Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s online worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend this time with you. My name is Jim and I am filling in for Randy this week. If you’d like to reach out to Randy, you can contact him via email at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Randy and Gail will return from Florida on Tuesday, April 13th.
CALL TO WORSHIP
And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s online worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A great big thank you again to all of you who participated in any way to support the Chippewa Lake Lion’s Club Where’s Chippy? Fundraiser. What a huge success. $50, 500 was raised! What a great effort. Those funds will help many people living in and around our community. I thank the good Lord for allowing CrossPointe to be involved in it.
Gail and I will be traveling to Florida Monday afternoon and will not return until Tuesday, April 13th. We are so very fortunate that Jim Brandenburg will not only be leading the music but also filling the pulpit. I am privy to the theme of message that he will be sharing with you and I can say with confidence that you will be blessed by what he has to bring you.
CALL TO WORSHIP
He is risen! And I know that you just responded with He is risen indeed!
Since we have been studying in the Gospel of John, here is his version of Easter Sunday morning:
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”
Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home.
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go and get Him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them His message.
John 20:1-8
OPENING WORSHIP SONGS
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Wesley, Charles
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens and earth reply: Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Bedingfield, Natasha/Galanti, Jonas Myrin/Nevison, Paul
Some say You’re just a good man, Some say You are kind. Some say You are in the grave, But I say You’re alive.
Some say You’re just a prophet, Some say You were wise. Some say You were just a man. But I say You are God. You are my God.
I will shout Your fame to all the earth, I will lift Your name on high. And the world will know Your greatness, You are my God, I will shout Your fame.
I know You’re the Messiah, You gave Your life for me. And I know You’re the only way Jesus You are God, You are my God.
I will shout Your fame to all the earth, I will lift Your name on high. And the world will know Your greatness, You are my God, Jesus I will
Shout Your fame to all the earth I will lift Your name on high I will show the world Your goodness As I live a life that shouts Your fame As I live a life that shouts Your fame
Jesus I decide to live, live a life that Shouts Your fame…shout Your fame Jesus I decide to live, live a life that Shouts Your fame…shout Your fame Jesus I decide to live, live a life that Shouts Your fame…shout Your fame Jesus I decide to live, live a life that Shouts Your fame…shout Your fame Shout Your fame. Shout Your fame. Shout Your fame. Shout Your fame.
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin to abundant life in Christ on earth until the day comes for each of us to live eternally with Him in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE GIVING OF THE LORD’S OFFERING
I will be at the church today until 12 noon if you would like to bring your offering. Or you may send it in to:
CrossPointe Community Church PO Box 126 Chippewa Lake, OH 44215
As we consider once again, the call upon our lives as Christ-followers to give as Christ has given to us, here’s a verse to think about from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” (II Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYER SONG
Alleluia, Alleluia
Fishel, Donald E.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord; Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth He is the King of creation. Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord; Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.
Spread the good news o’er all the earth Jesus has died and has risen. Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord; Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.
We have been crucified with Christ Now we shall live forever. Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord; Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.
Come let us praise the living God Joyfully sing to our Savior. Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord; Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to His name.
As we look back at the challenges we faced this time last year, we give thanks for Your guidance and strength. We look upon Your sacrifice as a reminder to never lose hope. For the veil of darkness around Your crucifixion was transformed to the brightest light of resurrection. The most dreadful end became the most beautiful beginning. The depths of despair faded to reveal hope everlasting.
Help us to embrace and enjoy the life You have given us each day, for it is no accident. May Your grace be with us as we gather to celebrate Your gifts and may we share Your grace and forgiveness just as freely. During both trying seasons and easy days, help us to remember You constantly. While we cannot see our own path ahead, we know You always have a plan for us.
In Jesus name we pray, amen.
SCRIPTURE
It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:42-57
For the 2021 Lenten Season, I chose to focus on the most well-known and memorized verse in the Bible: John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.”
Today, we come to consider the conclusion of this verse: “might not perish, but have everlasting life.”
