Luke 1:46-55 Pastor Phil examines the story of when Mary was told that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. From Mary's response to this news, we see her humility, obedience, reliance on scriptures, and her expectation of God's continual faithfulness. These are things we should also seek to have in our lives as believers.

In Luke chapter 1, we read how Zechariah and Elizabeth were promised a child in their old age, and Mary was promised a child--Jesus Christ the Messiah--even though Mary was a virgin. Although Zechariah responds to this promise in doubt, Mary responds in faith. And when Mary visits Elizabeth, Elizabeth responds in humility and joy with a blessing. From this passage, Pastor Phil encourages us to consider the importance of humility, the importance of believing in God's promises, and the joy that we can have in remembering Jesus Christ, regardless of the sorrows or difficulties we may be experiencing at Christmas time.

Pastor Phil uses the example of Matthew's witness, as found in Matthew 9:9-13, to encourage us to share our faith. Specifically, our Life Groups can be a place where we can strategically invite people who need to know Christ into a community of believers--where people can see the love of Christ demonstrated. Finally, we are encouraged to consider who can be our "one"--that specific person who we can actively pray for and with whom we can take steps to share the gospel.

Pastor John explores the Biblical model of church community found in Acts 2. As we proceed with Life Groups, meeting weekly, gathering strategically and serving together, we want God to work in us and to work through us.

Pastor John explores Mark 3:13-19 and John 13 to look at the model of discipleship found in Jesus' ministry. As disciples, we should be spending time in the chair--reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. We should be spending time in the row--gathering together as a body of believers to worship and to hear from God's word. And we should be spending time in the circle--living in community with fellow believers so that we might encourage one another towards a closer relationship with God.

Gather Grow and Go with North Park Baptist Church. A member of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches

The church in Laodicea thought themselves rich and self-sufficient. But in Christ's letter to the church in Laodicea, He tells them that they are spiritually impoverished. In today's sermon, Pastor Phil asks us to consider: 1.) Is your pursuit of the American dream getting in the way of your pursuit of the kingdom of God? 2.) Have you pushed God out of your life? 3.) What would God's assessment be of you?

Pastor John Nixon examines the letter to the church in Philadelphia found in the book of Revelation; in this letter, Jesus encourages his followers, suffering persecution, to hold on--and that He has opened a door to them which no one can shut.

Pastor Phil examines the letter to the church in Sardis, and reminds us that God knows our real character. If you don't know Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can place your faith and trust in Him. If you know the Lord, but you've slowly drifted away, you can go back to the basics: be watchful, stand firm, remember the scriptures, hold fast to them, and repent!

Pastor Phil examines the letter to the church in Thyatira, found in Revelation 2:18-29. We are reminded that 1.) we need to be aware of the seriousness of sexual immorality, 2.) true love is deeper than tolerance, and 3.) we need to be aware of the potential for imbalance in our lives and in our church as we strive both to uphold the truth, and to live with grace towards one another.