Digging Deeper – God Even Chases After the Hard-Hearted

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:1-7 (NLT)


 

GOD EVEN CHASES AFTER THE HARD-HEARTED

 

Many times, we read Jesus’ parables and think of the “lost” as being those who do not yet know the Lord. While that is certainly appropriate in many scenarios, I can’t help but believe that in this case, Jesus’ words are aimed directly at the men and women who claim to know God, but whose hearts have strayed far from Him.

Consider verse 2 above: “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”

We see this pattern of behavior throughout Jesus’ ministry: outcasts being drawn to Jesus juxtaposed with the religious leaders’ contempt for Jesus’ willingness to spend time with those outcasts.

  • It happened when Matthew (Levi) held a banquet in Jesus’ honor:

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” (Luke 5:29-30)

  • It happened when Jesus healed a man with a deformity on the Sabbath:

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him. (Luke 6:11)

  • It happened when an immoral woman anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears and expensive perfume:

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39)

Many more times during his ministry we see Jesus’ compassion for the hurting drawing the ire of the self-righteous. But Jesus is imploring sinners – especially the hypocritical Pharisees – to see that their hard hearts can find the peace that eludes them, through repentance. Alas, these religious leaders are so focused on snuffing the threat Jesus poses to their power that they are blinded and deafened to the true message behind Jesus’ actions and words.

So, how about you? Where do you find yourself in this story? Are you hurting and feeling like an outcast? Or, has your heart hardened over time, and you now find yourself far from the Lord? The good news is that Jesus provides the healing in either scenario – simply by turning your mind and heart to Him.


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 – God Always Pursues Us

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Luke 15:3-7 (NLT)


 

GOD ALWAYS PURSUES US

Panic began to set in. I had looked everywhere – and even places beyond the reasonable locations to find one of the rare material possessions on earth that I treasured: my University of Georgia class ring. I emptied nearly every drawer in the house, then began frantically looking through boxes in the basement, but nothing. Then, I started going through every piece of luggage – suitcases and duffel bags. Perhaps I had put it in there when we had moved into our new home just a few weeks prior. Nope.

After a week of scouring every nook and cranny, I finally gave up my search. It hurt to surrender any hope of finding the ring. I remembered that I had taken a photo of it and posted it on Instagram just a few months prior. So, I could at least remember it fondly as I scrolled through my iPhone photos from time to time.

If you’ve ever lost or misplaced something of value – personal or material – you know the feelings that come over you: exasperation, fear, anger, regret, fleeting hope, then sadness if you don’t recover it. I am not a guy who gets caught up in “things.” But with my ring, it was a special gift my parents gave me after earning my degree. It meant so much to me – and it had the Power G in gold, set in a red stone! I loved looking at it when it was on my finger.

In the passage above, Jesus is talking about lost treasure of a different type: a lost soul. Far more valuable than the shepherd’s missing sheep – or a class ring – this lost man or woman is being pursued by the Lord, and the search will never be called off. And aren’t you glad! If you have a son, daughter, parent, friend, or neighbor who is spiritually lost, there is hope!

The Story contained in scripture is one of a loving Heavenly Father who relentlessly chases after his children. He pursued Adam and Eve, even after their tragic and fatal error in judgment. He pursued Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. He chased down Moses, David, and Elijah. And in the New Testament, Jesus sought out prostitutes, tax collectors, murderers, and thieves. Why? Because every soul matters!

He does the same today. It might look different than it did thousands of years ago, as He chooses to use His children to share His message with the hopeless, to serve and to give to those in need. But make no mistake: He is forever on the move, while the saints plan the heavenly celebration for the one who turns to Him!

 


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 – Extra

The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Luke 10:35 (NLT)


 

Extra

 

When the Samaritan left the next morning, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him.” Depending on the quality of the inn, that amount would have paid for the injured man’s room and board for anywhere from three weeks to two months. This was another example of the Samaritan’s generous, compassionate love. But he still was not finished. He promised the innkeeper, “Whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.” In effect, he gave him a blank check. His generosity knew no bounds.

 

When I think about what this Samaritan did (and didn’t have to do), my mind goes to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:41. Jesus said, “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” Roman law gave a soldier the right to force a civilian to carry his pack for a Roman mile, which was slightly shorter than our modern mile. The law, designed to relieve the soldier, not only caused great inconvenience to civilians but was made even more despicable by the fact that the oppressed were made to carry the equipment and weapons of their oppressors.

