Bruce Kalish shares the story of the wise men, found in Mark Chapter 2. Through their story, we can observe five of the many ways that God reveals Himself: 1.) through creation, 2.) through our circumstances, 3.) through wise counsel, 4.) through scripture, and 5.) as He chose to do with these wise men--through dreams.

Larry High shares from scripture the humble, joyful response of Simeon to seeing Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to consider: do you know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? What do your main passions in life consist of? What are you looking for? And do you long for heaven?

Pastor John Nixon shows how Zechariah is an example of someone who accepted the discipline of God and grew from it. We are also encouraged that Christmas is a celebration to remember God, and a celebration that God remembers us.

Luke 1:46-55

Pastor Phil examines the story of when Mary was told that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. From Mary's response to this news, we see her humility, obedience, reliance on scriptures, and her expectation of God's continual faithfulness. These are things we should also seek to have in our lives as believers.

In Luke chapter 1, we read how Zechariah and Elizabeth were promised a child in their old age, and Mary was promised a child--Jesus Christ the Messiah--even though Mary was a virgin. Although Zechariah responds to this promise in doubt, Mary responds in faith. And when Mary visits Elizabeth, Elizabeth responds in humility and joy with a blessing.

From this passage, Pastor Phil encourages us to consider the importance of humility, the importance of believing in God's promises, and the joy that we can have in remembering Jesus Christ, regardless of the sorrows or difficulties we may be experiencing at Christmas time.

Pastor Phil uses the example of Matthew's witness, as found in Matthew 9:9-13, to encourage us to share our faith. Specifically, our Life Groups can be a place where we can strategically invite people who need to know Christ into a community of believers--where people can see the love of Christ demonstrated. Finally, we are encouraged to consider who can be our "one"--that specific person who we can actively pray for and with whom we can take steps to share the gospel.

Pastor John explores the Biblical model of church community found in Acts 2. As we proceed with Life Groups, meeting weekly, gathering strategically and serving together, we want God to work in us and to work through us.

Pastor John explores Mark 3:13-19 and John 13 to look at the model of discipleship found in Jesus' ministry. As disciples, we should be spending time in the chair--reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. We should be spending time in the row--gathering together as a body of believers to worship and to hear from God's word. And we should be spending time in the circle--living in community with fellow believers so that we might encourage one another towards a closer relationship with God.

Gather Grow and Go with North Park Baptist Church. A member of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches

The church in Laodicea thought themselves rich and self-sufficient. But in Christ's letter to the church in Laodicea, He tells them that they are spiritually impoverished.

In today's sermon, Pastor Phil asks us to consider: 1.) Is your pursuit of the American dream getting in the way of your pursuit of the kingdom of God? 2.) Have you pushed God out of your life? 3.) What would God's assessment be of you?