NorthStar Church Blog

 

¹ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place . . . ⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

Acts 2:1, 5 (ESV)

³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” ³⁷ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”

Acts 2:36-39 (ESV)

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WHAT SHALL WE DO?

 

The Day of Pentecost has arrived. In the Old Testament, Pentecost—the Feast of Weeks, the Day of the Firstfruits—was celebrated 50 days after the Sabbath of Passover (see Leviticus 23). In the New Testament, Pentecost is synonymous with the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4). Peter, accompanied by the other eleven apostles, is speaking in Jerusalem to a group of believers—the original one hundred and twenty. At the sound of the events surrounding the coming of the Spirit, Jews from all nations living in Jerusalem gather to investigate (vv. 2:5–6).

Peter gives a sermon—quoting from the prophet Joel and King David—that stuns his audience (vv. 14–35). He ends his message by gently reminding the “House of Israel” that Jesus is both “Lord and Christ.” He then proceeds to not-so-gently remind them that they were the ones responsible for crucifying Jesus (v. 36). These words “cut to the heart” of the listeners and prompt them to ask a life-changing question: “What shall we do?” (v. 37).

When life hits rock bottom, the most common question we ask is, “What can I do?” I used to lead a divorce recovery group, and I heard that question more times than I can count. While I couldn’t give a specific answer to each situation, I could offer one that has worked for me on numerous occasions: when you hit rock bottom, look down to your “firm foundation”—the “rock” on which you stand. (I can hear your melodic voice, Seth!)

Peter answers his audience’s question with: “Repent and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (v. 38). A simple question, answered by a seemingly straightforward response. Easy in theory—more difficult in practice. Enter the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has many roles. One of these is to transform (regenerate) the heart of a non-believer, allowing them access to the saving grace of Jesus—as is displayed in this narrative. Another role is conviction. The Spirit convicts us of our guilt, leading us to repentance. Repentance is simply turning the other way. David Guzik states, “You can’t turn towards God without turning from the things He is against.”

As we begin digging deeper into A World-Changing Faith, I challenge you to examine your own life. What areas are causing you to ask that simple question? The answer is just a prayer away. Change the world by allowing the Spirit to change you from within!

Digging Deeper (er):

Luke 3:8-14; Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan); Mark 10:17-22

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

42 All the believers devoted themselves…

Acts 2:42a (NLT)

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ALL OF US GIVING ALL OF US

 

Have you ever played tug-of-war? You know, where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, trying to drag the other team across a marked center line. I’ve been on some winning teams, as well as some losing teams. Do you know what the one common denominator has been on those winning occasions? It wasn’t because we had one incredibly strong ox on the team; it was because every team member was pulling the rope with all his or her might.

So it was in the early church, as each man and woman was “all in” when it came to learning about Jesus, worship, fellowship, prayer, serving others, and giving as much as was needed to support those who couldn’t support themselves. Not only that, but Luke also makes a point to say they experienced joy as a result!

For 25 years I have watched the reality show Survivor (it debuted in 2000—crazy, I know). The goal of the game is to Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast all your fellow competitors to be the last one standing and win the $1 million prize. It’s always so interesting to see how certain tribes respond when they face adversity. In the earlier years of the show, tribes would almost always eliminate the weakest players early—the ones who didn’t contribute, couldn’t pull their weight, or were social liabilities.

This was truly a Darwinian mindset—“survival of the fittest.” Couldn’t solve the puzzle? Didn’t help build the shelter? Didn’t catch a fish? Didn’t swallow that disgusting bug in the challenge? You’re gone. The tribe recognized that, at least for a time, they were only as strong as their weakest members. And winning challenges was key to advancing in the game and avoiding Tribal Council!

Strangely, this is almost the antithesis of the early church. They showed compassion for the weak. They provided for those who had nothing to eat. They shared everything and looked for ways to help others. They also understood they could only be as strong as their weakest link. But instead of voting them off the island, they built them up, strengthened them, and encouraged them.

But it took ALL of them—not just the strongest, wealthiest, or most influential. ALL.

When we all begin to pull the rope, it’s amazing what we can accomplish, and who we can reach with the love of Jesus.

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:18-27 (NLT)

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WHY YOU MATTER

 

If you attend a local church, this Scripture in 1 Corinthians applies to you: you are a part of the body. And Paul takes it a step further—he says you and I are integral parts of this body, whether we realize it or not.

Can you imagine arriving at church on a Sunday morning and finding no volunteers? No one directing traffic in the parking lots. No one opening doors for guests. No one teaching children about Jesus. No musicians on stage using their talents to lead worship.

