BridgePointe Christian Church: Recent Episodes
BridgePointe Christian Church RI
Messages from BridgePointe Christian Church's Sunday gatherings. Visit https://bridgepointechristian.com for more information.
We've all seen a movie when a superhero has to decide whether to use their special power. There's one reason they take action--concern for the person who needs it. Similarly, the more someone loves the people of the church, the more willing that person will be to use their gifts for the good of their church. In this Scripture, we find a description of the love that compels us to use our gifts for others. A church that loves like this has no limit to what it can do.
6 questions to ask yourself to help recognize your spiritual gifts:
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What comes naturally to me now that didn’t before Jesus?
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What do people I trust in the church see in me?
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What does the Holy Spirit prompt me to do?
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What do other people really appreciate about me?
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What brings me joy and satisfaction when I serve others?
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What do I wish every Christian would do for Jesus?
There are many kinds of spiritual gifts and we all have a unique combination of them. That can make it difficult to know which ones the Holy Spirit has given to each disciple. This message will provide an overview of the different spiritual gifts and practical guidance for people to discover how they are uniquely gifted by God to be a part of His work through the church.
6 questions to ask yourself to help recognize your spiritual gifts:
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What comes naturally to me now that didn’t before Jesus?
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What do people I trust in the church see in me?
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What does the Holy Spirit prompt me to do?
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What do other people really appreciate about me?
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What brings me joy and satisfaction when I serve others?
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What do I wish every Christian would do for Jesus?
When it comes to spiritual gifts, people can drift to two extremes--they can think they don't need the gifts of others or they can think that no one needs the gift they have. Using the image of a body with many parts, this Scripture teaches that every disciple of Jesus has a gift that is important to the church. And every person needs the rest of the church to be strong in their faith and effective in their mission.
Recommended Reading: Beginners Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms
Many people within the church don't realize that they are uniquely gifted by God to participate in His work through the church. Others have an idea of how they're gifted, but still haven't yet realized their full potential. In this introduction to spiritual gifts, we will learn where they come from, who get them, and what purpose they have in our lives.
Recommended Reading: Beginners Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms
Because of their commitment to Jesus, disciples bring His Kingdom to earth by living with a purpose. God created us with a desire for purpose and there's no greater one to live for than helping people enter the Kingdom of God and experience its renewal here on earth. This purpose extends into every part of life--work, school, family, community. There are simple actions we can all take to have a Kingdom influence right where God has placed us.
Because of their commitment to Jesus, disciples bring His Kingdom to earth by offering what they have to make earth more like heaven. Money is an incredible resource God has entrusted to us for this purpose. For a disciple, giving begins with the church because it represents God's presence and purpose on earth. Generosity is also expressed by responding to needs and showing kindness so more will experience the renewal of God's Kingdom on earth.
Related Resources
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Use the button above for a message from our Seeing Green series, "The King's Portion" regarding tithing
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Book: "Fields of Gold" by Andy Stanley
Because of their love for Jesus, disciples do their part to build up His church. The church is not a building or a service but a people who are united by their commitment to Jesus. The best way to strengthen other disciples is through deep, meaningful relationships. People often wait for others to initiate relationships. But a core practice of a disciple is making personal investments in relationships with other followers of Jesus.
Because of their commitment to Jesus, disciples do their part to build up His church. The church will be healthier, stronger, and more effective when each person finds a way to use their time and talent to serve others in the church. There are countless ways to do this-- hospitality, prayer, ministry teams, leadership, meeting needs, etc. We each have something different to offer, but the church will be best when each person does their part.
Disciples live with Jesus as King, giving Him full authority over their lives. There are so many other things in our lives that divide our attention and demand our allegiance. We need a regular rhythm of worship with our church to help us keep Jesus as the highest priority and authority in our lives. This worship gathering can best serve its purpose when accompanied by a day or rest.
Related Resources
- Use the button above for a messages from our Less is More series, "Sabbath"
Disciples live with Jesus as King, giving Him full authority over their lives. This allegiance is established not by power or force but by love. Jesus has demonstrated His love for us and He wants us to trust Him to lead us into life at its best. This kind of dependence and allegiance happens one day at a time. Jesus taught that our relationship with Him should be like that of a vine and its branches, meaning that we need a constant connection to He to thrive. This abiding relationship grows through the daily practices of prayer and Scripture reading.
Related Resources
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Use the buttons above for two messages from our Less is More series, "Mornings" and "Fasting"
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Book: "How to Read the Bible for All it's Worth" by Gordon D. Fee
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Book: "Women of the Word" by Jen Wilkin
God's love never fails. He never gives up on the possibility of life with His people. He continues to initiate, promise, and pursue. No matter how far someone runs from God, there's always a way back. No part of Scripture makes this more clear than the prophets of the Old Testament. God's promises find their fulfillment in Jesus, who assures us of God's love and makes the way for us to come back.
Sin is the greatest and only threat to our relationship with God. Not only does the offensiveness of sin break the relationship, the guilt of sin can often keep us from coming back to God to reconcile the relationship. Even long before Jesus, God offered forgivenss to His people so that they could live with God. Through Jesus' life and death, God forgives sin once and for all for those who believe in Jesus.
It is often the pain in our own lives or the problems in the world around us that make us feel like God is not close. But the times actually provide a unique opportunity to experience God's presence. For the people of Israel, God most powerfully revealed His presence when things were at there worst. They came to know God as the One who is always with them to guide and protect them. Through faith in Jesus, we can come to know God in the same way, no matter what we face.
How can I be sure that God really loves me? Is it really possible to be close to God? The Bible begins and ends with a picture of God delighting in being to His people. And at the center of the story is what God was willing to do to make that possible. God loves each person so much that He came from heaven to earth as Jesus, Immanuel, so that all who believe in Him can be with Him now and forever.
Each of us deeply desires for our lives to make a difference. Jesus tells us that the difference He wants us to make is bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into this world, right where we live. Jesus described the coming of His Kingdom as a harvest, which makes us wonder how we can bring a good harvest by the end of our lives. Jesus reveals a secret about the harvest in a story He told. The key to a good harvest isn't about searching for good soil but about scattering much seed.
We live close to a lot of people--those who are next door, at workspace, in your family, and all along your way. In Scripture, these people are called neighbors. Jesus tells a shocking story to show that one of the best ways to bring His Kingdom to earth is by being a good neighbor to the people close to you. Jesus challenges each of us to not look past the people around us but instead to see their needs and be willing to meet them.
Money is a powerful resource in our world. It can be used for great good, terrible evil, or nothing at all. Jesus spoke often about money not only because it affects our hearts but also because it can be used to bring His Kingdom to earth. People who follow Jesus should manage their possessions differently than the rest of the world, for the good of others and the glory of God. In this parable, Jesus teaches people to be generous to God rather than keep money all to themselves.
Forgiveness might be the most difficult thing Jesus asks us to do. It's also one of the most powerful ways the Kingdom of God breaks into our world of sin, brokenness, and pain. Even the first disciples were shocked at the kind of forgiveness Jesus expects from His followers. So, Jesus told a story to help us see that our ability to forgive others can only come from our acknowledgement of the incredible, life-changing forgiveness we've receieved from Jesus. Once forgiven, we can forgive.
God unconditionally, relentlessly loves every person. God wants His people to possess and demonstrate that love to others. God especially wants us to share His passion and urgency for those who are still far from Him. Jesus confronted religious leaders who thought some were too far away to be brought back to God. Jesus urged His followers to love the lost like God does and go after them to bring them home to God. The Kingdom comes when people come into the Kingdom.
We know and feel that the world is not as it should be. Our hearts long for something better--a world of compassion, peace, kindness, grace, and joy. Jesus announced he was bringing a new reality into the world--His Kingdom is coming. This new reality is what our world needs and our hearts long for. Jesus said it comes through His people who live different and distinct lives. Prayer is the foundation of this Kingdom life. For this reason, Jesus taught us to align our hearts with His by praying, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done."
We have this one brief life to live. We were made to find satisfaction in God and yet our hearts are so prone to chase after the things of this world. How do we make sense of life under the sun? We all need wisdom and understanding. Even that is a pursuit that can take God's place in our lives. But when we seek God and His wisdom, it gives us the perfect perspective that will guide us through this life.
In this world, money equals opporutnity, comfort, security, power, status, and more. How we pursue and use money often reveals that we value it more than all else. We can't help but believe that more money will bring us more satisfaction. Ecclesiastes offers a sober warning from the richest person in history--like everything else under the sun, money cannot satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. And chasing after more will never give us enough.
We spend so much of our lives getting ready to work and going to work. What we do is often the first thing people know or ask about us. For so many reasons, we look to work to give meaning, value, and significance to our lives. Yet, work is never complete and we are never fully satisfied with it. Even when our work results in accomplishments, affirmation, or accolades, we still desire more. Is this the way it has to be, or is there a way to be satisfied in the work of our days?
We all want to be happy. It is a basic human instinct, and the primary motivator for nearly every decision we make in life. This strong desire drives us to seek happiness in so many ways. Yet, if we are honest, happiness feels so fragile and illusive. Whether we seek it in entertainment, leisure, relationships, sex, or accomplishment, we're always left wanting more. God wants us to be happy and His wisdom in Ecclesiastes can help us learn how.
Everything in life is temporary, like smoke in the wind. Even when things last, the satisfaction we get from them doesn't. Every experience of pleasure, leisure, achievement, or affirmation is followed by an almost instantaneous desire for more of that thing. So, naturally, we strive to get more of it. And so begins the chasing after the wind. In this message, we will explore where this endless desire comes from and how we can find what truly satisfies.
Jesus chose baptism as a distinct practice that would identify us as His people. Christians throughout history have responded to the Gospel with belief & baptism. For those who haven't been baptized yet, this message is an invitation to consider it's significance, and for those who have already been baptized, it's an encouragement to let your baptism remind you of the great work God has done in your life, and inspire you to live a life that pleases Him.
Our pride is the biggest threat to our love for God. When we imagine ourselves to be independent or self-sufficient, we push God away. In one of the final scenes of David's life, in the face of God's anger over sin, David seeks to find comfort and security in his own strength. God exposes this sin, which is costly to David and Israel. Our pride is costly for us and those around us, too. Jesus is the sacrifice that forgives that sin and protects us from the full consequence of it.
How do we respond when confronted with our sin? None of us want to be defined by our worst and weakest moments. What really defines us is not those moments, but how we respond to them. David, who loved God with his whole heart, still deeply sinned against God. But in his love for God, he responded to that sin with humble repentance. For us, this is the way to move forward from our sin. When we repent of our sin, we find healing and grace in Jesus.
David shows unexpected, undeserved kindness to someone who could attempt to compete with him for the throne. This is first an incredible picture of God's mercy toward us in Jesus, who welcomes the weak, the power, the powerless, and the disloyal to eat at the King's table. When we have received such love, we also ought to show compassion to those around us who are in need.
The presence of God is no ordinary thing. It deserves our reverence, awe, and worship. When we recognize that our sin could have kept us from the presence of God, we should be filled with joyful worship that God has given us His presence once again.
How do we respond to people who hurt us or have it out for us? Do we look for every opportunity to get even? Or will we choose mercy and kindness, even when it is costly to us? David faced this decision on several occasions and showed mercy to the one who chose to be his enemy. When our hearts are full of love for God, His love flows through us even toward those who least deserve it.
When we love God and desire to live for Him, we constantly need the wisdom, guidance, and peace of God that is only available to us through prayer. Because David loved God with his whole heart, he prayed to God about the difficult decisions he faced. Whatever decisions we face, large or small, should be approached with prayer to the God we love and trust.
