Author: David Griffith

God did not intend for us to do life alone. That is why He sent His Son as our example. That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us power from on high (Acts 1:8). That is why the Holy Spirit formed us into congregations called churches and encouraged us to meet together often (Hebrews 10:25). That is why the Spirit assigned various gifts to each of us, so that no one person would be responsible for carrying the entire load of the church. We are one body with many parts, all working together to bring about God’s purpose of making Him known to a lost and dying world.

In this passage, we see the establishment of a new and dynamic church that was instrumental in sharing the gospel, discipling new believers, giving to the needs of others, and eventually becoming the launching pad for the spread of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. All of this was possible because the church members learned to—and were willing to—work together in partnership.

Evangelists (ordinary people who loved Jesus) spread the gospel. The Jerusalem church noticed and sent help through Barnabas, who in turn brought Paul to instill vision and passion in the church. Then Agabus delivered a word from the Lord about needs that could be met by a sister church. God’s plan does not work as a solo act—it works when everyone uses their spiritual gifts as instruments, playing in harmony with one another, writing songs of praise on the hearts of the lost. God intended us to be a choir, bringing forth worship and service before the throne of grace in love. Alone, we may be effective for a moment, but not for the marathon called life.

If you are a member of NSC and already playing your instrument in the worship band of the saints—bless you! Play on! If you have not yet begun to play (serve) at NorthStar, then discover which “instrument” we are missing (we’ve been waiting for you—we sound a little “tinny” without you) and plug in. You will be welcomed with open arms. I know there is much need in children’s ministry. Go make a kid’s day!

The church is born out of persecution, as it meets the needs around us. It takes people, in a place, with the proper perspective of purpose, working in partnership to accomplish God’s plan of glorifying His Son. We do this by Loving God, Loving People, and Living Sent!

PURPOSE! Everyone is searching for their purpose in life. What does God want me to do with my life? What is my purpose?

May I propose a perspective? God only has one purpose for all His children: to know Him and to make Him known. That’s it! Simple, though not always easy. With the demands of life, it can feel complicated, but the truth is clear: grow in your knowledge of God every day, and share Him with those He places in your path.

The believers who made up the church (see Tuesday’s devotional) understood this. They probably had different professions and family dynamics, but they all shared the same purpose: to know Jesus intimately and to make Him known—whether to unbelievers or to those who needed to know Him better.

When we live with clarity of purpose, it attracts both the Spirit and the body of Christ to come alongside us. That’s exactly what happened in Antioch:

• “The Lord was with them” (v. 21).

• “The news reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch” (v. 22).

The Spirit was present, the church rallied, and Barnabas brought Paul to help. The result? Antioch became one of the most effective congregations of the first century. They strengthened the church in Jerusalem, sent Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys, and later supported both as they went out separately. Antioch thrived because its people knew their purpose.

Have you been wrestling with God’s purpose for your life? Struggle no more! Seasons change. Circumstances shift. But the overarching call remains the same: Know God, and make Him known.

Every decision in life can be viewed through this lens:

• Marriage: Will this relationship deepen my walk with Jesus? Will we make Him known together?

• Career: Will this job help me know Christ more and create opportunities to share Him?

• Education: Will this choice of college or training strengthen my faith and platform for ministry?

Too often, we make decisions based on temporal knowledge rather than eternal outcomes:

• “This job offers more money and perks—surely it must be God’s will! Yes, it means constant travel and less time with family, but think of the benefits…”

• “He treats me so well. He’s not a believer yet, but maybe one day…”

• “All my friends are going to this university—I’ll find a ministry there… eventually.”

God’s call remains steady: PURPOSE—Know Him and make Him known! Simple.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the last essential element: Partnership.

We all know that the church is not a building, but is made up of the body of believers who may gather in that building. I am not even sure whether the church at Antioch had a physical building or whether it met house to house in small groups. What I do know is that in this passage, Luke calls it “the church at Antioch” (v. 26).

What was the significance of the church at Antioch?

1. It was shelter from the storms of life—“a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord” (v. 21).

2. It was a place to be encouraged to keep Jesus the main thing (v. 23).

3. It was a place to be taught and to grow as disciples (v. 26).

4. It was a place to gain an identity that set them apart from the world (v. 26b).

5. It was a place to learn to give and to meet the needs of others (vv. 29–30).

An “Antioch-style” church is one that becomes a place of refuge when we, and those around us, are battered by the tempests of life. NorthStar Church is used by our community more than 250 times a year for things that have nothing to do with “church.” NorthStar exists to be an answer to people’s problems and needs. We are a refuge in the storms of everyday life.

