Life on the West Side

Nathan Guy

Everyone I know longs for genuine happiness, lasting peace, real beauty, ultimate purpose, and honest, sincere and overwhelming love. I want you to know that Jesus came so that you can experience rich, abundant life and overwhelming love! Join me, Nathan Guy, preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, as I share my passion for Jesus Christ in weekly teachings, conduct exciting interviews with other ministers, authors and church leaders, and discuss things learned along the way. Each episode will offer a recent sermon or interview with inspiring guests intended to encourage you in your faith formation as disciples of Jesus Christ. In addition, I will link to further resources such as a discussion guide, points to ponder, and recommended resources. You can watch these sermons and find more resources at nathanguy.com, follow me @nathanpguy and subscribe to my weekly e-mail at nathanguy.substack.com. read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Episodes

Jump In The Deep End
6d ago
Jump In The Deep End
Why should you be baptized? Because of the depth and the riches of blessings associated with it, experiencing your wedding ceremony to Christ, as taught by the Apostle Paul.The sermon today is titled "Jump In The Deep End." It is the second installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from Romans 6:1-8 (NCV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, April 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church.Rick Atchley, “What Is The Big Deal About Baptism? (Part 2)”G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament (1962)N. T. Wright, “Baptism” (Asbury chapel video)David Wenham, “Paradigms and Possibilities” in Challenging Perspectives on the Gospel of John (Mohr Siebeck)LaGard Smith, Baptism: The Believer’s Wedding Ceremony.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Come To The Water
Apr 16 2024
Come To The Water
--[slight audio issues in original]--Why should you be baptized? Because our Lord and Savior invites us. It is a Christ-imitating, Christ-affirming, Christ-commanded invitation. The Spirit and the bride say "Come."The sermon today is titled "Come To The Water." It is the first installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from 2 Kings 5:1-14 & Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, April 14, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church.Martin Luther, “To Jordan Came Our Lord, Jesus Christ” (1541)Rick Atchley, “What Is The Big Deal About Baptism?” (Part 1)Pseudo-Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany 7.Rich Lusk, “Baptismal Efficacy & The Reformed Tradition” (2002).Joseph Mangina, Revelation (Brazos Theological Commentaries on the Bible)Peter Williamson, Revelation (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture)I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Gospel In Acts
Apr 16 2024
The Gospel In Acts
Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel. The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Acts." It is the thirty-fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes. Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series. Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.·      I am indebted to Dr. Scott Adair of Harding University for his research and help.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Gospel In John
Apr 15 2024
The Gospel In John
Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel. The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In John" It is the thirty-third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes. Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series. Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.·      I am indebted to N. T. Wright in a little article first published in his book Following Jesus, where he lays out the creation elements in the gospel of John.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Gospel In Luke
Apr 15 2024
The Gospel In Luke
Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel. The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Luke." It is the thirty-second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes. Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series. Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.·      I am indebted to N. T. Wright in a little article first published in his book Following Jesus, where he lays out the creation elements in the gospel of John.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Gospel In Mark
Apr 15 2024
The Gospel In Mark
Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel. The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Mark." It is the thirty-first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 27, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes. Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series. Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.·      The Bible Project summaries of books.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Gospel In Matthew
Apr 15 2024
The Gospel In Matthew
Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel. The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Matthew." It is the thirtieth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series.  Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 20, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes. Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series. Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):·       I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).·       Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.·      The Bible Project summaries of books.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Read Devotionally
Apr 3 2024
Read Devotionally
When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.The sermon today is titled "Read Devotionally." It is the ninth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Acts 4:13 (TLB) & 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Skye Jethani, With: Reimagining the Way You Relate To God.Richard Foster, Life With God.I am grateful for the Bryan Adams line, as well as the helpful examples of family gatherings and serving the poor as 'with' rather than 'for', to Sam Wells, "God Is With Us," Focus 2014.Ludolf of Saxony quote taken from Alister McGrath, Knowing Christ.John Wesley, "Heart Strangely Warmed" quote Alexander Campbell, “Bible Reading,” Millennial Harbinger, New Series, 3/1 (Jan 1839): 35-38.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Read Communally
Mar 20 2024
Read Communally
When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.The sermon today is titled "Read Communally." It is the seventh installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 17, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Nathan Guy, “Appreciating Orthodoxy.” Healthy Theology WebsiteNathan Guy, “Believing Well.” Healthy Theology Website Joel Miller, “Why Apostolic Tradition Matters.” PatheosSavi Hensman, “Thinking Theologically: Bible, Reason, Tradition, & Experience.” Ekklesia websiteJohn L. Thompson, Reading The Bible With The Dead John Mark Hicks, Searching For The Pattern: My Journey In Interpreting The Bible (2019) Josh Buice, "Three Reasons Why We Moved The Lord's Supper to Every Sunday," G3 (May 3, 2022).Timothy Beal, "The Rise of Rapture Horror Culture", Humanities (Fall 2022)Jack P. Lewis, "The Days of Creation," JETS (1989)I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Read Normally
Mar 13 2024
Read Normally
When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.The sermon today is titled "Read Normally." It is the sixth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 10, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Kevin DeYoung, The Biggest Story.Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet.Stafford North, “Command, Example, & Necessary Inference.” https://faculty.oc.edu/stafford.north/comm-ex-inf.htm Milo Hadwin, The Role of New Testament Examples As Related To Biblical Authority (1974). https://www.amazon.com/Testament-examples-related-Biblical-authority/dp/B0006YPGY0/ John Mark Hicks, Searching For The Pattern: My Journey In Interpreting The Bible (2019). https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Pattern-Journey-Interpreting-Bible/dp/1689634626/ Elisha Sewell, Gospel Advocate (Nov 13, 1923), pp. 1102-1103.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Read Humbly
Mar 4 2024
Read Humbly
When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.The sermon today is titled "Read Humbly." It is the fourth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 25, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth (4th ed), Chap 1: "The Need To Interpret."Dan Kimball, How (Not) To Read The Bible (Zondervan 2020), Introduction.Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read The Bible (2nd ed) (Zondervan, 2018), Introduction & Part 1.E. Randolph Richards & Brandon O'Brien, Misreading Scripture Through Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible (IVP, 2012), Introduction.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Does Prayer Do Anything?
Jan 14 2024
Does Prayer Do Anything?
Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.The sermon today is titled "Does Prayer Do Anything?" It is the second installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 3:20 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 14, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).I am grateful to Rick Atchley of The Hills Church (Richland Hills, TX) for several lessons (heard decades apart) where he offered material used in several key aspects of the sermon today. A sermon on revival preached 25 years ago (in Jackson, TN) included the opening story of the Golf Legend, and a telling of the escape of Peter from prison (Acts 12). More recently, he preached a sermon at The Hills church telling of his dream in the file-cabinet room of heaven, and challenging the church to ask for more.C. S. Lewis' response on prayer is found in his 1945 essay "Work and Prayer" and in his book Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer.A list of powerful prayers in Scripture used in this lesson can be found here.Song leader: Tyler Mayo.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.