Northridge Church

New Northridge Website

2012-12-22T15:39:00.001-05:00

Our presence on the web has moved. For information about Northridge, what we're up to locally and globally, sermons, and a calendar of events, go to http://www.northridgecommunity.org/

Small Church in a Big Universe

2012-10-14T12:55:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:1-15

1-4: rethink everything when you come to know and seek to follow Jesus

5-10: "put to death"- anger, greed, lust, other vices; these are relational sins, issues that arise in community with others.

12-14: Put on love, as we live well together now.

What do you need to lay down?
What do you need to pick up?

The B-Sides: Failure

2012-07-29T12:35:00.002-04:00

Failure is one of those things that we tend to avoid at all costs...even to the point of bringing it up. What constitutes failure? In what ways should we talk about it and work through it? What does Jesus bring to the table? How did he and his followers think about and deal with failure?

Acts 7:48-60; Acts 17:22-24
Failure is the opposite of risk, not of success.
If we've risked for the kingdom, then we haven't failed. God will use our risk to fulfill his purposes of love in the world.

The B Sides: Truthing

2012-05-30T14:49:00.003-04:00

Over the summer Jake will be speaking on a variety of topics that haven't fit into a series but worth engaging as a community of faith. This past Sunday, with Ephesians 4:14-15, the topic was truth. Or, truthing, truth as a verb as well as a noun. It is propositional, but it is also something we do, that we embody, that we become. When Pilate asks Jesus, "What is truth?" Jesus doesn't verbally respond, but responds with action. He is crucified and then rises from the dead. He shows what truth is.

Jake left us with this question, to think and pray about this week:

In the storm I find myself in today, am I accusing or truthing?

Grace in Us

2012-02-12T15:13:00.002-05:00

"gift": charismata
"grace": charis
Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us that grace is both received by us and given!
In Acts 4, grace meant that there were no needy among the early church.
We don't respond to God's grace, we receive it and are it.
How can I give grace to others, with the gifts God has given me? How can I give these graces--my talents, gifts, and abilities--away in the world I find myself in?

Grace Incarnate

2012-02-12T15:11:00.000-05:00

John 1:14-18

Grace comes to those who seek. It also comes to those who do not seek.

Grace is seen.

Grace comes in strikingly tangible ways.

Grace is a new way to be human. Luke 22:39-42; Luke 23:33-39

We most fully experience grace when we most fully give ourselves to the way of grace.

Grace outlasts everything.

"No Never Alone," Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-23T17:23:00.002-05:00

Beginning this Sunday, and continuing throughout the year on each 4th Sunday, we will pay attention to and learn from one of the saints of the church. Today, in the sermon Jake considered the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., who, on this month, is officially remembered with a national holiday. In fact, he is the only African American, the only pastor, the only individual who is honored by our country in this way. Join us as we consider the ways he reminds us of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." -Colossians 2:15

"I have to do this, to expose myself, to bring this hate out into the open." -MLK

Our saints remind us who we are really meant to be. Yes, they are flawed, as well. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

In the face of enemies:
1. Proclamation: the art of truth-telling
2. Presence: the art of loving
3. Perseverance: the art of trusting

These are art-forms, they require creativity, as well as sacrifice.

Haiti and Effectiveness

2012-01-16T09:48:00.002-05:00

Given our work in Haiti as a community of faith, this might be of interest:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/januaryweb-only/effectiveness.html

Grace in Story

2012-01-15T16:13:00.000-05:00

As Jake continues a series of grace, a thought that changed the world, we will consider God's movements of grace throughout the Scriptures and how that impacts the way we see the world, how we see ourselves, and how that might shape who we are and what we do.

-Luke 15:11-32

We think of the story of the prodigal son as being about the son who leaves and squanders his inheritance. But it is also about the lostness of the son who remains at home, and resents the party that is thrown for his returning brother. Since Jesus was speaking with the Pharisees here, they would identify with the older son who is also lost, according to Jesus.

-Luke 15:3-7

Connecting with Each Other: Ignite and Small Groups

2012-01-09T08:40:00.001-05:00

There are several new opportunities to connect with God and others in our community of faith.

First, "Ignite!" begins Sunday January 15th, meeting from 9:40 - 10:40 downstairs at the Richmond Area Arts Council building, where our Sunday morning services are held. We will discuss and look at the Scriptures together. The focus will be on exploring the different writing styles in the Bible to help us understand and apply the Word to our lives. Our goal is to open up our lives to God to be changed personally and to be equipped to make a difference in our community and world. Childcare will be available upon request.

Second, two small groups are starting up soon. One meets at Jerry and Trish Isaacs' house on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm starting January 18th. Another group will begin meeting in early February at the home of Kyle and Heidi Nystrom.This is a great way to connect with others in prayer, fellowship, and study.

If you have questions about any of the above, feel free to post them here or contact Jake at the church office.

Grace

2012-01-09T08:33:00.001-05:00

From the beginning of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, grace is present. Grace, in fact, is within the law.

Grace is the very fabric of the universe.

See Genesis 2:2, 6:8, and 15:9; Jeremiah 31:33; 31:15; and Exodus 25:10; 20:4.

