BridgePointe Christian Church

<p>In Numbers we see the Israelites had sacred daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms that helped them remember who God was and what He had done for them. In this message we look at the annual feasts of the Israelites to show how rhythms of remembrance renewed their minds and restored their attitudes.</p>

<p>Instead of maintaining a commitment to holiness and purity, the Israelites tolerate sin among them and indulge in it. This sin ultimately leads them away from God and into the worship of idols. This is devastating for people who have been promised an inheritance from the Lord. That's why we can't tolerate sin. Tolerating sin in our lives puts us in a vulnerable position before God.</p>

<p>In the story of Balaam and his donkey, we see that stubbornness is when people persist in their rebellion or defiance against God. This results in a spiral of consequences that eventually brings ruin. Our stubbornness, especially when it is in direct opposition to God, turns us away from Him and threatens the experience of life and blessing He longs to give us.</p>

<p>After being rerouted, which cost them valuable time, the Israelites become impatient because God is taking longer than they want. When they grumble, God brings consequences (venomous snakes) which turns their hearts back to Him. Impatience plagues us, as well, when God doesn't seem to operate on our time frame.</p>

<p>Some of the Levites rebel against Moses because they think he has too much influence or authority. By comparing themselves to another, the Levites lose sight of the incredible and sacred responsibility they've been given. Comparison, and the jealousy that comes from it, threatens our gratitude for what God has given us.</p>

<p>On the verge of entering the Promise Land, scouts are sent to bring back a report of the land, which proves to be both dangerous and bountiful. The Israelites give in to fear, believing that the risk/cost is greater than the God who is with them. Similarly, our own fears keep us from walking into the good that God desires to give to us.</p>

<p>Despite the fact that God is doing great things in and for the people, they often grumble that it's not good enough. In this scene, God's anger is aroused by their complaint because they are failing to see the good that God has done for them. We face the same temptation to complain despite the fact that God is doing great things for us.</p>

<p>This message introduces the book of Numbers in the Old Testament shows how it fits in the larger story of God's plan. The first chapters show how Israel was intended to be centered on God. He is with them and for them. Their attitude during the journey through the wilderness will determine whether they stay close to God or slip away from Him. Likewise, our attitudes this year will impact our intimacy with God.</p>

<p>Jesus is worth searching for. God uses many various means to bring people to Jesus. He is the One God promised and He deserves our worship and surrender.</p>

<p>The quiet, unassuming town of Bethlehem was home to the most extraordinary event in history. In this town, the angels announce the arrival that is "Good news of great joy for all people." Jesus is a shepherd of His people who is also the Eternal King. The angels' announcement is most important--Jesus is Good News… for all people… for He is a Savior… the Messiah, the Lord!" We want to be the ones who hear, receive, and believe the message that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior.</p>

<p>The first people who were witnesses of the newborn King were ordinary people, mostly overlooked by the world–shepherds in the fields, a guy named Simeon, and lady named Anna. These ordinary people understood something about Jesus that resulted in authentic, extraordinary praise to God. Understanding who Jesus is and what His arrival means is the key to responding in praise, worship and thanksgiving to God.</p>

<p>Two ordinary people—a young woman and a carpenter—were each asked to trust God and accept what seemed impossible. Their extraordinary faith, demonstrated through their obedience, was a response to who they believed Jesus to be.</p>

<p>The ordinary list of ancestors in Jesus’ genealogy reveals an extraordinary truth–Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to come to save His people.</p>

<p>Paul asks for prayer so that he may be effective in proclaiming Jesus and then he urges the Colossian Christians to seize every opportunity to share their faith. Finally, the letter ends with a list of people who have found their place in the Gospel work of Jesus. This message include video greetings from extended BridgePointe family.</p>

<p>When Jesus is given reign in our hearts and lives, He changes everything about us from the inside out—from the peace that we experience in our hearts to the harmony we have in our relationships. As we surrender to Jesus, he restores God's image in us and gives us a new way to live.</p>

<p>In chapter three of Colossians, the focus shifts from what Jesus has done to how we respond to what He has done for us. In this week we look at how we must put to death the sin that separates us from the life Jesus wants to give us.</p>

<p>We can easily be deceived into thinking we need to add more to Jesus, but Paul writes powerfully to show that Jesus is enough and there is no need to add anything else to faith in Him.</p>

<p>Perhaps one of the biggest dangers to the faith of the Christians in Colossae and to us today is a diminished view of Christ. In this portion of scripture, Paul writes to correct a wrong view of Christ and reveals who Jesus is from pre-creation through the completion of his substitionary death. He is Lord over all and has reconciled us to God.</p>

<p>This is the first message in our series in Colossians, a study that aims to deepen our roots of faith and produce fruit in our lives… for our good and for God’s glory. <br><br>In his introduction, Paul applauds the church and prays for them. What he celebrates and what he prays for give us a picture of what the church is supposed to be. The predominant thought (vs. 9-14) is that the church most pleases God when its people live lives worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, being strengthened and giving thanks for what He's done for us.</p>

<p>Because of what Jesus has done for us, we continually want to be part of helping others find life and hope in Him. We all have unique circles of influence and sometimes it's overwhelming to know where to start. The best place to start is asking God to give one person to share His love with.</p>

<p>We need other people to help us follow Jesus. Worship gatherings are a great place for relationships to start, but small groups are where relationships can grow. By connecting consistently with a group, people have a safe and loving environment to wrestle with faith, receive care, and be challenged to walk more closely with Jesus.</p>

