Northeast Christian Podcast

In this sermon, part of our Books of the Bible Series, we dig into the Book of Esther. Esther is a dramatic story about God working in the lives of His people from behind the scenes in the most unlikely people, in the most unlikely places. It is a story of courage and faith. While this is the only book in the Bible that does not actually talk about God, it has a clear agenda to teach people about God and His plan. Ultimately, through Esther, the Messianic line from Abraham, Moses, to David is preserved. God's hand is all over this story.

Like Esther, we live in a superpower country. And like Esther, we are each called by God to lead in times such as these. There is a purpose far bigger than we could imagine on our own. God is always speaking to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's find God in the coincidences of our world and look forward to where God is leading us.

Earthly kings—whether in ancient Israel or modern politics—will always fall short. As we journey through 1 & 2 Kings, these books show how Israel’s monarchs, from Solomon to the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, consistently failed to uphold God’s covenant, leading to the nation's downfall. Despite this, Tyler highlights the covenant promise to David, which points to Jesus Christ as the true and eternal King.

Tyler encouraged us to turn away from political idolatry and place our faith in Jesus, who fulfills God's promises and establishes an everlasting kingdom. Drawing theological lessons from the historical narrative, he examines key moments, including Solomon’s disobedience, the divided monarchy, and the role of prophets like Elijah and Elisha. Ultimately, the message is that while human leaders will always fail, the hope of salvation lies in Christ, the King of Kings. Today, will you turn away from political idolatry and place your faith in Jesus, the King of Kings?

This weekend, we had the privilege of welcoming guest speaker Heather Gorman, who led us through an enriching study of the book of Hebrews as part of our Bible Series.

Hebrews stands out as a profound book, delving into themes of faith, suffering, and the nature of Jesus Christ. Central to its message is the powerful affirmation of Jesus' supremacy. The author of Hebrews carefully compares Jesus to key figures in Jewish tradition—not to diminish their importance, but to emphasize that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s revelation. He is presented as both fully divine and fully human, uniquely capable of understanding our struggles.

For believers who are weary or disillusioned, Hebrews offers a message of hope. It reassures us that Jesus, in His divinity and humanity, knows our trials intimately and is ever-present to help. We are reminded that we do not walk this journey alone; our faith is strengthened in community as we support one another while keeping our eyes on Christ.

Above all, Hebrews calls us to persevere, even when life feels disorienting. It encourages us to hold fast to our faith, knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way, offering His strength and understanding.

"When life is disorienting, don’t give up on your faith."

This weekend, Terrence concluded our Intentional Parenting series with a powerful message on Finding Rest as a Parent. He emphasized the importance of discovering spiritual rest amid the challenges of parenting, drawing wisdom from Psalm 23, reminding us of God's faithful provision and protection in every season of life, especially when the challenges feel overwhelming. As parents, we are invited to surrender our need for control, place our trust in God’s loving guidance, and continuously lean on Jesus for strength, wisdom, and peace. This message serves as a profound reminder that true rest doesn’t come from a break in our responsibilities but the ultimate source of rest comes from living as a sheep under the care of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Have you experienced the rest that only God can offer? "Rest is a practice, a posture, a purpose—and it flows from work that has already been completed."

In week four of our Intentional Parenting series, Tyler shares recent sociological data, which notes a trend that many parents are unintentionally passing down a diluted form of Christianity that prioritizes the pursuit of happiness and success—essentially a Christianized version of the American Dream—over a deep, transformative relationship with God. While it’s natural for parents to want their children to be happy and successful, these should not be the primary goals of Christian parenting. Instead, parents should focus on nurturing a faith that prepares their children for eternal life. To find more resources, visit https://www.necchurch.org/intentional-parenting-resources/.

This is week three of our Intentional Parenting Sermon Series, packed with equipping resources for parents and anyone who invests in our next generation. In this sermon, Tyler shared insights from a book by Jonathan Haidt called The Anxious Generation, which argues that in the last few decades, Americans have made two contradictory choices about the safety of our children. We have become way too protective in the real world and not protective enough in the digital world. And guess what? Both are taking a spiritual toll on our kids.

Let's be a church that fosters genuine community for our kids and teaches them about their identity in Christ. Let's work to combat what is stealing hope and joy from our kids and set boundaries to protect them. Let's pass down a faith that sustains them for a lifetime.

To discover the parent resources for this series, be sure to visit necchurch.org/resources/

In this bonus episode in our Intentional Parenting Series, we discuss the topics of mental health, screens, and much more!

In week 2 of the Intentional Parenting series, Tyler focuses on The Best Parenting Style According to the Data.

Parenting is a significant responsibility that shapes the future of children, influencing not only their character but also their faith. The "Intentional Parenting" sermon series is designed to equip Christian parents with the tools and strategies necessary to raise their children in a faith-centered home. By adopting the authoritative parenting style, engaging in daily faith conversations, and maintaining a united, faith-centered marriage, parents can effectively pass down their beliefs and prepare their children for a life rooted in faith.

So, what is your vision for your kids? If it’s not centered on Him, it’s too small to carry them through this life. If you give them Jesus, no matter where the road leads—you can rest assured knowing that He will be with them. And there’s no one better to walk beside them than our King Jesus.

Train children to live the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray from it. - Proverbs 22:6

In this new series, Intentional Parenting, we will explore what it means and what it takes to pass down our faith to the next generation. We will not just talk about it; we will provide helpful tools and support along the way.

In today's message, Tyler focuses on the biggest influence on our kids today. Guess what, parents? It's you! Research indicates that the best predictor of what any American religious life will be like in adulthood is how their parents held their religious beliefs while raising them. The power of parental influence has remained stable since the 1970s; however, there has been a decline in religiosity among American Christians. In this message, we will examine how parents can use their influence to develop faith in their kids that will sustain them for a lifetime. Be sure to check out the parent resource tool to audit your parenting skills and help you understand how you can nurture faith with your kids.

Find the resource tool on our resource webpage necchurch.org

In the final week of the "Survivor’s Guide to an Election Year" series, Tyler encouraged us to reclaim our attention from the media, reject partisan narratives, and focus on local community issues. Drawing from the early church's prayer in Acts 4:29-31, he emphasized missional urgency and the healing power of faith, calling for boldness in preaching the word of God. By prioritizing our faith, unity, and values, we can more effectively navigate the political chaos.

Ultimately, our goal is to reflect the love of Christ in all that we do, creating a positive impact within our communities and beyond. Together, we can survive and thrive in this election year, guided by our faith and commitment to one another.