Digging Deeper: Answering the Call

 

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now 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?” 38 And 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.

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)



ANSWERING THE CALL

 

This past Sunday, we discussed Peter speaking to the first church after the ascension of Christ into Heaven. In the awestruck wonder of the moment, dozens of souls surrendered to Christ. Compelled by the miracles they had just witnessed, they answered the call to come home.

For the last decade, I have worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. I handle all of the HR functions for the restaurant and spend much of my time interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new talent. Given the reputation of the brand, we are often fortunate enough to attract high-performing young people, most of them between 17 and 20 years old.

The most common theme I hear when I spend time with them is this: “What am I going to do when I finish school?” We are overflowing with straight-A students who are searching for a purpose.

Our work is indeed purposeful and can be fulfilling, but our ultimate purpose lies beyond our career or means of paying bills. When Peter spoke to these people and “pierced their hearts,” he was revealing our true purpose in this life—to answer the call to follow Jesus and to serve Him above all else.

Reverend Billy Graham was once asked why he chose the profession he did. The questioner implied that Graham might have made a successful politician and almost certainly possessed the skills to become a successful businessman. Graham responded by saying, “The only thing I can tell you is that God called me to be an evangelist, and I could do nothing else but respond to His call.”

Answering Jesus’ call on our hearts and our lives is more important than any other call we receive. Moreover, it is not only important—it is ultimately our true path to fulfillment and purpose. According to Graham:

“The question I would ask you, however, is this: What is your priority in life? Is it money, or prestige, or security, or comfort? Or is it Christ and His will? Don’t settle for anything less…Make sure of your commitment to Christ. Only He can give you the satisfaction and fulfillment we all seek. Then ask God to help you live for Christ in all you do. The Bible says, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23).”

We have many responsibilities in this life. Each of us is uniquely filled with aspirations, hopes, and dreams, and many of those are good things. Let us, however, always remember to pursue God above all of them.

 


Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper: Joyful and Obedient

 

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now 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?” 38 And 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.

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)



JOYFUL AND OBEDIENT

 

This week, as we finished up our Training Camp series, we focused on the second chapter of Acts in a powerful passage. We hear a proclamation of who Jesus is and a very convicting series of descriptors of the events that had preceded this.

It says, “We are all witnesses” in verse 32, meaning the audience had the incredible experience of witnessing Jesus ascend to heaven. After that miraculous series of events, we have Peter proclaiming his Savior to the crowd—who were likely still in awe—and then we get a very honest response in verse 37: “Brothers, what shall we do?”

What do we do now? Peter’s words had “cut to the heart” of his audience (v. 37), and they were sincerely asking for guidance on what to do next. Peter responds very directly, saying, “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 Holy Spirit” (v. 38).

The Holy Spirit is a unique and personal connection directly to our Creator, and that connection changes us forever. Pastor and author John Piper mentions two things in particular that mark the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit:

  1. A heart of praise: In Acts 10:46, the disciples knew the Holy Spirit had fallen because “they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling (or magnifying) God.” Speaking in tongues is one particular way of releasing the heart of praise. It may be present or may not. But one thing is sure: the heart in which the Holy Spirit has been poured out will stop magnifying self and start magnifying God. Heartfelt praise and worship are the marks of a real experience of the Holy Spirit.

  2. Obedience: The other mark is obedience. In Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles say to the Sadducees who had arrested them, “We must obey God rather than men.” Then, in verse 32, he says, “We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God gave to those who are obeying him.” (“Gave” is past tense; “obey” is present, ongoing tense.)

Let us never forget what it felt like when His words first cut to our hearts. In those moments, we were touched by an eternal joy from our Creator. That feeling of awe and wonder, followed by the humble question “What shall we do?” serves as a great motivation to obey His commands. May we forever be joyful and obedient in Him!

 


Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

Digging Deeper: A Place for Both Public and Private Faith

 

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God…

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)



A PLACE FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FAITH

 

In an article by The New York Times, it was noted that many prominent figures, from athletes to business leaders, maintain a dual life of public influence and private community. For example, a well-known CEO might lead a multi-billion-dollar company but finds their most meaningful connection and support in a small, private group that meets weekly. This duality is a powerful model for faith today, a balance that the early church, as described in Acts, understood completely.

The text says they “worshiped together at the Temple each day,” a very public and formal act, and they also “met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals.” This duality is a powerful model for faith. The corporate gathering at the Temple was a public declaration of their shared faith, a space for collective praise and teaching. It provided a sense of unity and strength in numbers. The intimate gatherings in homes, however, were where genuine community flourished. In these smaller settings, they could meet needs, share life, and truly encourage one another. This was where the “great joy and generosity” could be expressed in personal, tangible ways. The early church understood that both are vital for a healthy faith.

