Steve Roach – Page 2 – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – My Sin Could Not Keep Him There

Steve Roach on April 10, 2026

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

MY SIN COULD NOT KEEP HIM THERE

It wasn’t just Rome. It wasn’t just religion. It wasn’t just death. Even my sin could not keep Jesus in the grave.

The Bible tells us exactly what happened to our sin at the cross. Colossians 2:13–14 (NLT) says that God “canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” And in Romans 8:1 (NLT), we are reminded, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” The resurrection proves that the payment was accepted and the debt is fully paid.

Jesus didn’t rise in spite of sin. He rose having defeated it. Every sin was paid for. Every failure was covered. Every wrong was answered at the cross. The resurrection declares that sin does not get the final word. Grace does. Forgiveness does. New life does.

There is a story told about a courtroom where a guilty man stood before the judge with overwhelming evidence against him. The verdict was clear: guilty. But before the sentence was given, the judge stepped down, removed his robe, and took the place of the man. He paid the full penalty himself. Then he returned to the bench and declared the man free. That is what Jesus did. He didn’t ignore your sin; He paid for it. And His resurrection proves the payment was accepted.

What guilt or shame are you still carrying? What would it look like to truly believe that Jesus has already paid for it?

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.

Digging Deeper – Death Could Not Contain Him

Steve Roach on April 9, 2026

“God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.”

Acts 2:24 (NLT)

DEATH COULD NOT CONTAIN HIM

When Jesus arrived on the scene in Jerusalem during Holy Week, death had a grip on humanity. It held every life, every story, and every future. But when Jesus rose on Easter Sunday, that grip was broken.

The Bible makes clear that death was never meant to have the final word. In Romans 6:9 (NLT), we read, “Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.” And because we belong to Him, that same victory applies to us. First Thessalonians 4:14 (NLT) says, “Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

The resurrection wasn’t just Jesus escaping death. It was Jesus conquering death. He didn’t just survive it; He overwhelmingly and convincingly defeated it. Because of this, death is no longer the end for those who belong to Him. It no longer has the final word.

A beekeeper was walking with his young son when a bee began buzzing around the child, who was allergic and terrified. The father quickly reached out, caught the bee, and let it sting him. Then he released it. The boy panicked as the bee flew again, but the father said, “Don’t worry. It can’t hurt you anymore. It already used its stinger on me.” That is what Jesus did with death. He took the sting so it no longer has power over us.

How does knowing that death has been defeated change the way you view fear, loss, or the future?

Digging Deeper – Religion Could Not Silence Him

Steve Roach on April 8, 2026

“You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping.’”

Matthew 28:13 (NLT)

RELIGION COULD NOT SILENCE HIM

When the guards reported what happened, the religious leaders didn’t investigate. They didn’t seek truth. They paid for silence. They bribed the soldiers to spread a lie. Why? Because the truth was too powerful. It threatened their control, their influence, and their authority.

Before the resurrection, Jesus had already said in John 3:19–20 (NLT), “The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” Truth exposes, and not everyone wants exposure. Yet truth cannot be permanently suppressed. Jesus also said in John 14:6 (NLT), “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Truth is not just a concept. Truth is a person.

They tried to bury the truth, but truth cannot be buried. This still happens today. People try to explain away Jesus, ignore Him, or distort the truth. But the reality remains. Jesus is the Son of God. And He is alive today!

A teacher once wrote the word “truth” on the blackboard and asked the class to erase it. Students came up one by one and wiped it away. Then the teacher turned off the lights and shined a flashlight on the board. The word faintly reappeared through the residue. The teacher said, “You can try to erase truth, but it always finds a way to be seen again.” That is the resurrection. People can deny it, but they cannot erase it.

Where have you seen the truth about Jesus challenged by others? How can you stand confidently in what you know is true about Jesus?

Digging Deeper – Rome Could Not Stop Him

Steve Roach on April 7, 2026

“An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.”

Matthew 28:2 (NLT)

ROME COULD NOT STOP HIM

Rome was the most powerful empire in the world. They knew how to secure a tomb. They placed a stone in the opening, a seal threatening death for anyone who broke it, and soldiers were stationed to guard it. They had authority, power, and experience. If anyone could stop the resurrection, it was Rome.

Scripture reminds us that no human authority compares to God’s authority. Psalm 2:4 (NLT) says, “But the one who rules in heaven laughs.” Earthly power may look intimidating, but it is never ultimate. In Daniel 2:21 (NLT), we are told that God “controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” Rome thought it had control over the tomb, but God had control over history.

But when God moved, none of Rome’s power mattered. The earth shook. The angel came. The stone was rolled away. The guards collapsed in fear. All of Rome’s power could not keep Jesus in the grave. This is a great reminder that no earthly power can stop the plan of God. No authority, no plan, no foe is stronger than Him.

