Northgate Christian Community

Chris Parker preached on the importance of what it would look like if the Holy Spirit did not only dwell inside of us, but also wanted to sit upon us, like the dove mentioned in Matthew 3:16: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." Chris also mentioned that he has gone through periods where he knew in the moment an event or an experience happened that he would remember it, but admitted that those situations don't happen very often. Chris concluded his message with an admission that we, as humans, are all separated by an "us vs. them" mentality. This statement is contradicted by the final verse Chris shared, found in Matthew 3:43-46: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" Chris summarized that it all comes down to love, and loving one's enemies amidst great conflict and persecution is exactly what Christ is referring to in these verses.

Al and Deb Warner, guest speakers, worked out of the passage of Ezekiel 37. The message concerned people looking at a situation through the eyes of God rather than our own way of thinking and perceiving the world. They brought four main points to share with the congregation. 1) Love: to love the area you are planted in, the people you interact with, and the purpose God has given you. 2) Prayer: to pray for the area you are planted in, the people you connect with, and for the purposes God has for you. 3) Endure: to endure for the area you love and pray for, to endure for the people you love and pray for, and to endure for the purposes in your own lives and others. 4) Expect: to expect for the area you love, pray and endure for, to expect on behalf of the people you have contact with, and to expect for the vision and purposes God has for you, the region, and others.

Romans 8:28 states: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This verse lays out a foundational principle for how we should live our lives. Furthermore, Psalm 118 illustrates what an attitude of Thanksgiving should look like: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever… The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Psalm 118: 1,6). Perception was also discussed during the message. A person's perception becomes their reality but true reality is found in Christ. This is best portrayed in Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." In this season of thanksgiving, it is important to adhere to the instructions given by Paul in Ephesians 5:20: "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The conclusion of the message focused on the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. This story portrayed the power of a Father's love, emphasizing the message "all that I have is yours". We live an abundant life, and thanksgiving helps us to celebrate the grace story of God in our lives.

Habakkuk 2:14 states: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." The focus of the message hinged on the understanding of the definition of glory. The secular definition of glory presents words such as fame, prestige, and honor. However, those words all fall short of the short of glory in God's eyes. If glory is the goal of all things, it is the goal of our salvation; to be the manifestation of our relationship with God. Isaiah 6:3 further emphasizes the view of glory: "And they (angels) were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." The glory of God covering the earth is a manifestation of the beauty of God and His character filling the earth, not in part, but the whole earth. You feel glory when you fall in love with His character. Pastor Tommy Reid expressed that as a pastor he wanted to help "make people hungry" then realized that everyone is already spiritually hungry. Other things in the world around us drown our hunger out and we often try to fill it with things that do not nourish or fulfill us. As we spend time with God and seek his presence, we will encounter our creator and his glory will be revealed more and more.