Northgate Christian Fellowship

John 21: 1 - 22 (Peter's challenge) We have all made mistakes. We have all said or done something that caused problems in our lives. But we have to remember that where we finish is way more important than where we start. Together, we’ll look at a story in the bible where a man is given a second chance. Do you believe in second chances?

Matthew 3: 1 - 12 (John the Baptist) When a man takes a stand as a follower of Christ, it sometimes means that you stand out from the crowd. This can make you feel uncomfortable, and that you are on your own. John the Baptist had to deal with the same leadership issues. We are going to take a look at his story, and see what his life shows us about leading in our own wilderness. Are you ready to be a leader? Are you ready to stand out?

“Time to Stop Running!” 2 Samuel 23: 11 - 12 (Shammah) There comes a point in every man’s life where he says, “No More!” It’s a moment when he decides he is not going to commit the sins of his father, he is not going to be a failure as a husband or dad, and he is not going to live a life of fear in his relationships. Today is the day that we see what God wants for us in this area, and we say, “No More!” Where are you when it comes to the relationships in your life?

2 Samuel 23: 20 - 23 (Benaiah) We’ve made having a relationship with Christ simple and sanitary, but it should be the exact opposite. When it comes to being a follower of Christ, we need men that are going to rush into the fight, and not sit and wait on the sidelines anymore. What is keeping you from getting into the fight?

“The Courage Of Convictions” Numbers 13,14; Joshua 14 (Caleb) Courage isn’t something that you muster up all at once. Most often it is the result of every experience through which we have faced our fears in the past. Every step we take to rely on God’s faithfulness gives us the ability to trust him for even greater things. Courage is the product of faith.

“It’s All About Timing” - Luke 10 (Martha) Using your gifts and talents to serve others can be very rewarding. But it’s possible to get so wrapped up in our work that we miss the things that are truly important. People who want to make a difference need to learn to do the right thing in the right way at the right time to keep themselves from burning out.

Acts 4,11,15 (Barnabas) Champions are admired for their success. There are few things more exhilarating than to stand on the top of the podium and claim the trophy. But there is another type of champion –the champion who supports, defends and promotes the success of another. How can we be like Barnabas?

2 Samuel 9 (Mephibosheth) Grace is an amazing word. It holds so much promise and comfort, it offers hope and transformation to a broken world. It is God’s love for the undeserving and it is at the heart of the Christian faith. But what does it look like in action and, having received it, how do we now live in it?

Nehemiah 8,13 One of the greatest pitfalls of success is complacency. When we’ve experienced a measure of success it is tempting to rest on our past and lose sight of our future. But God’s vision for our lives is eternal and while we are still on this earth there will always be room to grow and expand with God. The Big Idea: Under Nehemiah’s leadership the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was completed. But God had a greater purpose. He wasn’t as interested in rebuilding walls as he was in rebuilding His people.

Nehemiah 4,5&6 A vision worth pursuing will demand leaving what is comfortable and taking on challenges that will make us uncomfortable. To fulfill God’s will for our lives we will often have to deal with all kinds of obstacles in our way. But through them God builds our character, refines our vision and stretches our faith. The Big Idea: Nehemiah had to deal with all kinds of distractions. He had to deal with outside opposition, internal conflicts and personal attacks. As he dealt with each of these his vision and resolve grew even stronger. Knowing how to handle discouragement and distractions is key for living out our calling.

“Enlisting The Help Of Others” – Nehemiah 2:11-4:6 Life-transformation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens with the help of others who care and encourage us along the way. It happens when we share our hopes with those who are willing to invest in our lives.

Many fail at their New Year’s Resolutions because it’s a piece-meal approach to change. Patching up minor character flaws or making little behavioral adjustments tend to fail because they don’t see the bigger picture. What’s needed is a personal vision of what God can do in and through our lives. The Big Idea: Nehemiah was moved by a need. His concern moved him to prayer and through prayer to a conviction that God had called him to be part of the solution. God used his circumstances and position to prepare Nehemiah for the work He had for him.

When eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind while his family flies off on vacation he has to fend for himself. At first he enjoys being home alone but soon discovers it’s a dangerous place to be. For some, Christmas with family is a wonderful celebration, for others it brings some pain. But something inside all of us aches for that sense of belonging and safety that ought to be “home”.

One Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin suddenly inherits the job of Santa Claus. At first he thinks it’s just a dream but when he begins to take on all of the characteristics of Santa he begins to accept his new assignment. When angels announced the coming of a new king there was nothing special about his appearance. But in his humble beginnings Jesus was fulfilling the promise.

Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker has only one thing on his Christmas list -an official Red Ryder, 200-shot, BB rifle with a compass in the stock. That one desire occupies his every waking thought, it influences his behavior, it determines his choices. What one thing in our lives has that kind of power? Is there anything or anyone worth that kind of devotion?

In the modern remake of Charles Dicken’s classic, a cynically selfish TV executive comes to grips with the realization that he needs to change. And the change needed is a complete turn-around. With the coming of Jesus, God has begun the great reversal. All because a young peasant woman was willing to say, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”

Impacting the lives of kids around the world has never been a job for Tom Eggum; it has been a lifestyle. Thirty years ago, Tom sat in a college classroom reading about the struggles in the Soviet Union who suffered silently behind the Iron Curtain. Tom took matters into his own hands and began to smuggle suitcases full of aid into the Soviet Union. He had eight successful trips into the Soviet Union until 1981 when he was caught, arrested and blacklisted by the KGB. He had his visa revoked and was forbidden to enter the Soviet Union for five years. Instead of standing on the sidelines, he took six trips into China. He brought medicine, vitamins, antibiotics, clothes and shoes. From these life-altering experiences, he founded Hope 4 Kids International. Currently, Hope 4 Kids International has been in over 94 countries bringing hope and necessary care to kids.

You may not consider yourself to be rich but by all measurements we have considerably more than most people in this world. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why me, why do I have so much when others in this world live in need?”

Whenever a preacher teaches about money people jump to the conclusion that he only wants them to give. Jesus taught more on the topic than any other subject yet he never asked anyone to give him their money. So what is God’s view of money? What does He want us to do with it?

Have you ever noticed that no matter how much our income increases it still doesn’t seem to be enough? No matter how much stuff we accumulate we still want more. Why is that? What is it that makes us so discontent and how can we change the situation?