NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Expression

Steve Roach on February 8, 2024

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

Steve Roach on February 7, 2024

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.

Digging Deeper – Excuses

Steve Roach on February 6, 2024

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.

Digging Deeper – Expectations

Steve Roach on February 5, 2024

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.

Digging Deeper: Seize the Moment

Bridget Turner on February 2, 2024

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

Bridget Turner on February 1, 2024

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.

Ordinary to Extraordinary

Kevin Burrell on January 31, 2024

“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.

Digging Deeper: Jesus Was Intentional

Bridget Turner on January 31, 2024

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)

JESUS WAS INTENTIONAL

I am a visual learner, and for whatever reason, I have always pictured this scene as a dusty dirt path with a single tree, standing all alone beside the road. These thoughts were probably stirred up by the children’s song we talked about earlier this week! However, a quick internet search showed that Jericho is actually known as “the city of Palm Trees,” bordered with lush vegetation and natural springs. It is probably more accurate to picture Zacchaeus in a sycamore tree on a dirt path running through a small forest like setting.

It may seem insignificant at first, but let’s take a closer look at verse 5. It says, “when Jesus reached the spot, he looked up.” That is a very specific detail, given that we know there is a crowd following Him. The verse continues, “and (Jesus) said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately.” We know they have not met before, but Jesus calls him by name. It reminds me of a football game where a player scores a touchdown and gives the ball to a child in the end zone. The kids’ faces are always so shocked and excited. Being singled out among thousands of fans for a great souvenir – what a thrill! Zacchaeus probably felt that same way when he realized Jesus knew him. He was there to see the man he had heard about. Jesus was there to change his life. Amid the noise, the crowds and the trees, Jesus intentionally stops at the very spot Zacchaeus was located and gets personal.

The busyness and loudness of our lives can rob us of these personal moments with Christ if we let them. We must be intentional in pursuing a relationship with Jesus. Spending time with Him, asking Him to lead us as we seek to do whatever it takes. Our obedience to follow through, will depend greatly on our connection to Christ. Do we truly know Him? Are we committed to seeking Him daily? Do we have a “spot” that we meet with Christ, pray and study His Word? There is nothing more important and nothing that equips us more for this life than to be with Jesus.

Digging Deeper: To Catch a Glimpse of God in the Flesh

Bridget Turner on January 30, 2024

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)

TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF GOD IN THE FLESH

I am vertically challenged, or short, as some would say. I stand just a bit over 5 foot 3 inches, and in a crowd, I typically can’t see anyone or anything not right in front of me. Scripture tells us that Zacchaeus dealt with height issues as well, and in verse 4 that he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. Jesus was headed his way and he wanted to see who Jesus was. While I have not climbed any trees lately, I have stood on my chair or moved to higher ground to catch a glimpse of someone before. The curiosity to see what they look like, what is going on or what is being said can drive us to do whatever it takes.

What would make Zacchaeus so curious to see who Jesus was? He is a rich man – no doubt powerful, and yet he climbs a tree! Perhaps, he heard the stories of Jesus teaching and healing as He was making His way to Jerusalem. Luke 18:25-43 tells us that Jesus heals a blind man sitting by the road just as He enters Jericho, right where we find Zacchaeus in Luke 19. The blind man literally cannot see Jesus but is told Jesus is passing by. So, he begins to yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowds in front of him tell him to be quiet, but the blind man is persistent and keeps yelling. As Jesus gets close to him, He asks him what He can do for him. The man says, “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus replies, “Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.” Instantly the man could see and began to follow Jesus, glorifying God.

This is another moment where we see Jesus seeking out the lost, coming for those who need Him. In her book Rediscovering Israel, Kristi McLelland says, “From beginning to end, the biblical narrative communicates that God is coming for us!” In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God hovers over the waters and later we find God dwelling in the Tabernacle among His people in the desert. In the New Testament, God comes in flesh as Jesus and lives among us. Then in Acts, He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us. Finally, at His return, Christ will gather His bride and live with us forever. No moment exists in all creation where God does not pursue His people. It is who He is.

Today, as we pray and consider “whatever it takes,” ask God to give you the boldness to seek out those who are lost. Today may be the first time someone sees Jesus through you.

Digging Deeper: El Roi – The God Who Sees

Bridget Turner on January 29, 2024

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)

EL ROI: THE GOD WHO SEES

If you grew up in church, you may have learned a song that told the story of Zacchaeus. It went like this:

Zacchaeus was a wee, little man,
And a wee, little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior came that way,
He looked up in the tree,

And he said, “Zacchaeus, you come down from that tree,”

For I’m going to your house today.
For I’m going to your house today.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
But a happy man was he
For he had seen the Lord that day
And a happy man was he;
And a very happy man was he.

Although it is a great way to learn the story of Zacchaeus, it leaves out some key points about who Zacchaeus was. Luke 19:2 tells us that he was a chief tax collector and was rich. In those days, the tax collectors worked for the Roman government and collected the taxes demanded, but they were also allowed to collect what they wanted for themselves. As a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus would also get part of what other tax collectors had gathered. This structure set the stage for tax collectors to be immoral and highly disliked by the people. Zacchaeus was no exception, as verse 7 says the people called him a “notorious sinner.”

The story also tells us that Jesus sees Zacchaeus. He calls him by name – the notorious sinner, in a tree, separated from the crowd watching Him, as He travels through Jericho. From the very beginning, scripture reveals God as a seeker. After Adam and Eve sin, we see God calling out to Adam in Genesis 3:9, “Where are you?” Their sin is not deterring God from seeking them out. Later, in Genesis 16, we find Hagar running away from Abraham and Sarah, hiding in the wilderness, pregnant with Ishmael. An angel of the Lord finds her, and after that encounter she says, “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 3:13)

Jesus declares at the end of Zacchaeus’ story that He came to “seek and save the lost.” It takes intention to seek out those who don’t look like us, who don’t live or believe the way we do. It is much easier to gather and be around people that we know, that are like us, those we are comfortable with. Today, let’s ask God to show us who we need to seek out. Who needs to see a glimpse of Jesus through us? Ask God to open your eyes as you go about your day for the one person you can share His love with.