There was a dam built to hold back an enormous body of water. Engineers designed it to be nearly indestructible. Yet over time, pressure built behind it. Eventually, a small crack formed. That crack became a break, and the water rushed through with unstoppable force. No structure could contain it. In a much greater way, the resurrection power of God could not be held back. Once He moved, nothing could contain it.

What pressures or obstacles feel overwhelming to you? How does knowing God’s power is greater than any force or obstacle give you confidence to face today?

Digging Deeper – The Greatest Upset of All Time

Steve Roach on April 6, 2026

“He isn’t here. He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

Matthew 28:6 (NLT)

THE GREATEST UPSET OF ALL TIME

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a moment in history. It is the defining moment of all history. Death had never lost. Every person who had ever lived eventually experienced it. Death was undefeated—until Jesus stepped into the ring.

Scripture makes it clear that this was always God’s plan. Jesus Himself said in John 11:25 (NLT), “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” Long before Easter morning, Jesus had already declared His authority over death. In 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (NLT), Paul later celebrates this victory by saying, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?… But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When the women came to the tomb on Easter morning, they expected to find a body. They were there to anoint His body with spices. Instead, they found a victory. The stone was moved, the tomb was empty, and the message was clear: Jesus had done exactly what He said He would do. What happened that morning was not an accident or trickery. It was not luck or legend. It was God’s plan unfolding exactly on time. The resurrection proves that nothing can stop what God has already determined to do.

In 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team faced the heavily favored Soviet Union. No one gave them a chance. The Soviets had dominated the sport for years. Yet, against all odds, the underdog team won in what became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The victory shocked the world. In a far greater way, the resurrection is the ultimate upset. Death was the undefeated champion, but Jesus defeated it in a rout.

What situation in your life feels impossible or unbeatable right now? How does the resurrection remind you that God is not limited by impossible situations?

Digging Deeper – Jesus’ Mission Was You

Steve Roach on January 16, 2026

“You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy… Jesus was known as the son of Joseph… Adam was the son of God.”

Luke 3:22-23, 28 (NLT)

JESUS CAME FOR FLAWED PEOPLE

The beauty of this passage is how personal it becomes. Jesus, loved by the Father, took on a fully human life, stepping into our story to change our eternity. Because of Adam’s sin, we all find ourselves in sin, darkness, and death. But in Jesus, we can all find hope. In Romans 5:18–19 (NLT), we read, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners, but because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

In 2010, a group of Chilean miners were trapped underground for 69 days. Rescue crews worked around the clock to reach them. When they were finally pulled to the surface, one by one, their families cheered with tears and joy. That is what Jesus does. He came into our darkness, not to shout advice from the surface, but to enter the pit Himself. He did not offer a ladder and tell us to climb. He became the way out. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He brings us up from death to life, from lost to found. His mission was you. His mission was to bring you home. That is real love.

If Jesus went to such great lengths to include you in His mission, how will you live in response? What step of faith is He calling you to take?

Digging Deeper – Jesus Came for Flawed People

Steve Roach on January 15, 2026

“Jesus was known as the son of Joseph… Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.”

Luke 3:23, 28 (NLT)

JESUS CAME FOR FLAWED PEOPLE

Luke’s genealogy is more than a list of names. It tells a story. It is a story of broken people, unlikely ancestors, and sovereign grace. Unlike Matthew, who traces Jesus’ line to Abraham, highlighting Jesus’ Jewish roots, Luke takes us all the way to Adam. Why? Because Luke wants us to see that Jesus came for everyone: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, outsider and insider. What do all these people in the lineage of Jesus have in common? They are all flawed. They are all sinners in need of rescue. Jesus came for flawed people. After all, that is the only kind there are.

Don’t you just love a good bargain? Most of us do. Whether it is a garage sale, a secondhand store, or the clearance rack at the mall, we all like a good deal. What we do not often like is getting home and realizing that our good deal was not that good after all. It is an especially bad deal if we did not notice the “as is” tag.

Most of us are leery of “as is” items. Some stores call them slightly irregular. Sometimes they are called seconds. But whatever you call them, it is simply another way of saying, “These are damaged goods.” Most stores give you fair warning. This item is sold “as is.” You are going to find a flaw, a stain that will not come out, a hole, a zipper that will not zip, or a seam that is not straight. There will be a problem. This item is not normal. There is a fundamental rule on this rack: no returns, no refunds, and no exchanges.

The good news is that Jesus knew what He was purchasing when He redeemed us on the cross. He knew our condition, and He knew that He would never want to exchange us. Once we are His, we are His forever.

