Author: Randy K’Meyer

  • Blest Be the Tithe That Binds

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

    But you ask, “How can we return when we have never gone away?”

    Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated Me! But you ask, “What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?”

    You have cheated Me of the tithes and offerings due to Me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating Me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

    Malachi 3:6-12

    Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

    Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

    No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

    That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

    And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

    So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

    Matthew 6:19-33
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  • Expire-ment Planning

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” [This request, in context, seems hopelessly petty. Jesus has been encouraging the crowd to be fearless and faithful witnesses even in the face of persecution].

    [Jesus’ response is terse and to the point] Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” [Jesus clearly rejects the role of judge in such disputes. He has not come to settle matters of inheritances. With this in mind, Jesus issues a warning].

    Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

    [To illustrate, He follows with a parable].

    Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

    [And then Jesus makes sure they get the point of His parable by explaining it].

    Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

    “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

    Luke 12:13-34
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  • Concerning Communion

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    On what we refer to as Paul’s second missionary journey, as detailed in the Book of Acts, the great apostle is traveling south through Greece. He stops first for just a few days in Philippi where the famous Philippian jail episode occurs. From there he spent three weeks preaching in Thessalonica before being run out of town. Next up was a short stint in Berea and then on to Athens, where he spent perhaps a few days to a week before arriving in the cosmopolitan City of Corinth in the year 50AD. At Corinth, Paul finds fertile ground for the gospel and ends up staying there for 18 months to get the fledgling church up and running.

    Four years later, while ministering in Ephesus, Paul receives word of various problems occurring in the Church at Corinth. In response, Paul writes what we refer to as First Corinthians. In chapters one through four, Paul addresses the problem of “divisions” in the church. It seems that some in the church prefer to follow Paul, some Apollos, some Peter, and some, and rightly so, Jesus. In chapter five, Paul addresses the problem of sexual immorality. Chapter six focuses on settling disputes, chapter seven misunderstandings about marriage, and chapter eight, eating food offered to idols. In chapter nine, Paul is defending his right to be recognized as an apostle. Chapter ten returns to and finishes his direction on eating food offered to idols. And then we come to chapter eleven where through the end of chapter fourteen, Paul addresses problems associated with Christian worship.

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  • Bahala na!

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

    He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

    So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

    John 1:6-14

    One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him, and He began to teach them.

    “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

    God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

    God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

    God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

    God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

    God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

    God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

    God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

    “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

    “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

    “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

    Matthew 5:1-16
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  • Gui … dance

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    II Kings 17 informs us that King “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did” (II Kings 18:5-7a).

    Unfortunately, after Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh replaced his father and he completely neglected the Word of God his father highly regarded. For the 55 years of Manasseh’s reign, God’s Word was completely neglected as it gathered dust. And it was therefore no coincidence that the people of God sunk to their lowest level as it concerned their walk with God.

    II Kings 21 details the sad story of how King Manasseh led the people of God down the road to sin and degradation.

    II Kings 21:16 tells us: “Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the Lord’s sight.”

    And then along comes our hero, Josiah. II Kings 22:2 says: “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David.” One of the first things he officially did as the new King of Israel was to receive an offering from the people in order to make some much-needed repairs to the Temple. Wouldn’t you know that one of the electricians working on the job found the scroll of Deuteronomy that had been gathering dust?

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  • Easy to Grab, Hard to Let Go!

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

    But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
    Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
    Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
    Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
    “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
    Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

    Matthew 4:1-11

    One month ago today, on our Last Communion Sunday, in a message titled Sinners No More! I talked about how in the church we talk about sin; a lot.

    Although it is appropriate and even necessary for salvation to accept the theological truism that we all sin, it is not helpful to think of ourselves solely as a sinner. Because we have a human tendency to live out the label we attach to ourselves. That is, we usually speak, act and react as the person we think we are. And because that is true, my main point that day was that we should endeavor to see ourselves the way God sees us as righteous; a word which means ‘pure,’ ‘perfect,’ ‘holy.’

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  • Free Advice

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCRIPTURE AND SERMON TITLE IS THE SAME AS LAST WEEK. THE REASON IS LAST SUNDAY’S MESSAGE UNEXPECTEDLY MORPHED INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THE MESSAGE BELOW HAS BEEN MODIFIED FOR THE BETTER.

    SCRIPTURE

    Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

    Mathew 28:18-20

    Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

    Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

    This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

    Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”

    In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

    II Timothy 2:1-22
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  • Free Advice

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

    Mathew 28:18-20
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  • A Passion for Love

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory, and God will be glorified because of Him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, He will give His own glory to the Son, and He will do so at once. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for Me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.”

    John 13:31-35
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  • Sinners No More!

    If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:

    CrossPointe Community Church
    P O Box 126
    Chippewa Lake, OH 44215

    SCRIPTURE

    On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
    “As you go into the city,” he told them, “you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’”

    So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.
    When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
    Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”
    He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”
    Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”
    And Jesus told him, “You have said it.”
    As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[b] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

    Matthew 26:17-30
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