Northwest Gospel Church Sermons Camas/washougal

Psalm 100:1-5 | Ben Potloff | "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!" Simply put, our God is worthy of our worship, adoration, service, and trust. Psalm 100 calls its readers to praise the Lord.MAIN IDEAThe Lord is God. The Lord is good. Praise the Lord!OUTLINEI. He made us (1-3a)II. We are his (3b-5)

Romans 10:5-17 | Ben Potloff | All are unrighteous. So, how can we be made right before God and with God? There are two options, righteousness by our works or righteousness by faith in Christ. Only faith in Christ can make sinners righteous before God.MAIN IDEAFaith in Christ comes by hearing of Christ. OUTLINEI. Faith in Christ is the only way people can be made right with God (vv. 1-13)II. Faith in Christ is only possible if people hear about Christ (vv. 14-17)

Genesis 10:1-11:9 | Gavin Hesse | With the story of Noah and the Flood behind us, the story of Noah's descendants has only just begun. No surprise to the readers of Gensis' early chapters, we once again find mankind brazenly rebelling against the God of heaven and earth.MAIN IDEAGod is our Sovereign King.OUTLINEI. God will multiply his people (vv. 1-32)II. God’s power is bigger than man’s pride (vv. 1-9)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What stands out about the genealogy in Genesis 10:1-32? What does the author add, comment on, or point out that seems important?2. What repeated words or phrases are there in the genealogy? How do these frame the generations listed and reveal the meaning of the genealogy?3. What is the real issue with the story of the tower of Babel? Is the problem simply their intention to build a large building?4. How does this passage reveal to you your sin? How do you tend to rebel against God in favor of making a name for yourself?

Genesis 9:18-29 | Ben Potloff | As Noah and his family exit the ark and resume life after the Flood, we're waiting to see what exactly is going to happen with this family and God's plan for all of humanity. Unfortunately, we see a return to Genesis 3 and 6 as sin and corruption once again appear in God's once-perfect creation.MAIN IDEAHumanity is sinful and needs a Savior. OUTLINEI. Drunkenness and dishonoring parents reveal mankind's depravity (vv. 18-23)II. God will conquer his enemies and redeem his people (vv. 24-29)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What does this story about Noah & Ham reveal about humanity after the flood? 2. Why do you thinking honoring parents is something commanded all throughout the Bible? What does this mean for your life? 3. Jesus said in John 3:3 that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. How is that need to be born again seen in Genesis 9:18-29?4. What should it look like for you to live as someone who is born again and a new creation in Christ? Be specific. 

Genesis 9:1-17 | Max Janusch | We've seen the sinfulness of mankind on display, God's just wrath against that sin, and His gracious work of saving Noah and his family through the Flood. Now, what's next? How will mankind move on from the Flood? Here, we see how God values life, calls humanity back to its original purpose, and seals it all with a covenant promise.MAIN IDEAGod values life and promises to preserve it.OUTLINEI. God determines the purpose and value of life. (vv. 1-7)II. God promises to preserve life. (vv. 8-17)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What similarities and differences are between Genesis 1:26–31 and Genesis 9:1-7? How do those similarities and differences inform your understanding of the significance of mankind's "new beginning" in Genesis 9?2. How does your understanding of the "image of God" affect day-to-day life? How is life lived differently when you recognize the purpose and value that God has placed on mankind?3. What characteristics and/or attributes of God are revealed in Genesis 9:1-17? Wh

Genesis 8:1-22 | Ben Potloff | All life has been blotted out from the corrupted and sin-scarred world; all except for God's chosen remnant, Noah and his family. But what will happen to these chosen people as the flood waters continue to cover the earth? And, how will humanity start again once back on dry land?MAIN IDEAA pleasing sacrifice secures God’s promise. OUTLINEI. God keeps his promise. (vv. 1-14)II. God’s grace leads to a second chance. (vv. 15-19)III. A sacrificial offering is pleasing to God. (vv. 20-22) 

Genesis 6:9-7:24 | Ben Potloff | God, grieving over the sinfulness and escalating wickedness of humanity, decides to wipe humanity from the face of the earth. But, God shows mercy on a single family who will be a remnant for humanity. Here, we see God speaking to and saving Noah and his family as he punishes sin and floods the world.MAIN IDEASin leads to death, but God’s promise leads to life.OUTLINEI. God justly judges sinners. (6:11-13, 7:10-12, 17-23a)II. Even though humans are sinful, God establishes a relationship by grace through faith. (6:9-10, 14-21, 7:1-4, 23b-24)III. The right response to God’s grace is obedience. (6:22, 7:5-9, 13-16) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Did God overreact in sending the flood? Why or why not? 2. Beyond God’s justice, what does the story of the flood teach us about God’s character? 3. 2 Peter 3:8-10 says that a final judgment by fire is coming but that God is patient, allowing more to come to repentance and be saved. Who around you needs to trust in Jesus and be saved? Are you pra

