The church was God's plan and still is! The ripple effects of healthy Spirit-empowered UP.IN.OUT relationships will surprise the world… and build His church. Pastor Rick shared how God loves His church and how growing in our UP.IN.OUT relationships help us help others know, obey, and enjoy Jesus Christ so that they can share Him with others.

After 28 weeks walking through Romans together, Pastor Rick brought the series home at CrossPoint Church with a sweeping look back before landing on Paul's final words to the believers in Rome. Paul writes not as a distant theologian but as a man overwhelmed by privilege — the privilege of carrying the Good News to people who need it.

Paul is finishing up his letter to the Roman believers and continues to pound the drum of generosity, prayer and love in spite of never being at their church. Hopefully, our flock will continue to grow in these arenas as God gives us strength and power. Pastor Rick shared Paul's powerful words to the CrossPoint church. Here is the LINK for the notes and the generosity handout.

The apostle Paul talks about the 3 pillars of discipleship. We walk with God and develop our character first. Then we become a student of the Scriptures and understand its truths and doctrines. Lastly we teach others or instruct others about ministry. We model how to make disciples and then pass the baton on so others make disciples. It was a baptism Sunday where we celebrated a new life in Christ. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint church.

Paul talks to mature followers of Jesus and encourages them to focus on others.  Life is about helping others and building them up in the faith. Paul reminds us that God receives glory when His church is unified. Paul prays: May you be filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit so that your lives will overflow with the joys of unity. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church

Paul talked about being charitable toward those who believe

The Apostle Paul sensed the believers in Rome didn't understand the urgency or the importance of loving others well. In fact, his final rationale for living a life of love and holiness is an eschatological one: Jesus is coming back… soon, SO BE READY! Pastor Rick believes that if we all would behave differently if we believed Jesus is coming today... or soon. He taught this lesson to the CrossPoint Church.

Paul shares in Ephesians 5 and 6 that walking with the Spirit changes the way we treat people... because we start treating them like Jesus would. Paul encourages fathers/parents NOT to provoke your children, but to raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Dads are not only able to give a snapshot of what God looks like to their kids, but also have the privilege of setting them up well for the future. Pastor Rick spoke this message to the CrossPoint Church.

In the middle of the loving others well section, the Apostle Paul commands every believer in Romans 13:1-7 to submit to governing authorities because all authority comes from God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, loving others well means giving respect and honor to those who are in authority.  Pastor Rick gave this message to CrossPoint Church.

Never take revenge but leave vengeance to the righteous anger of God... Why, because God's wrath is always redemptive and ours isn't. Listening to God means we will love others well, including our enemies. People will be drawn to God. There is something undeniably beautiful about the way of life Paul describes