TNC-Decatur’s blog

DELIVERED - Week 2

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:23:34 -0800

Hey Gang, It's Christmas Eve and I want some snow! And then I want it gone by Sunday! I know I'm being selfish, sorry! I hope each of you have a wonderful time with family and friends this Christmas.

We continue our Christmas series, DELIVERED, this Sunday. I will be sharing about the PROMISED hope that we have despite the pain, difficulties, and tragedies that occur in this life. I look forward to our time together as we focus our hearts on EMMANUEL this Christmas.

In the first week of the Delivered series, we learned Jesus wants us to be born of the Spirit. This is the second birth--or being born again--that is taught about in the Bible. When we are born of the Spirit, Jesus wants to deliver us from a life of bondage to our sinful nature and give us freedom in Him. The account of the birth of Jesus in Matthew says that He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 NIV).

As God begins by delivering us from our past through Jesus, He continues to work in us until we are with Him (Philippians 1:6 NIV). Although our freedom from sin comes immediately, a person born of the Spirit still has two natures: that of the Holy Spirit and that of the world. However, what God has given us in our deliverance is far greater than that of the sins that keep us from Him.

Last Sunday, Steve reminded us that being born free means we have been freed from the penalty of sin. That penalty is death, or separation from God for eternity. God wants us to trust in Him, and then He can save us. We are freed from the power of sin. The two natures living inside of us are at war with each other, but Jesus gave us the power to not choose to give in to our weaknesses. We need to remember we have the power of Christ inside of us against sin. We will one day be freed from the presence of sin. When we are with God, our old nature will be gone. We will no longer have to deal with the things of this world that separate us from God. We will be in His presence without the presence of sin. That's the joy of Christ in us.

It's a joy to serve you TNC! Ilove you and pray that Emmanuel will fill you with peace, hope and love this Christmas!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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DELIVERED - Week 1

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:03:07 -0800

Delivered_main_D

What another great day at TrueNorth this past Sunday. It's so exciting to see new faces every Sunday. Our Christmas series started and I really enjoyed the Christmas music during the service. Steve shared the message entitled: Born of the Spirit.

Matthew 1:18 recalls, "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit" (NIV). Jesus made it clear throughout His ministry that being born in the Spirit is something for all of us. Jesus explained what this means in John 3:3-8:

[...] Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (NIV).

This means a second birth and a new life with the Spirit of God living inside of us. It is the birth of God's life in you. Being a part of the Kingdom of God is to be born of the Spirit. The Spirit is our way to Heaven. This is something we may not fully understand, but we don't have to understand something to embrace it and for it to be a part of us.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He comes to comfort you and provides an unexplainable peace. He is a Counselor. He is always with you, guiding you in the truth. He convicts. He speaks to your heart and tells you what should and should not be. The Holy Spirit is God (John 14:16-18). He is equal to Jesus, and according to Jesus is the best thing we could have. The Holy Spirit, the breath of God, is living in believers (John 16:7).

You are born of the Spirit if you step over the line of faith, and are missing out if you're not living in the Spirit after that. It is the life God want us all to have. ***************************

Day40-HickoryPointMall

Just a reminder that TrueNorth will be sponsoring a DAY 40 concert at the Hickory Point Mall on Saturday!

Have a great week and look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Shane

LIFE UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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New Christmas Series- Delivered

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:35:38 -0800

Delivered_main_D

Thanksgiving has come and gone and December has arrived! So has the cold!! We finished the GO FISH series last Sunday and I hope God spoke to you about not just being a Follower of Christ, but remembering that FOLLOWERS FISH! We have had an increase of visitors over the last several weeks that has charged me up!! I look forward to seeing new fish every week at TNC! Keep investing and inviting, God will do the rest!!

This Sunday is the beginning of our Christmas series, DELIVERED. Each week in this series will provide an in-depth look at Matthew's account of Jesus' birth in the Bible. This Sunday's focus is on the physical birth of Jesus, how He was born of the Spirit, and how we are to be as well.

Don't forget THIS Saturday, December 12, we will be helping with the Hands for Jesus Christmas party. It will be taking place at Tabernacle Baptist Church, be there between 12 and 12:15 and we will finish around 3 pm. We will help celebrate Christ's birth with 80-90 inner city children. Hope you can be there!

Stay warm and look forward to seeing each of you on Sunday!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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GO FISH - wk 3

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:10:38 -0800

Go fish slide

Here is part of the passage in Acts 4 that we looked at in week 2 of the GO FISH series, entitled " Why Fish?".

"Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20

It is clear that Peter and John have moved from just following Jesus, to fishing! They can not be silent about what they have experienced, can you? Jesus is calling each of us, as Christ Followers, to not be silent about what He has done in our lives. Fishing is NOT an option for you and I. The message of salvation is not an intuitive message. People need you and I to share the love and hope of Christ with them.

THIS Sunday, Steve will be preaching LIVE at TNC Decatur. He will continue our series GO FISH, by inviting each of us to become Fishing Buddies. I want to encourage you to be HERE this Sunday! It's going to be a challenging and moving service you won't want to miss!!!

Can't wait to see each of you on Sunday!

Shane

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GO FISH - Week 2

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:46:42 -0800

Go fish slide

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

This passage in Mark reminds us the He not only wants us to follow him but to become fishers of men. Simply said, Followers Fish! You are and will be perfectly positioned in your job, your life, and your spirit of influence TO FISH! Have you decided to follow Jesus yet? If so, our you seeking to become a fisher of men and women? Our method of fishing at TrueNorth is for each person to INVEST in relationships and INVITE them to Sunday mornings at TrueNorth. START FISHING TODAY!

