Digging Deeper: Confessing or Denying Jesus

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 30, 2024

 

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)


CONFESSING OR DENYING JESUS

 

Two young men came to New York City from the countryside for a visit. They stayed at the same boarding house and shared a room. When it was time for bed, each felt ashamed to be the first to kneel and pray in front of the other. So, they sat watching each other. At last, one of them mustered up a little courage, and with a burning blush, as if he were about to do something wrong or wicked, he sank to his knees to say his prayers. As soon as the second saw that, he also knelt. After they had said their prayers, each waited for the other to get up. When they finally did, one said to the other, “I’m really glad to see that you knelt; I was afraid of you.” “Well,” said the other, “I was afraid of you.” It turned out that both were Christians, yet they were afraid of each other. You might smile at that, but how many times have you done the same thing—maybe not in the exact same way, but in effect? (source unknown)

There is coming a day when we will all stand before God the Father. The good news is that, on that day, Jesus will claim and confess everyone as His who confessed Him publicly. The bad news is that those who deny Jesus Christ on earth will be denied by Jesus Christ before God in heaven. To deny Christ in this sense means refusing to recognize His claims over one’s life. It means refusing to openly follow Him. Jesus teaches us to examine our lives and ask: Am I confessing, or am I denying? Baptism is one of the first ways we publicly confess Christ before others.

Reflection

Mike said, “Baptism is my declaration that I’m no longer a ‘fan’ in the stands but a PLAYMAKER on the field for Jesus!” Is it clear to the people around you that you are on Jesus’ team? Have you demonstrated that through baptism? If not, what is holding you back?

Prayer/Praise

Thank Jesus for being willing to claim you as His when He stands before God the Father. Pray that God will give you the courage to never be ashamed of your relationship with Him.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Baptism Follows Faith in Christ

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 29, 2024

 

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

Acts 8:12 (NLT)


BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT ALWAYS FOLLOWS A PERSON COMING TO FAITH IN CHRIST

 

When a person pledges allegiance to the flag, he or she is openly identifying with the United States of America. Likewise, when a person is baptized, he or she is pledging allegiance to Jesus Christ by openly identifying with Him.

A second illustration of baptism is the wedding ring. When a man (or woman) gets married, he (or she) almost always begins to wear a wedding ring or band. The wedding ring does not make someone married; some people choose not to wear a ring, yet they are still legally and truly married. However, the wedding ring is more than a piece of ornamental jewelry. It represents the solemn commitment of a man and a woman to become husband and wife. It is a public testimony to that commitment. A wedding ring identifies a wife with her husband and a husband with his wife. It is a public symbol of a private commitment. Likewise, when a person is baptized, he or she is publicly identifying with Jesus Christ. It is an outward symbol of an inward commitment. (Brian Bill)

Acts 8:12 emphasizes that “as a result” of believing the message of Jesus and salvation, many were baptized. Baptism that comes before someone believes in Jesus for themselves is nothing more than getting wet and has no spiritual value for the believer personally. Biblical baptism always followed someone believing the message of Jesus.

Reflection

Do you remember when you were baptized? Did your baptism come after you repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus for your salvation? If not, let our church office know that you would like to get your baptism in the right order, and let’s get it scheduled.

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for pledging His commitment to you by inviting you into a personal relationship with Him. Ask God to help you live out your commitment to Him, beginning with baptism and continuing by daily following Jesus.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Baptism – From Death to Life

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 28, 2024

 

12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Colossians 2:12 (NLT)


BAPTISM IS A SYMBOLIC ACT THAT TELLS THE WORLD THAT JESUS HAS BROUGHT ME FROM DEATH TO LIFE

 

Randy Travis released a song entitled “Pray for the Fish.” The second verse says: 

Well, the preacher ducked him under that cool clear water, then he did it again. Eddie came up yellin’: “Lord in Heaven, hallelujah! I’m a brand new man! Well, the water got to bubblin’, sky got to rumblin’ an’ the thunder backed up the choir. The fish started jumpin’; it was like they were swimmin’ in a lake of fire. Then Eddie’s Momma stepped outta the crowd, And started yellin’ out loud: “Pray for the fish! They won’t know what’s coming when the sin starts rollin’ off the likes of him. Lord, be with ‘em, they ain’t done nothin’.”

