Netherwood Park Church of Christ Sermons

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Episode 26-31

Free Membership

SERIES

Go, I will _____ the Church

DATE

August 2, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 15:1–4

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Romans 15:1–4; First Corinthians 12:24–27; Romans 12:1–2

SUMMARY

Being a member of a church is completely free, but there is a profound difference between a passive subscription and an active, involved commitment. Grounded in the C.O.C. framework (Commitment, Offering, and Compassion), believers are called to actively engage in the body of Christ, sacrifice their time and talents, and extend deep grace when friction occurs.

KEY POINTS

• Commitment to the Body: Church membership requires more than just showing up; it means tying oneself to a local church family, holding one another accountable, and refusing to view membership as a one-way street.

• Offering Your Life: Following the call of Romans 12, believers are invited to offer their time, resources, and unique abilities back to God to build up His kingdom, such as getting involved through upcoming opportunities like the Ministry Fair.

• Compassion Through Conflict: Because the church is made up of flawed humans, hurt will happen; rather than walking away in silence, members are called to handle conflict and pain with active compassion and communication.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I treating my church membership like an unused gym subscription, or am I actively invested in commitment, offering, and compassion?

2. How do I respond when someone in the church hurts me—do I pull away, or do I approach them with the grace and compassion Christ modeled?

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Episode 26-30

Members Wanted

SERIES

Go, I Will _____the Church

DATE

July 26, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 12:3–5

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Romans 12:1–5; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 2:10

SUMMARY

Every believer has a unique place and purpose within the body of Christ, much like every individual contributor at NASA working to put a man on the moon. True church membership goes beyond passive attendance; it requires active participation, ownership, and sacrifice. Grounded in the acronym C.O.C. (Commitment, Offering, and Compassion), members are called to build up the local church family together.

KEY POINTS

• The Church is Unified: Through Christ and baptism, believers form a diverse yet single body where every part—especially the seemingly weaker ones—is indispensable.

• Finding Purpose: Just as a person finds home when they discover their purpose, individuals find their calling by serving within the church family.

• The C.O.C. Framework: Being an active church member means demonstrating Commitment to the body, making personal Offerings of time and talents, and extending deep Compassion when conflicts arise.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I actively using my unique talents to serve the body, or am I treating church membership like an unused gym subscription?

2. How well do I practice compassion and forgiveness when friction or hurt happens within the church family?

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Episode 26-29

I Will Praise Him

SERIES

Go, I Will _____the Church

DATE

July 19, 2026

SCRIPTURE READING

Exodus 14:1–4

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Exodus 14:1-4; Exodus 15:1–3; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1–2

SUMMARY

Worship serves as a vital refuge and a collective response to God's saving power, even in the middle of our personal struggles and past baggage. Drawing parallels from the Israelites singing after crossing the Red Sea, the sermon emphasizes that believers must actively praise God together. True worship provides spiritual oxygen—much like fishermen cutting ice for whales—allowing believers to face life's chaos with divine hope.

KEY POINTS

• Leave the Past Behind: Just as the Israelites left behind the hopelessness of slavery in Egypt, believers must release their past baggage rather than carrying it into worship.

• Worship in the Storm: True worship is not reserved for easy times; we are called to praise God in the middle of our problems and find refuge in His faithfulness.

• Global Community: Christians worldwide unite through praise and communion, finding a shared sanctuary from the brokenness of the world.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I walking into worship burdened by baggage, or am I truly engaging in praise for what God has done?

2. Is my corporate worship serving as a spiritual refuge during the storms of my life?

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Episode 26-28

A Fighting Chance

SERIES

Go, I Will _____the Church

DATE

July 12, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Proverbs 25:6–10

SUMMARY

Addressing the inevitable reality of conflict and hurt within a church family, this sermon contrasts unhealthy coping mechanisms—stewing in silent resentment or spewing volatile anger—with Jesus's prescription for resolution. Believers are instructed to pursue direct, private confrontation aimed at restoration and reconciliation. When handled God's way, conflict resolution protects the unity and health of the church.

KEY POINTS

• "Stewing" buries hurt and breeds toxic resentment, while "spewing" lashes out recklessly; both are destructive ways to handle interpersonal conflict.

• When sinned against by a fellow believer, the proper biblical response is to go to them directly and privately in a spirit of love to seek resolution.

• If a private conversation fails, the process scales up—involving trusted witnesses and eventually church leadership—with the ultimate goal of spiritual restoration.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I currently holding onto any unresolved hurt or bitterness that I need to address biblically?

2. Do I tend to stew or spew when offended, and how can I practice speaking up in a healthy, Christ-like manner?

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Episode 26-27

A Will _______The Church

SERIES

Go, I Will _____the Church

DATE

July 5, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Revelation 19:7–9

SUMMARY

This message examines who holds ultimate authority in the church, emphasizing that Christ—not human leaders, staff, or members—must occupy the head position. Through the concept of reconciliation, believers are brought out of opposition to God and placed on His team. When Jesus is correctly positioned as the head, human division gives way to unity and true spiritual growth.

KEY POINTS

• Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are reconciled, turning former enemies of God into His teammates.

• Just as every team needs a captain, the church requires a proper head; any attempt by humans to usurp Christ's authority leads to dysfunction.

