NorthStar Church Blog

 

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

1 Peter 1:1 (ESV)

 

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ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE QUINTESSENTIAL DISCOURAGED

 

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion…” Thus begins a letter written by Peter (probably in the mid-60s AD) to believers (mostly Gentile, some Jewish) who had dispersed (Greek: Diaspora) due to persecution because of their faith. The five geographic locations mentioned in verse 1 were all provinces in what is modern-day Turkey. He is writing to encourage and reassure his audience as they struggle with continued persecution and suffering. I find it ironic that the apostle who most likely experienced the worst depths of discouragement could now lift up these people experiencing similar lows.

Let’s jump back in history thirty years or so from the time of this letter. Simon (Peter): fisherman, brother of Andrew, one of the first of the “twelve” to be called by Jesus, and the first of the disciples to boldly (no surprise there) declare Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16, ESV). He was nicknamed Cephas (Aramaic for “rock”) by Jesus—the rock on whom Jesus would build His church. You may ask how this “rock” of faith could be discouraged, especially after spending three years following the Son of God.

Peter was never afraid to speak his mind, and he often got out “over his skis.” He walked on water (Matt. 14) until he looked down, took his eyes off Jesus, and down he went—discouraged. He declared Jesus the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). Yet a few verses later in the story, he brashly “rebukes” Jesus, to which Jesus replies, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me” (Matt. 16:23)—discouraged (and probably stunned)! Finally, despite declaring just hours earlier that he was ready to die with Jesus (Luke 22), Jesus’ words rang true in Peter’s ears as the rooster crowed following Peter’s denial of Jesus—discouraged (and crushed)!

Fast forward: the resurrected Jesus appears to His disciples on the beach while they are offshore fishing. John recognizes Jesus, and Peter jumps into the water to get to shore (always the first to act). After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, using a different form of the word “love” each time. Peter adamantly and repeatedly answers yes (John 21). I believe this is Jesus’ way of telling Peter he is forgiven, three times. Each time Peter says yes, one of his denials gets erased. The discouraged becomes the encouraged!

I don’t know the road you have traveled to discouragement, but I do know (from experience) that Jesus knows. He knew Peter’s heart was heavy, and He encouraged him with pure love. Peter had to walk that road to be the “rock” of the future church, with Jesus’ encouragement. We all have walked that road. Let Jesus encourage you with His love! Use that discouragement to become an encourager for others.

 

Diggin Deeper (er):

1 Thess 5:11; Deut 31:8

 

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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.

 

 

⁵⁶ “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

John 6:56-58 (ESV)

 

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THE HUNGRY FEEDING THE HUNGRY

 

I know some of this passage is a little difficult (and a little creepy) to comprehend. How do we “feed” on Christ’s flesh, and “drink” his blood? Barclay uses this analogy to try and explain:

“Here in a bookcase is a book which a man has never read. It may be the glory and the wonder of the tragedies of Shakespeare; but so long as it remains unread upon his bookshelves it is external to him. One day he takes it down and reads it. He is thrilled and fascinated and moved. The story sticks to him; the great lines remain in his memory; now when he wants to, he can take that wonder out from inside himself and remember it and think about it and feed his mind and his heart upon it. Once the book was outside him. Now it is inside him and he can feed upon it. It is that way with any great experience in life. It remains external until we take it within ourselves. It is so with Jesus. So long as he remains a figure in a book, he is external to us; but when he enters into our hearts we can feed upon the life and the strength and the dynamic vitality that he gives to us. Jesus said that we must drink his blood. He is saying: ‘You must stop thinking of me as a subject for theological debate; you must take me into you, and you must come into me; and then you will have real life.’ That is what Jesus meant when he spoke about us abiding in him and himself abiding in us.”

By taking in the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we are now connected to him. He abides in us, and we in Him (v. 56). Jesus again reiterates that He is the bread come down from heaven, and that unlike the bread given to the Israelites in the time of Moses, His bread will completely satisfy our hunger, for life eternal (v. 58). But that is not all – Jesus explains how he was sent by the Father, and he feeds off the Father. We are to have that same relationship with Jesus (v. 57). As Mike frequently reminds us, if salvation were the endgame of Christianity, then the instant you put your faith in Jesus, you would be brought home to heaven. We too were hungry, beggars searching for our daily bread. Once we find the “bread of heaven,” we must use that strength to help other beggars like ourselves find the bread of life. As Phillips Brooks comments, “To feed on Christ is to get His strength into us, to be our strength. You feed on the cornfield, and the strength of the cornfield comes into you, and is your strength. You feed on Christ, and then go and live your life; and it is Christ in you that lives your life, that helps the poor, that tells the truth, that fights the battles, and that wins the crown.” Eat your fill! Live with Christ in you! Help others! Fight the battles, in truth!

