Crosspoint Fellowship Messages

This is part 1 of our new 5-week series focusing on the Who, What, When, Why, and How of Church membership. This week - who should make up the members of a Church? The answer is simple: everyone who considers them a believer. You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian but you do if you want to live according to the Bible. YOU are needed as a member of the Church if you are following after Christ.

Jesus weeps, Jesus feels, Jesus works on behalf of those who place their trust in him.The strength of our relationship with God can be seen in our ability to express faith in a state of heartbrokenness.Only through Christ can death unlock new life.Jesus wept.Christ isn't bound by human constraints.Jesus is calling you out of your grave.

Jesus is the sustainer of life and he is all we need. Not only does he feed the five thousand, but he will sustain us as well.Why do we work so hard for perishable gain?Christ makes it abundantly clear. If we look at the character of God and the character of Christ it should be no surprise: God’s gift (his providence) is just that, a gift.So often we beg God for signs as if our current state of blessing isn’t enough.Part of the reason our blessing isn’t proof enough is because we don’t credit God with what’s been given.Will you believe?

In John 4, we see that Jesus went where the Jews refused to go (Samaria) in order to find a woman who needed the Savior. The world is looking to quench a thirst they don’t know how to satisfy but we have what they are looking for. It’s important that we help them realize this and help them find it.Christ isn’t concerned with that which would separate you from him. He instead focuses on how he might bring you into the fold. We seek fulfillment from a broken world. We should be seeking for fulfillment from a perfect Savior.Jesus knows everything about her. You don't have to be rid of your mess to be loved by the Messiah. 

We must be born again. The good news is that Jesus came to make that possibility a reality. In John 3, we see a member of the Sanhedrin approach Jesus and ask about eternal life. It was offered to him and it is offered to us today. The rebirth isn't reincarnation. The rebirth is regeneration.Repentance is the prerequisite for regeneration by the Spirit.Being born into sin is not a reason to continue to live in sin. This gift is not to be earned, but to be given. All we need to do is receive it. Just because he didn't come to condemn man, doesn't mean that he won't.

Jesus was angry because they turned the temple into a marketplace. Sometimes we act as if we have to sell people on coming to church, when really the only thing we need to market is God.Traditions aren't a bad thing.Church isn't about what we have to offer but what God has to offer. It's better to die because of the truth than live for the fanfare.

John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus carried weight with those that trusted him. Our testimony is our strongest evangelism tool. Will you vouch for Jesus?John knows exactly who he is and he can explain it to those questioning him.John’s testimony tells who Jesus is.God gave us our story / testimony to be shared.God paid for our whole story because it gives him glory. Don’t rob him of his glory.His grace has already defeated that which we are ______ to share. Our past has no power over us anymore.

The Word became flesh. Christ was the personification of scripture, the walking embodiment of everything God was trying to teach his people. This is why we can trust the word of God, and those that wrote it.The Word is eternal.The Word gives life.The Word dispels darkness.It’s through his light that our sin is revealed to us and if we chose to receive him, it is through his light that darkness is stamped out of us. That which can’t be seen but only heard took human form.Existing out of the Father, He is the epitome of grace and truth.Christ is the Word of God personified. John viewed Jesus as the epitome of Godliness.This signifies that Scripture as it is written can be trusted as reliable. 

Sometimes we need someone to serve as our de facto guidance counselor/conscience/encourager. That’s what Mordecai was for Esther. Mordecai had the conviction while Esther had the means.In order for guidance to be effective, we have to have the trust of those we are advising.Great teammates aren't in it for them. They're in it for the success of others and they offer guidance with that in mind. Guidance from a trusted source inspires others to take chances.Guidance in strong team relationships is reciprocal.

In Nehemiah 4:15-23, we see the Israelites hard at work at building the wall of Jerusalem. There was a long list of things to do. The completion of many tasks takes teamwork. We need to encourage each other along the way so that the work can get done, sharing the responsibility as much as possible.Large undertakings require an “all hands on deck” approach.Don't forget the encouragement along the way.Sometimes an "all hands on deck" approach requires you to have your hands in multiple areas.