But let’s remember what the church is—and what it is not. The church is the people. It is you and it is me! It is not just the leadership or staff—it is the congregation who become the refuge.

When we see a couple in our neighborhood struggling with a difficult trial, it is up to us to come alongside them first, and then involve other, more gifted members of the body if necessary to help them secure their boat during the storm. When the church building is made available to the community, we point them to Jesus not only through the facility itself but also through the loving hearts that serve them during their events.

Why? Because the storms of life will come. And when they do, people will remember who stood by them during calm seas. Our hope is that they will turn to our “port” for help and safety when that time arrives. Then, we can continue to serve them in the very purpose for which we were created (see #1–5 above).

The new improvements to our campus are almost complete. On October 5, we will be able to “launch” our newer, more seaworthy vessel into the sea of humanity that surrounds us here in NW Atlanta. It will be ALL HANDS ON DECK as we set sail on our mission of mercy to a lost and dying world. May we man our positions with joy and resolve to do all that God has created us to do (see Ephesians 2:10).

Tomorrow we will look at the 4th necessary element: Perspective.

In this passage, we are introduced to the “characters” in the story of the birth of the church at Antioch. They include:

• Christians who were scattered and preached Jesus

• Jews and Greeks who received the Lord as a result of that preaching

• The church in Jerusalem

• Barnabas

• A considerable number of new believers

• Saul (Paul)

• Prophets (specifically Agabus)

• The brethren living in Judea

Now that we know the cast, what role did each play in establishing the church?

First, it takes evangelists to share the truth about our Savior! Apart from those saints who are willing to share the love of Christ with a lost and hurting world, there would be no church; there would be no NorthStar.

Second, it takes those who receive the good news and become disciples of Jesus Christ. The word “disciple” in Greek means student. In verse 29, the word “believers” is also translated “disciples” in other versions. These disciples—students of the Word—sent a gift back to Judea.

Third, an established church needs a Barnabas, doesn’t it? Someone who is a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. Someone who can preach and teach, but who also has the wisdom to see what the church needs beyond his own strengths. A servant-leader marked by discernment.

Fourth, the modern-day “Antioch” church needs a Paul. A zealot. A visionary who is undeterred by obstacles, fully committed to the mission God has entrusted to them.

Fifth, the church needs prophets—those who hear from the Lord and help move the body into action on behalf of the church and the world.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of the gifts in the church, but it is a pretty effective one for a Christ-honoring body. So, the question is: Who are you?

• Are you an evangelist, passionate about making Jesus known? Amen!

• Are you new in your faith, sitting at His feet as a disciple, eager to learn your role in His kingdom? Amen!

• Are you a Barnabas, a servant-leader who encourages and strengthens others? Amen!

• Are you a Paul, brimming with vision and drive to expand the church’s influence? Amen!

• Are you an Agabus, attuned to the needs of the church and calling others to action? Amen!

The primary truth is this: God uses everyone in the church to grow the church. Each of us has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose—to know Him, and to make Him known.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 in its entirety to discern your spiritual gift. You’ll recognize it as the gift that comes most naturally to you. Then, look for ways to exercise that gift within the body of Christ—within NorthStar. The church cannot operate effectively without you!

Tomorrow we will look at the third necessary element: Place.

North Star is experiencing some pretty impressive growth at the moment. In many ways, NSC mirrors the church at Antioch we just read about. For a church to grow—and not just numerically—it must have several key elements fueling that growth. This week, let’s take a look at what, and who, it takes to sustain a healthy “Antioch-like” church.

These elements include: Persecution (or trials), People, Place, Perspective, and Partnership.

Today’s Focus: Persecution

In the NW Cobb area of Atlanta, we do not experience the kind of persecution described in Acts 11—at least not yet. There has not been an all-out attack on Christians like the one that followed Stephen’s stoning. But that doesn’t mean our neighbors aren’t feeling the weight of life in ways that can feel like persecution.

Whether it’s job difficulties, marriage stress, physical infirmities, or psychological struggles, we live in a world filled with detours and difficulties. In reality, many in our own church family are walking through these very trials.