 

Mike reminded us on Sunday that baptism tells the world that you have been changed from the inside out. When you are baptized, you are visually preaching the gospel. As you stand in the water waiting to be baptized, you symbolize Jesus dying on the cross. As you are lowered into the water, you’re providing a visual demonstration that Jesus was buried in the tomb. As you shoot out of the water, you are providing a picture of Jesus rising from the dead. Baptism is a physical picture of you dying spiritually to your old self and coming out of the water to a new life as a Christian.

 

Reflection

Jesus taught that Satan wants to destroy life and that He came to give abundant life. In what ways has Satan tried to destroy your life? In what ways has Jesus given you new life?

 

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for the power He has to rescue from spiritual death and give you the gift of eternal life. Ask God to show you how He wants you to experience the new life He has given you while you are here on earth.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Jesus Commands Every Follower of His to be Baptized

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 27, 2024

 

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)


JESUS COMMANDS EVERY FOLLOWER OF HIS TO BE BAPTIZED

 

A father was talking to his oldest son about the boy’s upcoming baptism. Wanting him to understand the significance of the event, he took great care in explaining it to him. While they were talking, the boy’s younger brother, a little four-year-old, left the room looking visibly upset. Concerned, the father followed him to see what was wrong. Tearfully, the little boy confessed, “I want to be alphabetized with my brother.”

Many of us have grown up with confusion about what baptism means and why it’s important. On Sunday, Mike took great care to help us understand the significance of baptism by explaining what Jesus said about it. Matthew records these words in Matthew 28:19-20 as the final instructions of Jesus before He ascended back to heaven. This passage calls every Christian to go, make disciples, teach, and baptize. The progression is: we go and spread the gospel; in our witnessing, we will make disciples; we baptize those disciples and then teach them to obey the words of Jesus. It is fundamental to our mission in the world. Baptism is a clear command of Jesus Christ. We obey Him when we are baptized, and we disobey Him when we refuse baptism.

Reflection

Did you have a clear understanding of baptism before the message on Sunday? What is something new you learned or a perspective you gained about baptism from the message?

Prayer

Praise God for the clarity He gives about what He expects from you in your walk with Him. Ask God to reveal any areas of disobedience in your life, starting with baptism.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Lydia – Going Public

Avatar photo Larry Grays on August 26, 2024

 

14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.”  And she urged us until we agreed.

Acts 16:14-15 (NLT)


LYDIA: GOING PUBLIC

 

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas came across what amounts to a women’s small group Bible study. They meet a woman named Lydia, whom the Bible describes as a “worshipper” or “God-fearing woman.” Lydia believed in God, but she was not yet saved. According to Pastor Matt Chandler, “God-fearing” means she had rejected paganism and was worshipping the Father. Lydia had come to believe that there is one God. She listened to the teachings of the Jews, trying to grasp what it meant to live a God-fearing life; she wanted to live out her faith in the context of her family and her business. It was into this setting that Paul appeared, and Lydia listened to his teaching. Lydia eventually became the first Christian convert in Europe.

Lydia understood that the gospel wasn’t just for her; it was for the world, beginning in her home. Lydia made the decision to believe in Jesus and be baptized. She then introduced her family and everyone in her household to the gospel. What started in Lydia’s house eventually spread to the nation. Lydia went public with her faith.

Reflection

Have you ever heard someone say, “I believe faith is a personal matter”? Do you think Lydia believed her faith and baptism were a personal matter? It was a personal decision that affected everyone around her. How has your faith and baptism impacted your household lately?

Prayer

Praise God for His ability to completely change our homes. Tell God you are willing to go public with your faith. Ask God to help your faith be contagious to the people around you.

 

Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper – Beautiful Feet Part 2

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on August 23, 2024

 

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:13-17 (NLT)

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)

 


BEAUTIFUL FEET PART 2

In the Paris Olympics of 1924 (yes, this is the 100th anniversary), Eric Liddell was set to run the 100m and 200m races. Most people believed he would take gold in the 100m and win a medal in the 200m. But then Liddell found out that the heats for the 100m would be on a Sunday. Although Liddell said he didn’t have a problem with others competing in the Sunday heats, he felt he could not.

Eric Liddell was born to missionary parents, and his faith had been strong throughout his life. He chose his convictions when deciding whether to compromise his beliefs or achieve world renown. Many people were angry at his choice, calling him a traitor or unpatriotic, but Liddell stood firm. He switched to the 400m. The 400m race was not his specialty, and many thought he would not have the stamina for the second half of the race. Liddell, however, knew where his stamina came from and trusted God to carry him through. He said, “Well, when the gun goes, I go as fast as I can, and trust to God that I’ll have the strength to do the second half.”

