Home for ChristmasThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week two of the sermon series “Home for Christmas”. Grace Pointe is a church dedicated to seeing a world full of healthy churches by making as many people as much like Jesus in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-site church in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 am.Discover the surprising connection between Christmas and the story of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute whose faith saved her family from destruction. This powerful message explores why God included scandalous stories in Jesus' genealogy and what it reveals about His character and our spiritual condition. Learn about the warning that comes with Christmas - the reality of coming judgment and Christ's second advent. Understand how Rahab's scarlet cord represents salvation through Christ's blood and why her story of faith appears in Hebrews 11. Explore themes of spiritual adultery, God's patient pursuit of the lost, and the transformation that comes through genuine faith. This sermon addresses questions about God's justice, the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation history, and practical applications for modern believers. Perfect for those seeking to understand the deeper meaning of Christmas beyond the traditional nativity story. Topics covered include biblical genealogies, Old Testament typology, salvation by faith, spiritual transformation, and Christian mission. Whether you're struggling with questions about God's judgment or seeking to understand your own spiritual condition, this message offers hope and challenge. Discover how God's faithfulness to unfaithful people is the true heart of the Christmas message and what it means to be marked by Christ's blood in a world facing judgment.Important VersesJoshua 2:9-11Joshua 2:18Joshua 6:22-25Matthew 1:1-5Hebrews 11:31Think about it!What stands out to you most about Rahab's story, and why do you think God chose to include her in Jesus' genealogy?How does Rahab's response to the spies demonstrate faith in action, not just words?The pastor mentioned that we are all like spiritual prostitutes, giving our hearts to things other than God. What are some common things people turn to for fulfillment instead of God?How does the story of God's patience with the Canaanites help us understand both His justice and His mercy?What does the scarlet cord represent, and how does it point forward to Jesus Christ?How should the warning of Christ's second coming affect the way we live today?In what ways do you see God's faithfulness in your own life, even during times when you've been unfaithful?Who are the 'Rahabs' in your life - people who need to hear about God's grace and salvation?Apply it!This week, identify one person in your life who needs to hear about God's grace and salvation (your 'Rahab'). Pray for them daily and look for an opportunity to share the hope you have in Jesus Christ. Also, examine your own heart for any areas where you might be seeking fulfillment from things other than God, and commit to turning back to Him as your ultimate source of satisfaction.Key TakeawaysChristmas comes with a warning - Jesus came once as a baby, but He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to bring final judgmentChristmas comes with an opportunity - God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentanceChristmas comes with a challenge - we must respond with genuine faith that goes beyond words to submission and surrender to Jesus ChristGod faithfully pursues unfaithful people, demonstrating His grace by including people like Rahab in the lineage of JesusWe are all called to be on mission, looking for opportunities to share the gospel with the 'Rahabs' in our lives

Home for ChristmasThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week one of the sermon series “Home for Christmas”. Grace Pointe is a church dedicated to seeing a world full of healthy churches by making as many people as much like Jesus in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-site church in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 am.Discover the shocking story behind Christmas that most people never hear about. While we typically focus on the nativity scene, the Christmas story actually begins with a scandalous genealogy in Matthew 1 that includes some of the most dysfunctional people in the Bible. This deep dive into Genesis 38 reveals the story of Judah and Tamar—a tale involving deception, sexual immorality, and family breakdown that seems completely out of place in the Christmas narrative.Learn why God intentionally included this controversial story in Jesus' family tree and what it teaches us about grace, redemption, and hope for broken people. This biblical exposition explores themes of family dysfunction, moral failure, and God's incredible grace that transforms even the most scandalous situations into part of His redemptive plan.Key topics covered include the significance of biblical genealogies, the cultural context of ancient marriage customs, the destructive patterns people use to cope with dysfunction, and how Christmas represents God's breakthrough into human brokenness. Perfect for anyone struggling with family issues, moral failures, or wondering if God can use broken people.Whether you're dealing with family dysfunction, personal moral struggles, or simply want to understand the deeper meaning of Christmas beyond the traditional nativity story, this message reveals how God's grace extends to the most unlikely