North Way Sermons

In a world filled with competing voices, paths, and promises, Jesus boldly declares, “I am the door” (John 10:9). He alone provides access to a relationship with God and the abundant life we were created for. As His sheep, we are called to recognize His voice, reject the voices that lead us astray, and trust His leadership and care. We are called to stand by the door and help others find their way to Jesus, the only door that leads to eternal life.

In a world driven by busyness, hurry, and endless demands, Jesus shows us a different way to live. If the enemy cannot lead us into sin, he will often try to keep us distracted. By looking at Jesus' life, we learn five principles for healthy pacing: knowing our identity in God, following the Father's lead, being motivated by obedience rather than needs, resting and being refueled in community, and investing our lives in others. As we align our pace with Jesus, we discover a life that is not only fruitful and impactful, but also marked by joy, purpose, and peace.

One bad decision doesn't have to define the rest of our lives. Judas and Peter both betrayed Jesus, but their stories ended differently. Regret leaves us stuck in guilt, but repentance leads us back to God. Repentance begins when hiding ends. When we turn away from what leads us to sin, we began to walk toward healing with Jesus. No matter how great our failures may feel, God’s grace is greater.

Unforgiveness can reshape our hearts, cloud our judgment, and produce chaos in ways we often don’t realize. Through the story of Joseph and his brothers, we see how lingering bitterness can numb compassion and justify destructive actions. But forgiveness brings freedom. True forgiveness means understanding and feeling the debt owed, releasing judgment to God, and asking Him to meet the needs others failed to fulfill.

The blessing in Numbers 6 reveals the heart of God and His desire to bless, keep, and bring peace to His people. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live in the opposite spirit by choosing blessing over cursing and forgiveness over bitterness. Blessing our offenders is not based on feelings, but a heart posture that asks for God’s best in their lives. Through the power of God, forgiveness becomes spiritual warfare that overcomes evil with good, releases bitterness from our hearts, and places others into the transforming hands of Jesus.

Unforgiveness often reveals that we’ve forgotten the depth of what God has forgiven us. When we focus more on what’s been done to us than what’s been done for us, our hearts harden and we begin keeping score. But Jesus teaches that forgiveness flows from remembering the gospel; our massive debt canceled through Him. As we sit with God, process our hurt, and let His grace fill us, forgiveness becomes possible. Bitterness and abundant life can’t coexist. Choosing forgiveness is choosing the life Jesus died to give.

When we’re offended, the root is often anger. But human anger does not produce the righteousness of God. Jesus came so we don’t have to live offended. Unforgiveness gives the enemy a foothold, while forgiveness is spiritual warfare that pushes back against his lies and protects our joy and freedom. Forgiveness isn’t weakness, and it isn’t excusing what was done. It’s trusting God, reflecting Jesus, and choosing freedom over bondage.

Author and radio host, Brant Hansen, kicks off our new series Unoffendable by challenging the way we think about anger. While culture tells us anger is justified or even necessary, the bible consistently warns against holding onto it. Forgiveness is the way of Jesus and the path to freedom. While it’s not easy, holding onto unforgiveness is even harder. When we intentionally choose to forgive, pray for those who hurt us, and even prepare our hearts in advance, we begin to experience peace and transformation.

God has not gone silent in our lives. He wants to speak to us. But hearing His voice isn’t about a perfect formula. It’s about desire, trust, and intentional connection. We often confuse our own thoughts for His or let the noise of the world drown Him out. Jesus reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd who calls us by name, inviting us not just to exist, but to live fully and abundantly. The question is: will we quiet the noise, seek Him through scripture and prayer, and choose the abundant life He offers or settle for what the world offers?

Easter isn’t just another holiday. It’s the most important moment in history. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” it wasn’t a sigh of relief, but a bold declaration that something new had begun. Through His death and resurrection, our debt was paid and a new covenant was established. Because of Jesus, shame, hopelessness, and the search for worth are finished. Easter reminds us that we don’t have to keep looking for life in empty places. We can walk in freedom, hope, and a secure future in Him.