Point of Grace Online Worship - February 19, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 2.19.23 Sermon Notes – “TOGETHER – You can count on me! Can I count on You?”

“TOGETHER – You can count on me! Can I count on You?”

TOGETHER is designed by God for:

• His PRESENCE! And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Eph.2:22

• Our TRANSFORMATION! “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” Eph. 4:15

• His MISSION!

Matthew 16 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus’s TOGETHER (church) is an invasion forces built and authorized by Him to be His agents of redemption, salvation and new life in the world – His mission in His name empowered by His Spirit using His Gospel!

Our MISSION TOGETHER as His church is vitally important and we each have a role to play!

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

In 2023 each of us and all of us will pour intentionality, creativity, sacrifice and participation into TOGETHER at Point of Grace. We can each make a difference and we can all make a difference TOGETHER.

It may look like increased opportunities to “get to know” one another opportunities where newcomers can meet and be met. Or carefree gatherings and events where families can mingle and friendships can form.

It may look like parents TOGETHER praying over children starting kindergarten or for highschoolers on mission trips. Or like senior adults listening well to younger generations so spirit inspired mentoring has a chance to happen.

It may look like an increased commitment by every PoG’er to participate in a Grow Group, serve on a ministry team and “be counted on” for Spirit-led, God honoring financial giving.

It may look like Grow Group members praying for each other’s 3x5 lists and every PoG’er doing the Daily Pause as a common TOGETHER experience while each of us discovering spirit-filled friendships we never thought possible.

It may look like each of us delving into our God given callings and Spirit given gifts so “we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 12, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 2.12.23 Sermon Notes – “TOGETHER – You can count on me! Can I count on You?”

“TOGETHER – You can count on me! Can I count on You?”

PoG-tionary

UP

OUT

TOGETHER

AGAINST

How is my ……?

TOGETHER is designed by God for us to mature! (grow, change, be transformed)

Do I need to change?

Ephesians 4 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

God designed the church (TOGETHER) to be the context for us to mature! God loves us too much to leave us the way we are!

GRACE + TRUTH

TIME = TRANSFORMATION

Where is there going to be abundant GRACE mixed together with consistent TRUTH and enough time for my (our) TRANSFORMATION, “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ”?

TOGETHER

What are the temptations when God is leading us to change, to grow?

Remember God’s vision: until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 5, 2023

Point of Grace Worship        2.5.23     Sermon Notes – “TOGETHER – You can count on me!  Can I count on You?”

 “TOGETHER – You can count on me!  Can I count on You?”

 PoG-tionary

UP

OUT

TOGETHER 

AGAINST

How is my ……?

Ephesians 2 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  

God is Rebuilding TOGETHER at Point of Grace and we get to be a part of it!

Jesus built TOGETHER means “nobodies get to be somebodies who are never alone”

“you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household …  And in him you too are being built together “

Jesus built TOGETHER means “Jesus is the foundation and sets the direction”

“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

 Jesus built TOGETHER means “we get to be a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit”

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”   

Can you imagine what it might look like if a group of Jesus followers

invested their lives into God’s dream for TOGETHER?

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 29, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 1.29.23 Sermon Notes – “When Jesus is in the room …”

“With Jesus in the room ……”

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

What does the story reveal about Jesus?

With Jesus in the room … … everything changes … … and its really good!

• Possibilities – Surprises – Rescues we could not possibly imagine!  

• Joy – Celebration – Restoration of what was robbed and lost!  

• Abundance of Jesus in world where scarcity thinking prevails!  

John takes us deeper! “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory” John 2:11

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.”… …the old is gone … the new has come…!

“6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, … … the old is gone … the new has come…

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5

With Jesus in the room … everything changes … the old is gone … the new has come … striving has ended!

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 22, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 1.22.23 Sermon Notes – “The Way of Jesus and His Mission”

The Way of Jesus and His Mission

John 1 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

What do we learn about the “Way of Jesus and His Mission?”

The central point of the Gospel of Jesus is …. Jesus!

