PODCAST · religion
Northstar Church Blacksburg
by Northstar Church
Welcome to a dynamic church in southwest Virginia that seeks to help you know and love God and one another through faith in Jesus Christ. We want to "be the church" in reflecting Jesus to our world in our lifestyles, decisions and conversations. These are the messages and media from our church teaching team.
Episodes
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What's Your Story?: Public
Our What’s Your Story? series has been reminding us of powerful stories of God’s activities. The men we have looked at so far have been great men of faith. What about those who may not know as much about God or who may not be as famous? As we look at the story of the man born blind in John 9 with...
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What's Your Story?: Purpose
As we look at how Joseph retold the story of God's work in his life, we see how we can share the painful or confusing parts of our stories. We don't need to sanitize or embellish them. Instead, we see from Joseph's example that we can reframe our story because God is redeeming those parts we may...
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What's Your Story?: Promise
Starting our "What's Your Story?" sermon series, in which we will learn so much about how God works, how people can experience God, and especially about the importance of telling our story to others. This time we focus on the story of Moses as told in Deuteronomy 1. This passage takes place…
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Being the Church: Christmas Eve
This is the last episode of our Christmas mini-series! We hope you've enjoyed these episodes and that they have caused you to reflect a bit on what you love about Christmas and the wonder of Christ coming to earth to save us. We'll wrap up this mini-series with a short reflection on the hopeful...
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Being the Church: Christmas Traditions
This is the sixth episode of our special Christmas mini-series! Stephanie Cordray, our Northstar Kids Ministry Director, shares her love for Christmas traditions, and we talk about some of the specific traditions we enjoy. We also connect our love for traditions with the stories that go along…
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Precious Promises: The Coming of the King
Continuing our Precious Promises series, we look at another Old Testament prophecy about the birth of Jesus, this time in Isaiah 9:2-7. One of the key themes running through the Old Testament is the need that God’s People have for a king, and throughout Israel's history there are many kings who...
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Being the Church: Slowing Down Christmas
In the fifth episode of our Christmas mini-series, Jeff Noble talks about his deep love for Christmas and his attempt each year to "slow down" Christmas through different practices and heart postures to emphasize the magic of the season and its focus on Christ our Savior. Also, you heard it here...
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Being the Church: Creating Space at Christmas
In the fourth episode of our special Christmas mini-series, our Youth Minister, Matt Novitsky, shares what he loves about Christmas. We talk about how the season of Christmas allows time for us to draw near to others, and how the first Christmas signifies Christ drawing near to us. And, how even…
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Being the Church: Christmas Nostalgia & Gifts
In this third episode of our special Christmas mini-series, Don Hines shares about Christmas being a time of remembrance and nostalgia for him, and an opportunity to express his knowledge of people through giving gifts. We talk about how God's people are consistently called to remembrance of what...
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Being the Church: Christmas Lights!
In the second episode of our Christmas mini-series, Sean shares about his love for Christmas lights, and we talk about the significance of light in the story of Christmas. We're reminded that Christmas signifies the coming of the true Light, Jesus, who illuminates the darkness in the world and in...
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Precious Promises: The Day of Small Things
What do Bethlehem Ephrathah and Hope, Arkansas have in common? Continuing our Precious Promises series, we look at another Old Testament prophecy about the birth of Jesus, this time in Micah 5:2. This prophecy declares that God will raise up a ruler out of a small town, a king whose origin is…
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Being the Church: Hope & Expectation
In the first part of our Christmas 2025 mini-series, Braeden Wallace shares what he loves about Christmas! The hope, expectation, and magic that surround Christmas point to the wonder of the fulfilled expectation of Jesus coming to earth to be the hope for all mankind, and point to the future…
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Immanuel: God With Us
In the first of our December Nights series of Precious Promises, we examine the first of four primary prophecies in the Old Testament, the Immanuel prophecy in Isaiah 7. Despite feeling unworthy, Isaiah had accepted a call to be sent by God, and his first recorded assignment was to speak with…
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James: Wisdom Proven by Conduct
Continuing our series on the book of James, we learn from James 3:13-18 that wisdom from above is proven by our conduct. True wisdom calls for application, acting in ways that align with the fruit of righteousness. While worldly wisdom is revealed by a sinful lifestyle of envy and selfish…
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James: What We Say Matters
Continuing our series on the book of James, we find in James 3:1-12 the most preeminent passage in Scripture on communication and the use of the tongue through illustrations and examples. Sin in speech is shaped by the sin of lack of self-control. James discusses how, despite being such a small...
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James: True Faith Works
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 2:14-26 we learn that true faith works. James shared with us two examples each of what true, living faith does and does not look like. Through these examples, James teaches us dead faith not real, saving faith. Jesus brings us life, and in that...