As I began to consider how to approach that phrase, my thoughts turned to a story Jesus told, recorded in the Gospel of Luke. When I turned there and re-read that passage, it dawned on me that it could serve as commentary on, or as illustration of, “might not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’
Luke 16:19-31
THE MESSAGE
Randy K’Meyer
Standing on the Edge
I couldn’t find the author, but some baby-boomer rock and roller wittily wrote: “The fact that there is a Highway to Hell and only a Stairway to Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.” 1
That baby-boomer’s wit reflects the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew (7:13-14) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
And they also reflect ‘might not perish’ (in one destination), but have ‘everlasting life’ (in the other) as well as the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
In both passages, and especially the latter, it’s as if Jesus takes us by the hand and leads over to the edge of a canyon, and invites us to take in the view, above and below.
As we contemplate the vista that Jesus paints for us, we rather quickly spot four rather obvious takeaways:
all human beings have a disease called mortality,
physical death is not the end of human existence,
there are two destinations for those who die,
how we live in this life has an impact on whether we take the Highway to Hell or climb the Stairway to Heaven.
And then after standing there for a few moments a fifth takeaway emerges: there is, or should be, an urgency in deciding where we wish to spend eternity.
Father Abraham, I beg you to send someone to my brothers and warn them lest they too come to this place of torment.
Luke 16:27-28
Beyond those five take-aways, I want to offer three observations from the edge of the canyon.
1 – Standing on the edge of the canyon draws all of life into perspective.
What matters and what doesn’t suddenly becomes clearer, and many, if not most things that we thought were so important no longer are. Suddenly the rich man was no longer concerned about his purple clothing or the luxurious life that he once lived on earth. At the canyon’s edge, no one is concerned about clothing, salaries, or positions. No one cares whether you drive a Mercedes or a Chevy. It suddenly doesn’t matter anymore who said what to who. Standing on the canyon’s edge draws all life into perspective and all the games and disguises of life seem sadly silly because life is over.
I was reading about a mother who journeys to the edge of the canyon often. Each time she goes to the cemetery, she recalls teaching her oldest son, Tim, to drive right there where it was quiet, the speed limit was slow, and there wasn’t much traffic. Tim would work his way around, braking into a curve, accelerate out of the curve, stop, back up and start all over.
Afterwards she would take Tim across the street to McDonalds, where she would recover while he chowed a Big Mac and fries. Sometimes she wondered if she would survive until he learned how to drive.
Well, she did; Tim did learn and he was a good driver. But a couple years later, his car was smashed by someone who wasn’t.
As she went to visit Tim’s grave in that same cemetery recently, her thoughts were interrupted when a little red Nissan came around the curve. There was a mother, about 35, her hair blowing in the breeze. Beside her, in the driver’s seat, sat a boy, about 15. She wanted to shout out, “Enjoy the ride! Now! Make a memory! Go get a hamburger to celebrate! Do it now while you can still look each other in the eyes!”
She envies the mom in the little red Nissan. She would love to hear Tim’s laughter again. But she also knows that the years end up stealing someone from everybody, and that all people are called to occasionally stand near the canyon’s edge. And she has learned to trust that the only place the family circle will be unbroken has been prepared for us by God.
When you are standing at the edge of the canyon, many, if not most things that we thought were so important suddenly pale in significance.
Which leads to my second observation.
2 – Standing on the edge of this canyon invites us to urgently consider where we would like to end up.
Randy Alcorn, in his excellent book, Heaven, writes about a cemetery in Indiana that has a tombstone (more than a hundred years old) which bears the following epitaph:
Pause stranger, when you pass me by, As you are now; so once was I. As I am now; so you will be, So prepare for death and follow me.”
An unknown passerby read those words and underneath scratched this reply:
To follow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went. 2
Dr. Maurice Rawlings was, before he died in 2010, a highly credentialed cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Rawlings was also a Korean War hero, personal physician to both President Dwight Eisenhower and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He and his emergency room colleagues treated many near-death cases, where many people later speak of seeing the light, lush green meadows, smiling relatives, and a tremendous sense of peace.
