Remember His Kindness by Pastor David Jones

Posted on March 7, 2016 by admin

They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. – Psalm 106:7b NLT

Worship: Blessed Assurance

This past Sunday, Nancy Reagan passed away. She was remembered for being an actress and the wife of President Ronald Reagan. She accomplished much in her life but one of the things she will be remembered for is her fight against Alzheimers disease. President Reagan was diagnosed with the disease in 1994. In his last letter to the country the President said, “I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.”

Nancy had this to say, “Alzheimer’s is a disease, like any other disease—cancer, heart disease, whatever,” she told an audience at the Hotel Pierre in New York in July 1995. But it is a “really very cruel disease, because for the caregiver,” she said, her eyes reddening and her voice breaking, “it’s a long goodbye.”

Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease. I often think God has the same perspective when we forget His many kindnesses toward us. Much like an alzheimer’s patient we slowly forget God’s kindness in our life. It’s all too easy to forget what He has done. Forgetting God’s goodness is like a long goodbye to the grace of God. The more we forget the more we distance ourselves from Him. This distancing leads to the point the Psalmist presses at that is when we forget, we tend to rebel.

They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. – Psalm 106:7b NLT

When we forget what God has done we lose sight of his kindness and it tends to open the door to all kinds of ungrateful behavior. Our rebellion is often related to our forgetfulness. We forget God’s kindness and instead launch in directions that cause destruction. You can read the results of forgetting God’s kindness in the rest of Psalm 106.

The implication in this chapter is that if we remember His kindness it will help keep us from going astray. I can testify that when I remember God’s kindness it does something in my Spirit. When I declare what God has done for me it brightens my mood. Every time I call to mind what God has done I draw closer to Him.

Think about this: whenever we remember what God has done it is only good for God is always good. In other words you can’t think about God and remember something bad or destructive or wrong. Whenever we call to mind what God has done we can only say that it is Good. Therefore call to mind what God has done, it will draw you close to him.

Every so often I take out my phone and pull up a picture of my boys when they were in the hospital. My wife delivered twin boys at 26 weeks. Ethan was 1lb 14 oz, Jack was 2lb 2 oz. They were in danger from the very moment they were born. After much prayer from family, friends and the church, my boys came home from the hospital after 3 months. If you saw them today you would never know they were born premature. It’s only by God’s kindness and grace they are alive today. Every time I see these photos it reminds me of God’s kindness and grace.

Jack Jones

Ethan Jones

Jones Boys

So today, I’d like you to remember God’s many kindnesses to you. What has God done for you? Specifically what are His acts of Kindness toward you? Write them out and then spend time in prayer thanking Him for His unbelievable kindness in your life!

Clothe Yourself with Kindness by Pastor David

Posted on March 6, 2016 by admin

Worship – Your Love is Holding Me

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12

At Cross Points, March is affectionately known as March Kindness. Over the past several years we’ve taken the entire month of March and emphasized the importance of kindness. We don’t just talk about kindness we walk it out. As Christians, it’s what we do. As a church, every March, we challenge those in our church to engage in specific acts of kindness. We challenge you to clothe yourself in kindness because God chose you to be his holy people to the world around you.

Over the past few years we’ve seen and heard some incredible stories of God working through us in simple acts of kindness. One of the men in our church heard God speak to his heart to pay for the groceries for the lady in front of him. He felt very hesitant to do this, but he wanted to be obedient. When he reached over to pay for the groceries the lady started to cry. He felt a bit confused and embarrassed but soon heard her story. She told him that her house had literally burned to the grown to night before. She wasn’t quite sure what to do as she was still in a state of shock. She said his kind gesture of paying for her groceries was exactly what she needed. He looked over and the cashier started crying too!

You see, kindness is what we wear. It’s the first thing people should see in the life of a believer. When you interact with your friends, neighbors, work associates, strangers, the first thing they should see in you is kindness. It’s our kindness that will draw people closer to Jesus. I love the old quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” When we live out kindness we prove how much we care.

