Most of us have heard the story of Paul. The Apostle to the Gentiles, arguably the greatest missionary in history, and author of 13 books in our New Testament. He didn’t start this way though, he was one of the primary instruments of persecution against the early Church before Jesus decided enough was enough. This process took the faithful actions of multiple believers to accomplish, starting with a man named Ananias, who was called by Jesus to share the Gospel and baptize Paul, the very man who had been going around sentencing believers to death. Without the faithful act of Ananias, where would Paul have gone? What would’ve been the ministry to the Gentiles? Ananias, though a single action of faith that Christ would protect him, set in motion a man who would make an eternal mark on history.

• Sometimes the Light of the World cripples us to ensure we lose sight of our past.
• Ananias shows us that faith and courage go hand in hand.
• Faith in the place of fear makes room for those who are blinded to their sin to receive sight of the truth.
• Having faith in the place of fear leads to powerful life-altering testimonies.

The Spirit leads and equips us to impact in ways we could not imagine. Philip is led to a seemingly random individual to explain the Scripture to him. Through Philip’s faithful actions, the man believes, and carries that belief back to Ethiopia. That single act by Philip led to a great spread of Christianity in Ethiopia, leading them to officially adopt Christianity in 330 AD, making them one of the first nations to declare themselves “Christian.” We often don’t know why we’re being led somewhere or to someone by the Spirit, but in following we have the opportunity to potentially be a part of history.

• A single act of faithful servitude to the Lord can create change beyond what we can even comprehend.
• When our relationship with Christ is where it should be, He is the why.
• Following the Spirit is exciting.
• First, the Eunuch accepts Christ as his Savior.
• Secondly, the Eunuch continues his journey back home, rejoicing on his way.
• Third, there is now a joy-filled Gospel spreader of great means going back to the queen of Ethiopa's household.

The Spirit equipped the early Church to do both great miracles and also to speak beyond their natural ability. Through the Spirit we have the ability to completely change people’s lives for the better. It doesn’t take a formally educated or trained individual to share the Gospel in powerful ways. It takes someone willing to step out in the boldness of the Spirit and rely on Him as their Helper.

• The only reason we get to witness the extraordinary in this moment is because of the obedience of the disciples.
• The disciples were worried about the restoration of a nation while Jesus was focused on the restoration of humanity. 
• This week I have wondered how many times I have missed the opportunity to change world, because I was focused on my will and not his. 
• The Holy Spirit is capable of equipping us for the extraordinary.
• The Spirit moves with purpose
• God can and will use you, where you are at, with what you have available, the Spirit will make up for any weakness that exists.

The Apostles, having lived with Jesus for 3 years, only to see him be killed and rise again, are left having to say goodbye again as Jesus ascends to Heaven. Knowing how we are, Jesus didn’t leave His followers to fend for themselves, and promised to send them a helper, the Holy Spirit.

• The gifting of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of the promise that God will not leave us nor forsake us.
• Keeping his commandments comes with the promise of the Helper.
• We are promised an eternal presence who receives his power from God the Father. 
• The Spirit leads us to the truth in study and helps us discern the truth in the presence of confusion. 
• The Spirit testifies to us about Jesus.
• The Spirit convicts us of sin.
• The Spirit teaches us.
• The Spirit delivers specific instruction.
• The Spirit intercedes on our behalf.
• The Spirit gives us strength.
• The Spirit, having the very same authority as Jesus, gives confidence that Christ’s promise of peace is not wanting. 

Jesus died on the cross to take our place, to take on the sin that we committed. Let’s face it - our sin put him there, we are the reason he was condemned to die. But that’s not where the story ended - he miraculously rose from the grave and he lives for us today.

• The introduction of Sin necessitated the coming of Christ.
• Everyone has sinned, and everyone falls short.
• Sin separates from God.
• To be justified means to be declared righteous.
• God made the free gift of salvation available to all people through the sacrifice of his son Jesus on the Cross. 
• Christ died for each and every one of us while we were still in love with sin.
• So Christ died in your place, for sins you committed, before you have ever thought about not committing them.
• Christ chose to die for you, but he chose to live for you as well.

How can we be real with evangelism and discipleship? What’s our motivation, power source, audience?

• God’s motivation for evangelism begins and ends with His love for people. 
• Loving others like God does causes us to have compassion for them. 
• Our perspective on evangelism would change if we truly viewed others as lost sheep and not lost causes. 
• A Christ-like perspective comes from a Christ-centered life.

How are we empowered to stand against a world that is ready to reject us?

• The world is sick.
• The Gospel is the cure.
• We are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
• We are all called to go and take the cure for sin to the world.
• God cares.
• We aren’t the authors of the message, we’re simply delivering it.
• We have a responsibility to the world around us.