What did the believers who fled persecution do? They fled—and they shared. They sought safety, but they also shared the good news of Jesus wherever they went.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet we know it’s not always possible—or even biblical—to escape the heat of a fiery trial. More often than not, God’s will is for us to walk through the fire so our souls may be purified. Jesus promised we would have peace in trials because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Even so, we can flee spiritually. We can run to Jesus, our refuge, who offers rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28–30). But that rest is not an escape from mission. Those who fled Jerusalem went on to share the message of Christ. Some even crossed cultural lines, speaking to the Greeks—and revival broke out.

These persecuted believers didn’t hunker down in safety. They shared the hope within them—and God showed up.

So, when trials come, when persecution persists:

• Flee to the One who is our peace.

• Persevere through the storm.

• When you see others suffering, come alongside them and point them to Jesus.

That is why we are in our own “Antioch” today.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at the second necessary element: People!

The Ultimate Reason We Question God: We Doubt God’s Goodness

Is God good?

If God is good, why did my wife, husband, or child get sick?
If God is good, why did You allow them to die?
If God is good, why did my marriage end?
If God is good, why…?

You fill in the blank in your life.
You fill in the hole in your heart.
I have my own holes, scars, and regrets to fill in too.

But why all the “why’s”?

I believe God saw through Thomas’s doubts to his real need with Jesus’ greeting when He appeared to him:
“Peace be with you.”

You see, I don’t believe Thomas actually doubted the resurrection as much as he lacked peace in his life. It had been eight days since Jesus had appeared to the other ten disciples, and the whole town had to be buzzing with rumors. No, Thomas hadn’t actually seen Jesus yet—but he had to be wondering. He was uneasy. He lacked peace in his soul.

Interestingly, in the original Greek text, the word “be” doesn’t exist—it’s added in translation for smoother understanding. The actual phrase is:
“Peace with you.”

Jesus knew that Thomas was in a place of unrest. So PEACE came to be with Thomas.

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.
And He said in John 14:27:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

Ahhh—there it is.

We (okay, I) doubt God because we are fearful of outcomes. And because of that fear, we lack the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

But Jesus is that peace.

Peace isn’t a thing or a feeling. It’s not a destination reached after years of sanctification.
Peace is a person.

Peace is someone we can get to know better and better every day—by reading His Word and interacting with The Word who became flesh (John 1).

Peace is a personal relationship with the Spirit who is:
Love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

And as we spend time with Peace, we will begin to reflect Him in our daily lives—even when the day is devastating.

Our doubts stem from a superficial relationship with Peace Himself.

So start spending more time with PEACE, and watch as the doubts diminish and the peace progresses! (See what I did there? 😊)

We become like those we spend time with.
Do you want to be peaceful?
Then hang out with PEACE—and watch the doubts die! (Did it again. 😉)

Cause #3 for Our Doubts: We Question God’s Omnipresence

Where is God, exactly?
A six-year-old would probably say, “God is in heaven.”
Good answer! Maybe even a great answer.
But is God confined to heaven?

Sometimes, I think He is—that He’s not with me in my struggle, not with me in my pain.
But that’s not true, is it?

King David (my namesake, by the way) answered this question from a very personal perspective in Psalm 139:1–10:

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;
Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Thou hast enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Where can I go from Thy Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Thy hand will lead me,
And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.”

We’ve all probably heard the story of the man who arrives in heaven and meets Jesus. Jesus welcomes him with a visual depiction of his life—footprints in the sand along a seashore: his footprints and Jesus’. But during a particularly difficult time, there’s only one set of footprints. The man, distraught, asks why Jesus would abandon him in his pain.

Jesus answers, full of compassion:

“It was during this time, my child, that I carried you.”

And so it is.
Our God is ALWAYS with us.
He exists outside of time and space—because He is time and space.
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
And He loves us too much to ever abandon us, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in.

So we can check off Cause #3 for doubting Him.
Only one remains—and we’ll look at it tomorrow!

Cause #2 for Our Doubts: We Question God’s Omnipotence

Again, we don’t want to say this one out loud, but practically speaking, we do this all the time—at least I do.

When my late wife developed epilepsy just 17 days after we were married, I had all the faith in the world in God’s power to heal her. I always prayed, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” But I didn’t mean it. I wanted my will to be done. I wanted my wife to be well.

God said no.

