Embracing the Cross: Perceived Weakness to Forever Strength

BridgePoint Church, Inc.

Embracing the Cross: Perceived Weakness to Forever Strength

Empty: Part 3

March 24, 2024 • Tyler Crosson • Matthew 27:27–31, Matthew 27:37–44, Matthew 27:50, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

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Today Tyler's message revolves around embracing the perceived weakness of the cross and finding eternal strength in it. It recounts the events of Palm Sunday and Jesus's crucifixion, highlighting the shift in perception from adoration to condemnation. It's crazy to think the sinless Savior died a criminal's death. And for his followers, friends, and family it felt like everything had just unravelled. The whole plan had just fallen apart because how could Jesus be King of Kings if he was dead? Don't we often look into our lives through the lens of faith and see weaknesses as obstacles, too? Tyler reminds us that what was perceived as the world's greatest humiliation or failure was actually the exact opposite: a divine plan being executed in full strength. And it's His strength that is enough in our weakness, if we'll lay it all down at the cross.

Questions for Reflection:

* What are the common ways you work to cover your weaknesses instead of surrendering them to Jesus?

* What scares you the most about confessing weaknesses to God or others?

Embracing the Empty Tomb: Experiencing A Full Life

March 31, 2024 • Tyler Crosson • John 20:1–9, Matthew 16:24–26

Joining with believers around the world, this message is intended to join the global celebration of the historical resurrection! Jesus is alive! Tyler takes us back to that first easter morning, originally sad, dark and hopeless, until Jesus followers looked into His empty tomb. They were moved to belief, and resolved to share the message of salvation. The empty tomb means death is defeated and a life to the full is possible for us. Tyler wonders with us how long it took the disciples to remember Jesus' invitation to save their lives by "losing" theirs. In other words, the empty tomb is the invitation to surrender to Almighty God all the things we look to as "gain" in this world at the expense of our souls because of sin. Therefore, we anchor our hope to Jesus' resurrection as the source of the life we are longing for in Jesus. Questions for Reflection: • Are there things, patterns, people, places, etc. that are examples of dead things you go back to in search of a meaningful life? • What is God inviting you to surrender to Jesus to experience new resurrected life with Him?

Embracing the Cross: Are you awake to what God is doing?

March 17, 2024 • Cam Lazier • Matthew 26:36–46

Jesus repeatedly reminds the disciples to stay awake while he is praying in the garden. This is a reminder for us today to stay awake and alert so we don’t miss out on what God is doing/getting ready to do. We do this by doing what Jesus tells us, praying even nothing is happening, and laying down what causes us to go back to sleep. Questions for Reflection: • Have you stopped praying? If so why? • What do you need to give up that’s causing you to sleep on what God might be trying to do?

Embracing the Cross: The Way To Resurrected Life

March 10, 2024 • Travis James • Luke 9:18–25

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow Him? These are the questions that are explored today as Pastor Travis looks to Jesus’ message to His disciples in Luke 9:18-25. Jesus has a plan for redeeming our lives and the path to get there involves the same path Jesus walked down as He made His way to the cross. Although upside down from our cultures perspective, Jesus invites us to experience new life by way of self-denial and sacrifice. Questions for Reflection: • Who is Jesus to you and what does that mean for your everyday life? • In what ways does self-denial and self-sacrifice challenge you and what are you being asked to surrender or empty in your life to be able to pickup your cross and follow?