Worship Service for Sunday, August 1st
WELCOME
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend this time with you. My name is Jim for those of you who may be new. I am filling in for Randy this week. He is in the sunny state of Florida visiting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On Tuesday the parking lot will be sealed by Grainger Paving. They asked us to not drive on it for 24 hours, which means Thursday at the earliest.
A resident here in the Village of Chippewa is moving from his home and needs help moving things out of the house and garage. He is not in the best of health physically and could really use help. We will be starting at 9 am Tuesday morning. This is an opportunity for you to share God’s grace with the community. Anyone interested, please see me or Annie Dean after worship. There is a sign-up sheet with all the information on it. I am hoping that many hands make light work. There is much to do and a short time to complete it.
I saved the best for last. This is the first Sunday of the month and we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This table does not belong to any denomination, church or organization. It belongs to Jesus. He is inviting everyone so that your relationship with Him can deepen. No matter if you have loved Him for years or are just getting to know Him. Come and meet Him here.
CALL TO WORSHIP
O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’
Nehemiah 1:5-9
OPENING WORSHIP SONGS
In Christ Alone
Townsend, Stuart/Getty, Keith
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease!
My comforter, my All in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.In Christ alone!
Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save;
Till on the cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine.
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.No guilt in life, no fear in death,
©2002 Thankyou Music (PRS) (admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
CCLI License No. 1843349
In My Life, Lord (Be Glorified)
Bob Kilpatrick
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In my life Lord, be glorified today.In Your church Lord be glorified, be glorified.
In Your church Lord, be glorified today.As we serve Lord be glorified, be glorified.
©1978 Bob Kilpatrick Music
As we serve Lord, be glorified today.
CCLI License Number 1843349
OPENING PRAYER
O Lord, Almighty Father, we humble ourselves before you. We give you thanks and praise. You are the God of all that is good. Your love never fails and fills us with awe. We know we cannot describe you in words or explain your greatness. Our minds cannot fathom your love and commitment you have given to us. We worship you with all we can. Father, help us to open our ears, hearts, and minds for the reception of your word and the message you have prepared. Make us whole through your cleansing, forgiveness and grace. Through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus, your wrath for us was satisfied. For every sin on Him was laid. So here in the death of Christ we live.
Though we do not have much to give in return, take all of us and use us for your will and be glorified through us. May our lives be a witness to your greatness and love. Through Jesus the Christ we pray to you.
THE GIVING OF THE LORD’S OFFERING
Lord, as we bring our offerings to you, may our tithe be acceptable in your sight. May the overflow of your blessings and grace be a reminder of your unconditional love for us. All that we have is yours. Thanks be to God! Amen.
PRAYER SONG
All for Love
Fieldes, Mia/Smith, J. Daniel
All for love the Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified
Oh, how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angels song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all
Oh, how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Is you
Everything I need is you
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is you
Is you
All for love, a Saviour prayed
Abba Father, have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You
To You, to You, to You
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
It is You
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
It’s You, Lord
MORNING PRAYER
Karen Tate
Dear Lord,
We come before you today with amazement at the love you have for us. When I think about all the times this week I have neglected to pray or show love to others I am surprised that you still love me. When I think about the sacrifice you made for us, offering your perfect Son for all we do wrong I am amazed, grateful and humbled. What a wonderful gift you have given us in your Son.
Please help us listen to your direction about when and how to talk to others about You and Your Son. Please help us live our lives in a way that would make those we meet want to get to know You like we do. We pray for those that do not have a relationship with You. May they feel the love of Jesus as we do. We pray for those in need of healing, whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual. Please take a moment to lift those close to you in prayer.
We thank you for bringing us to this place. Please be with Jim as he gives the message you have placed on his heart.
We pray these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen
SCRIPTURE
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth).
And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).”
In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message?
Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”
But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”
Romans Chapter 10
THE MESSAGE
Gimme the Good News
Jim Brandenburg
I dropped my knife and cut off a toe. After the surgery to reattach it, the doctor comes in and says, “I have some good news and some bad news.”
“Tell me the bad news first, Doc.”
“The bad news is they mistook a piece of candy for your toe.”
“No way! Well, what’s the good news????”
“The good news is the surgery was successful.”
“Wait! What are you trying to say????”