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James: Perfect Obedience
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 2:8-13 James takes a shot at our self-justification by reminding us that we have have only one central thing to focus on: walking with God in loving obedience. He points us to the fact that we have all sinned and need mercy from God and mercy...
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James: The Problem with Favoritism
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 2:1-10 James shows how favoritism and faith are fundamentally incompatible as he returns to a theme touched upon in the first chapter. We may think we don't show partiality in the same striking way that James talks about with the rich and poor,...
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Being the Church Episode 7: Charlie Kirk & Boldness for the Gospel
A little over a month ago, Charlie Kirk was horrifically murdered at Utah Valley University. This tragedy rocked the nation and the world and deeply impacted so many people. In this episode of Being the Church, the pastoral staff shares their reflections on this awful event, the fallout from it,...
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James: Hearing and Doing
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:19-21 we learn what it means to be not only hearers of the Word but also doers. The law of liberty, the implanted Good News of Jesus, calls us to hear, listen, and respond. To both hear and do the Word, we should strive to be teachable,...
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James: Quick & Slow
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:19-21 we learn from James that if you manage your tongue and temper, you'll be happier and others will be blessed, and that, if you tend the soil of your heart well, you'll bear fruit for that is personally satisfying and will feed others....
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Covenant Renewal 2025
This year's Covenant Renewal Message reminds us who Jesus is, who we are, what our response is, and what His response is through John 12:20-33. When some Greeks come and ask to see Jesus shortly before His death and resurrection, His surprising response reveals His purpose and His heart for His...
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James: Light Without Shadows
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:16-18 we are reminded not to be deceived and pointed to God as the source of all good gifts, including salvation through His Word. James calls us to not be deceived about ourselves or God because he knows how easily we can be misled, and he...
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James: Trials and Temptations
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:12-15 we learn about trials and tests, how these tests can become a temptation to sin, and how prone we are to blame God and others in these temptations. Our present trials have both a present and future benefit to those who love God,...
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James: Godly Perspective Realizes What Matters
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:9-11 we are called to set our sights on what really matters rather than on what is immediately in front of us. These verses prompt us to remember in both grateful humility and joyful exaltation that our status and hope are secured in Jesus…
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Being the Church Episode 6: Small Groups!
Small groups have just kicked off at Northstar, and they are such a vital part of our church ministry. So, we've devoted this week's podcast to highlighting small groups! Sean and Matt talk about why they are so important, how they "fit" into the life of our church, and also how they have…
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James: Wisdom Worth Asking For
Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 1:5-8 we are encouraged to seek wisdom in trials, knowing that this wisdom comes from God and is given generously when we ask for it. We need to recognize that there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom, as well as between earthly and...
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James: Joy in Trial
In our second message in the book of James, in James 1:2-4 we see how the reality that Jesus is Lord gives us the ability to evaluate our trials. We can respond to trials with Christ's joy as He strengths us through them. Trials test what we testify, and the joy James calls us to consider within...
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Being the Church Episode 5: Gen Z, Millennials, and Jesus
Recently, we've seen a cultural trend in the U.S., and even around the world, of increased curiosity about Jesus and a relationship with him. When we dig deeper into the data, we see that this trend is mostly fueled by a surprising demographic - Gen Z and Millennials. Matt and our Young Adult...
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James: Introduction and Overview
Starting our sermon series, Jeff introduces us to the letter of James, covering who wrote it, when was it written, who it's for, and its central message. The letter of James teaches us to be and do, to root our identity in Jesus and live faithfully, no matter where we are or what season of life...
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Contend: All in for Him, All out for Others
In this standalone sermon, we learn from an New Testament apostle and a 17th-century mathematician what it looks like to contend for the Jesus and for others, being all in for Him and all out for others. In Colossians 1:29-2:1, Paul writes about contending strenuously, working agonizingly hard…
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Being the Church Episode 4: Kids' Questions!
This is a very special episode of the Being the Church podcast! Jeff, Sean, and Matt answer some questions from kids that were recorded during our Sunday morning kids' ministry time. They had some great questions, and it was really fun answering them! Kids, check out the episode to listen to the...
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Too Good to Be True
God worked through history to bring about events that seem too good be true. Using God's words to Habbakuk as a springboard, Jeff challenges us to reflect on God's activity with a renewed sense of awe.
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The Good Life, Part 3
In the third and final BIGsmallGroup message on what the good life truly looks like, Jesus teaches us about how our relationship with him relates to goodness. Jesus taught us to do good works and modeled how to do good works.
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The Early Church: Session 3
This session explored major heresies in the early church—such as Gnosticism, Marcionism, and Arianism—which distorted the nature of Christ, Scripture, and salvation, prompting theological responses like the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) that affirmed Jesus as fully divine and of the same substance…
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Living the God Life: Living Simply
Continuing our "Living the Good Life" series, we learn from Luke 10:38-42 that living the good life means living simply but not slowly, because not only is hurry unhelpful; it's also harmful to every part of our lives. While Mary sits and learns at the feet of Jesus, her sister Martha becomes...