people. Discover why the Christmas story is ultimately about hope for moral failures and God's incredible ability to bring beauty from ashes.Ideal for Christmas season reflection, biblical study groups, or anyone interested in Old Testament stories that connect to the New Testament gospel message.Important VersesMatthew 1:1-3Genesis 38:26Romans 3:23Romans 6:23Think about it!Why do you think God chose to include scandalous stories like Judah and Tamar's in Jesus' genealogy?The pastor mentioned that we often treat the Bible like a 'moral storybook.' How does this story challenge that approach?What does it mean that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'? How is this more than just not measuring up to a standard?Which of the five dysfunctional ways of dealing with problems (avoidance, medication, revenge, masking, harsh judgment) do you most struggle with?How does Judah's statement 'she is more righteous than I' reveal the problem with comparing ourselves to others rather than to God's standard?How does Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery (John 8) demonstrate the heart of the Christmas message?What would it look like to stop using 'dysfunction to solve dysfunction' in your current relationships or struggles?Apply it!This week, identify one area where you've been trying to solve a problem through dysfunctional means (avoidance, medication, revenge, masking, or harsh judgment). Instead of continuing that pattern, bring that situation to God in prayer and ask Him to show you how to respond with the grace and love He has shown you.Key TakeawaysEveryone is dysfunctional - all have sinned and fall short of God's gloryDysfunction is destructive - we cannot solve our brokenness through broken meansChristmas represents God's breakthrough - Jesus came to save hopeless moral failuresSalvation is received as a gift, not earned through good behavior

ACTS - PowerThis message is from Executive Pastor Jim George in week eight of the sermon series “Acts - Power”. Grace Pointe is a church dedicated to seeing a world full of healthy churches by making as many people as much like Jesus in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-site church in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 am.Discover how the early church in Acts 6 transformed criticism into growth and mission advancement. When Greek-speaking widows were overlooked in food distribution, the apostles didn't get defensive or make excuses. Instead, they demonstrated humble leadership by listening to complaints, acknowledging problems, and involving the entire congregation in finding solutions. Learn powerful principles for church leadership, conflict resolution, and community care that remain relevant for modern congregations. This biblical example shows how addressing physical needs differs from humanitarian work by focusing on eternal purposes and spiritual conversations. The apostles appointed seven Spirit-filled men to handle food distribution, recognizing that ministry belongs to the whole church body, not just leaders. Explore how caring for physical needs builds trust, demonstrates God's love, and creates opportunities for gospel conversations. The remarkable results included rapid church growth and many priests coming to faith, proving that humble responses to criticism strengthen witness and advance God's kingdom. Perfect for church leaders, ministry teams, and anyone interested in biblical leadership principles, conflict resolution, community care, and church growth strategies. Important VersesActs 6:1-71 Peter 2:9Hebrews 10:25Matthew 14:13-21John 4:1-42Think about it!How does the early church's response to criticism in Acts 6 challenge or encourage you in how you handle feedback in your own life?The pastor mentioned that 'there's no finish line to health' for churches. What does this mean to you, and how might this apply to our personal spiritual growth?What's the difference between humanitarian work and church work as described in the sermon? Why is this distinction important?The apostles demonstrated humility by listening to complaints and recognizing their limitations. Where in your life do you need to show more humility in receiving feedback or acknowledging your limitations?How can we as a church better identify and address the physical needs of people in our community while maintaining our spiritual mission?What are some practical ways we can build 'relational bridges' with our neighbors, coworkers, or community members that could lead to spiritual conversations?Apply it!This week, identify one person in your 'list of five' (neighbors, coworkers, or community members) and look for a practical way to show God's love through meeting a physical or practical need they have. This could be as simple as bringing them a meal, helping with a task, or offering encouragement during a difficult time. As you serve them, pray for opportunities to build a deeper relationship that could lead to spiritual conversations. Also, spend time in prayer asking God to show you how you can better contribute to the mission of Grace Point beyond Sunday attendance.Key TakeawaysCompassionate care begins with humility - being open to feedback and acknowledging our limitationsThe church must address physical needs of others, following Jesus's example of caring for the whole personCompassionate care is the job of the entire church body, not just the staff or leadershipChurch work differs from humanitarian work by maintaining a spiritual mission focus that leads people to eternal life through relationship with God