Digging Deeper – Page 3 – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Fruits of Your Labor

Phil Meade on August 15, 2025

⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls . . . And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:41, 47b (ESV)

¹³For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ¹⁴How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:13-15 (ESV)

FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR

My goal in writing this week’s Digging Deeper was to encourage each of us to examine our own spiritual life. What areas in your life do you need to walk away from? Listen to the convicting voice of the Spirit, allowing His power to strengthen your faith. Build on that faith by digging deeper into God’s Word. Let that knowledge transform your heart to be more like Jesus every day.

Take your faith out for a walk—practice kindness, generosity, and love.
Finally, fortify your faith in community. Join a small group. Serve together. Worship together. There is strength in numbers—the body of Christ grows, and the faith of individual members deepens.

As Mike reminds us frequently, the Christian life is not meant to be a solo flight. If God’s only purpose in salvation was the act itself, you wouldn’t still be here on Earth reading this. As we see in the passages from Acts, at least three thousand souls were added to the early church in one day (v. 41), and many more were saved in the days that followed (v. 47b).

Having strong faith is a gift, but as James writes, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Works must accompany our faith. It does us no good to build, strengthen, and fortify our faith, only to leave it sitting on the mantle. If the new converts in the early church had departed that day and never shared their faith, where would the church be today?

One of my favorite passages in Scripture is the progression we find in Romans. I love the logical flow from “What shall we do?”—to calling on the name of the Lord—to Living Sent. Peter checked off every box in his sermon on that special day:
He lived sent—he preached the Gospel—people heard the good news—they believed—their cry of “What shall we do?” was answered—and they were saved!

We should all strive to be those “beautiful feet” that carry the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are crying out for an answer. Get on your feet, and take those new spiritual “muscles” out into the world. You may not save three thousand, but heaven rejoices with just one!

Digging Deeper (er):

Colossians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Peter 1:5-9

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

Digging Deeper: Fortify My Faith

Phil Meade on August 14, 2025

⁴²And they devoted themselves to . . . the fellowship . . . ⁴⁴And all who believed were together and had all things in common . . . and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people

Acts 2:42a, 44, 46b-47a (ESV)

FORTIFY MY FAITH

Forgive me for sounding like the “get off my lawn” blue-hair, but I believe what is severely lacking in society today is a sense of community. We leave our garage in the morning and return in the evening, shutting the door behind us. We communicate in short messages, post emojis on social media, or fail to interact with one another entirely.

I was on a layover years ago, enjoying a sunny walk through the campus of Vanderbilt University. I witnessed two college students walking closely side by side—heads down, buried in their phones. For all I knew, they were texting each other as they walked!

As mentioned yesterday, if the early church had exhibited the same attitude I observed on that campus, we would not be the body of Christ we are today. The early church came together, having “all things in common” (v. 44a). These were Jews from all over the region, in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Their heritage may have been the same, but they each brought with them pieces of the culture they lived in. They came for fellowship (v. 42a), communal meals, and to worship and praise God (vv. 46b–47a).

John Phillips comments:

The oneness of the early church was organic oneness, not organized oneness. There was a mutual caring and concern for other believers. There was a spontaneous coming together of like-minded believers—in love with the Lord, in love with each other, in love with lost souls.

Notice the common word in the last sentence—love! Love was the recurring theme that fortified the faith of those early believers. You and I are from different backgrounds, have unique stories, and may disagree on many things. The one thing we must share is our love for Jesus, our love for the body of Christ, and our love for those who need to hear the message of the Gospel.

As the writer of Ecclesiastes notes:

“Though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Webster’s defines fortify as: “to give physical strength, courage, or endurance; to add mental or moral strength; to protect or strengthen against attack.” Living in community will strengthen and fortify our faith, protecting us against the attacks of the enemy.

The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers to:

“Stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV).

Digging Deeper (er):

John 17:20-23 (High Priestly Prayer); 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Peter 3:8

Digging Deeper: Exercise My Faith

Phil Meade on August 13, 2025

⁴⁵And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together…

Acts 2:45-46a (ESV)

EXERCISE MY FAITH

Exercise! For some of you, this is a four-letter word! For others, it’s an obsession. Most of us fall somewhere in between those extremes. I think we can all agree that exercise is not only good for our physical bodies but also for our emotional well-being. Exercise builds strength, endurance, and discipline. But have you ever thought of your faith as something that needs to be exercised?

Paul often uses exercise metaphors when addressing the various churches he had planted. He reminds the church in Corinth:

“I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”
(1 Corinthians 9:26–27).

Paul also encourages his protégé Timothy to keep fighting, finish the race, and—through it all—keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Let’s look at how the members of the early church exercised their faith to bless not only one another, but also their surrounding community.

First, they sacrificed their worldly possessions for the cause (v. 45a).
Boice notes:

They shared their goods because they were generous, and they were generous because they had learned generosity from God. God had been generous with them. So because God had been generous with them, they were determined to be generous with one another.

