The Church at Grace Point

There is a law in this universe that was not created in Washington, DC, but instead created by God that says: "You shall reap what you sow." Evidence of the truth of this statement is clearly seen throughout the Christian church today. The lack of Biblical knowledge in the life of the average believer has a direct link to the lack of Biblical preaching in many of the pulpits throughout America. We are simply reaping what we have sown. The fact that you cannot read the Bible without coming face to face with the reality that following Christ often is accompanied with suffering, yet we rarely if ever hear sermons addressing this truth serves to drive home this point. Join us as we explore the real reasons that following Jesus is many times accompanied by times of challenge and suffering.

There is a law in this universe that was not created in Washington, DC, but instead created by God that says: "You shall reap what you sow." Evidence of the truth of this statement is clearly seen throughout the Christian church today. The lack of Biblical knowledge in the life of the average believer has a direct link to the lack of Biblical preaching in many of the pulpits throughout America. We are simply reaping what we have sown. The fact that you cannot read the Bible without coming face to face with the reality that following Christ often is accompanied with suffering, yet we rarely if ever hear sermons addressing this truth serves to drive home this point. Join us as we explore the real reasons that following Jesus is many times accompanied by times of challenge and suffering.

We are living in a day where the importance of the father seems to have been diminished by society. Truthfully this distinction has been earned by the total lack of commitment and responsibility taken by many men as it relates to being a committed father. Someone rightly said it this way: "It is biologically easy to become a father, but Biblically challenging to actually father children." Without question, many of the greatest problems in our society today can be traced back to the failure of men to be Godly fathers to their children and husbands to their wives. Despite the continued failure of men to step up and assume their responsibility and the resulting damage it is causing the next generation, I continue to believe that fatherhood matters. Join us as I explore why fatherhood is so vitally important.

We are living in a day where the importance of the father seems to have been diminished by society. Truthfully this distinction has been earned by the total lack of commitment and responsibility taken by many men as it relates to being a committed father. Someone rightly said it this way: "It is biologically easy to become a father, but Biblically challenging to actually father children." Without question, many of the greatest problems in our society today can be traced back to the failure of men to be Godly fathers to their children and husbands to their wives. Despite the continued failure of men to step up and assume their responsibility and the resulting damage it is causing the next generation, I continue to believe that fatherhood matters. Join us as I explore why fatherhood is so vitally important.

Someone much smarter than me once said: "We should never attempt to replace what God has put in place." The wisdom of this statement is clearly seen in the attempts by our society to redefine the family and also redefine the church. God created the family unit and He also created the church. No person or group has the right to redefine or change what God intended His church to be. Join us as we explore how God's view of success for the church differs from the world view of success.

Someone much smarter than me once said: "We should never attempt to replace what God has put in place." The wisdom of this statement is clearly seen in the attempts by our society to redefine the family and also redefine the church. God created the family unit and He also created the church. No person or group has the right to redefine or change what God intended His church to be. Join us as we explore how God's view of success for the church differs from the world view of success.

We live in a world that seems to have no problem with believing in an afterlife. Everyone seems willing to accept that perhaps there is an eternal home called heaven while at the same time rejecting the possibility of an eternal home called hell. To be sure, the Bible teaches that every person who has ever lived, is living now and will ever live will live forever in one of two eternal places. For those who have placed their faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross there is a place prepared by God called heaven. The Bible also makes it abundantly clear that for those who reject Christ and His redemptive work on the cross there is also a prepared eternal home called hell. Join us as we explore seven reasons I do not want my friends to go to hell.

We live in a world that seems to have no problem with believing in an afterlife. Everyone seems willing to accept that perhaps there is an eternal home called heaven while at the same time rejecting the possibility of an eternal home called hell. To be sure, the Bible teaches that every person who has ever lived, is living now and will ever live will live forever in one of two eternal places. For those who have placed their faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross there is a place prepared by God called heaven. The Bible also makes it abundantly clear that for those who reject Christ and His redemptive work on the cross there is also a prepared eternal home called hell. Join us as we explore seven reasons I do not want my friends to go to hell.

When you search through human history it becomes clear that people have seemingly always had an infatuation with the concept of heaven. Amazingly, even those who reject the idea of Christianity speak about a place of eternal rest following death. Is there truly an eternal destination for those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ? What does the Bible actually have to say about this eternal home? Join us as we explore the subject to Heaven, what it is like, how big is it, who will go there?

When you search through human history it becomes clear that people have seemingly always had an infatuation with the concept of heaven. Amazingly, even those who reject the idea of Christianity speak about a place of eternal rest following death. Is there truly an eternal destination for those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ? What does the Bible actually have to say about this eternal home? Join us as we explore the subject to Heaven, what it is like, how big is it, who will go there?

