Digging Deeper – Page 16 – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: The Bread that Never Satisfies

Phil Meade on September 3, 2024

²⁷Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.

John 6:27 (ESV)

THE BREAD THAT NEVER SATISFIES

Jesus now articulates to his audience the futility of working for the bread of the world that is here today and gone tomorrow (v. 27). He instructs them to work for the food that he has to offer, which is eternal and fulfilling (v. 27). Guzik notes, “Jesus made a contrast between material things and spiritual things. It is almost universally true that people are more attracted to material things than spiritual things. A sign that says free money and free food will get a bigger crowd than one that says spiritual fulfillment and eternal life.” I would like to say that Guzik is wrong, but unfortunately, I cannot disagree with his assessment of the world.

There is a subtle message in the wording of verse 27. Jesus tells the people not to “work” for their daily bread, but instead to accept the “gift” of imperishable food that he has to offer. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his audience that, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21, ESV). Jesus is telling us that the fruits of our earthly work, the treasures that we all seek, are but temporal, leaving us eternally empty and unfulfilled. The harder we work, the larger the appetite grows. As Paul so aptly observed, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die’” (1 Cor 15:32b, ESV).

Do not misunderstand me, I am not saying that work is not important as a means to supply our daily needs. What I am cautioning against is hungering for those things in life that simply are “empty calories” (name any fast-food joint)! It might be a job, a relationship, a neighborhood, or even becoming a pickleball pro (my secret dream). How many times in life do we attain that for which we hunger, only to realize it is “counterfeit,” not worth the paper it was printed on?

I will conclude with this observation, “If you want to see how materialistic you are, take this little test: Suppose someone were to offer you a thousand dollars for every person you earnestly sought to lead to Christ. Would you try to witness to more people than you are doing now? Is it possible that you would do for money, even at the risk of blunders or ridicule, what you would hesitate to do otherwise in obedience to Christ’s urgent commands? Is your love of money stronger than your love of God or the souls of people?” (Our Daily Bread) Trust me, this observation hit close to home with me!

Diggin Deeper (er):

Isaiah 55:2; Luke 12:16-21 (the “bigger barn” syndrome)

Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.

Digging Deeper: Hunger is Timeless and Universal

Phil Meade on September 2, 2024

²⁴So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” ²⁶Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

John 6:24-26 (ESV)

HUNGER IS TIMELESS AND UNIVERSAL

Jesus has just fed the five thousand with two loaves and five fishes. He has left the crowd to be alone on a mountain, mindful that the crowd would carry him away before his appointed time. Jesus and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee during the night (the disciples in a boat during a storm, Jesus walking on the water part of the way, eventually joining the others in the boat, whereupon they immediately arrive on land). We pick up the story the day after the feeding of the five thousand. What was left from the large crowd of the previous day has crossed the sea to find Jesus (v. 24).

The crowd asks Jesus when he has arrived in Capernaum (the other side of the sea, v. 25). Jesus, as always able to read the thoughts of men, tells them the real reason why they seek him (v. 26). The night was long, and their bellies are no longer full from the miracle meal of the day before. The excitement and wonder of the miracle itself has worn off, and they are turning to their basic needs. As human beings, we all hunger for something, and it usually begins with our basic needs, such as food and shelter. Barclay notes, “But there are other hungers which can be satisfied only by him. There is the hunger for truth–in him alone is the truth of God. There is the hunger for life–in him alone is life more abundant. There is the hunger for love–in him alone is the love that outlasts sin and death. Christ alone can satisfy the hunger of the human heart and soul.”

Before the pandemic, I made a few mission trips to Haiti. If you want to see people just trying to obtain the most basic needs for survival, Haiti is the place to go (I am sure it is even worse now with the country in such chaos)! If you want to know how poor a population is, just look at the dogs that roam the streets. I have never seen such a collection of malnourished animals in my life! The mission team tried, on a very small scale, to satisfy the physical hungers of the people. However, it was just a small drop in an extremely large bucket. Our goal of course was to leave them with the hope that although they were in a desperate situation, there was someone who could satisfy their hunger for all of eternity!

It has been said that all humans have a God-sized hole in their heart, longing for it to be filled. As we begin our study this week, ask yourself: what things, people, or situations are you seeking in an attempt to fill that hole? What is it that you hunger for? If you have found it, was it fulfilling, or were you just hungry again in a few hours (like after eating pancakes)? Tomorrow we will discuss the myriad of “shiny objects” that may taste like bread, but do not satiate our appetites.

Diggin Deeper (er):

Matthew 5:6; Luke 6:21; Luke 1:53

Digging Deeper: Confessing or Denying Jesus

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

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.

Digging Deeper: Baptism – From Death to Life

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.

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

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.

Digging Deeper: Lydia – Going Public

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.

Digging Deeper – Beautiful Feet Part 2

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. ¹⁹Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[^a^] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰Teach 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. ⁸And 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

Chris Boggess on August 22, 2024

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!

Digging Deeper – Earning the Right: Predispositional Evangelism

Chris Boggess on August 21, 2024

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.