Storypoint Church

It starts as a spark.  That initial encounter with Jesus is just the beginning.  It is the beginning of a life-long pursuit.  What starts small can and should grow over the years.  There is always more.  God has more for us.  An ever-increasing passion is the fuel to the fire.

God has a plan.  We have a plan.  It works perfectly when those two match up.  But, often we don't see God's plan.  We can't wait for God's plan.  So, we push forward and make our own.  The good news:  God still has a plan!

He is worthy!  He alone is worthy!  Jesus Christ holds all things together.  Everything in heaven and everything on earth is under His authority.  From beginning to end, all things point towards Him.  He is worthy!

Christians are supposed to be known for their love.  Throughout the Bible we see love.  God is love, and we are to love.  Jesus said love envelopes the top two commandments:  To love God and to love others.  But what is love?  Has the modern understanding of love miscommunicated God's original meaning to us?  Undoubtedly we are to love, but how?  And what does that look like?

Different is good.  As a Christ follower we should be different.  The way we act, the way we talk, and yes, the way we love, should be different.  If we are going to make a difference, we have to be different!

God has more for His people than we can possibly imagine.  How much can He do in a life that is fully committed?  Could it be that the "more" is available right now, but just needs to be asked for?  When the purposes in our hearts align with the purposes of God, things happen!  God has planted dreams inside His followers, it's now up to us to pursue them.

There are churches everywhere.  There are Christians all around the world.  But, what makes a church a church?  What makes a Christian a Christian?  It all comes down to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's the story of a wayward son, but it's really more a story of a loving father.  Even in rejection the father continued to love.  Every parent knows this kind of love.  No matter where your son or daughter goes.  No matter what they do.  No matter how far they wander.  The love doesn't end.  How much greater is the love of God for us.  

It's a mad, mad world.  Drive around for five minutes on a busy road and you'll see the rage come out.  Why is everyone so mad?  Anger is deep-rooted.  Anger grows and grows.  We have to deal with anger before anger deals with us.  

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  That never changes.  The things He did in the past, He can and will do in the future.  Nothing catches God off guard.  He is above all things.  He is infinite.  He is above time and location.  Yet, we live in a time and culture when things seem to be falling apart.  It is reassuring to know that God is bigger than any current situation, challenge, or setback.  

Do you know why you were created?  What is your purpose on this planet?  Life is a continual revealing of God's purposes in us and for us.  Along the path new directions are taken.  But, each step builds on the last.  So, what do you do now?  You do the "next right thing".  You move in the right direction.  God will guide the steps.  He will train and equip.  Your "secret sauce" will become more and more apparent!

We need each other.  The Christian life is not intended to be a solo venture.  Part of the "secret sauce" is being a part of something bigger than us.  It's receiving from others and giving to others.  We are to love each other deeply! 

Every believer has been gifted.  Each person is unique.  Our giftedness is mixed with our personality and experiences.  No two people are alike in their makeup.  God has created it this way intentionally.  We need each other.  Left alone, we are missing pieces, but together we have the fullness of God's plan.  

Everyone needs a purpose.  Without purpose life feels meaningless.  In a world that promotes self, maybe we have been pursuing this the wrong way.  Could it be that the way to find what we have been wanting, we need to focus outward?  Putting our attention on other people.  As we help others, could that possibly lead to our own self fulfillment?

Every one of us have many similarities.  We have emotions, we have drives, we have goals, we have physical bodies, we have dreams.  Yet, we are all also unique.  Every single person has a distinction that makes them who they are.  Have you ever thought about your uniqueness?  What is the "secret sauce" that makes you different than everyone else?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in human history.  Time was split in half.  Death was defeated.  God became man, took on the sins of the entire world, paid the ultimate price, then defeated the curse and death.  Jesus is alive, and because of His resurrection, we have life as well. 