Read Luke 3:23–38. Pick one name that stands out. Look up their story. How does their life reveal God’s grace?

Digging Deeper – Jesus Understands Our Humanity

Steve Roach on January 14, 2026

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.”

Luke 3:23 (NLT)

JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR HUMANITY

Yesterday, we said that at Jesus’ baptism, He was declared to be fully God, God’s eternal Son. In the very next verse (v. 23), Luke wants us to also see that Jesus is fully human. Jesus stepped out of heaven and entered real life with real struggles. He knew exhaustion, hunger, grief, and temptation, yet He lived without sin. His humanity was not a limitation. It was a bridge. He became like us so He could reach us. He walked among us to lead us back to God.

Luke emphasizes both Jesus’ humanity and divinity. The people knew Him as Joseph’s son, a carpenter from Nazareth, but heaven knew Him as the Son of God. The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus was both. He fully understands what it means to be human, yet He alone had the power to redeem.

His life shows us how to live. His strength in the face of temptation gives us hope. His compassion in weakness offers comfort. Jesus did not just come to save us. He came to walk with us.

During a marathon, a runner collapsed just short of the finish line. Rather than cross without him, another runner turned back, lifted him onto his shoulder, and walked the final stretch together. When asked why, he said, “Because he could not finish alone, and I could not leave him behind.” That is what Jesus does for us. He does not leave us in our weakness. He enters it with us.

How does knowing Jesus understands your struggles personally help you face them today? Where do you need to rely on Him more?

Digging Deeper – Jesus is Fully God

Steve Roach on January 13, 2026

“And the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.'”

Luke 3:22 (NLT)

JESUS IS FULLY GOD

This moment in Jesus’ baptism is a powerful glimpse into the Trinity. The Father speaks, the Son prays, and the Spirit descends. Heaven itself opens to affirm who Jesus is. In this moment, He did not become God’s Son at His baptism. He always was. But this moment made it visible and undeniable to the people watching and to us today.

The Father’s words were full of meaning to those listening who were very familiar with the promises of the Old Testament. When He says, “You are my dearly loved Son,” He is quoting Psalm 2:7, a messianic psalm describing Christ’s coronation as the eternal King. When He says, “You bring me great joy,” He is referring to Isaiah 42:1, which says, “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me.” Jesus is both the Servant who would suffer and the King who would reign. In a single scene, God affirms Jesus’ love, authority, and mission.

During a youth basketball game, a player made a great move and scored. Amid the noise, one voice rose above the crowd. “That’s my boy!” his dad shouted with pride. The son beamed. In that moment, everyone knew he was loved and seen. That is what the Father did for Jesus. He publicly declared, “This is My Son.” It was affirmation, love, and commissioning all at once.

The amazing truth is that God feels the same way toward His children who have been adopted into His family by grace through faith in Jesus. Have you received God’s affirmation in your own heart? When you consider your identity, do you believe you are dearly loved and sent by God?

Digging Deeper – Jesus Understood the Mission

Steve Roach on January 12, 2026

“One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized.”

Luke 3:21 (NLT)

JESUS UNDERSTOOD THE MISSION

Jesus did not need baptism for repentance, as the others John baptized did. He had no sin to confess. John was hesitant to baptize Him, but Jesus insisted and stepped into the water anyway. Why? Because He came to identify with us in our humanity and to live the human experience. Symbolically, He stepped into the water to preview the mission He came to fulfill: to die, be buried, and rise again.

His baptism was a living parable. It showed that He would one day go down into death on our behalf and rise to bring us new life. It was a moment of divine clarity and a clear understanding of His mission. His baptism marked the beginning of a public journey that would culminate in the cross and resurrection.

We often think of baptism as symbolizing our commitment to God. But here, it is Jesus’ commitment to us. He was showing that He would go where we could not, do what we could not, and make a way back to God.

Imagine a lifeguard who sees someone drowning. He does not shout instructions from the shore. He dives in. That is what Jesus did. He did not shout at us from heaven. He did not stay distant from our sin and suffering. He came down into the water with us, not to be cleansed Himself, but to begin the rescue.

Here is another way to look at it. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Dr. Kent Brantly volunteered to treat patients even though it put him at risk. Eventually, he contracted the virus himself. When asked why he went, he said, “God called me to go. I was not called to comfort but to obedience.” Jesus did something even greater. He did not just risk His life. He gave it out of obedience to the mission of His Father.

Have you stepped into the waters to be baptized to show that you have turned from sin and turned to Christ in repentance and surrender? If not, register for our next baptism in The Springs at NorthStar. You can find all the information about how to register and what to expect by following this link: https://northstarchurch.org/baptism.