Netherwood Park Church of Christ Sermons

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Episode 24-34

A Little Jesus

SERIES

Come and See

DATE

August 25, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

1 Timothy 1:12–15

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Romans 5:12–21, Genesis 1–3, 1 Timothy 1:12–15

SUMMARY

Trevor Richt examines how sin entered the world and leading inevitably to spiritual death. Pointing to Romans 5, he stresses that salvation cannot be earned through good works but is freely given through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Handing out small Jesus figurines as visual aids, he challenges the congregation to keep Christ at the center of their daily lives and share His gospel with others.

KEY POINTS

• The Reality of Sin: Sin separates all people from God and produces consequences that human effort cannot undo.

• Salvation is a Gift: We do not earn points toward heaven; salvation is accomplished solely through Christ's death and resurrection.

• Carrying and Sharing Jesus: Recognizing our daily need for Christ prompts us to live transformed lives and share His message with those around us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I relying on my own good deeds for salvation or resting entirely on God's grace?

2. How can I share the gospel story with someone in my life this week?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-33

Yes He Can!

SERIES

Come and See

DATE

August 18, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 9:18–25

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Mark 5:21–43, Matthew 9:18–25, Luke 8:40–56, Mark 15–16

SUMMARY

Focusing on the miracles in Mark 5, Trevor Richt contrasts human limitations with divine capability. Through the accounts of Jairus and the woman with the discharge of blood, he shows how desperation turned into active faith in Jesus. The sermon encourages listeners to trust that Jesus can heal, rebuild, and redeem whatever broken situation they bring to Him.

KEY POINTS

• Faith in Human Impossibility: When human solutions fail, Jesus remains capable of stepping into hopeless circumstances.

• Reaching Out in Desperation: Both Jairus and the bleeding woman actively sought Jesus, believing His authority was enough to restore them.

• Choosing Belief Over Doubt: Even when faced with death or skepticism, believers are called to trust God's ultimate plan and healing power.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. What area of my life am I treating as "impossible" rather than handing it over to Jesus?

2. How can I cultivate a faith that trusts God's healing even when it doesn't look like what I expected?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-32

African Christian College - Parable of the Seeds

SERIES

--

DATE

August 11, 2024

SPEAKER

Brad Carter, Guest Speaker from African Christian College

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 4:26–32

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Mark 4:26–32, Matthew 6:1–4, Philippians 2:9–11, Colossians 1:15–20, Amos 5:24, Luke 4:18–19, Matthew 25:34–40

SUMMARY

Brad Carter shares updates on African Christian College in Eswatini and explores Jesus's seed parables from Mark 4. He emphasizes moving past "checklist Christianity" toward a living faith grounded in active allegiance to King Jesus. Small acts of obedience and partnership in God's kingdom are like seeds that grow into far-reaching impact.

KEY POINTS

• Beyond "Checklist" Christianity: True faith is not just ticking off religious duties, but offering wholehearted loyalty and allegiance to King Jesus.

• The Power of Small Beginnings: God multiplies small acts of service, generosity, and obedience into massive kingdom outcomes.

• Living Out Kingdom Allegiance: Demonstrating faith involves active love, such as caring for the needy and standing against injustice in a broken world.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I practicing my faith as a checklist of tasks or as an active allegiance to King Jesus?

2. What small "seed" of obedience or service is God calling me to plant right now?

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Episode 24-31

Not This Week

SERIES

Come and See

DATE

August 4, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 15:33–39

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Hebrews 10:19–25, Mark 15:33–39, Hebrews 6:4–6, Mark 6:46, Luke 2:49, John 1:46

SUMMARY

Trevor Richt addresses the common tendency to procrastinate or make excuses when it comes to gathering with the church community. Drawing from Hebrews, he highlights that gathering is central to remembering Christ's supreme sacrifice, which opened direct access to God. The sermon warns that continually choosing to disconnect hardens the heart, while gathering fuels personal spiritual growth and mutual encouragement.

KEY POINTS

• Jesus is the Reason We Gather: The tearing of the temple curtain signifies that Jesus bridged the gap to God, making our assembly a celebration of His completed work.

• The Danger of Spiritual Drift: Excuses isolate believers; pulling away from fellowship leads to spiritual stagnancy and makes it harder to stay open to God's transformation.

• Following Jesus's Example: Even Jesus balanced personal prayer time with actively gathering in His Father's house and fellowshiping with others.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. What excuses am I currently making that hinder me from prioritized fellowship and spiritual gathering?

2. How open am I to letting God transform my heart when I gather with other Christians?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-30

You've Got a Friend in Me

SERIES

Come and See

DATE

July 28, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 2:6–12

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Mark 2:1–5, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

SUMMARY

Concluding the series, this message focuses on the four loyal friends who removed a roof to lower a paralyzed man to Jesus. Trevor Richt emphasizes that the quality of our close inner circle matters deeply, as true friends bear one another's burdens and draw us closer to Christ. Rather than seeking a high quantity of shallow connections, believers are encouraged to build meaningful relationships that encourage spiritual thriving.

KEY POINTS

• The friends we surround ourselves with significantly impact our spiritual journey and life direction.

• True companions actively overcome obstacles to bring those in need directly to Jesus.

• Relational quality and shared faith are far more vital than the quantity of social media contacts or superficial friends.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Are the people in your inner circle acting like the self-centered crowd or like the supportive companions who bring you closer to God?