The results were striking. Not only did Liddell win the gold in the 400m, but he also set a world record. He became a sports hero not just in his homeland but worldwide! But what came next was not a professional contract or lucrative endorsements. Just a short time after the Olympics, Liddell announced that he would return to China as a missionary. He spent the rest of his life teaching, writing, and preaching. Even at the end of his life, while a prisoner in a Japanese prison camp in China, he served and taught others, especially those like himself, who were separated from their families.

His last words, spoken to his friend and fellow missionary shortly before he slipped into a coma, were, “Annie, it’s complete surrender.”

While in China, he wrote a Chinese pamphlet outlining devotional thoughts and Bible readings to use throughout the year. In it, he said this about the church’s witness in the world:

“The church is His voice in the world, announcing the good news about God, calling men and women everywhere to repent, and inviting them to enter the Kingdom. Every individual in the church shares this responsibility. We are called to witness. Are we doing it? Jesus went about doing good. The church should do the same, for it is called to an active ministry of loving service. Social reform, just and better conditions, righting wrongs, lightening people’s burdens—these are all part of the work of the church, and in it, every individual has a part to play.”

Liddell lived out his part. He did what God had called him to do in the Great Commission. Have you thought about your part in that call? Notice in Liddell’s quote that everyone has a part to play.

Eric Liddell lived out the Great Commission in his life and his death. Pray today and ask God to show you where He can use you to take the good news to a dying world, whether in your neighborhood or on the other side of the globe. Then, just do it!

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Earning the Right Pt. 2: Living Sent

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on August 22, 2024

 

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:13-17 (NLT)


EARNING THE RIGHT PART 2: LIVING SENT

We live in a highly transactional culture. You see it every day. These transactions aren’t limited to the marketplace; even in relationships, we say things like, “I’ll owe you one.” Everyone keeps score to ensure they get what they deserve, so it stands out when we don’t live that way.

If you’ve ever been in the Commons area of the NorthStar offices, you may have seen the five sentences on the wall that serve as our guidelines for how we want to function in the community.

The first one is, “We love with no strings attached.” That means we love even the ungrateful jerks. You don’t have to love back to be loved.

The second sentence on the wall is, “We choose people before projects.” That’s a hard one for many of us. The daily call to get things done and accomplish more can be a huge motivator. But we are saying that a job well done should not leave broken people in its wake.

Next on the wall is, “We believe it’s not about us.” It is 100% about God and the people in the community and the world who do not know Him yet.

Then there is, “We strive to exceed expectations.” How often do you get more than you expected? And when you do, don’t you remember it? In the book Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara talks about the difference between service and hospitality as the difference between black-and-white and color: “Black and white means that you’re doing your job with competence and efficiency; color means you make people feel great about the job you’re doing for them.”

And the final sentence on the wall is, “We always ask what’s next.” We want to look for the next place where we can serve people.

The thing about these is that they are the opposite of transactional. Do we hope that living this way will cause people to notice and become curious about the church and Jesus? Absolutely! Remember “predispositional evangelism”? We want people to see that we are different from the world in a way that changes what they think about Christians and Christ. But even if they never come to Northstar or any church, we would still live this way because that is what we are called to do. These sentences are the essence of what it means to live sent.

Pray and ask God how to incorporate these five sentences into your life. Think about how you could put them to use in your neighborhood, workplace, and home. Make a list of ideas. Then live sent!

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Earning the Right: Predispositional Evangelism

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on August 21, 2024

 

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:13-17 (NLT)


EARNING THE RIGHT: PREDISPOSITIONAL EVANGELISM

I am pretty sure that Hollywood doesn’t understand Christianity. I know that’s not news to you, but the perception that popular culture projects makes it more challenging to share the Gospel. Whenever I see a portrayal of people of faith on TV shows, they seem to fall into a few categories: clueless comic relief, judgmental holier-than-thou antagonist, or life coaches full of pithy sayings. I’ll admit, I’ve encountered people in churches who might fit those categories, but what Hollywood rarely presents is that we have the best news ever and want to share it with the world! That’s a problem.

