Sermon on 8/24/24 by Pastor Todd Sapp

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Sermon on 8/17/25 by Pastor Todd Sapp

Music used with Permission through our CCLI Copyright License Number #54024 and Streaming License Number #20133927

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

What’s the difference between a fleeting, fickle faith and a faith that truly sets you free? In this powerful message from John 8:31-37, Jesus confronts a crowd of believers with a challenging truth: to be His disciple, a faith based on heritage or tradition is not enough. He calls them—and us—to a deeper, more resilient kind of belief.

We'll unpack:

• The danger of a fickle faith based on tradition, heritage, or the status quo.
• The surprising truth that we are all born as slaves to sin, and why we often fail to recognize our bondage.

Music used with Permission through our CCLI Copyright License Number #54024 and Streaming License Number #20133927

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

Sermon on 8/3/25 by Pastor Todd Sapp Music used with Permission through our CCLI Copyright License Number #54024 and Streaming License Number #20133927

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

Sermon on 7/27/25 by Pastor Todd Sapp

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

Sermon on 7/20/25 by Pastor Todd Sapp.

Ever read the story of the woman caught in adultery and wondered about the footnote in your Bible? In this sermon, we dive deep into one of the most compelling and controversial passages in the Gospels: John 7:53-8:11. While many early manuscripts don't include this story, its truth and apostolic authority have resonated through centuries. We'll explore why this narrative belongs in scripture and, more importantly, what profound lessons it holds for our lives today. Join us as we unpack the powerful encounter between a woman condemned by the law, the religious leaders who set a trap, and the radical grace of Jesus Christ. In This Sermon, You'll Discover: ✝️ The Manuscript Mystery: Why is there a footnote on this passage? We address the history and confirm the story's apostolic authority. (Timestamp: 0:25) Lessons from an unlikely teacher—the woman caught in adultery: Getting Caught vs. Continuing: Learn why being exposed in your sin can be a greater blessing than continuing in it. (Timestamp: 11:45) God's Unlikely Messengers: See how God can use anyone, even people with bad motives (like the Pharisees), to bring you face-to-face with Jesus. (Timestamp: 19:20) Guilt Trips as Cover-ups: Uncover how focusing on the sins of others can be a way to avoid dealing with our own. (Timestamp: 27:00) Grace to Match the Standard: Jesus doesn't lower God's holy standard; He offers the grace and mercy to meet it. (Timestamp: 34:10) Key Scripture Main Text: John 8:2-11 Supporting Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:22, Leviticus 20:10, Hebrews 12:6 This message is for anyone who has ever felt trapped by sin, judged by others, or in need of a fresh start. Jesus’s response—"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone"—changes everything. His final words to the woman, "Go and from now on sin no more," are a call to freedom that is available to us all. What lesson from this story stands out to you the most? Let us know in the comments below! 👇 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more sermons that dive deep into the truth of God's Word. 👍 LIKE this video if it encouraged you. 🔗 SHARE this message with someone who needs to hear about the grace of Jesus.

Music used with Permission through our CCLI Copyright License Number #54024 and Streaming License Number #20133927

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

n this sermon, we dive deep into the Gospel of John, specifically John chapter 7, to uncover the powerful concept of irony and how it reveals profound spiritual truths. We explore how often in life, and especially in the biblical narrative, appearances can be deceiving, and what seems straightforward might hold deeper, ironic meanings.

We start by defining irony, moving beyond common misconceptions to understand its true nature in our daily lives and in pop culture examples like Pharrell Williams and his surprising connection to McDonald's, or the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy's journey home. We even touch on the silent film legend, Charlie Chaplin, and a relatable personal anecdote about being a youth pastor.

The core of this message centers on dramatic irony within the Gospel of John. Just as the audience knows Juliet isn't truly dead in Romeo and Juliet, we, as readers of John, possess knowledge about Jesus that those in the story often miss. They seek to arrest and silence him, failing to grasp that Jesus is God dwelling among us, the promised Messiah and Savior.

We then unpack three key ironic points from John 7:

• Limited Knowledge Leading to Arrogance: How having only a "little bit of knowledge" can cause us to dismiss further learning and growth, hindering our understanding of Jesus.
• Seeking Jesus with Our Own Agenda: The danger of approaching God with preconceived notions and desires, potentially missing out on His perfect will for our lives.
• Satisfied with Symbolism in the Presence of Substance: Drawing parallels to the Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles), we explore how the Jewish people were content with religious rituals and symbolism (like the water celebration) while the very substance of their hope, Jesus, stood among them, offering rivers of living water and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

This sermon emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, from teaching and reminding us of Jesus' words to convicting us of sin, empowering us, and producing the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). We're challenged to ask ourselves: Is the Holy Spirit truly transforming our lives and enabling us to be witnesses?

Don't let irony become a tragedy in your spiritual journey. Learn to move beyond mere appearances and shallow knowledge to truly know Jesus, embrace the Holy Spirit's power, and live a life transformed by His presence.

Keywords for Discoverability: Gospel of John, John Chapter 7, Irony, Dramatic Irony, Jesus, Messiah, Savior, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Growth, Christian Living, Bible Study, Sermon, Religious Symbolism, Substance, God's Will, Faith, Prayer, Conviction, Empowerment, Fruit of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Witnessing, Biblical Teaching, Christian Faith, Church, God's Word, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee.

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com

Have you ever experienced irony in life—an unexpected twist where limited information or a personal agenda leads to missing something significant? This message dives into John 7:25-44, exposing the profound dramatic irony surrounding Jesus's ministry. Discover how people's arrogance from limited knowledge and their self-driven agendas caused them to miss recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

We'll unpack:

• The danger of letting a "little bit of knowledge" create arrogance and close us off to more truth (like the record executives who rejected The Beatles!).
• How the people of Jerusalem thought they "knew" where the Messiah came from, preventing them from seeing who Jesus truly was – sent from God the Father.
• The irony of seeking Jesus for our own purposes (like the Pharisees wanting to arrest Him) and the tragic consequences of missing His eternal agenda.
• The prosperity gospel and other self-centered approaches that twist Jesus's true offer.
• The call to release our own plans and embrace God's agenda, which promises far more abundantly than we can imagine.

This sermon challenges you to examine your own perspectives and agendas when approaching Jesus, ensuring you don't miss out on the incredible life He offers.

Keywords: John 7:25-44, irony, dramatic irony, Jesus, Messiah, limited knowledge, arrogance, personal agenda, God's plan, God's agenda, self-seeking, prosperity gospel, eternal life, salvation, truth, humility, The Beatles, Pharisees, Jerusalem, Capernaum, Holy Spirit, Christian living, sermon.

Find out more about Northwoods Church at www.nwctally.com