The battle between David and Goliath isn't really about a little guy and a big giant. Instead, it's about a big challenge and an even bigger God. Faithfulness to God required David to do something far beyond his own ability. Faith is like that for us, too. Eventually, we'll encounter a challenge, a decision, or a change that is just too risky or costly for us. It's in those moments that we must trust in God and do what honors Him.
When God chose a leader for His people, God cared only about their heart. Only David, of all people in Scripture, was described as a "man after God's own heart." It didn't matter that David wasn't strong, impressive, or experienced because he loved God first and most. We are tempted to evaluate ourselves based on things that people see--skills, strengths, successes, etc. God wants us to focus on what He sees-our hearts and how much we love Him.
This message will go live Sun, 6/25/23
One of the core questions we face is what we will let rule over our hearts and lives. Through His kindness, power, and love, God has shown Himself to be a good and faithful King. But the temptation is strong to put ourselves or something else in that highest place. God wants to have our whole hearts and warns of what will happen when we give it to something else. As we start this series, we'll be challenged to let God be our King and see in David's life what it looks like to love God more than anything else.
We don't often think of what we want to be true of our lives at the end of them. But it is both healthy and helpful to gaze ahead to the end of our days to consider what is most important to us. For Paul, he found peace and contentment in being faithful to the end. Each of us have a unique part in the story of the Gospel. We can't control what part God gives us, but we can control what we do with that part. Each of us has the same opportunity to be faithful to the end.
Jesus sent his disciples out as His witnesses to the ends of the earth. 30 years later, Rome is evangelized and the Gospel has outposts across the entire ancient world. This happened through ordinary people who were empowered by the Spirit and obedient to God, one step at a time. Our cumulative obedience will result in a Gospel harvest that will far exceed our greatest imaginations.
Paul had a deep desire to take the Gospel to Rome. He was focused on that, while not missing the Gospel opportunities right in front of him. Likewise, we should have a vision for who we want to see impacted by the Gospel and commit to sharing it with them. And at the same time, be open to unexpected opportunities God gives to share the Gospel along the way.
In our culture, it is common for people to judge harshly those who follow Jesus. Our character and reputation matter. If our lives were on trial, what would be revealed about the Gospel? It is the simple, quiet acts of faith that we choose day-by-day that result in a life that is blameless and faithful in the end.
Elizabeth provides an example of faithfulness to God. Her story invites us to be faithful, when life is full of disappointment, when life is full of delight and when others are full of doubt. When our lives are marked by the same kind of faithfulness, the Gospel will take ahold of us and come into the world through us.
God is sovereign. He is working for our good and the advance of the Gospel. He can use whatever we are going through to draw us closer to Him and provide unexpected opportunities for people to see and hear the Gospel through us. God is always with us and we need to listen for His voice so we can see how He is working even when it's hard.
When following Jesus is difficult or costly, it is helpful to go back to the love you felt from Him at first. Remembering and retelling God's first work in our lives keeps our faith fresh and invites others to find life in Jesus as we have. When we share our story respectfully, honestly, and humbly, people can see the power of the Gospel through us in a way that draws them to Jesus.
No one can be faithful to Jesus without personal sacrifice. Jesus modeled it and told His disciples to expect the same. Choosing faithfulness to Jesus and His mission will bring us closer to opposition and sacrifice. It will also bring us closer to Jesus, who suffered in every way. To remain faithful to the end, we must be prepared for the cost of following Jesus.
This is the first message in the third part of our study of Acts. We look back at the book of Acts and see that Jesus sends His people to be His witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit. The opposition we experience will test our devotion to Jesus and our dedication to His work. By the power of the Spirit, we can resolve to be faithful to God until the very end of our lives.
We have a discomfort with silence. We feel it in conversation, when we are with people, even when we are alone. We fill every empty space with noise--music, podcasts, shows. Even when there's not noise, we're usually plugged into some technology that is still bombarding our minds. The result is that we are anxious, distracted, and disconnected from ourselves. Our minds, hearts and souls need silence to recover from this noisy world. When we allow for silence in our lives, we find that we learn to listen better to ourselves and to the Spirit who is always with us.
Have you ever noticed that Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry? He never seemed stressed or anxious. In a world dominated by hurry, stress, and anxiety, wouldn't you love to know His secret? Jesus exerted control over His life and always lived with margin--empty space--in life. We fill every space on our calendar with busyness. And the result is that we're more stressed than ever. We need to learn from Jesus that less hurry is more peace.
In this special service, BridgePointe commemorates its tenth birthday by celebrating what God has done among us and looking to future.
The start of our day sets the tone for our day. If we want our days to be filled with the strength and peace of the Holy Spirit, we need to start our days by spending time with the Holy Spirit. The simple practice of waking up 15-30 minutes earlier can create the space we need to spend time with God. And while that means less sleep for your body, it also means more strength for your soul, which is what you really need to make it through your day.
God created us to eat and to delight in eating. Food and drink are part of survival and celebration. They are beautiful parts of our lives. Therefore, choosing not to eat when you could is a signifcant act of self-control and sacrifice. For this reason, fasting has been an expression of spiritual devotion throughout history and across many cultures. Jesus did it and taught His disciples to do so because it brings our focus onto what we need more than food--the presence of God.
Jesus established His church to advance against the evil one and bring spiritual freedom to those who were once captive. The mission of the church is to lead people to Jesus, in whom they experience the life and freedom they desperately need. We can be assured that we will face opposition from the spiritual forces of evil. The church wages war through prayer in the power of God. And we know that, in the end, God gives victory to those in Christ Jesus.
The church is given an outward mission to spread the light of Jesus in this dark world. The light belongs to God, but He has given it to us to bring into this world. The light is seen through us in our words and actions, when we bring the Kingdom of Jesus and the beauty of His rule to the world around us. We do this in countless and often ordinary ways, as we bring heaven to earth.
The church is given an outward mission to spread the light of Jesus in this dark world. The light belongs to God, but He has given it to us to bring into this world. The light is seen through us in our words and actions, when we bring the Kingdom of Jesus and the beauty of His rule to the world around us. We do this in countless and often ordinary ways, as we bring heaven to earth.
The metaphor a shepherd and flock runs throughout Scripture to describe the relationship between God and His people. Jesus applies that directly to Himself in John 10. This picture reveals much about the love and tenderness of Jesus, as well as our total dependence on Him. The more time we spend with Him, the more we'll love, trust, and follow Him.
We know that a body can only be healthy when each part does what it's intended to do. The same is true with the church. Each person who belongs to Jesus has been gifted and entrusted to be a functioning part of Christ's body. Those who are part of the body must learn what their part is and choose to do it, even when it's hard, for the spiritual vitality of the whole body.
Scripture is full of imagery that depicts the church as a spiritual family--God is the Father, we are brothers and sisters, and we have been adopted into one beautiful and messy family. Since the beginning, there have been challenges to the unity and love that should characterize this family. For the church to be a family, our love for Jesus must result in love for one another that transcends anything that could divide us.
Before Jesus, the Temple was the place where people experienced the presence of God. As a result of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Spirit of God dwells in those who believe. While each believer possesses the Holy Spirit, we experience the presence of God in a very special way when we gather together, for only together are we the temple where the Spirit dwells. Our hearts long for God's presence and this should compel us to prioritize and prepare for worship with our church
Real hope has to last. It can't be for only a short time. Therefore, God's promises must meet our deepest and forever need in order to provide real, lasting hope. One of Isaiah's prophecies describes how God's servant will become the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. In vivid detail, God explains that this King will take the punishment our sin deserves so that we can receive the reward His righteousness deserves. This reconciles us to God and gives us hope forever.
The Promised King will only bring hope to hurting people if He is able to change their reality on earth and in heaven. Isaiah describes the ways that the brokenness of this world will be healed, the wrong things made right, by the One whom God sends to save His people. The Promised King will bring justice, comfort, freedom, and beauty. He will establish a new reality of healing and hope for those who belong to Him. It is also the expectation that people who belong to that Kingdom will become agents of healing in this world that remains broken.
Isaiah gives beautiful descriptions of the one whom God will send to bring "the light into the darkness." This One, whom the Jews called Messiah, would be from the line of David and would become the good and perfect King that God had promised for His people. With His authority, this Forever King would establish a kingdom–a new reality–that would never end. This King is the ultimate hope for anyone living in darkness.
In the book of Isaiah, we see the people of Israel desperately in need of a message of hope. Just like them, we need a message of hope here and now as well. In this prophecy in Isaiah, God is sending hope in Jesus, but people must be prepared so that the receive Him as the promised hope of God. This prophecy describes how God will prepare people for Jesus through the ministry of a "forerunner," John the Baptist.
Every king has a cause--the advance of the kingdom. Jesus began His ministry by announcing that the Kingdom of God had arrived. He revealed that Kingdom through His life and established it through His death and resurrection. That was just the beginning. Jesus then entrusted the advance of His Kingdom to His disciples. All olf our lives should be dedicated to this cause. All of the King's resources should be used for it. If all we have is His, we should begin to think that all of it is available for His mission.
The heart of the Gospel is the generosity of God. Maybe more than almost anything else, God is witnessed through His undeserved and sacrificial kindness to us. We are made in God's image, which means we are created to be generous people. Even more, disciples of Jesus should embody the nature of the Gospel through our generous lives. In a world that find dissatisfaction in the accumulation of wealth, the generosity of God's people can be beautifully compelling.
Jesus is the King of all things. Everything in this world is under His authority. He distribute as He desires. Therefore, whatever we have is the portion the King has chosen for us. From what Jesus has given us, He expects us to return a portion to Him. This cultivates gratitude, trust, and devotion to our King. Throughout Scripture, the "king's portion" was 10%. As we live in the covenant of grace rather than law, this becomes the starting point of devotion to Jesus in this area of our lives.
For the people of God, this world often doesn't feel like home. It can cause us to wonder how much longer we'll have to endure. It can even make us question whether or not it's worth it to stay faithful to God. Daniel is given a glimpse of the end of all things. Through those visions, God assures every generation of His people that we have a reasno to place our hope in Jesus. Those who are faithful will floursih with Him forever.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
It is really complicated to live as Americans and Christians. Some see these terms as a contradiction, while others think they're the same thing. Daniel models how to be a good citizen without compromising the integrity of his faith. If we follow his example, we'll be known first and most for our devotion to Christ. Beyond that, people will simply see the beauty of our quiet and peaceful lives.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
Our lives are so brief, but we get to choose each day how we spend them. While culture teaches us to live for today, Scripture urges us to live for the Day that is coming. One day, all people will stand before the Lord and give an account of their lives. This great and final day should shape how we live every day leading up to it. We can either spend our lives building our own kingdom or getting prepared for the Kingdom that will never end.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
Our culture repeats and reinforces the message that we are the sovereign and supreme being in our lives. Everything becomes about our "kingdom"--our happiness, our fulfillment, and our desires. That perspective cuts God out and puts us at the center. Life will never work like that. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we have the decision to repent of our pride and recognize God's greatness or suffer the undoing of the life we've built apart from God.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
Resource: The book Jared mentions at the top of the message is "The Secular Creed" by Rebecca Mclaughlin
We live in a culture that demands our allegiance to its values, ideology, and objects of worship. There is a cost to giving Jesus our full allegiance, but it is only in that posture of devotion that we find salvation from the only thing that can harm us forever--sin and its consequences. (Matthew 10:28)
As followers of Jesus, we will inevitably feel the pressure of the culture around us. We'll be put in difficult spots when we don't know what to say or how to respond. Rather than responding with the weapons of this world--defensiveness, outrage, or distance--our response should be characterized by prayer, and the wisdom that flows from it. Only then will we be effective at pointing to God, even in the pressure moments we face.