However; he also discovered that nearly 50% of the 300 people he interviewed after being resuscitated reported lakes of fire and brimstone, devil-like figures and other sights hailing from the darkness of hell.
Dr. Rawlings says that many of those same folks later change their story because most people are simply ashamed to admit they have been to hell; they won’t even admit it to their families.
Rawlings said, “Listening to these patients has changed my whole life. I was a devout atheist, but after these experiences,” he wrote in his book, Beyond Death’s Door, “There is life after death, and if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s not safe to die.”
Dr. Rawlings chose to trust Christ’s death and resurrection because he came to believe that Jesus gained the victory over death. 3
There once was a man who was born and raised a Muslim, who when the gospel of Jesus was explained to Him became a Christian. Some of his friends asked him, “Why have you become a Christian?” He answered, “Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go, and there at the fork in the road were two men, one dead and one alive; which one would you ask for directions?” 4
The One who died and rose again on the third day invites those who stand on the edge of the canyon to make Him the center of our lives. And when we do the third observation comes into play.
3 – After making the choice to climb the stairway to heaven, the empty tomb takes on tremendous significance.
In Rudyard Kipling’s, The Jungle Book, Mowgli, the man-cub asks the animals what’s the most feared thing in the jungle. He’s reminded that when two animals meet on a narrow path that one must step aside and let the other pass and the animal that steps aside for no one is to be most feared. Mowgli wants to know what kind of animal that would be. A monkey tells him it’s an elephant, a zebra tells him it’s a lion. Finally, the wise old owl exclaims, “The most feared thing in the jungle is death; it steps aside for no one.” 5
The wise old owl was wrong! Death did step aside for one man, the God-man, Jesus, the Christ.
He is not here, He is risen, just as He said!
Matthew 28:6
I read the blog of a man who wrote:
I remember that when they told me I had two kinds of cancer, and eight months to live, I felt a cosmic sense of loneliness. I had never felt so abandoned. Yes, there were people there with me, holding me, comforting me.
But I realized in the depths of my heart that no one else could endure this for me: the most loving, caring person in the world could not have my bone marrow biopsies, or my spinal taps, or chemo. The most compassionate person in my life could not do the dying for me.
Just as I was feeling most sorry for myself, someone reminded me that the most compassionate, loving person in my life already did the dying for me. Jesus faced death at an early age, abandoned by many of His friends and family, and He willingly died for all of us.
And that wasn’t the end of the story, of course. God raised Jesus from the dead, and Jesus is alive and with me today!
I believe if we were to announce today an unmistakable cure for cancer that you couldn’t contain the people who would flood Chippewa Lake. Because people are afraid of death and they are looking for a cure. Yet I tell you, in Christ we have a cure that is greater than the cure for cancer. There is a cure for death, the very thing of which we are afraid!
Death; that is eternal death can be eliminated in our lives! It has been conquered in the person of Jesus. And as long as people want to live rather than die they will come to Christ as a thirsty person comes to a cool stream of water.
Have you ever thought about how birth isn’t a good analogy for death?
The child, before birth, must certainly feel secure and safe in its world. The environment might be limited, but it is warm and comfortable. The unborn infant knows what to count on in its existence. Birth must seem like death to the child, being thrust in such a traumatic way out of the comfortable and known.
If it were possible, we would say to the child, “Don’t worry, the birth you are about to experience is part of the plan. You can’t even begin to imagine the world that awaits you!”
But we cannot give those encouraging words. The child must pass through before finding out.
Death is going to be like that. Yes, we will leave behind all that we have come to know and experience. Even though its fleeting, we have experienced a sense of security. We think death takes us from our comfort and safety, ending the only life we can imagine.
But for the person of God, there is awaits an even greater existence! As we stand at the edge of the canyon, contemplating life and death, we are still inside the womb, on the wrong side of the door. But all of the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, we shall burst forth into a new existence!
Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies.
