The Gospel of John Week 2

Northwest Community Church is on an 8 week journey together through the Gospel of John.  Each week our worship gatherings are based on John. Our community groups are studying John. And the entire church is reading each day through John.

As we go through the Gospel of John together keep in mind that John points to the reality that Jesus is the Son of God. Let that truth sink in for a moment…Jesus is the Son of God.  How does that truth alter or affect your life?

Notice how this truth affected the life of John the Baptist in John 3:30-36. "He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I (John the Baptist) must become less and less." If Jesus is the Son of God it only makes sense that He should become greater in our lives.

So, how is Jesus becoming greater in your life today?  How is Jesus becoming greater in your career? In your finances? In your marriage? In your hobbies? In your relationships?

Be sure to join Northwest this Sunday as we celebrate Father's Day and discover from John 4:46-54 how the faith of a father has a major impact on the health of the family.  Remember dads, a godly father allows the family to see his faith grow as he becomes a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.  

Exciting Things Happening

The month of June is going be filled with some great opportunities for growth at Northwest. Don't sit on the sidelines. Rather, get involved and grow together with your family. As we mentioned on Sunday this summer could be a season for you to grow deeper in your walk with God and grow wider in terms of the impact you have in your neighborhood. Here a quick preview of the lineup.

Northwest Kids (The Children's Ministry of Northwest Community Church) is hosting a free Adventure Camp at Cooper Elementary June 18 - 20 for kids K - 4 from 9am to 12pm. Our goal is to serve the families in Bella Vista while introducing them to the ways Northwest and Jesus Christ could positively impact their lives. As you sign up, remember to invite your friends and neighbors. For more info and to register go to our website.    

June 18 - 20 at Cooper Elementary in Bella Vista

During the week of our Adventure Camp, Northwest is also excited to host a group of high school students from Willow Point Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA who are coming to help serve alongside us. In the evenings, the leaders from Northwest will have opportunities to invest into the lives of the students and give them a taste of the church planting experience.  In addition, Cassi Luka, our Children's Director at Northwest, is excited to have Sarah Mayer from Louisville, KY serving as an intern with her this summer and working hard to promote the Adventure Camp. What a great testimony of the body of Christ coming together for the sake of sharing the message of Christ with a community.  This one event will have several local church represented.   

We will conclude our Adventure Camp by once again partnering with the city of Bella Vista to host a free outdoor family movie night at Metfield Park on Saturday, June 21 beginning at dark. To volunteer and help serve at either the Adventure Camp or the Movie Night please email Cassi Luka or Greg Luka. 

Finally this Sunday we kicked off our summer teaching series THE GOSPEL OF JOHN along with our summer semester for Community Groups. All of our group options are listed online and it is not too late to sign up. Plus remember to follow along during the series with the weekly Connect Sheets posted online and daily Bible readings posted on the Northwest Facebook page and Twitter by 6am each morning. 

The Gospel of John Begins June 1

This coming Sunday Northwest kicks off our summer teaching series THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. Over the next 8 weeks we will be given a front row seat to the power of the Word of God.  We will also be confronted with the reality that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and all who believe in Him will have eternal life. During our eight week journey through John, we will encourage you to follow Jesus Christ and allow the power of God's Word to transform your life. 

The journey begins Sunday, June 1 at Northwest Community Church

During this series you will have the opportunity to grow and learn from the Gospel of John through:

• Our Sunday morning teaching series during June and July
• Connect Sheets used in our weekly Community Groups
• Daily Bible readings distributed on Sundays and through social media

In order to stay connected and receive the latest resources we encourage you to LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, SUBSCRIBE to our blog, and SUBSCRIBE to our weekly podcast on iTunes. And remember all these links can be accessed directly through our website.    

Religion vs. Relationship

This past Sunday we wrapped up our CLEAN series by studying Isaiah 1:10 - 18 as we discovered God's perspective on religion and relationships. In this passage God reminds Israel (and all of humanity) that He designed human beings for a personal relationship with Him.  God clearly states His total disgust for religious ceremonies, rituals, sacrifices, and offerings designed to make us "clean" by our own efforts. Remember we are made clean by God through the power and resurrection of Jesus Christ.      

So why is it that we often find ourselves reducing our walk with God into a religion? Here are some phrases that indicate a person or a church is headed towards religion:

• I HAVE to go to church. 
• When I go to church I sit, listen, and watch. 
• When the leadership of a church says “The church is an organization we must manage and control.” 
• If I do X then God owes me Y. 
• The church is a business, programs are the products, and I am the consumer.

What does God have to say about religion? He hates religion. 

On the contrary, Here are some phrases that indicate a person or church is walking in a personal relationship with God: 

• I GET to go to church. 
• We gather at church to worship, serve, encourage, pray, and grow together. 
• When the leadership of the church says “The church is the body of Christ where everyone is valued and needed.” 
• I will obey the Lord and trust Him no matter what circumstances I face. 
• The church is the bride of Christ and I will contribute to her health, mission, uniqueness, beauty, and growth. 

What does God have to say about those who follow Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? I will bless you. 

Today choose to never settle for a religion. Instead pursue a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and remember we are made clean by God and for God.