Life on the West Side

When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Humbly." It is the fourth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 25, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth (4th ed), Chap 1: "The Need To Interpret."
• Dan Kimball, How (Not) To Read The Bible (Zondervan 2020), Introduction.
• Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read The Bible (2nd ed) (Zondervan, 2018), Introduction & Part 1.
• E. Randolph Richards & Brandon O'Brien, Misreading Scripture Through Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible (IVP, 2012), Introduction.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Wondrously." It is the third installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 15:29-31 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 18, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• My enormous gratitude to JL Gerhardt for her book Look To Love. I quoted from her book, and used two of her illustrative approaches: 1 Sam 21 and Gen 1.
• Matthew Mullins, Enjoying The Bible.
• John W. Kleinig, God's Word.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Confidently." It is the second installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 119:41-43 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 11, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• On the Hittites, see F. F. Bruce, "The Hittites and the Old Testament" (1947). 
• Archeological information/slides courtesy of Dr. Dale Manor.
• N. T. Wright, "Forward," to F. F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (Intervarsity Press, 2003), ix-x.
• Bart Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (Oxford University Press, 2004), 443.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

[Note: audio crackling in the original. Sorry!]

When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Reverently." It is the first installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 4, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• John W. Kleinig, God's Word: A Guide to Holy Scripture (chap 2).
• Brad East, The Doctrine of Scripture (chap 1).
• Ken Cukrowski, et. al., God's Holy Fire: The Nature and Function of Scripture (chap 1).
• "John Wycliffe" -- a mistake! I mean to refer to William Tyndale.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Teach Us To Pray." It is the last installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Luke 11:1 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 28, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Tim Keller, Prayer.
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "When He Doesn't Answer?" It is the third installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 25:12-21 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Tim Keller, "Discovering How To Pray."
• Dr. Sam Wells, "Three Ways To Pray."
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?
• C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves.
• Song leader: Tyler Mayo

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Does Prayer Do Anything?" It is the second installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 3:20 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 14, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• I am grateful to Rick Atchley of The Hills Church (Richland Hills, TX) for several lessons (heard decades apart) where he offered material used in several key aspects of the sermon today. A sermon on revival preached 25 years ago (in Jackson, TN) included the opening story of the Golf Legend, and a telling of the escape of Peter from prison (Acts 12). More recently, he preached a sermon at The Hills church telling of his dream in the file-cabinet room of heaven, and challenging the church to ask for more.
• C. S. Lewis' response on prayer is found in his 1945 essay "Work and Prayer" and in his book Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer.
• A list of powerful prayers in Scripture used in this lesson can be found here.
• Song leader: Tyler Mayo.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Is God Really Listening?" It is the first installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 7, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?
• Flight attendant speech modified from here.
• "Get me to where it says on the ticket:" a modified Jerry Seinfeld joke.
• R. L. Wilson, "Does God Listen When We Pray?"

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "After." It is the last installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 31, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "Holding All Things Together." It is the fourth installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• NASA website's definition of gravity.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.