Public worship builds up and unifies believers as the body of Christ, while private fellowship and service connect them on a deeper, personal level. Faith needs to be visible in both the public square and the intimate spaces of life.

Reflection Questions:

  • How can you more intentionally engage in both corporate worship and small-group fellowship at Northstar?
  • What does it look like to bring the “spirit of gladness from Sunday worship” into your everyday life?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the church, both the public gathering and the intimate community. Help me to be a faithful member of Your family, connecting with others in both worship and fellowship. Amen.


Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: We are God’s Search and Rescue Team

 

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47 (NLT)

 

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?”

Romans 10:14 (NLT)



WE ARE GOD’S SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM

 

The 2018 rescue of a youth soccer team trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand captivated the world. International experts and divers rushed to the scene because they understood that lives were at stake. No one suggested waiting until the water went down or taking their time—they acted immediately. They were driven by a single-minded purpose: to find the lost and bring them to safety. The early church in Acts lived with a similar holy urgency, understanding that they were part of God’s ultimate search-and-rescue mission.

Luke’s words, “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved,” are a powerful reminder of this mission. The church wasn’t just a gathering of believers; it was a vibrant hub of gospel proclamation. They knew that people around them were spiritually lost and that they had a crucial part to play. Romans 10:14 makes it clear that people cannot call on Christ unless they have heard the good news, and they cannot hear unless someone tells them. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a profound responsibility. The early church acted as God’s hands, feet, and voice, sharing the gospel with everyone they encountered. They understood that salvation is God’s work, but He delights to use His people as living testimonies.

The role of every believer is to speak, to love, and to go so that others can hear the life-giving message. The church must live with the same urgency as those rescuers, knowing that eternity is on the line for the people around them.

Reflection Questions:

  • Who in your life needs to hear the gospel, and how can you tell them?

  • What is one step you can take to live with greater urgency for lost people?

Prayer:
Lord, give me eyes to see those who are far from You. Give me courage to speak, compassion to care, and faith to trust You with the results as I share the good news. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

A Leader with Lasting Impact

 

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

1 Timothy 3:1-2


 

A LEADER WITH LASTING IMPACT

We live in a culture that often measures leadership by competency: your talent, your skill level, how well you can perform, produce, and deliver results. Skill and talent are important; however, God’s blueprint for leadership begins somewhere entirely different.

Don’t miss this:

In 1 Timothy 3:1–2, Paul describes the qualifications for a church leader. Yet these same qualifications apply in coaching, scouting, and even to corporate CEOs. What’s striking is that the first several requirements in this passage have nothing to do with skill, talent, ability, or competence. Instead, they focus entirely on character and relationships.

• Character

“Above reproach,” “faithful,” “self-controlled,” “wise,” “good reputation.” These speak to who you are when no one is watching, how consistent your integrity is, and how well you steward the trust others place in you. Character is the foundation of influence. Without it, the platform collapses.

• Chemistry (Relationships)

“Enjoy having guests,” “faithful to his wife.” Leadership isn’t just about leading or managing people; it’s about liking people. It’s about loving people. It’s about genuinely caring for people. A leader who can’t connect with others will struggle to inspire them. They don’t prioritize getting to know their team members. They’re distant. They’re absent. Kindness, empathy, and genuine care for those you lead are non-negotiable.

• Finally, Competency

“Able to teach.” Skills matter, but they come after character and chemistry. A leader can have incredible ability, talent, and skill, but without integrity and relational trust, that ability will have no lasting impact.


  1. Character – Who you truly are before God.

  2. Chemistry – How you care for and connect with people.

  3. Competency – What you can do with excellence.


Listen closely: All leaders are different. There is diversity. However, all great leaders lead with character (who you are when no one is looking) and chemistry (relationships). Failure is inevitable, but when you build your leadership around character and chemistry, your leadership won’t just impress—it will endure, with lasting impact and sustained influence.

Character—Chemistry—Competency
Three qualifications that lead to lasting impact as a leader.

 

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 44 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.

Digging Deeper: We are Committed to Building Bridges into Our Community

 

“…all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.

Acts 2:47 (NLT)



WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING BRIDGES INTO OUR COMMUNITY


In a classic example of sportsmanship that went viral, a high school basketball team from Florida, following a hard-fought game against a rival, surprised their opponents with a gesture of kindness. After their victory, the winning team bought pizza and shared a meal with them. The act of bringing together two rival teams in a moment of post-game fellowship dissolved the competitive tension and left everyone feeling a little bit better. The early church had a similar gift for building goodwill—not just in a single moment, but as a consistent part of their lives.

