Point of Grace Online Worship - March 29, 2026

Point of Grace Worship   3.29.26     Sermon Notes – Palm Sunday - “Pursuing Humility”

“Pursuing Humility” 
  A Lenten Journey  

What is “biblical” humility?

Humility is the “personal posture” of radical reliance on God as the animating center of our being and living. 
Humility denies “self” that place of power and yields to God as the rightful holder of that position.

Humility is a posture of the heart that does not come naturally but is to be pursued. 
We can be assured God is at work forming humility in us. 
The question becomes am I yielding or resisting His transformational work in my life.

How do I join Him in my transformation by “Pursuing Humility”?

Palm Sunday – “Jesus – Humility’s Potential Unleashed”

Matthew 21:1-17

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna, to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’[g]?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. 

“See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey…”   

Jesus comes as “your King” –

-        Accepted the royal messianic title, “Son of David”

-        In complete command of himself and this moment

-        Is humble but not modest – “a force to be reckoned with”
     He made outlandish claims about himself, always forcing His identity on you.
     He did outlandish things acting as if He owned the place.

-        Compels all who encounter Him to “Crown Me or Kill Me”

“Listen, this is the first point. Jesus Christ, when he comes to any city or anybody, he says crown me or kill me. Nothing in the middle. Jesus's forcing everybody's hand. Crown me or kill me. Now my suggestion to you is that that's what he does, not just to Jerusalem. He does that to any intellect and to any heart He encounters.”    Tim Keller

You will either surrender to Him as your King or fight Him as your enemy. 

Jesus comes as “Your king, gentle and riding on a donkey”   

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) 

How can a king be “victorious” and “lowly riding on a donkey”?

            What king would go to war on a donkey?  He would be better off on foot or on a war horse. 
            If he is coming into battle on a donkey He is coming to die. 

Every problem, all of our misery, all of our fighting, everything is caused by sin.
What is sin? It is the servant putting him or herself in the place of the king.
Therefore, what are we going to do about sin?
What are we going to do about the horrible state of the world?
Other religions say we send messengers and we tell people please stop putting yourself in the place of the king. But Christianity says,  “That's like sending band aids for a heart wound”. Christianity says the king comes and puts himself in the place of the servant.
Whereas sin is humanity putting itself where only God should be. Salvation is God coming and putting himself where we should be, receiving the death penalty, dying for our sins.
And don't you see what Jesus is doing here? Do you hear it? Jesus is saying to us. He's saying to everybody. He is saying when he's riding in on this donkey instead of a steed. He's saying,
”I'm the king, but not a king like you think you need. You’ve got a slavery that goes far deeper than the slavery of Rome. And if all I do is liberate you from Rome? What are you going to do about being liberated from death.
 I've come to give you real liberation”
See the paradox. And here's what's so beautiful about this. The gentle king. The dying king. The servant king, The king that is higher than the heavens and yet comes so low. The king on a donkey. See if this king comes into your life. He will turn you into a gentle king. He will turn you into paradoxical royalty. The whole point of the gospel is we are saved through weakness, not through strength.
Tim Keller

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 22, 2026

The Character of Humility                                                                                  3.22.26

Expressing Humility: Creature | Confidence | Character

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 13:1-5

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

“And part of the point of Philippians 2 is to say…this is the model for how to be Church, for how to be Christian…We have to go the same way. We cannot give ourselves airs and say that because we're Christians, we are the top people, we're okay, we're doing fine, we ought to run everything. No. Because we are followers of Jesus, we should share his humility. We do not regard our status as something to exploit. We regard it as constituting a vocation like that of Jesus to go to the place where the world is in pain, to weep there, to pray there, to bring God's healing, the healing of the cross where it is most needed.”

-        NT Wright

“I am a fan, and student, of right doctrine, rich theology, and insightful Church history, but we cannot speak about right theology, sound doctrine, and biblical practices while negating and abandoning Christ-like character and the fruits of the Spirit…

We cannot dissect Scripture or unpack systematic theology while negating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

-       Zach Meerkreebs

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Fruit, is for others. Fruit is meant to be eaten, not left on the vine (or tree) to glory in itself or slowly rot. The nature of fruit is to bless.