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about how our brains work because I find that fascinating. Think about it: everything you experience outside your body in the world around you is being processed inside your brain (mind-blowing, right?). In The Expectation Effect, the author, David Robson, presents the idea that our brains are “prediction machines.” The brain uses previous information to process current information, and in many cases, our brain will fit new information into what it is already expecting. One example the author gives is that a mixture of isovaleric and butyric acid has an acrid odor. If the substance is labeled “parmesan cheese,” it causes salivation when sniffed, but if the same substance is labeled “vomit,” it causes a retching reaction. The same smell is interpreted in different ways through the lens of expectation.

People sometimes have negative or indifferent views toward God and the church, which can create expectations of what we Christians believe. Maybe the expectation comes from the way popular culture portrays faith, or it may stem from negative experiences in the past that have left an impression that the church is not a good place. Why would someone want to come and hear the good news if they already think they know what we have to say? And with that perspective, even if they did come to church, they would look for ways to affirm what they think they know.

That’s why what we do in the community matters. Every time we run a concession stand at a football game so some parents can see their kids on the field, we change the expectations of what the church is about. Whenever we host a banquet, sponsor a club or sport, provide gift cards for teachers, take Starbucks to chemo patients, or feed families during the holidays, we show Jesus’s love and change the expectations of what a church is and does.

When Ryan Hoffer and I discussed this idea, he jokingly called it “Predispositional Evangelism.” I think that’s a great description. We are preparing the field of people’s minds and hearts to receive the seed of the Gospel by changing their negative predispositions. Their expectations of what NorthStar is as a church move past those negative assumptions. Hopefully, it also inspires curiosity about why we do what we do—enough that many even become curious enough to come on a Sunday.

Today, pray and ask God if He is calling you to serve. Our community has many opportunities to serve and change how people view the church and, by extension, God.

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Beautiful Feet

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on August 20, 2024

 

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:13-17 (NLT)


BEAUTIFUL FEET

“How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who bring good news!” As Paul’s audience read or heard these words, they would likely have recognized the reference to the book of Isaiah: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7). The prophet wrote these words over 700 years earlier, in a passage pointing to the coming Messiah of Israel. Paul’s audience had waited a long time for this Messiah, and when they heard that the Messiah had come and His name was Jesus, it was music to their ears! This good news was something to celebrate!

Remember Christmas when you were a child? It seemed like you waited and waited for the day to come. Sometimes, it felt like forever. When Christmas Day dawned—or maybe even before dawn for the Boggess kids—you tore into the carefully wrapped gifts with fervor! Each unwrapping brought new delight. All that waiting made the unwrapping sweeter! By the time New Year’s Day rolled around, most of the things that were so exciting were in a closet or a toy box. The excitement faded as the items became more familiar.

We live in a time where the Gospel has always been. All our lives are lived in the “after” of Jesus’ coming. It is easy for us to take the Gospel for granted. Not only do we take it for granted in our own lives, but we also assume that others already know about Jesus. But for those first-century Jews and Gentiles, this was more exciting than getting a new bicycle at Christmas. Imagine how thrilling it was to hear that the waiting was over and that the gift of life brought by the Messiah was finally there to give them new life. How utterly excited they must have been! Christmas morning excitement would look tame compared to how they must have felt! Let’s try to recapture some of that excitement in our lives!

Take a moment and pray. Ask God to restore in you a Christmas-morning excitement about the Gospel. Ask Him to remind you of the beauty of the gift of life that Jesus has offered us. Ask God to show you the people in your life who need that gift.

And if you have never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, why are you leaving the gift unopened? Ask Him to come into your life today!

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – The Gospel

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on August 19, 2024

 

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NLT)


THE GOSPEL

In the verses above, Paul says, “Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the good news…” I think it’s good for us to remind ourselves of the Gospel (good news). For some of you, the good news is as familiar as your name, but I don’t want to take for granted that everyone reading this is on the same page. So, if it’s all the same to you, let’s take a minute to review and resync our understanding of the Gospel.

First, we are all sinners: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, we deserve death—that is the paycheck our sin earns for us: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).

Second, we need a Savior because we can’t save ourselves: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). Jesus was the only sinless sacrifice that could save us: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9). He didn’t save us because we are good; He saved us because He is.

Third, once we know that Jesus died for us, we acknowledge what He’s done: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Finally, we become a new creation and live out our faith as the Bible shows us: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).

If all of that is too much to remember, recall the answer given by the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon. When asked to sum up the Gospel in a few words, he replied, “I will put it in four words for you: Christ died for me.”

Pray and ask God to put people in your path today who need to hear the good news of Jesus. And pray that God will give you the courage to share it.

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.