Netherwood Park Church of Christ Sermons

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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?

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Episode 26-21

Go Out of Your Comfort Zone

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

May 24, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Acts 13:2-5 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Acts 19:1-5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

SUMMARY

Drawing from Paul's ministry of engaging in conversations in Ephesus, Trevor Richt emphasizes that following Christ requires getting out of our comfort zones to talk with strangers and fellow believers alike. He explains that sharing life and meaningful conversations within the church family helps us realize how much we have in common and fosters genuine connection.

KEY POINTS

• Paul's primary form of ministry was talking to people and sharing the gospel through conversation rather than force.

• Stepping out of our comfort zones to converse with people we do not know breaks down perceived barriers and reveals shared experiences.

• Authentic church community goes beyond attending Sunday worship; it requires actively connecting with and supporting the brothers and sisters sitting right next to us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Who around me in the church family do I need to step out of my comfort zone to talk to and get to know better?

2. What fears or hesitations keep me from engaging in meaningful conversations with people I don't know well?

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

Episode 26-20

Imitation Game

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

May 17, 2026

SPEAKER

Addison Keele, Youth & Family Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 6:5-8 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:14-18; John 1:11; Romans 6:5-11; Galatians 2:20

SUMMARY

In a special Senior Sunday message featuring a humorous impersonation of Trevor Richt, Addison Keele explores how Jesus humbled Himself to become human and redeem us. He challenges graduating seniors and all believers to intentionally imitate Christ so deeply that His life is fully reflected in our own.

KEY POINTS

• Jesus took on human flesh so that He could defeat sin and make it possible for us to be united with Him.

• Becoming like Christ does not happen by accident; it requires daily spiritual diligence, intentionality, and spending time with Him.

• True identity and fulfillment are found not in self-preservation, but when our lives are completely wrapped up and led by Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Do people see Jesus reflected in my daily actions, talk, and choices?

2. What intentional steps do I need to take to ensure my faith remains central as I enter a new chapter of life?

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

Episode 26-19

I Love You Mom! (Luke 2:41-52)

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

May 10, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Proverbs 31:29 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Proverbs 31:29; Luke 2:41-52; John 19:25-27

SUMMARY

Celebrating Mother's Day, Trevor Richt looks at the story of 12-year-old Jesus staying behind in the temple to highlight the immense, often invisible "mother load" that moms carry. He encourages listeners to honor their mothers through active obedience, listening with understanding, and openly expressing deep appreciation.

KEY POINTS

• Mothers carry a heavy, continuous mental and emotional load managing families, work, and daily responsibilities that deserves deep appreciation.

• Even as the Son of God with all authority, Jesus modeled humility and obedience by submitting to his earthly parents.

• True love for our mothers involves not just acknowledging them on a holiday, but listening to their wisdom and explicitly telling them why we love them.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. How can I better lighten the load for the mothers and important figures in my life this week?

2. Have I taken the time to truly listen to and express specific gratitude to my mother?

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

Episode 26-18

I’m Offended (John 15:1-8)

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

May 3, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 13:40-43 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

John 15:1-8; Psalm 80:7-9; Isaiah 59:1-2; 2 Peter 3:10-13

SUMMARY

Examining Jesus' declaration of being the true vine in John 15, Trevor Richt discusses how the world often gets offended by hard truths such as sin, judgment, and hell. He emphasizes that true spiritual life requires remaining connected to Christ, producing good fruit, and letting God's word correct our hearts rather than shying away from conviction.

KEY POINTS

• Apart from Jesus, who is the true vine, we can do nothing and will spiritually wither without Him.

• Sin is a choice that creates a barrier between us and God, leading to separation and judgment.

• Abiding in Christ means staying in a reciprocal covenant relationship marked by grace, obedience, and spiritual fruit.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I truly abiding in Christ and staying connected to the vine, or am I drifting away through everyday choices?

2. How do I react when confronted with difficult biblical truths—do I take offense, or do I allow God to examine my heart?

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

Episode 26-17

I’m Alone

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

April 26, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Genesis 41:1-5 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Genesis 39:17–40:23; Psalm 139:7-12; Psalm 27:9-10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 23:4; Matthew 5:1

SUMMARY

Looking at the life of Joseph in prison and the struggles of feeling forgotten, Trevor Richt reassures listeners that physical isolation or difficult circumstances do not mean God has abandoned them. Through various scriptures, he highlights that God's presence is inescapable and constant, even in the darkest valleys. Believers are encouraged to anchor their hope in God's unchanging presence and the truth of His Word when loneliness creeps in.

KEY POINTS

• Life circumstances, broken relationships, or waiting seasons can make us feel entirely forgotten, much like Joseph in prison.

• God's presence is constant; just as He was with Joseph and historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, He is always present in our darkness.

• When we feel isolated, turning to scripture and leaning on our spiritual community provides a reminder that we are never truly alone.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. How do I typically respond when I feel forgotten or isolated by my circumstances?