-       John Tyson 

John 18:3-6

So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 

“Jesus of the Scars” 
Edward Shillito (1872-1948)

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;

Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,

We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,

Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;

We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,

Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,

And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 15, 2026

MOVING IN HUMILITY FROM A MISPLACED SELF-CONFIDENCE

 TO A CONSECRATED CHRIST-CONFIDENCE

Point of Grace - Pflugerville, Texas

March 15, 2026 

INTRODUCTION

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. 

True Biblical Humility:

Moves Us from Misplaced Self Confidence

To

A Humble Christ-Confidence!

I.  WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH MISPLACED SELF-CONFIDENCE

       A. Peter…

 Matthew 26:33

Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will. 

Luke 22:61

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. 

      B. Paul….

 Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Philippians 3: 4-6

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.  

Philippians 3:7-9

But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 

II.   THE SECRET TO A CONSECRATED CHRIST-CONFIDENCE 

IN HUMILITY… 

        A. _________________________ with __________________________ 

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ…”   

Luke 9:23

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves,

take up their cross daily and follow me.” 

       B. ___________________ on Christ _____________________________ 

Galatians 2:20

“…and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”  

Colossians 1:27

Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Philippians 2:13

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 

Matthew 19:26

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

Matthew 19:26 (The Message)

No chance at all if you think you can do it yourself.

Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it. 

Luke 10:19

I have given you authority… 

       C. _________________ that You are ____________________________ 

Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ…and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me….The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Romans 5:8

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

CONCLUSION

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 8, 2026

Pursuing Humility – A Lenten Journey 03.05.26

+ + + 

What is “biblical” humility?

• Humility is the radical reliance on God as the animating

center of our being and living.

• Humility denies “self” that place of power and yields to

God as the rightful holder of that position.

• Humility is a posture of the heart that does not come

naturally but is to be pursued.

 + + +

 We can be assured God is at work forming humility in us.

• The question becomes am I yielding or resisting His

transformational work in my life.

• How do I join Him in my transformation by “Pursuing

Humility”?

 + + +

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is

easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

+ + +

1.Humility can be learned.

2.Knowledge of GOD.

3.Knowledge of SELF.

+ + +

Key Characteristics

1.Non-Programmed

2.Student-Led

3.Simplicity

4.Global Impact

+ + +

The Fear of the Lord.

Humility.

+ + +

“Humility is the consent of the creature to let God be

all.”

-Andrew Murray-

+ + +

“The call to humility has been too little regarded in the Church

because its true nature and importance have been too little

apprehended. It is not something that we bring to God, or that He

bestows; it is simply the sense of entire nothingness that comes

when we see how truly God is everything. When the creature

realizes that this is a place of honor, he consents to be-with his will,

his mind, and his affections—the vessel in which the life and glory

of God are to work and manifest themselves; he sees that humility

is simply acknowledging the truth of his position as creature and

yielding to God His place.”

-Andrew Murray - Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness-

+ + +

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn

of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created,

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether

thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all

things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:15-16

+ + +

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time

we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9

+ + +

Take a risk and share the score of where you are at?

1-10

•10 is I am fully energized, not weary or loss of

heart

•1 is I am going to quit and disappear

+ + +

Weariness does not = Weakness

+ + +

Fatigue is a human signal not a

Spiritual Flaw

+ + +

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that

we are but dust.

Psalm 103:13-14

+ + +

Identity Confusion

Confusion between two things:

•Being and Doing

•Becoming or Performing

 + + +

 The most impressive thing about

you and the most epic thing you

can do is to just live in the fact that

you are loved by the Father.

 + + +

 Write your testimony.

 It raises the level of love that Jesus

loved you so much that he pulled

off the mission that was YOU.

 + + +

 Your Resiliency is going to come

from your beloved-ness, not from

your competency.

 + + +

 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good

 Galatians 6:9

 + + +

 He is much kinder and gentler and

for you than you probably think.

 + + +

 Confrontation - “Jesus, I invite You

to confront my limits with your

love.