We can walk the walk but do we talk the talk? Those who don’t know Jesus will only learn about him if we tell them. Are we verbalizing our faith?

• If your faith isn’t important enough for you to discuss, do you truly value your faith? 
• We have a Gospel message and it is worth delivering that message to others.
• People can't believe in a message that hasn't been delivered to them.
• We must walk the walk, so that people don’t automatically disregard what we have to say when we try to talk the talk.

What about our lives gives those around us a curiosity for the Hope living in us?

• Our lives will either will either support or undermine our claims for Christ.
• We must always be prepared to share the hope we have in Christ. 
• Theologian Alexander McClaren states, “Only he who can say 'the Lord is the strength of my life' can go on to say, 'of whom shall I be afraid?'".
• Holding Christ in the proper regard removes the fear of promoting our faith.
• Any chance that we have to point others to Christ that is not taken pushes them closer to the entryway of hell.  
• Part of Christian life is facing persecution. Being above reproach is a necessity if we want our lives to testify to Christ. 
• Jesus washing feet ain’t about feet. It’s about setting a precedent of humility and servitude. 
• If you are about you, you aren’t about Jesus and people won’t see him in you. 
• Living a life of love and servitude, is living a life that is an offering to God. 

The Church is the human representation of the Kingdom of God. The Church is a vital piece of any believer’s walk. This week we look at what the Church should be.

• The Church is the human representation of the kingdom of God. We talk about two different “churches” in Christianity, the global Church and the local church. The global Church is the body of Christ and encompassing all believers around the world. Together, we do the work of God’s Kingdom. The local church exists to provide a family of believers with fellowship, encouragement, accountability, strength, teaching for biblical instruction, and corporate worship. The local church is also called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in its local community, fulfilling the Great Commission. At CrossPoint, we seek to be a family that loves each other as Jesus loves us, living our lives as brothers and sisters, building each other up at every opportunity and growing in our relationship with God. Together we strive to serve our local community, both by supporting our mission partners and directly helping where we can.
• Church isn't a place, it's a people.
• Church is better when you are here.
• God has put the body together.
• Church is where the "one anothers" take place.

The Lord’s Supper is the representation of Jesus’ final meal with his closest followers. We take the Lord’s Supper to remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf.

• The Lord’s Supper is the representation of Jesus’ final meal with His closest followers. As believers, we partake in the Lord’s Supper of bread and fruit of the vine, as Jesus did, which symbolize His broken body and blood spilt at the cross. When we do this, we do so in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. As Christians, this is also a time of reflection and self-examination of our relationship and standing with God. At CrossPoint, we invite all followers of Jesus to participate in the Lord’s Supper with us.
• The Lord's Supper isn't for everyone.
• The Lord’s Supper isn’t just some cracker and juice. This is sustainment, which comes through Christ taking our place in crucifixion.
• We partake in the Lord's Supper to remember Jesus.
• The Lord's Supper is a call to repentance. 

We submit to baptism because Christ submitted to baptism. It is a chance to publicly proclaim that we are a new creation in him.

• Jesus submitted to baptism, signifying the beginning of His ministry. Likewise, He asks us to be baptized as a public profession of faith, as the next right step following Salvation. Believers are baptized by water in order to reflect the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If you choose to be baptized at CrossPoint Fellowship, it occurs through full immersion.
• Baptism represents the rebirth that Jesus says is required in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
• By submitting to Baptism, we are following Jesus’ example.
• Baptism is a testimony to the power of God. 
• Baptism is a testimony that we can be cleansed.
• Baptism is a testimony that we are in right relationship with God.
• Every person that takes the step of faith into baptism tells the world the God is able, willing, and faithful to save.
• Baptism also testifies to Christ's work on the cross and in the grave.
• Every time someone submits to baptism, they tell the story of what Christ did on the cross.
• Baptism is the start of something, not the end.

The Scripture is God’s revelation to man. It’s the Christian guidebook. We need it, we need to know it, we need to follow it.

• The Bible is the Word of God. The 66 books encompassed by the Old and New Testaments were all inspired by God to instruct and lead people to Him and to righteous living. Though multiple translations are available in multiple languages, God’s truth is made apparent to all people by guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and study. Therefore, the Bible is faultless and the highest physical authority to any believer and church. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
• Paul was referring to the Scriptures before the revelation of Christ without forsaking the writings that we would consider Scripture today. 
• If not explicitly stated in the New Testament, the Old Testament is as authoritative as any word uttered by Christ. 
• If all Scripture is God-breathed, then it is without error and therefore cannot be ignored or cast aside.
• Scriptures, I would argue, were written by man but divinely inspired by God.

Who needs salvation? Everyone. What is Salvation? Forgiveness. Why do we need salvation? Sin. When should we accept salvation? Immediately. 

