Msg: A Great Time...to Keep Your Promises

Jesus had an impressive way of taking the familiar and giving new meaning in ways that left His audience pondering anew what they thought they had always known. The sermon on the mount is full of examples. Several times, Jesus said, "You have heard it was said to the people long ago..." and then takes the familiar and makes it fresh. I wish I was better at that. Then again, I might not depend upon Him so much if I did.

This morning we looked at one of those times where Jesus got His hearers to think about the way they make promises or oaths or vows. It seems very fitting for us in a day when talk is cheap and words are said with no true meaning behind them. Please give this a listen and see if it makes you think about the commitments you have made to God and others and how you are doing at keeping up your promises.

Msg: A Great Time...to Stop Wasting

Many people spend a lot of time wondering what time it is. A better question is, "What are you doing with your time?" Your time is really your life. This morning we started a new series about time and how we spend it. We began by going back to where we started the year and posed the question, "What is the wise thing for me to do?" This time, we looked at a few verses from Ephesians 5 again and discovered some time management principles God wants us to consider. If you will take the next 30 minutes to listen to this message, it just might change your life.

Msg: Business Unusual - Cheaters

Today we concluded our series on Business Unusual at Northland. Actually, today was a good transition into our next series on time as well.

As we think about time, we realize there is never enough of it to get everything done that we want to. Trying to balance the needs at home and the wants of the marketplace means we end up cheating somewhere because we just can't get it all done. The question is, who gets cheated - your family or the marketplace? Today we looked at the sad reality that most of the time we cheat at home and ask God to fill in the gaps there while we are gone more and more to work. Is that the way God wants us to live? Listen in and see if today becomes a defining point in your life and what Scriptures have to tell us about making the tough choices about handling business unusual.

After the message, I shared a bit more about the transitions that have been taking place at Northland as we begin today with our new Sr. Leadership Team. Click here to listen.

Msg: Business Unusual - Not What, But Who

We are almost to the end of our series on Business Unusual here at Northland. This morning we looked at our responsibility when it comes to following directions at work - even when the new program or idea doesn't sound like a good one to us. God's Word gives us clear instruction on how we are to respond when our boss asks us to do something that we don't think is going to work. The answer may surprise you. I challenge you to listen and try applying this in your work setting, and then watch for the blessings that may come.

Msg: Business Unusual - Shiners

In part three of our "Business Unusual" series, we looked at part of a passage of Scripture called the Sermon on the Mount. People were so interested in what Jesus had to say, that large crowds would gather just to hear Him. One day He went up on a hillside and was speaking to those that had gathered. He reminded the people of the charge given to the Israelites long ago to be a light to the Gentiles. In other words, their mission as God's chosen people was to live in such a way that the nations around them would ask questions and they would be able to point them to their God. By the time Jesus came, God's people were merely trying to survive, not share their faith to a world living in darkness.

The same could be said of some churches today - we are merely trying to survive, not spread the light. Jesus told His followers they are the light of the world. One of the darkest places many of us encounter is in our business. In this message we look at five ways we can be a light in our workplace. We also start off with a warning about some ways not to try to be a light. Enjoy, and let your little light shine!

Msg: Business Unusual - Tough Choices

In part two of our series on Business Unusual, we dug deeper into the idea of living out our values in the workplace the same as we do in other relationships in our lives.

In the first part of the message, we looked at the question of what we do when we are asked to do things which violate our beliefs as immoral or unethical. We looked at the idols we bow to and the long term losses we face when we try to live in two different worlds - when we allow some things as "just part of business" that we wouldn't do in other settings. We were reminded from a familiar story from the Old Testament, that God is the one in control of our lives, not those around us. It's the same today in the place we work at.

In the last part of the message, we looked at our responsibilities as employers or bosses to the people God has allowed to come under our authority and care for a time. We looked at the kind of environment we should work to establish and the how to remain competitive while not ignoring God's call to be different.

I pray that no matter where you fit on the spectrum between "slave" and "master" in your work setting, you find encouragement as you listen.

Msg: Business Unusual - Who's the Boss?

This morning we started a new series at Northland called, "Business Unusual." February is a busy month at the church with activities that don't normally happen. It seemed fitting in all of this to look at how God wants us to behave and relate to Him outside the church in the job market. Much of the content this month will come from ideas out of an older series by Andy Stanley called "Taking Care of Business." The principles from God's Word are timeless, and particularly fitting in our economy today.

This morning we began the series looking at who we really work for, and God's desire for how we do this, no matter what the job is we have today. I pray you will find encouragement as you listen and reflect on the place God has you in today. Have a blessed day at work tomorrow.