Point of Grace Online Worship - September 28, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.28.25      “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 4

Part 4 – God’s Kingdom Community – The Beauty of Belonging

We all know what it feels like to “Belong” … to fit in … to have our presence legitimized.

We also know times when we didn’t “belong” … didn’t fit in … our presence was not wanted.

“the other”

God responds to a broken divided world with “philoxenia”!

Literally “love for the stranger” – hospitality!

Exodus 22:21  “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:33-34  “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

We all began our human existence as “strangers” in need of unconditional welcome!

“Loving the Stranger” is the way of Jesus … it is the way of the community that bears His Name!

“The entire ministry of Jesus is appropriately captured in the phrase ‘divine hospitality to the stranger and sinner’  Jesus’ ministry was the rescuing love and welcome of God on display.  Jesus posture was one of inclusion and embrace.  He created a portal of heavens welcome for those who had been pushed out and shunned.” The Beautiful Resistance

1 Peter 2:10  10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 2:14-22   14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, … His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

What a dream for His Kingdom community – a place of “belonging” for all people.

We all were in “the other” group at one time …

but by the power of the ministry, cross and resurrection of Jesus

what was “the other” can now become “one another”.

1 John 4:11-12
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Can you imagine a “one another” community of people

committed to the “life” and “lifestyle” of philoxenia in Jesus name!

It would be a place of belonging!

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 21, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.21.25      “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 3

Part 3 – God’s Kingdom Rescue from Worry and Anxiety

Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“… Your heavenly Father knows you need them…”

Jesus shifts our focus from “worry over ‘real needs’ being met” to the Presence and Promises of the Father!

Jesus is loving us in these words by legitimizing our needs while shifting our focus onto the role the Father has in meeting our needs.  And His loving willingness to do so.

“ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Jesus gives us a clear command for all of life but especially when worry and anxiety rise up. 
He says to “first” … “seek His Kingdom”. 
Both as a life priority and as a “go to” reality “seeking His Kingdom” is first! 
Sometimes when we are anxious, being told the “first” thing to do is such a rescue.

Focus on the promises in order to fulfill the command.

“34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Prayer and “Seeking His Kingdom Reign”

Helpful prayer phrases to start with:

- “Jesus” ……….” “I need You!” …….. “Help me Jesus!”

- “Your Kingdom Come…over me and my worry about …”

“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:6-7

Focus on the Father’s Presence and Promises   

- I can come with “anything” and “everything”!

- “the Peace of God …  will guard Your heart and mind in Christ Jesus”

Seek His Kingdom    

- Prayer              (talk it over – name the anxieties)
- Petition            (What is my “ask” … What do I think I need?”      
- Thanksgiving  (Give thanks to God for His goodness in the situation.)

Receive His Peace  

“Jesus, I receive You and Your peace in this situation!”      

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 7, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 9.7.25        “You are Invited … into His beautiful Kingdom” Pt. 1

The King of the Kingdom

Mark 1:14-18
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Why the urgency?

Colossians 1:13-14 “13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

“From God’s perspective there are only two kingdoms, or “countries”, in this universe…
There is God’s Kingdom or satan’s.  That’s it.  Those are Your choices.
I think this will be somewhat of an epiphany for most of you.”
John Eldridge - Experience Jesus. Really.

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Phillipians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

“The beauty of the incarnation is exuding with humility.  If the incarnation is the masterpiece, radical humility is the ethos.  One cannot look at this piece of art, read this story, listen to its beautiful tune and not smell taste hear and see humility.  This is a profound and progressive step down into greater lowliness.  He is God, but did not grasp at this, so He came as man… but not just as a man (like a rock star arriving to be worshipped) but as a bond-servant.  And not just a servant but one that would …. well … be obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.”
(Zach Meerkreebs, Lower)

Just gaze at the stunning beauty of Christ’s humility.
His “gentle and humble” heart in action. 
His heart is the safest place in the universe.

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 6, 2025

Point of Grace Worship  7.6.25   Sermon Notes  – Praying in the Name of Jesus

Scripture Focus: Luke 11:5–10 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Pray100: A 100-Day Invitation to Prayer

Vision:
To contend together for 100 days for spiritual renewal, awakening, and revival—
in our hearts, homes, church, region.

Goals:

• That God would awaken the lost to faith

• Renew and ready our church for His mission

• Send His “sent ones” into the fields ripe for harvest (Matthew 9:38)

How to Join:
Text Pray100 to 512.881.8773

• Receive a daily prayer prompt at 1:00 PM

• Includes a link to a written prayer

• Began June 30, 2025 — Join any time during the 100 days

What It Means to Pray in the Name of Jesus

John 14:12–14

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

John 15:16

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

John 16:23–24

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Two Key Invitations: Intimacy and Authority

What Jesus Says:

• Whatever

• Anything

• Everything

Why the Name Matters:

• The name represents a Person.

• The name grants authority.

Living in Union with Christ

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Union gives us the power to pray in His name.

How to effectively pray in Jesus’ name:

• Surrender yourself

• Yield your life to be governed by the Name

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Why? It Glorifies God

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
– John 14:13

Quote from E.M. Bounds:

“Prayer in Jesus' name puts the crowning crown on God, because it glorifies Him through the Son and it pledges the Son to give to men 'whatsoever and anything' they shall ask.”