Generosity is not one of the “easy” virtues in life. We are all born selfish, so generosity takes some serious discipline and exercise. Try it—you may find that joy is your reward!

Second, they looked for needs and fulfilled them (v. 45b).
How often in our daily lives do we miss opportunities to bless someone through our generosity? We must exercise our hearts and train them to be receptive to those in need.

Lastly, we must exercise our faith daily (v. 46a).
This may include serving, joining a small group, or attending worship services. The Christian life is not meant to be done alone. Jesus surrounded Himself with people and only isolated Himself for prayer and spiritual renewal. The early church would never have grown without community—a topic we’ll touch on more tomorrow.

Put down the remote, turn off your device, get off the couch, and get out there and exercise your faith! As Paul reminds Timothy:

“Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come”
(1 Timothy 4:7b–8).

Physical exercise is important—but spiritual exercise is eternal!

Digging Deeper (er):

1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Proverbs 24:5; Romans 12:1

Digging Deeper: Build Up Your Faith

Phil Meade on August 12, 2025

⁴²And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…

Acts 2:42a (ESV)

BUILD UP YOUR FAITH

Yesterday we saw how the answer to one simple question changed the lives of countless people. Upon conversion, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of the believer. His role, as we noted yesterday, is not only to convict but also to enlighten. Jesus reminds His disciples that the Holy Spirit will come and “teach them all things” (John 14:26). To grow our faith, we must learn the things that form the foundation of our faith. There is no better place to find these building blocks than in God’s Word.

What is the one source you use to learn how to accomplish a new task? For most people, I’m guessing the answer would be YouTube. I’m not the most mechanically inclined, but I can do a few things around the house or under the hood. When my pickup needed a new starter, I was able to replace it with the help of a detailed video I found on YouTube. I used what I learned not only to get the job done, but also to build on my auto mechanic skills.

I like to equate getting to know Jesus with getting to know a romantic interest. When we meet someone who attracts us, we want to spend time with them, converse with them, learn their character, and ultimately trust them based on their actions and faithfulness. The same should be true of our relationship with Jesus.

Spending time with Jesus can take many forms. The important thing is to take the time—not out of obligation, but out of a desire to get to know Him better. Converse with Jesus in prayer and meditation. Learn God’s character by reading about His Son. We learn most about Jesus by studying the Word of God and listening to or reading the teachings of others. The more you learn about God, the more your faith will grow. You will trust Him, and you will know—unflinchingly—that He is faithful!

In the early days of the church, the believers were new to their faith. Many were Jewish converts who had a foundational knowledge (Old Testament) of God. Others—Gentiles—were coming from a pagan worldview. All new believers had to rely on the teaching of others to grow in their faith (v. 42). The same is true today, whether we are new to the faith or mature.

I have struggled at times with a disconnect between head and heart. I love to read, research, and ponder the breadth and depth of God. The eighteen months I spent earning my Master’s in Theological Studies was a grueling yet highly rewarding experience. I use the knowledge I gained during those studies in various endeavors, including writing what you are currently reading. My struggle occurs when I don’t take what I’ve learned and apply it in life’s various moments. Sometimes I feel like the “man in the mirror” from the book of James (1:22–25)—a “hearer,” and not a “doer.”

The early Christians started out as babes, surviving on milk alone. By learning about the character of God, they were soon able to eat solid food. Eventually, they used their strengthened faith to share the good news with others. They became doers!

Digging Deeper (er):

Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16

Digging Deeper: What Shall We Do?

Phil Meade on August 11, 2025

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

Acts 2:1, 5 (ESV)

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

Acts 2:36-39 (ESV)

WHAT SHALL WE DO?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Digging Deeper (er):

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

Digging Deeper – All of Us Giving All of Us

C.A. Phillips on August 8, 2025

42 All the believers devoted themselves…

Acts 2:42a (NLT)

ALL OF US GIVING ALL OF US

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Digging Deeper – Why You Matter

C.A. Phillips on August 7, 2025

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 12:18-27 (NLT)

WHY YOU MATTER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Digging Deeper – Giving to God What’s Already His

C.A. Phillips on August 6, 2025

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

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

GIVING TO GOD WHAT’S ALREADY HIS

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

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

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

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

We haven’t structured our financial lives in a way that allows us to give generously.
We struggle with trust—we don’t fully believe God will provide for us if we give “X” amount.
We think of “our money” as ours and fail to recognize that everything we have comes from the Lord.

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

There’s no better investment you can make.

Digging Deeper – From Sidelines to Between the Lines

C.A. Phillips on August 5, 2025

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

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

FROM SIDELINES TO BETWEEN THE LINES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Digging Deeper – Missing Out on the Joy of Community

C.A. Phillips on August 4, 2025

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

Acts 2:42 (NLT)

MISSING OUT ON THE JOY OF COMMUNITY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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