Northstar Church Blacksburg

Our God is a joyful God. In Nehemiah, we see that the Israelites wept as they heard the law because often when we are reading the Word and exposed to the truth that lays inside, we become convicted after realizing how our love of the world has interfered with our love relationship with Christ. We then attempt to allow the guilt and shame to hinder our motivation and transformation. However, guilt...

In Peter's first letter, he instructs others to cast their cares on God because He cares for them. Peter's word choice by using the word "casting" is interesting, since some of us may think of this word in association with fishing, which drags something back to us. However, the "casting" that he uses in this passage of scripture means to "throw away." "Casting" is a posture of the heart, and Peter...

The arrival of the magi, discussed in Luke, was intended to announce to Israel the unique royalty and kingdom of this child, Jesus. This kingdom theme is not extraneous to Christmas, but rather a foundation. A king is born! In this message, we see that the "wise men" - the magi from the East - had determined that a King had been born. This was no ordinary king, but one for whom a star served as a...

Culture today loves to rest on the idea of baby Jesus, even the secular world. However, Jesus did not come to simply be adored as a precious baby, but instead to become the King of kings and Lord of lords. In this passage of scripture, Simeon delivers a rather abrupt but much-needed truth to Mary. The holy conflict that exists at Christmas is introduced. We cannot leave Jesus in the manger; He cam...

In this message, Tanner discusses the humble Mary as being addressed as the "favored one" and "full of grace." Mary's encounter with an angel and God's promise of a son led her from incredulity to faith.

In this passage of scripture, the angel Gabriel delivers tremendous news to both Zechariah and Mary. Learn how we can apply this joyful news as we approach Christmas.

Giving is at the heart of God. God is great, so He gives. God's giving reveals His greatness, and in turn, our receiving of God's gifts both highlights and magnifies His greatness. In the fourth and last part of this series, Jeff discusses the churches of Macedonia in 2 Corinthians and how the grace that was given to them by God changed their perspectives and drove them to respond with generosity.

Generosity grows our souls, and really, our souls grow through the generosity of God. In the third part of this series, we see how our souls will really only grow through God's generosity when we actually and truly receive it.

Receiving is an action and mindset which prompts gratitude. In the second part of this series, Jeff goes through three passages in scripture that illustrate the heart transformation that occurs when we truly receive from the Lord. Giving then becomes an indication of whether we received the seed or not.

In the second part of the "Giving-Getting" series, Jeff examines the first point explaining how giving is grounded in grace. Three vignettes from the book of Luke are used to dive further into this idea, including the parable of the prodigal son, Zacchaeus's heart transformation, and the story of the ruined woman with the alabaster perfume.

Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of one of God's teachings proclaiming how "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Generosity is at the very heart of God. We see the greatest act of generosity found in God sending his son Jesus. This first part of the sermon series explores how giving is grounded in grace.

"Don't go to church. Be the church." This is something Northstar emphasizes often. Scripture supports this, as church is not to be defined by the gatherings. Darrell's message clarifies and elaborates on the question, "what is the church?" through four primary points.

Membership matters. Church membership really is about adoring and expressing devotion to God and to others. Paul discusses the importance of a church body in how they must function together in 1 Corinthians 12, as if one part of the body suffers, every part suffers, but if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Jeff dives deeper into the significance of the church body and the specifics...

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the assurance of faith that we have because of the blood of Jesus. It is because of Jesus's sacrifice that we have the privilege of coming before the Lord and entering into His holy place. Matt Simpson dives into the importance of recognizing this privilege and the fact that it stems directly from Jesus's death on the cross. He also highlights how crucial community...

Paul writes to Philemon and explains to him that Christ in him is meant to be used to be good to others and that we were created to do good in Christ. Paul then asks Philemon, in light of their culture, to consider the implications of the gospel. More specifically, he asks Philemon not to just take his slave, Onesimus, back, but to accept him as a brother and reconcile their relationship. In their...

Joseph becomes overwhelmed with sadness following the realization that his brothers have not been enjoying their relationship with him due to the fact that they did not truly believe they were forgiven. He then reassures them that despite the circumstances he faced in regards to his brothers, God transformed it for his good. He later passes away and asks his brothers to take his bones to the promi...

Jacob addresses his sons in birth order and blesses them appropriately. When he gets to Joseph, he bestows a blessing that would continue onward to his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob also acknowledges Joseph's unwavering allegiance to the Lord. In the midst of this, Jacob pauses to recognize his own need for God and declares an announcement of faith saying, "God I wait for your salvation."

As Jacob's life comes to an end, he reminds Joseph of God's promise to Abraham. He then blesses Joseph by including his sons in his birthright. These blessings demonstrate Jacob's faith rooted in the trust of God's promises

After Joseph's brothers are forgiven, they return home to their father Jacob. Surprised and in disbelief that Joseph still lives, Jacob travels back to Egypt with his family in Pharaoh's wagons where he is reunited with his son. In this sermon, we are reminded that God's promises do not change. Even though our circumstances change and our outlook may be dismal, God remains steadfast.

As Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers in Egypt, we are reminded of the power of forgiveness. In this sermon, Jeff Noble highlights the similarities between the forgiveness Joseph displayed towards his brothers and the forgiveness that God freely gives through Christ.

As our story from Genesis 42 continues, Joseph's brothers are once again faced with a great challenge. On orders from Joseph, they must return to Egypt with their youngest brother, but fearing that he will lose yet another son, their father Jacob objects. In this sermon, Jeff Noble focuses on the crippling attributes of fear clearly revealed in the life of Jacob and his sons. But as he reminds lis...

In the middle of a great famine, Jacob's sons go to Egypt where they encounter their younger brother Joseph who is second in authority over all of Egypt. Not recognizing him and still assuming he is dead, they find themselves in quiet a scenario. As they are overcome with fear and guilt, Joseph sees their pain and remembers back to a difficult past. The story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt re...

Joseph believed and trusted in God through scenarios we will likely never find ourselves in. In the face of unbelief, he trusted. How can we learn from Joseph's example?

Jeff Noble teaches about the character of Joseph and the sovereignty of God. Joseph enters Egypt, alone and as a slave, and he rises through God's "with-ness" to positions of authority and prestige. The message encourages us to embrace intimacy with God and be people of integrity.