CrossPoint Fellowship Messages

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 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 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.