Because of the unseen forces within our world, culture is not a neutral or passive influence. It is constantly applying pressure to move away from God. In order to be faithful, we must acknowledge, identify, and overcome the cultural influences that move us away from God.
People who belong to Jesus are supposed to be distinct. If we think, speak, and live like everyone else, it looks like Jesus makes no difference for us. Daniel provides a powerful example of how to be faithfully distinct in the midst of a culture that is moving away from God.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
Because of the unseen forces within our world, culture is not a neutral or passive influence. It is constantly applying pressure to move away from God. In order to be faithful, we must acknowledge, identify, and overcome the cultural influences that move us away from God.
There is a stark contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The greater the divergence, the more difficult it is for people to live faithfully for God. The book of Daniel provides a story of a young man who remained faithful to God in the midst of a godless culture. The story of Daniel shows us how to be an influence for God rather than being influenced away from God.
When we understand that people move toward Jesus one step at a time, we must accept that the journey might take a little longer than we expected. We need to be people of patience, who are committed to steady influence over the long haul. With patience, we are people who are prayerful, present, and purposeful in the lives of the people around us. And over a lifetime, we'll be blessed to help many people find their way back to God, one step at a time.
Sometimes, God does supernatural things that prove His existence and demonstrate His goodness. Historically and globally, these miraculous events have caused people to take big steps toward. That can still be true today. We need God to do what only He can do to turn people back to Himself. Why doesn't it happen much here and now? It probably isn't a lack of willingness on God's part, but a lack of faith on ours.
When you know someone well, you trust what they say. Their words impact how you think and what you're willing to try. Within our relationships, our words can help people to take steps toward Jesus. Sometimes this happens in really significant ways when we have an opportunity to tell our story or share our faith. But most often, it happens in subtle ways when our words demonstrate the kindness, truth, and love of Jesus.
When helping people move toward Jesus, our actions make a world of difference. What we do and how we live are often the first thing people notice about us. When we show hospitality, kindness, service, and generosity to people in the name of Jesus, it moves them closer to Him.
Disciples of Jesus bring others to Jesus. We should want nothing more for the people close to us. But it can feel so intimidating or overwhelming to get them to Jesus. Leading people to Jesus can feel a lot more manageable when it happens one small step at a time. When you think of it like this, just about everything you do can move someone just a little closer to Jesus.
John's Gospel tells very personal stories of people who were changed when they met Jesus. These men and women came from very different backgrounds but were all changed in powerful ways when they met Jesus. Every disciple has uniquely encountered Jesus and been changed by Him. Every disciple has a story to tell.
Jesus has a special relationship with the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He learns that Lazarus is sick. From Jesus' perspective, there's no reason to hurry or worry. But from the sisters' perspective, there is great reason for fear and grief. Each sister comes out to Jesus in their grief, and Jesus responds differently to each sister according to what He knows she needs. Their grief becomes an opportunity for them to encounter Jesus in a powerful way. This message teaches that overwhelming grief that finds comfort in Jesus changes a life forever.
Reflection questions: When have you experienced sorrow and grief in your life? How did God work to bring you closer to Him through that?
John's Gospel tells very personal stories of people who were changed when they met Jesus. These men and women came from very different backgrounds but were all changed in powerful ways when they met Jesus. This message is about a man who has been blind from birth. Jesus came into his life unexpectedly and is made the center of a debate about the curse of sin. Jesus heals the man. Jesus performs this miracle as a lesson about his power to overcome spiritual darknes--Jesus came into the world to bring light into the darkness and to bring sight to the (spiritually) blind. The theme of this message is anyone can turn from spiritual darkness to Jesus.
Reflection questions: How have you experienced spiritual darkness apart from Jesus? How did Jesus work to bring light to your darkness?
John's Gospel tells very personal stories of people who were changed when they met Jesus. These men and women came from very different backgrounds but were all changed in powerful ways when they met Jesus. Every disciple has a story to tell and this story talks about how this broken world had left this woman thirsty in more than one way. Her circumstances are almost certainly a result of the sin of others against her. Searching for security, identity, and love, she bounced from one broken relationship to another, always coming up empty. Jesus bipasses barriers of gender, race, and religion to tell this woman that He alone has what she's searching for. When her thirst is satisfied by Jesus, she tells others to come to find what they need in Him. The theme from this message and the testimony is an empty search for satisfaction that leads someone to Jesus changes a life forever.
Reflection questions: What were you searching for before you encountered Jesus? How has He satisfied that thirst?
John's Gospel tells very personal stories of people who were changed when they met Jesus. These men and women came from very different backgrounds but were all changed in powerful ways when they met Jesus. Nicodemus, a religious expert, becomes curious about Jesus. It is risky for him to pursue faith in Jesus, so he comes at night with questions. He is searching for truth and believes Jesus might be the source of it. While Nicodemus doesn't become a disciple at this point, John's Gospel indicates that he kept coming around Jesus and expressed loyalty in the end.
Reflection questions: When did curiosity drive you to Jesus? What did you discover about Him that caused you to believe?
John's Gospel tells very personal stories of people who were changed when they met Jesus. These men and women came from very different backgrounds but were all changed in powerful ways when they met Jesus. Every disciple has uniquely encountered Jesus and been changed by Him. Jesus responds to each disciple personally, giving them just what they need. Some were actively searching for the Messiah. For others, Jesus interrupted their lives unexpectedly. As soon as they were convinced about Jesus, people invited someone else to come meet Jesus too. This story introduces the series. The theme of the testimony is that meeting Jesus and choosing to follow Him changes a life forever.
Reflection questions: When did you first come face to face with Jesus? What happened to cause you to believe in and follow Him?
We spend more time working (or at-home parenting, in retirement, etc.) than doing any other single thing. It is essential to see this not as separate from our faith, but a critical part of it. In this passage, Paul urges master and slave, boss and employee, to honor Jesus in their roles. This requires humble, selfless sacfrifice that always puts the other first.
Reflection questions: 1.) How should your commitment to Jesus change the way you work? 2.) Who is in a position to see Jesus through you at work?
Jesus has already won this battle. So, we fight from victory rather than for it. Even though the battle is won, Satan is going to do as much damage as he can with the little time he has left. It is so important for Christians to understand that we should keep fighting for our own freedom, for salvation for others, and for the eternal joy of heaven that awaits.
In the battle, we have armor to protect us. But that doesn't mean the church is intended to only withstand the enemy's attacks. There is ground to gain for the Kingdom and the Spirit has given us weapons to fight with. Scripture is a weapon that gives us God's truth in the battle. Prayer brings God's power into the fight. Both make the enemy flee and enable us to move forward to bring the Kingdom into our lives and into the world.
We are to stand firm in the battle against the invisible enemy. This means that we hold the ground that Jesus gained for us, despite Satan's attacks. God gives us an armor that is strong. It's what we believe about Jesus that protects us. The truth of the Gospel is our protection against the schemes of the enemy.
There is an invisible battle all around us. Whether we realize it or not, our enemy is the Devil and the spiritual forces of evil. We won't win this battle until we've rightly identified who we're fighting against and understanding how the enemy schemes against us. Only then can we fight back with the mighty power of God.
Before and without Jesus, our lives were characterized by sin. We are completely dependent on God, because we cannot change our hearts or forgive our own sin. God gives us grace and forgiveness through Jesus, through whom we have new life and new purpose.
As a result of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, all people have the opportunity to receive what we need from Jesus. Jews, who were chosen from the beginning, have the inheritance they've long awaited. And after the resurrection, all others are included in the inheritance of Jesus, which the Spirit guarantees.
Jesus has proven that He is King and then unexpectedly gave up his power and life in order to die as a ransom for sin. His resurrection proves the sufficiency of His payment and secures His place as the eternal King. A the end of Mark's account, the witnesses are bewildered which forces the question, "How will you respond to the Risen King?"
The events in Gethsemane show Jesus as being sovereign and surrendered at the same time. As He prays to the Father, Jesus commits to receiving the full wrath of God. And as Jesus surrenders to the mob, He initiates the events that will lead to His death. Jesus knew exactly what was coming and He chose it for us.
On the night before Jesus was crucified, He used the Jewish Passover meal as an object lesson for what He came to accomplish. Jesus Himself had become the Passover Lamb, the sacrifice that would deliver people from sin and death.
As Jesus' time on earth draws to a close, He wants His disciples to understand what will happen next. At an unknown time in the future, the King will come back to complete His Kingdom on earth. Much trouble will come before then, but Jesus will make all things right when He returns.
A rich young man ran up to Jesus to gain assurance of his salvation. Instead, Jesus confronts him with the hard truth of what following Jesus might cost us. In order to enter His Kingdom, Jesus must receive our full allegiance and our greatest affection.
After revealing the reason He came, Jesus enters into the glory of heaven on earth to be replenished and strengthened by God the Father. He needs this breath in order to keep marching toward the cross. The presence of God is intended to also supply us with what we need to walk the way of Jesus.
Previously, Mark has revealed Jesus as King on the basis of His authority. There has been much confusion about Jesus, even among the disciples. Starting with this passage, Jesus begins to reveal why He came--to go to the cross. This is most unexpected, but it's the reason Jesus came. And those who want to be His disciple must walk that road, too.
The Bible calls the church the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, and the family of Christ, all showing how much Jesus loves and cares about His church. Jesus wants His church to be strong, healthy, and mature. Every disciple of Jesus has responsibility in helping his or her church to be strong. There are many ways disciples do this including serving according to the gifts of the Spirit, giving generously of the money God has given, and gathering together on Sundays and in Small Groups.
Through Jesus life, we see the inbreaking of a new reality into our lost and broken world. He cared for those who are hurting, restored what is broken, and brought goodness and beauty into the world. Because disciples do what Jesus did, Jesus entrusts this work to His disciples so that His Kingdom continues to come to earth. In this message, we will understand the many ways we can intentional bring heaven to earth through our everyday lives.
Living with Jesus as King is the essence of being a disciples of Jesus. We relate to Him first and foremost as the good and loving King who has authority over our lives. We need to spend time with Jesus in order to know, love, and trust Him more. And as we learn what He desires for us and commands of us, we obey Him in every part of our lives.
Being a disciple of Jesus is not something we casually drift into. It demands a decisive moment when we declare our allegiance to Jesus. Baptism has served this purpose since Jesus instituted it and the first disciples practiced it. This message challenges us to declare our allegiance to Jesus.
Ebenezer Scrooge was a bad man--greedy, selfish, harsh, unloving. He hurt people close to him and cared little about how he could help… until one night he was given a vision that revealed the consequences of a life lived like this. He awoke a changed man, ready to be kind and do good. How would our lives change if God gave us a glimpse of the impact of our own sin, selfishness, or greed? We would be devastated to know how we have hurt others, but we would be powerless to change. Jesus came to forgive our sin, change our hearts, and give us a new beginning.
Jeronicus is an inventor whose life collapsed due to betrayal and tragedy. He slips into a life of grief, isolation, and depression and doesn't have much reason to hope. Through the persistent love of a granddaughter, Jeronicus discovers hope and restoration. We all, in some way have been hurt by this world. Sometimes, so much so that we struggle to believe there's a reason to hope. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that makes wrong things right and brings healing to our hurts.
