From Pastor Josh Laxton
“God has every right to get in our way. Are you letting Him get in your way, or are you standing in His way?”
“We never have the right to get in God’s way, but He should always have the right to get in our way.”
“Jesus wants to save sinners from every nation! No one is beyond the reach of Jesus!”
When God gets in our way, change needs to happen so that we go in the right direction, which is God’s direction. Making significant changes is often very difficult. In Acts 10, both Cornelius and Peter were about to have their lives and their thinking upended. They needed to shift their direction, correct areas where their faith was faulty and get going in God’s way.
While both men had strong elements of faith in their lives, the contrast in the two men was significant. Cornelius was a Gentile leader of a cohort of 100 volunteer soldiers stationed in Caesarea, with power given from Rome. Peter was Jew and a disciple of Jesus Christ who preached boldly about his Lord and Savior, and whose power source was the Holy Spirit.
While both men were different, there are key similarities between them. Both Peter and Cornelius:
Acts 10 teaches us that we are to be faithful, allowing God to get in our way so that we can be used by the Holy Spirit. We see the importance of remaining open and faithful to God’s leading and direction. We also are shown examples of how we can be hospitable and kind to those who might not be anything like us or have the same values or upbringing as we do. But most of all, we learn to be willing, flexible and open as God gets in our way, to go where God is calling us — even when it is uncomfortable — and to be faithful to do what God is telling us to do. In this way, we can be used by God to share the Good News of the Gospel with neighbors and nations who do not know about Jesus.
Main point:
We never have the right to get in God’s way, but He should always have the right to get in our way.
Why does God want to get in our way?
Definition of faith: Faith is what we believe in, have confidence in, trust in or are committed to.
Five elements of faith.
Peter and Cornelius need God to get in their way because in some way, something is wrong with their faith.
Cornelius’ faith.
Peter’s faith.
How does God get in our way?
God gets in our way through the preaching, teaching and constant centering around the Gospel.
What happens when we let God get in our way?
With Easter coming up, there are opportunities to let God get in your way.
One way God might get in your way would be for you to think about someone who is very different from you. Maybe they have a different ethnic background, upbringing, or political or religious viewpoint. How might you reach out to them to demonstrate hospitality, acceptance and love?
A way to do this might be to intentionally seek out someone who you don’t think you have a lot in common with, and sincerely try to get to know them. Your goal is to learn about them in an open, friendly and non judgmental way. Invite them to have a cup of coffee with you. Listen more than you talk. Don’t judge but remain open, having a listening ear while you pray that God will create a divine connection between you. Share what you are experiencing with another believer, who can also be praying for you as you step out in faith and love to minister to those who are different from you.
Also consider inviting someone who needs to know about Jesus to one of the Easter services on April 8-9 at Northland Church.
Lord, we desire for Your ways to be ingrained into the center of who we are, so we can become more and more conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus. We ask that every day, as we live our lives, you will get in our way as we encounter people who are different from us. Help us to be loving, generous and caring to each person who we meet regardless of their status, nationality, race, or political or religious beliefs. Let us be a mirror that reflects your glory to each person we encounter. Give us boldness, fearlessness and the words to speak to share the Good News of Jesus Christ so our neighbors and nations will come to know You as their Lord and Savior.
–Sign up for the Northland Newsletter.
—Sign up to serve as a Towel Holder on Easter Weekend!
https://northlandchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/521210
https://northlandchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1676329
–Sign up to pray for 15 minutes on Friday or Saturday of this week.
- Invite a family member, friend or neighbor to Easter Services on Saturday or Sunday.
» April 8-9
ALL THINGS NEW| All Things New | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 15-16
ALL THINGS NEW| Every New Morning| Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 8-9
ALL THINGS NEW| All Things New | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» April 15-16
ALL THINGS NEW| Every New Morning| Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
Friday, April 7 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Join us live or online and hear from Pastor Josh. Held the Friday before Easter, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. It is the beginning of what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world.
Friday, April 7, 2023, through Saturday, April 8, 2023, starting at 5 p.m.
Northlanders will be praying continually through 24 hours from Good Friday until the start of our first Easter service and we want you to join with us!
Saturday, April 8 at 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. & Sunday, April 9 at 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of King Jesus! Children's church is available during all services for kids 6 weeks old to grade 5.
Towel Holders are needed to volunteer in Children's Ministries over Easter weekend. Whether you serve in the foyer as a greeter or check-in host, or in the classroom as a teacher or helper, this is a great opportunity to help Northland families and first-time visitors feel welcome and connect with the church.
Serve as an Online Host at Northland Church!
Looking to volunteer virtually? We need you! Join our Church Online team, which hosts the weekend services on our website, Facebook, and YouTube platforms. Think of this as what the Connect Team does in person, you’re just doing it virtually. Each host will participate in the group chat (engaging people and welcoming them) as well as initiating private conversations/answering questions.
Don’t worry—you don’t have to be computer savvy or even pastoral… we’ll train you! We have opportunities to service onsite (with the local team) or remotely.