I figured He was just producing faith in me and my children—and that He would eventually heal her in His time.
I was wrong.

Debbie never did get better. In fact, she got worse and worse until, after 28 and a half years of praying, He took her home to be with Him.

There was a four-year period about 20 years in when I truly questioned God’s power to heal. Maybe He had just turned it over to the doctors—except in extreme situations or for exceptionally faithful believers. But not for me. Not for her.

But then I realized:
GOD HAD HEALED HER.

He had done it in His time and in His way. She had received the ultimate healing and was now in Paradise with Him.

And that is the ultimate power statement, isn’t it?
For apart from the power of the resurrection, we would have no hope. Jesus raised the dead, healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and cast out demons with a word. Jesus appeared to Thomas—and the other disciples—out of nothing. Locked doors and thick walls couldn’t stop Him from accomplishing His purposes.

And neither can epilepsy, or dementia, or MS.

Our God is ruler over all because of His omnipotence.

Check off Cause #2 for doubting Him.

Tomorrow we’ll look at Cause #3!

Cause #1 for Our Doubts: We Question God’s Omniscience

Basically—and not so basically—we question whether God knows everything. Specifically, I question whether God knows everything about my life at this moment in time. And if He does, does He even care?

Now, I would never admit this out loud, because I know that He cares for me. He tells me He does in 1 Peter 5:7:
“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (Personalized by me.)

But do I always live out my known doctrine? Does my knowledge manifest itself in my life on a daily basis—on a moment-to-moment basis? To get right down to it:
Do I feel His hand upon my angst, or is it just head knowledge?

(I just read back over that last line, and I’m humbled—and not just a little ashamed—that I wrote it, or even thought it in the first place. After all, what is wrong with head knowledge? If you’re like me, there have been numerous times on life’s journey when I have not felt Jesus—but I knew He was right there in the midst of my anxiety, my doubt, my pain. And in most every case, knowing He was there was the anchor that held my faith through the storm until my heart could catch up.)

Does God know everything about me—and you?
ABSOLUTELY.
And He proves it to Thomas in verses 25 and 27. Jesus wasn’t in the room when Thomas stated his ultimatum:

“Unless I can touch His nail-scarred hands and spear-pierced side, I will not believe!” (Dave’s interpretation)

Yet eight days later, when Thomas and Jesus are together in the room, Jesus cashes the ultimatum check by saying:

“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.”
THOMAS, I KNOW EVERYTHING. YOU CAN TRUST IN ME.

And you know what? Jesus knows everything about you and me as well.
And we can trust Him—because He is omniscient.

We can trust the One who is not bound by time, or space, or even our doubts.
He is all-knowing.
And, as my friend Steve Brown used to say,

“…and He likes you anyway.”

After all, Jesus died knowing everything about me—before I was even born.
Check off Cause #1 for doubting Him.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at Cause #2!

Is it just me, or has Thomas gotten a bad rap over the last 2,000+ years? I mean, which of the other disciples had to take the others at their word when they said, “We have seen the Lord,” and then act on that testimony? None—that’s how many! All the other disciples actually saw the Lord after His resurrection.

I don’t know about you, but I believe I would have been in Thomas’ camp. I would have forever carried the nickname “Doubting Dave.” (It actually has a better ring than “Doubting Thomas,” doesn’t it?) And rightfully so, because my life has been riddled with doubt.

So I ask myself (and by association, you): “Self, what is doubt, really?”
The American Heritage Dictionary defines doubt as:

1. To be undecided or skeptical about.

2. To tend to disbelieve; distrust.

3. To regard as unlikely.

4. To suspect; fear.
   A lack of certainty that leads to irresolution. A lack of trust. The condition of being uncertain or unresolved.

That’s pretty descriptive of my thoughts and meditations when it comes to trusting the Lord in all things, Dave!

What doubt—and by association, faith—comes down to is this:
Do I trust God with my life?
Do I trust Him with the diagnosis?
Do I trust Him with my businesses?
Do I trust God with my finances, my family, my children, and grandchildren?

Do I? Do you?
Have you heard the testimony of a trusted advisor and still failed to trust Him fully? I have.
Have you had your Heavenly Father come through for you before, yet this time you’re just not sure He’s up for the task? Me too.

So this week, please walk with me as we explore the causes of our doubts. I promise—the journey will be unsettling, but worth it!