 + + +

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 1, 2026

Point of Grace Worship   3.1.26     Sermon Notes – Lent 2 - “Pursuing Humility” 

“Pursuing Humility” 
A Lenten Journey

 What is “biblical” humility?

Humility is the radical reliance on God as the animating center of our being and living. 
Humility denies “self” that place of power and yields to God as the rightful holder of that position.

Humility is a posture of the heart that does not come naturally but is to be pursued. 
We can be assured God is at work forming humility in us. 
The question becomes am I yielding or resisting His transformational work in my life.

How do I join Him in my transformation by “Pursuing Humility”?

1 Peter 5:5-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

“I am sure there are many Christians who will confess that their experience has been very much like my own. I had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart are to be the distinguishing feature of the disciple, just as they were of the Master, and further, that this humility is not something that will come of itself. But that it must be made the object of special desire, prayer, faith and practice. As we study the Word, we will see what very distinct and oft-repeated instructions Jesus gave his disciples on this point and how slow they were to understand them.”
Andrew Murray – Humility -The Journey Toward Holiness

Matthew 11:28-30 “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.”

“By saying, “take my yoke, learn from me”, He is saying for them to “adopt and learn My ways of living and carrying the loads of life … I am gentle and humble in heart … you will find rest for your souls”

Jesus’s humility – “His radical reliance on His Father” as the animating, emanating center of His being” – was key to His “yoke” to be learned by His disciples.

Three Helpful Postures and Prayers in Pursuing Humility

Confrontation – Confession – Lament  

Confrontation - “Jesus, I invite You to confront pockets of pride in me.”

Inviting Jesus to confront our pockets of pride and self-reliance so we might yield to Him is unnatural but so necessary in our pursuit of humility. 

Psalm 139:23-24
 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Confession – “Jesus, I confess my sin and brokenness ……………, forgive and cleanse me with your blood.”

Confessing sin, brokenness and sin’s toll in our lives, opens us up to His forgiveness, restoration and healing, 

1 John 1:7-9
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 

Lament – “Jesus, I am hurting, confused, frustrated…… are You even there? …. Help me hold on to You!”

In suffering and pain we are prone to “take over” (pride) and give up on God … even blame Him.  Learning to lament in His Presence while living through suffering, grief, loss and despair opens us up to help and hope from Him.   He can handle my complaint!

Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me. 

Confrontation - “Jesus, I invite You to confront pockets of pride in me.”

Confession – “Jesus, I confess my sin and brokenness ……………, forgive and cleanse me with your blood.”

Lament – “Jesus, I am hurting, confused, frustrated…… are You even there? …. Help me hold on to You!”

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 22, 2026

Point of Grace Worship   2.12.26     Sermon Notes – Lent 1 - “Pursuing Humility”  

“Pursuing Humility” 
Our Lenten Journey  

Who are your heroes of humility?  

What is “biblical” humility?

Humility is the radical reliance on God as the animating center of our being. 
Humility denies “self” that place of power and yields to God as the rightful holder of that position. 

Philippians 2
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

“Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God, is from the very nature of things the first duty and the highest virtue of his creatures. And so pride, the loss of humility, is the root of every sin and evil.
… It was when the serpent breathed the poison of his pride, the desire to be as God, into the hearts of our first parents that they too fell from their highest estate into the wretchedness to which all humankind has sunk in heaven and on earth.
Pride, or self-exaltation, is the very gateway to hell and so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth to make us partakers of it and by it to save us.  … He humbled himself and became obedient to death. His humility gave his death its value and so became our redemption and now the salvation he imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of his own life and death, his own disposition and spirit, his own humility as the ground and root of his relationship with God and his redeeming work.
Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man as a creature by his own life of perfect humility his humility became our salvation his salvation is our humility.