I was dining at a pizza restaurant with my wife when we encountered a couple with twin boys. They were really young boys about 6 months old. My wife and I stared at them and began to walk down memory lane as our twin boys were now in Elementary school. We instantly decided we wanted to buy their meal. We waved the waitress over and discretely paid for their meal. We also left them a card inviting them to church. As we were getting ready to leave they found out it was my wife and I who had paid for them. They thanked us profusely. The wearied eyed mom looked into our eyes and asked, “does it get any easier?” We both started laughing at each other. We knew exactly how she felt. We don’t even remember the first year of raising our twin boys, it was all a blur. We looked at this young couple and said, “Not only does it get easier, it gets a whole lot more fun!” We talked a little more and invited them to church.

Kindness isn’t in the amount you give or the price you pay it’s all in the attitude in which you walk it out. If you remember how kind Jesus was to you, it should only stir you up to be kind to those around you.

Over the next four weeks we are going to challenge each of you to GROW in the area of kindness.

This week I want you to pay for someone’s meal.

It may be at a fancy restaurant or a fast food chain, wherever you buy your food or grab a quick bite — take the time to listen for God to speak to you this week. Ask Him to direct you to that person or family to whom you should bless. I promise God will open up amazing opportunities for you to show his kindness! Remember: As followers of Jesus, kindness is what we do!

Honor Who? Them!? Why? Pastor Matt Shirley

Posted on March 4, 2016 by admin

Song: Kingdom

Artist: Urban Rescue

Who? Them?

We’ve been chatting this week about honor.

As Pastor David challenged us last Sunday, giving honor is a natural expression of the Christian’s life. God has honored us – sinners and all – through the work of His Son, Jesus. And one result of that gracious intervention seems to be that we honor those around us. We show respect. We esteem others better than ourselves. We lay down our lives for others. We recognize the value in others. We add value to others.

Today, we discover that honor extends also to those in authority – specifically, those in positions of civil leadership, like government officials.

Consider what Paul says to Timothy:

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For,

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

While the word ‘honor’ doesn’t expressly show up in this passage, you get the sense it’s hiding in there somewhere. Particularly that nagging little phrase: give thanks for them.

Give thanks…

It requires me to look for the good in people, to find the value in them, and then to celebrate it. It’s a close cousin to honor.

For them…

For who? Them. All people. But explicitly for kings and all who are in authority.

Pray this way – asking God to help, interceding and expressing thanks for – civil authorities.

Why?

Why do we honor those in authority? There are some intervening reasons – like the ability to live lives of peacefulness, godliness, and dignity. But the bottom line? Because God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

I’m not called to always agree with them. I’m not called to submit unequivocally to them, irrespective of God’s precepts.

But I am called to honor them. To pray for them, to intercede for them, to give thanks for them. Why? Because God loves them. He wants to save them – and everyone under their care.

It’s a particularly relevant conversation for an election year. ‘Honor’ isn’t topping the list of words that might describe the tone of this election cycle.

So how do we honor civil authorities – even when we disagree with them? This passage gives us some help: pray, intercede, and give thanks.

It’s hard to denigrate people – or dishonor them – when you’re praying, interceding, and giving thanks for them.

That’s the challenge in front of us today. Take a moment to consider your civil leaders – current and prospective. Then, pray for them. Ask God to help them, intercede for them, and give thanks for them. Because God wants everyone to be saved.

What exactly is a whitewashed wall? by Pastor Andy

Posted on March 3, 2016 by admin

You Whitewashed Wall!

A little backstory. Paul has returned to Jerusalem much to the chagrin of those around him. Just as they prophesied, Paul is arrested and put on trial. Eventually, Paul appeals and travels to Rome, but first he appears before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest.

The Sanhedrin was a Jewish court of law (it was established centuries before by Moses). There were actually Sanhedrin’s all over Israel, but this Sanhedrin was like the Supreme court. The High Priest presided over the Sanhedrin.

This is where Paul finds himself in Acts 23 –

1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” -Acts 23:1-4

Paul was fired up. He went right after that ole whitewashed wall, Ananias…the High Priest himself. There seems to be some debate on why Paul spoke like he did. Some theories:

Paul had an eye condition and couldn’t see who he was talking to.
Ananias was a temporary fill-in, and Paul was unaware.
Paul has lost his mind, so to speak, and loses track to who he is speaking to.

We also know according to the ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, that Ananias was known as corrupt and lawless in his position. He held his office with nothing more in mind than himself.

