This sermon is given by GPP Campus Pastor Jared Seeland. The scripture reference is from Joshua 2:1-21.Key VersesJoshua 2:1-21Joshua 2:11John 8:31-32Hebrews 7:22John 1:1-3QuestionsWhat made Rahab such an unlikely candidate to be part of God's family, and why do you think God chose her?How do you think Rahab's background as a Canaanite prostitute affected how others viewed her potential for faith?What stories of God's power had Rahab heard that led to her confession of faith? How do stories impact our own faith journey?Rahab showed incredible courage in protecting the spies and betraying her own nation. What does this teach us about the cost of following God?Pastor Jared mentions that we often take the 'path of least resistance' in evangelism. What are some examples of this in your own life?How does Rahab's urgency in reaching her family challenge our approach to sharing faith with those close to us?What does the scarlet cord symbolize, and how does it connect to Jesus' sacrifice for us?Pastor Jared asks 'If you don't [reach out], who will?' How does this question challenge you personally regarding the people in your life who need to hear the gospel?Life ApplicationThis week, take one concrete step toward reaching someone who seems unlikely or far from God. This could be picking up a 'Reach Bag' and prayerfully considering who to give it to, having a conversation where you share a story of God's freedom or victory in your life, or simply inviting someone to church. Don't let fear or assumptions about their receptiveness stop you from being obedient to God's call to be a faithful witness.Key TakeawaysGod often chooses the most unlikely people to be part of His family and accomplish His purposesWe cannot trust our own limited vision when it comes to who might be open to the gospelSharing stories of God's freedom and victory is a powerful way to help others recognize who God isTrue faith leads to urgent action in reaching others, especially our own family membersThe scarlet cord represents God's covenant of salvation, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' blood shed for us-------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to Grace Pointe! We're so happy you could join us online More Information ↓

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 network with campuses in Naperville IL and Plainfield IL Connect with us: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gracepointe.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: / gracepointeplainfield Instagram: / gppchurch YouTube: / @gracepointe / @gracepointeplainfield Join us in-person at any of our service times: Naperville, Sundays at 8, 9:30 and 11 AM Plainfield, Sundays at 9 and 10:45AM

This sermon is given by GPP Campus Pastor Jared Seeland. The scripture reference is from Genesis 38:12-26.Key VersesGenesis 38:12-26John 1:12Ecclesiastes 2:11 QuestionsHow does understanding that Jesus chose His family lineagechange your perspective on who belongs in God's family?What promises has the world made to you that have left youdisappointed? How have you responded to those broken promises?In what ways do you see yourself in Tamar's story ofdisappointment and taking matters into her own hands?Why do you think God included such scandalous stories inJesus' genealogy rather than only highlighting the 'good' people?How does chronic disappointment in life sometimes lead ustoward sin or unhealthy coping mechanisms?Who in your life have you written off as 'too far gone' forGod's grace? How might this story challenge that assumption?What does it mean that Jesus wants 'all of you' rather thanjust your money, time, or good behavior?How can recognizing our deep need for fulfillment actuallypoint us toward Christ rather than away from Him? Life ApplicationThis week, identify one area where you've been seekingfulfillment outside of Christ - whether through relationships, career success, possessions, or other means. Surrender that area to Jesus in prayer each day, asking Him to be your ultimate source of satisfaction. Also, reach out to one person you may have written off as 'too far gone' and show them Christ's love through a simple act of kindness or genuine conversation. Key TakeawaysJesus chose scandalous people like Tamar to be part of Hisfamily lineage, showing that God's grace extends to the unexpectedDisappointment and broken promises often drive us to seekfulfillment through sinful means, but they can also point us toward our need for ChristThe world's promises will always disappoint, but Jesusoffers the one promise that cannot be broken - belonging to His familyWe shouldn't presume to know who belongs at Jesus' table orwho is too far gone for God's graceTrue fulfillment comes only through surrendering our entirelives to Jesus, not through partial commitments or worldly pursuits-------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to Grace Pointe! We're so happy you could join us online. More Information ↓

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 network with campuses in Naperville IL and Plainfield IL Connect with us: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gracepointe.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: / gracepointeplainfield Instagram: / gppchurch YouTube: / @gracepointe / @gracepointeplainfield Join us in-person at any of our service times: Naperville, Sundays at 8, 9:30 and 11 AM Plainfield, Sundays at 9 and 10:45AM

This sermon is given by GPP Director of Student Ministries Jayson Cromer. The scripture reference is from Acts 6:1-7.

Key Verses

Acts 6:1-7

1 Corinthians 12

Romans 12

Questions

What are some ways that conflicts or 'factions' can developin churches today, and how might they start small but grow into bigger problems?

The Hellenistic Jews felt their widows were being neglected.How important is it to speak up when we see unfairness or feel excluded in church settings?

The apostles said it wasn't right for them to 'give uppreaching the word of God to serve tables.' How do we balance staying focused on our calling while still being willing to serve wherever needed?

What does it mean to you that there is 'dignity in all parts' of the church body? How does this challenge or encourage you?

The apostles empowered others to solve the problem ratherthan handling it themselves. When is it wise for leaders to delegate, and when should they handle things personally?

All seven men chosen had Greek names, meaning the very group that felt excluded became part of the solution. What does this teach us about how God can use conflict for good?

Jayson mentioned that the best way to find your calling isto 'serve.' What opportunities to serve have helped you discover your gifts or passions?

How can we avoid the 'wombat method' of sticking our headsin the sand when conflicts arise, while also not creating unnecessary drama?

Life Application

This week, identify one area where you can serve at churchor in your community. If you're already serving, consider how you can encourage someone else to discover their calling by inviting them to serve alongside you.

Also, if there's a conflict or tension you've been avoiding, pray about whether God is calling you to address it in a loving, constructive way.

Key Takeaways

Conflicts in the church must be addressed head-on ratherthan ignored, as they can grow and threaten unity if left unchecked

Effective leadership involves empowering others to serveaccording to their calling rather than trying to handle every problem personally

Every member of the church body has dignity and an important role to play in advancing God's mission

The best way to discover your calling is to start servingsomewhere and see where God leads

When conflicts are handled with wisdom and unity, they canactually strengthen the church and advance its mission

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Welcome to Grace Pointe! We're so happy you could join us online

More Information ↓

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 network with campuses in Naperville IL and Plainfield IL

Connect with us: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gracepointe.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: / gracepointeplainfield Instagram: / gppchurch YouTube: / @gracepointe / @gracepointeplainfield

Join us in-person at any of our service times: Naperville, Sundays at 8, 9:30 and 11 AM Plainfield, Sundays at 9 and 10:45AM