Without humility there can be no true abiding in God's presence or experience of his favor and the power of his spirit.   Without this no abiding faith or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which a virtue takes root.  A lack of humility is the explanation of every defect and failure.  Humility is not so much a virtue along with others but it is the root of all because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows him as God to do all.
Andrew Murray “Humility – The Journey Toward Holiness” 

Humility is not:

-        weakness but strength – God-empowered strength

-        insecurity but confidence rooted in God, not self

-        passivity but activity led and enabled by God’s Spirit

-        lack of courage – but boldness born of union with Christ

-        self-hatred or self-condemnation – but the positioning of self in a place of surrender to God. 

Humility is:

-        strength submitted to God

-        confidence rooted in God not self

-        power restrained and directed for the good of others

-        willingness to serve rather than dominate     

 The Hope of Humility

            The pursuit of humility leads us to become the best version of ourselves … to live the life we were meant for … making the contribution and having the relationships which enliven our truest selves… by living the meaningful life Christ intends.

            All led and made possible by a God who says “Come to Me … I am gentle and humble in heart.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 “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.”

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 15, 2026

Point of Grace Worship   2.15.26     Sermon Notes – “Transfiguration Sunday – Who’s Got the Power?” 

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

Mark 9:1-10
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:
 “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 

Why was The Transfiguration so important for them and is for us now?

·       It encouraged these lead disciples in their faith that Jesus is the Divine Son of God, full of power and glory.

·       It vividly displayed that the Old Covenant (Law and Prophets) is fulfilled in Jesus and gives way to Him as the ultimate revelation of God to humanity. Only Jesus was transfigured.  Only Jesus was left.
 Jesus is the One and Only lens to see all God’s revelation through.

·       The disciples are directed by the Father to “Listen to Him” in order to endure what following Jesus means as He turns toward Jerusalem where a cross awaits Him and unprecedented trials await them.

·       This is truly a mountain top experience for the 3 but then Jesus calls them to the humility of discipleship, “Don’t tell anyone … until the resurrection.” 

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.

“Peter is recounting the “mountaintop” of the Transfiguration which displayed ‘the Lord Jesus Christ in power’ while he is in one of the darkest valleys of his life.  Jesus had discipled Peter in such a way that Peter trusts in Jesus as the One and Only source of life, hope and power whether on “mountaintops” when it is easier and you want to just “stay” ….. but also “in the valleys of powerlessness” when you want to just “go”…. go somewhere, anywhere, for relief.
His words discipled those 1st century readers of his letter in the same way – trusting Jesus as the One with the power … whether in the mountaintops or valleys of life.  He is doing the same with us.” 

Let’s follow Jesus and Peter back down the mountain.

“14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer (and fasting).” 

Where do we go for power?

Especially when what use to work doesn’t work … when facing a different “kind”?

Where does our lifestyle direct us?       

Where is Jesus and the Father directing us?   Who’s got the power?    

“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
 which are designed to lead us into the Presence
of the One with the power.”

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 8, 2026

Point of Grace Worship 2.8.26 – “The Kingdom Words of Jesus” 

Jesus Revealed the Good News of the Kingdom of God Through His Works and His Words 

A “Red Letter” Listen to the Gospel accounts as Jesus Ushers in the Kingdom of God 

Matthew 4:17-5:10 (Mark 1:14-20)
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.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

5:1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Jesus is using the power of Words to describe what His Kingdom is like and to Invite people (us) into it by faith.

The “Kingdom of God” is “the meaningful life Christ intends”. 
Our mission at PoG is to “Love and Lead Real People into the meaningful life Christ intends.” 
The meaningful life Christ intends is a life under His rule and reign, in His Kingdom. 
So our mission at PoG is to “Love and Lead real people into the Kingdom of God – into the meaningful life lived under His reign.
It is a different sort of kingdom … a different sort of life. 

These opening Words of Jesus invoke a response from us.

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

“Jesus, what are you up to?”

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  

“Jesus, how can I join you in what You are doing?” 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

“Jesus, help me come weak …
surrendering my self-reliance and
trusting in Your power at work in me!” 

“But he (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

We respond to the Kingdom Words of Jesus. 

“Jesus, what are you up to?”

“Jesus, how can I join you in what You are doing?”

“Jesus, help me come weak …
surrendering my self-reliance and
trusting in Your power at work in me!”