BridgePointe Christian Church

<p>Part one of a two part series of messages that focuses on on the believer's commitment to Jesus. This message explains what baptism is and why we do it.</p>

<p>The story of Zacchaeus shows us that curiosity about Jesus can be the catalyst for a life-changing discovery of Him.</p>

<p>A woman pushed her way into a house where she wasn't invited, wasn't welcome and had no place to be. Jesus let the woman with a reputation come close to Him and addressed the outrage of the guests present by telling a story to explain His actions.</p>

<p>Sitting down and sharing a meal with someone builds the relationship and can be a marker of how close you are. Jesus sat down and shared a meal with sinners and the religious leaders could not understand how he could sit at the same table with them. The story of Levi in Luke chapter 5 helps us understand how we can follow Jesus’ example.</p>

<p>When God called Samuel as a young boy, he famously answered, “Here I am.” In the message Anointer, we see how God chose Samuel to raise up others who would become greater than him. Samuel’s willingness, humility and obedience become an example for us as we invest in the lives of others. First 15 Guide: <a href="https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rydxqoQLb" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rydxqoQLb</a></p>

<p>Gideon was unimpressive and insignificant in the eyes of his family and community. Because he was the most improbable candidate to be God’s mighty warrior, Gideon ends up being the perfect magnifier of God's greatness. FIRST 15 GUIDE: <a href="https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=ryQhVv5HW" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=ryQhVv5HW</a></p>

<p>“Deliverer” tells the story of how God chose Moses, a fugitive living in a foreign land with a speech impediment and little confidence, to return to the last place he wanted to go and do the last thing he felt capable of doing. God saw in Moses a deliverer, and today God sees in ordinary people the capability to lead others to take steps toward Jesus. <br><br>First 15 guide: <a href="https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rJgSfiJrZ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?doc=rJgSfiJrZ</a></p>

<p>The church is not a location, a building, or a time of the week. Church is people and BridgePointe is a community of authentic, diverse, and imperfect people who are united by faith in Jesus. As BridgePointe opened its door for the first Sunday at 855 Waterman Ave., this message revisits the mission that BridgePointe has held onto since first opening its doors in 2013.</p>

<p>This message is the first in our series ICNU, a series about God’s extraordinary vision for ordinary, everyday people as seen in four character studies from the Old Testament. “Legacy Maker” looks at the story of Abraham and how God used him to begin a legacy of faith that continued for many generations.</p>

<p>Hospitality has an important role in the church and each of us has a part in it. Hospitality can define the church and set it apart from the culture around us. Through hospitality we show that each person has value and the power of consistently practiced hospitality can’t be underestimated.</p>

<p>Jesus told his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. But their first step in accomplishing that mission, was to go and wait for the Holy Spirit. The same charge is given to us today. The work of the church continues to spread as people who have found life in Jesus help others to find life in Jesus, and in order for us to succeed, we need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.</p>

<p>Have you ever wished that you could hear directly from God? In this message, discover how the Holy Spirit speaks to us in order to bring us closer to God.</p>

<p>Through His death and resurrection, Jesus promises us victory over sin, but it is the Holy Spirit who gives us that victory today. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to win the battle over sin today. We don't need to wait until we get to heaven to be free.</p>

<p>Heaven is where God is, and often that feels otherworldly and out of reach. But for those who believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit brings heaven to earth. Through the Holy Spirit, we can enjoy all that awaits us in heaven while on earth.<br><br>We were created to enjoy the presence of the God, yet sin limits our ability to experience God's presence. Jesus came to die for us and sent the Holy Spirit so that we can live in the presence of God.</p>

<p>Busyness robs relationships of the time they need to grow deep and flourish. A look at the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha helps us understand what's most important when allocating our time.</p>

<p>Word have the power to bring life, and words have the power to bring death. In James 3, Jesus's brother James writes that "<a href="http://...no" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">...no</a> human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." This message looks at what we can do to keep the weed of "words that hurt" out of our relationships.</p>

<p>Relationships cannot grow when they’re entangled with expectations. This message helps us understand where expectations come from and the harm they can inflict on relationships. Ultimately, God desires for us to find contentment and fulfillment first in Him. When we are able to seek God first to meet our expectations, we are less likely to impose expectations on others that they can't fulfill.</p>

<p>Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on a colt just days before His death. The crowd laid their cloaks and palm branches down before him and greeted Him with cries of “Hosana” (he saves). Jesus arrival stirred the city. As we join the crowd in celebrating Jesus, we need to understand who He was and what He came to do.</p>

<p>After his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying. At the end of this time, Satan came to tempt him. At the heart of the three temptations are lies the devil still uses to lead us off the path as we follow after Jesus.</p>

<p>The series Crossroad looks at four events in Jesus' life where he chose to continue walking toward the cross. At the first intersection, the Baptism of Jesus, we see that Jesus choice to carry our sin to the cross, complete with its consequence and cost.</p>

<p>The last message in the series coincided with the celebration of BridgePointe's 4th birthday. In Finish the Race, we look at one of the last letters Paul wrote to Timothy. In this deeply personal letter, Paul gives Timothy his last instructions and reflects on his own race of faith.</p>

<p>The love of money can destroy the church, but God has a better way. "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6</p>