Holy Spirit Week - Monday PM

Holy Spirit Week - Sunday PM

We as human host such things as the flesh and the spirit. Listen in as Roy takes us through each concept and how we can live under on for the other.

In our two part series concerning direction Pastor Jon explored God's heart for the nations. As he did that he also revealed how we, as in NorthGate, are called to partner and expand God's mission and vision for his church in this next season of our existence.

This week Chris talked to us about finding our calling. He explored the ideas of what is means to be called as well as where calling may lead us. In addition identifying how calling informs our direction. Enjoy!

Jon Hasselbeck God designed humans to crave and thrive in relationships. We were not meant to live in isolation, but in communion with Him and with others. The most important relationship we will ever have is with God. The disciples John and Peter described their relationship with Jesus when He walked on earth (1 John 1:1-4, 2 Peter 1:16) using the Greek word koinōnia. Their relationship with Jesus was real, intimate, based on personal experience, and they were eyewitnesses of His ministry. It wasn’t just fables and stories - they knew Him personally. Koinōnia means a relationship that is close, full of breadth and depth. God wants the same intimate relationship with each and every one of us, and promises this through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. In addition, He wants us to have the same deep personal relationship with one another, breaking bread, praying with one another with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:44 -46). We were created for fellowship and community.   Everyone yearns to be known, and everyone yearns to belong. In order for us to truly know other people, we must first know (ginṓskō) God intimately. It is only then we know what He thinks of us, that we learn how to see understand others. It is only when we know that we are accepted, that we can accept others. And finally, it is only when we know we are loved, that we know how to love others. This ginṓskō can take place in a large corporate setting such as Sunday morning service as well as in small community groups (Acts 2:44-46). Community groups can provide us an intimate space and place in our evolution as Christians from children to fathers (1 John 2:12-13). Together, in our small community groups, we can encourage and lift each other up. As what was shared in Sandy’s testimony, community groups can provide a “feeling of belonging, and connecting to something more than yourself”. God never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone. Being in part of community empowers us to know God and make Him known.

Roy Van Der Westhuizen This week Community Groups are starting up! As such, the message was focused on the importance of building and being part of an intimate and faithful community of believers. Roy started by asking us to remember a time we had felt like we were growing the most, he pointed out that most likely during that time you were surrounded by intentional, Jesus loving community. A big part of our development as believers is involvement in a faithful community that loves Jesus well. Roy went on to explain that in the first two hundred years of the church there were no buildings or staff, but instead people met in homes, shared meals, and discussed the teachings together. Originally communion was a whole meal, not just a wafer and juice on Sunday morning. This isn’t to say that the way that we do church is wrong, but that we need to make sure to include that element of community that doesn’t come as naturally. Roy shared Acts 2:42-47, focusing on what was happening in the early church. There was giving, prayer, worship, meals all shared and done in a group. There was also explosive growth of the church despite no buildings or services to attract people, just authentic community. Roy pointed out that America is a more individualistic culture from our music to our personal lives. We tend to keep people at an arm’s length. Relationships take time, initiative and work carry a lot of risk so it’s easier to keep everyone at a safe distance. But without authentic and loving community we can never truly grow. Laurie shared her testimony of how God used community groups and grief share to help her and her husband as they grieved the loss of their Son and how it has helped them to continue moving forward in their walk and build new friendships and authentic relationship. Roy shared how it was a small group in Chile that helped him to overcome his issues with sexual addiction as a student. Authentic, faithful, Christian community is essential for growth and life as a Christian. While we don’t meet for service in homes any more, Community Groups serve as a place people can live life together. Share their struggles and be honest. Roy said there are few things more transformational than showing your ugly side and still being loved for it.

Jon Hasselbeck

Jon Hasselbeck

Jon Hasselbeck