CrossPoint Fellowship Messages

Every successful organization needs leaders in order for the group to move forward. In Haggai chapter 1, the leaders were not organizing the people to build the temple when it was time to do so. Paul explains some traits of a good leader and a people who is responsive to God. Will we continue to focus on ourselves and not make time for God or will we get our priorities straight?

• A Leader is anyone with the willingness to hold others accountable and inspire action when complacency is present.
• Leaders lead in word and in deed.
• Leaders deliver uncomfortable truths.
• Leaders point out areas where corrections are necessary.
• The best leaders don't lead in a bubble. 
• God's people are those who make time for him.
• Make sure God receives more than excuses from you. 

It’s sometimes odd to think of it this way, but Jesus was born to die. That was his main purpose in coming from heaven to earth and, though he could have refused to go through with it, he went to the cross and paid the debt of all of our sins. On Christmas Eve, we’re remembering the true purpose of Jesus’ birth - that he would be a sacrifice for all.

• Christ came so that we might obtain life through him. That can only happen through his death. 
• Christ was born to die.
• The world has seen no greater act of love than what Christ did on the cross.

Jesus’ lineage before him is filled with some of the great Jewish historical figures. Also included are 4 women with questionable backgrounds. So, Jesus is both royalty and an outcast. What does this say about him? Jesus is for everyone. Jesus had encouraging words for the outcasts at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount. He is the reason for hope in this life and the next and his hope encourages us to live contrary to the world.

Jesus’ lineage before him is filled with some of the great Jewish historical figures. Also included are 4 women with questionable backgrounds. So, Jesus is both royalty and an outcast. What does this say about him? Jesus is for everyone. Jesus had encouraging words for the outcasts at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount. He is the reason for hope in this life and the next and his hope encourages us to live contrary to the world.

Faith in Jesus started even on the day he was born. In Luke 2, we learn that the shepherds near Bethlehem left their sheep to go find the baby in the manger. Simeon’s faith was shown when he believed the baby in his arms was the savior of the world. Story after story throughout the gospels show us that it was nearly impossible to not have faith in Jesus after an encounter with him. It’s up to us to share the good news of Jesus with people around us so that they can have their own encounter with him. 

• The first step in anyone's faith journey is being given the opportunity to explore Christ.
• Christ is the realization of faith.
• Christ is the reward for faith.

Christ is returning, but the time and date isn’t known. We must therefore be watchful, ready and waiting for him to come. That means putting away the worries of this world and focusing on the eternal. Though we don’t know when the end will come, we need to live our life with the end in mind. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives us instructions on what that kind of life looks like. 

• When we focus on things outside of our control, we take time away from things that we could actually influence. 
• Faith protects what’s inside, the self, and one’s soul. Love fights to protect that which is outside, others.
• Don’t get so distracted in what you are doing, that you lose sight of what others are accomplishing as well.
• When peace is possible, it should be chosen.
• Give thanks out of faith not feelings.

When we became Christians, we moved from the desire to please ourselves to the desire to please others and God. In 1 Thessalonians 4, we learn that perfection is not given at conversion and, in fact, cannot be attained this side of heaven. We are being sanctified (being made holy) day by day. The Christian’s walk is about sinning less, doing good more and becoming more like Jesus daily.

• Sanctification is the process by which an entity is brought into relationship with or attains that which is holy.
• Holiness is the state of being in which you find yourself separated from sin.
• The Christian experiences sin just like everyone else but we have a loving obligation to our God, which requires us not to act on it like everyone else.
• Unmeasured passion has no place in the Christian walk.
• Our words, actions, decisions, and thought processes must all be bridled by our desire to ensure that what we say, do, and think is pleasing to God.

If you are a Christian, then you are a co-worker in Christ. What does that mean? It means encouraging other followers in Christ: through prayer, reading and sharing Scripture, and standing with them during times of temptation/persecution. God is with us at every moment and he uses believers to extend his grace. When we are empathetic with others, we let them know that they are not alone and that others have gone through the same trials.

As co-workers of Christ, we are called to strengthen and encourage others’ faith.

Prayer is a powerful way to show other in your life that you value them.

Trials are not necessarily signs of God's disfavor - they could be a part of your Christian legacy.

Together we can fill in the gaps that each other is missing.

1 Thessalonians 2 is often called “The Minister’s Manual”. But aren’t we all ministers of the gospel if we are walking with Christ daily? We are not just sharing the message of Jesus but also our very lives as we go about our schedule during the week. We need to make sure we get the message right - that we are sinners, sin separates us from God and we are only made holy and brought into relationship with Him because of His grace. 

Identify our message and its source. 

Don't corrupt the message. 

Identify the motives. 

The Thessalonians were new Christians but were already doing a lot of things right. They had faith and that faith produced action. What can we learn from the early Church in Thessalonica in order to apply it to the Church today? This week we look at how faith, love, and hope inspire us, and how we inspire others.

Are you a source of gratitude or a source of grief?

Does you life testify to the Triad?

Faith is not produced by works but works are certainly a byproduct of faith.

True Love persists through hardship.