If you’re a parent, you know just how meaningful it is to have those special people who serve in classrooms on Sunday mornings, pouring into young lives. Both of my sons came to know Jesus at age seven. Sure, they were being raised by a mom and dad who love Jesus, but they also learned Bible stories, made crafts, sang songs, and attended VBS and countless other events—where adults made it a priority to give their time to invest in their spiritual growth.

In fact, two volunteers—Miss Lynn and Miss Camellia—served in the first-grade classroom and continued to follow my boys’ lives even through high school graduation. They each sent them cards and a gift! They understood the meaning of influence, and they took it seriously.

Another volunteer, Mr. Rick, taught both of my boys in third grade at NorthStar. Many years later, his company generously sponsored their youth baseball teams. And Mr. Daniel was a mentor and group leader for one of my sons in high school. Every time I see him at church, he still asks how Chandler is doing. That’s influence.

You probably have your own examples—men and women who made a lasting impression on your life, or your kids’ lives. They’re precious. And we couldn’t “do church” without them.

How about you? Have you found your place? Whether it’s at NorthStar Church or another local church, there’s someone who needs you.

Maybe you’ve never considered yourself valuable enough to positively influence another life. But that’s not God’s voice telling you that. He wants you to know that just like Miss Lynn, Miss Camellia, Mr. Rick, and Mr. Daniel—you have something incredible to offer… if you’re willing to give it a try.

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
Acts 2:45 (NLT)

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21 (NLT)

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GIVING TO GOD WHAT’S ALREADY HIS

 

There are many people who call themselves Christians and attend Sunday worship services, yet their relationship with Jesus—and engagement with their church family—stops there. They don’t serve. They don’t give. I used to be one of them.

Yesterday, I shared that I had attended NorthStar Church for nearly five years before I began volunteering. Well, it was almost seven years before my wife and I began tithing (you’ll be glad to know this was before I joined the staff). Serving and giving of your time is one thing. But handing over your hard-earned money? That’s another level of investment—one that kept us from experiencing even more joy and more of God’s blessings early in our marriage.

The early church went to far greater lengths than simply tithing to care for their brothers and sisters—their community, their neighbors. They literally sold whatever was necessary, even their own possessions, to ensure that those less fortunate had food, clothing, and shelter. This was the purest expression of love and generosity.

If we don’t give at all, why not start by giving something? If we give a little, why not give more? Ultimately, it comes down to three reasons:

1. We haven’t structured our financial lives in a way that allows us to give generously.

2. We struggle with trust—we don’t fully believe God will provide for us if we give “X” amount.

3. We think of “our money” as ours and fail to recognize that everything we have comes from the Lord.

If the desire of your heart is to “give back to the Lord what is already His,” let Him know—and then begin somewhere. Whether it’s $10 a week or $500, you’ll find yourself looking forward to the opportunity to invest in the mission of the Church: introducing people to Jesus, making disciples, and living SENT.

There’s no better investment you can make.

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

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FROM SIDELINES TO BETWEEN THE LINES

 

My wife, Amy, and I began attending NorthStar Church in March 1997, just three months after we were married and two months after the church’s launch. We officially joined in June of that year, but during our first five years at NorthStar, we knew only a handful of people and weren’t plugged in anywhere.

Sometime around 2002, an announcement was made from the stage one Sunday morning—a moment that would change my life. Someone shared that there would be a meeting later that week for people interested in serving on the Hospitality Team (ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, etc.). I had been looking for a way to get involved, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I went to the meeting with one thought: find the lowest-hanging fruit. In other words, look for a role that required the least commitment—maybe serving once or twice a month. I wasn’t planning to go all in; I just wanted to dip my toe in the shallow end. But God had different plans.

That night, I remember hearing from DeWitt James and Brian Dodd, two men I would grow to love and serve alongside in the years to come. Brian shared an illustration that has stuck with me for more than 20 years. It was the week of the Super Bowl, and he talked about the thousands of fans who would fill the stands, paying top dollar to attend.

“But they’re just spectators,” he said. “The ones who reap the rewards are the players on the field—between the lines—in the game.”

Then, almost as if he had read my mind, he added, “Some of you came here tonight planning to do the bare minimum—to serve here and there. But, just like those football players, you’ll only experience the true rewards when you give your all and get in the game.”

That evening changed the trajectory of my life. I started serving as a door greeter at the 9:00 a.m. service, and over the next two years, I missed only two or three Sundays. I loved serving, and I loved getting to know the people on my team. It was a game-changer.