Diggin Deeper (er):

John 17:21-23; John 14:23

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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.

 

 

³³ For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴ They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

John 6:33-36 (ESV)

 

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THE BREAD THAT SATISFIES ETERNALLY

 

Jesus now explains to his audience what (or in this case, whom) is this “bread of God” (v. 33). He has earlier revealed himself as being sent by the Father, and descended from heaven (John 3:13). He is telling the people that the bread of life from God is not manna from heaven, but the one who is standing in front of them. How does the crowd react to such an earthshaking revelation? They ask for this bread, “always” (v. 34). Unfortunately, as is often the case in Scripture, the people are mistaken. They are still seeking fulfillment for their physical needs, and not their spiritual needs. It, “is about faith, but these people wanted food. Jesus talked about spiritual relationship, but the crowds were interested in physical showmanship. They focused on the lunch, not the love; on their bellies, not their beliefs” (Gangel).

My favorite Jesus-encounter in the Bible is the Samarian woman meeting Jesus at the well (John 4). She was searching for water to quench her physical thirst — Jesus was offering her “living water” that would quench her eternal thirst. In our current context, Jesus offers himself as the “bread of life” (v. 35). This bread is not like bread that dries out, crumbles, and molds. Bread was an essential staple of the diet during the time of Jesus. It could be life-sustaining, and Jesus is offering himself as the sustainer of eternal life. How does one receive this sustaining bread? By coming to Jesus, and believing. Without Jesus, the physical bread that the people were seeking might sustain them physically, but Jesus is the only way to be sustained eternally. As Barclay notes, “The restless soul is at rest; the hungry heart is satisfied.”

Taken from Our Daily Bread – “Riding along with my husband on some errands, I scrolled through emails on my phone and was surprised at an incoming advertisement for a local donut shop, a shop we had just passed on the right side of the street. Suddenly my stomach growled with hunger. I marveled at how technology allows vendors to woo us into their establishments. As I clicked off my email, I mused over God’s constant yearning to draw me closer. He always knows where I am and longs to influence my choices. I wondered, Does my heart growl in desire for Him the way my stomach did over the idea of a donut? . . . The donut shop’s advertisement targeted my body’s craving, but God’s continuous knowledge of my heart’s condition invites me to recognize my ongoing need for Him and to receive the sustenance only He can provide.” I added this anecdote for all you Krispy Kreme lovers!!

Diggin Deeper (er):

John 4:13-15 (woman at the well); 1 Cor 10:3-4

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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.

 

 

²⁸ Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” ²⁹ Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” ³⁰ So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? ³¹ Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” ³² Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

John 6:28-32 (ESV)

 

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WHAT MUST WE DO?

 

Oftentimes in scripture you will find Jesus answering what could be a complicated or misleading question with a simple, direct answer. When his audience asks him “what must they do” (v. 28), Jesus simply replies, “believe” (v. 29). Sounds fairly easy, does it not? The crowd however wants more. They ask for more proof. They want a sign, so that they may believe (v. 30). Remember, this is the same crowd who just the day prior witnessed a miracle of epic proportions (feeding of the five thousand). They are equating the manna from the days of Moses to the “heavenly” bread Jesus is offering (v. 31). Jesus corrects them in verse 32, and Barclay comments, “he told them that the manna was not really the bread of God; it was only the symbol of the bread of God. The bread of God was he who came down from heaven and gave men not simply satisfaction from physical hunger, but life. Jesus was claiming that the only real satisfaction was in him.”

How does one do the “work of God?” — Believe. What does believing look like? Barclay notes, “The essence of the Christian life is a new relationship to God, a relationship offered by him and made possible by the revelation which Jesus gave us of him, a relationship which issues in that service, purity and trust which are the reflection of God. This is the work which God wishes us and enables us to perform.”

Barclay first notes that we must establish a relationship with God. For most of you reading this DD, that is most likely the case. For those reading this message who have not yet trusted Jesus with their heart, and soul, and mind, and life, I urge you to simply ask Jesus into your life. He has been patiently waiting for you to come home. Secondly, this relationship with Jesus should result in a transformation of your being (through the work of the Holy Spirit). Barclay mentions service, purity, and trust – being the true reflection of God. This results in work that pleases God, as we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News! Just like the manna from heaven was only enough for the people’s daily needs, so must our “bread” from heaven be eaten daily – each day renewing our faith in the one who provides.

Diggin Deeper (er):

1 Cor 15:58; 1 John 3:23

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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.

 

 

²⁷ Do 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)

 

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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)

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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.

 

 

²⁴ So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” ²⁶ Jesus 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)

 

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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

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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.

 

 

“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)

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CONFESSING OR DENYING JESUS

 

 

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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.

 

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)

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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.

 

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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.

 

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)

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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.

 

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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.