Transforming Lives Through Divine Appointments and Godliness
Summary
In celebrating Crosspoint's 17-year anniversary, we reflect on the profound impact this church has had on the community and the lives it has transformed. Over the years, Crosspoint has been a beacon of hope, a place where chains have been broken, and souls have been saved. This journey is a testament to the power of Jesus Christ working through us, reminding us of our mission to make disciples and connect people to a relationship with Him. As we gather today, we are reminded that God is not done with us yet. Each of us is here for a reason, and in our shortcomings, the Lord is always present, ready to guide us as we lock arms as a community to reach souls one at a time.
Reflecting on my personal journey, I recall how Crosspoint was the first church where I truly worshipped God and found my relationship with Him. It was a pivotal moment, a divine appointment that changed my life. This serves as a reminder that God has appointments for each of us, and He is continually working in our lives. As we pursue God, we are called to train ourselves in godliness, as outlined in 1 Timothy 4:7-8. This training is akin to physical training, requiring consistency, commitment, and discipline. Just as we train our bodies, we must also train our spirits by immersing ourselves in God's Word and prayer.
Training in godliness is not just about avoiding worldly distractions but actively seeking to embody the character of Christ. It involves a transformation that molds us into His likeness, impacting how we walk, talk, and act. This spiritual training prepares us for life's challenges, teaching us to rely on God's strength rather than our own. Jesus exemplified this through His life, always seeking the Father's will and demonstrating godliness in every aspect. As we strive to follow His example, we are reminded that true faith is demonstrated through action, and our lives should reflect the love, humility, and obedience of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Divine Appointments: Each of us has a divine appointment with God, a moment when He calls us into a deeper relationship with Him. These appointments are life-changing, reminding us that God is continually working in our lives, even when we may not see it. Trust in His timing and purpose for your life. [31:42]
2. Training in Godliness: Just as physical training requires discipline and consistency, so does spiritual training. Immersing ourselves in God's Word and prayer strengthens our faith and prepares us for life's challenges. This training transforms us into the likeness of Christ, impacting every aspect of our lives. [38:02]
3. Avoiding Worldly Distractions: The world is full of distractions that can lead us away from God. We must be vigilant in avoiding irreverent myths and conversations that do not align with the truth of the Gospel. Instead, focus on training in godliness and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your daily life. [39:14]
4. The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment: Just as our bodies need physical nourishment, our spirits require spiritual nourishment through God's Word. A consistent "meal plan" of scripture and prayer strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God, enabling us to walk in Christ's likeness. [44:38]
5. Living Out Our Faith: True faith is demonstrated through action. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ, showing love, humility, and obedience. By training ourselves in godliness, we become a light in the world, shining brightly in the darkness and leading others to the truth of the Gospel. [54:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [27:44] - Celebrating 17 Years of Crosspoint
- [28:42] - Impact on the Community
- [30:04] - Mission of Making Disciples
- [30:56] - Personal Journey of Faith
- [31:42] - Divine Appointments
- [32:25] - Pursuing God
- [32:52] - God's Not Done with Us
- [33:15] - Spiritual Battle
- [34:18] - The Meaning of Pursuing
- [34:53] - Transformation Through Pursuit
- [36:27] - Training in Godliness
- [38:02] - Avoiding Worldly Distractions
- [39:14] - The Value of Godliness
- [41:10] - Spiritual Nourishment
- [44:38] - Living Out Our Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8: "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Timothy 4:7-8 suggest about the value of godliness compared to physical training?
2. How does the sermon describe the impact Crosspoint has had on the community over the past 17 years? [28:42]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of how Crosspoint has been a "beacon of hope"? [28:42]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of "divine appointments" in our spiritual journey? [31:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "training in godliness" compare to physical training, and why is it important for spiritual growth? [38:02]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of community in pursuing godliness and reaching others? [32:25]
3. How can avoiding "worldly distractions" help in the pursuit of godliness, according to the sermon? [39:14]
4. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the importance of spiritual nourishment through God's Word? [44:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a "divine appointment" in your life. How did it impact your relationship with God? [31:42]
2. What specific steps can you take to incorporate "training in godliness" into your daily routine? Consider setting a schedule for prayer and Bible study. [38:02]
3. Identify a worldly distraction that often pulls you away from focusing on God. What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [39:14]
4. How can you ensure that your spiritual "meal plan" is consistent and nourishing? What changes might you need to make to prioritize time in God's Word? [44:38]
5. Think of a recent situation where you could have demonstrated more of Christ's character. How can you prepare to respond differently in the future? [54:48]
6. How can you actively participate in your community to help others experience the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus? [32:25]
7. What is one action you can take this week to live out your faith more visibly, reflecting the love, humility, and obedience of Christ? [54:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Appointments
In life, there are moments when God calls us into a deeper relationship with Him, often through divine appointments. These are pivotal moments that can change the course of our lives, reminding us that God is continually working, even when we may not see it. Trusting in His timing and purpose is essential, as these appointments are not random but part of His divine plan. Each person has a unique journey, and recognizing these moments can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation. [31:42]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a moment in your life that felt like a divine appointment? How did it change your relationship with God, and how can you remain open to such moments in the future?