By helping the wounded man that day, the Samaritan would have done more than the two religious temple workers did (which was nothing). But love called for more. He chose to pay for weeks and even months of care for the wounded man. He arranged to return later, check on him, and pick up the tab for all expenses incurred. Love doesn’t do the minimum. Love goes the extra mile and does what we would want others to do for us. How far are you willing to go to love your neighbor?

 


Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Expression

34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Luke 10:34-35 (NLT)


 

Expression

 

The good Samaritan gave up his work, time, and energy to help the man. Note what he did. Each step is significant in showing how we are to love our neighbors.

 

  • He went to him and reached out personally to help.
  • He soothed his wounds with oil and wine.
  • He bandaged up his wounds.
  • He set him on his donkey and sacrificed his comfort.
  • He provided rooming at an inn so he had a place to heal.
  • He cared for him for the night and ensured he was ok.
  • He enlisted the help of the innkeeper to take care of the man.

 

      Showing love to one’s neighbor is putting love into action. Love is not just an idea or a feeling toward God. It involves practical acts and commitment to help anyone who needs help. What is the true expression of love? It means getting our hands dirty. It means doing for others what you want done for you. It means giving and sacrifice. It means doing whatever it takes to help someone in need. In 1 John 3:18, John writes, “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

It’s one thing to say we love our neighbor but another to express love in practice.  Let’s not love in sentiment only but in practical deeds that make a difference in the lives of others. When we do, we point a lost world to Jesus. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

How will you be a light for the Lord today?

 


Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Example

Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.

Luke 10:33 (NLT)


 

Example

 

We may read the story of the Good Samaritan and think about the cost involved in loving our neighbor, but I would argue that it is far more costly not to care. The priest and the Levite lost far more by their neglect than the Samaritan did by his concern. They lost the opportunity to become better men. They lost their opportunity for influence because they failed to be a godly example.

 

My wife and I were driving with our 8-year-old son somewhere near Atlanta. We came to the end of our exit ramp and encountered a shabby-looking man holding a “please help” sign. My first reaction was to think this man had made poor choices in life and would spend whatever money he received on alcohol. My wife’s first reaction was to say, “Hey, Steve, give him some money.” My son is just taking it all in. I rolled my window down and somewhat reluctantly pulled a $20 bill from my wallet and gave it to the man. He responds with a “God bless you.”

 

A few years later, my son was riding in the car with me, and we encountered another man asking for help. He immediately said, “Dad, let’s give him some money.” I’ve thought about that scenario a good bit. I finally concluded that what the man does with the money is not my responsibility. What’s more important to me is the example of giving that my son has seen in his (somewhat reluctant) Dad. I pray that as he grows older and sees someone in need, he doesn’t think of a reason why he shouldn’t give. Instead, I hope he thinks, “How can I help?” That’s a lesson worth far more than $20.

 


Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Excuses

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he
crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple
assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by
on the other side.

Luke 10:31-32 (NLT)


 

Excuses

 

Why didn’t the priest or the Levite stop to help the man? Some have conjectured they were concerned about defilement. A Jew would become “unclean” if he came into contact with a dead body. This would render him unable to worship. The man on the road may have appeared dead, so they did not want to risk defilement if there was nothing they could do. Or they had likely been serving God at the temple all week and were anxious to get home. They had places to go and people to see. Whatever the reason, they decided to bypass an opportunity to show love to a needy neighbor.

 

In the late 90’s, I was a young believer attending college at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. I would ride the Marta train into the Five Points station and take a 5–10-minute walk to class. One morning, I encountered a man on the sidewalk who was asking those who walked by for money for food. I could have kept walking because I needed to get to class on time. Besides, what money did I have to spare? I was just a college student. Instead of making excuses, the Spirit tugged on my heart to stop. I asked the man to follow me to the KFC restaurant down the street. I bought his meal and presented him with the food. I don’t remember much from this encounter, but I know he was appreciative. I learned that day that when I remove excuses from my heart, there is more room for love for my neighbors. It’s easy to make excuses. It takes work to love our neighbor. Let’s stop making excuses, get our hands dirty and love the way Jesus loved us.

 


Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Expectations

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he
crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple
assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by
on the other side.