If I were to ask you, "What is the toughest job in the world? How would you answer? I believe, without a doubt, that the toughest job in the entire world is being a mother. I, like myriads of other Fathers, have had a front row seat over the past 30 years to watch my wife be a super hero in the raising of our three daughters. Though no one would dare argue about the fact that motherhood is challenging, they would have to admit that it is also incredibly rewarding. Join us as we explore why motherhood truly matters.

If I were to ask you, "What is the toughest job in the world? How would you answer? I believe, without a doubt, that the toughest job in the entire world is being a mother. I, like myriads of other Fathers, have had a front row seat over the past 30 years to watch my wife be a super hero in the raising of our three daughters. Though no one would dare argue about the fact that motherhood is challenging, they would have to admit that it is also incredibly rewarding. Join us as we explore why motherhood truly matters.

Over the years I have heard people claim that they do not believe in the rapture of the church because the term "Rapture" does not appear in Scripture. This is an interesting argument because though the term rapture might not appear in Scripture, the event is described with great clarity. Join us as we explore what the Bible describes as a time in the future when Jesus will come and call His people to Himself in the sky.

Over the years I have heard people claim that they do not believe in the rapture of the church because the term "Rapture" does not appear in Scripture. This is an interesting argument because though the term rapture might not appear in Scripture, the event is described with great clarity. Join us as we explore what the Bible describes as a time in the future when Jesus will come and call His people to Himself in the sky.

Toward the end of His ministry here on this earth, Jesus stops to remind His disciples that He will soon be laying His life down for the sins of the world. With that thought fresh on the minds of the disciples He then tells them that He will be leaving but His leaving will be to their advantage. I can only imagine how the disciples must have reacted to that news. Join us as we explore the reason Jesus shared that it was to their advantage for Him to go away and for the Holy Spirit to come.

Toward the end of His ministry here on this earth, Jesus stops to remind His disciples that He will soon be laying His life down for the sins of the world. With that thought fresh on the minds of the disciples He then tells them that He will be leaving but His leaving will be to their advantage. I can only imagine how the disciples must have reacted to that news. Join us as we explore the reason Jesus shared that it was to their advantage for Him to go away and for the Holy Spirit to come.

We live in a world that has made it almost fashionable to redefine many of the foundations and core beliefs found in the Christian faith. Examples are not hard to find. Whether it is redefining marriage, questioning when life begins, or even questioning whether God truly created just males and females, examples are everywhere. One of the areas most concerning is a redefining of holidays set aside to celebrate the amazing acts of grace and mercy by our heavenly Father. Easter is a prime candidate, as a time set aside to praise and honor the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has been replaced by bunny rabbits and a federal holiday for time off from work. Why does Easter Matter? Join us as we explore what the Bible has to say on the subject.

We live in a world that has made it almost fashionable to redefine many of the foundations and core beliefs found in the Christian faith. Examples are not hard to find. Whether it is redefining marriage, questioning when life begins, or even questioning whether God truly created just males and females, examples are everywhere. One of the areas most concerning is a redefining of holidays set aside to celebrate the amazing acts of grace and mercy by our heavenly Father. Easter is a prime candidate, as a time set aside to praise and honor the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross has been replaced by bunny rabbits and a federal holiday for time off from work. Why does Easter Matter? Join us as we explore what the Bible has to say on the subject.

We live in a world that seems very willing to concede that Jesus was a great teacher of truth, a very moral man, and a wonderful example worth following. The issue that many have is when you begin to speak of Jesus in exclusive terms like Savior, Messiah, or the only way of salvation. Truth is, any person who exclaims to the world that He is "The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him" is either who He says He is or He has lost His mind and needs to be placed in a psychic ward of the hospital. In our text Jesus asked a very important personal question: "Who do you say that I am?" I am quick to proclaim that Jesus Is Lord! Who do you say that He is?

We live in a world that seems very willing to concede that Jesus was a great teacher of truth, a very moral man, and a wonderful example worth following. The issue that many have is when you begin to speak of Jesus in exclusive terms like Savior, Messiah, or the only way of salvation. Truth is, any person who exclaims to the world that He is "The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him" is either who He says He is or He has lost His mind and needs to be placed in a psychic ward of the hospital. In our text Jesus asked a very important personal question: "Who do you say that I am?" I am quick to proclaim that Jesus Is Lord! Who do you say that He is?

When I was younger I remember a pastor friend who said to me: "Phil, if you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything." Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all have a standard of authority that we use to guide us in our daily lives. The problem with most standards of authority offered by the world is they never seem to stay the same. For the believer, we must have a standard of authority that remains the same and never changes. For me, and many millions of believers, that standard of authority is the Bible. Join us as we explore why I believe the Bible is completely trustworthy and eternally dependable to guide us through our daily lives.