• Jesus holds supreme power, identity, and preeminence over all creation, making Him the absolute head of the body.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I trying to run things based on my own desires, or have I truly made Christ the head of my life and service?

2. How can I better foster unity rather than division within the church body?

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Episode 26-26

I Love the Church

SERIES

Go, I will _____the Church

DATE

June 28, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 16:13–18

SUMMARY

Launching a new series on caring for the church ahead of its 75th anniversary, this sermon uses the marital relationship described in Ephesians 5 as a framework for understanding how believers should interact with the church. It addresses the mutual roles of submission and self-sacrificial love. Ultimately, the message challenges listeners to evaluate their level of care and active commitment to God's body of believers.

KEY POINTS

• The church is not a physical building, but the collective body of people redeemed by God who are steeped in His mission.

• Scriptural submission means offering high-level respect and cooperation, placing women and men on an equal, valuable footing in Christ's kingdom.

• Husbands are called to love their wives with agape—a self-sacrificial love mirroring Christ's love for the church—rather than just surface-level appreciation.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Do I truly care about the health, growth, and future of God's church?

2. Am I loving and submitting to the church in the self-sacrificial way Christ modeled?

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Episode 26-25

Love is a Two-Way Street

SERIES

Go

DATE

June 21, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

First John 3:1–3

SUMMARY

This Father's Day sermon explores the profound relationship between fathers and children, using the bond between God the Father and Jesus as the ultimate example. The speaker emphasizes that fathers must not only show love through actions, but must also explicitly say "I love you" to their children. Conversely, children are called to honor, obey, and verbally express love to their earthly fathers and heavenly Father.

KEY POINTS

• God the Father publicly expressed His love and approval of Jesus at His baptism, providing a model for father-child relationships.

• Society often pressures men to suppress emotions, but fathers need to actively voice their love to help their children thrive.

• Just as Jesus demonstrated His love for the Father through obedience, children of all ages must show love and appreciation to their fathers.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I actively showing and telling my father (or my children) that I love them?

2. How can I better align my relationship with my heavenly Father by following His will?

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Episode 26-24

GSP

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

June 14, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Joshua 8:30-33 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Joshua 9:3-15; Deuteronomy 7:1-2; Job 33:14

SUMMARY

Examining the Israelites' failure to consult God before making a treaty with the deceptive Gibeonites in Joshua 9, Trevor Richt warns against relying solely on human sight instead of God's guidance. He encourages believers to tune into their "GSP" (Godly Sense of Perception) by listening closely to God's voice rather than following their own independent plans.

KEY POINTS

• When we rely only on what our eyes see and fail to consult God in prayer, we leave ourselves vulnerable to deception and spiritual missteps.

• God is constantly speaking to us through His word, gentle nudges, and the Holy Spirit, but the challenge is often an ear issue of human reluctance to listen.

• Ignoring God's warnings and pushing ahead with our own agendas ultimately leads to spiritual downfall, whereas tuning into divine guidance protects us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Are there areas in my life right now where I am pushing ahead with my own plans instead of pausing to seek God's counsel?

2. How can I better quiet the noise of the world to listen to God's leading in my daily decisions?

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Episode 26-23

Lost and Never Found (Luke 15:8-10)

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

June 7, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:1-7 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Luke 15:1-10; Job 33:14

SUMMARY

Through the parable of the lost coin, Trevor Richt highlights the relentless pursuit required to find what is lost and the immense joy that erupts in heaven and on earth when a sinner repents. He challenges believers to adopt an active posture of going out into the community to seek the lost rather than waiting for them to walk through the doors.

KEY POINTS

• Just like the woman who searched every corner of her house for her lost coin, we must actively seek out those who are spiritually lost.

• When a lost person turns to Christ, it sparks collective celebration and profound rejoicing among both the earthly church community and the heavenly host.

• Most new church members come from other congregations or find their way independently, meaning Christians must be intentional about taking the initiative to reach out to the surrounding community.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I actively looking for opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with people in my everyday life who are spiritually lost?

2. How can our church family do a better job of reaching out to our community instead of waiting for people to come to us?

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

Episode 26-22

Life Together

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

May 31, 2026

SPEAKER

Craig Hayes, Elder

SCRIPTURE READING

Ephesians 4:11-16 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Acts 2:41-46; Genesis 2:18; Acts 4:32-35; Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:1; Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 4

SUMMARY

Examining the close-knit fellowship of the early church in Acts, Craig Hayes discusses the importance of fully investing ourselves in our church family rather than treating church as a once-a-week event. He outlines leadership's vision for growth—including the search for a new connections minister—and encourages active participation, discipleship, and financial stewardship.

KEY POINTS

• First-century Christianity was marked by daily communal life, shared possessions, and deep relational investment rather than isolated Sunday attendance.

• God created us for community because it is not good for man to be alone, meaning we cannot make our spiritual walk successfully by ourselves.

• We care deeply about the things we invest ourselves in, and true worship is inextricably tied to how we actively serve and give of our time, talents, and resources.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Do I view church as something I merely attend on Sunday, or as a way of life shared deeply with others throughout the week?

2. In what practical ways can I better invest my time, talents, and resources into the growth of my church family?