Life on the West Side

[NOTE: audio corrects at 12:47]

Do you see him hanging there, with his back against the grain?

Hear him crying in pain, as he pushes off his nail-pierced feet to breathe, rubbing his wounded back against the grain.

See the early Christians, staring down the Roman Empire, facing brutality armed only with sacrificial love, going against the grain.

And cast your eyes to the wheat field, to the stalks swaying in the wind. Will they simply waver through the summer til the autumn of their lives? Or will they be gathered and crushed, so that they, being few, may be planted in new soil and yield a harvest of plenty? 

It seems to go against every instinct—against our need for survival, and against common sense—to go against the grain.

It’s also the way of the cross. But, then again, so is resurrection.

The sermon today is titled "Against The Grain." It is the first installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 12:24-26. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 2, 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 and DISCOVER: A New Reality.

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, "Unless A Grain of Wheat," a sermon preached at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London (21 Mar 2021).
• On the text (John 12:24-26), see also Andrew T. Lincoln, The Gospel According to Saint John, Black's New Testament Commentary (2005), p.350.
• Alexander Jannaeus crucified 800 Pharisees.
• After the Spartacus revolt, Romans crucified 6,000 on the Appian Way. Appian, The Civil Wars, 1.120.
• Varus crucified 2,000 of Jesus' fellow Jews in 4 BC.
• For the story of the Philippian house church and baptistery, see this chapter by Charalambos Bakirtzis, "Paul and Philippi: The Archaeological Evidence," in Philippi at the Time of Paul and After His Death (1998), pp. 42-46.
• "One 19th century theologian": Teilhard de Chardin.
• "Living Significance": Fleming Rutledge's preface to The Crucifixion.
• Chrysostom, Homily on Galatians 6:14. Cited here.
• "O Sacred Head": see the Wikipedia page here.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream.

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 Deuteronomy." It is the sixth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy  10:12-13. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 12, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.

·       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.

·       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 Numbers." It is the fifth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Numbers 14:18. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 5, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• 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.
• 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 Leviticus." It is the fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Leviticus 20:26. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 29, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• 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.
• John Haralson's notes are taken from this webpage.
• Jay Sklar's points are taken from this webpage.
• 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.
• 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 Exodus." It is the third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Exodus 6:5-8. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 22, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• 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.
• 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 Genesis." It is the second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 12:1-3. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 15, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• 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.
• 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 Every Story." It is the first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:27. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 8, 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! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• 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.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

My identity is not what I think apart from the wisdom of God. 
My identity is not what I feel apart from the reordering of God. 
My identity is not what I do over and above the person of God. 
Challenging every thought, desire, and religious duty—taking them captive, and surrendering to Christ alone. My true, intended, and chosen identity 

The sermon today is titled "Christ Alone." It is the sixth and final installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Philippians 3:7-9. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

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

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

• Song: "You Say." Songwriters: Bebo Norman / Jason Ingram / Michael Donehey / Paul Mabury / Lauren Daigle. You Say lyrics © Appstreet Music, Centricsongs, So Essential Tunes, See You At The Pub. Cover Song by Praise & Harmony from the album "Resurrecting God."  ℗ 2019 The Acappella Company. Song and license purchased by West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR).
• Tim Keller quote ("An Anglo-Saxon Warrior..."), as well as the illustrations from Sound of Music and Frozen, are from Tim Keller, "An Identity That Can Handle Either Success or Failure" (New Canaan Society lecture). 
• Joseph Henrich, et. al., "The Weirdest People in the World?" Behavior and Brain Sciences (2010).
• David Robson, "How East and West Think in Profoundly Different Ways," BBC (Jan 19, 2017).
• Examples that seem right but are not right: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_memory#Mandela_effect 

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.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Imagine if that terrible moment—that mistake you relive over and over again in your mind—was erased from your record. Imagine if, like in some fantastic dream, you were loved without limit and forgiven forever. Imagine if you were accepted. Loved by the God who made you. Forgiven by the God who bought you. Declared innocent by the God who died for you. Imagine if there were no stones to throw, only grace to bestow. 

The sermon today is titled "Accepted." It is the fifth installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 3:16-18, John 8:10-11, and Romans 8:1. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

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

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

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 4: "You Are Loved" & chapter 6: "You Are Forgiven."
• Max Lucado, "Not Guilty." He Still Moves Stones (1994).
• Homeless statistics: 160 million homeless; 1.6 billion without adequate housing.

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.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Think of all the things we give power to define us. Our last name. The accidents of our birth. The community to which we choose to belong. What we do for a living. 

The Christian story says that, in Christ, and through the gospel, God is calling you to a new identity. It comes with a new name. A new birth. A new community. And a new vocation. 

This is who you are called to be. This is who you really are.

The sermon today is titled "Calling." It is the fourth installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 3:28 & 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

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

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

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 9: "You Have A Sacred Story" & chapter 10: "You are called."
• 55% of us get our identity from what we do.
• Kate Morgan, "Why We Define Ourselves By Our Jobs," BBC (13 April, 2021).
• Hillary Mayell, "India's 'Untouchables' Face Violence, Discrimination," National Geographic (June 2, 2003).

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.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.