"Meddling"

Student Minister: Kevin Waters

In this delightful and fast moving sermon, Kevin reminds us that we are not to meddle or find exceptions for following the truths of God's word. We are not even to worry about the cares of this world. We are simply to give God first priority and put our trust in him as we obey his commands. As we do this, we will find that everything will fall into place and God will take care of our every need. Kevin's relaxed cheerful attitude and apparent complete commitment to this message gave convincing witness to the truth of its meaning. It was a proud moment to have one our own return as a guest.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

"I Am the Lord, Your God"

Rev. Kevin Murphy

Preparation Scripture:
Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18, 1st Corinthians 3: 10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5: 38-48

In this sermon, Kevin explains that when Jesus commanded that we TURN THE OTHER CHEEK, GIVE OUR CLOAK, GO THE EXTRA MILE, and LOVE AND PRAY FOR OUR ENEMY, he was teaching us to bring about the downfall of our enemy by being lovingly subversive. This can sometimes be more effective than active force, as we have observed in our lifetime with Mahat Migandi. But perhaps Jesus also wanted Christians to be less focused on the hardships of their life on Earth, and more focused on his vision of what life could be like if we were to become more perfect ...like God.

A Christian may submit to force but need never render power to his enemy by surrendering his spirit.

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

"Living and Growing in God"

Rev. Kevin Murphy

Preparation Scripture:
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, 1st Corinthians 3: 1-9, and Matthew 5: 21-37

In this sermon Kevin explores our tendency to test limits... to find how much liberty we can take with commands. We read in Deuteronomy that, if we obey the laws of the Lord our God, we will live. This sounds simple but can become quite complicated... if we want to interprete reasonable and specific exceptions. The Ten Commandments reflect the summation of Moses' farwell address to the Isrealites in which there were 613 specific commandments contained in the ancient Jewish text. These commandments serve a great and good purpose... describing how we are to live as God's people, how we are to live with God's people, and how we are to love our neighbor.

Jesus did not come to abolish the law...
he came to fulfill the law.
He taught us to obey... not out of fear, but out of love.

Listen as Kevin reveals that as we mature we learn to gladly accept and obey God's commandments. Perhaps because we discover that these commandments enhance our co-existence rather than restrict our joy for life.


To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library

"Light into Darkness"

Rev. Kevin Murphy
FEBRUARY 6, 2011

Preparation Scriptures: Isaiah 58: 1-11, 1st Corinthians 2: 1-12, and Matthew 5: 13-20

Northwest Community Church
honors this Boy Scout Sunday
The Scout motto is "Be Prepared" and much time is spent training during weekly meetings for every type event. A few of the many skills learned include preparing a dry shelter, starting a fire without matches, cooking over an open fire with limited or missing utinsles, life saving, first aid procedures, and physical fitness. Nothing tests "being prepared" like going to camp where these various skills are needed on a daily basis.

Kevin relates this to our Christian experience. We attend church where we have an opportunity to "become prepared" for life events. If we have learned well, we can impact our own well being and the well being of those we support or influence. This knowledge is a gift that should be shared. Nothing tests our preparedness like applying this positive influence on a daily basis.

If our Boy Scouts can do one good deed each day, then we can surely "let our little light shine".

To listen to this sermon

a cassette is available in the Church Library