<p>In response to what God has done for us, Partners joyfully and sacrificially give to the church to make sure that the mission has adequate resources to keep moving forward. God has always expected His people to give generously for His glory and purpose. When we create a rhythm of generosity toward Jesus and His mission, it increases our trust in God and moves our heart toward him. Often, generosity becomes the catalyst for spiritual growth in other areas.</p>

<p>God intends for every person who believes in Jesus and is filled with His Spirit to serve the church for the advance of His mission. The individuals experience joy and purpose through serving. And the church has everything it needs to bring people to maturity in faith.</p>

<p>Since the beginning of the church, Christians have gathered weekly as a sign of their unity and their commitment to Jesus. It is still the best representation of the values that define the Christian community. It is also the best way for someone to be introduced to the church. The weekly gathering best accomplishes its purpose when partners are committed to it.</p>

<p>Jesus renamed Simon as Peter, meaning rock, after he declared that Jesus was the Messiah the Son of God. On this declaration, Jesus said He would build church His church. In this opening message of the series, we understand what the church is and God's design for our part in His mission.</p>

<p>There is a second layer in Paul's letter to Philemon: the Gospel changes the way we think and live. Paul could have commanded Philemon to do what is right but, instead, he appeals to a new way of thinking because of Jesus. This message identifies many practical responses to the freeing work of Jesus.</p>

<p>The story of Philemon (homeowner) and Onesimus (runaway slave) depicts the story of the Gospel--we run away from God who cares for us and provides for us. Paul offers to pay for the cost of the offense, demonstrating the selfless, sacrificial atonement of Jesus which saves us from the punishment we deserve.</p>

<p>Proverbs reveals the way to deal with our sin that is wise and leads to life. Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong path leading to death, what do we do then? These passages in Proverbs show us the mind and heart of God showing the way to deal with our sin and find our way back to Him.</p>

<p>Warnings against adultery are the largest sections in Proverbs. In this message, we see God's intention for faithfulness and unity in marriage, the danger and destructiveness of adultery (in it's many forms), and a strong call to stand in faithfulness to your current or future spouse.</p>

<p>There are people who lead us toward life and people who lead us toward death. One who is wise chooses carefully who they walk with. Proverbs advises us as to who we should choose to influence us and how we maintain a friendship with them.</p>

<p>While two paths lie before us, our posture before God will ultimately determine which we choose. Proverbs lays out two attitudes that lead to drastically different paths--fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom; and pride, which incurs God's wrath.</p>

<p>There are two paths to choose from--one that leads to life and one that leads to death. God gives us wisdom because He loves us and wants to guide us toward the path of life. The wise person listens to God's wisdom and is led by it. The fool is deceived in thinking that the other way is better. This message is an overview of Proverbs setting us up to dig into the themes of the book in upcoming weeks.</p>

<p>John's gospel carefully and convincingly presents Jesus as the Messiah. And now, the Messiah God dies. Some thought it wasn't supposed to be this way, but this account shows that it always had to be this way. This week we look at the crucifixion to see what that meant for Jesus then and for us today.</p>

<p>After the last supper Jesus retreats to the Garden of Gethsamane with his disciples. As the soldiers come and arrest Him, it is clear that Jesus is not surprised and willingly gives Himself over to the. This passage shows the depths of Jesus's devotion to us, contrasted but the denials of Judas and Peter.</p>

<p>Jesus reminds his disciples and us that in this world we will face trouble, but we can stay faithful through the struggle and celebrate in the victory Jesus won for us at the end. This message illustrates a study approach to difficult texts using context, content and connection.</p>

<p>In the midst of His extended goodbye, Jesus reassures His disciples that He’s the One who wants to be with them. He uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to help the disciples understand what it takes to remain close to Him.</p>

<p>As Jesus prepares the disciples for His departure the night before he was crucified, they are filled with grief (and probably confusion). Jesus speaks to them so that they may be comforted, for this is certainly not the last time that life will not be what they want it to be for them… or for us.</p>

<p>As Jesus gathered with His twelve closest friends around a table to celebrate Passover, they started arguing about who was the greatest. In response to them, Jesus got up and washed their feet. Through this radical act Jesus teaches the disciples that they need Him and they need each other. Today, we are challenged to lean on Jesus and what's He's done for us, as well as be a community with the DNA of sacrifice and self-less love for each other.</p>

<p>Using imagery of a seed, Jesus explains that his death will multiply His life and kingdom. He then shifts to bring the light imagery to a climax – by believing in Jesus, the light, we become children of the light. We become the means by which the light of God's presences defeats the darkness of sin throughout the world.</p>

<p>It was important that the disciples knew that Jesus' death was no surprise or accident. It was the plan all along because the Kingdom comes through selfless sacrifice. The more we follow, the more we will relinquish to Jesus. This is what created jealousy in Pharisees and joy in Mary.</p>

<p>A woman came to the well at the heat of the day to avoid meeting anyone and instead came Face to Face with Jesus. Through their encounter, the woman's understanding of Jesus grows to the point of belief. She is surprised and tells everyone about the One who both knows her and loves her--something she's always longed for.</p>

<p>Nicodemus, a religious leader with an impeccable track record, comes to Jesus with his curiosity, doubts and questions. Jesus meets him and provides answers that get to the heart of what Nicodemus really needs.</p>