God lived in a tent! Throughout the Old Testament we see the tent being used as the dwelling place of God. It moved with the people. In more modern day history the tent has been used for many revivals over the years. Today's message is the start of a tent week for our congregation. We are setting up a literal tent in town and setting aside a time of prayer and focus.

Every single person will be judged. Justice is always served. To say that God is judgmental goes against the modern day grain. He's all loving right? Well, yes, God is good and loving. He extends His mercy and grace and forgiveness to all. However, He is also a judging God. To rephrase it: God is fair! Isn't that the kind of God we want?

The breaking of chains is at the heart of the Christian message. But, are there some chains that are needed? Chains that serve a purpose. What may seem like an inconvenience, a setback, a burden, a challenge, or a trial, may actually be the very thing God is using for a bigger purpose.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few". If you've been around Christian circles much, you've likely heard that verse many times. Typically it's a call to be a worker. It's a call to evangelize and tell the world about Jesus. That's a good interpretation. However, what does it mean to be a worker? Are the workers just those that actually see someone give their life to Christ? In harvesting, there are many steps before a crop is produced. The same can be said of someone accepting Jesus. There is a process. Multiple people may be involved with each level.

The anointing. What exactly is anointing anyway? What are the roots of the word and tradition? Who receives the anointing? How do you receive the anointing? This week we focused on these questions and the key benefits of the anointing (Blessing, Protection, and Empowerment).

The power comes from above. It's not enough to have good theology and doctrine. It's not enough to live a moral life. It's not enough to serve. Nothing wrong with any of those things, but what's really needed is the power of God residing in the believer. An anointing!

Everyone has a story. Each story is unique. Stories are our personal history. They are filled with ups and downs, highs and lows. As believers, they are also filled with redemption and forgiveness. Stories are captivating and full of adventure. What's your story?

A lofty goal was presented today. The challenge presented was for 1,000 souls to be changed forever in 2021. It's a reminder to return to our calling, our mission. This year, one thousand people forever changed ... that's the challenge.

God must become greater in our lives, while we become less in our lives. God is above all things. It only makes sense that the Creator knows the creation even better than the creation knows itself. Said another way, God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need and what we don't need. He knows our deepest longings and desires. Yet, in our humanity, we hold on to the control. Less of me and more of Thee, that is the focus of this week's message.

He split time in half. He's been talked about more, mentioned more, and written about more than any one in history. He's brought peace to millions, while his name has been at the center of many wars. Jesus Christ is the single most important person in the history of mankind. But, Who is Jesus to you personally?

The most powerful prayer in all of Scripture was given by Jesus himself. He prayed over his disciples. He prayed for protection, for power, for unity, and for revelation. This powerful prayer over them, is over us today as well. Jesus himself has prayed over you and me. As the world around us seems to be getting tougher, we are reminded that Jesus is still with us. He has prayed and is praying for us. He is with us still.

We live in a world full of chaos. Every day seems to bring yet another story of madness. Politics, racial tensions, pandemic, lost jobs, depression, suicide, marriages falling apart, and the list goes on and on. Fortunately for believers we are reminded, this is not our home. Our citizenship is in Heaven. We are just here visiting as strangers in this foreign land.

One day every single one of us will die. It's inevitable. There is an eternal destination ahead. Are you sure beyond any doubts that you are on the right path? Having assurance makes all the difference!

The Bible is full of verses that will change your life. But, these two verses, if applied are a guarantee. Put these two verses into practice, and your whole life will be completely different!

God is slow. His schedule isn't our schedule. His timetable isn't our timetable. Have you ever felt trapped in the waiting? You want God to do something, and you want it now. God always does what He needs to do, but it's in His timing, and that timing is always perfect.

Does giving come from an obligation or from gratitude? Yes, Christians are and should be givers, but the motivation behind the gift makes all the difference.

Uncertainty. The path ahead is hard to see. Confusion. No one seems to no what to do next. But, is it possible to actually thrive in the midst of the darkness? As Christians, we can live with a certainty. We walk in the darkness, but we walk with a hope and a purpose.