• All people have sinned and will sin. The due punishment for this rebellion against God is eternal death, which is separation from God. The only way to restore our relationship with God is by accepting the gift of grace, through faith, that Christ provided through His death and resurrection. Therefore, anyone who accepts this free gift by submitting their life to Christ, His teachings, and repenting from their sins, shall inherit eternal life.
• The Jews clung to their distinction from the rest of the world like Christians today cling to their distinction from the rest of the world. 
• We all sin. We can’t avoid sin. The wages of sin is death. Therefore we need salvation. 
• Salvation is a free gift of grace won for us on the cross by Jesus Christ, the son of God. 

 The Holy Spirit was a gift from Jesus to his disciples and all future believers. A promise of his presence is what comes with the Spirit. The Spirit emboldens us and encourages us to follow Christ.

• The Holy Spirit is the final person of the Trinity, God with us. The Spirit calls all people to repent of their sin and is gifted to everyone who has repented and surrendered their life to Jesus. Through the Spirit, God equips His believers and guides them to truth so they can fulfill the plan God has for them. As Christians, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that gives us power, boldness, comfort, security, and resistance to sin.
• Those who submit themselves to Jesus receive the Spirit.
• One of the Spirit’s main roles is to convict believers and unbelievers of sin.
• The Spirit testifies to the true, real existence of Christ. 
• 1. The Spirit reveals the Truth.
• 2. The Spirit sustains us.
• 3. The Spirit instills confidence in us.
• 4. The Spirit gives us the Courage to fight the good fight.

Jesus is God the Son. He received his authority from YHWH his father. He is the perfecter of our faith and our salvation. He lovingly went to the cross to die for our sins and the perfect life he lived meant that his gift of sacrifice was sufficient to bring about the forgiveness of our sins.

• Jesus Christ, the Son, is God born as a man. He is the second person of the Trinity and the only way to salvation. Born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life. Through this perfect life and His willingness to take our punishment on the cross, He provided the only way for our sins to be forgiven. Through His resurrection, He conquered death, paving the way for eternal life with God. He now sits at the right hand of the Father where He mediates on our behalf until His promised return.
• Necessity dictates that Jesus be born of the Spirit by a virgin if he was to be the Son of God.
• God declares Christ the Son, but the gifting of his Spirit solidifies him as his equal. 
• Christ's perfection in the face of imperfection makes him the perfect and necessary sacrifice to allow him to be the atonement for sins.

God gave Moses his name as YHWH translated the “I Am.” God simply is whatever he needs to be - all powerful, all knowing, all everything - to his people. On this day, we discuss the Father. 

• God the Father is the head of the Trinity and the creator of the universe. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving and all wise. God is the foundation of love and truth. As His creation we are subject to His teaching, guidance and correction revealed through His Son, the Holy Spirit and His Scriptures. 
• Genesis establishes God as the beginning of all things. 
• Who better to lay out the guidelines for a creation than its creator.
• God’s reply to Moses speaks to His self-existence and all sufficiency.
• God is what you need Him to be when you need Him to be it.

In the end, it’s all about love. It’s why his Father sent him to Earth and it’s why he died for us.

• The original Greek for the words translated into "gave" and "loved", are both written in the Aorist Active Indicative. Which indicates actions undefined by time that are present and future occurring. 
• The love of Christ focuses on sacrifice and servitude.
• You are loved by God.
• One of the reasons people fail to believe that they are loved by God is that they haven’t been loved by God’s people.
• We genuinely desire others to experience and be changed by the love of God.

Joy is what we experience when hope is realized. For many, Jesus brought about joy that they didn’t know existed. 

• Jesus is an eternal giver of joy.
• Jesus promises those who experience sorrow that it won't be a permanent condition.
• We experience joy because Jesus went to the cross to solidify our faith, and did so for our joy.
• Joy is a sign that salvation has taken place.
• The cure for discouragement is to find joy that can be had.
• “Happiness is an emotion, whereas joy is more of a state of being. When you are joyful it doesn’t mean you are always giddy or happy, but it means you can appreciate moments of happiness within the bigger context of life.” - Dr. Rebekkah Frunzac

Peace is the gift brought by Jesus for all mankind. We can find peace in Jesus regardless of our circumstances!

• The first way that Jesus' peace is made present in our lives is through the restoration of relationships. 
• Our propensity to sin leads us to hurting each other. 
• When we realize that what’s most important is the connection we have to one another through our commonality of being loved by Christ, that which separates us disappears and is replaced with peace.
• The second thing that comes with Jesus' gift of peace is order and balance. 
• When the world is in Chaos, we are in Christ. 
• Jesus inspires peace in us by assuring our eternal destiny.
• Any peace obtained from worldly sources is temporary.