The central strategy of the mission of Jesus is ……

…… for people to hang out with Jesus! Jesus loves hanging out with people – real people!

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).

What do we learn about the “Way of Jesus and His Mission?”

When someone has been “Jesus-ed” they want the people they care about to be “Jesus-ed” too!

Andrew seemed confident that if his brother would come to see Jesus … Jesus would take care of things!

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

What do we learn about the “Way of Jesus and His Mission?”

Jesus is in charge of himself and His mission! We get to join Him!

Our role is to bring people to Him. He is the one who changes lives!

At Point of Grace, why do we:

• Host the Alpha Course (Next course begins February 19th) “Jesus, who can I invite to hang out with You?”

• Encourage every PoG’er in the B.L.E.S.S.? Strategy

Begin with Prayer

Listen

Eat

Serve

Share our Jesus Story and an invite to “come and see

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 15, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 1.15.23 Sermon Notes – “John the Baptizer – His Life and Witness!”

John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God 4 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light,

that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ….. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[i] of God.”

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

John’s Witness About Jesus -

- He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

- This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit

John 3 5 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Matthew 11 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light,

that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

He must increase. I must decrease! - John the Baptizer-

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 8, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 1.8.23 Sermon Notes – “Epiphany 2023!”

Epiphany – to “shine light on”, to spotlight, to reveal

Matthew 2, the story of the Magi, reveals, “God at work for us in Jesus: The One and Only”

Three Spotlights Matthew uses to reveal, “God at Work for us in Jesus: The One and Only”

Spotlight 1 - The Magi

Spotlight 2 - Old Testament Connections

Spotlight 3 - King Herod

Matthew 2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The Magi – the most unlikely targets of God’s work in Jesus! It would have been an epiphany for the 1st century reader of Matthew’s gospel to think that God was at work in Jesus for people like “Magi from the East”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

The Old Testament Connections highlighted by Matthew (four in this chapter alone) are like “epiphany’s” to the 1st century reader. “Oh, wow, I see!”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

King Herod stands in stark contrast to King Jesus…..

One is powerful with the power of men… the other powerless but in the hands of God!

One threatened by a baby to the point of atrocity … the other worshiped by the unlikely recipients of God’s epiphany!

What about me?

Is “Jesus: the One and Only” revealed to me for me?

Is my life threatened by Jesus or does my life become worship of Jesus: the One and Only

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 1, 2023

Point of Grace Worship        1.1.23     Sermon Notes – “Consecrating 2023!”

Consecrating 2023!

Consecration – the act of “setting apart” someone or something to/for someone or something

              To “set apart” is to make “holy”,

              To designate for a particular purpose,

              To bring under the authority and reign of Jesus.

The Eighth Day of Christmas for Jesus

Luke 2:21
              On the eighth day,
              when it was time to circumcise the child,
              he was named Jesus,
              the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Galatians 4:4-7  
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:
Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.

Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Consecration Prayer for 2023

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today to be restored in You and renewed in You. I now consecrate this year of life to You and You alone! You are my Lord in 2023!

I consecrate every aspect of my life and all of my living this year totally and completely to You. I yield my spirit, soul, body, my heart, mind and will to the life and leading of Your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh every day this new year. I want to follow Your lead.

Jesus I receive all the work and triumph of your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over my life. I am not my own. I have been bought with a price. Thank you for giving me my salvation identity.

I pray "Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come and Your will be done" over my life, over my family and over my church in 2023.

Jesus, I consecrate all of me to you and invite You to reign over every dimension of my life every day of this new year.

I consecrate to you:

•            my time and abilities
•            my possessions, money, and influence
•            my personality, sexuality and imagination
•            my work, plans and ambitions,
•            my friends, family and church
•            my hopes and dreams
•            my loves, losses and worries
•            and my brokenness, imperfections, disappointments
        and failures

My all day, every-day life is set apart and consecrated to You Jesus – flood my life with Your creative and renewing presence.  Thank you for setting me apart as Yours.

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life; and over all my arenas of influence this New Year.

I come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom binding and banishing him and all forces of evil away from my life, my family and my church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus!    Amen