When I was younger I remember a pastor friend who said to me: "Phil, if you won't stand for something, you will fall for anything." Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all have a standard of authority that we use to guide us in our daily lives. The problem with most standards of authority offered by the world is they never seem to stay the same. For the believer, we must have a standard of authority that remains the same and never changes. For me, and many millions of believers, that standard of authority is the Bible. Join us as we explore why I believe the Bible is completely trustworthy and eternally dependable to guide us through our daily lives.

In the journey to draw intimately close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there are many important commitments that a person must make. For example, being intentional, teachable, and choosing to imitate Jesus just to name a few. Without question the secret ingredient to truly drawing near is yielding or submitting our lives fully to the control of the Lord. This demonstration of humility positions the believer to truly walk in close fellowship with the very one who gave His life for our redemption. Join us as we explore "the secret ingredient of intimacy with Christ."

In the journey to draw intimately close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there are many important commitments that a person must make. For example, being intentional, teachable, and choosing to imitate Jesus just to name a few. Without question the secret ingredient to truly drawing near is yielding or submitting our lives fully to the control of the Lord. This demonstration of humility positions the believer to truly walk in close fellowship with the very one who gave His life for our redemption. Join us as we explore "the secret ingredient of intimacy with Christ."

If I were to ask you: "What is the great challenge facing the body of Christ in 2022?" How would you answer? Some might say we need to be more faithful in attendance, or faithful in giving, or faithful sharing our faith. None of those are inappropriate answers to the question. But when you break it all down, I believe the greatest challenge facing the body of Christ is Spiritual apathy. While our world is falling apart right before our very eyes, the church seems to be satisfied instead of burdened. As we will learn from our text this morning God wants His church to be alert, awake and alive. Join us as we explore how we can remain alert so we can make the difference God has called us to make for His glory.

If I were to ask you: "What is the great challenge facing the body of Christ in 2022?" How would you answer? Some might say we need to be more faithful in attendance, or faithful in giving, or faithful sharing our faith. None of those are inappropriate answers to the question. But when you break it all down, I believe the greatest challenge facing the body of Christ is Spiritual apathy. While our world is falling apart right before our very eyes, the church seems to be satisfied instead of burdened. As we will learn from our text this morning God wants His church to be alert, awake and alive. Join us as we explore how we can remain alert so we can make the difference God has called us to make for His glory.

The process of sanctification is a lifelong journey. Unfortunately we live in a world that is filled with distractions and disruptions that serve to constantly blur our focus on drawing near to our Savior. In our text Proverbs 3:5-6 God reveals the road map on how to stay motivated for this lifelong journey. Join us as we explore all that God has provided to help us not just start this journey but also finish well.

The process of sanctification is a lifelong journey. Unfortunately we live in a world that is filled with distractions and disruptions that serve to constantly blur our focus on drawing near to our Savior. In our text Proverbs 3:5-6 God reveals the road map on how to stay motivated for this lifelong journey. Join us as we explore all that God has provided to help us not just start this journey but also finish well.

All throughout the New Testament we are taught that God's ultimate goal is to mold and make us more into the image of His Son Jesus. This process of sanctification is a daily journey that requires our full commitment, our consent, and our character. Paul clearly reminds us to "Work out our salvation with fear and trembling." He did not say "Work For" he said "Work out." Join us as we explore how we can be assured that we are truly following Jesus' example in the daily journey called life.

All throughout the New Testament we are taught that God's ultimate goal is to mold and make us more into the image of His Son Jesus. This process of sanctification is a daily journey that requires our full commitment, our consent, and our character. Paul clearly reminds us to "Work out our salvation with fear and trembling." He did not say "Work For" he said "Work out." Join us as we explore how we can be assured that we are truly following Jesus' example in the daily journey called life.

Everyday that we wake up we enter into a spiritual battlefield. The battle is between two different wills for your life. You see, Satan has a plan for your life, just as surely as God has a plan for your life. Every day we have to filter through the messages of this world and the messages from God. Learning how to distinguish between the two is essential to maintaining a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Join us as we explore God's classroom for lifelong learning, given to us to help us successfully navigate the minefields of this world.

Everyday that we wake up we enter into a spiritual battlefield. The battle is between two different wills for your life. You see, Satan has a plan for your life, just as surely as God has a plan for your life. Every day we have to filter through the messages of this world and the messages from God. Learning how to distinguish between the two is essential to maintaining a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Join us as we explore God's classroom for lifelong learning, given to us to help us successfully navigate the minefields of this world.

Anyone who has lived any length of time knows that life comes with many twists and turns. No one is immune from times of challenge and trial. Unfortunately, many believers allow those times of challenge and trial to slow down or even block their spiritual growth. Our text reveals a time when the nation of Israel was forced into 70 years of captivity in Babylon. In their time of challenge God reminded them that He was always thinking about them and that He was never far from them. Join us as we explore how God uses our times of challenge to prepare us for the future He has planned for us.