2. How can you be a better companion to someone in your life who needs to experience Jesus's healing and forgiveness?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-29

It Was Just One Mistake

SERIES

Come and See, Insignificant

DATE

July 21, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

1 Samuel 15:22–26

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

1 Samuel 10:8, 1 Samuel 13:7–14, 1 Samuel 14:24–27, 43, 1 Samuel 15:1–3, 7–11, 1 Peter 3:18–21

SUMMARY

Tracing King Saul's downfall in First Samuel, this sermon details how small compromises and repeated disobedience accumulate into a destructive path of sin. Rather than being a single isolated mistake, unrepentant sin weakens our commitment to God and leads away from His will. However, through the ultimate sacrifice and blood of Jesus Christ, believers are offered baptism and complete spiritual cleansing.

KEY POINTS

• Sin is rarely a single isolated event; it is often a sequence of bad choices that pull us further away from God.

• At any stage on the slope of sin, we have the choice to repent and turn back toward God.

• Human efforts alone cannot cleanse us from sin, but baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus washes us completely clean.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Are there small, seemingly minor compromises in your life that could be setting you on a slippery slope of sin?

2. Have you experienced the complete cleansing and renewal that comes through Christ's sacrifice, or are you still relying on your own strength?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-28

No

SERIES

Come and See, Insignificant

DATE

July 14, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Acts 16:1–5

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Acts 16:6–15

SUMMARY

This sermon addresses the difficult moments in life when God closes a door or says "no" to our plans. Examining Paul's second missionary journey, Trevor Richt shows how being redirected by the Holy Spirit eventually led Paul to Philippi, where Lydia and her household were converted. Trusting God's "no" allows believers to discover open windows and new opportunities aligned with His greater purpose.

KEY POINTS

• Hearing "no" from God is an essential aspect of faith that requires trusting His larger plan over our immediate desires.

• Fixating on closed doors prevents us from recognizing the new windows and opportunities God opens up for us.

• God's redirection often guides us away from what we want and toward what we truly need to fulfill His divine mission.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Is there a closed door in your past or present that you are still trying to force open instead of accepting God's response?

2. How can you actively look for the "Philippi" (new opportunities) that God might be directing you toward today?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-27

That's It?

SERIES

Come and See, Insignificant

DATE

July 7, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

1 Corinthians 9:6–15 (intended: 2 Corinthians 9:6–8)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Mark 12:41–44, Matthew 6:19–24, 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

SUMMARY

Addressing the frequently sensitive topic of financial giving, this sermon challenges believers to move beyond partial involvement and fully commit their resources to God. Drawing from the story of the poor widow's two small coins, Trevor Richt emphasizes that God measures our sacrificial giving by heart and willingness rather than dollar amounts. By prioritizing God in our budgets and giving cheerfully, our contributions enable vital community outreach and ministry work.

KEY POINTS

• God values the spirit of sacrifice in our offering over the size of the monetary gift.

• Giving back to God should be our first priority in budgeting rather than a secondary thought using whatever remains.

• Christian giving must never stem from obligation or reluctance, but from a heart of gratitude for all God has provided.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Does giving to God come first in your personal or family budget, or does He receive what is left over?

2. What financial fears or comfort desires might be holding you back from trusting God fully with your gifts?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-26

See Something, Do Something

SERIES

Come and See, Insignificant

DATE

June 30, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Hebrews 13:15–16

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Jeremiah 38:4–13, Luke 10:30–37

SUMMARY

Taking inspiration from the prophet Jeremiah’s rescue from a muddy cistern, this sermon highlights how we often encounter people who are silently sinking into life’s struggles. Minister Trevor Richt explains that rather than merely observing or commenting on someone's plight, Christians are called to step in and offer tangible help, much like Ebed-Melech did for Jeremiah. Ultimately, reaching out to lift others up transforms lives and reflects true godly compassion.

KEY POINTS

• All pain and struggles, regardless of how they are perceived, are significant and real to the person experiencing them.

• Ebed-Melech demonstrates proactive faith by noticing Jeremiah's suffering in the cistern and taking action to rescue and cushion him.

• Seeing someone in need requires doing something actionable rather than simply offering passive comments or passing by on the other side.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Who in your life currently seems to be "sinking," and what practical steps can you take this week to throw them a lifeline?

2. Are there times you have acted like the priest or Levite by acknowledging someone's struggle but choosing not to get involved?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Episode 24-25

Meaner Than a Junkyard Dog

SERIES

Come and See, Insignificant

DATE

June 23, 2024

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

James 1:19–22

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

2 Samuel 16:5–13

SUMMARY

Focusing on the account of Shimei cursing and hurling rocks at King David, this sermon explores how destructive unbridled anger can be. Because human memory strongly retains negative emotions, the moments where we unleash anger leave lasting impacts on how others remember us and perceive our faith. Listeners are urged to exercise self-control and process their anger constructively rather than letting it harm others.

KEY POINTS

• Anger Leaves a Lasting Memory: People deeply remember the moments when anger, harshness, or bitterness are directed at them.

• Unchecked Hostility Distorts the Truth: Shimei’s intense rage led him to make false accusations and pelt David with rocks and dirt, showing how anger clouds proper judgment.

• Believers Must Be Quick to Listen and Slow to Anger: Following the biblical counsel in James, Christians are called to manage their emotional reactions so that their words and actions glorify God rather than inflict harm.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. How do you typically react when you feel intense anger, and how does that reaction impact those around you?

2. What practical steps can you take to be "slow to speak and slow to become angry" in tense situations?