Matthew: Justice & Mercy

Northgate

What did you think of today's message?

What happens when faith calls us beyond mere ritual and into the heart of justice and mercy? Abby Frank, an insightful eighth grader, sets the stage with a reading from Matthew 23:23-24, where Jesus unflinchingly critiques religious hypocrisy. Pastor Lawrence joins us to unpack this scripture, sharing stories from his own life—like the significance of childhood coloring contests—as a metaphor for the pursuit of genuine spirituality. Together, we explore where we might be "coloring outside the lines" in our faith, as Jesus calls us to focus on deeper values over surface-level actions.
Join us as we challenge the conventional approach to charity and service, moving beyond the simplicity of tithing to embrace a more holistic commitment involving our time, talent, and treasure. The gospel, we argue, is a call to action—one that demands justice and service to society's most vulnerable: the poor, widows, immigrants, and orphans. Our discussions offer a roadmap to balancing the creation of cherished family memories with instilling the values of justice and compassion, reminding us that love for people must take precedence over material comforts.
In our quest to prioritize justice within spiritual life, we evaluate how our financial priorities align with our spiritual and communal responsibilities. Through inspiring stories, like that of Bob Goff's high school transformation under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, we see faith in action as more than just adherence to rules. It is a commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus through active engagement and sacrificial love. Northgate's mission calls us to create faith communities that are deeply committed to justice, mercy, and faithfulness, urging us to respond with meaningful action and worship.

Support the show

With Northgate Online, you can join us every Sunday live at 9:00a and 11:00a, and our gatherings are available on-demand starting at 7p! Join us at https://thisis.church
Subscribe to our channel to see more messages from Northgate: https://www.youtube.com/@Northgate2201
—
If you would like to give, visit https://thisis.church/give/
—
Check out our Care Ministries for prayer, food pantry, memorial services and more at https://thisis.church/care
—
You are welcome at Northgate just like you are. Life may be going great for you or you may have hurts, hang-ups, and habits. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at Northgate. We value the process of journey. We believe in the transformative power of Christ. Northgate has a clear vision of transforming our homes, communities, and world by Pursuing God, Building Community, and Unleashing Compassion.
—
Follow Northgate on Instagram: https://instgram.com/ngatecf
Follow Northgate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsNorthgate/
Follow Larry Davis: https://www.instagram.com/sirlawrencedavis
Subscribe to Northgate's Podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/northgate/id1583512612
Subscribe to Northgate's Podcast (Google): https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS81ODE2ODAucnNz
Share your experience with Northgate by leaving a review: https://g.page/r/CRHE7UBydhxzEBM/review
...

Chapitres

1. Matthew: Justice & Mercy (00:00:00)

2. Critique on Religious Hypocrisy (00:00:16)

3. The Call to Justice and Service (00:10:57)

4. Balancing Memories and Justice (00:15:26)

5. Prioritizing Justice in Spiritual Life (00:22:00)

6. Living Out Justice and Faithfulness (00:31:07)

7. Embracing Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness Together (00:37:58)