One day each one of us will have a finish line. This life that we have will be over. So meanwhile, what do we do? What is our purpose? Where are we headed? The goal is to obviously hear those words "Well done, good and faithful servant". But, what have we done well with? What is our specific area? Having a good idea about the finish line, helps us stay in the race now.

We see the best of others and the worst of ourselves. For many this false perspective ushers in envy. Wanting what someone else has. Desiring their life more that our own. Wishing that we had what they have, and then maybe, we'd have it altogether. An incorrect view? Yes. But, one that is so easy to fall for.

Chance. The word itself involves risk. There is something else, but it is undefined. It is attainable, but it's not certain. All of the questions of "what if" suddenly appear. But, one thing is certain, without taking some risks, things will never change. Does life feel stuck? Maybe it's time to take a chance.

People are challenging. We are all a mix of our emotions, backgrounds, personalities and experiences. Because of this, conflict is the natural consequence. How do we live in a world that is so opinionated? As a spirit-filled Christ follower, how are we to be different? Are we different? How do we exercise humility in a world that promotes just the opposite?

The foundation was laid in the Old Testament. The cross bridged the gap, the church continues as the body of Christ today. And one day, Jesus is coming again!

It happens all the time. Another leader that was once greatly respected falls into a major scandal or a moral failure. Why? What is the root of the issue? This is a message not just to leaders, but for everyone. What can we do to prevent the collapse?

We have two choices. We can build a bridge or we can build a wall. Bridges connect, Walls divide. Bridges bring people together, Walls separate.

How is the foundation of your life? Is it hardened or is it plowed and ready for growth? What seeds are you sowing? God is always at works and doing His part, but He also asks us to put a hand on the plow. Maybe it's time to take a risk and till the soil. It's time to start plowing!

Stuff. We all have lots of it. But, when it is all said and done, when this life is over, what will you have left? What is of lasting value?

Last week, we focused on the health of the body and mind. This week, we continue with the Spirit. This year has been trying to say the least. On top of the pandemic, we have now gone through a hurricane. It's time for a little Spiritual Renourishment.

In an emotional year like this, it is easy to just give up in so many ways. One of those ways is with our health. But, the body is so closely associated with the mind, the emotions, and even our spiritual walk. This week, Dr. Tim Boyett gave us some insight into the body, and keeping ourselves healthy and alive during this time.

It's a crazy year. The words unprecedented and historical have been mentioned. For many this year has been a challenge emotionally and physically, and even spiritually. For the next three weeks we are going to focus on these three topics. Our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. This week we start with a foundation of God's Word. The Bible is full of truth, and truth is much needed, especially in the times we are living in.

Consider this a "write your own title" week. Just too many truth nuggets in this week's passage to narrow it down. Listen and let God speak the nugget He has for you ... then write in your own title!

Everything has been created by God.  Everything is held together by God.  There is nothing out of His reach or control.  He is Sovereign.  He is Lord.  No matter how things may look, feel, or seem, God is in control!

We have the ultimate message.  God's message to the world.  It's the message salvation.  His message, with our voice.  How will they hear unless someone tells them?  It's time to Speak Up!

Persecution is nothing new to the church. The Christian faith has been persecuted since it's inception. Even today, persecution happens all over the world. Surprisingly to many, there have been more martyrs for the faith in the last 100 years, then all of the previous years of Christianity combined. But, what about here in America? We've had some challenges, but has it been true persecution? By definition, no, but are those days coming? Is the American church on the brink of persecution? If so, what do we do next?

Repent. What comes to mind when you first hear that word? For many, it's the classic "turn or burn" scenario. It conjures up the guy with the cardboard sign and megaphone on the street corner. As negative as that may sound, repentance is definitely a Biblical concept. The Bible is clear on the need for repentance.

He is known by many names in the Bible, but the name He is most known for is "Jesus". The name itself is powerful. Men are saved, demons flee, every knee will bow. There is no other name that saves. There is power in the name of Jesus.