2. Where can I look for God's comforting presence during the times I feel most alone?

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

Episode 26-16

I’m Hungry

SERIES

Go, Let's Go To Santa Fe

DATE

April 19, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Acts 2:42-47; Genesis 2:18-22

SUMMARY

Drawing on personal anecdotes from a retreat in Santa Fe, Trevor Richt explores the spiritual necessity of daily nourishment and authentic community. Just as physical bodies starve without regular food, our souls require daily intake of God's Word rather than relying solely on a weekly Sunday service. Furthermore, God's design for human relationships reminds us that we were never meant to navigate life or isolation alone.

KEY POINTS

• Treating spiritual consumption as a once-a-week event leaves the soul undernourished, much like trying to survive on a single meal.

• The early church modeled a consistent, daily rhythm of studying scripture, breaking bread, praying, and living in deep community.

• Loneliness is detrimental to both mental and spiritual health, highlighting the vital need to actively connect with and support one another.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Am I relying exclusively on Sunday mornings to feed my soul, or am I seeking daily nourishment through God's Word and prayer?

2. What steps can I take to combat feelings of isolation and intentionally build deeper connections within my church community?

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

Episode 26-15

GO Back

SERIES

Go

DATE

April 12, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Revelation chapter two verses one through six (Reading prior to sermon)

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Acts 20:25-31; Revelation 2:1-6; Psalm 63:1-5; 1 John 4:19-21; James 2

SUMMARY

In this sermon, Trevor Richt examines Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2, warning believers not to rely on past zeal but to return to their "first love". He emphasizes that true devotion requires both loving God wholeheartedly and actively serving and loving one another. Ultimately, believers are called to evaluate their spiritual temperature and deliberately go back to the foundational commitment they had with Christ.

KEY POINTS

• Even a church with a strong history and active works can drift away and lose its initial passion for God over time.

• Celebrating spiritual milestones or past victories is not enough; daily faithfulness and love for Jesus must be actively maintained.

• Loving God cannot be separated from loving and actively serving our brothers, sisters, and the community around us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Have routine and obligations replaced my initial excitement and deep passion for following Jesus?

2. In what practical ways can I better demonstrate my love for God through active service to others this week?

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

Episode 26-14

Rest in Peace

SERIES

Go

DATE

April 5, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 10:32–34

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

John 14:27–31, Genesis 1, Genesis 3, Genesis 4, First Peter 5:8, Matthew 28:1–10, Philippians 4:6–7, Matthew 11:28–30, First John

SUMMARY

Delivered on Easter Sunday, this sermon explores the profound triumph of the resurrection and the ultimate peace it brings to the human heart. Minister Trevor Richt addresses how chaos and deep trial often precede God's greatest victories, noting that the empty tomb shattered the power of death and sin. Believers are invited to lay down their heavy burdens, trade their fears for God's joy, and find true rest both in this life and for eternity.

KEY POINTS

• Chaos Precedes Peace: Just as creation began in a formless void and the resurrection followed the dark turmoil of the crucifixion, God frequently brings order and ultimate victory out of life's greatest storms.

• The Resurrection Changes Everything: The empty tomb alters how we view life, pain, and salvation, offering a definitive defeat to the enemy and replacing paralyzing fear with profound joy.

• An Invitation to True Rest: No matter how deep a person's past mistakes, pain, or brokenness run, Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him and find genuine rest for their souls.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. How has the reality of Christ's resurrection transformed the way you handle personal anxiety, pain, or fear of the future?

2. In what areas of your life do you need to stop carrying a heavy load and finally accept the rest and peace that Jesus offers?

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

Episode 26-13

Are you ready?

SERIES

Go

DATE

March 29, 2026

SPEAKER

Trevor Richt, Preaching Minister

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 21:8–11

SERMON SCRIPTURES CITED

Matthew 21:1–7, John 11, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12, Deuteronomy, Luke 19:41–44, 1 Peter 5:8

SUMMARY

Centered around Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, this message challenges listeners to examine whether they are genuinely prepared for Christ to rule in their lives. While the crowds cheered and laid down palm branches expecting a political conqueror, Jesus came riding a humble donkey as a King of peace. The sermon urges believers to cast aside worldly expectations, submit to divine authority, and actively prepare for Christ's return.

KEY POINTS

• A Different Kind of King: By choosing to ride a donkey instead of a warhorse, Jesus signaled that His kingdom is not built on earthly military might or political power, but on humility and peace.

• The Danger of Being Ready for the Wrong Thing: Much like the first-century religious leaders who missed their Messiah because they expected an immediate overthrow of Rome, people today often miss what God is doing by focusing on the wrong priorities.

• Active Preparation: Staying ready for Jesus requires consistent Scripture study, deep prayer, ongoing spiritual growth, and an unshakeable commitment to living unapologetically for Him.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. What expectations or worldly desires might be blinding you from recognizing how God is currently working in your life?

2. If Jesus were to return today, in what specific ways would your daily habits, speech, or priorities need to shift to prove you are truly ready?