I Corinthians 15: 42-44
For those who stand on the edge of the canyon of death, everything is going to be more than okay because the tomb is empty! The empty tomb makes all the difference. Especially for those like Tim’s mother who visit the edge of the canyon on a regular basis.
The empty tomb turns night into day, despair into hope, death into life.
You may have never thought about this kind of thing before; however, if you are in Christ you are closer to home than you have ever been before. Each moment is a step taken, each breath another page turned, each day another mile marked. Before we know it, our appointed arrival time will come and what Jesus did for Lazarus, Tim, Dr. Rawlings and that man who died of cancer will occur for us. And we will see faces that are waiting to see us again and we will hear our name spoken by those who love us.
And then the One who would rather die than live without us will remove His pierced hands from His robe and begin to applaud because by His grace you have left the edge of the canyon and made your way to heaven!
“Thank be to God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:58).
CLOSING PRAYER
(I encourage you to pray as you feel led by God to pray).
CLOSING SONG
Alive Forever, Amen!
Cottrell, Moffitt and Smith
Let the children sing…a song of celebration, The God of our salvation set us free. Death where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken. The empty tomb stands open, come and see.
He’s alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb. Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive forever amen!
Let my heart sing out, For Christ the One and Only, So powerful and holy, rescued me. Death won’t hurt me now, Because He has redeemed me. No grave will ever keep me from my King!
I’m alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb. Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive forever amen! Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb. Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive forever amen! Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy of our praise Worthy is the One Who has overcome the grave. Let the people dance, Let the people sing. Worthy is the Mighty King.
Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy of our praise Worthy is the One Who has overcome the grave. Let the people dance, Let the people sing. Worthy is the Mighty King.
Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy of our praise Worthy is the One Who has overcome the grave. Let the people dance, Let the people sing. Worthy is the Mighty King.
Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy of our praise Worthy is the One Who has overcome the grave. Let the people dance, Let the people sing. Worthy is the Mighty King.
Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb. Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive forever amen! Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive, praise and glory to the Lamb. Alive, alive, alive! Hallelujah! Alive forever amen!
Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood; may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.
4 Warren Webster, April, 1980, HIS, p. 13. http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/e/easter.htm
5 Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book, Contributed by Michael De Rosa on Sep 22, 2006 https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/29073/a-rudyard-kipling-the-jungle-book-mowgli-the-by-michael-de-rosa
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s on-line worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today, as we record this, it is Friday. By now, Sunday morning, we will know how much money was raised by the Chippewa Lake Lions Club Where’s Chippy? Fundraiser. As of Wednesday, CrossPointer’s were responsible for 82 tickets. That equals $4,100! I thank each and every one of you who purchased and/or sold tickets. A special shout out to CrossPointe’s Alan Robbins, who heads up the entire project and has spent countless hours going back to last year planning this event along with his team of fearless Lions! And to his wife, Vanna, for being lost Chippy who was found and then jumped in the swimming pool at SHC. I also want to thank Annie Dean for her efforts to communicate all the pertinent information about what the Lions do for our community, how much they have given to CrossPointe and how we have used those funds over the last several years to accomplish many mission goals.
As it concerns Easter worship, I am still trying to decide on whether to add a 9am service. So far 19 persons have e-mailed me to say they plan on being in worship on Easter at 10:30am. I know there will be more than that. We have been averaging 40 since we re-opened. And we can accommodate 60 safely. SO, please let me know if you plan on attending so I can plan accordingly.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s on-line worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We only have until Friday to purchase and/or sell raffle tickets to show our support for this year’s version of the Lion’s Club annual Polar Bear Plunge. The funds we receive from this event are very important to our mission ministry at CrossPointe. They help defray the expense of our Free Community Meal. They have enabled us to get training and even purchase some materials for our Grief Support, Divorce and Addiction Recovery and Stephen Ministry of caring. More recently, we have made up Care Bags containing food and gas gift cards as well as a Bible and DVD of the new YouTube series on the life of Jesus called the Chosen. So let’s do our best to show our support for this cause. Doing so is as easy as taking a minute of time to access the Chippewa Lake Lions website and clicking on the yellow “Buy Raffle Tickets.”