While it would seem we don’t know Paul’s reason for his rash statement to Ananias, he is justified in saying it. Right?

Not exactly. Look at the very next line of the text –

And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” -Romans 23:5

Paul apologizes.

Honoring Spiritual Leaders

This week, we are focusing on honor – God, parents, others, spiritual leaders and authority. Pastor David preached Sunday on the topic, and each day for our devotions, we are focusing on one of those sub-topics.

Today, it’s honoring our spiritual leaders.

What Paul does in Acts 23 is amazing. In mid-tirade, he stops. In the midst of dressing down a man, he slams on the brakes. Why?

Paul recognizes not the man, but the position the man holds. Whether Paul agrees with him or not, the High Priest is a place of honor. God honored that position – even if the culture didn’t.

Thankfully, the pastors, GROW group leaders and other teachers at Cross Points are not corrupt, lawless and selfish in their dealings with you and me. It makes it easier to show them honor, but there will be opportunity for disagreement.

What will you do at that moment?

The same Paul who apologized above, wrote this to the Roman Christians –

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. -Romans 13:1

This was written in reference to political and civic leaders, but the principle remains the same. God has placed spiritual leaders over you, will you honor them?

Today, take stock of your life. Who are the men or women in places of leadership over you spiritually? Are you showing them honor? How can you better honor these men or women?

Honoring one another – Pastor Chris Horsley

Posted on March 1, 2016 by admin

Pastor Dave had a passage from his sermon Sunday that is a great illustration of honoring another.

Genesis 13:5-9

From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. 4 This was the same place where Abraham had built the altar, and there he worshiped the LORD again. 5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.) Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

It is amazing when you really think about it. Abram is the older of the two. Abram is Lot’s uncle.

He had every right to choose which land to settle in, but to keep the peace and avoid strife, he honored Lot, and allowed him to choose where he wanted to settle.

Honoring someone puts theire needs above your own.

Honoring someone may means serving them. Think of Jesus washing the disciples feet.

Honoring someone above yourself can bring peace to a situation, as it did with Abram and Lot.

As soon as Lot went on his merry way, God shows Abram the land that will be his and his descendants’ possession. Abram kept the peace…and heard from the Lord for the third time.

Matthew 5:9–Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Proverbs 20:3–It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Strife and quarrels begin when we don’t show honor to someone, and lose sight of the fact that they are people with real feelings, hurts, etc.

When we honor someone, we are putting what they want over what we may want.

Probably like Abraham allowing Lot to choose, and then honoring the choice he made.

Strife and quarrels begin and continue to grow when we don’t show honor to others, when we prefer our way over theirs. Think of how many “disagreements” you have had in your marriage or friendships because you wanted your way over theirs. If Abram had wanted to, he could have easily chose which land to settle in. But he honored Lot, to avoid strife and quarrels.

Romans 12:18–Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Delight

Romans 12:10–Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Take delight. I take delight in watching sports; in eating good food; in hanging out with my family, among other things. It’s not always the easiest thing to take delight in honoring others above yourself. The ESV says “outdo each other in showing honor.” Be an example. Take the lead.

What would that look like? What would the church look life If we were trying to honor others over and above ourselves? Even your workplace?

People would begin to feel their true worth. What a difference in a home, church, and work environment.

Honestly, we would begin to show ourselves as disciples of Christ.

John 13:35–By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Honoring others can make a difference in this world. People aren’t used to it.

There is blessing awaiting when we are willing to honor others,

Living a life where we truly honor others eliminates the gossip, backbiting, jealousy, strife, etc. that

are so common in today’s culture.

Last time I checked, as followers of Christ we should be living more maturely than that. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, when he calls the church at Corinth infants in Christ. Why? Because there was jealousy and strife among them.

As for the question of who we should honor, 1 Peter 2:17 says

1 Peter 2:17–Honor everyone…

That answers that. Everyone means everyone. Your boss; co-worker; person who drives while texting, etc.

Why should we honor others? What reflection is honoring others have on our relationship with God?

I’m glad you asked.

1 John 4:1921–We love, because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.

Honoring others is honoring God. If you can’t love others, or honor others, how can you love and honor God?

Make honoring others a lifestyle that you live. The blessings will follow.

Think of ways this week you can honor someone you live with and/or work with.

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