George Bailey is a good man, doing good things. But being a good person and doing the right thing wears him out. When he gets to a breaking point, he's given a vision of the real impact of his life. That changes his perspective on everything. Likewise, we are created to have a purpose worth living for. We so often go through life exhausted from trying to be good enough. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that gives us a purpose worth living for, which can change how we see it all.
The Grinch is an unhappy creature, at least in part because he does not have a place in the community or celebration in Whoville. It's not until an unexpected act of kindness that the Grinch finds his place of acceptance, which changes His heart. We all have a deep need to belong... to be loved and welcomed as we are. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom for all people. When we receive His love, our hearts are changed.
In the final scenes in Mark's first part, there is still so much uncertainty about Jesus among the crowds and disciples. He has shattered every expectation and people are still wrestling with what to believe about Him. The miracle of the blind man represents how Jesus is soon going to heal spiritual blindness by revealing His true identity.
As Mark's account gets closer to the full revelation of Jesus' identity, miracles continue to provide insight into His power, authority, and Kingdom vision. This is the first time a non-Jew is the recipient of a miracle, showing that Jesus came to bring His Kingdom for all.
Reflection Questions: Who do you need to see like Jesus does? What would it mean if you seized God’s Kingdom?
The religious leaders had established a system to deal with the external problems of sin. But that's not really where sin lives. Jesus came to turn the religious system inside out and deal with sin where it starts--in the heart. We must acknowledge the root of sin within us so that we will see Jesus as the only real solution.
Reflection Questions: Where do you see an impure heart or sinful decisions in your life? How does your awareness of sin make you more appreciative of Jesus?
Jesus feeds a crowd and walks on water. He continues to baffle people, even the ones closest to Him. And yet, in these passages Jesus turns His attention to the disciples to help them understand that He is empowering them to do His work. As Jesus brings His disciples into His work, we can see how we are a part of the continuing work of bringing His Kingdom to those around us.
Reflection Questions: Where is opportunity for you to continue the work of Jesus? How do you need to depend on the Holy Spirit to do that?
This one story provides two portrayals of faith--a desperate father pleading for his sick girl and a desperate woman trying to find healing from an incurable condition. Both believe that Jesus offers hope and healing. This story shows that He brings even more than expected to those who believe.
In the two scenes in this passage of Scripture, Jesus demonstrates authority over the forces of nature (wind and waves) and the forces of evil. These miracles expand the scope of Jesus' authority, leaving the witnesses of them in reverent fear. No one else has authority like this. And authority like this would be terrible, unless it's possessed by someone perfectly good and loving.
Jesus taught in parables to explain the nature of His Kingdom. In this set of parables, He focuses on the surprising way that His Kingdom starts humble and small (in the dirt) and grows to be great.
As enthusiasm about Jesus begins to build, He makes a startling claim--to have the authority to forgive sin. This is nothing less than a claim to be God. Jesus proves this authority by giving a lame man the ability to walk. The following story shows just how far the forgiveness of Jesus goes--he invites a tax collector to become His disciple.
Mark emphasizes the miracles of Jesus throughout his account. Here, he provides a series of miracles that show the authority of Jesus and give a glimpse of His Kingdom coming to earth. The challenge for us is to also be people who bring His Kingdom to earth in all it's diverse beauty and power.
Jesus calls his disciples to follow Him. This is an invitation that would have been familiar to any person in that day. It meant to attach themselves to Jesus, to become like Him, to go where He goes and do what He does. It's the same invitation He gives today... and it requires us to let go and leave behind all else.
In Mark's opening words, he makes a bold claim about Jesus--he is the Son of God, the Messiah we've been expecting. This claim (1:1) is followed by three witnesses who affirm it--the testimony of John the Baptist, God's announcement at the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus' own claim to be the one who ushers in the Kingdom of God.
Smaller gatherings of believers have always complimented the larger weekly worship gathering. Together, they serve unique purposes that help believers grow as disciples. This sermon looks at the "relational rhythms" of Jesus and explains how we can move toward these same rhythms.
There are obstacles that keep our relationships from growing and they've been around ever since sin entered the world. The good news is that Jesus came to remove sin and restore our relationships. When we respond to sin in the right way , our relationships will grow.
In this opening message of the series, we look at how we are uniquely created by a relational God for relationships. Despite the current of culture moving us away from relationships, the church should be characterized by close relationships.
New Testament relational passages: Romans 12:1-6 1 Corinthians 12-13 Galatians 6:1-3 Ephesians 4:1-16 Philippians 2:1-12; 4:2-6 Colossians 3:12-17 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Hebrews 10:24-25 James 2:1-13; 5:13-16 1 Peter 4:7-11 1 John 3:16-24; 4:7-21
This passage picks up halfway through Paul's second missionary trip and shows that God had a bigger plan for the Gospel, more people to reach, and He was uniquely architecting it’s spread through the Spirit. We also see how the Spirit was at work on both sides, prompting those who were taking the good news and preparing the hearts of those who received it. For us today, the Kingdom will advance when we are led by the Spirit.
Is Jesus the only way to get into the Kingdom? What stipulations, complexities and other things have we added to the good news of Jesus? After Gentiles of Antioch became Christians, some wanted to force them to also become Jews. This demanded people to subscribe to Jewish religion in addition to a Christian relationship. But the Jerusalem Council determined that faith in Jesus and a life that pleases God was enough. Today we look at Acts 15 and remind ourselves that Jesus alone is enough.
As Paul and Barnabas continue travelling and preaching the good news they meet both receptive hearts and great opposition. In this message we will look at how the kingdom of Jesus will advance in the face of opposition. It will be costly to us personally and following the example of the apostles, we should persevere in the face of opposition by the power of the Spirit.
Reflection questions: How have you experienced opposition to the Kingdom? What will the advance of the Kingdom require of you?
Scripture passages: Acts 5:38-39 Acts 12:24 Acts 13:49 Acts 14 John 8:44 Ephesians 2:1-2 Revelation 12:9, 17 Acts 1:4, 8 Acts 2:38-39 2 Timothy 1:7
Paul sets off on his first missionary journey to make known the truth of Jesus. In Antioch, Paul first presents the good news of Jesus. In this message we look at what the Gospel is, where it comes from, and how it forces us to make a decision.
Reflection questions: Why is it Good News for you that Jesus is King? How will this change the way you live for Him?
In the opening message of the series, we look at the major themes of the book of Acts, what the good news of Jesus is and how it spreads.
Reflection Questions: - Which theme from Acts am I most prone to forget? - Who is close enough to me to experience the Good News through me?
Jesus wants His people to form deep relationships within the church and in the world. Hospitality, generosity, and intentionality put flesh on the love of Jesus. After all, disciples of Jesus will be known by their love. And love shows up in relationships.
Scripture Passages: Matthew 28:18—20, Romans 15:7, Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13:2, Acts 17:24-27, Matthew 9:9-13, Colossians 4:2-6
Reflection Questions: What do you need to do to create space for change to take place? Who are the people around you that would be encouraged by your hospitality?
Additional Resources: Book: Surprise the World by Michael Frost Book: The Relational Soul by Richard Plass and James Cofield
In the attic, we deal with the thing we often don’t want to give over to Jesus—finances. Money can be the cause of sin or the catalyst for good. Jesus wants to change the way we view and use money, managing it well on earth and investing in eternity.
Scripture Passages: Matthew 6:21, Psalm 24:1-2, Deut. 8:10-14, Deut. 8:17-18, Matthew 6:31-32, Ecclesiastes 5:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:6-9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Leviticus 27:30, 32, Deut. 16:17, Matthew 23:23, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Galatians 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 9:12-13
Reflection Questions: What needs to change about the way you view money? What needs to change in the way you use money?
Additional Resources: Book: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
We spend much of our lives working and so much of that time wishing we weren’t. Work has always been part of the human existence. It became painful because of sin. Jesus shows us how to find meaning, value and purpose in what we do each day.
Scripture Passages: Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:5, 7-8, 15, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Revelation 22:3-5, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 1:20, Colossians 3:23, Matthew 28:18-19, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Reflection Questions: How do I need to change the way I think about work? What will I do differently in order to work for God’s purposes?
Additional Resources: Book: Garden City by John Mark Comer Podcast: Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast
The next generation is essential to the ongoing advance of the Gospel. It is the responsibility of every disciple of Jesus—parents, grandparents, friends, and people of the church—to raise up the next generation of disciples of Jesus.
Scripture Passages: Deuteronomy 6:1-2, Mark 10:13-16, Mark 1:17, Matthew 16:24-27, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Ephesians 6:4
Reflection Questions: What will you do within your family to make disciples of the Next Generation? What will you do within the church to make disciples of the Next Generation?
Additional Resources: Podcast: Risen Motherhood Book: Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord by Dave Stone Class: Alpha’s “The Parenting Children Course” Go to: bpri.church/classes
Sex was God’s idea. And it was a good one. But like with everything good, the Devil— the ruler of this world—seeks to distort and destroy sex in order to steal the goodness of what God intended. Jesus desires for us to honor God with both passion and purity.
Scripture Passages: John 8:10-11, Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:6-8, Proverbs 5:15-20, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Mark 10:7-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection Questions: What do you need the Spirit to provide for you here? What do you need to do in this part of your life?
Additional Resources: Book: Intimacy Ignited by Joseph and Linda Dillow Book: You and Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan Resource: Covenant Eyes (internet accountability) Class: Alpha’s “The Marriage Course” Go to: bpri.church/classes
We live in an entertainment saturated world. Yet, so little of it is truly refreshing and life-giving. Jesus wants us to be refreshed and renewed by Him as we delight in the life He has given us.
Scripture Passages: Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:8-9, 11, Deuteronomy 5:15, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:8-10
Reflection Questions: What is the Spirit inviting you to stop doing? How is the Spirit inviting you to start resting?
Additional Resources: Book: The Techwise Family by Andy and Amy Crouch Book: The Art of Rest by Adam Mabry Documentary: The Social Dilemma
God created us to need and delight in food. Because of that, food and drink can subtly take an ungodly place if we become consumed by the things we consume. Jesus desires for us to eat and drink in a way that appreciates and enjoys what God has provided.
Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 8:8, Genesis 1:29, Acts 2:42, Psalm 145:15, Matthew 6:25-26, Matthew 6:31-32, Psalm 104:14-15, Philippians 3:18-19, Ephesians 5:18
Reflection Questions: Where does over-consuming or over-controlling show up in your life? What do you need to do to praise God in what you eat and drink?
Additional Resources: Book: Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Edward T. Welch
The first message in the series, "On the Porch" sets up the rest of the series and asks us to make sure we've let Jesus in the door. Scripture passages: John 1:14, John 14:16-18, Ephesians 2:22, Matthew 16:24-25, Galatians 5:24-25 Reflection questions: How have you responded to Jesus at your door? What do you need to do to work with Him? Additional Resources: Book: Spirit-Filled Life, Charles Stanley Book: Core 52 Contact a pastor to talk about baptism: bpri.church/baptism
Simeon (and Anna) had waited so long for God's Promised One. Simeon had been promised that he wouldn't die without seeing the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, the Spirit affirmed that Jesus was God's Chosen One. Simeon believed and rejoiced because God keeps all of His promises, from least (the personal one) to the greatest (for all people). We have a reason to rejoice because Jesus shows that God keeps all of His good promises for His people.
The shepherds had been told all their lives they didn't belong, especially in the presence of God. The angels had an invitation to the shepherds that a savior had been born to them and they were welcome to meet him. This is why the angels burst into song and its the reason the shepherds went home praising God. God welcomes us, despite who we are or what we've done. He wants us to come close to Him, which is all the reason we need to celebrate!