Genesis 5:1-6:8 | Ben Potloff | Still being so early in the Genesis story, we begin to wonder how bad it will get. From the Fall to the murder of Abel and the boasts of Lamech, humanity's story goes from bad to worse. How bad can it get? When will God put a stop to this cycle of sin?MAIN IDEAGod punishes evil, but provides grace.OUTLINEI. Mankind is wicked. (vv. 5:3-27, 6:1-2, 4-5)II. God is just 'and' gracious (vv. 6:3, 6:6-7, 5:28-32, 6:8)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Our culture says you should “follow your heart” or “trust your gut.” Based on what the Bible teaches about the human heart, is this good advice or bad advice? Why? 2. Sexual perversion was a result of sin from the beginning and we still see that playing out today. How does the Gospel speak to the sexual sin in our lives and in the world around us? 3. The Bible reveals God as both just AND gracious. How do we see that in Genesis 6:1-8? 4. Are you more prone to see God as just or gracious? How does that affect your relationship with Him? Why is it impo

Genesis 4:17-26 | Ben Potloff | Now a fugitive, Cain's part in the story is not quite over. The second half of Genesis 4 shows us a bit of the lineage of Cain and what can go wrong when people reject God's design for His creation.MAIN IDEAGod’s Word proves true.OUTLINEI. The curse of sin is passed down from generation to generation (vv. 17-24)II. Mankind’s sin cannot void God’s purpose and plan (vv. 25-26)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What stood out to you from Sunday’s sermon?2. What does Genesis 4:17-26 reveal about the human condition? Does the world around us agree with what the Bible reveals about the human condition?3. God giving Seth to Adam and Eve was Him keeping His Word in Genesis 3:15. In what ways can you “take God at His Word” in your daily Christian life?4. How is God’s judgment AND mercy seen in Genesis 4:17-26? What does this teach us about God and how we are to relate to Him? How does the gospel impact this?

Genesis 4:1-16 | Ben Potloff | Everything went wrong in Genesis 3, and things continue to go from bad to worse in Genesis 4. Here, we are devastated to see Cain murder Abel and we are filled with hope in light of the news of the one who will come to restore Creation to its original and perfect state.MAIN IDEASin turns family into fugitives.OUTLINEI. Two brothers, two offerings, and two responses (vv. 1-5a)II. Sin isn’t ruled but rules, and the result is murder (vv. 5b-8) III. God offers protection in the midst of punishment (vv. 9-16) DISCUSSION QUESTIONSComing soon

Psalm 16:1-11 | Ben Potloff | "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Looking back on Jesus' glorious resurrection, the Apostles remembered words originally penned by King David a thousand years before. God, faithful to his promises, delivered his Anointed One from the power of sin and death.MAIN IDEATo know God is to have life. OUTLINEI. People who know God worship God. (vv. 1-4)  II. People who know God are satisfied in God. (vv. 5-6)III. People who know God are led by God. (vv. 7-8)IV. People who know God hope in God. (vv. 9-11)DISCUSSION QUESTIONSComing soon

Psalm 118:1-29 | Ben Potloff | "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" As Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, the crowds joyfully quoted Psalm 118 and recognized Jesus as the long-awaited king of Israel. Jesus came not only as the rightful king but as the one who would lay down his life for his rebellious people.MAIN IDEALift up your voice, the Lord Saves.OUTLINE I. God loves (vv. 1-4, 29)II. God saves (vv. 5-18, 25-26)III. God’s people praise (vv. 19-24, 27-29)DISCUSSION QUESTIONSComing soon

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 | Ben Potloff | Where does the gift come from? Does it come simply from the giver? Is it, more specifically, from someone's wallet or bank account? Or, does the gift come from a place deep in the heart and will of the giver? Here, we see that God loves the giving of those who do it worshipfully and cheerfully.MAIN IDEAGod’s grace generates generous giving.OUTLINEI. God blesses His people when they bless others (vv. 6-7)II. God blesses His people so they can bless others (vv. 8-11a)III. God is glorified when His people are generous (vv. 11b-15) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. How do you think your friends would describe you in relation to money?2. What does 2 Corinthians 9:7 show us about what the motivation for giving should be and should not be?3. How have you seen the principle of “you reap what you sow” play out in your own life in regard to giving and generosity?4. Giving, according to Paul, is both good for us and promotes God’s glory. How do these two work together?5. What is one way you wan

