InimitableThis message is from Executive Pastor Jim George in week two of the sermon series “Inimitable”. 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 profound meaning behind Jesus' declaration 'I am the door' and how it impacts your life today. In a world filled with options and paths claiming to lead to fulfillment, Jesus makes an exclusive claim that challenges our modern sensibilities but offers the only true path to abundant life. This message explores why we need a door in the first place—examining our natural inclination toward selfishness and the growing gap between who we are and who we were designed to be. Learn how this separation leads to feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and purposelessness that can only be resolved through the door Jesus provides. Understand the context of Jesus' bold statement in John 10:9 following His healing of a blind man, and how He uses the metaphor of a sheepfold to illustrate our need for divine protection and guidance. Whether you've never walked through the door of faith, have entered but become distracted, or are walking closely with Christ, this message offers practical application for your spiritual journey. Learn how to recognize false doors in your life, share the truth about Jesus with others who are searching, and live purposefully as someone who has entered the sheepfold.Important VersesJohn 10:9John 10:10Ephesians 6:12John 3:16Think about it!In what ways have you experienced the 'revolving trick doors' that the pastor mentioned (wealth, power, substances, religious activity)? How did they fail to satisfy?The pastor said, 'We need a door.' Why do we need a door according to the sermon, and what happens if we never go through the door Jesus offers?How would you respond to someone who objects to Jesus being the 'only door' to salvation? How might you explain this concept with compassion?The pastor mentioned that Jesus being the 'one way' is actually an increase from zero ways without Him. How does this perspective change how we might view the exclusivity of Christ?What does it mean practically to 'go through the door' of Jesus? How would you explain this to someone who is unfamiliar with Christianity?Apply it!This week, identify one 'revolving trick door' in your life that may be distracting you from fully experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised. It might be the pursuit of wealth, influence, pleasure, or even religious activity without relationship. Commit to redirecting that energy toward deepening your relationship with Jesus instead. Additionally, pray for one specific person in your life who needs to know about the door of salvation, and look for an opportunity to share your testimony of how walking through that door has changed your life.Key TakeawaysWe need a door because our sin separates us from God and leads to everlasting destruction if we don't find the way to salvation.Jesus is not just a door but the only door to salvation, though this door is wide enough for everyone who chooses to enter.The enemy sets up many revolving trick doors (wealth, power, substances, religious activity) to distract us from the one true door.Jesus being the 'one way' is actually an increase from zero ways without Him - we should be grateful there is a way at all.Our responsibility as believers is not to push people through the door but to tell them about it and introduce them to Jesus.

InimitableThis message is from Pastor of Discipleship Rick Pierson in week one of the sermon series “Inimitable”. 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 amDiscover the profound meaning behind Jesus' declaration 'I am the good shepherd' in John 10. This message explores how Jesus' use of 'I am' directly connects to God's divine name YHWH (Yahweh) revealed to Moses at the burning bush. By claiming this name, Jesus makes the boldest statement in human history—that He is God incarnate. Learn how Jesus fulfills the role of the Good Shepherd in three powerful ways: He actively searches for His lost sheep and lays down His life for them; He leads with genuine care rather than pushing like hired hands; and He calls to His sheep with His voice amid a world of competing influences. Whether you're struggling with feeling lost, pressured by worldly influences, or confused by competing voices in your life, this message offers biblical insight into how Jesus—as Yahweh Himself—seeks, leads, and calls you personally. Discover how recognizing Jesus as the eternal 'I AM' can transform your understanding of who He is and how He relates to you today. Important VersesJohn 10:11John 10:14-15John 8:58Exodus 3:14Psalm 23Think about it!What does it mean to you personally that Jesus identifies Himself as 'I AM' - the same name God revealed to Moses?The pastor mentioned that 'the more we know Jesus, the more we see our need for Jesus.' How have you experienced this in your own spiritual journey?In what ways have you experienced Jesus as your Good Shepherd during difficult times in your life?Jesus contrasts Himself as the Good Shepherd with hired hands who abandon the sheep. What 'hired hands' or false shepherds do people tend to follow today instead of Jesus?The sermon mentions that sheep are vulnerable animals that need protection. How does this help you understand your own need for Christ's protection and guidance?Jesus says, 'I know my own and my own know me.' What does it mean to be known by Jesus, and how does that affect how you live?What competing voices in our culture make it difficult to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd?Jesus says He lays down His life for His sheep. How does understanding this sacrificial love change how you respond to Him?Apply it!This week, take time each day to intentionally listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Set aside 10 minutes of quiet time daily to read Scripture and pray, asking God to help you recognize His voice above all others. When you find yourself being influenced by other voices or feeling pushed in directions that don't align with God's Word, pause and ask, 'Am I following the Good Shepherd or a hired hand?' Write down instances where you recognize God's guidance as your Shepherd and share with the group next time how this practice affected your week.Key TakeawaysWhen Jesus says 'I AM,' He is identifying Himself as Yahweh (YHWH), the divine name of God revealed to Moses.The Good Shepherd came to get us when we were lost, to lead us rather than push us, and to call us to follow His voice.Unlike hired hands who abandon the sheep in danger, Jesus laid down His life to protect His sheep.We need to discern which voices we're listening to and following in our lives - the Good Shepherd or other influences.The early Christians identified primarily with Jesus as their Good Shepherd, finding comfort and security in this relationship.

Patience - Patient like JesusThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week four of the sermon series “Patience - Patient like Jesus”. 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 amDiscover how to cultivate patience in challenging relationships by following Jesus' example. This message explores the concept of relationships as 'hard gifts' - blessings that also challenge us because they involve imperfect people still growing in faith. Learn from Jesus' response in Gethsemane, where He showed remarkable patience with disciples who repeatedly fell asleep during His hour of greatest need. Understand that true patience isn't permissiveness or passivity, but a deliberate response rooted in love and understanding. Explore practical ways to develop Christ-like patience: expecting relationship challenges, remembering God's patience with you, and practicing patience through imagination and reflection. Perfect for anyone struggling with difficult relationships, marriage challenges, church community tensions, or personal growth in Christian virtues. This teaching offers biblical wisdom on patience, forgiveness, community, sanctification, spiritual growth, Christian relationships, emotional regulation, and walking in love. Discover how the messy, non-linear process of sanctification requires patience with ourselves and others as we grow together in faith.Important Verses1 Thessalonians 5:14Matthew 26:36-46Ephesians 4:1-3Hebrews 4:15-16Think about it!How does understanding sanctification as a process help us be more patient with others?What makes it difficult to be patient with other believers in the church?How does remembering Jesus' patience with us help us be more patient with others?In what ways do you see the church as both a 'hard gift'?What's the difference between patience and passive acceptance of wrong behavior?How can we practice 'imaginative patience' in our daily interactions?What role does reflection play in developing greater patience?How can we maintain patience when others repeatedly disappoint us, as the disciples did with Jesus?Apply it!This week, practice 'reflective patience' by pausing before responding in frustrating situations. Take a moment to remember Jesus' patience with you and ask Him to help you respond with similar grace to others. Keep a journal of these moments and how choosing patience impacted the situation.Key TakeawaysExpect that patience will be needed in Christian community - it's normal, not a sign of failureRemember Jesus' ongoing patience with us in our own sanctification processPractice both imaginative and reflective patience in our daily interactionsPatience isn't passive acceptance but loving engagement that promotes growthOur ability to be patient flows from receiving and experiencing Christ's patience with us