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The Early Church: Session 2
Session 2 surveys the persecution faced by early Christians from both Jewish and Roman authorities, highlighting key moments such as Nero’s brutality after the Great Fire of Rome, and later empire-wide persecutions under Decius, Valerian, and Diocletian. It recounts powerful martyrdom stories…
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Living the Good Life: Living Trusting
Continuing our "Living the Good Life" series, we learn from Matthew 14:22-32 that living the good life means we walk by faith, living trusting. When his disciples encounter an unexpected storm, Jesus walks to them on the water, and Peter at once expresses a desire for trust and has enough faith…
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Being the Church Episode 3: Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines: what are they and how do they work? There are a lot of things that Christians know they "should" do, like Scripture reading, prayer, giving, etc. But, how do we see these efforts as "disciplines" designed to produce life change, and not legalism trying to earn favor from…
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The Early Church: Session 1
In this first session of Early Church, 2025, Kevin Seaton introduces the study of the early Christian church, highlighting its growth from Jerusalem to a diverse, global movement. He explores how the gospel spread through both prominent figures like Paul and ordinary believers, and how worship...
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Living the Good Life: Living Together
Continuing our "Living the Good" sermon series, we learn from Hebrews 10:19-25 that we are meant to live the good life in the context of community. As created in the image of a God who loves relationship, we are made for fellowship with God and others, and only in Jesus do we have both, saved for...
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Being the Church: Bonus Episode!
This week, we have a special bonus episode! Matt sits down with Kevin Seaton, a long-time Northstar member and leader, to discuss the upcoming Summer Seminary elective on the early church. Kevin shares some of his takeaways and observations from his study, as well as his own story of coming to…
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Living the Good Life: Living Patiently
Continuing our series "Living the Good Life", we learn from across the New Testament that patience is important to living the good life. From these passages, we learn that Biblical patience is an outworking of the Spirit of God in the life of someone following Jesus. The Bible teaches to live...
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Being the Church Episode 2: Don't Go, Be
Episode 2 is here! This week, we dive into what we mean when we say "don't just go to church, be the church." It's not just a pithy, catchy phrase, but a guiding statement for our ministry philosophy that is rooted in Scripture. We talk through the origin of this phrase, how we have seen it play...
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The Good Life, Part 2
In the second BIGsmallGroup messages on what the good life truly looks like, we see that across the Old Testament that God has always expected his people to do good. He commands his people to care for their communities, those outside of their communities, and even their enemies. Goodness not a...
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Living the Good Life: Living Obediently
Continuing our series "Living the Good Life", we learn from Matthew 26:36-46 and John 14:12-26 about Jesus's model of and teaching about obedience. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that He could be obedient to the Father's no matter what the cost, and before this struggle He taught His...
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Living the Good Life: Living Listening
Continuing our series "Living the Good Life", we learn from 1 Samuel 3 that living listening to God is essential to good life. When God spoke to Samuel, he couldn't recognize Him because he was unfamiliar with God's voice; he knew ABOUT Him, but he didn't truly KNOW Him. A lack of relationship…
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Being the Church: Episode 1
In the first episode of our new podcast series, Jeff, Sean, and Matt dig deeper into Northstar's sermon series, "Generous God, Generous People." We talk more about generosity, giving financially, and how our response to God's call to be generous reveals what is going on in our hearts and will...
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Living the Good Life: Intro - The Delight of Devotion
Opening our "Living the Good Life" series, we learn that loving God is the delight of devotion, both the greatest command and the greatest privilege, and that this delight characterizes the good life as we walk with God. Throughout Scripture, we see this good life modeled intentionally through…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to a dynamic church in southwest Virginia that seeks to help you know and love God and one another through faith in Jesus Christ. We want to "be the church" in reflecting Jesus to our world in our lifestyles, decisions and conversations. These are the messages and media from our church teaching team.
HOSTED BY
Northstar Church
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Northstar Church Blacksburg have?
Northstar Church Blacksburg currently has 701 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Northstar Church Blacksburg about?
Welcome to a dynamic church in southwest Virginia that seeks to help you know and love God and one another through faith in Jesus Christ. We want to "be the church" in reflecting Jesus to our world in our lifestyles, decisions and conversations. These are the messages and media from our church...
How often does Northstar Church Blacksburg release new episodes?
Northstar Church Blacksburg releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 701 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Northstar Church Blacksburg?
You can listen to Northstar Church Blacksburg on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Northstar Church Blacksburg?
Northstar Church Blacksburg is created and hosted by Northstar Church.
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