Four Points Church

"Grounded in the Gospel- Elders and Their Task on Crete, Titus 1: 5-16" July 01, 2018

Titus' first task is appointing elders, who will assist him as he deals with false teachers and their infiltration into the local churches. Today’s passage deals with the character and role of elders in the local church. It further describes the false teachers and the disorder they leave when unchecked by godly leadership.

"Grounded in the Gospel- Truth Packed Tight, Titus 1:1-5" June 24, 2018

Along with First and Second Timothy, Titus is a Pastoral Epistle, which is a letter to one of Paul’s successors and gives insight into specific church leadership matters. Titus’s job was to ensure the establishment of qualified leaders in all of the churches in Crete to combat the false teaching that was prevalent among the people.

"Fulfilled - Loving and Hating Matthew 5: 43- 48" June 17, 2018

We now come the sixth example that Jesus gives us to show how truly unrighteous the scribes and pharisees were.  It was commonly taught and accepted that the Jewish people should love their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18).  Neighbor was always and only defined as a fellow Israelite.  Non-Israelites were seen as enemies through the cultural lens of the first century.  Here is the funny thing about that definition.  Nowhere in the Old Testament are God’s people told to hate their enemies.

"Fulfilled - Eye for an Eye Matthew 5: 38-42" June 10, 2018

The Old Testament sets a standard of equitable retribution. It is clear from the Old Testament that the need to be fair when judging the sins of those who break our trust need judgement. The rule was for justice rather than revenge.  The law serves as a safeguard for all humanity to flourish and prosper.The point of this diatribe of Christ is to show us how we must die to ourselves.

"Fulfilled -Jesus and Truth Matt 5:33-37 " June 03, 2018

In our world we are incredibly familiar with being lied to. Companies lie to us about their products. Insurance agencies lie to us about our coverage. Politicians lie to us about their policies and agendas. It’s simply commonplace. What’s funny is that companies, insurance agencies, and politicians never admit they lie. They find clever ways and jargon no one understands to explain how they didn’t lie, but merely skirted the truth or didn’t reveal all the information. Whats new is very old! This is the exact problem that Jesus had with the Scribes and Pharisees. Remember, this text is part of Jesus giving six examples of why the Pharisees are not as righteous as they think they are (vs. 21-48). Jesus exposes their hypocrisy with His words.

"Fulfilled -Divorce and the Gospel Matt 5:31-32,19:1-12 " May 27,,2018

As we dig into our text we are going to see that God has a very different view of marriage.  Notice that Jesus goes back to the creation account to explain marriage Genesis 2:24).  God tells us everything we need to know in His Word.  What we find is that God LOVES marriage!

"Fulfilled -Heart Adultery Matt 5:27-30 " May 20,,2018

Jesus points out once again that there is no difference between external obedience and inward desire. The righteousness that God requires is both inward as well as outward. When we lust after a woman, or covet our neighbors wife inwardly it is the same as adultery in the eyes of God. This is another way that Jesus shows us that even the most righteous among mankind are still guilty before God.

"Fulfilled -The Spirit of the law of God Matt 5:21-26 " May 13,,2018

The scribes and pharisees built their interpretations from the letter of the law. They looked at what the scripture said and then made rules to enforce it so that no one broke what the letter spelled out. The pharisees prided themselves on being able to keep the letter of the law and demanded others to do the same. In this way they thought they would be commended by God for their outstanding righteousness. However, Jesus came to show them how they missed the spirit of the law of God

"Fulfilled -Jesus Fulfilled the Old Testament Matt 5:17-20 " May 06,,2018

Now that Jesus had set the beatitudes of His new kingdom He wanted the people to understand that He wasn’t merely doing away with the Law and Prophets. Rather, He was the fulfillment of what was longed for in their pages. Notice the passion that Jesus has for the written word of God. I believe the Bible is inspired and infallible because thats they way that Jesus speaks of it. Jesus knew that everything God spoke was coming to pass and nothing could stop the will of the Father.

"Fulfilled - Live Distinctly, Shine Publicly Matt 5:10-16 " Apr 29,2018

As we close our study of the Beatitudes that they are not only descriptions of what our life is to be like as believers. The Beatitudes are the righteousness we are able to walk in because Jesus has set us free for joyful obedience!