Anyone who has lived any length of time knows that life comes with many twists and turns. No one is immune from times of challenge and trial. Unfortunately, many believers allow those times of challenge and trial to slow down or even block their spiritual growth. Our text reveals a time when the nation of Israel was forced into 70 years of captivity in Babylon. In their time of challenge God reminded them that He was always thinking about them and that He was never far from them. Join us as we explore how God uses our times of challenge to prepare us for the future He has planned for us.

If someone were to be allowed to walk around and observe your life for one full week, what would they say is the greatest priority of your life? If they were allowed to see how you spend your time, spend your money, use your talents, what would they conclude? In our text Paul reveals that nothing this world could offer him could compare to the joy of knowing Christ and serving Him. Does your life demonstrate a similar testimony to the world? Join us as we explore what it means to not only live life with purpose, but also live life on purpose.

If someone were to be allowed to walk around and observe your life for one full week, what would they say is the greatest priority of your life? If they were allowed to see how you spend your time, spend your money, use your talents, what would they conclude? In our text Paul reveals that nothing this world could offer him could compare to the joy of knowing Christ and serving Him. Does your life demonstrate a similar testimony to the world? Join us as we explore what it means to not only live life with purpose, but also live life on purpose.

Our text today serves to reinforce the truth that God not only desires to have a personal relationship with all people, he desires for us to live our lives as close as we can possibly get to him. The writer of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that God loved us so much that He was willing to send His only Son to provide access to draw close to him by trusting His finished work on the cross for our redemption. Join us as we explore how to draw close and have true intimacy with God.

Our text today serves to reinforce the truth that God not only desires to have a personal relationship with all people, he desires for us to live our lives as close as we can possibly get to him. The writer of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that God loved us so much that He was willing to send His only Son to provide access to draw close to him by trusting His finished work on the cross for our redemption. Join us as we explore how to draw close and have true intimacy with God.

In our text we will discover that Jesus desires His followers to treat others not in a way they think they should be treated but instead the way they want to be treated. Jesus was our greatest example in the demonstration of His love towards us, being willing to lay down His life for undeserving sinners like you and me. Jesus further goes on to remind us that for everyone who has ever lived, is living now or will ever live on this earth there are two possible gates, two ways, two destinations and two options as it relates to our eternal future. Join us as we explore this exceptionally important truth.

In our text we will discover that Jesus desires His followers to treat others not in a way they think they should be treated but instead the way they want to be treated. Jesus was our greatest example in the demonstration of His love towards us, being willing to lay down His life for undeserving sinners like you and me. Jesus further goes on to remind us that for everyone who has ever lived, is living now or will ever live on this earth there are two possible gates, two ways, two destinations and two options as it relates to our eternal future. Join us as we explore this exceptionally important truth.

Although the disciples walked with Jesus and ministered with Him for three years, they never stopped and asked Jesus to teach them to preach or heal. Without question though, they did ask Jesus to teach them to pray. As they observed His life it was obvious to them where His power came from. In our text Jesus shares insight on how we too can have a powerful prayer life. The secret is found in persistence in prayer.

Although the disciples walked with Jesus and ministered with Him for three years, they never stopped and asked Jesus to teach them to preach or heal. Without question though, they did ask Jesus to teach them to pray. As they observed His life it was obvious to them where His power came from. In our text Jesus shares insight on how we too can have a powerful prayer life. The secret is found in persistence in prayer.

It seems strange to think that many non Christians actually have a favorite Bible verse. Anytime a Christian takes a firm Bibilical stance on Abortion or Homosexuallity or any other controversial subject, almost immediately we hear a non believer quote Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, lest you be judged!" The world has decided that Christians have two options when it comes to standing up for righteousness. 1) Say nothing. 2) Immediately fall under the condemnation of Matthew 7:1. Join us as we discover what Jesus was actually teaching in Matthew 7:1-6.

It seems strange to think that many non Christians actually have a favorite Bible verse. Anytime a Christian takes a firm Bibilical stance on Abortion or Homosexuallity or any other controversial subject, almost immediately we hear a non believer quote Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, lest you be judged!" The world has decided that Christians have two options when it comes to standing up for righteousness. 1) Say nothing. 2) Immediately fall under the condemnation of Matthew 7:1. Join us as we discover what Jesus was actually teaching in Matthew 7:1-6.

Having the privilege to live in the United States is truly a dual edged sword. On one hand we all live in the most prosperous nation in the world. One the other hand we are constantly bombarded with the temptation of obtaining more and more treasures of this world. Those who have little stress about having more. Those who have much, lose sleep worrying about losing what they have. It is a vicious cycle that leads to anxiety and worry. In our text Jesus reminds us that worry is never God's best for us because it demonstrates a lack of faith in His ability to care for and provide for us. Join us as we discover how to win the battle with worry.