Sermon

Righteous or Self-Righteous?

By in Sermon

righteous or self-righteous
Righteous or self-righteous? What is the difference? How can you tell? While preparing the message for this Sunday (Galatians 5:16-25), I came upon this outstanding quote from Donald Hagner:

“We are set free from the law in order to produce a righteousness that corresponds to the righteousness that the law demanded…. The content of the law has not fundamentally changed. It is only the dynamic – the means by which we can arrive at righteousness – that differs dramatically. Living out the righteousness of the law does not result in a right relationship with God; rather, being in a right relationship with God through faith in Christ results in living out the righteousness of the law.”

True righteousness flows from the life of faith rooted in Christ Jesus and led by His Spirit. Sure, self-righteousness is good at looking the part, keeping the rules, checking off lists, and correcting other people – but it cannot please God.

What does true righteousness look like? Well here it is: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23 (NASB)

Why Do You Worry?

By in Encouragement, Sermon

deb67f09a35ab2981d45e1df1fa7c6d0Have you ever stopped to consider how much time you spend worrying about things? We are Christians and we worry as if there is no God. Turn your thinking back from what “might happen” to what you know is true about God. His Word will instruct you in that truth and bring a confidence, peace, and joy back into your life—even in a trouble-filled world. What consumes your thinking? What do you mull over in your mind? A Word-filled life will be a joy-filled life.

Matthew 6:31–34 says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

D. Martin Lloyd Jones says in his book Spiritual Depression; “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?”

If you have time, listen to last Sunday’s message, “Joy Even in Uncertain Times” at https://valleycommunityco.org/media.php?pageID=19

I Want to be a “Yes Man”

By in Leadership, Sermon

Last week Mike Summers, pastor of Countryside Baptist church in Olathe, KS, preached two outstanding messages at Northland. He shared with us a letter he wrote to one of his sons. I asked Mike if I could pass it on.

A Yes Man

I want to be a “Yes Man”– not a stutter-stepping, hesitating, slow-to-respond-man. I want to be a “Yes Man”—a whatever-You-say-Lord kind of man—a just-tell-me-when kind of man—a Your-will-be-done kind of man.

I want to be a “Yes Man”– not a doubting, unsure, insecure, see-if-it-works-first kind of man. I want to be a “Yes Man”– a man whose “Yes” is absolute and resolute, a man whose “Yes” is observable and unchangeable, a man whose “Yes” is from the heart. I want to be a “Yes Man.”

When God says “Go” or “Slow” or “No,” I want my immediate response—my only response—to be “Yes.” Because my purpose is Him and my agenda is His, I want to say “Yes” to any interruption, “Yes” to any inconvenience, “Yes” to any disappointment, and “Yes” to all trials knowing with certainty that my God is behind them all. I want to say “Yes” to His Word, “Yes” to His Spirit, and “Yes” to His call to serve Him humbly, fervently, dependently, and skillfully.

I want to be a “Yes Man”—a “this-one-thing-I-do” man—an “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” man.” I want to be a “Yes Man.” My “Yes” is a “No” to this world, a “No” to myself, and a “No” to anything that competes with my Lord. I want to be a “Yes Man.”

Steve Viars in Chapel

By in Encouragement, Sermon

Steve Viars challenged our students on Wednesday about the incredible opportunities that the church has in reaching its community. He warned against a “fortress mentality” and urged us to reach out in good works that open up gospel opportunities. It was one of the most challenging messages I have heard from the Northland pulpit. Steve is pastor of Faith Church in Lafayette. I would encourage you to listen to this sermon by clicking on to our website. We were also glad Steve was able to bring his wife Kris and their son Andrew. Thank you Steve for serving our students with the Word!

I would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or would like to connect please use the contact page.

Founder’s Day at Northland

By in Encouragement, Sermon

It was good on so many levels to have Daniel Patz as our Founder’s Day speaker! For me, it was a meaningful connect with a very like minded brother who represents a wave of solid guys that were pouring out of Northland in the late ’90’s and early part of the new millennium. I would simply say that, “they get it.” They understand what is important and they are passionate about what really counts. It is fine if we differ on small stuff. More

David Platt at T4G

By in Missions, Sermon

This year was the first year I had the opportunity to go to Together for the Gospel. In previous years our Missions Conference on campus has conflicted with the conference, however, this year everything lined up well for me and many others from Northland to attend.

One of the take-aways, and the preaching highlight from the conference, was David Platt’s message from Revelation 5 called “Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions.” More