LifePoint Church
301 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsLifePoint Church is built on an authentic, contemporary and relevant approach to ministry as we carry out our mission of influencing people to find and follow Jesus. We believe that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with a person. Jesus Christ. Firmly rooted in Scripture, the beliefs of LifePoint guide our decisions as a church. Through the messages at LifePoint, you’ll hear practical teaching from the Bible that impacts your life no matter where you are on your spiritual journey.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The Gifts of Memory
August 07, 2022 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBTime for us travels in only one direction, such that once a moment is past it’s gone forever. While this helps us deal with life’s challenges (“time heals all wounds”) we can also experience a strong sense of loss and even grief as we pass through the joyous times of life. Lest we despair, God has given us “a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11), He’s given us the gift of memory. We’ll talk about our tendency to forget, both the good and the bad, and why God so often commanded the Israelites to “r...
Caring for the Neglected Places in Your Soul
July 31, 2022 16:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBOne of the age old practices in our culture is that of presenting who we are as our vocation. We present our occupation title as a means to inform our new acquaintance of our function. In essence, we unknowingly begin to associate our vocations or contribution to society, as our worth. This may seem small, but in practice we often neglect places in our soul by living from these self-sustained versions of ourselves instead of our true selves in Christ. In today’s message, we will work to disc...
Surrendering the Self Life
July 24, 2022 16:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBOver time, almost imperceptibly, we can get stuck in the trance of constructing our role in the world, building our identity, and completely miss what God is doing around us. We can spend a lot of time and energy protecting this Self we’ve created at all costs. As counterintuitive as it may seem, it’s when we surrender this Self that we get what we were trying to build all along: our life. Support the Show.
Remembering Who You Love
July 17, 2022 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBThe twists and turns of life can sometimes feel like an assault on our confidence that God is good. Doubts can begin to surface, directing our attention away from God and negatively impacting our relationships with Jesus Christ and others. In these instances, we must actively and intentionally engage our hearts in loving the One who first loved us and surrendering to His will. In loving and surrendering to God, we are able to receive Him. As we receive Him, we realize again how wonderful and...
Allowing for Transitions
July 10, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBDoesn’t it seem like the space between “what was” and “what’s next” makes us uncomfortable? Maybe that’s the reason we fill every empty or quiet moment with noise and activity—a glance at our phone between conversations, checking email between appointments, aimless activity between major life changes. The in-between quiet spaces of life create disquiet in us. However, our transition moments (the big and small ones) can become a place where we discover the presence of God in our lives. How co...
Allowing for Transitions
July 10, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBDoesn’t it seem like the space between “what was” and “what’s next” makes us uncomfortable? Maybe that’s the reason we fill every empty or quiet moment with noise and activity—a glance at our phone between conversations, checking email between appointments, aimless activity between major life changes. The in-between quiet spaces of life create disquiet in us. However, our transition moments (the big and small ones) can become a place where we discover the presence of God in our lives. How co...
Get Outside
July 03, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBHere’s a disturbing reality: we spend most of our lives indoors. We were meant for more than a plastic world with artificial light and re-breathed air. God can be found anywhere. But something special happens when we encounter God outside. Nature has the power to calm and quiet us. There is something restorative about an encounter with God under a canopy of stars or by the crashing waves of an ocean. He seems easily accessible from the mountain vista or in the still, dark forest. Get outside...
Kindness Toward Ourselves
June 26, 2022 16:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBThere is often enormous pressure to keep up with the non-stop noise and activity of our modern world. Jesus offers us an alternative to this frantic pace but following Him and resisting the pressure around us will require a simple act: kindness toward ourselves. Support the Show.
Simple Unplugging
June 19, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBOur immediate access to people and information through the use of technology has become a prevailing cultural norm. What has become the normal daily consumption of input can have a numbing effect on our soul and lead to our faith gradually growing thinner and thinner through neglect. Finding more of God and growing in our faith requires creating space for Him. Simple, intentional unplugging creates this space for us to experience the life-giving power of God while strengthening our ability t...
Drinking Beauty
June 12, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBGod paints on a large canvas. His creativity is seen in the grandeur of the mountains, in the wildflowers on a rolling hillside, in classic masterpieces in an art gallery, or in the curious expression on the face of a child. Beauty is all around us. But seeing it means that we look up from our cell phones long enough to notice God’s intentional design. God’s brushstrokes of beauty are everywhere. Is it any wonder that God, Himself is called beautiful? Maybe it’s time to get your life back by...
Pausing to Detach
June 05, 2022 16:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBSo much about the pace of life conspires against us. We might even be convinced that the faster we go and the busier we become, the more we’ll get done. But what does that kind of toxicity do to our souls? Could it be that God invites us to find Him through a different rhythm? What would happen if we built pauses into our day—benevolent detachment from the siren call of the fast and furious. Maybe God is not waiting for us to catch up; instead, maybe He’s waiting for us to slow down. Suppor...
Never Give Up
May 29, 2022 16:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBResilience is such a powerful concept. Some of our greatest heroes and inspirational characters in stories are defined as people of resilience. But what does it look like to have a resilient faith? Spoiler alert… it doesn’t mean that things are always going to go according to plan. We will discover how we can build resilience and find joy regardless of the circumstance. Support the Show.