Are you on the fence about serving? Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Jump in and see what God has in store for you—and for the people He will place in your path.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NLT)

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MISSING OUT ON THE JOY OF COMMUNITY

 

Years ago, there was a guy in my couples’ small group who invited me to his house to talk, saying he had some questions about “church.” However, I quickly realized he wasn’t really interested in asking questions—he wanted to challenge me.

This young man, as it turned out, was trying to justify not attending church on Sunday mornings or being part of the body of believers. He said something along the lines of, “I’ve got most of it figured out. I can watch church services online (not NorthStar’s, but another church in the South). I’m in a small group. I can serve others. I’ve got prayer covered. I’m just kind of hung up on baptism. I’m not sure how I could do baptism on my own.”

I spent the next two hours passionately explaining why his approach was flawed, but he simply couldn’t see it. He was missing the point—and the power—of being part of the local church the way Jesus intended. Faith in Jesus isn’t meant to be a solo endeavor; it’s meant to be lived out in partnership with others.

A Gallup Poll released in 2024 revealed that roughly 44 percent of Christians attend services regularly—though today “regular attendance” is defined as once or twice per month. Honestly, that number was higher than I expected, but it still raises the question: what about the other 56 percent? Why are they disengaged from the life of a local church?

There are countless reasons, but most can likely be summed up this way: they don’t fully understand the true purpose of the Church, nor have they experienced the joy of serving others.

Rick Warren opens his best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life with these four simple words: “It’s not about you.”

When we accept that truth—and begin to embrace it—we start to see both our lives and the lives of others differently. Not only that, we begin to crave community with those who share the same longing to worship the Lord and serve others in His name.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives…

Acts 1:12 (NLT)

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FOCUS FORWARD WITH OBEDIENCE

After everything they had seen and heard, the disciples did what Jesus said. They returned to Jerusalem. They obeyed. It may have seemed anticlimactic, but it was crucial. Their obedience positioned them for what God would do next.

Obedience may not feel exciting, but it is always essential. Sometimes it looks like showing up again, staying faithful in your work, loving difficult people, or forgiving even when it still hurts. Obedience creates space for God’s power to work.

A single mom named Denise felt God prompting her to invite her estranged father to church. They hadn’t spoken in years. She resisted the idea for months, but the conviction wouldn’t go away. Finally, she sent the text. To her shock, he came. That morning, he gave his life to Christ.

Weeks later, he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and passed away within the year. Denise said, “If I hadn’t obeyed, I would have missed the miracle.”

Where is God asking you to return, obey, or remain faithful today? Write it down, and commit to walk it out.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer…

Acts 1:14 (NLT)

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STAY DEVOTED TO PRAYER AND COMMUNITY

Before preaching, before miracles, before the early church exploded in growth, the disciples gathered to pray. They did not isolate. They did not try to figure things out alone. They stayed in community, devoted to prayer. There is power when God’s people pray together. Prayer aligns us with God’s will, strengthens our unity, and invites the Spirit to move. Community reminds us we are not alone. The early church understood they needed each other to stay faithful.

One of the most inspiring historical examples of the power of prayer and community comes from George Müller, who ran orphanages in 19th-century England. He cared for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime, never once asking people for money. Instead, he prayed and trusted God for every need.

On one famous morning, the orphanage had no food. Yet Müller led the children in giving thanks anyway. Moments later, a baker knocked on the door. He had woken up at 2 a.m., sensing God wanted him to bake bread for the children. Soon after, a milk cart broke down right outside, and the milkman offered all the milk before it spoiled. Müller’s faith and community of prayer became a global testimony of God’s provision.

Who are you praying for today? Who are you joining in prayer with to ask God for answers?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

 

As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return…”

Acts 1:10-11 (NLT)

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DON’T GET DISTRACTED FROM THE MISSION

The disciples were understandably amazed by Jesus’ ascension. But then the angels appeared and asked a powerful question: “Why are you standing here?” In other words, do not just admire the moment—go live the mission.

We can easily become stuck in our walk with Jesus because we are staring, stalling, or spectating. Distractions come in many forms: fear, comfort, entertainment, or even routine. We can be so caught up in consuming Christian content that we forget to live it out.

A college student once felt a strong call to start a Bible study in his dorm. But weeks passed, and he kept putting it off—too busy, too nervous, too distracted. Then one day, a classmate overdosed in the room across the hall. The student sensed that this was the moment God wanted him to begin the study, especially with so many students struggling with what had happened. He launched the study the following week. Today, three of those original students are in full-time ministry.

What is distracting you from fully engaging in the mission?

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.