Advent: Powerful

12/10/23 • 33 min

Get ready to unravel the magic of Christmas with us as we turn the pages back 2000 years. We're taking you on a journey to discover the true essence of Christmas, and it's not just about decorating trees and singing carols. It's a time when we acknowledge our weaknesses, and embrace our need for a savior. We'll reflect on the joy of the season, discuss our winter extravaganza, Christmas Eve service, and that heartwarming caroling event you absolutely don't want to miss!
Ever wondered what makes Jesus' birth so significant? Let's journey back even further, to the promise God made to Abraham. Against all odds - dysfunctional families, disobedience, and detours - God's promise came to fruition. And how does this blessing extend to us, as followers of Jesus? We're going beyond the merry-making to explore how we, in our communities, can radiate the love and values of Jesus, making our world a better place. Every time we embrace the spirit of giving, of placing others before us, we light up the world with a little more Christmas spirit!

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If you would like to give, visit https://thisis.church/give/
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Check out our Care Ministries for prayer, food pantry, memorial services and more at https://thisis.church/care
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You are welcome at Northgate just like you are. Life may be going great for you or you may have hurts, hang-ups, and habits. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at Northgate. We value the process of journey. We believe in the transformative power of Christ. Northgate has a clear vision of transforming our homes, communities, and world by Pursuing God, Building Community, and Unleashing Compassion.
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Previous Episode

Advent: Faithful

What did you think of today's message?

We're on a journey together. A journey to understand the faithfulness of God and the astonishing power of our individual stories. Imagine the impact you could make on the people around you by sharing your journey of faith. That's what we're delving into today - the divine faithfulness that forms the backbone of our existence and the strength we derive from sharing our extraordinary narratives.
Our lives are open books. They're stories that enfold God's faithfulness, and they're being watched by those around us. We have an incredible opportunity to be the ambassadors of God's unwavering faithfulness. We're getting etymological, too - discussing the origins of the word "story" and how it ties back to our relationship with the Almighty. You'll be inspired by personal experiences of divine intervention and encouraged to activate the same in your life.
In the end, we circle back to one profound link: gratitude and faith. Whatever your circumstance, there's always something to be grateful for. Celebrating God's faithfulness through appreciation is a step towards a strengthened faith. We're wrapping up with a heartfelt prayer for all those on the lookout for a faith boost. We're here to remind you that recognizing and expressing gratitude in all aspects of your life is an essential part of celebrating the faithfulness of God. Tune in and ignite the spark of faithfulness in your life.

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Next Episode

Advent: Hopeful

What did you think of today's message?

When my daughter held up her tiny finger and asked for a pinky promise, I didn't realize it would spark a journey into the heart of trust and anticipation. That simple, childlike gesture opened the door to this episode's reflection on the profound significance of promises, both in our daily lives and within the sacred timeline of Advent. We'll share stories that reveal how the commitments we make mirror the hopeful expectancy of biblical covenants and the promises fulfilled through Jesus's coming. Let's embrace this Advent season with an eye on the lessons of fidelity and hope that our own promises teach us.
As the nativity scene in our home gradually comes to life, missing only the figure of the infant Jesus until Christmas Day, we are reminded of the joyous expectancy of Advent. This episode brings to life the narratives of Simeon and Anna, two paragons of faith who demonstrate the beauty of devout patience and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. A personal account of divine timing during a church restoration project further illustrates the mysterious ways in which waiting on God's plan can lead to unexpected blessings. We discuss how embracing periods of stillness and preparation can be as important as our active pursuits, shaping our journey of faith.
We wrap up with an examination of hope - a dynamic, living thing that calls us to trust in God's promises and timing while fully engaging with the life before us. Through the inspiring examples of Simeon and Anna, we learn the value of single-minded dedication and the power of hope to transcend our human plans. This episode is an invitation to live with an Advent spirit, carrying forward the hope that God has been faithful and will continue to fulfill His promises, and to share that light of hope with the world around us. Join us as we seek the courage to rely on God's hope alone, weaving it into the fabric of our everyday lives.

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Northgate - Advent: Powerful

Transcript

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It's me again .

Speaker 100:00:15.309

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Speaker 100:00:17.221

checked you , okay , so I told you about what's going on this week . Now Let me tell you how it's going on . The next week it's Christmas Eve . I know some of you guys can't believe it . It's gonna be Christmas Eve the next week . Some of you guys are a certain p