The GracePointe Church of Christ (GracePointe) places a strong emphasis on unity in Christ and the believer’s freedom and responsibility to seek and follow God’s will as revealed in the inspired Scriptures with the goal of spiritual growth into the image of Jesus Christ. With solid historical roots…
Philippians 2:5-11 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The church at Laodicea is completely blasted by Christ for their apathy and lack of any meaningful work. Jesus actually sees them much differently than they see themselves and shows them that unless they actually invite Jesus to come in among them, they really have no connection to Christ. This serves as a warning for Christians who deceive themselves and think they are doing the work of Christ but are in fact apathetic and worthless to Jesus. The invitation is to repent and spend some time with Christ.
The church in Philadelphia is commended by Christ for their loyalty and dedication to him. Surrounded by all the pomp and circumstance of the Roman Empire, the call of Jesus is to stay connected to him through the daily routines of church life and devotion, thus the call to “hold on” to what they have so they can be rewarded by Christ.
The Church at Thyatira has one of the best commendation statements given to the churches in Asia Minor, but they also are tolerating a false prophetess among their members. Yet, Jesus doesn't call them to create something new, but to seek repentance and hold tight to their faith. Jesus will judge the church members who participate in sin harshly, but that is no reason to break or split.
Stripped away of all the pomp and prestige of economic and social well-being, the church at Smyrna is an example of staying faithful when it costs us something, even our lives.
The church in Ephesus is combatting cultural syncretism but is wearing down in the fight, Jesus asks them to remember their “first love” and live their priorities so they can be a faithful witness of their Lord.
Some practical ways for the church to live out our discernment: Stay away from sexual sin, control our bodies, do not harm or cheat a fellow believer, love one another deeply, live a quiet and purposeful life. (From 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)
Life is full of decisions, some of which we tend to make in a moment with little repercussions on the rest of our life (or the lives of those around us). But some decisions are much more involved and how do we know if God is approving of our decision or not? How do we know if our choices are in line with what God wants? In this sermon, we will explore ways to grow in discernment and seek the great over the good. Applied to our lives as Christians, the activity of discernment is fundamentally about distinguishing what leads us closer to God and God's will for us.
There is a practicality that extends beyond our personal goodness or “being good” we must be a Kingdom that “brings good...” Notice that God is the source of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation - for us to FIGHT! This takes discernment, especially in our current culture.
Behavioral Indicators: We celebrate those who choose to live by different priorities based in scripture and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit We worship with a hunger for God and His presence among us. We share stories of what God is changing in us, where we are growing.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We need to reflect on how we have been changed by God…or even what has been in the way of the work God wants to do in us and through us.
Matthew 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Matthew 5:1-15 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Romans 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
God has chosen to live in community and communion: Communion: the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level. Community: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. (Often had to do with proximity)
Three Behavioral Indicators of Acceptance: We prioritize spending time together for the purpose of connection and relationship building. We encourage each other to stay faithful through practicing spiritual disciplines together. We use church resources and community resources to heal and to help.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Look at the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) and see how God continues to invite and accept even when Cain feels failure and not appreciated, even in the consequences of destroying his brother God talks and guides and protects. This story displays the way of our world, the way that God ultimately reverses in the coming of Jesus who offers acceptance into the family of God instead of destruction.
Out Text for today as we celebrate deacons is 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
We look at John 10:7-10 and ask how a relationship with Jesus truly allows us to experience freedom.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that his disciples will know the truth and the truth will set them free. Today we explore that the source of truth is more important than the information because who or what we trust determines the truth we believe. So, who is it that tells you the truth?
The Four Weeks leading up to Christmas we look at how Christ provides Hope,Peace, Joy, and Love.
The Four Weeks leading up to Christmas we look at how Christ provides Hope,Peace, Joy, and Love.
The Four Weeks leading up to Christmas we look at how Christ provides Hope,Peace, Joy, and Love.
The Four Weeks leading up to Christmas we look at how Christ provides Hope,Peace, Joy, and Love.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
A study of the Biblical view of Eschatology, what to expect in the Heavenly Kingdom, and what exactly Hell is and why it is important to not buy into the notion that everyone is going to go to Heaven and Hell isn't real.
Join us as we think about how the years of Covid has had its effect on the Church. This sermon Series is indebted to the work of Dr. Stan Granburg in his book "Empty Church." For more on helping you church navigate the post-pandemic culture, check out resources at the Heritage 21 foundation.
Join us as we think about how the years of Covid has had its effect on the Church. This sermon Series is indebted to the work of Dr. Stan Granburg in his book "Empty Church." For more on helping you church navigate the post-pandemic culture, check out resources at the Heritage 21 foundation.
Join us as we think about how the years of Covid has had its effect on the Church. This sermon Series is indebted to the work of Dr. Stan Granburg in his book "Empty Church." For more on helping you church navigate the post-pandemic culture, check out resources at the Heritage 21 foundation.
Join us as we think about how the years of Covid has had its effect on the Church. This sermon Series is indebted to the work of Dr. Stan Granburg in his book "Empty Church." For more on helping you church navigate the post-pandemic culture, check out resources at the Heritage 21 foundation.
Join us as we think about how the years of Covid has had its effect on the Church. This sermon Series is indebted to the work of Dr. Stan Granburg in his book "Empty Church." For more on helping you church navigate the post-pandemic culture, check out resources at the Heritage 21 foundation.
We explore how our workplace can serve as one of the best mission fields during this Labor Day Weekend.
During our Sunday Morning Worship time we talked about the honor of receiving an education and the joy it is to teach, we prayed over our upcoming school year and asked God to bless our schools.
A sermon from Acts 6:8-7:60 discussing the death of Christians and opposition to the faith.
This sermon focused on the story of Peter from Luke-Acts
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