CrossPoint Fellowship Messages

Following God’s example leads us to good works. Those works shouldn’t cease based on circumstances. Even in less-than-desirable moments, we must look to do good.

• No more malice, which is harboring ill will for others.
• No more deceit, which is deliberate dishonesty.
• No more hypocrisy, which is pretend love.
• No more envy, which is resentful discontent.
• No more slander, which is backbiting.
• All of these things characterize people who don’t know Christ. Therefore, they cannot characterize you.
• Everything that we need for growth is in the Word of God. 
• A characteristic of living things is the ability to reproduce. And as living stones, we must produce Christ-centered life. 

1 Peter 2

We have hope in Christ that is constant and unfailing. Therefore, we must respond accordingly and live a holy life committed to Christ.

• Peter was a remarkably unremarkable person.
• Rejoice in your salvation.
• In the face of trials, we have to learn to look to the promised future and not at the flawed presence.
• Faith requires action. Without action, our faith is dead.

1 Peter 1

To be forgiven you must forgive others. It really is that simple. You can’t ask for something you aren’t willing to give to someone else.

• Why do I need to be a person who forgives? 
• Christ instructs us to be forgiving.
• Doing the will of the Father is a sign that salvation has taken place in your life, which is the key to accessing heaven.
• It’s a wise instruction, which leads to stability. 
• It allows God to work through us for kingdom purposes.
• We forgive others because we have been forgiven.
• One might argue that if no one is worthy of forgiveness, everyone is equally deserving of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 7:24-27, John 6:38, Philippians 2:13-15, Ephesians 4:32, Luke 17:3-4, Matthew 5:44-45, Colossians 3:12-13, 1 Peter 2:19, Romans 12:20

Temptation is a problem. It leads to sin and it separates us from God. The one who cannot be overcome should be petitioned for his protection.

• Repentance requires action.
• Sin has no place in our lives. We can’t claim to be buried with Christ, made alive in Christ - and remain shackled to our sins. 
• Matthew 6:13 is a call for protection against our own humanity.
• God tests us. Satan tempts us.
• Every situation that tests us has an opportunity to tempt us.
• Embrace the testing. Pray through the temptation.

Matthew 6:13, Romans 5:20-21, Romans 6:1-14, James 1:13-14, Romans 7:15-20, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 19:13, Matthew 4:1, James 1:3-4

Purposeful prayer includes repentance. Forgive us our sins, help us to forgive others, because while we are at odds with creation we can’t hope for petitions to be heard or granted.

• If we want God to hear and provide, we can’t make requests with sin-filled hearts.
• Asking God to help you forgive others is a recognition of our spiritual weakness. 
• Refusing forgiveness is a spiritual weakness.
• Our sin accrued a debt. Christ paid that debt. And so God is faithful to forgive.
• Matthew 6:12 is about your relationship with God.
• You have a debt. Christ paid the debt. God erased and continues to erase the debt while the Spirit tries to keep you out of debt.
• Forgiveness is free. Fellowship comes at a cross.
• Proof of your relationship with God is a merciful disposition.

Matthew 6, Mark 11:24-25, James 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 4:32, Romans 5:8, Romans 12:19-20

In heaven, God’s will is perfectly completed. Requesting that it be fulfilled here on earth is a recognition that His will for our lives is indeed perfect. Aligning ourselves with that will begin with prayer. 

• Praying for God’s Kingdom to come is asking for the presence of Christ. 
• When you pray for God’s kingdom to come, you are asking for the global swelling of the Church. 
• In praying these words, we are asking for Him, before we are seeking for us.
• Praying for God’s will to be done, is a prayer of submission.

Matthew 6:10, Matthew 3:1-2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 6:33 , Matthew 20:28, Luke 22:42, John 4:34, John 5:30, John 6:38, Colossians 1:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9

These words are a prayer in and of themselves. They are asking God to make his name revered, admired, loved. When we pray, we are praying to the supreme being of the universe, the creator of heaven and earth. He can grant all of our requests. The power in prayer is found in who we are praying to.

• Prayer begins with worship and reverence.
• We pray because of who we are praying to.
• We should pray expectantly because we are asking our Father who loves us.
• Yes to worship, yes to reverence. But pray expectantly because of relationship.

Successful prayer is grounded in sincerity. Prayer isn’t performative, it's personal. If we want our requests to be granted, and Scripture tells us that the Lord will provide, a real connection must be made.

• Prayer is personal, not performative.
• Prayer doesn’t need to be long.
• Prayer doesn’t need to turn a phrase. Prayer needs only to be sincere. 
• If you are worried about a wandering heart, pray in private.
• Pray with a purpose.

Matthew 6:5-15

Whoever said “words could never hurt me” was a liar. The tongue can give life or it can take it away. Inside of the church, just because we can say something doesn’t mean we should, and how we say it matters.

• Know when to speak.
• Think about what you say.
• You can be right and wrong at the same time.
• Seek forgiveness.

James 3:1-8, Proverbs 17:28, Psalm 19:14, Matthew 15:16-20, Colossians 4:5-6, Proverbs 16:24

Successful churches are characterized by servitude. They not only serve the Lord wholeheartedly, but they also serve their communities. Importantly, they also serve each other. We have to be able to put others first, otherwise we foster a community of consumerism.

• We are all slaves to sin. But through Christ, we can choose to be subject to him, making us slaves to righteousness.
• This is calling us to snuff out the fire of self-centeredness.
• To serve Christ is to serve others.
• Greatness in the world is to be served. Greatness in the kingdom of God is to serve others.
• What we do for others we ultimately do for the Lord.
• You won’t serve those you despise.