True North

Today’s message takes you to the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus is talking with His followers about the events that are to come. Those listening and all of us who read this passage today need to know and need to understand Jesus in the future – but we also need to be aware of Jesus RIGHT NOW. Jesus knew that many who were standing right in front of Him didn’t recognize Him - don’t make the same mistake!

Following Jesus isn’t easy – Pastor Gary will make that clear today. But, he’s not telling you this to scare you away from God! Instead, he’s simply being realistic about the costs you’ll likely encounter as you faithfully pursue a relationship with Jesus. Doing this isn’t all loss though – there’s so much to be gained! There’s a deep and meaningful connection to the God of the Universe, something that you can depend on time and again. The Lord is with you and is guiding you to the best life you could live – with Him!

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a mission. There’s something God has called you to that’s unique for you – and He’s going to give you what you need to complete it. But – as Pastor Gary will explain today – God might not show you the results of your work. You may go your entire life following and obeying and doing the work, and not see the fruit of your labor. Does that mean you should give up? Of course not! Continue to be faithful to what the Lord has called you to – it’s for His glory, anyway!

If you are in the military, and your commanding officer gives you orders, it is understood that you will follow the command. Pastor Gary shares with us, that we, in the same way, should be following the orders that Jesus, our captain, has given us! Our mission, or CO-Mission, is a great one, and it's to spread the good news of the gospel to our lost and hurting world. To hear is to obey, and that means we need to put feet to our faith. Are you being faithful with the mission God has given you?

It's strange to think there are certain things we don't need to seek God about, but Pastor Gary admonishes us today that we have a lot of direction right in front of us! We have the ability to work on the great commission of reaching the world with the gospel, and if we want to switch it up a bit, we can work on the greatest commandment too! Pastor Gary will show us that we are without excuse when it comes to following God's will. We can be faithful and follow, or rebellious and make excuses.

Did you know our Loving Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one of us? It might be easier to agree with that statement than it is to know the specifics about God's calling for us. Pastor Gary will show us that in order for us to be ripe for the revival and calling that God has for us, we need to be faithful in serving as we wait on the Lord. God's plan isn't as much a destination we reach, but a journey and process that he works in us to accomplish His will on this earth, as it is in Heaven.

What does revival look like to you? Is it when others get their lives sorted out, or when they give their hearts to the Lord? Or is there more to it than that? Would you believe that revival isn't just for the “unsaved” but it's for you too? Pastor Gary will show us today that we are not only recipients or witnesses to revival, but active participants in it. If you aren't filling that active role, what are you waiting for? As Pastor Gary says, “we aren't waiting on revival, but revival is waiting on us!”

In ancient times, the walls around a city were an essential part of the city’s safety. Well, today, Pastor Gary urges the church to protect the family by rebuilding the walls of protection that have been broken down over the years. He reminds you that the church is made up of families, so without them, it doesn’t exist. Pastor Gary shares, that, just like God called Nehemiah to shore up the walls of Jerusalem, He’s asking the church to find the weak spots in the defense and secure the walls around the family.

You, like most people, probably go out of your way to do the things that are most important to you. But, does this commitment extend to your family? In today’s edition of True North, Pastor Gary challenges you to consider if you need to take drastic measures to safeguard your family from harm and destructive outside influences. He shares that parents need to be willing to follow God’s leading and do whatever it takes to be the loudest and most influential voice in their child’s life.

It should come as no surprise to you that the family is struggling. Well, today, Pastor Gary wants to remind you of the importance of fighting for your family. He encourages you not to listen to the voices telling you that you don’t have to be part of a church, that it’s just as important to make memories. As you’ll learn, this isn’t true. While bringing your kids to church isn’t a guarantee that they’ll thrive, you’ll be surrounding them with godly voices and stacking the deck in their favor.