Elizabeth and Zechariah have felt the weight of unmet expectations and unfulfilled hopes on many levels. God promises to give them a son in their old age. This son will prepare the way for the Messiah. After John is born, Zechariah praises God for his redemption and rescue, specifically from sin, which is our reason to rejoice in Christ, too.
After Mary receives news of what God is going to do, and when she's greeted by Elizabeth, Mary rejoices over how God has been mindful of her in her humble state. For her, Israel, and all people, God cares deeply about our needs and came to meet them all in Jesus.
God invites us to look at ourselves through His lens and not ours. We are chosen, royal priests, holy, and God's special possession. Once we understand how God see us and who we are in Christ, it gives us a clear identity and purpose: We are people who belong to Jesus and bring others to Him.
James 2:14-26; giving examples or faith in action from throughout the book. If we truly believe in Jesus and are filled by the Spirit, our lives should be radically transformed. It should affect the way we treat the poor, think about wealth, use our words, respond to suffering, deal with temptation, and so much more.
Paul writes a letter to another pastor and dear friend, Timothy. In this letter, we see how we can each do our part to help the church reach its potential. In this message, we look at how the church is at its best when we preserve the truth of the Gospel, pray for others, provide care for each other, protect each other's dignity and partner with God through generosity.
The return of Jesus is the secure hope that one day all the brokenness of this world will be restored for those who believe in Jesus. This should give us the strength we need in order to keep living for Jesus and loving others, even when life is really hard.
Colossians 3:1-17; applying the household instructions in the conclusion to show that the Gospel should have its greatest impact on the people closest to us. It is critical that we do not return to the sins that Jesus died to set us free from. Jesus has changed our status before God, and that change just also be evidenced in the way we live for Him.
Philippians 2:1-11; with references to the living examples of Timothy, Epaphroditus and Paul. Jesus brings the Good News of God's love, mercy and kindness into the flesh by surrendering to God the Father. The same thing happens when we assume a posture of humility and surrender--we bring the love, mercy, and kindness of God in the flesh into our world so that more will see Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-10 is the text that will most clearly present the Gospel during this series. It leaves no room for us to think that we earn or deserve salvation. God loved us so much that He pursued us, even when we were enemies of Him and dead in our sins. As a result, we have been given grace--we have so much more than we deserve because of the riches of Jesus.
The Spirit of God leads Jesus followers into the life of freedom and peace. We all strive for this in one of two ways--keeping all of the commands or breaking them all. But neither produce freedom nor make us into who we want to be. True life and freedom are found only in the Holy Spirit for those who believe in Jesus.
While worship shouldn't only be understood as singing, singing is one of the most natural overflows of a person who worships God. Angels sing. The Old Testament is full of song. The arrival of Jesus is characterized by song. The disciples and Jesus sang. The believers in the New Testament gathered to worship and were instructed to sing.
In the Old Testament, people were devoted to knowing the Law and putting it into practice so that it might lead them into the life God desired for them. In the New Testament, disciples listened to Jesus and learned from Him. Once the church started, the Holy Scriptures (eventually including the apostles' teaching) became an essential component of discipleship.
Throughout the New Testament, it is clear that believers need other believers in order to thrive in their faith. We support and strengthen each other so we can continue to be faithful to Jesus. Jesus established the identity of his church. The early church modeled fellowship. The New Testament letters give instruction for the church to be connected.
Hope is confidence that things will change and despair is fear that they won't. The major difference between the two is the degree of control we have in a situation. When everything felt out of control, we looked for ways to regain it. We need to Knock It Off in order to worship the One in control and embrace the uncontrolled mess of relationships.
This present crisis has created plenty of reasons for us to need comfort. But instead of finding true comfort in God, we often settle for coping with the discomfort by distracting ourselves with food, alcohol, porn, shopping, Netflix, gaming, etc. We need to Knock It Off so we can find the true comfort of God during difficult times.
We are conditioned to be consumers, looking for the products and deals that most meet our needs. We know church isn't supposed to be viewed like that, but COVID-19 has made it so easy for us to approach church like a consumer. We need to Knock It Off in order to keep growing in Jesus.
Isolation isn't good for us: studies show it; prisons use it; people feel it. The isolation of COVID-19 has taken a toll on us and we need to find a way to knock it off in order to regain our spiritual health.
The book of Joshua ends with the land claimed and settled by Israel. Joshua speaks to Israel, charging them to choose whether or not they will be faithful to God. Their decision will determine whether they remain in the land or are exiled away from God. God intends for us to enjoy eternal life (now and forever) with Him, but our faithfulness determines whether or not that becomes our reality.
After the land had been allocated and settled, the eastern tribes (on the other side of the Jordan) were worried that the others would eventually forsake their unity. So they built an alter, a memorial reminder to the unity that all the tribes shared. Our unity can be easily forgotten or forsaken, too. And it's the alter of sacrifice, the cross of Jesus, that reminds us of our unity in Him.
The Gibeonites feared being destroyed by Israel, so they tried to deceive Israel into a treaty. Israel's error was that they did not consult God. They trusted what they saw and do not gain God's perspective on the situation. Like them, we are vulnerable to deception if we don't gain God's perspective.
Immediately after their first victory, the Israelites make two mistakes. Individually, a man named Achan keeps something that belongs to God. Collectively, they enter into their next battle confident in themselves. Not until they have repented to do they experience victory. Our sin, hidden or public, will keep us from all that God wants to give us. We must eradicate our sin so that we can experience His life.
Jericho was the first battle the Israelites faced in the new land. It was an imposing city. However, God's instructions to Israel demonstrate one very important thing -- their success will be entirely dependent not on their strength but on their surrender to Him. Likewise, in our lives, we experience life and victory not through our own strength but in surrendering to God so His power works in us.
God's path into the Promise Land begins with a remarkable step of faith--into the flooded waters of the Jordan River. God acts, but not until Israel steps. Our life with God is a series of steps that show our trust in God to do what He promises, including the first step of believing in Jesus and passing through the waters of baptism.
On the edge of the Promise Land once again, Israel must have faith that God will keep His promises and give them this new land (and life). Just what is the life that God offers us? And how can we have faith in God to do what we cannot?
When life goes well for us, there is the temptation to believe that we have all that we need…that we can be self-reliant and independent. This mindset stands in direct opposition to the Gospel, which demands that we recognize our weakness and reliance on Jesus. Jesus calls for repentance in order to reestablish a relationship with Him.
In light of recent events and an outcry of injustice, brokenness, and pain in our nation, BridgePointe made space to cry out to God in prayer and worship. In his message, Jared looks to the Gospel to find unity and points to the source of our healing and change.
When life hurts, it's hard to hang on. Jesus Himself has suffered and overcome. For those who are hurting, weary, wondering if it's worth it, Jesus calls us to find strength, rest, and hope in Him. He is all we need and He promises that a better day is coming.
Sometimes, the most spiritually dangerous place a person can be is a comfortable one. It lulls us into thinking that life is "good enough," or that we can rest on what we've already done. But faith requires ongoing effort, continued momentum toward Jesus. For this, we must continue to remember who He is, what He's done, and what He has for us now and forever.
The influence of the world has a gradual effect on us. Drifting a little at a time can result in a significant deviation when the journey is long. The Christians in these churches, and so many of us, have tolerated sin in our lives which is compromising our faith and could lead to condemnation before Jesus. We must repent and be faithful.
There is something exciting and invigorating about love at first. We feel this in human relationships and we see it in our faith. Over time, love can flicker and expressions of devotion diminish. Jesus deserves and desires our best love, our first love. He calls us back to love Him with the kind of love He has shown us.
Suffering often has such a negative effect on us emotionally and spiritually because we perceive that it's the opposite of what we deserve. Job grapples with this in the beginning of the book, resolving to worship God because everything he had and lost was God's to begin with. In the middle of the book, Job becomes resentful because he believes he deserved better. And then, by the end, when Job makes peace with God and accepts whatever God gives, he receives more than He's ever had before (ch. 42). We need to have a right view of what has been give to us by God in this life... and we need to gaze ahead to the day, beyond this life, when God will give us so much more than we would ever deserve. Our hope in this life is the future inheritance the Lord has promised.
The book of Job is a trial… most think God is on the stand, needing to defend himself when life hurts. In the heavenly dialogue, we see that humanity is on trial--will people love God when they have no earthly reason? The question is needed today. The end of Job shows the reason for our love for God--he delights, irrationally, in His creation. His love for us is all the reason we need to love Him, whatever life brings.
Job was a really good man. So, when he suffered, Job concluded that God wasn't just. His friends argued that Job must not be good because God is surely just. How many still come to one of those conclusions in the midst of suffering– God isn't fair or this must be my punishment for sin. By the end of the book, God explains that suffering is more complicated than they think, and the right response for us is to trust Him, who is sovereign through it all.
Salvation is a sign of our victory. It's already been won by Jesus and when we fight on His side, we are already champions. This message needs to show how Jesus wins the victory, proven through the resurrection, and how we take our place on His side through faith in Him.
Up to this point, it feels like we are hunkered down and trying to endure the attacks of the enemy. With Scripture and prayer, we go on the offense. Both bring the power and presence of God, "his mighty power" into the battle. We desperately need a rhythm of Scripture and prayer in our lives.
Faith is believing in who Jesus is and trusting what he says. Every soldier had a custom shield, perfectly fit for them. Each of us has our own faith, not to be compared or confused by someone else's. This personal faith prevents the attacks of the enemy from doing damage to us.
The Good News of Jesus is a message of peace with God. When we consider the alternative, that God could see us as enemies, makes our peace with God even more amazing. In response, we should be ready at any moment to go and announce this message of Good News for all who will receive it.
The invisible battle around us is real. It feels like we are fighting ourselves, each other, or the world around. But really, there is an unseen enemy who opposes us. On our own, we're sure to struggle and eventually lose. This introductory message will equip us with the power of God and the armor we can put on for protection.
God has established us as His spiritual family--children who have received the unconditional and undeserved love of the Father. We live up to our place in God's family by honoring His commands and His children. Sin causes us to refuse love to others in God's family.
The world offers a way to think, hope, and interact. But this way leads to division in all directions. If we are to have a unity that stands up and stands out, we must not love the ways of the world or put our hopes in it. Instead, we should believe that Jesus' way is better and choose to walk in it.
Jesus is the reason for unity among Christians. Everything that may divide us is dwarfed by the single thing that we share--Jesus. When we have the same belief (1:1-4) in Jesus and the same recognition of our need for Him (1:5-2:2), we have an immense reason for unity with others who may be very different from us.
Annual rhythms of celebration and commitment have characterized the people of God for a very long time. This service, uniquely constructed, celebrates what God did in 2019, anticipates what God will do in 2020, and calls us to Gospel Partnership this year.
Our faith cannot thrive when it's all about us. We need regular rhythms that shift our focus toward others. These practices should be a part of every month, with varying frequency. They each uniquely move us and others closer to Jesus. Gospel economics say that the more we give to others the more we grow ourselves.
God created us and knows what's best for us. From the beginning, he has said that we need a weekly rhythm of rest in order to fully appreciate life. This rest is for the purpose of worship, giving us space to acknowledge how great God is. Regularly sharing this worship and love of God with others is part of being strengthened by it.
