Crosspoint Fellowship Messages

A humble believer's only concern is the advancement of the Gospel. There is no room for self-adoration.Humility allows us to see life's tragedies as learning opportunities. Humble Christians will share those stories in an attempt to help others. Humiliated Christians will hide their hurts in hopes that the shame will remain hidden. Humble Christians put the advancement of the Gospel before anything else. 

Humility begins with seeing ourselves as a servant. And as servants we should seek the betterment of others even at our own expense.Humility begins with seeing ourselves as servants of Jesus Christ.Humility continues with an earnest desire to see others flourish.A humble Christian also gives thanks and shows appreciation for others. A humble Christian is made better and not bitter by their circumstances.Humble Christians don't let their circumstances affect the way they value others. Humble Christians don't worry about the perception of others because they aren't living for their approval.

What good is keeping the gospel to ourselves? How can we share good news if we are at war with the world around us? We should seek peace with the world.If we are not people of peace, Christ will not be seen in us.Our goal should be to live in such a way that the only way we offend others is by sharing the good news and great joy that Christ has come.

Grace is the free, God-determined gift born out of Christmas and God alone. It’s a gift to the response of faith. A Reward, for work we didn’t do.Light may cast a shadow, but its purpose is to illuminate.Faith is a prerequisite for the gift of grace.We rest spiritually with Christ where he rests physically, in Heaven.We can have confidence that our salvation is finalized at the point of faith, because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. 

The response to God’s love is faith. Faith and love are intertwined. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus will love others and they will recognize Jesus as their king.Faith is the proper response to experiencing the love which justifies our hope. In Bethlehem, there is a place referred to as Migdal Eder, which literally means “Tower of the Flock”.Nothing says "I believe" more than a willingness to share. You have a story of how you were introduced to Jesus and how he changed your life. This is the season to share.You may not think you have anything to offer others but, for someone, your story is the one that’s going change their whole world. 

Love is the Fruit of Hope. God loved us enough to provide justification for our hope. He gave us his son, and his son loved us so much that he gave us his life.Everything that we place our hope in fails to love us, but the Lord in whom we place our hope loves us perfectly.Christ came so that you might realize hope and experience love.

We all hope for better, we hope for rescue. God provided a reason and sincerity for our hope - Jesus. Jesus was the hope of the world and the light in the darkness.Jesus is our reason to hope.The Gospel thrives because hope was born in a manger.My hope cannot be extinguished.My hope is not reliant on circumstance.My hope is in the Lord.

How can you be a member of a church? By serving the body and its community. Church members take ownership of its ministry.Our best ability is our availability.Church members love one another as family.Church members put each other first even if it comes at their own expense.Church members serve the Lord above all else and do so diligently and enthusiastically.Church members push through times of struggle and frustration to make the church into something better than it is.

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 feel amiss in church.The Great Commission is an instruction that the individual is responsible for, but that is nearly impossible to fulfill without the church. We need the fellowship of believers.

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 earnings.When you aren't contributing what you are able to in church, you're allowing someone else to fund your experience and to pay your way. You should not give out of compulsion or guilt, but out of a love for the Lord. God's math always works out. 

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.