North Ridge Life Church

We are in a series called “The 5 Solas”. This refers to 5 affirmations that define true Christian belief, and expose false teaching in it’s many forms. Last week Paul Landers spoke to us about “Sola Scriptura”- scripture alone is inspired (authored by God), inerrant (reliable, without error), clear, sufficient, and affirmed by Christ. In today's message by Pastor Marc Sharp, the focus is on the centrality of Christ alone. That centrality is asserted by the Bible, God’s holy Word, and is vital to the life of the church corporately, and is the essence of being a true believer.

In today's message, NRLC Elder Paul Landers continues the series on The 5 Solas with an in-depth look at scripture, the source of authority in the church. Get ready for some important church history in Paul's interesting and dynamic presentation about the scriptures.

Many in the Western world confuse the way things are with the ways things have always been; taking advances in medicine, transportation, and technology for granted. But the things we enjoy have occupied a small portion of human history. In today's message, Pastor Marc Sharp begins a new series to examine Church history, so that we can look at where we’ve been to understand where we might be going, so we can correct our course. Could there be a cycle of “truth-error-correction” that the church experiences from time to time? If so, what shape does that cycle take? Where are we now in that cycle? We’re going to look at this in our walk through history over the next 5 weeks.

What does "worship" mean to you? Have you thought about it? Who, what , how, why do we worship? Listen to today's message as Pastor Paul Brooks explains how Jesus changes EVERYTHING!

Over the past 2 years, Pastor Marc Sharp has shared the elder’s insistence to take North Ridge Life Church in an ever-increasingly biblical direction, moving from a CEO/managerial model of eldership to a more pastoral one. Over a year ago, a vision was cast for deacon ministry at North Ridge Life Church. In today's special service, Pastor Marc shares a deeper understanding of what a biblical deacon is. Then, he and the elders of NRLC ordain Justin Kime as the first Lead Deacon of our congregation with special prayer for Justin and his wife, Landi.

For this "Sanctity of Life Sunday", Pastor Marc Sharp gives us another message of hope and redemption for mankind. Though God had created many awe-inspiring things, humanity would be his crowning achievement, for they alone bore God’s own image. Plus, he gave them his own eternal element - a “soul”. They would be more like him, and less like all the other living things that inhabit the earth. As his image-bearers, they would represent him to the rest of creation, for God himself had given them dominion over everything else he created. Do you realize that he gave you the same attention when he put you together in your mother’s womb? Human life is a display of God’s masterpiece! It is to be protected, and not destroyed.

Today, Pastor Marc Sharp brings a very important word to help us start the new year. What are our priorities for the new year, or for each day throughout EVERY year? Who are we? What do we treasure? What should be our number one priority? Listen to this vital and encouraging message!

Are you a citizen? You may or may not be a citizen of the United States, but if you are a Christ follower you are a citizen of God's heavenly kingdom, even while living on earth. In today's message, Pastor Marc Sharp explains the meaning of this and challenges the Christian believer to be a faithful ambassador of Christ's kingdom to the lost and perishing foreign world in which we live.

Today's word is an uplifting message of hope by Pastor Marc Sharp that shows how the events set in motion by Christ’s first coming, while rooted in history, are divine in purpose, progressive in nature, cosmic in scope, and eternal in duration. May we all enjoy our celebrations (sharing gifts, breaking bread, connecting with family and friends), with a great sense of reflection and worship. And, may the gospel invade our Christmas, and God be glorified in all we do!

In today's sermon, Pastor Marc Sharp brings a wonderful message of hope for the Advent season. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, records the beginning of creation, including the origin of human sin, with the promise of redemption by God. Similarly, in the first book of the New Testament, Matthew chapter 1 shows us a new beginning for all of creation. The redemption of mankind is at the threshold, and a new King named Jesus is set to establish a new kingdom, in fact, the very Kingdom of God on earth!

Reverend Tom Hall delivers a very insightful and timely message concerning the authority of Jesus. Jesus is always in charge wherever He goes. How do we respond to His presence and authority? There is plenty in this message to meditate on as we head into the Christmas season.

