Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

A Call To Action

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.” – 2 Chronicles 31:21.

So much has happened in the 17 year history of Northstar. In just the last few years, we have torn down walls, re-purposed spaces, and opened three new satellite (4 if you count the Online Campus) locations. God has responded by continually reminding us that what we viewed as impossible, He made possible. The question is what can we do as members and regular attenders to capitalize on the momentum that has been building at Northstar as we move forward with our vision to help the whole world find and follow Jesus.

We cannot continue business as usual even though our usual business has been pretty good lately. “But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!” Romans 13:1-12 (MSG).

I believe many followers of Jesus define Christianity by what we are not supposed to do, rather than defining Christianity by what God is calling us to do. Think about that for a second. We become passive and play defense trying to not do the things God tells us not to do. Now before you send me emails, I am not suggesting we just go do anything we want, regardless of whether it is in conflict with what God teaches us. That is not my point at all. I’m asking myself and you whether we could be more proactive. I’m asking what more can we do.

“OK, I get what you are saying, but what more can we do Marty?”

We can start with the church and your role in the ministry of the church. God designed each of us with a specific purpose; an assignment that we are uniquely created to do. Only we can do it. If we don’t do it, it goes undone or not done as well as it could be.  When you discover what that is and how you can meet someone else’s need with the resources God has given you, you’ve found your ministry. I believe that few things are as rewarding as responding to the needs of others. Paul quotes the words of Jesus as a standard for sharing our lives with others: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:34–35). An important step toward joyful Christian living is giving your life in service to others. Sharing your life in ministry spiritually strengthens you and those you serve. It will not always be easy, but in those times I encourage you to look to God for validation, direction, and the strength to faithfully endure. At Northstar, we will try very hard to connect you to your ministry so you can act on it and fulfill God’s plan for your lives.

Perry Noble wrote an article listing several things that will make the church come alive. One of them was service: when believers are unleashed to serve Christ by using their spiritual gifts rather than depending on the “paid professionals” to do it all, the church comes alive.

It takes all of us doing our God-given assignment to realize the vision of seeing lives transformed by God’s love. We cannot help the whole world find and follow Jesus without everybody doing their part.

Questions:
1. Are you more worried about what you are not supposed to do than what God is calling you to do?
2. Is Northstar a church where you can serve God’s people and use your gifts for His benefit? If not, why not?
3. Who are the people you care about (kids, seniors, hurting or broken people)? What are the needs you see around you that you can meet? What “causes” your heart to break that you will help conquer?
4. What are some of the positive or painful experiences you’ve had? How could God use these experiences to serve others?
5. Please pray and seek God on where you could best serve in the church. Then take the step to find out more information about it.

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