On Jake’s last Sunday with us, he’s teaching the things that CrossPoint has taught him over the past 6 years. It’s what the Church should look like and how a follower of Jesus can grow in their relationship with him.CrossPoint has taught me:All about sinAll about ScriptureAll about timeAll about servingAll about prayer

Successful teams require good communication. Sometimes good communication comes in the form of making others aware of what is taking place around them. Talking things out is the best way to quell conflict or even prevent it altogether.As teammates we must have each others' backs.Good teammates have delicate conversations about unknown conflict.Good teammates are willing to have tough conversations they don't want to have.Good teammates have conversations on behalf of their teammates.

Good teamwork is facilitated by team members being self aware. What are your weaknesses and what are your strengths? Where can God and others fill in those gaps? God is calling us to move, regardless of our vulnerabilities that we think will hold us back. The start of good teamwork begins with the self-realization of weaknesses.A weakness only remains a weakness if we refuse to acknowledge its existence. Lack of confidence or ability is not an excuse for inaction when God is calling you to move.Accept others' strengths, especially in your area of weakness.

Habakkuk’s final response to God was one of faith and recognition of sovereignty. We can ask God questions, but we must also be able to recognize him for who he is.The only way to ignore the power of God is to willfully claim ignorance.Just as God once worked on behalf of his people, he continues in power and might to work on behalf of his people. We can question. We can wonder why. We can desire and ask for change. But in the end, we can express faith in the face of fear.

Though God is going to use the Babylonians to bring the Israelites back to Him, he’s not letting the Babylonians off the hook. In our passage today, we learn about the sin they engaged in but also their destruction. Ultimately, God sees the Babylonians and the Israelites as similar people, when they should be different and separate. What does a Godly life look like?Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.Godly people aren't intentionally intimidating.Godly people don't intentionally harm others for their own security.Godly people don't build empires off the blood, sweat, and tears of others.Godly people don't objectify people for their pleasure.Godly people don't worship their self-made idols. 

Patience is a virtue. Wanting what we want when we want it isn’t a new concept. Maybe it has gotten worse, in a culture that thrives on instant gratification, but all things will happen in due time. When God doesn’t seem to answer, the answer may just be to wait for his timing.

God’s response to Habakkuk’s complaint wasn’t exactly what he expected to hear. So, he comes back with a 2nd question - how could God let His chosen people, Israel, get wiped out? And why would he allow a wicked nation to exact punishment? Habakkuk exhibits both fear and faith at the same time in his 2nd complaint. We can ask God to act on our behalf, but we don't always get to choose how the action takes place.When the walls are closing in, are you faithful or fearful?We can not see the whole picture, but still have faith that God will paint it beautifully.

Continuing from last week’s passage, Habakkuk gets a response from God, though it may not have been the one he expected. The Lord shows Habakkuk the bigger picture that he is unable to see. But one thing is certain - God is not ignoring sim, but rather getting ready to punish it. Often, we can’t see what God is doing because we aren’t looking beyond our current circumstances to see what is actually taking place.Instead, we tend to become hyper focused on the trial.Which leads us down the path of anxiety, depression, and exasperation at our circumstances. This is the ideal, not standard practice. Justice prevails.Sometimes we are too close to a situation to see beyond it in the now. Be careful what you wish for.

In Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk’s world appears to be in shambles. Violence, injustice, wrongdoing, with no justice. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience - you cry out to God but there is no answer. It’s okay to question God (with the right attitude) when he seems to be silent.Genuine concern is different than reverent accusation.

God is the source of wisdom and knowledge; everything we know about this life just comes from him. Putting our ego where it belongs in relationship with God starts with accepting his wisdom and living according to it. Such a concession of course requires humility but, when we bow to his wisdom, we are granted the benefits afforded to those who pursue God. One way that we can accomplish overcoming our ego is by leaning on God for wisdom.Pursuing God with our ego admits that God's way is better than our own.The wise see wisdom as a gift from God.Choosing the wisdom of God is the right choice.Wisdom doesn't exist in you if it isn't accompanied by humility.The pursuit of wisdom is the pursuit of Christ.