“You now have a Tic-Tac toe.” 1
Good news: My test came back negative.
Bad news: It was an IQ test. 2
Bro, I got good news and bad news
Just gimme the good news bro.
The airbags in your car worked perfectly. 2
Moe and Sam, who were both 90 years old, loved baseball, and they had their entire life. One day, they were sitting together on a bench in their neighborhood when Moe turns to Sam and says:
“Will you promise me something? Promise me that if you die first and go to heaven, you’ll come back and tell me if there’s baseball there.”
Sam agreed, and made Moe promise the same. 3 months later, Sam died, and the next week Moe woke up in his sleep with someone calling his name.
“Who’s there?” he called out.
“Moe! It’s me Sam!”
“Sam! It’s so good to hear from you! How’s heaven?” Moe asked.
“It’s great, but I’ve got some news, some good and some bad,” Sam told him.
“Well tell me the good news first,” Moe replied.
“Ok, the good news is that there is baseball in heaven.”
“That’s great.” Moe exclaimed, “What’s the bad news?”
“Well, the bad news is that I was reading the lineup, and you’re pitching on Friday.” 1
Just Gimme the “Good News”? Bro..
Sometimes having to tell someone news of any kind can be difficult. Would you agree? Yes? No? Do you think it is easier to tell the good news or the bad news? I think most of you would agree that telling the good news is much easier when it comes to a contrast of good news versus bad news.
Good news like.. Mom.. Dad.. you’re going to have a grandbaby.
Or how about Mom.. Dad.. I had an accident in the mustang… but we’re okay.
Boss says to the employee.. You have done a commendable job over this past year. The partners and I have decided to give you a 25% raise…
Honey, I hit the Pick 4 number and now we can go on that Disney cruise…
How about this Good News?
A father sent His son; Jesus was His name. He came down from heaven. He lived among us. He taught us how to live and how to love. He was brutally beaten and murdered for all of our sins. He died and was buried; burying our sins at the bottom of the deepest sea. He paved the road of forgiveness with His grace and clothed you in a robe of His righteousness so that God would accept you back into the family. We are white as snow. He arose bringing new life to all those who trust and have faith in Him. He ascended into heaven so that he could prepare a place for us when we arrive. How’s that for Good News?
That Good News seems a little more difficult for us to outwardly share. This is what I want to talk with you about today. Sharing the “Good News” or the Gospel.
When I was a young lad and attended catholic church, we were taught and memorized a bunch of things. One thing that still lies deep within my brain is something called the Apostles Creed. It goes like this:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen. 3
We used to recite this almost every Sunday. I never truly realized what I was saying until I was much older. The Apostles Creed is proclaiming Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It tells us of His crucifixion, death, burial, rising from the dead and His ascension into heaven. The “Good News” …
Why in the world would you teach a little kid this creed and have them memorize it? Why would we think this is “Good News”? Because this is Jesus’ story.
This was a seed that was planted in me long ago which grew into the belief and faith I have today.
As Randy has mentioned, sometime in the near future, I will be facilitating a class about Evangelism, which I pray will have many of you, or maybe even all of you.
The two main goals for this class will be helping you to be able to tell your story and the second would be telling Jesus’ story.
If you can share your story with someone of how you came to Jesus, you can open the door for them to walk through. They can relate to you being someone you know.
I’m not talking about knocking door to door. Each one of you know at least one person that doesn’t attend church or have a religion. You already have an upper hand.
After piquing their interest, you can share Jesus’ story. If you can tell His story to people, you are following Jesus’ instructions to the apostles in Acts 1:8.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
So this is verse tells us about a process. Jesus says, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” When does the Holy Spirit come upon you?
The book of Acts is a fascinating look into the change from the age of Judaism to the age of the Church. Jesus was a Jew. The disciples were Jews. But the Church is distinctly Christian. The disciples didn’t become Christians until John 20:22 when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them. In Acts 2:4, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 8:14-17, however, God waited to give the Samaritans the Holy Spirit until Peter and John could see. We aren’t told why, although perhaps it was so these devout Jews could witness the coming of the Spirit upon a group of people so despised by them. Acts 10:45 seems to corroborate this as the “circumcised believers” (Jews) “were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.”