It is the name that is written on our life that matters. You are loved.

State of the Church and Fellowship Meal

2012-01-06T14:25:00.002-05:00

This Sunday will be our monthly meal after the service. Please bring a side and a soda, and even if that doesn't materialize for you, bring your appetite!

Also, we will be having a "state-of-the-church" time where Jake shares about where we are as a church, we will give a financial update, and you will have a chance to ask questions and make (highly encouraging, brilliant, joyful) comments.

The slow Kingdom

2011-12-19T09:52:00.001-05:00

Matthew 1:1-18
Matthew begins his gospel with...a genealogy. It is structured in a way that makes it memorizable, but the point is to give the credentials of a true king.
Jesus waits 30 years to start his public ministry.
Jairus waits on Jesus to heal his daughter, and she dies. But though Jesus was slow, he wasn't too late. He raises her from the dead.
The kingdom of God is going to take a long time, and in it redemption trumps efficiency.

THE weak KINGDOM

2011-12-18T10:18:00.001-05:00

Matthew 2:13-18

Jesus was born a defenseless infant, immediately on the run for his life from those in power.

God seeks to heal the world, including us, through weakness.

Christmas Eve Service

2011-12-18T10:11:00.003-05:00

We will celebrate the advent of Jesus together at 5:30 pm. Come join us for a time of worship!

THE small KINGDOM

2011-12-04T13:09:00.001-05:00

As we enter the season of Advent, we both remember and anticipate the coming of Jesus. Join us as we reflect upon what that "coming" truly looked like in the 1st Century, and how that helps us to understand how Jesus comes to us--and moves through us--today.

Luke 2:1-7
The King comes not with the construction of a large temple atop a mountain, but rather is born in a small feeding trough. This coming is quiet, unassuming, and virtually invisible. This is the way the kingdom of God works, it looks small but is incredibly significant.

New Location for Sunday Mornings

2011-11-02T09:36:00.002-04:00

Starting this Sunday, November 6th, we will be meeting at the Richmond Area Arts Council, at the corner of Water and Lancaster. Our meeting time will remain the same, 11:00 am. Hope to see you there!

Y'All

2011-09-22T15:41:00.001-04:00

Philippians 1:3-6

The concept of "membership" carries with it some negative connotations: some are in, some are out; and members have priveleges that non-members don't have.
In Philippians, Paul talks about being partners in the gospel. Partnership has its responsibilities.

Partnership is about fellowship together toward a common cause.

Two Towers Fallen, Two Questions Raised

2011-09-17T12:35:00.004-04:00

Luke 23:44-47

1. What should our response be to those who perpetrate evil?

2. Where does trust in God come into play?

Last Pool Party of the Summer

2011-09-01T14:44:00.000-04:00

We will have a fellowship meal at the home of Dale and Alison Emmons, Sunday September 4th at 5:00 pm. Bring a side dish. If you need directions, contact Dale ( 623-3266) or Jake (623-5322).

Trust: Arrival is not an Option

2011-09-01T14:42:00.000-04:00

For the ancient Greeks, good meant perfect, and therefore static. For the Hebrew mind, good meant something dynamic, moving somewhere. We tend to struggle with change, and see it as bad. Clearly the character of God doesn't change (see Hosea 11), but God does respond to us.

At the end of the message, Jake left us with this question: What change do you need to entrust to God?

Sunday July 31: Question and Response

2011-07-26T13:52:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, Jake returns and we will have the chance to ask him any question we'd like. Have a question about a difficult or controversial Bible passage? About the role of the Church in the world? Something else?

If you're interested come and join in the conversation!

In His Name: Rabbi

2011-04-10T13:56:00.000-04:00

Mark 10:17-31; Luke 10:25-37

Jesus is Rabbi, or Teacher. Eternal life is about how you can live a life that will always make sense, no matter what happens.

Many things can divide us from the community of the kingdom: money, ethnic prejudice, and many more things.
Extend the kingdom of God to the person you think deserves it the least (parable of the good Samaritan).

Am I living a life that will always make sense in the presence of God?

In His Name: Soter

2011-04-03T17:47:00.000-04:00

Jesus is Savior of the world, but this means so much more than we tend to appreciate. It is not just about what happens after we die, but also about the here and now.

John 4:39-42

Salvation is trusting Jesus in this broken world that will find its fulfillment in God's renewed world.

3 stages related to this in our lives:
1. Pause for repentance.
2. Believing, trust.
3. Receiving His love, forgiveness, compassion, etc.

What inner brokenness do you need to entrust to Jesus?
What injustice do you need to entrust to Jesus?

In His Name: Yeshua

2011-03-15T17:20:00.000-04:00

Yeshua means "The LORD saves," and is translated into the English name "Jesus". A brief tour of some of the scenes and teachings of the Sermon on the Mount tells us something important about Jesus.
Matthew 5:43-48; 6:19-24; 7:7-12; 5:5; 6:31-34; 7:24-27; and 22:37-40.

A story of his leading implies our "following".

The most alarming sign of the state of our society now is that our leaders have the courage to sacrifice the lives of young people in war, but have not the courage to tell us that we must be less greedy and less wasteful.
-Wendell Berry