BridgePoint Church Podcast

In this impactful message titled "Invest in Heaven," we explore the profound significance of giving and how it reflects the condition of our hearts. Jesus’ words challenge us to consider where we invest our resources: in temporary earthly possessions or eternal heavenly treasures. While we can't take anything from this life with us to Heaven, we can invest in Heaven by dedicating ourselves to God's work here on earth. This sermon highlights the transformative power of trusting God with our finances and demonstrates that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Discover the true essence of faith in action as we learn to invest in eternal rewards and draw closer to God.

Questions for Reflection:

• What are the practical ways you are investing in Heaven during this life on earth?

• Which of the following list of reasons to give that Tyler read stuck out to you the most? Why?

1. It provides for God’s house

2. It tells God I trust Him

3. It creates margin in my life for God to fill

4. It reminds me that I am not my source

5. It connects my money to Kingdom purpose

6. It gives our jobs eternal significance

7. It transforms my money into a seed

8. It breaks greed and self-reliance off of our hearts

9. It lets everything else in my life know God is first

While this series focuses on financial resources, Pastor Tyler begins with an important question: Do you delight in God? Through a thoughtful exploration of biblical passages on giving, Tyler challenges us to reflect on the type of givers we are. Giving, according to scripture, is an act of obedience, but how often does obedience bring us true joy? God's invitation is to let your obedience and gratitude guide your giving. When we do, we find that the more our hearts delight in God, the more our desires align with His, and we realize we lack nothing. Jesus invites us to a journey of delighting in God, steering clear of a lesser story for our faith. Join us as we discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from honoring God with our finances.

Questions for Reflection:

• Are there prayers you've thanked God that He said 'no' to in your past? Why?

• Are you a giver or a cheerful giver? Why does the difference matter?

In this message, Tyler takes us to a teaching of Jesus to challenge the way we think about money. Not many would raise their hands to acknowledge they have a greed problem, right? It's hard to measure what's in the heart. While money in and of itself is not bad, and is be a blessing from God, money can begin to take a position in our hearts that disorders what our lives revolve around. Tyler reminds us that how we use money is an act of worship, the question we must determine is who or what are we worshipping? Tyler gives some practical tips to practice Jesus' invitation to discover His satisfaction and provision by trusting Him as the antidote to a greedy heart.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you naturally view money? Where did that perspective come from?

• Give generously, pray about it and surrender completely were the antidotes to a greedy heart. Which of those needs the most effort in your faith journey today?

In this first message in our new series "When We Give," we explore the connection between our financial stewardship and our spiritual lives. Pastor Tyler delves into the Biblical principles of money management, emphasizing that our approach to finances should reflect our trust and surrender to God's will. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural references, including a deep dive into Malachi 3, the message challenges us to view our possessions and financial decisions as integral to our spiritual obedience and relationship with God. Join us as we uncover how embracing God's guidance on finances can lead to greater spiritual fulfillment and freedom.

Questions for Reflection:

• What challenges do you face when trying to align your financial practices with biblical teachings, and how do you address them?

• Reflect on a time when you felt God guiding your financial decisions. How did that experience impact your understanding of stewardship?

Through the Resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God has freed us to be a new kind of people who live a different kind of life together. This life is one of growth into people who reflect the image of Jesus to the world in what we do and say. It's also a life where we get to choose to either embrace the changes that God will use to grow us, or run back to the comfort of what we've always done and end up living a lesser version of the story of life God has created, Jesus has freed, and the Spirit has empowered us to live.

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you ever been part of a group that felt "united" like Luke's description of the followers of Jesus in Acts 4:32?

• Which of Brad's practical steps (Who, Do, New) do you think will be the most difficult or easiest for you to practice this week?

In this next message from our "What's Next" series, we delve into the powerful narrative of Acts 3, where faith and action converge in the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth. Gabe explores how the apostles Peter and John use their faith in Jesus Christ to bring physical healing and spiritual renewal. This message unpacks the significance of trusting in God’s timing and receiving His gifts of power and grace.

Questions for Reflection:

• In what ways can we, like Peter and John, use what we have been given by God to make a difference in the lives of others around us? How can we apply this lesson to our everyday interactions?

• Acts 3 highlights the power of God working through the apostles to perform miracles. How can we cultivate a greater awareness and expectation of God's presence and power in our own lives and communities?

When the Holy Spirit shows up, His presence brings HIs power, and that's exactly what we see recorded in Acts chapter 2. The Holy Spirit comes and the disciples begin gaining strength to share the good news about Jesus. By the Spirit's work, people were "cut to the heart" by what they were hearing and many turned to faith in Jesus as Lord. The beauty of what God was doing was accentuated by the response of those beginning a new faith: they started forming a new community that lived for awe of God. The early church reminds us that, as believers, we were made for a new community that helps us get closer to God as His Spirit works. What is discovered in faith communities happens to be a value of our church: we are better together!

Questions for Reflection:

• Are you in awe of God regularly?

• How do you remain devoted to the new community where our new life in Jesus is most powerfully shaped?

Joining with believers around the world, this message is intended to join the global celebration of the historical resurrection! Jesus is alive! Tyler takes us back to that first easter morning, originally sad, dark and hopeless, until Jesus followers looked into His empty tomb. They were moved to belief, and resolved to share the message of salvation. The empty tomb means death is defeated and a life to the full is possible for us. Tyler wonders with us how long it took the disciples to remember Jesus' invitation to save their lives by "losing" theirs. In other words, the empty tomb is the invitation to surrender to Almighty God all the things we look to as "gain" in this world at the expense of our souls because of sin. Therefore, we anchor our hope to Jesus' resurrection as the source of the life we are longing for in Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

• Are there things, patterns, people, places, etc. that are examples of dead things you go back to in search of a meaningful life?

• What is God inviting you to surrender to Jesus to experience new resurrected life with Him?

Today Tyler's message revolves around embracing the perceived weakness of the cross and finding eternal strength in it. It recounts the events of Palm Sunday and Jesus's crucifixion, highlighting the shift in perception from adoration to condemnation. It's crazy to think the sinless Savior died a criminal's death. And for his followers, friends, and family it felt like everything had just unravelled. The whole plan had just fallen apart because how could Jesus be King of Kings if he was dead? Don't we often look into our lives through the lens of faith and see weaknesses as obstacles, too? Tyler reminds us that what was perceived as the world's greatest humiliation or failure was actually the exact opposite: a divine plan being executed in full strength. And it's His strength that is enough in our weakness, if we'll lay it all down at the cross.

Questions for Reflection:

* What are the common ways you work to cover your weaknesses instead of surrendering them to Jesus?

* What scares you the most about confessing weaknesses to God or others?

Jesus repeatedly reminds the disciples to stay awake while he is praying in the garden. This is a reminder for us today to stay awake and alert so we don’t miss out on what God is doing/getting ready to do. We do this by doing what Jesus tells us, praying even nothing is happening, and laying down what causes us to go back to sleep.

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you stopped praying? If so why?

• What do you need to give up that’s causing you to sleep on what God might be trying to do?