed for them. Paul was thankful for their dedication to Jesus and their love for other believers. He reminded them of the truth of Jesus Christ that they had put their faith in and affirmed the Gospel was bearing fruit in their lives and throughout the world.MAIN IDEAGod equips those He qualified.OUTLINEI. God gives the knowledge we need to walk in his will (vv. 9-10)II. God gives the strength we need to walk in his will (v. 11)III. God gives the redemption we need to live in his light (vv. 12-14)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What was Paul “praying without ceasing” on behalf of the Colossian church for? Are those the same things we pray on behalf of our body? S

Colossians 1:1-8 | Ben Potloff | A special relationship existed between Paul, Timothy, and the Christians in and around Colossae. Considering Colossian, you are faced with the beauty of a local church established in the gospel and growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus. In the opening of the letter, we see the power of the grace of God in the lives of his people.MAIN IDEAThe gospel bears fruit.OUTLINEI. Faith and love come from the hope of the gospel (vv. 1-5a)II. Faith and love come from the hearing of the gospel (vv. 5b-8)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Paul starts this letter by stating his apostleship and appointment by the will of God. Why is it important for the reader to understand Paul’s role and authority? Does Paul continue to expound on his authority throughout the letter? What other aspects of his relationship with the church does he write about in these opening verses? What effect would this have on the Colossian believers?2. This letter is written to believers, fellow Christians who have already placed t

Psalm 133:1-3 | Ben Potloff | "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" Unity, harmony, and community are all universally understood to be good things, but we often see our world marked more clearly by division, strife, and isolation. King David pens this psalm to reveal God's will for life to be lived in brotherly unity. Here, we see that where the Lord rules, unity reigns.MAIN IDEAGod-given unity is sweet.OUTLINEI. Unity in the Lord is precious (vv. 1-2)II. Unity in the Lord is provided (v. 2-3)

Psalm 145:1-21 | Ben Potloff | "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever." King David declares God's goodness and righteousness and the Lord's worthiness of our worship. David then announces his response to such a great God, and we see that we are to follow suit in how we praise the Lord.MAIN IDEAThe greatness of God propels the praise of His people.OUTLINEI. God’s greatness is seen in His gracious actsII. God’s greatness is seen in His glorious reign

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.MAIN IDEAOur deliverer deserves devotion.OUTLINEI. The Lord delivers from death (vv. 1-11)II. The delivered devote their lives (vv. 12-19)

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 IDEAThe righteous get to be with God.OUTLINEI. God is set apart. (v. 1)II. God expects perfection. (vv. 2-5a)III. God preserves his people. (v. 5b)

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 IDEAThe Shepherd’s presence is my constant comfort.OUTLINEI. The Lord’s care is personal (vv. 1-5)II. The Lord’s care is perpetual (vv. 6)

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 IDEAThe Lord’s perfect justice offers rescue.OUTLINEI. The heavenly judge calls for perfect rule.II. Sinful leaders create chaos.III. The heavenly judge will return.

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 IDEAYour Lord is worthy of your worship.OUTLINEI. The Lord holds all things and all people. (vv. 1-12)II. The Lord knows and saves his people. (vv. 13-22)

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 IDEAEnemies may surround, but the Lord saves.OUTLINEI. God’s people are often resisted (vv. 1-2)II. God’s people are redeemed (vv. 3-8)

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.OUTLINEI. Save your fear for the one who deserves it.II. Does fearing the Lord really guarantee us a charmed life?III. Fear of the Lord, is not about trying but trusting.

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 IDEABless the Lord for all His blessings. OUTLINEI. Humans are fleeting, but God’s love is forever (vv. 3-19)II. God is faithful to those who fear Him (vv. 11, 13, 17-18)

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 IDEAFools reject God, but God rescues His people.OUTLINEI. We are fools (vv. 1-3)II. God is faithful (vv. 4-7)