Never Stop Listening to God
May 22, 2022 16:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBWhen we fail to listen to God, it’s a hearing problem for us not a speaking problem for God. Most notably, God has spoken in His Son Jesus. In the fifth and final warning in the book of Hebrews, the author warns us that it’s a mistake to turn away from God and ignore what He is saying to us. As with the Israelites, the loss for the stubborn believer is real. And faithful listening and enduring is rewarded in the kingdom to come. Support the Show.
Avoiding Willful Defiance
May 15, 2022 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBEven Christians can behave badly. And the Bible acknowledges that a believer can walk away from Jesus all together. To treat God with this kind of contempt is a terrible act of defiance. In the fourth of five warnings in the book of Hebrews, the author tells us about the dangers of willful sin and the consequences we can expect. We must diligently seek to draw near to God to prevent our turning away. Support the Show.
The Danger of Falling Away
May 09, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MBSalvation is guaranteed the moment one believes Jesus for it. But becoming a Christian never guarantees that we’ll live like one. Spiritual maturity is not automatic. It requires diligent engagement with Jesus if we hope to change and grow. In the third of five warnings in Hebrews, the author reminds us that if we fail to mature and if we loosen our grip on Jesus, it’s only a matter of time before we fall away. And falling away leaves us in a precarious position in our relationship with God....
Beware of Your Unbelief
May 01, 2022 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBEven Christians can be people of unbelief. Given tempting circumstances, we might cave under pressure and cease to follow God wholeheartedly. This certainly was the case with the children of Israel who took a major detour of unbelief while on their journey to the land promised to them by God. Similarly, there is an inheritance that awaits the faithful Christian. God refers to this inheritance as rest, and it’s not the same as going to heaven. Our salvation is secure. But in this second of fi...
Pay Careful Attention
April 24, 2022 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBLike other people, there’s a chance you have entertained thoughts about returning to an easier, more comfortable way of life—one that pushes God aside. When the pressure is on, even Christians can become disillusioned with following Jesus. The book of Hebrews is written to warn believers not to drift away from Jesus. The possibility is real. The consequences are enormous. It would be foolish to ignore this first of five warnings in Hebrews: “Pay careful attention.” Support the Show.
Raised Forever
April 17, 2022 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBEaster is the celebration of all celebrations! Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and is raised to life. The resurrection of Jesus is not some legend that has been passed down through the ages meant to give us an excuse for another holiday. In Easter we see the bedrock of our hope—the event on which we base our faith and future. Put your faith in Jesus and because He lives, you too will live forever! Support the Show.
Choose Wisely
April 10, 2022 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBWe are accountable for the words we choose to use. As believers who have put off the old self and put on the new self, we have to make a conscious effort to move from using corrupting words to using encouraging words. Although we have lots of words and scriptures to choose from, specifically choosing words that are meaningful and appropriate to the listener’s situation will aid in building others up according to their specific needs. Support the Show.
Truth & Love
April 03, 2022 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBThere’s a tension we may experience between truth and love: telling someone the truth doesn’t always seem loving, and sometimes loving people can feel as though it comes at the expense of telling the truth. It’s easy to embrace one while neglecting the other. Yet, Jesus navigates this tension masterfully. Following His example, we can learn to speak the truth in love to a world that desperately needs both truth and love. Support the Show.
Hope Floats
March 27, 2022 13:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBMost of us are desperate for hope—especially words of hope spoken to us by others. Hearing the right words can completely change our course in difficult or terrible circumstances. And here’s the thing about words of hope; they’re contagious. What if our eyes and attention were so focused on Jesus and His kingdom that our perspective about everything allowed us the freedom to encourage those around us at all times? Today, we will discover the ability and faith to choose where our hope comes f...
The Power of What You Say
March 20, 2022 13:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBWords have power. Power to build up or power to destroy. Armed with any other weapon as strong as words, you might be required to be trained and certified. That’s not a bad idea. God’s word is filled with instructions about how to skillfully speak life into others while avoiding the destructive consequences of harmful speech. No wonder God says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Support the Show.
Two Are Better Than One
March 13, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBWe live in a world that is more connected than ever before. This is something to be excited about, right? But what if the connection we are experiencing isn’t what God intended? What if we’ve been chasing something that isn’t what it seems to be? God offers us a connection that is lasting and meaningful. Support the Show.
God's Secret for You
March 06, 2022 14:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBSome of the secrets God keeps are meant to be revealed but only to His friends. And one secret, in particular, is meant for you and you alone. It’s an individual secret revealed to each overcomer—one who faithfully lives for Jesus. A secret prepared by God. A secret especially for you. The anticipation of this special secret can serve to motivate us to live in a way that pleases God now as we share this secret with Him for all eternity. Support the Show.
The Secret to Learning God's Secrets
February 27, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBSometimes God keeps secrets and sometimes He likes to reveal them. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is always true: God’s thoughts and ways are bigger and higher than our own. And He has a right to keep or disclose secrets as He chooses. But can we get to a place in our relationship with God where He generously shares His secrets with us? Is it possible that there is a secret to learning God’s secrets? Turns out, there is. Support the Show.
Keeping Secrets
February 20, 2022 14:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBCan you keep a secret? Maybe you can or maybe not. Secrets are mysterious, hidden, and concealed sometimes for good reason. But sometimes secrets are meant to eventually be revealed. Do you think God keeps secrets? Of course, He does. Some of God’s secrets we will never know even when we’re with Him forever. But some of God’s secrets we can discover now. But He doesn’t reveal them cheaply. