Life on the West Side

Who would anyone want to kill Jesus? What is the historical answer? What is the theological answer? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course.

The sermon today is titled "Why Did Jesus Die?" This sermon is the third installment in our series "Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions." The Scripture reading is from Galatians 2:20 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 22, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, 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.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• See the Alpha Course Guide for more.

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 on the sermon notes page.
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Who Is Jesus Christ? Who is the Jesus of history? Who is the Jesus of the Gospels? Who is Jesus...to you? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course.

The sermon today is titled "Who Is Jesus?" This sermon is the second installment in our series "Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions." The Scripture reading is from John 6:35 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 15, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, 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.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• See the Alpha Course Guide for more.

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Is this all there is? What if I told you the God I see in Jesus Christ offers the answers to your deepest longings? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course.

The sermon today is titled "Is There More To Life Than This?" This sermon is the first installment in our series "Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions." The Scripture reading is from John 14:6 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 8, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Satisfying Faith.

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

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Kandinsky, Composition VII
• Songs: Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?" (1969); Green Day, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (2004); Harry Styles, "Sign of the Times" (2017).
• NYT: Average suicide rate rose 35% at the turn of the century.
• Jim Carrey quote: Everyone should get rich and famous.
• C. S. Lewis quote: If Christianity is true.

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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Are we ready for when outsiders start coming in? This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart.

The sermon today is titled "What Outsiders Need To Hear." This sermon is the third and final installment in our series "Back To The Basics." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 and Acts 15:19 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 18, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

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

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• For background on 1 Cor 14 and the unbeliever, see especially:
  • C. K. Barrett, The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries, 1968.
  • Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians. NIV Application Commentary.
  • David E. Garland, 1 Corinthians. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT. 
  • Paul Gardner, 1 Corinthians. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
• For material on creating a welcoming environment to the unchurched, see the following:
  • Andy Stanley, Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend (Zondervan, 2012, 2016).
  • Jonathan Storment, “Local Church Outreach.” Dear Church Podcast with Chris McCurley, Episode #254. 
  • Matt Chandler, “Preaching to the Unchurched,” New Churches Nov 17, 2023.
  • Matt Smethurst, “How To Become an Evangelist: 7 Ways To Be Evangelism Ready.” The Gospel Coalition. August 4, 2021.  
  • Thom Rainer Interview. “Is This the Real Difference Between Growing and Declining Churches? Thom Rainer on What Reaches The Anxious Generation.” Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, Episode 765. 
  • Shauna Pilgreen interview. Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, Episode 640.
    
    

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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Compassion, Civility, Conviction, and Courage. Then...start to speak! This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart.

The sermon today is titled "What Insiders Need To Know." This sermon is the second installment in our series "Back To The Basics." The Scripture reading is from John 4:27-39 and John 9:25 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 11, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

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

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Greg Laurie, “Evangelism Jesus-Style: Winning Hearts for Christ.” A New Beginning Podcast. Dec 26, 2025.  
• Jonathan Storment, “Show and Tell: Let Your Life Speak.” Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. May 18, 2025. 
• Matt Smethurst, “How To Become an Evangelist: 7 Ways To Be Evangelism Ready.” The Gospel Coalition. August 4, 2021. 
• Rick Atchley, “What One Thing Can You Share?” The Hills Church. January 13,
  2025.
• Nightbirde Music, “America’s Got Talent—Nightbirde ‘It’s OK’ Golden Buzzer
  Performance.” Performed in 2021. Posted July 3, 2025.
• Talent Recap, “Nightbirde Tribute Choir Makes Simon Cowell CRY on AGT 2023!,” June 5, 2023. 
   
  
  

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

What if we went about "gospeling" as a way of life--the Jesus way? This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart.

The sermon today is titled "Evangelism And The Jesus Method." This sermon is the first installment in our series "Back To The Basics." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 4:23-25. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 4, 2026. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

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

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• For Barna and Lifeway survey results, see Jonathan Storment, "Show & Tell: The Lord Will Call." May 11, 2025. Pleasant Valley Church, Little Rock, AR.
• For the 80% return rate on inviting someone to lunch after church, see Thom Rainer interview. "The Real Difference Between Growing and Declining Churches: Thom Rainer on What Reaches The Anxious Generation." The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. Nov 6, 2025.

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

Our King has come, is coming, and will come again. What does it mean to think of Jesus as "our coming King"? In this first lesson of the series, I ask us to consider the conversations before creation.

The sermon today is titled "The Return of the King." This sermon is the third installment in our series "The Coming King." The Scripture reading is from Daniel 7:9-14 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 21, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, 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.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• J. R. R. Tolkein, The Return of the King
• N. T. Wright, When God Became King
• N. T. Wright, The Old Testament & The People of God
• N. T. Wright, Jesus & The Victory 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 on the sermon notes page.
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Our King has come, is coming, and will come again. What does it mean to think of Jesus as "our coming King"? In this first lesson of the series, I ask us to consider the conversations before creation.

The sermon today is titled "Old Testament Promises." This sermon is the second installment in our series "The Coming King." The Scripture reading is from Isaiah 11:1-10. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 14, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, 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.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Andrew T. Abernathy & Gregory Goswell, God’s Messiah in the Old Testament: Expectations of a Coming King.

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 on the sermon notes page.
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Our King has come, is coming, and will come again. What does it mean to think of Jesus as "our coming King"? In this first lesson of the series, I ask us to consider the conversations before creation.

The sermon today is titled "Before All Worlds." This sermon is the first installment in our series "The Coming King." The Scripture reading is from John 17:4-5 & Ephesians 1:4-5. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 7, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, 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.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Augustine, Confessions 11:12.
• Mark D. Roberts, Ephesians (Story of God Commentary Series)
• Joseph Mangina, Revelation (Brazos Theological Commentary Series)

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 on the sermon notes page.
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What can I learn from the story of Joseph? That God gives hope, wisdom, forgiveness, and family.

The sermon today is titled "God Gives Family." This sermon is the fourth installment in the series "Joseph's Journey." The Scripture reading is from Genesis 46-50. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 17, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Biblical Studies.

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

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Walter Brueggeman, Genesis (Interpretation Commentary Series)

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 on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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