Life on the West Side

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

 The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Ruth And Esther." It is the eighth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 26, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

 Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.

 Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

·       Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

·       Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

·       H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

·       N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

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.

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

 The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Joshua and Judges." It is the seventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

 Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.

 Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

·       Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

·       Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

·       H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

·       N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

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.

Prayer is pervasive in the New Testament. Just as Jesus prays at all the major events of his life, even so the followers of Jesus pray at all the significant turning points in the book of Acts. Just as prayer was habitual and routine in the life of Jesus, the early Christians devoted themselves to prayer.

The sermon today is titled "Prayer" It is the sixth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 28, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Prayer in Luke & Acts. See Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), pp. 261-68.
• Why We Pray. See Rowan Williams, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014), pp. 61-83.
• How We Pray: See Sam Wells, "Let's bow our heads for a few moments," Duke University Chapel sermon (Jan 22, 2006).
• Prayer of Adoration: Mike Hendricks
• Prayer of Confession: Si Tilton
• Prayer of Thanksgiving: Steve Choate
• Prayer of Supplication: Casey MacDonald

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.

We are one body. We show that we are one body when we gather to take the body AS one body. But unlike every civic club brunch or  luncheon, we gather as the body of Christ. And we participate in the Lord’s Supper. Can’t you tell? Just look at how we love one another.

The sermon today is titled "Breaking Bread." It is the fifth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 21, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am indebted to David E. Garland, 1 Corinthians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2003).
• "Advertise our selfishness?": Beverly Gaventa, "You Proclaim the Lord's Death: 1 Corinthians 11:26 and Paul's Understanding of Worship," Review & Expositor 80/3: 385. For the entire opening paragraph (including citing Gaventa), see Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "Ordinary food sustains": Tish Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary (IVP, 2016).
• "Broom & a spoon" illustration: Sam Wells, "Heaven and Hell" sermon at Duke Divinity Chapel (Jan 19, 2011).
• Greco-Roman meals background. Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, St. Paul's Corinth: Texts and Archaeology (Michael Glazier, 1983). Cited in Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "When I'm Dining With You": Martial, Epigrams 3.60. Quoted in Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "See how they love one another!": Tertullian, Apology 39.

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.

What we experience in Christ, we share with each other. And we only fully participate in the life of Christ if and when we operate as part of the mutually loving body of Christ. This is why Paul wants to tell us to think like Christ in complete and total sacrifice. Yet he begins that section of Philippians 2 by urging us to be like Christ, "if there is any fellowship in the Spirit” (Phil 2:1).

Fellowship is to participate in and share life together. This is why “church” means “community,” especially one that lives and loves together. 

The sermon today is titled "Fellowship." It is the fourth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 14, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For an excellent discussion of church life and COVID, see the Journal of Christian Studies, Vol 1, No. 1 (Jan 2022). Available in full at Christian-studies.org.
• For quote about 4th of July Saturday gathering, see Allan Stanglin quoted in "Pastoral Care in the Pandemic," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 76-77.
• For emergencies becoming norms, see Keith D. Stanglin, "Upon This Rock I Will Build My Livestream: Reflections on Ecclesiological Emergencies," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 28-31.
• Amy Kiley, Roadside Service: Drive-In Church Brings God to Your Car," NPR (March 3, 2014).
• For the Dwight L. Moody fireplace illustration, see here.
• Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians 13.
• On the Jesus community involved in each other's business, see Ed Gallagher, "A Worshipping Community on a Mandated Break," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 14.
• "A true friend helps you move a body." Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World (Convergent, 2022), p. 71.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together [1940]
• For the AA story, see Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother? (Zondervan, 1998), pp. 48-52.

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.

I hear our Lord gently saying to us as we read Acts 2:42 (“and they were devoted to the Apostles’ teaching”) “go and learn what this means.” These young Christians were barely dry. Not one of them had a New Testament handed to them as they came up out of the water, because it had not been written yet. Paul had not written his majestic letter to the Romans, or to the Corinthians, or to any of the churches for that matter. He wasn’t even a Christian yet! With no New Testament, this early band of believers “devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching.” What exactly did they devote themselves to? 