CALL TO WORSHIP
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”
No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s on-line worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day,
What do you get when you cross a four-leaf clover with poison ivy? A rash of good luck on St. Patrick’s Day.
How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time? He’s Dublin over with laughter!
What do you call a fake Irish stone? A shamrock!
David: Mom, I met an Irish boy on St. Patrick’s Day. Mom: Oh, really? David: No, O’Reilly!
How can you tell if a leprechaun is sick of your joke? He’s green with laughter!
One last one as sort of a preview of today’s message:
O’Malley was leaving his favorite bar when he was run over by a bus. At the pearly gates, St. Pete tells him he cannot enter unless he passes a test. O’Malley is not the brightest bulb so St. Peter decides to go easy on him: “What has 5 fingers and is made of leather?” he asks. O’Malley scratches his head, thinks hard and finally gives up. “A glove,” says St. Peter. Let’s try again, “What has 10 fingers and is made of black?” O’Malley is clearly stumped, and after a few minutes, gives up. “Why it’s 2 gloves – don’t you see 10 fingers, leather,” says St. Peter. Being in a generous mood, St. Peter decides to give O’Malley one more chance with an even easier question. “Who is the patron Saint of Ireland?’ asks St. Peter. “It wouldn’t be 3-gloves, would it?” says O’Malley.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s on-line worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend this time with you. My name is Jim and I am filling in for Randy this week. If you’d like to reach out to Randy, you can e-mail him at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A few weeks ago, Randy announced that he will be offering classes to train people who feel called to learn some practical skills in preaching. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have several people within our congregation who could step into the pulpit at any time? What a great asset to the church and to a future pastor this would be.
He will be doing this in two phases. The first phase will be a four week class on how to share your faith with another person. This is something that all Christians should be able to do, and is a pre-requisite for anyone wishing to engage in preaching.
The first class will be held at the church on Tuesday, March 9th at 7 pm. Then at the end of the four classes on how to share your faith, he will continue on with those who wish to further their training. If you have any questions about this, do not hesitate to call or e-mail Randy.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:19-25
OPENING WORSHIP SONGS
As We Gather
Tom Coomes & Mike Fay
As we gather may Your Spirit work within us, As we gather may we glorify Your name Knowing well that as our hearts being to worship We’ll be blest because we came We’ll be blest because we came
As we gather may Your Spirit work within us, As we gather may we glorify Your name Knowing well that as our hearts being to worship We’ll be blest because we came We’ll be blest because we came We’ll be blest because we came
O Lord, Almighty Father, by your promise of life everlasting through Jesus, who came to save us, let us live with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. As we gather today, change our hearts so that we, as one body, the body of Christ, the union of saints, may exalt your name and sing praises of thanksgiving. As John’s voice cried out in the wilderness to prepare the way, we too shall join in with a joyful cry of our hearts, singing songs of your salvation, going out into the world and proclaiming your excellence, your love and your grace. May our lives be changed for your glory. Through Jesus we pray, Amen.
THE GIVING OF THE LORD’S OFFERING
It’s now time for the Lord’s offering. As we continually thank Him for the overflow of blessings which He showers upon us, we remain faithful in giving the tithe. And as we approach the throne, we bow and pray.
Lord, as we bring our offerings to you, may our tithe be acceptable in your sight. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, and power and strength, be unto you O God forever and ever. As always we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
I will be at the church today until 12 noon if you would like to bring your offering. Or you may send it in to:
CrossPointe Community Church PO Box 126 Chippewa Lake, OH 44215
PRAYER SONG
Offering
Paul Baloche
The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love There is no shadow in Your Presence No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne Before the Holy One of heaven It’s only by Your Blood and it’s only through you mercy Lord I come
I bring an offering of worship to my King No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing Jesus may You receive the honor that You’re due O Lord I bring an offering to You (REPEAT FROM TOP)
O Lord I bring an offering to You O Lord I bring an offering to You, I bring an offering to You.
Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 7:8-11
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
Matthew 21:12-13
THE MESSAGE
Cleansing The Temple
Jim Brandenburg
There’s a smell in the air. Do you smell it? It smells like spring has finally sprung. Temperatures for this coming week look like 50’s and 60’s. And do you know what else is happening in nature? That’s right! You guessed it. It’s mating season for skunks. If you haven’t had the experience of that wonderful aroma, consider yourself blessed and fortunate. We live in West Salem, near the woods and it’s been an interesting week, to say the least.
So when I found this story, I thought, first, how awesome is God??
And secondly… what perfect timing.
In a 2019 edition of the Daily Hope with Rick Warren email newsletter, Jon Walker writes: “Jasmine is my beautiful and tenderhearted dog (cockapoo). She knows it is wrong to go near an old barn that’s on the edge of my property, but she saw a black cat run behind it and took off for a playful chase. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a cat. It was a skunk, and Jasmine was quite surprised to get a face full of stink. She smelled so bad I didn’t even want to bring her into the house, but I sequestered her in the bathroom while I figured out how to get her clean.
On the Internet, I found several home remedies for removing skunk stink. The recipes called for ingredients such as tomato juice or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, and I think one listed dark chocolate (OK, I made that up. The dark chocolate was for me).
These mixtures removed the bite of the skunk stink (an eye-watering, garlic-like perfume), but the overall smell was still there. By then it was almost midnight, so I took an old blanket, put it on the floor of the bathroom, and that’s where poor Jasmine had to spend the night.
The next morning, I went to the pet store and found a remarkable de-skunker that removed every bit of the stink and left Jasmine smelling wonderfully clean.
The reason I share this story is because it helps illustrate what Jesus has done for you. The Bible says, ‘But God has shown us how much He loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!’ (Romans 5:8)
Jasmine knew she was forbidden from going near the barn, but temptation appeared in the form of (what she thought) was a black cat. Sin is always deceptive, and it always costs more than we think it will. Jasmine thought she’d have some fun; instead, she ended up with the stink of sin all over her. I still loved Jasmine and wanted her to come into the house with me, but I couldn’t let her have the run of the house while she carried the stink of sin. She needed to be cleansed; otherwise, the stink would permeate my home.
That’s how God views our sin. He can’t let us back into heaven until we’re cleansed from our sin; otherwise, our sin would stink up the whole place. Jesus came to cleanse us from our sin, and His bloody sacrifice washes us whiter than snow (Psalms 51:7). When we confess our sin and obediently trust Jesus, we can walk confidently into God’s home, knowing He will welcome us as his daughters and sons.1
We have all fallen to temptation and will continue to do so, Why? Because we are humans.
We do our best each day in warding off the temptress but let’s face it, sometimes we chase after worldly wants and desires. We sin. Much like the dog in this story chasing what was thought to be a black cat. We wander off the path and give in to temptation. Speaking of temptation…What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word temptation? How about Adam and Eve? Let’s go back to where it all began.
In Genesis 2:15-17 it reads
Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.
Adam and Eve were specifically told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Eve was tempted and drew Adam into that temptation. Then came the first sin. As a result of their sin, God cast them out of the garden. He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
In the opening scriptures, I read from Jeremiah and from Matthew. In the reading from Matthew, Jesus quotes the verses in Jeremiah as He is chasing out the merchants and money changers. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
Do you know why Jesus chased out the merchants and money changers?
Picture this…
It was the time of the Passover Feast. Hundreds of thousands of people traveled to Jerusalem to worship. It wasn’t practical for those who came from great distances to bring an animal for the sacrifice. Consequently they had to buy animals locally to sacrifice. Also, the Temple only accepted Tyrian currency so people who came with different currencies had to exchange money to pay the Temple tax. These were practical matters that had to be taken care of for the Passover. The problem was where and how these were done.