Luke 10:31-32 (NLT)


 

Expectations

There are two shockers in this story. One is that the hated Samaritan cared enough to aid the hurt Jewish man on the side of the road. The second is that the Priests and Levites (Temple assistants) didn’t stop to help their countryman. Let’s focus on the latter today. A little background about these guys will help explain what I mean.

 

Priests and Levites had to have come from the tribe of Levi. The priests had to be not only Levites but also in the line of Aaron, Israel’s first high priest (Exodus 28:1–3). Priests and Levites had different jobs in and around the temple. Priests were authorized to perform the sacrifices. Levites were set apart to help the priests. They did the work of elders, servants, custodians, assistants, musicians, movers, and repairmen. Priests and Levites were supported by Israel’s tithes and by revenues from certain cities that had been given to them. Worship in the temple could not have taken place without the combined efforts of the priests and Levites. The bottom line is that they did significant work for the Lord.

 

The Old Testament law demanded that Jews do good deeds and care for those who were hurt. Jesus’ story highlights the shortcomings of the priest and the Levite because they were especially required to provide care. That they didn’t stop to help was jaw-dropping to those who heard this account.

 

As we think about those living around us who are skeptical about God, faith, and Christianity, they expect us to say one thing but live another.  God, however, expects those who carry His name to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our hurting “neighbors.” Let’s live up to God’s expectations and not those of the skeptical world around us. Let’s give them a reason to believe there is a loving God who cares about them.

 


Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper: Seize the Moment

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)


 

SEIZE THE MOMENT

 

Last week I spent some time sitting in a hospital room with a loved one. One morning a hospital worker came in and we started talking. It was not about anything consequential, just filling the quietness of the moment. When she finished working, she said, “You look like a lady who will give me her opinion!” I chuckled and said, ‘You’re not wrong. What is going on?” We had not met before, so I was surprised when she began to tell me about a relationship she was in with a married man. She admitted it was wrong and that she knew God had someone for her. I just listened and waited for her to ask me a question. She finished her story and just stopped talking. There was no question, just quietness in the room. We locked eyes with gentle smiles on our faces and I said, “Jesus loves you and you do not need to settle for anything less than His best for you. You know this relationship is not it.  Don’t settle.”  She thanked me, we said our goodbyes and that was it. Not a moment I planned, certainly not one I expected and yet God knew it would happen. I am so grateful that I did not ignore her while she worked, and that God used me to encourage and challenge her.

As we have studied the story of Zacchaeus this week, I have often wondered why this particular moment was left for us in the Bible. It is not a parable Jesus is telling, but a real-life encounter between Him and Zacchaeus. Perhaps it is because Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him. Reading further in the book of Luke, we soon find Jesus entering Jerusalem with only a few days left of His earthly ministry as the Son of Man. He will be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. And yet, while in route to His destination, He calls down a notorious sinner, ignores the rumbling of the crowds and offers him salvation. One more person who will be with Him in heaven for eternity.

“You didn’t want heaven without us” is a line in my favorite worship song, “What A Beautiful Name.”  This was true for Zacchaeus, and it is still true today. My prayer is that we will ask God to give us such a strong burden for the lost that we will do whatever it takes to not be in heaven without them and seize the moment to share the gospel.

 


Bridget Turner serves as the Director of Women’s Groups at NorthStar Church. She and her husband, Steve, live in Powder Springs and have two young adult children, Hannah and Joshua. She enjoys watching football, traveling and reading.

 

Digging Deeper: Come As You Are

1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)


 

COME AS YOU ARE

 

I grew up in a small town, where we lived on about five acres of land surrounded by family.  We lived in between my grandparents and an aunt and uncle, with their children on the other side. I spent my summers playing with my siblings and cousins, running in and out of each other’s homes. If we were hungry, we ate in whoever’s house we were in at the time. It was a very serene, communal way of life.  Fast forward 35 years, and I live in a subdivision with neighbors on each side that I barely know. We would never consider going in and out of each other’s houses unannounced. Certainly, if anyone does ask to drop by, we frantically start cleaning and hiding things in closets! 

During the time of Zacchaeus’ story, life was lived more like my childhood. Families lived in community, sharing the workloads, meals and caring for one another. In this week’s story Jesus tells Zacchaeus to come down from the tree so He can be a guest in his house. Zacchaeus immediately responds with excitement and joy! He is not concerned with what his home looks like, what mess they might find or what they would eat. The man Zacchaeus desperately wanted to see, is now coming home with him!