Luke’s account in Acts tells us that the believers were “enjoying the goodwill of all the people.” This didn’t mean that everyone agreed with their message, but it did mean their lives were so full of love, integrity, and genuine concern for others that they earned the respect of their community. They were building bridges, not walls. Their devotion, fellowship, and generosity were not confined to their own group; they were visible to the watching world. This outward focus created fertile ground for the gospel to take root. People were drawn not only to the message they heard but to the beautiful, transformed lives they saw. This goodwill was a powerful testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Northstar is called to be a bridge-builder in our community, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. When we are known for our kindness, generosity, and genuine care for our neighbors, we create opportunities to share the gospel with hearts that are more open to receiving it.

Reflection Questions:

  • How can you actively serve and bless someone in your community this week, expecting nothing in return?

  • What are some simple ways to build goodwill with neighbors or co-workers?

Prayer:
God, help me love my neighbors in practical ways. Use my life to build bridges so that others can see Your goodness and be drawn to You. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: We Never Want to Get Over What Jesus Did for Us

 

They… shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God…

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)



WE NEVER WANT TO GET OVER WHAT JESUS DID FOR US


In 2013, news anchor A.J. Clemente became an overnight sensation after his first on-air broadcast went viral—for all the wrong reasons. A series of verbal blunders and an inaudible expletive led to his immediate dismissal. While the moment was a disaster for him, it became a shared, cringeworthy source of humor for millions who watched the clip again and again. The joy of that memory, for viewers, was something they didn’t want to get over. The early church felt a similar—yet infinitely more profound—joy about their salvation.

This “great joy” wasn’t a fleeting emotion tied to a single, powerful Sunday service; it was a constant, underlying reality of their lives. It was born from a deep, unshakable gratitude for what Jesus had done for them on the cross. They didn’t just remember the gospel; they lived in the reality of it every single day. The forgiveness of their sins, the hope of eternity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit were not distant concepts—they were present truths that filled their hearts with overflowing gladness. This joy, in turn, fueled their “generosity” and “praising God.”

When overwhelmed by the immensity of God’s love and grace, worship becomes a natural response, and sharing what one has with others ceases to feel like a loss. It becomes a joyful act of stewardship and love. The believers were so filled with gratitude for what Jesus had done that they couldn’t help but let it spill out into their community—a contagious joy that drew others to the source of their happiness.

Reflection Questions:

  • What can be done today to intentionally stir fresh gratitude in your heart for the cross?

  • When was the last time joy about Jesus felt contagious?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for saving me. Let me never lose the wonder of the gospel. Fill my heart with a joy that spills over into every part of my life. Amen.


Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Day by Day

 

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT)



DAY BY DAY

The renowned marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge is famous not for a single, powerful race, but for his relentless consistency. While many marvel at his world-record-breaking times, his success is rooted in his steady, daily training regimen. He runs over 120 miles a week—every week—without fail. His approach is a powerful testament to the idea that greatness is achieved through disciplined, daily practice, not through an intense, all-at-once effort.

The early church in Acts exemplified this principle in their faith. Luke describes their devotion as a steady, day-by-day rhythm. The believers “worshiped together at the Temple each day” and also “met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals.” Their faith wasn’t relegated to a single day of the week but was woven into the fabric of their daily lives. This daily faithfulness was the bedrock of their community. They didn’t just gather for a powerful service and then disappear; they lived life together, fostering the genuine community and generosity that Luke describes.

Spiritual growth, like physical fitness, is rarely the result of a single, powerful moment. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of small, consistent acts of obedience and devotion offered to God daily. The early church’s life was a testament to the power of a faith lived out consistently—moment by moment and step by step.

Reflection Questions:

  • What one spiritual practice can you commit to consistently this week, even for just a few minutes a day?

  • How can faith be intentionally woven into the normal, everyday rhythms of life?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk with You faithfully, day by day. Teach me to be steadfast in Your Word, committed to fellowship, and constant in prayer. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is passionate about helping churches grow and reaching people in fresh, creative ways. He launched a church in a Midtown Atlanta movie theater and later served as an Urban Church Planting Strategist with the North American Mission Board. Today, he speaks, writes, and coaches pastors and leaders. Larry has degrees from UCF, Southeastern Seminary, and Southern Seminary—but more importantly, he loves Jesus, good coffee, and seeing the next generation step into their calling. He and his wife Lori love raising their incredible kids and love doing life and ministry together.

Digging Deeper: Fruits of Your Labor

 

41 So 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)


13 
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How 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? 15 And 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

 

42 And they devoted themselves to . . . the fellowship . . . 44 And 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, 47 praising 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

 


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.