Sunday, August 19, 2012

Northgate Church

Today we worshiped at Northgate Church, 238 West View Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229, 412.931.6016, www.northgatechurch.com, Jesse Boggs, Senior Pastor.


Scripture – 

Matthew 16:13 – When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

Matthew 16:15 – “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Luke 6:46-49 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”


Bob’s thoughts:

We left early for church and got there just in time…men don’t ask directions.

We were greeted at the door and given a visitor flyer, and when we requested direction to the rest rooms we were led there. There did seem to be signage, but nothing directional from the narthex.

We have visited a church with the same architecture but I can’t remember where: high pointed ceiling covered in knotty pine and triangular el’s on either side. I was disappointed not to see a cross till the screen was raised at the end of the service to reveal a large cross on the wall behind it. There were few seats left when the service started. We were told the pastor was away so it seemed unusual for a packed sanctuary.

A number of different lay people offered prayers throughout the service and seemed comfortable doing so.

The message was delivered by a heart surgeon who provided a whole sheet of Scripture references pointing to an affirmation of Christ. A considerable echo made him hard to understand, but the sermon was shown on slides.

A highlight: truth is not subjective, you can’t create your own; we are called to be enslaved to Christ; and the conclusion if you are saved, lived like you mean it.

I have a neighbor for whom I have felt called to lay hands on for healing prayer, but I have a sense he is not a believer from his lack of response to some of my Christ talk. This is the third week in a row where the sermon has called us to not just talk the talk but to walk the walk. I am slow, but now know how God wants me to offer Christ Jesus’ healing of heart and soul.


Jan’s thoughts:

Today we were feeling our age so we were especially grateful for the “Visitor” parking.

Upon our first step inside we were offered a bulletin, and upon our second step we were asked if we were visitors. Since the service was just beginning when we arrived, we hoped to find the restrooms quickly and get into the sanctuary, but we encountered a visitor greeter who took his job very seriously.

We entered the sanctuary during the announcements, and then witnessed a moment of appreciation and sending for the first youth pastor of this church and his wife as they prepared to leave for mission work in Spain.

The large sanctuary was filled almost to capacity. The areas of the campus that we saw were meticulously decorated and cared for.

The praise band consisted of drums, a piano, three guitars, and one male singer and one female singer, and their sound was unexpectedly perfect together.

The pastor is on vacation, and the guest preacher was Dr. Cherian John, a cardiologist in the tri-state area. His message (to be concluded next week) was entitled “Who Do You Say That I Am?” and was full of many more Scripture references and much, much more information than I could hope to recount.

A couple of the many “bottom line” ideas were that the truth is true even if you choose not to believe it, if you are saved then you should live like you mean it, and that the fine print includes the assurance that believers will encounter persecution. The message was deep, Scripture was constant, and history was strongly emphasized.

Next week’s message will compare Christian faith with the beliefs of other religions and, based on this message, I expect it will be educational.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray this church hears Your call to walk and talk for You. May they take Your witness to all they meet, encouraging others to bring their questions and find that You are the answer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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