Today and always, we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In John 3:5, Jesus says, “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” When we accept Christ, God immediately seals us with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22). 4
We have an obligation to the Lord who has saved us.
He gave His life for us.
Let’s say you were in a bank and it was being held up. This robber is holding everyone at gunpoint. Out of nowhere, this guy busts through the door and tackles the robber and cuffs him. He just Saved Your LIFE! Wouldn’t you tell all your friends about that? We are witnesses. Let’s skip back to the scripture in Romans 10.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
How beautiful are your feet? Everywhere you walk, you are carrying the Good News with you. My question to you is how many of you are sharing the Good News?
There is a quote that is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that says, preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words. While Francis never made the statement, it does reflect something of a Franciscan quality. However, the saint’s actual words were far more nuanced:
“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” He also says…
“…As for me, I desire this privilege from the Lord, that never may I have any privilege from man, except to do reverence to all, and to convert the world by obedience to the Holy Rule rather by example than by word.” 5
I don’t agree that we should just walk around trying to look like Jesus and hope someone takes notice. That rarely happens. We need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Easier said than done, right? Our greatest example is Jesus. We have to tell this exciting story to everyone. How can they call on Him if they have never heard of Him? So what are we talking about? We are talking about sharing the gospel. The Good News.
Sharing that good news is evangelism. It is life-changing. It’s life-saving.
Has anyone here been feeling like their flame is low and ready to burn out?
It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other materials. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction. 6
Someone once told me, if you are feeling low or maybe your flame is flickering, get out there and see people where they are. Go to a community kitchen or a pantry and hand out food. See these people and talk to them. You are all very blessed whether you realize it or not. You know how I know this? You are believers. You have accepted the good news and declared with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. You have been sealed by God with the Holy Spirit and are His.
Is there anyone here who has not had the opportunity to be saved? Are you seeking?
Now is your chance. If you feel God tugging you and you want to answer His call, raise your hand. He’s waiting for you to accept the gift of Jesus. The gift of salvation. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life and close the door to sinful ways.
I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away; now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jesus told many stories to help illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. These were called parables. Jesus had the wisdom to simplify the profound spiritual truths he needed to share with humanity in the form of relatable stories that are easy to understand. This parable that I am about to read for you is the most relatable, in my opinion, to each and every one of us.
In Luke Chapter 15 we find the three parables of Jesus. The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and this one; The Parable of the Lost Son. Starting on verse eleven:
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ’
But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”
This is the Good News. No matter how far away you may be, the Father is waiting for you to return home. Come Home Running… His arms are open wide. His name is Jesus. He understands. He is the answer and the longing in your heart. That hole… That God shaped hole that only Jesus can fill. Come just as you are.
COMMUNION SONG
Come Home Running
Chris Tomlin
Oh, heart of mine, why must you stray?
From one so fair you run away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shameOh, heart of mine, come back home
You’ve been too long out on your own
And He’s been there all along
Watching for you down the roadSo come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
And he understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you areOh, child of God so dearly loved
And ransomed by the Savior’s blood
And called by name, daughter and son
Wrapped in the robe of righteousnessSo come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
And He understands
He is the answer
You are looking forSo come home running
©2002 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Just as you are
Come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
And He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are
Just as you are
CCLI No. 1843349
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the glory forever, Amen.
CLOSING SONG
White As Snow
Olguin, Leon
White as snow, white as snow,
Though my sins were as scarlet,
Lord, I know. Lord, I know.
That I’m clean and forgiven.
Through the power of Your blood,
Through the wonder of Your love,
Through faith in You
I know that I can be,White as snow, white as snow,
©1990 Maranatha Praise, Inc./Sound Truth Publishing (Maranatha! Music)
Though my sins were as scarlet,
Lord, I know. Lord, I know.
That I’m clean and forgiven.
Through the power of Your blood,
Through the wonder of Your love,
Through faith in You
I know that I can be,
White as snow.
CCLI License No. 1843349
BENEDICTION
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:16-20
- https://jokojokes.com/good-news-bad-news-jokes.html
2. https://upjoke.com/bad-news-jokes
3. https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/9352/documents/2015/1/APOSTLES_CREED.pdf
4. https://www.compellingtruth.org/receive-Holy-Spirit.html
5. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/preach-the-gospel-at-all-times-st-francis_b_1627781
6. Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 162.