Month: August 2018

Matthew 16:13-19
Ephesians 4:11-16

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

This week we welcome guest speaker, Randy Hall, representing Gideons International.

John 21:15-19
Galatians 6:2

Said the Master to His disciple, “Do you love Me?”
And the disciple, who had earlier pledged that he was ready to die with his master, said, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.”

Said the Master to His disciple a second time, “Do you truly love Me?”
And the disciple, who had earlier denied he even knew his master three times, said, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.”

So for a third time, the Master said to His disciple, “Do you love Me?”
And the disciple, who by now was surely feeling the guilt of his earlier denials, said, “Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”

And the commission to Peter, which three years earlier was given to him as fishing for men, is now renewed as feeding or tending; literally taking care of sheep.

Says the Master to His disciples today, “Do you truly love Me?”

How do we measure our love for Jesus?

Is it based upon a subjective feeling or emotion that moves upon our hearts when we hear the old, old story or sing some old, old hymn? In other words, is it the affection we feel for the One who has done so much for us?

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I Corinthians 12:12-27

Let’s play a little game in which I will provide you with the definition of a word and you come up with the word:

To get paid to watch TV and eat other people’s food while someone’s kid sleeps?’
Hint: Verb Show AnswerBABYSIT

When you’re too young for half the things you want to do and too old to do the rest?
Hint: Noun Show AnswerTEENAGER

A device used for looking less alone while in public places by yourself?
Hint: Noun Show AnswerCELL PHONE

A device used to find Legos in the dark?
Hint: Noun Show AnswerBARE FEET

Agreement where a man loses his Bachelor Degree and a woman gains her Masters?
Hint: Noun Show AnswerMARRIAGE

A group of people working together in a committed way to achieve a common goal or mission?
Hint: Noun Show AnswerTEAM

‘Team’ is not a bad image to borrow to describe the body of Christ.  1 Cor 12:12-13  . . . team . . .  1 Cor 12:14-18  . . . team . . .  1 Cor 12:27-28  . . . team!

We are indeed ‘a group of people working together in a committed way to achieve a common goal or mission.’ Team Crosspointe; called together by the Lord Himself for the purpose of helping Him bring His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

We need to be reminded every once in a while that we are a team because it is so easy for us to fall into the trap of thinking that the church is an ‘individual’ sport.

Since the end of World War II, our society has continued its evolution toward what some sociologist termed ‘rugged individualism’ defined by Merriman’s as ‘the practice and/or advocacy of individualism in social and economic relations emphasizing personal liberty and independence, self-reliance, and self-direction of the individual.’ ¹ In other words, we hold in high esteem one of Frank Sinatra’s most popular songs: I Did It My Way.

But when that kind of ideology worms its way into the church, it is detrimental to the body of Christ every time. And when people in the body of Christ think, make decisions and behave based solely upon what I think and feel regardless how it affects others that spells trouble. That is one reason Paul writes, “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’

For the body to act efficiently, it must recognize that we all need each other working together toward a common goal. (more…)