This encounter with Jesus changes Zacchaeus. Not only does he welcome Him into his home, but he instantly gives half of his wealth to the poor and offers to repay four times back to anyone he has cheated. Jesus doesn’t ask Zacchaeus to do this, but once he meets Jesus, his heart is moved to do the right thing. Remember, Zacchaeus was called a notorious sinner, the chief tax collector, able to take whatever he wants. The people are grumbling that Jesus would go to his house and yet Jesus says, ‘salvation has come to this home today.” Jesus has shown him what love and forgiveness looks like.

Too often we can think we need to change, to be cleaned up before we can come home to Jesus. The truth is there is no perfecting of our lives that makes Jesus love us more or makes us worthy to come to Him. Romans 3:22-24 teaches us, “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Today if you have not accepted God’s grace and gift of salvation, I pray that you would stop and ask Him to come into your heart and be your Savior. For those of us who do know Jesus, may we bold to share God’s love and grace with those around us who need it.   

 


Bridget Turner serves as the Director of Women’s Groups at NorthStar Church. She and her husband, Steve, live in Powder Springs and have two young adult children, Hannah and Joshua. She enjoys watching football, traveling and reading.

 

Ordinary to Extraordinary

 

“I have brought You glory on the earth, by completing the work which You have given Me to do.”


John 17:4


 

Ordinary to Extraordinary

 

Never underestimate an ordinary life. One who isn’t successful in the worlds eye—A shoe salesmen, a homemaker, a barber, a restaurant server, a grocery store clerk—God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary work in this world. Take for instance the following story of Edward Kimball. Quite possibly, you’re asking yourself at this moment, who in the heck is Edward Kimball? Allow me to explain.

 

Edward Kimball was a dry goods salesman in Boston. A simple ordinary man. However, every Sunday morning at church, Kimball taught a Sunday School class to a group of young teenage boys. He had a particular burden for one of these young men. So one day, Kimball mustered up the courage to reach the young man at his work. He was nervous and scared. He paced back and forth before entering the store where the young man worked. Placing his hand on the young mans shoulder, Kimball shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the young man. However, Kimball left the young man’s work thinking he botched his mission.

 

Little did Kimball know, later that night, this young boy would personally invite Christ into his life, and went on to become one of the greatest evangelists. His name was D.L. Moody. On June 17, 1873 D.L. Moody arrived in Liverpool, England to conduct a series of evangelistic crusades. A struggling young minister who was in the audience was so influenced by Moody’s message that his life and ministry was impacted and transformed. His name was J. Wilbur Chapman.

 

Wilbur Chapman went on to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900’s. He came in contact with a retired professional baseball player, and under Chapman’s mentoring, Billy Sunday went on to become one of the greatest evangelists of his time in American history.

 

Over time, Billy Sunday’s travels led him to Charlotte, N.C. where he held a campaign speaking to thousands. A group of businessmen who were in the audience became followers of Jesus Christ and began a prayer group that would impact not only their lives, but their local community in Charlotte. In October 1934, this group of local businessmen invited an evangelist who’s name was Mordecai Ham to hold a crusade in the local area. On October 8, Mordecai Ham was discouraged, and he wrote a prayer to God on the stationery at his Charlotte, N.C. hotel: “Lord, give us a revival here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow.”

 

On October 9, 1934 his prayer was answered, as a young teenage boy from Central High School went to hear Mordecai Ham. That night, he gave his life to become a follower of Jesus Christ. That young boy’s name was Billy Graham—who went on to become the greatest evangelist in American history and around the world.

 

The faithful obedience of Edward Kimball, a simple ordinary dry foods salesman in Boston, led to countless lives being impacted and changed for eternity all around the world. One life touching another. Edward Kimball > D.L. Moody > J. Wilbur Chapman > Billy Sunday > Local business leaders in Charlotte, NC > Mordecai Ham > Billy Graham.

 

God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things in them and through them. He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. I encourage you today to never underestimate God’s ability to use you in the life of others. All He is looking for is willing heart to say “I have brought You glory on the earth by completing the work which You have given me to do.”

 

Live your life with the end in mind. You won’t regret it!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin


Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.