Sermon Notes Salt/Light Matthew 5:13-16 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “Come closer.” Surrounded by peasants, the religious brass, and curious observers, Jesus beckons for his disciples to lean in and listen. When they do, he gives this group of fairly new believers two lasting metaphors for the type of influence that his followers will have in… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Thy Kingdom Come … in Our Hearts and Lives Matthew 5:1-12 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Our familiarity with the Beatitudes can blunt the radical nature of the teaching behind them. Jesus is not only offering up the most impossible of ethical and moral standards for us to follow, but he attaches to it… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes A Strange and Glorious Move Matthew 4:12-25 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The early days of Jesus’ ministry were filled with unexpected twists, starting with the location of his “home base.” Certainly, had Jesus consulted a church-growth specialist concerning the most strategic launching point for an effective ministry in Israel, he would’ve heard: “Go… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Testing Jesus Matthew 4:1-11 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: You notice a woman drop a $20.00 bill on the sidewalk as she hastily disappears into Walgreens. What do you do? You check into a hotel and discover that a premium channel is free, and it’s featuring an explicit, yet critically praised, television show. How… Continue Reading
The Inner Life of God Matthew 3:13-17 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Despite John’s protestations, Jesus is baptized by the Baptizer. And as soon as Jesus emerges from the water, two incredible things happen: First, the Spirit of God descends and, second, the voice of the Father pronounces his divine pleasure with the Son. As remarkable… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Cosmic Invasion Matthew 3:1-12 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: His sartorial selections were strange. A tunic made of camel’s hair? His culinary choices were equally outlandish. Who eats locusts and wild honey? And, yet, as odd as John the Baptist was, it wasn’t his style and flair that caused the most drama, it was… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes True Disciple John 8:31-38 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The mission statement of Northpoint, which is intentionally plastered on resource folders, handouts, webpages, and even walls is: making disciples who make disciples. When we make disciples, we are leading others to see, and experience over a lifetime, the beauty, the sufficiency, and all-surpassing joy… Continue Reading
Godliness is Gain 1 Timothy 6:2b-10 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Greed is life’s greatest thief. It steals from every experience the joy of living. Someone who is greedy is always operating at a loss, because they never quite have what they want. But, with television commercials constantly promoting the latest and greatest “it” things, how… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes On Suffering and Slavery 1 Timothy 6:1-2 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Less than a week ago, our nation enjoyed a holiday in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who did more to advance the message of God’s indiscriminate love than few people ever have. He was a courageous… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes A People After God’s Own Heart 1 Timothy 5:9-16 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: To a troubled and distracted church, the Apostle Paul issues a command regarding the care and support of the helpless and abandoned: Honor those who are widowed. Yet, only certain people will qualify for ongoing assistance. So what does the… Continue Reading