CrossPoint Fellowship Messages

Why become a member of a church? Because we need one another. We aren’t meant to journey this life alone. The success of our faith depends on the support of the body. Being a church member is not just about being inside the building. It’s about what’s taking place in the building. Encouragement is worth the price of admission.  The more you miss church, the less you miss church, and the more you f...

When should you become a member of a church? When you have faith in God, confidence in its leadership and direction, and you build familial ties with its members, it’s time to commit. When should you become a member of a church? When you are a believer. When you feel led. When you have a connection. When you feel you can serve.

What should members of a church do? Support its ministry financially. Healthy churches only exist when they collaboratively cover the cost of existing. Few things show greater faith in God or a body of believers than giving. Church members support the ministry financially.  This tithe, like our tithe, is an act of obedience to God and Scripture. Giving should be proportional to each one's earn...

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 Ch...

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...

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 mig...

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...

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 g...

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...

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...

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...

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 sin All about Scripture All about time All about serving All 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 conver...

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 e...

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 desi...

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 m...

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...

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 actual...

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...

We are saved by God’s grace through faith but it is our works that show what God has done. Everything ultimately comes from God and we are really only giving him only that which he has given us. Pursuing God means doing good works and there are lots of ways to do that. We must make the most of our days on this earth and give of our time, talents and wealth in a way that pleases God.  We are saved...

Prayer is the pursuit of Jesus' input and presence. You can’t have a personal relationship with someone you aren’t willing to communicate with. There are many reasons to pray and various ways to do it. But the most important thing is to do it - open that line of communication with your God and see how he responds.  Why should we pray?  It follows Christ's example. Forgiveness.  For strengt...