The Court of the Gentiles was where the Gentiles were allowed to worship. This was a large area about 2.5 acres in size. Instead of worship taking place, the area was filled with people selling animals and changing money. It was like a huge flea market! How could worship go on with such noise and distraction? That wasn’t the only problem. Those selling animals and exchanging money did so at exorbitant rates. It was worse than buying a burger at Disneyland!2
So, not only were the merchants and money changers desecrating the temple, but they were causing the Gentiles to miss out on worship because of what they were doing.
Cleansing the temple in Jerusalem goes deeper than this. Perhaps Jesus’ action was pointing to a much deeper truth. In the gospel of John, Jesus refers to his body as the temple.
John 2:18-22 reads
The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
Our body as a temple is a very delicate subject. Not one I can cover in an abbreviated sermon. But I think I can take a leap and assume you know that your body is a temple.
We are made in the image of God. Once we surrender our lives and are saved by Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters our temples to dwell within us. Each one of us serves through our gifts, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What we put into our bodies is important too. Not only the food we eat but what we feed our mind and souls. A good diet with lots of vegetables, exercise and plenty of scripture goes a long way.
Knowing all of that makes you think, doesn’t it?
If Jesus came back today would your house…your temple be clean? Would you be like most and run for the broom and dust pan? Start mopping the floors and washing the windows. Trying to tidy up.
But here’s the wonderful news…though the Lord discerns everything about us, knows our innermost thoughts and struggles, knows every secret sin that we have hidden from everyone else…still He stands with wide-open arms of love to welcome us, accept us, forgive us and totally rid us of all the burdens of guilt and shame if we will just come to Him. That is the reason Jesus died on the cross; to take upon Himself all of our transgressions, and to wash us free from sin. This allows us to enter heaven through His righteousness. Nothing we can earn. A gift.
I want to ask you if you know my Lord and Savior? Do you know Jesus?
I don’t know where you are in your walk with Jesus but let’s make one thing clear. When you gave up on doing things your way and asked Jesus to take the wheel, your old temple was destroyed. Amen?
Jesus is helping you build the new one. And with His help, we can take on the wind and the rain as well as the sweltering heat of the day because Jesus is the architect, the builder, and the perfector.
Today is communion Sunday. As you can see the table has been prepared. The sacrament of holy communion will be shared today. A sacrament because Christ ordained this meal that He shared with the disciples. Just as well, He shares it with us.
Before we approach the altar of God and take this communion, we first must ask Jesus to cleanse the temple. Check every corner and under the bed. Sweep it all up into a pile and ask Jesus to enter the temple and drive out the sin.
There is no shadow in His presence. He is light. Ask for His forgiveness. Share in the body of Christ and become one with God and His family. That is the UNION part of Comm-UNION. Derived from two words Common-Union.
I would like to sing a special song that I hope helps you to search inside yourself and prepare your heart so you may approach the altar.
COMMUNION SONG
O Come To The Altar
Elevation Worship
Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling. Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well? Jesus is calling.
O come to the altar The Father’s arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes Come today there’s no reason to wait Jesus is calling. Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy From the ashes a new life is born Jesus is calling.
O come to the altar The Father’s arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar The Father’s arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Oh, what a Savior Isn’t He wonderful? Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen Bow down before Him For He is Lord of all Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Oh what a Savior Isn’t He wonderful? Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen Bow down before Him For He is Lord of all Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar The Father’s arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar The Father’s arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown Tell the world of the treasure you found
For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:24-26 -NLT
COMMUNION PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we bow before You in humility and ask You to examine our hearts today. Show us anything that is not pleasing to You. Reveal any secret pride, any unconfessed sin, any rebellion or un-forgiveness that may be hindering our relationship with You. We know that we are Your beloved child, having received You into our hearts and lives and having accepted Your death as penalty for our sinfulness. The price You paid covered us for all time, and our desire is to live for You.
RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT
As we take the bread representing Your life that was broken for us, we remember and celebrate Your faithfulness to us and to all who will receive You. We can’t begin to fathom the agonizing suffering of Your crucifixion. Yet You took that pain for us. You died for us! Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for Your extravagant love and unmerited favor. Thank You that Your death gave us life—abundant life now, and eternal life forever. As You instructed Your disciples, we, too, receive this bread in remembrance of You.