Our days are the most elemental part of our lives. So, the things that we do every day have a profound impact on our lives. If we want to grow closer to God and experience more of Him throughout our lives, we should do something each day to spend time with Him. Prayer and Scripture reading are a 2-way conversation with God every day.
The end of Revelation describes our role in eternity… we will work with God, we will live with God, and we will reign with God. Our hope is you have a more wholistic understanding of eternity, are excited for what's coming and live differently today because of it.
Everything has been building toward the moment when God would be reunited with His people. The curse of sin has been reversed. The enemy has been defeated. The faithful have been brought home by their bridegroom. And theirs is eternity at home with their God. For Christmas this year, we will look at Jesus' first coming as the introduction to life with Him and His final coming as the completion of life with Him for all who believe in Him!
Throughout Revelation and all of Scripture, it is clear Jesus is coming again. He said so Himself many times, and John's vision testifies to it. This return is paramount to our faith in Him and our lives lived for Him. This message traces this truth through the book of Revelation, explains the most important truths about Jesus' return, and culminates with the analogy of the Groom who returns for His bride. The first coming was Jesus' engagement proposal and His second coming will be the wedding of those who accepted.
This passage in Revelation shows the other side (the spiritual side) of the nativity story in Bethlehem. Jesus was born into a physical world and a spiritual battle. From the beginning, Jesus won the battle against the eternal enemy. Even though the war was won, we live in a battle until Jesus returns to claim the final victory.
In this message we see a startling image of "the real Jesus" as He appeared to John who wrote the book of Revelation while exiled and in prison. Jesus was only robed in flesh for a short period within eternity. This vision of Him completes our understanding of Him as the powerful Jesus that always has been, and always will be. We need to be reminded of who Jesus was and will be, because it is also who He is right now in every moment of our lives.
In the end shows that the way to win the game is by trusting His words and putting them into practice. Action demonstrates our love and trust in Him and it establishes our lives as strong and secure in Jesus. They'll withstand the storms of life and the ultimate storm of final judgment.
Jesus explains that there are really only two paths to choose from. One leads to life and the other to destruction. Some might feel like there's no way to know which you're on until the end, but the truth is that the path to life has been clearly marked out for us. The challenging is choosing that path and staying faithful to it.
How do we get to the end and what does it take to win the game? The only way we finish well is if we finish together. Jesus tells us not to judge, but this doesn't mean we should mind our own business. Instead, He is showing us how to help each other with the things that can get in our way.
Who of us hasn't worried about money? Financial stress does not discriminate, for rich and poor, old and young, men and women all experience it. Maybe this is especially true when we store up treasures in heaven and strive to trust God more than money. Jesus gives us a way to deal with that stress and exchange it for peace from God.
Only one thing can have first place in our lives. Whatever gets that sacred place receives our devotion, energy, attention… our worship. God deserves that place in our lives, and our lives go best when He reigns supreme. Money might be the biggest threat to God's place in our lives. We are faced with a choice... will we worship money, or will we worship God with our money?
Money is a big part of the game of life. If we're not careful, we can start to think it's actually the whole point of the game. Jesus offers pointed and powerful words about how we can view and use money in a way that keeps our focus on what life is really all about. This message will show how we can invest our money in a way that will make it last (and grow) forever!
Continuing the focus talking with the God who loves us, this week will focus on what to say when we approach God in prayer. The "Lord's Prayer" isn't something we should just repeat, although that's ok, too. It was intended to be an example to teach people how to talk to God. We use the simple model PRAY-- Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield--to summarize this powerful teaching of Jesus.
Talking to God the Father was important to Jesus. He did it often. Jesus believes that this same intimate conversation with God is important for all who want to experience the blessed life He offers. With all of the baggage, insecurity, and awkwardness that accompanies prayer for most people, we need to hear from Jesus how to think about prayer and approach God.
This might be the most counter-intuitive command Jesus gives… to give grace to those who unfairly treat you or demand things from you. Only Jesus knows just how much life can come from undeserved kindness and unconditional love. As we express this kind of grace to others, we must remember we've received it from Jesus!
Sex and marriage are worth protecting in God's eyes. Avoiding adultery or accommodating divorce were once the standard. But Jesus has a better view of life for us that includes purity and fidelity in this most personal part of our life. It may not be the popular view, but Jesus way proves best.
The law of Jesus and life with him goes far beyond the law. Instead of reaching the low bar of avoiding murder, Jesus stretches us to live without (sinful) anger. If we are the offender, we are to make it right through repentance. If we are the offended, we are to make it right through forgiveness. Life is best when we pursue reconciliation!
When we live as Jesus intends, our lives become beautiful and attractive to the world around us. This is part of the reason we should be so serious about living for Jesus. The difference in our lives is not a superficial conformity to a set of rules but an internal transformation from a serious relationship with Jesus.
In His introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word "happy" 10 times underscoring that life in His kingdom should be enjoyable, beautiful, blessed… even happy! This doesn't mean it's always easy, and may include things like mourning or persecution, but like the sunrise and sunset each day, there's always beauty in the life Jesus leads us to.
Instead of seeing "the golden years" as a time for leisure and indulgence, grandparents (or others in that stage of life) should be even more intentional during this season of life to impart wisdom and influence their kids, grandkids, and younger generations in their church.
Parenting is exhausting, hard, frustrating, and scary. It is also the most we have. The Gospel endures and advances one generation at a time, and parents are on the front lines of making that possible. This message will inspire and equip parents to love their kids like Jesus and lead their kids to Him. It will provide ways that parents can count on the church and the church can support parents.
The value, beauty, and sanctity of marriage has been greatly diminished. God, however, has a holy and high view of the most intimate of human commitments. This message will provide a Biblical view of the covenant of marriage and provide instruction on how to let the Gospel shape your marriage.
Related Resources: Care Page https://www.bridgepointechristian.com/care Book: The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller https://timothykeller.com/books/the-meaning-of-marriage
Singleness is often viewed as a curse in our culture, maybe even more so in the church. But Scripture does not agree with this perspective. Instead, singleness is celebrated as a way to be even more single-mindedly focused on God and His mission. This message will provide a Biblical understanding of singleness with practice wisdom for honoring God in it.
This is the story of the Gospel advancing to "all nations," "the ends of the earth." Cornelius is a Gentile and God works in a very precise way to demonstrate that the Gospel is equally available to all people. It is an amazing story that sets up the rest of the book. In the finale of this study of Acts, we celebrate that there is no limit to the Good News of Jesus and we should be left asking, "Where will it go next?"
Who would God use to take the gospel to the ends of the earth? Saul was a man geographically close to the gospel, but couldn't've been further away from it spiritually. Jesus appeared to him and transformed him into a missionary to the Gentiles. Through Saul's story we see that God uses all the parts of our lives (and unexpected people in our lives) to help us know Him and reach others for Him.
If there was one place people didn't think the Gospel could go, it was Samaria. This story shows that there is no limit to where the Gospel goes. Philip crosses racial (Samaritans) and religious (a sorcerer and a eunuch) lines to proclaim the Gospel, and it continues to go further and further.
Stephen was bold in the face of opposition, and as a result of his suffering the Gospel spread like wildfire. How we respond to the the painful parts of our life might open way for the gospel to advance.
When leaders share and people serve, there's no limit to the work the church can accomplish.
By the power of God and the Good News of the Gospel, the church should be relentless in their pursuit of the lost who need Jesus.
Joyful and selfless generosity characterizes the church who is committed to Jesus, His people, and His mission.
The church has nothing but Jesus to offer, but that's enough to bring healing and hope to our world. When met with a beggar's request, Peter and John offer something that is priceless.
The church was birthed out of belief in the resurrected Christ. People who committed to Jesus became a part of the new faith community, described here by their devotion to God's word, each other, remembrance, and prayer. This is a beautiful picture of the church that is motivated by and modeled after the Gospel.
In response to the first Gospel message (last week), people were convinced of Jesus and convicted of their sin. The response to belief is to repent and be baptized and the result of belief is forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit.
The message that flows from the resurrection is that Jesus truly is the fulfillment of all of God's promises. Without the resurrection, we'd be left without confirmation of His identity. But now, we can be sure that God is faithful and all God's promises are fulfilled in the work of Jesus.
When we embrace our identity as witnesses of Jesus, we will find ourselves in situations when we don't have the words or wisdom that others need. However, the Holy Spirit empowers believers--then and now--with the power to proclaim the Gospel.
This is an introduction to the book of Acts, which shows how believers in the resurrection changed the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. That was Jesus vision for them from the first chapter--to testify about Him to the ends of the earth. That's still our purpose as disciples, too.
This is a full recording of BridgePointe's Easter Together service at East Providence High School. The message starts at 24:30. Everything we believe is held together by Jesus. Our faith begins with the question, "Who is Jesus?" The answer to that question determines everything else about what we believe and how we should live.
When God created us in His image, He placed eternity in our hearts. We're made for more than this life and we sense it in our souls. Our eternal existence is a continuation of the relationship with God we have chosen during our time on earth. And the only way that relationship can be right is through Jesus.
The Holy Spirit, part of the Trinity, is fully and completely God. His unique role is to indwell the believer in order to produce the character of Christ and empower for the work of Christ. The Spirit is the full presence, power and peace of God with us at all times.
We are painfully aware of our own imperfection. We spend much time and energy trying to deal with it in some way--good works, behavior modification, religion, etc. But only the sacrifice of Jesus can remove our guilt once and for all.
Within the first three chapters of Genesis, two timeless truths about people are revealed: we are created in God's image to enjoy a relationship with Him and sin messed that all up. We have intrinsic value, but we need help beyond ourselves to recover the image of God that has been tarnished by sin.
The Bible reveals to us God's character, activity, and wisdom. Even with Scripture, Jesus is our starting point for accepting it and giving it authority. He is the One piece that gives meaning and clarity to the whole. When we accept the Bible as being from God, we should give it a place of authority in regard to what we believe and how we live.
We believe in an Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. His character is perfectly revealed in Christ. He desires to be known and loved by the people He has created. The presence of this Being changes everything about our lives. We should respond to Him by worshiping Him, trusting His Word, and working so more may know Him.
Near the end of Numbers, a few tribes ask permission to settle in the land east of the Jordan River. The amazing part is that they've already received God's promise but won't rest until others have, too. For us who've received God's inheritance through Jesus, we shouldn't rest until we've done what we can to help others do the same.
In Numbers we see the Israelites had sacred daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms that helped them remember who God was and what He had done for them. In this message we look at the annual feasts of the Israelites to show how rhythms of remembrance renewed their minds and restored their attitudes.
Instead of maintaining a commitment to holiness and purity, the Israelites tolerate sin among them and indulge in it. This sin ultimately leads them away from God and into the worship of idols. This is devastating for people who have been promised an inheritance from the Lord. That's why we can't tolerate sin. Tolerating sin in our lives puts us in a vulnerable position before God.
In the story of Balaam and his donkey, we see that stubbornness is when people persist in their rebellion or defiance against God. This results in a spiral of consequences that eventually brings ruin. Our stubbornness, especially when it is in direct opposition to God, turns us away from Him and threatens the experience of life and blessing He longs to give us.
After being rerouted, which cost them valuable time, the Israelites become impatient because God is taking longer than they want. When they grumble, God brings consequences (venomous snakes) which turns their hearts back to Him. Impatience plagues us, as well, when God doesn't seem to operate on our time frame.
Some of the Levites rebel against Moses because they think he has too much influence or authority. By comparing themselves to another, the Levites lose sight of the incredible and sacred responsibility they've been given. Comparison, and the jealousy that comes from it, threatens our gratitude for what God has given us.
On the verge of entering the Promise Land, scouts are sent to bring back a report of the land, which proves to be both dangerous and bountiful. The Israelites give in to fear, believing that the risk/cost is greater than the God who is with them. Similarly, our own fears keep us from walking into the good that God desires to give to us.
Despite the fact that God is doing great things in and for the people, they often grumble that it's not good enough. In this scene, God's anger is aroused by their complaint because they are failing to see the good that God has done for them. We face the same temptation to complain despite the fact that God is doing great things for us.
This message introduces the book of Numbers in the Old Testament shows how it fits in the larger story of God's plan. The first chapters show how Israel was intended to be centered on God. He is with them and for them. Their attitude during the journey through the wilderness will determine whether they stay close to God or slip away from Him. Likewise, our attitudes this year will impact our intimacy with God.
Jesus is worth searching for. God uses many various means to bring people to Jesus. He is the One God promised and He deserves our worship and surrender.
The quiet, unassuming town of Bethlehem was home to the most extraordinary event in history. In this town, the angels announce the arrival that is "Good news of great joy for all people." Jesus is a shepherd of His people who is also the Eternal King. The angels' announcement is most important--Jesus is Good News… for all people… for He is a Savior… the Messiah, the Lord!" We want to be the ones who hear, receive, and believe the message that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior.
The first people who were witnesses of the newborn King were ordinary people, mostly overlooked by the world–shepherds in the fields, a guy named Simeon, and lady named Anna. These ordinary people understood something about Jesus that resulted in authentic, extraordinary praise to God. Understanding who Jesus is and what His arrival means is the key to responding in praise, worship and thanksgiving to God.
Two ordinary people—a young woman and a carpenter—were each asked to trust God and accept what seemed impossible. Their extraordinary faith, demonstrated through their obedience, was a response to who they believed Jesus to be.
The ordinary list of ancestors in Jesus’ genealogy reveals an extraordinary truth–Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to come to save His people.
Paul asks for prayer so that he may be effective in proclaiming Jesus and then he urges the Colossian Christians to seize every opportunity to share their faith. Finally, the letter ends with a list of people who have found their place in the Gospel work of Jesus. This message include video greetings from extended BridgePointe family.
When Jesus is given reign in our hearts and lives, He changes everything about us from the inside out—from the peace that we experience in our hearts to the harmony we have in our relationships. As we surrender to Jesus, he restores God's image in us and gives us a new way to live.
In chapter three of Colossians, the focus shifts from what Jesus has done to how we respond to what He has done for us. In this week we look at how we must put to death the sin that separates us from the life Jesus wants to give us.
We can easily be deceived into thinking we need to add more to Jesus, but Paul writes powerfully to show that Jesus is enough and there is no need to add anything else to faith in Him.
Perhaps one of the biggest dangers to the faith of the Christians in Colossae and to us today is a diminished view of Christ. In this portion of scripture, Paul writes to correct a wrong view of Christ and reveals who Jesus is from pre-creation through the completion of his substitionary death. He is Lord over all and has reconciled us to God.
This is the first message in our series in Colossians, a study that aims to deepen our roots of faith and produce fruit in our lives… for our good and for God’s glory.
In his introduction, Paul applauds the church and prays for them. What he celebrates and what he prays for give us a picture of what the church is supposed to be. The predominant thought (vs. 9-14) is that the church most pleases God when its people live lives worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, being strengthened and giving thanks for what He's done for us.
Because of what Jesus has done for us, we continually want to be part of helping others find life and hope in Him. We all have unique circles of influence and sometimes it's overwhelming to know where to start. The best place to start is asking God to give one person to share His love with.
We need other people to help us follow Jesus. Worship gatherings are a great place for relationships to start, but small groups are where relationships can grow. By connecting consistently with a group, people have a safe and loving environment to wrestle with faith, receive care, and be challenged to walk more closely with Jesus.
In response to what God has done for us, Partners joyfully and sacrificially give to the church to make sure that the mission has adequate resources to keep moving forward. God has always expected His people to give generously for His glory and purpose. When we create a rhythm of generosity toward Jesus and His mission, it increases our trust in God and moves our heart toward him. Often, generosity becomes the catalyst for spiritual growth in other areas.
God intends for every person who believes in Jesus and is filled with His Spirit to serve the church for the advance of His mission. The individuals experience joy and purpose through serving. And the church has everything it needs to bring people to maturity in faith.
Since the beginning of the church, Christians have gathered weekly as a sign of their unity and their commitment to Jesus. It is still the best representation of the values that define the Christian community. It is also the best way for someone to be introduced to the church. The weekly gathering best accomplishes its purpose when partners are committed to it.
Jesus renamed Simon as Peter, meaning rock, after he declared that Jesus was the Messiah the Son of God. On this declaration, Jesus said He would build church His church. In this opening message of the series, we understand what the church is and God's design for our part in His mission.
There is a second layer in Paul's letter to Philemon: the Gospel changes the way we think and live. Paul could have commanded Philemon to do what is right but, instead, he appeals to a new way of thinking because of Jesus. This message identifies many practical responses to the freeing work of Jesus.
The story of Philemon (homeowner) and Onesimus (runaway slave) depicts the story of the Gospel--we run away from God who cares for us and provides for us. Paul offers to pay for the cost of the offense, demonstrating the selfless, sacrificial atonement of Jesus which saves us from the punishment we deserve.
Proverbs reveals the way to deal with our sin that is wise and leads to life. Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong path leading to death, what do we do then? These passages in Proverbs show us the mind and heart of God showing the way to deal with our sin and find our way back to Him.
Warnings against adultery are the largest sections in Proverbs. In this message, we see God's intention for faithfulness and unity in marriage, the danger and destructiveness of adultery (in it's many forms), and a strong call to stand in faithfulness to your current or future spouse.
There are people who lead us toward life and people who lead us toward death. One who is wise chooses carefully who they walk with. Proverbs advises us as to who we should choose to influence us and how we maintain a friendship with them.
While two paths lie before us, our posture before God will ultimately determine which we choose. Proverbs lays out two attitudes that lead to drastically different paths--fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom; and pride, which incurs God's wrath.
There are two paths to choose from--one that leads to life and one that leads to death. God gives us wisdom because He loves us and wants to guide us toward the path of life. The wise person listens to God's wisdom and is led by it. The fool is deceived in thinking that the other way is better. This message is an overview of Proverbs setting us up to dig into the themes of the book in upcoming weeks.
John's gospel carefully and convincingly presents Jesus as the Messiah. And now, the Messiah God dies. Some thought it wasn't supposed to be this way, but this account shows that it always had to be this way. This week we look at the crucifixion to see what that meant for Jesus then and for us today.
After the last supper Jesus retreats to the Garden of Gethsamane with his disciples. As the soldiers come and arrest Him, it is clear that Jesus is not surprised and willingly gives Himself over to the. This passage shows the depths of Jesus's devotion to us, contrasted but the denials of Judas and Peter.
Jesus reminds his disciples and us that in this world we will face trouble, but we can stay faithful through the struggle and celebrate in the victory Jesus won for us at the end. This message illustrates a study approach to difficult texts using context, content and connection.
In the midst of His extended goodbye, Jesus reassures His disciples that He’s the One who wants to be with them. He uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to help the disciples understand what it takes to remain close to Him.
As Jesus prepares the disciples for His departure the night before he was crucified, they are filled with grief (and probably confusion). Jesus speaks to them so that they may be comforted, for this is certainly not the last time that life will not be what they want it to be for them… or for us.
As Jesus gathered with His twelve closest friends around a table to celebrate Passover, they started arguing about who was the greatest. In response to them, Jesus got up and washed their feet. Through this radical act Jesus teaches the disciples that they need Him and they need each other. Today, we are challenged to lean on Jesus and what's He's done for us, as well as be a community with the DNA of sacrifice and self-less love for each other.
Using imagery of a seed, Jesus explains that his death will multiply His life and kingdom. He then shifts to bring the light imagery to a climax – by believing in Jesus, the light, we become children of the light. We become the means by which the light of God's presences defeats the darkness of sin throughout the world.
It was important that the disciples knew that Jesus' death was no surprise or accident. It was the plan all along because the Kingdom comes through selfless sacrifice. The more we follow, the more we will relinquish to Jesus. This is what created jealousy in Pharisees and joy in Mary.
A woman came to the well at the heat of the day to avoid meeting anyone and instead came Face to Face with Jesus. Through their encounter, the woman's understanding of Jesus grows to the point of belief. She is surprised and tells everyone about the One who both knows her and loves her--something she's always longed for.
Nicodemus, a religious leader with an impeccable track record, comes to Jesus with his curiosity, doubts and questions. Jesus meets him and provides answers that get to the heart of what Nicodemus really needs.
In chapter two of his book, John recounts Jesus' first public miracle at the wedding in Cana and the clearing of the temple courts in Jerusalem to reveal the glory and authority of Jesus.
John the Baptist was a forerunner, announcing the coming Messiah and making sure people didn't miss Him when He came. The accounts of the response of the first disciples show us the appropriate response to Jesus, the Messiah.
At the beginning of this first chapter, John presents Jesus as the incarnation of the eternal, creator God. As God himself, Jesus reveals to us who God is and what He is doing in this world.
This series starts off with an overview of the book of John and the man who wrote it. The book was written to strengthen the faith of Christians who were struggling to believe from the unique perspective of a man who was close to Jesus.
The church is an interdependent community held together by what we believe about Jesus. When we gather together on Sundays we prioritize our commitment to one another.
We gather to sing on Sundays in order to redirect our worship to God alone. Singing gives us a higher view of God and a more humble view of ourselves, and this is a reset we need each week. This message is given in three parts with a set of worship songs as a response to each part.
Jesus instituted the practice of communion when He ate Passover with His disciples. Since then, Christians remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the practice of communion. For us today, communion proclaims our belief in Christ's death and resurrection, helps to make it personal for us, and helps us renew our commitment to Jesus.
Christians have gathered on Sundays to worship God and proclaim the good news of Jesus for over two thousand years. While our view and value of the Sunday gathering may have evolved over the years, God’s purpose for its place in our lives hasn’t changed. This week we look at the importance of hearing God's Wisdom weekly. We gather each week to hear from God's Word in order to give it priority and authority in our lives.
Wrapping up the series, this message looks at the emotion of fear. When we're scared, God reminds us that He is there if we just turn to Him and put our trust in Him.
Our happiness can be like decorations on a Christmas tree -- without something substantial (the tree) to hold them up, on their own they are just a pile of baubles. In this message, we look at what gives substance to our happiness - we can be happy because of all that God has already done for us and because of all that God will yet do for us.
Often at Christmastime, seemingly out of nowhere we are overwhelmed by an emotion, of grief, sadness, stress, loneliness, anger or regret. In Psalm 42, we see an overwhelmed David run to God, pour his emotions out, and choose to put his hope in God despite his circumstances.
Christmas is a time when we are really aware of what others have, and often find ourselves lacking for things and longing for more. In Psalm 23, David writes that he lacks for nothing because God is a good shepherd. Christmas can be a time marked by jealousy, or it can be a time we become more aware of what we have in Jesus.
We need help with our sin. We have a sin debt from our past that we cannot repay. The only way it will be forgiven is if we bring it to God. We need help with future sin that temptation will lead us into. So, we ask for the power of God to lead us away from temptation and give us the victory over the evil one. We need God to deal with sin-past and future.
While God wants us to pray for and pursue His will rather than ours, He still wants us to ask Him for what we need each day. Jesus' words are rooted in the OT story of God's provision of manna when He gave just enough for each day. Asking God for what we need each day increases our awareness, appreciation, and trust of God. In this message, I'll challenge people to start each day by praying through their day, asking God for what they need for each part of it.
We often use prayer to ask God to further our plans and agenda. Jesus teaches that prayer is a way to align ourselves with God's will. God's will is not hidden, elusive, or mysterious. He wants His Kingdom to come, so that earth looks more and more like heaven. By asking for God's Kingdom to come, we are saying that we are willing to be used by Him to bring His Kingdom by revealing His glory and bringing people to embrace Jesus as King.
This message will begin with a basic understanding of prayer. It is not about who sees us or how holy it makes us look. It is a personal conversation with God that should never be stale or repetitive. So, the most important part of understanding prayer is not the how but the who. We are invited to talk to the Holy God who is our loving Father. This will change everything about how we pray.
Shifts in our view of money can make all the difference in what we do with our money and what our money does to us. This series looks at the scriptural view of money and challenges us to shift our own view.
Series bibliography and resources:
How to Be Rich by Andy Stanley
Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley
The Generosity Ladder by Nelson Searcy (www.generosityladder.com)
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Don’t Say $#&%X in Church by Bo Chancey
Financial Peace University (w/ Dave Ramsey) (www.fpu.com)
Shifts in our view of money can make all the difference in what we do with our money and what our money does to us. This series looks at the scriptural view of money and challenges us to shift our own view.
Series bibliography and resources:
How to Be Rich by Andy Stanley
Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley
The Generosity Ladder by Nelson Searcy (www.generosityladder.com)
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Don’t Say $#&%X in Church by Bo Chancey
Financial Peace University (w/ Dave Ramsey) (www.fpu.com)
Following Jesus is not easy and it takes perseverance to keep one's commitment. This message looks to the book of Hebrews for wisdom on how to stay faithful to Jesus until the end.
Part one of a two part series of messages that focuses on on the believer's commitment to Jesus. This message explains what baptism is and why we do it.
The story of Zacchaeus shows us that curiosity about Jesus can be the catalyst for a life-changing discovery of Him.
A woman pushed her way into a house where she wasn't invited, wasn't welcome and had no place to be. Jesus let the woman with a reputation come close to Him and addressed the outrage of the guests present by telling a story to explain His actions.
Sitting down and sharing a meal with someone builds the relationship and can be a marker of how close you are. Jesus sat down and shared a meal with sinners and the religious leaders could not understand how he could sit at the same table with them. The story of Levi in Luke chapter 5 helps us understand how we can follow Jesus’ example.
When God called Samuel as a young boy, he famously answered, “Here I am.” In the message Anointer, we see how God chose Samuel to raise up others who would become greater than him. Samuel’s willingness, humility and obedience become an example for us as we invest in the lives of others. First 15 Guide: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rydxqoQLb
Gideon was unimpressive and insignificant in the eyes of his family and community. Because he was the most improbable candidate to be God’s mighty warrior, Gideon ends up being the perfect magnifier of God's greatness. FIRST 15 GUIDE: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=ryQhVv5HW
“Deliverer” tells the story of how God chose Moses, a fugitive living in a foreign land with a speech impediment and little confidence, to return to the last place he wanted to go and do the last thing he felt capable of doing. God saw in Moses a deliverer, and today God sees in ordinary people the capability to lead others to take steps toward Jesus.
First 15 guide: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rJgSfiJrZ
The church is not a location, a building, or a time of the week. Church is people and BridgePointe is a community of authentic, diverse, and imperfect people who are united by faith in Jesus. As BridgePointe opened its door for the first Sunday at 855 Waterman Ave, this message revisits the mission that BridgePointe has held onto since first opening its doors in 2013.
This message is the first in our series ICNU, a series about God’s extraordinary vision for ordinary, everyday people as seen in four character studies from the Old Testament. “Legacy Maker” looks at the story of Abraham and how God used him to begin a legacy of faith that continued for many generations.
Hospitality has an important role in the church and each of us has a part in it. Hospitality can define the church and set it apart from the culture around us. Through hospitality we show that each person has value and the power of consistently practiced hospitality can’t be underestimated.
Jesus told his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. But their first step in accomplishing that mission, was to go and wait for the Holy Spirit. The same charge is given to us today. The work of the church continues to spread as people who have found life in Jesus help others to find life in Jesus, and in order for us to succeed, we need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever wished that you could hear directly from God? In this message, discover how the Holy Spirit speaks to us in order to bring us closer to God.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus promises us victory over sin, but it is the Holy Spirit who gives us that victory today. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to win the battle over sin today. We don't need to wait until we get to heaven to be free.
Heaven is where God is, and often that feels otherworldly and out of reach. But for those who believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit brings heaven to earth. Through the Holy Spirit, we can enjoy all that awaits us in heaven while on earth.
We were created to enjoy the presence of the God, yet sin limits our ability to experience God's presence. Jesus came to die for us and sent the Holy Spirit so that we can live in the presence of God.
Busyness robs relationships of the time they need to grow deep and flourish. A look at the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha helps us understand what's most important when allocating our time.
Word have the power to bring life, and words have the power to bring death. In James 3, Jesus's brother James writes that "...no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." This message looks at what we can do to keep the weed of "words that hurt" out of our relationships.
Relationships cannot grow when they’re entangled with expectations. This message helps us understand where expectations come from and the harm they can inflict on relationships. Ultimately, God desires for us to find contentment and fulfillment first in Him. When we are able to seek God first to meet our expectations, we are less likely to impose expectations on others that they can't fulfill.
Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on a colt just days before His death. The crowd laid their cloaks and palm branches down before him and greeted Him with cries of “Hosana” (he saves). Jesus arrival stirred the city. As we join the crowd in celebrating Jesus, we need to understand who He was and what He came to do.
After his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying. At the end of this time, Satan came to tempt him. At the heart of the three temptations are lies the devil still uses to lead us off the path as we follow after Jesus.
The series Crossroad looks at four events in Jesus' life where he chose to continue walking toward the cross. At the first intersection, the Baptism of Jesus, we see that Jesus choice to carry our sin to the cross, complete with its consequence and cost.
The last message in the series coincided with the celebration of BridgePointe's 4th birthday. In Finish the Race, we look at one of the last letters Paul wrote to Timothy. In this deeply personal letter, Paul gives Timothy his last instructions and reflects on his own race of faith.
The love of money can destroy the church, but God has a better way. "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
Chapter 3 in 1 Timothy presents two layers of leadership for the church, elders and deacons. This message looks at their respective roles and finds that both need to provide selfless leadership in order for the church to last.
Setting aside all the things that distract, the church should keep its focus on the Gospel. In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul writes: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." To be a church that lasts we need to keep this good news, the Gospel, in full view.
God has carefully and beautifully crafted His church. He has entrusted us with the work, and too often we lose sight of His design. In "Wrong Focus," we look at how Paul instructs the early church to not to get caught up in arguments and division related to matters less important than the Gospel.
In the parable of the bags of gold, Jesus explains what we must do while we wait for his return.
Two parables, one about two servants, and one about ten bridesmaids help us understand what it means to be ready for Jesus's coming kingdom. Since we don't know when he is coming, our preparation must be both urgent and able to endure.
In this message, Jesus tells three parables (The Two Sons, The Tennant Farmers, and The Wedding Banquet) that together describe who can get into the kingdom of God. Pointedly aimed at the religious leaders of the time, these parables encourage us to examine our assumption that we are "in" and make certain that we respond to the invitation God offers.
Jesus tells the Parable of the Vineyard Workers to explain how the first could be last and the last first in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In an attempt to know and understand the invisible God, historically people would create something that represented God's presence among them. In the second commandment, God states that when you worship him, do not use idols. Idolatry at its simplest form is making God into something He’s not and ascribing an identity that does not belong to him. Even though we may not bow down to and create physical idols today, we are still tempted by idolatry today when in our hearts we make our own image of God to worship.
In the context of His loving, life-saving relationship with Israel, God gave commands to save life not steal it. Week one of this summer series looks at Exodus 20:1-3, why God gave the commandments and a look at the first one.
God graciously gave us the practice of baptism as the physical experience of forgiveness and cleansing. Jesus was baptized. He commanded His disciples to baptize. The early church practiced baptism anytime someone believed in Jesus. And the New Testament writings point to baptism as an essential practice of the church. Jesus wants people to be baptized as an expression of their faith. If it’s important to Him, it should be important to us. This message will present the power and purpose of baptism and extend an invitation to those who have yet to be baptized to take this step toward Jesus today.
A sacred meal of remembrance has been a part of the practice of God’s people for thousands of years. The Passover was instituted immediately after God’s miraculous rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It represented God’s divine salvation that came through the blood of a sacrificial lamb. When Israel would observe Passover, they would remember God’s salvation and thank Him for it. During this very meal, the night before Jesus died on the cross, Jesus connected His impending death with God’s new salvation through a sacrifice. Once again, God would rescue His people. And once again, it would come through the blood of a perfect lamb. Jesus told His disciples to remember this every time they gathered around a meal. The early church broke bread (and drank wine) to remember Jesus every time they gathered. This was the tangible experience of the grace and deliverance God provided. And two thousand years later, we still share the same practice.
Music is common to every culture. It is written on our hearts and it stirs in our souls. Music is a powerful expression of emotion. At the right time, it can move us to tears, embolden us to fight, and cause us to smile. Music is intrinsically emotional and we were created to appreciate it. God wants us to worship Him with our whole being. Worshipping God with our emotions might be the most difficult aspect of that. It seems easier to worship God with our minds by learning, studying, and asking questions. It is more tangible to worship God with our strength by serving Him or working for Him. But worshipping God with our hearts is something that is more uncomfortable for us today. We need a remedy and that is exactly why God put music in our hearts. When music is directed toward God, it enables us to worship God with our entire being, including the emotions that are most personal to us.
The first Christians in the book of Acts eagerly gathered because they needed the support, encouragement, and strength provided by fellow Christians. The gathering equipped and encouraged them to scatter throughout the week for the sake of evangelism. Gathering was never an end in itself, but the means to keep follow Jesus and helping others do the same. Throughout history, people have risked and fought to gather regularly with other Christians. But in our culture, our daily lives are so comfortable and our faith is common that we don’t feel the urgency and need to gather together regularly. We must regain a proper perspective on why we meet and how we can prioritize to make it happen more.
Generosity has power to move your heart toward God and free you from the idolatry of money worship. But how much should you give? The answer's not as simple as you might think. This message presents the power of percentage based giving and provides an understanding of generosity that will help you find a starting point for your giving to God.
We all have a “magic number,” an amount of money we think could solve our problems and make us happy. This is just another way to see how money so easily becomes an idol in our lives to compete for God’s rightful place in our hearts. We are prone to look to money to do for us what only God can do.
Our money and our heart always travel together. God cares most about our heart because He loves us and wants us to love Him, too. Because He knows that our heart will be wherever our money goes, God cares what we do with our money.
Despite the fact that Peter has encountered the risen Jesus, he returns to his old life of fishing. Could it be that his regret of rejecting Jesus keeps him from grasping the reality of the resurrection? In this message we see how Jesus restores Peter's relationship with him despite his rejection of Jesus.
Doubt is an opportunity to be more convinced of Jesus. In week two we look at how the disciples experienced doubt in Luke 24 and John 20.
"While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him." Luke 24:15-16 Like the travelers on the road, we need to move from confusion to clarity in our view of Jesus.