Mark 12:41-44 | Max Janusch | Does God care about the heart of the giver or just about the amount given? In Mark 12, Jesus draws his disciples' attention to the small offering from one poor widow. This offering, Jesus says, is far greater than the whole sum of all the donations of many rich people. Here, we see that we should give ourselves in our giving.MAIN IDEAIn your giving, give yourself.OUTLINEI. God’s people offer their money as worship to God. (vv. 41-42)II. The heart of the giver matters more than the amount given. (vv. 43-44)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. How does your view of money and giving agree with and/conflict with what the Bible teaches? How does God invite your beliefs to align with his Word?2. What is a practical way that you can make giving more of an act of worship?3. On Sunday, Max mentioned several postures we can have in our giving: giving ritualistically, pridefully, out of obligation, out of guilt, begrudgingly, etc. How do we easily fall into this kind of giving posture versus a posture of

Malachi 3:6-10 | Ben Potloff | Malachi served as a prophet to God's people as they returned from Exile and rebuilt their way of life. God's people, under the guidance of God's Law, were charged with re-establishing their patterns for worship and holy living, and a critical area was their tithing and relationship with money. So, we ask, "What does the Bible really have to say about giving?"MAIN IDEADon’t rob God, trust Him.OUTLINEI. Being closed-handed brings condemnation (vv. 7-10a)II. Being open-handed brings provision (vv. 6, 10b-12)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What comes into your mind when you think about money?2. What has been your experience in the Church regarding money, giving, stewardship, etc.?3. God accused Israel of robbing him in Malachi 3:6-12. Why? How might the church rob God today?4. What are the things that typically hold you back when it comes to giving, generosity, and being open-handed?5. How can you apply Malachi 3:10 to your life? 6. How should the gospel impact our view of money and giving?

Genesis 3:1-24 | Ben Potloff | Over and over, the opening chapters of Genesis show us something being made from nothing, order brought to chaos, life and vitality where there was only a void, God's image bearers ruling over his creation. But, in chapter 3, everything goes wrong; created things misrepresent God, His image bearers rebel against his rule, and Paradise is lost at the foot of the forbidden tree. Now we ask, "Is God done with this world and this people that have rebelled against Him?"MAIN IDEADisobedience leads to death.OUTLINEI. Eve was deceived by the serpent and Adam disobeyed God (vv. 1-13)II. God declared that the consequence for human sin is death (vv. 14-19, 22-24)III. In the midst of retribution God promised redemption (vv. 15, 20-21)

Genesis 2:18-25 | Ben Potloff | Moses' closer look at the creation of humanity continues as, for the first time, God says that something is "not good." God creates woman from man in a wonderful and glorious act of creation that completes God's initial work of creation and begins human history.MAIN IDEAGod created woman to complement man in the one flesh union of marriage. OUTLINEI. God created the woman to be the perfect helper to the man (vv. 18-23)II. God created marriage to be a permanent and exclusive union (vv. 24-25)

Genesis 2:1-17 | Max Janusch | At the finale of God's creation work, God rests and blesses the seventh day. Moses then returns his focus to the creation of man, the garden of Eden, and God tasking man to "work the ground" in obedience to God. Here, we are reminded that God is the Creator and we are the creatures.MAIN IDEAGod places his people in paradise.OUTLINEI. God modeled rest for man as the finale to his creation. (vv. 1-3)II. God created man from his creation. (vv. 4-7)III. God put man in the best of his creation. (vv. 8-14)IV. God tasked man to obediently cultivate his creation. (vv. 15-17)

Genesis 1:26-31 | Ben Potloff | God's work of creation comes to its high point with the creation of man on the sixth day. After speaking light and life, sky and seas, land and animals into existence, God forms human beings. Making them in his image, male and female, God then puts his creation under the stewardship of humanity who rule on his behalf.MAIN IDEAHumans bear God’s image to rule His world.OUTLINEI. God created man in His image (vv. 26-27)II. God created humans as male and female (v. 27)III. God created humans to have dominion (vv. 26, 28-31)

Genesis 1:2-25 | Ben Potloff | From the earliest verses of Genesis, we get a glimpse of how God brought forth something out of nothing. Here, it begins with God speaking the universe into existence.MAIN IDEAGod’s Word is powerful.OUTLINEI. God created light and life by His Word.II. God’s creation by His Word was good.III. God’s shines light and creates new life by His Word.