(Receive the bread).
And in the same way, as we take this cup representing Your blood poured out from a splintered cross, we realize that You were the supreme sacrifice for all our sins: past, present, and future. Because of Your blood shed for us, we can be free from the power and penalty of sin. Thank You for Your victory over death. You took the death that we deserved. You took our punishment. Your pain was indeed our gain. And today we remember and celebrate the precious gift of life You gave us through the blood that You spilled. As You instructed Your disciples, we, too, receive this cup in remembrance of You.
(Receive the cup)
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
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Julia H. Johnston
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; What can we do to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s online worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Last Sunday as we reopened for in-person worship, 48 persons attended! We still had enough empty chairs left to say that we can handle about 60 persons safely. That is, with everyone wearing a mask and individuals sitting six feet apart. Any way, it was very meaningful to be back together. The musicians and singers and prayer leaders did a great job in leading us in worship and we are all grateful. If you chose not to come for safety reasons, I fully understand. As time moves forward, more and more of you will return, and there will be some point where we need to add a second service. Won’t that be wonderful!
Last week I announced that I will be offering classes to train people who feel called to learn some practical skills in preaching. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have several people within our congregation who could step into the pulpit at any time? What a great asset to the church and to a future pastor this would be.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s online worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You all know that I plan on moving into a new phase of my life in March of 2022. I will no longer be your pastor. You also know our Pastoral Succession Team is working toward this transition and plan to secure what is called an Intentional Interim Pastor; someone who has been specifically trained to lead a congregation in the process of securing the next pastor. There will be a time in the near future when you will have an opportunity to ask questions about that process.
At the same time, there are three dynamics that could make it difficult to find a new pastor. First, a large cohort of baby-boomer pastors across the country have been retiring for the last ten years. During that same time, the number of people entering seminary with the goal of becoming pastors has decreased 50%. Add to that the fact that many pastors have left the ministry as a result of Covid. I caught a blog by Church Consultant Thom Rainer last week, who said he is aware of hundreds of churches going without senior pastors.
With that in mind, it is my intention to prepare CrossPointe for any eventuality. So I am announcing that I will be offering classes to train people who feel called to it in some practical skills in preaching. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have several people within our congregation who could step into the pulpit at any time? What a great asset to the church and to a future pastor this would be.
Good morning and welcome to CrossPointe Community Church’s online worship presentation. I thank God for all of you and for the opportunity to spend these moments with you. If you’d like to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail me at randykmeyer@hotmail.com.
What did one light bulb say to the other on Valentine’s Day? “I love you a whole watt.”
What did the rabbit say to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day? “Some-bunny loves you!”
A man and his wife were enjoying a fine glass of wine on Valentine’s Day. The husband . . . or the wife said, “I love you.” The other asked, “Is that you or the wine talking?” And the response was, “It’s me talking to the wine.”
What’s the perfect thing to say to a coffee-lover on Valentine’s Day? “Words cannot espresso what you mean to me.”
What did one mushroom say to the other on Valentine’s Day? There’s so mushroom in my heart for you!
By the way, this seems an appropriate time to let you know that two of the seven young folks ministered to by SHC that we were invited to adopt as pen pals are still available. If you would like to Share God’s Grace with Our Community by occasionally sending a note or card their way, please let Annie Dean know.
I am happy to announce that next Sunday we will re-open for live in-person worship! Rest assured, we will continue to do in a safe manner; asking you to continue to wear a mask. And we will spread out. Notice I didn’t use that phrase that we all come to loath, ‘socially distanced.’ By the way, what do you call an ant that has been shunned by his community? A socially dissed ant. Thanks, Sally Krall for sending that pun my way. And we turn on our exhaust fan and crack the windows enough to provide for the movement of fresh air. So you will want to wear a sweater or sweatshirt under your coat. But I know you won’t mind any inconvenience because we will get to see one another as we worship together.
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