Northgate Christian Fellowship

(Matthew 1:1-17) The are certainly better ways to grab a potential reader's attention that what Matthew did in Chapter 1. He essentially begins with a long list of names that seem to go on forever. But he wasn't going for really cool intro to a riveting best seller. His audience would essentially consist of skeptical Jews who needed to see the lineage of where this Jesus character came from. To that end, the opening pages of the book of Matthew was exactly the kind of intro it needed. Of course, within this list of sometimes unpronounceable names are some familiar ones, like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Ruth, King David and Joseph. But there are also some unexpected names, like Rahab, who was known to be a harlot. The point was that Jesus came from people just like us. Not everyone was spotless within his family tree. Yet all were important enough to be listed. Who have you “written off” and stopped inviting to church or stopped praying for because you think they’ll never come to God?

(Luke 1:57-80) Is Christmas season a time of Hope for you? Has the busy-ness and commercialism overwhelmed God‟s promise? "Hope for the World" is the first message in the December 2009 series "Finding Hope".

Tom Eggum, founder of Hope 4 Kids International, shares his vision for helping children all over the world for Jesus Christ.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-15) Generosity grows out of a grateful heart. And when those who have been recipients of another’s generosity are truly grateful they find a way to “pay it forward”.

(2 Corinthians 8:1-15 ) The early church members were dedicated to giving to one another in the church. It was out of their struggling that they continued to give which gave them joy and generosity. Generosity continues even when things are difficult that is what Jesus modeled with his life.

(1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-21) Anyone who earns more than $37,000 a year is in the top 4% of wage earners world-wide. We may not feel rich but we are. That is both good news and bad news. We are pretty much aware of the benefits of wealth but blind to it’s dangers.

(Ecclesiastes 1:1-9, 5:10-15, 12:13&14) “I can’t get no satisfaction.” Sings Mick Jagger. The song lyrics only echo the words of King Solomon, the wisest man who every lived. No matter how much we have we always seem to want more.

(Psalm 39:4-7; Colossians 3:1-17 and Matt. 6:19-21) Bumper sticker: “He who dies with the most toys wins”. If the doctor told you that you only had one month to live you would probably change many of the things you do to reflect that news. But if you learned that a friend only had one month to live, would you tell him/her about heaven? The important thing to remember is that you never know if you even have one month!

(Luke 16:19-31; Romans 1:18-21, 2:1-4) Hell is a reality, created by God in righteousness and holiness. We may not like to think or talk about it, but it’s not our invention, it’s God’s.

(1Thessalonians4:13;Rev. 21:1-5) Do you think the Bible has a lot, or only limited, specific information about heaven? Do you think it is important? The Bible does say a lot about heaven and our lives there, but much of what we understand comes from many small references rather than long, detailed treatises. Some understanding comes by comparison to what the Bible says about the first paradise, the Garden of Eden, before sin and the curse. People have come to different conclusions on some of these issues, depending on how they interpret Scripture. Most of these differences are not essential beliefs and there is room within the united body of believers for some alternatives.