Today, Pastor Marc Sharp delivers the last message in the series about the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. Paul opened these letters by saying “Grace to you and peace” . He will end with another reminder of grace, the source of all their hope and endurance. But before he signs off, he addresses a pressing issue in the church that jeopardizes their corporate peace and gospel success - many in their congregation are idle. Christians should be the hardest workers and be content without complaining, as though we are working for the Lord (because we are!).

In this next-to-the-last message about the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica, Pastor Marc Sharp moves from Paul's description of the end times to his encouraging and thanking the Thessalonians for their continued faith and love for one another. Then Paul says “God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved”. We also have been chosen by God, not because of anything good we have ever done or ever will do. Paul says this happened even before creation, before we were conceived or the stars were hung in the sky. We stand in awe of a God who loves us like that!

Pastor Marc Sharp continues our series on the two books of Thessalonians as the author, the Apostle Paul, begins chapter two of the second book by clearing up remaining questions about the return of Jesus Christ. This is the 6th time in the 2 letters he has addressed the time of the end. He talks about great mysteries, yet not in great detail. Why? He also talks about a forged letter with false information claiming that Christ had already come, and they had somehow missed it. So Paul reminds them of what he had previously said concerning what must take place before the coming of the Lord. He points to 2 signs - a rebellion occurring and the appearance of a mysterious “man of lawlessness”.

Pastor Marc Sharp continues our series on the two letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica by opening the second letter, which was written shortly after the first one. After the first letter, Paul got word that some things were still unclear to them or had been intentionally distorted by people with bad intentions. And, there were reports of bad behavior that Paul addresses pastorally in the 2nd letter. He points them again to the coming of the Lord, and what it promises for both them and their wicked persecutors. God will surely balance the books!

After a 13-week journey, Pastor Marc Sharp discusses the close of 1st Thessalonians. In this letter to the believers at Thessalonica, Paul has reconnected with the Thessalonians, shared his ongoing love for them, commended them for their spiritual progress and love for one another, as well as the example they are setting for the other believers in their region. They have a lot to consider, so Paul selects his final words carefully. If he were to give them one more spiritual “to do” item, they may become overwhelmed. But if he doesn’t keep holiness before them as the goal, they could start to conform to the culture around them. Sound familiar?

Pastor Marc Sharp continues of our series about the letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. Paul has answered the questions about the return of Jesus, but instead of now writing a benediction, like we find in Revelation, he ends with pastoral instructions about how to live as the Body of Christ. Why? Because, as believers, we must all survive and thrive in “enemy territory”!

Today, in our ongoing series about the letters the apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica, Pastor Marc Sharp continues the discussion about the second coming of Jesus. The Thessalonians naturally had questions about the return of Jesus. They wanted dates and a timeline. What should they expect, and when should they expect it? The Thessalonians were not unlike many Christians today. Books predicting the details and chronology of the end are often best-sellers . The disciples asked for the same details from Jesus. But Jesus didn’t give them the specific answers they asked for. Why? Why would he not be very specific about such a major event as his return?

Do you ever wonder if Jesus is really coming back? In today's message, Pastor Marc Sharp continues the discussion of the letters the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, revealing that the Bible is full of promises that Jesus will physically return to earth someday. The return of Christ is a guaranteed fact, it is the hope of our salvation, when everything will be made new, and the redemptive work of Christ finally completed. Christ’s return is the “happily ever after” of our story!

In today's message, we have a scripture reading by Caleb Daniel, and a special testimony from our missionary in Austria, Leslie Walt. Pastor Marc Sharp continues the series on the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, teaching about brotherly love, the emphasis being on the way we relate to one another. To love each other is a constant refrain of the New Testament. It is God’s will that a state of deep affection, service and commitment exist between members of his body for as long as there is a church. However, love is not natural to any of us. It is far easier to criticize, shove, and demand our own way than it is to love!