Northbridge Vestal Podcast

Starting Point: The Role of Rules

Rules, Rules, Rules! Why are there so many rules? Sometimes when you read the Bible it can very quickly feel like all it is is a list of do’s and don’ts. Some people even think that the 10 Commandments are the centerpiece of the Christian faith and that obedience is required to get in. But what if a relationship with God doesn’t depend on obedience? When it comes to your relationship with God, what is the role of rules?
Exodus 20
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Starting Point: A Great Big Mess

We can all agree that our world is a mess! The world’s three largest faith traditions claim the same starting point - Abraham, and they all agree that God stepped into the mess of our world to do something about it. The question is - how do we get the help He provided?
Genesis 12
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Starting Point: The Problem

Everyone makes mistake, right? But is it a mistake when you do it on purpose? What do you call a mistake that you can’t seem to stop doing even though you really want to? Our problem isn’t that we are mistakers. Our problem is that we are sinners. We must first recognize our sin for what it is. But we must also see how Jesus came not to condemn us in our sin but to restore us.
Matthew 5:20-22; 27-28
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Starting Point: What is the Starting Point of Your Faith?

Everything has a starting point: A relationship, a career, a life, a nation. What is the starting point of Christianity? What do you believe and why do you believe it? Join us as we ask questions and think through the foundations of not just Christianity, but your relationship with God.
Paul wrote a dozen books of the Bible and was beheaded for following Jesus and telling others about Him. What was the starting point of his incredible faith? What was most important to him and the other Christians who knew Jesus personally?
1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Speaker: Aaron Patton

This is Us: Everyone Has a Next Step

Following Jesus means becoming more like Jesus. That is a high standard, but thankfully we do not have to get there all at once and we are not alone in the process. Everyone has a next step to take in becoming more like Jesus. We can be more of what God calls us to be each day if we will walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-26
Speaker: Aaron Patton

This is Us: Life is Better Connected

You may have noticed that at Bridgewater Church we value community. We live in a culture that is very individualistic, yet in Scripture, we are encouraged to be connected so that we can contend for one another, be united in love, and increase in our understanding of God. All of this is so that we may share our faith and continually be built up and strengthened in our faith. This can produce a heart of thankfulness, but it does not happen by simply showing up; it requires connection.
Colossians 2:1-7
Speaker: Aaron Patton

This is Us: Found People Find People

If you’ve been a part of Bridgewater for very long, you realize that we place a significant emphasis on reaching out to people far from God. Why? The actions of Jesus show us that He values people and has an urgency in having spiritual conversations. If you’ve been found by Jesus, it’s time to help find others.
John 4:1-42
Speaker: Aaron Patton

This is Us: Saved People Serve People

As a church, we want to be known for serving others. This is us; this is who we are. Jesus was an example for all of us to follow, and if we want to follow Him, we need to live as Jesus lived and live our lives in a way that looks like Jesus.
John 13:1-17
Speaker: Aaron Patton