The sermon today is titled "The Apostles' Teaching." It is the third installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 7, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Alistair Begg, "The Apostles' Teaching." Truth For Life, Parkside Church (Jan 2, 2020). 
• Tish Harrison Warren, "Chapter 9: Calling A Friend: Congregation and Community," in Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016), pp. 119.
• Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, 4th ed (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), Chapter 1.
• Scott Adair, "Devoted to the Apostles' Doctrine," Fan the Flame: Renewed by the Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts), Harding University Lectureship 2019 (Sep 30, 2019). Audio and Video.

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.

Dedication takes time. It takes practice. It takes excitement and commitment. When you add love to time, practice, excitement, and commitment, what you get is devotion. What the New Testament calls for is intimate connection through deep commitment within a covenant community. One that blesses those inside, blesses those on the outside, puts the world on notice and causes the world to take notice. A people who inspire because they have been inspired.

The sermon today is titled "Devotion." It is the second installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV) and Romans 12:3-11 (GW). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 30, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Tish Harrison Warren, "Chapter 9: Calling A Friend: Congregation and Community," in Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016), pp. 115-27.
• Donald Miller, "Why I Don't Go To Church Very Often, A Follow Up Blog," Storyline blog (Feb 5, 2014). See also Donald Miller facebook post, "The faith I keep, and the religion I leave behind," (Oct 26, 2021). Partially referenced in Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary.
• Cyprian (AD 200-258), On the Unity of the Church, Treatise 1, sect. 6.
• Francis Chan, Letters to the Church (2018), "Chapter 4: The Gang."
• Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother? (1998), pp. 24-27.
• George A. Smith, The Apple Tree Community (1960). Referenced in C. Christopher Smith & John Pattison, Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus (2014).
• Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey Vows. Referenced in Smith & Pattison, Slow Church.

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.

The early church was not made up of the line leaders and kickball captains. We are the community of the have nots. Those picked last. But here is the good news. If you are in Christ, you are picked! You are on the team! You are on the roll. If you are still standing against the fence, fingers clutching the metal rings, hoping against hope that today just maybe you might get picked, I’m here to tell you – you have been added. You’re on the team. You’re on the roll. You’ve been picked. The “less thans.” The “missing outs.” Welcome to the assembly of the wanted. The added. That includes you.

The sermon today is titled "Added." It is the first installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:36-41 (NLT). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 23, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

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

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Collins Online Dictionary: "Peculiar."
• N. B. Hardeman, "Unity (No. 1)," Hardeman's Tabernacle Sermons, Vol III (repr., Henderson, TN: FHU, 1990), p. 125.

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.

How do we handle life the week after the party? What do we do when the celebration is over? Especially if, for some reason, we missed it. The power and majesty of Resurrection Sunday does not describe my usual experience. Most days just aren’t like that. If the weight of the world has replaced joyous hope in your life, then trust me: you are not alone. And, in the wake of the happiest event in the history of the world, three followers of Jesus share your story. But it won’t be theirs for long. And, if you are willing to accept the good news, it won’t be yours for long either.

The sermon today is titled "The Weak After Easter." It is the third and final installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:31-35. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 16, 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.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Ken Sehested, "The top 10 reasons you know it's the Sunday after Easter," Prayer & Politiks. 
• Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God (Zondervan, 2000).
• John Townshend, Hiding from Love (Zondervan, 1996).
• Carl Sagan, Contact (Simon & Schuster, 1985).
• Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light--The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta (Image, 2009).
• C. S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters (repr., HarperOne, 2015).
• Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (1601-02).
• Charcoal Fire. Taken from a devotional in NIV Men's Study Bible (Zondervan, 1993).
• Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus (1601)

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.

I wonder…what would count as the best day ever? I don’t just mean for you. I mean for everyone. Pick a day, and I wager that scripture would agree with your high estimation. What do you think would count as the world’s best day? Creation? Exodus? Covenant? Christmas? Good Friday? The Last Day? All good options. But one day includes and explains all of those days…and more.

The sermon today is titled "The Best Day Ever." It is the second installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from Jeremiah 16:14-15 (TLB). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 9, 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.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Inspired by Sam Wells, "The Magnificent Seven," a sermon preached at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London (21 Apr 2019).
• Judith Viorst, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• N. T. Wright, Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship.
• Gracie Jagla, God the Father and the Best Day Ever.

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.