In week 2, THIS Sunday, of our GO FISH series, we will be answering the question of Why Fish? I am so excited to see how God continues to use TrueNorth to reach people nobody else is reaching! I hope you're doing your part!

I look forward to seeing more fish this Sunday!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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GO FISH Series starts THIS Sunday!

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:44:10 -0800

Go fish slide

WOW! What beautiful weather this week! I hope you're able to get out and enjoy God's beauty this weekend!

Our We Unite series finished up last week with our celebration service! I am so excited about how God continues to transform lives! Being a part of TrueNorth is such a blessing! My prayer is that we get out of the way and continue to allow God to use us anyway He chooses!

Our NEW Series - GO FISH, begins this Sunday! I am PUMPED about this series and how God chose regular guys and called them to a life of fishing! Make plans to be there THIS Sunday! I truly expect God is going to WOW us this Sunday! Don't MISS IT!

A quick reminder that we ARE continuing are Journey Teams (small groups) even though the We Unite series has ended. If you haven't been part of a journey team, NOW would be a great time to start. Check out where and when they meet each week at the Guest Service table on Sunday mornings!

That's All Folks! Can't wait to see you on Sunday!

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE- CELEBRATION SUNDAY

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:50:27 -0700

We unite

This Sunday, WE UNITE IN CELEBRATING what our BIG GOD has done during our 40 Days of Community! God has changed lives, deepened community and touched lives through our Saturday Service Project! The Bible says in Deuteronomy 11:2 "Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him." That's exactly what we plan to do, as we gather together Sunday to remember, reflect and celebrate the victories of our WE UNITE experiences!

I want to ENCOURAGE EVERYONE who has purchased a WE UNITE T-SHIRT to wear it this Sunday to commemorate our day together! If you didn't purchase a t-shirt, then wear something you would wear to a party and come ready to celebrate BIG TIME!!! Join us and bring a friend to party with you at TNC and enjoy a FREE lunch on us at Decatur Christian School!!!

IN HONOR OF OUR PARTY, WE HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE YOU AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP, DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK ON SATURDAY NIGHT!

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE GOD'S GOODNESS, TNC! WE WILL SEE YOU SUNDAY!

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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Saturday Service Project

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:08:40 -0700

What an awesome day of working together and cleaning up the Virtue House! The weather coorperated and people showed up! Thanks to all those that were able to come out! If you missed us this time, try and catch us next time! Check out the NEW PHOTOS of TRUENORTH people serving!

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WE UNITE

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:52:33 -0700

We unite

Our focus this entire week has been on becoming a servant like Christ. Steve did a great job this past Sunday, reminding us that not only were we made for a mission, we were made to fulfill our life's purposes with each other. That is when weneed to serve together. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:8 thatthe one who plans and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. This is an excellent example of how we should do things as a team. If you take each letter inT.E.A.M. and break it down, you will find fundamental truths and benefits of serving together.

It starts with Trust. Many people claim to be loyal, but it's hard to find a trustworthy person. Next, there is Empathy. When we have empathy for our teammates, we understand the other person and validate how they feel. From there, we need to be Accommodating. This requires selflessness on our part. Be faithful, loving and easy to get along with (2 Timothy 2:22). Finally, we need to be on Mission together. Philippians 2:2 says to be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intend on one purpose. If we're going to serve together, these things are essential to making an impact as a team.

THIS SATURDAY, October 24, is "SERVE SATURDAY"! We will meet at 9 am, at the Virtue House, 225 S. Franklin Street, we will NOT meet at the Hickory Point Theater! If you need better directions give me a call! We will be outside working, so dress warm.

The final days of WE UNITE: 40 Days of Community are quickly approaching. The journey has awakened hearts and lives to the presence, peace and power of Jesus. What has Jesus done in your life the last 40 Days? What has changed in you? Have you found new community in a Journey Team (small group)? Did the WE UNITE daily devotional cause you to draw closer to Jesus and obey His truths more? Did you memorize any verses? What was your favorite memory verse during these 40 Days? Did you touch someone else's life during these 40 days as you made the choice to serve others? Have you made a choice to serve on a ministry at TNC on Sundays? WE WANT TO HEAR HOW JESUS HAS TOUCHED YOU!!!!!

I want to encourage you to put that story in words this week. Your story may seem small to you, but no story is small when Jesus is changing lives! Write your story and email me at shaned@truenorthchurch.com.

Sunday we continue WE UNITE, week 6- Worshiping Together! You won't want to MISS IT!

LOVE YOU,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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WE UNITE - week 5

nobody@vox.com(TNC-Decatur) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:19:12 -0700

We unite

We continued the WE UNITE series this past Sunday by looking at "Growing Together". Let me ask you, what is God's greatest desire for you? Some may say eternity or to be a good spouse or to succeed in a vocation or academic achievement. In Romans 8:29, we are told thatfrom the very beginning God decided that those who come to Him--and all along He knew who would--should become like His Son. God's greatest desire for Christ followers is for us to become like Jesus. Therefore, as we unite to do this life together, we should help each other grow to become more like Christ.

THIS Sunday, we will be talking about "Serving Together"! YOU don't want to miss what God has to say to each of us about servanthood! We will also be doing our Community Serve day on Saturday, October 24, 9 am. We will meet at the Hickory Point Theater and disperse from there. I hope you make plans to serve on Saturday!

DON'T FORGET, Tailgating before the Maroa-Forsyth Football game on Friday night, we will be on the east side of the football field, look for my red van and the TrueNorth banners. FREE FOOD! The game starts at 7 pm! Don't forget to dress warm!

Have a great week! Thanks for being a part of TrueNorth church!

The Church that Rocks,

Shane

LIFT UP, LOVE IN, LIVE OUT

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