Day 2: The Discipline of Godliness
Training in godliness is akin to physical training, requiring discipline, consistency, and commitment. Just as athletes train their bodies, believers must train their spirits by immersing themselves in God's Word and prayer. This spiritual discipline strengthens faith and prepares individuals for life's challenges, transforming them into the likeness of Christ. It is not merely about avoiding worldly distractions but actively seeking to embody the character of Christ in every aspect of life. [38:02]
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to train yourself in godliness? Consider setting a daily routine that includes time for prayer and reading Scripture.
Day 3: Guarding Against Worldly Distractions
The world is full of distractions that can lead us away from God. It is crucial to be vigilant in avoiding irreverent myths and conversations that do not align with the truth of the Gospel. Instead, focus on training in godliness and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your daily life. By doing so, believers can maintain a clear focus on their spiritual journey and avoid being swayed by the world's empty promises. [39:14]
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one distraction in your life that often pulls you away from God. How can you minimize its influence and refocus your attention on your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Nourishing the Spirit
Just as our bodies need physical nourishment, our spirits require spiritual nourishment through God's Word. A consistent "meal plan" of scripture and prayer strengthens faith and draws believers closer to God, enabling them to walk in Christ's likeness. This nourishment is essential for spiritual health and growth, providing the strength needed to face life's challenges with grace and faith. [44:38]
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What does your current spiritual "meal plan" look like? How can you ensure that you are consistently nourishing your spirit with God's Word and prayer?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
True faith is demonstrated through action. Believers are called to reflect the character of Christ, showing love, humility, and obedience in their daily lives. By training in godliness, they become a light in the world, shining brightly in the darkness and leading others to the truth of the Gospel. This active demonstration of faith is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of a relationship with Christ. [54:48]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one way you can actively demonstrate your faith to others this week. How can your actions reflect the love and humility of Christ in your community?
Quotes
You've seen people come in and you've seen chains broken. You've seen healings. You've seen people saved. People baptized. But most importantly, you've seen lives saved. And one of the main things that Elias shared, lives have been saved through Crosspoint. And all glory goes to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because why are we here? [00:28:19]
That when you lead by example. Those will follow you. Once the Lord grabs a hold of one individual in your life. In your family. The Lord will come in and grab everybody's heart. And it might not be right away. It's going to take some time. But now that I know that God had an appointment for that day. [00:31:14]
So as we talk about pursuing God. I want us to remember this. In Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10. For we are his workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus for good works. Which God prepared beforehand. That we should walk in them. So as we walk out our daily lives. I want you to tell yourself this. That God's not done with me yet. [00:32:30]
One thing is for certain that is, if we chase after God, when we pursue him, there's no way we can be the same person we were yesterday, last week, or last month, or last year. I said that the very first sermon that I preached. There's a transformation that will take place in your lives and in your heart. [00:34:59]
Scripture reads, Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way. As it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. See, what we're going to be talking about today is training ourself in godliness. [00:37:06]
Instead, we need to train ourselves in godliness and allow the Holy Spirit to lead our daily lives. It says train yourself in godliness. In other words, don't focus on the nonsense that the world and culture throws at you. You know the very truth of God. You have access to it yourselves. The Bible is available to everyone. [00:40:28]
The closer we get to God, the more we read, the more time we spend, the stronger our faith will be. And the stronger we will get. Just like training our body, we need to focus on training ourselves in the word. And the meal plan that we need to follow consists of the word of God. [00:44:51]
If we allow the enemy to take us away from our walk with God, then we will indeed find ourselves being anxious, feeling lost, feeling afraid and overwhelmed. That sand will come. But the rock will strengthen our faith and our character in Christ. And the point I have today is training in godliness will develop us to the character [00:46:31]
Godliness is all about becoming more like Jesus and demonstrating his character traits. Those character traits being mercy, humility, Compassion, patience, obedience, love, and servanthood. Jesus was the closest example we can follow whose character always honored the father. If there's an example we should look to, it's him. [00:48:14]
Jesus' life was an example of how to follow God's will and not our own. He was sure of his mission here on earth. He knew that his work was to glorify God. Preaching the gospel and getting people to turn to him. Turn back to him. See, what Jesus said was no to sin and he said yes to the father. [00:49:08]
Training ourselves and walking in godliness shows our devotion to God. If we seek to be more like Jesus. His character traits will follow. godliness is also shown in the way we live our lives it's not just about the faith but it's the works behind it also it's the way we live and the example we set to our surrounding world [00:56:29]
but the world needs people like you and i not only to train ourselves in godliness but to walk in godliness for we are a lamp shining in a dark place if everyone stops being a light to this world then it will eventually go dark so don't stop fighting the good fight let's continue to walk in godliness [00:59:20]
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