A Final Reflection

“IF I LET THE NAME HAVE ALL I HAVE, IT WILL LET ME HAVE ALL HE HAS.”

John 16:13–15

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 4, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.4.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Resurrection Hope”

“These three remain; Faith, Hope and Love”
 Paul, The Apostle

1 Peter 1:3-9 
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 
In his great mercy he has given us
- new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and
- into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 
  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls. 

Peter, a veteran follower of Jesus now for decades, is encouraging Jesus followers who are under pressure
to “give up” their faith because of the hard realities of life.  He reminds them

-        That the hope they have in Jesus is real because He is alive and with them, 

-        That the inheritance that awaits them is real, eternal and empowers “not yet” living in the “now” 

-        That through their “faith” connection with Jesus they get a “shield of God’s power”,
“a joy in the midst of suffering”, an “in love” relationship with Jesus for everyday life  

-        because the Resurrection of Jesus has made the resources of heaven available
for us to have “living hope” while navigating the everyday realities of life on earth. 

Perhaps the most ordinary, daily benefit of the Resurrection is this.  To follow not a dead, revered teacher but rather a Risen Lord is to have Him actually with us.  In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says he, “stands at the door and knocks” and that if “anyone hears my voice and opens the door,” he will come in and eat with them “and they with me”.  It is commonly thought that this is an invitation to non-believers to “open their hearts to Jesus,” but in the context of Revelation 3 Jesus is speaking to the church, to Christians.  To eat with someone was and is to have fellowship with them.  Jesus is saying to believers that there is a potential for rich, intimate communion with him, for knowing him and knowing his love, that is generally untapped. 
Because of the Resurrection, he is not a deceased writer we know only through his books.  He is alive and He is calling to us.  “Here I am” he says to you.  Open up and love Him and listen to Him.  Those who do so will “awaken from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness”.

Timothy Keller –“ Hope in Times of Fear” 

1 Peter 3:15  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 27, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        4.27.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Resurrection Faith”

“These three remain; Faith, Hope and Love”
 Paul, The Apostle

1 Corinthians 15 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Faith is a relationship of reliant trust “in” someone or something that reveals itself through action.
Faith does not really exist without an “object” of that faith – someone or something to focus reliant trust.

Faith in the Risen Jesus is a “reliant trust” not only in facts of Jesus existence but on the person of Jesus himself.

Faith in general and faith in Jesus as a “relationship of reliant trust in Him” has many forces working against it. 

John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

How is Jesus dealing with Thomas and his doubt?

Jesus is intent on giving and strengthening deep faith in all who will follow Him.  He is gracious and relentless in leading Thomas through doubt to “reliant trust” in Him which Thomas expressed in spontaneous worship.

Notice the vision Jesus casts for us! 

Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”     24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
 And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus knows how deep the gift of faith which He has given is. 
He goes to great lengths to grow us to living deeply in the “relationship of reliant trust” which He has given us. 

He knows that is the only place we truly experience Life in all its fullness.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST?
Originally Compiled by Neil Anderson 

I AM ACCEPTED...

• I am God's child. (John 1:12)
• As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15)
• I have been justified (declared righteous). (Romans 5:1)
• I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
• I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. (Ephesians 1:3-8)
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
• I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)
• I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16) 

I AM SECURE...

• I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
• I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. (Romans 8:28)
• I am free from any condemnation brought against me and
   I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39)
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
• I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-4)
• I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. (Philippians 1:6)
• I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:10)
• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)

 I AM SIGNIFICANT …

• I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. (John 15:5)
• I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• I am God's temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
• I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 2:6)
• I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
• I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Point of Grace Online Worship - Good Friday (April 18, 2025)

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 2, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 3.2.25 Sermon Notes – “Transfiguration Sunday – Listen to Him”

Transfiguration – What happened? Why was and is it important?

Matthew 17 :1-9 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Why was it important for them?

•                          To encourage these lead disciples in their faith that Jesus is the Divine Son of God

•                          To vividly put on display that the Old Covenant (Law and Prophets) is fulfilled in Jesus and gives way to Him as the ultimate revelation of God to humanity. Jesus is the One and Only lens to see all God’s revelation through.

•                          The disciples are directed to “Listen to Him” in order to endure what following Jesus means as He turns toward Jerusalem where a cross awaits Him.

Why is it important for us?

2 Peter 1:16-18 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Why is it important for us?

•                          We need constant encouragement to believe that Jesus is our “One and Only” Victorious Savior and our One and Only hope for a “meaningful life now and forever”.

•                          We desperately need to “Listen to Him” amidst all the voices and distractions clamoring for our attention.

“Our spiritual health and capacity to do real life well does not rise to the level of our aspirations or beliefs but falls to the level of our regular spiritual rhythms.” Ash Wednesday? Giving something up for Lent? Lent Worship Series? Preservice Prayer Room?

•                          “Listen to Him” is the only thing that will get us through the “ups and downs” of the real lives we lead. Alignment with Jesus by being in His Presence through Prayer, Word and Worship has never been more important especially considering the “kinds” of things coming against us, our families and church.