Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV

We are definitely not living in ordinary times. If you have been watching the news or listening to the chatter on the streets, you will certainly realize that much of what we know is in a “state of change”. In fact there is a great amount of uncertainty about our economy or our standard of living right now. Many pundits are referring us to an event which happened eighty-years ago as the only benchmark which comes close to what we are facing today—the Great Depression.

Now there is no way to know what tomorrow brings or whether we are truly on the edge of this crucible. I am not here this morning to take up this debate. But I believe it is no coincidence why we find ourselves talking about the one institution which has existed throughout every difficult question or uncertainty—the Church.

Therefore I believe it has been by God’s providence why in this forum we have been discussing the meaning of the Church these past few weeks. For we could be entering difficult and dangerous times as a country and once again God may be asking the Church to stand strong in the midst of this storm. Yet we should not fear because God has made clear to each one of us that when we rest our foundation on Jesus, we can withstand any trial or difficulty (Matthew 11:28-30).

Which is why I believe this passage from 1st Peter is very relevant to our discussion today because we are the living stones of this Word. We are the spiritual house and the holy priesthood to this generation. Everything else may collapse and fall into oblivion, but we the Church will ultimately survive all difficulties and trials because we are of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11) and have built ourselves upon the one true foundation.

It was very interesting to recently read a secular book titled “The God that Did Not Fail” about the history of God in Western culture and all the changes which have occurred these past two thousand years. I would not recommend it to someone who was looking for a light read; but it was a very interesting book because the premise is about how God has remained a major part of the Western culture regardless to all the changes which have occurred.

The book points out how people have attempted to remove God from society. How people have attempted to set up false religions. How people have even tried to say God does not even play a significant part of daily life. Yet God continues to stand the test of time through the revelation of himself in our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we have secular books out there recognizing the impact God has had on society even during monumental changes throughout history, people must therefore be recognizing that God is in control. People must be saying that even though changes have occurred, there is a truth that cannot be changed. There is some standard that we all live by.

Which leads us to where we find the Church today because we are not in a position of weakness, we are in a glorious position. We can answer these questions for those who are seeking the truth. We can offer reasons why God has never failed. We can show others the Word and why God is our strength.

Acts 2:42 is widely noted as the blueprint of the Christian Church; yet what is significant about the beginning of the Church is not the blueprint, but the raw-material of a saved congregation. Read the few verses prior in Acts when Luke wrote:

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:40-41 NIV

If we are to carry on the Church through the difficult storms of today, let us start by telling people how to save themselves from the corrupt generation of today. Let us bring people to a saving relationship with Christ and call them into the family of saints. If the church is to be built Christ's way, it will be redeemed and therefore empowered by the Holy Spirit.

When the Church is built upon the rock of the gospel, nothing in this world can shake it from its foundation. Even the gates of Hades will not even be able to prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). This should give all of us the confidence to get through the shaking of today’s uncertain times.

Let us build…


Prayer requests

Tim D – pray that he will be able to find a new job

Bill M – pray that all of us here in the Church will be able to witness effectively, pray that his surgery will go well tomorrow, pray for his wife will be given peace and comfort during this time

Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school this week so they may learn and become better students

Greg – pray for a lady whose young son has been hospitalized with some serious medical conditions involving his pancreas, pray that the sleep apnea machine will help give him rest

Richard – pray for the health of his wife who is having some unknown skin problems

Paul – pray for the Northshore bookstore ministry, pray that he will be able to listen to God and follow His will

Tim W – pray for structural changes at work and that everything will go smooth

Steve – pray that this group will grow to affect others and make a larger impact on the church

Vince – pray for financial support in paying medical bills, pray that he will be able to get some help with insurance

Mark – pray for this group that it will continue to impact people for Him, pray for financial discernment and the difficulties we are going through, pray for the health of this country and that God may bring forth strong Christian leaders

***Pray as Northshore begins new ministries this fall to help encourage others grow in their relationship with God


Continued prayer needs

Kevin – pray for his youngest daughter and her boyfriend that they make smart choices, pray for exwife

David – pray that he will be able to serve in the children’s ministry and make a difference in the lives of kids

Ernie – pray for his 21 year old grandson who has cancer in the mouth and 16 hour surgery which is scheduled for September 30th

Ralph – pray that he will be able to surrender to God in everything

Larry Miller – pray that the marriage ministry will make an impact on the couples who attend Northshore

Ramon – pray that God will continue to give him strength

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

Gary – pray for strength as he works through all the various stresses of life, pray for the health of his wife

Sky – pray for some financial help and that he can help make some additional income for the family

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in joining with others in fellowship, pray God will comfort him during times of loneliness

Joe – pray for all the military members who are in harms way for their safety and quick return

Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church

Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry

Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease

Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord

Carmine – pray that he can deal with the stresses of work

Monte – praise God for a new job that he has been blessed with

Keith – pray that their youngest daughter will be able to do well in college

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

Wednesday, October 1st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church.

**** Wednesday, October 8th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, October 15th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, October 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

I want to thank Tim Dresler for leading the group while I am leading CTL. Therefore we are able to meet every Wednesday night to go further in our study of the Word, fellowship with one another, and prayer… Join us when you can!!

In the coming weeks we are going to lay out the topics a little more in advance. Both Tim and I agree that we need to stay far enough ahead to give all of us the opportunity to dig deep into the word so that all of us may be transformed…

Always know that I stand beside all of you 24/7 as we continue on this journey together…

Please keep October 9th open for the Prayer Connect event which is taking place at Northshore. It would be a great opportunity for all of us to come together and pray for the Church. More details will be coming soon…


Memory Verse

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV