Grace Point Church

The most important question you'll ever answer isn't on a test or a job application — it's the one Jesus himself asks: "Who do you say that I am?" In this message from Matthew 16, Pastor Joel Hastings takes us to one of the most unlikely places in the ancient world — Caesarea Philippi, a city overflowing with pagan temples, chaos, and false gods — and shows us why Jesus chose that backdrop to ask that question. Pastor Joel walks through Peter's bold confession, Jesus renaming Simon to Peter, and what it means that Jesus promised to build his church on the very Gates of Hell. The sermon lands with a challenge: your words about Jesus matter far less than how your life actually answers the question — and no matter what your past looks like, Jesus is the one who gets to rename you and give you a new identity. Here's a couple key takeaways • The world will get close to who Jesus is, but close isn't enough — he can only be a liar, a lunatic, or Lord, and your life (not just your words) reveals what you truly believe. • Jesus renames Peter from "reed" to "rock" — and in the same way, your identity, value, and purpose are determined by what Jesus says about you, not your past. • The Church doesn't hide from the Gates of Hell — it attacks them. You've been given a new name and invited into a mission, so don't shrink back from the broken places around you.

Description: Some lies don’t cost you much—until they do. In Titus 1, Paul warns that false teaching isn’t harmless “difference of opinion.” It can divide families, destabilize churches, and quietly corrupt what’s happening on the inside. Today’s message is a call to take truth seriously, because truth is the pathway to godliness.  In this sermon, Brett Ferguson walks through Titus 1:10–16 and shows three common marks of damaging lies: they’re shallow (hollow, “spiritual-sounding” but not rooted in Scripture), self-serving (built for shameful gain), and they rely on substitute authority instead of the trustworthy Word. And we’re reminded that the answer isn’t fear—it’s faithfulness: a church that holds firm to the Word and holds fast to the gospel, where purity comes only through Jesus.  Here’s a couple key takeaways • Truth matters because it leads to godliness—lies always pull us away from Jesus.  • Watch for false teaching that is shallow, self-serving, or built on substitute authority.  • The way forward is to hold fast: to the trustworthy Word and to the gospel that purifies us through Christ alone.

If you’ve ever assumed the Bible’s standards for leaders are only for “super Christians,” Titus 1 flips that assumption upside down. These qualifications aren’t just a checklist for elders, they’re a picture of what mature faith looks like in everyday life.  In today’s message, Pastor Joel Hastings walks through Titus 1:1–9, explaining why God calls His church to be a biblical church (not just a big one) and how discipleship shapes our character through repentance, integrity, and obedience.  Here’s a couple key takeaways • The qualifications for elders are also a clear picture of Christian maturity.  • Being “above reproach” doesn’t mean perfect, it means quick to repent and walking in integrity.  • God forms us by obedience, not just information. 

Most of us think discipleship is mainly about learning—getting more information, attending more classes, knowing more Bible. But Jesus defines discipleship differently in Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” That word observe isn’t just “know it”—it’s watch it, practice it, live it. Discipleship is imitation: people learning to follow Jesus by stepping into the footprints of someone who’s already walking with Him.  In this message, Pastor Joel Hastings closes our Formed & Sent series by showing what it looks like to make disciples in real life: not a one-time moment, but ongoing teaching, shared life, and obedience over time. We’re called to be a church that is equipped (knowing), in community (living it together), and on mission (doing)—because we’re formed by obedience, not just information. And when the calling feels intimidating, Jesus gives the anchor we can’t miss: “Behold, I am with you always.”  Here’s a couple key takeaways • Discipleship happens when someone can see obedience—people learn Jesus’ way by watching your life.  • We’re formed by obedience, not just information—knowing the commands isn’t the same as observing them.  • The mission should feel bigger than you… and that’s the point—because Jesus doesn’t just give a command; He gives His presence: “I am with you always.” 

Snow has a way of covering everything—dirt, dead plants, the mess you’d rather not see. And in Psalm 51:7, David uses that exact picture to pray, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” In this short devotional filmed during the “snowpocalypse” in Northwest Arkansas, Pastor Joel Hastings shows how God doesn’t just clean us up—He covers us with a deeper cleansing than we could ever achieve on our own.  David’s prayer includes a surprising word: hyssop—a plant used in Scripture to apply the blood of the lamb at Passover (Exodus) and later appearing again at the cross (John 19). It’s a powerful reminder that the only way we’re made clean is through the sacrifice of Jesus, our true Lamb—so that when the Father looks at us, He sees Christ’s righteousness covering our sin.  Here’s a couple key takeaways • Real cleansing isn’t self-improvement—it’s the mercy of God washing us through Christ.  • Hyssop connects the story: the blood of the lamb in Exodus points us to Jesus on the cross.  • Let the snow preach to you this week: you are covered—live in that reality.

Baptism can feel like a strange church moment—get in the water, get dunked, everyone claps. But Jesus didn’t include it in the Great Commission as a random tradition. In Matthew 28:19, baptism is tied to discipleship because it represents something massive: if you’re a disciple of Jesus, you’re dead to who you were and alive to who He is.  In this message, Pastor Joel Hastings unpacks why baptism matters, what it symbolizes, and why it’s the first step of obedience for every believer. Drawing from Romans 6, we see baptism as a picture of burial and resurrection—leaving the old life in the grave and walking in newness of life. And we’re reminded that what we need more than anything else isn’t a quick fix—it’s more of Jesus, the King who supplies everything we need.  Here’s a couple key takeaways • Baptism doesn’t save you, but it is a first step of obedience for every believer—and it preaches what Jesus has done.  • If you’re dead to your old self, don’t go digging back in the grave—leave the old sin behind.  • You don’t need more strength—you need more of Jesus. He is everything you need.  ============================= Connect with Grace Point Church: ============================= Instagram: https://instagram.com/gracepointnwa Facebook: https://facebook.com/gracepointnwa Website: https://gracepointchurch.net

Last words matter. And Jesus’ last words to His disciples are His last words to us: “All authority… Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This message is a wake-up call for 2026—Jesus isn’t asking for casual Christians. He’s forming disciples who follow close, live surrendered, and join His unstoppable mission in the world.  As we continue our January series Formed & Sent, Pastor Joel Hastings unpacks Matthew 28:18–20 and shows why the Great Commission changes everything: Jesus has the authority, Jesus gives the mission, and Jesus defines discipleship as learning His way (His “yoke”) and becoming like Him. From first-century discipleship to modern-day obedience, we’re challenged to ask: are we willing not just to die for Jesus—but to live for Him every day?  Here’s a couple key takeaways • Jesus has all authority—so we can trust Him, and we must obey Him.  • Discipleship means staying close enough to Jesus that His life “rubs off” on yours.  • The question isn’t “Would you die for Him?”—it’s “Will you live for Him?”

What do you do when you’re trying to follow Jesus… and your heart keeps bouncing between worship and doubt? In this message from Matthew 28:16–20, Pastor Joel Hastings walks us through the Great Commission and highlights one of the most surprising details in the entire scene: “they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” Before Jesus sends His disciples into the world, He calls them to Himself—because we can’t live “sent” lives unless we’re first being formed by Him. Here’s what we’re learning as we begin our new series, Formed & Sent: Jesus isn’t looking for the most impressive people—He’s looking for disciples who will keep their eyes on Him, come back to worship, and obey… even in the middle of doubt. Here's a couple key takeaways • Jesus calls you to Himself before He sends you out. • Doubt doesn’t disqualify you—it’s an invitation to believe and obey again. • When you take your eyes off Jesus, you sink… but a simple prayer still changes everything: “Lord, save me.”

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=HkZla56fZe

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Ever feel like you were headed one way and life blew you somewhere else? In Acts 27–28, Paul is promised Rome, then runs into hurricane winds, a shipwreck, and a snakebite. Yet God keeps His word in the middle of the storm. Jesus had already said Paul would testify in Rome, and even as the waves rise an angel reaffirms the promise. Our call is to trust what God has said more than what we can see and to obey Him while the seas are still rough.    When the ship breaks, everyone reaches shore safely and a “detour” named Malta becomes a three-month ministry assignment. By the end, Paul is in Rome preaching “without hindrance.” The route changed; the promise held; the mission advanced.     Here’s a couple key takeaways • When your plans break, hold to God’s promises. He keeps His word even in the storm.   • Detours are often assignments. Serve where you land and watch God work • Chains cannot chain the gospel. The mission continues “without hindrance.” SUBSCRIBE for weekly sermons, stories, and other resources: https://www.youtube.com/@GracePointNWA?sub_confirmation=1 ============================= Connect with Grace Point Church: ============================= Instagram: https://instagram.com/gracepointnwa Facebook: https://facebook.com/gracepointnwa Website: https://gracepointchurch.net #Sermon #GracePointChurch #NorthwestArkansas

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=H1o1tN8y-e

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Message notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=rJ0kcYmRxl

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Grace Point Church met on the evening of June 1, 2025, to vote on Dr. Joel Hastings as our Lead Teaching Pastor. He was unanimously affirmed.

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

We hope you enjoy and benefit from Grace Point Church's messages. Thank you for taking time to listen!

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=ryIbkk1pkx

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=B1wXidV31x

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=HJKKbu2jJg

Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=HJZcTEmske