Northbridge Vestal Podcast

Deserts & Gardens: Shepherd and Sheep

No portion of Scripture, Old or New Testament, is so universally celebrated by those who are followers of Jesus and those who aren’t than Psalm 23. Many people who are unfamiliar with the Bible are familiar with Psalm 23. While there may be some who understand and appreciate its meaning and significance, there are likely far more who find some level of comfort in it, but fall short of understanding what it’s saying and experiencing what it offers. In this 4-week series, we’ll unpack some of the beauty and meaning of this beloved psalm and see how God cares for His people through deserts and gardens—and everywhere in between.
Metaphors can be powerful figures of speech, helping us to understand what would otherwise be unclear to us. In the opening lines of Psalm 23, the author refers to God as a shepherd and himself as a sheep. He goes on to say that because that is true, he has need of nothing. How can he say that, and how can I experience that? This sermon answers those questions.
Psalm 23:1-2
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Mother's Day: God Sees, God Hears

Motherhood is challenging. When life and motherhood aren't what you had wanted, planned, or anticipated, it’s easy to wonder where God is in all of it. From the anticipation of it through all the seasons of it, it tests every woman every step of the way. Sometimes the challenges are the result of our own choices, while at other times they result from the choices of others. There are moments so difficult we may wonder if God knows about our situation and, if He does, if He cares at all. In this sermon, we’re going to get a look into the lives of two women in the Bible whose experience of motherhood was far from ideal, and we’ll see where God is in their stories and what He has planned for them. 
Genesis 16:1-16
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Giants Must Fall: Addiction Must Fall

The capacity for addiction can be found inside all of us. In fact, the addict experience could actually be called the human experience. Why do we do the things that we don’t want to and why do we want the things that we do? These questions and more, when brought into the light and laid at the feet of God, can help us find freedom from the addictions that rule over so many of us!
John 8:31-36
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Giants Must Fall: Comfort Must Fall

There are two paths to take in this life. You can’t have both. There’s the Easy Button and there’s the Greatness Button. Guess which one Jesus pushed? This gets at a fundamental difference in our desires and God’s desires for us. My goal for my life is happiness and comfort. God’s goal for my life is greatness—to become god-like (more like Jesus).
Matthew 16:21-17
Speaker: Dan Snyder

Giants Must Fall: Rejection Must Fall

One of the greatest giants that we ever struggle with is a giant in our head! Insecurity, low self-worth, and even self-hate all show up because of rejection or feelings of rejection from the events in our lives. What if we could drop that giant? What if we could be secure in who we are and how we are valued?
1 Samuel 17
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Giants Must Fall: Fear Must Fall

Everyone experiences fear and worry and sometimes fear can leave us frozen—unable to think clearly or respond effectively. But, is that are only response? Mark 6 gives us hope for when we face fear and worry.
Mark 6:45-52
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Giants Must Fall: Bigger Than Your Giant

We all have habits, patterns and sins that have a way of consuming our lives. These ‘giants’ like fear, rejection, comfort and addiction can wreak havoc in our lives. In this series we look at what God’s Word says to discover that whatever your affliction is, it can, will, and must fall to the power of Jesus.
Israel learns that there are still Giants in the land; some are right in your face, yelling at you, and others are more subtle. Some "giants" leave us trembling and hold us back. These "giants" are keeping you on the sideline, so what do you do? You change your perspective, but how do we do that?
1 Samuel 17
Speaker: Aaron Patton

Easter: Jesus Changed Everything

Jesus came to cancel the things that hold you prisoner!
Luke 4:18-19
Speaker: Aaron Patton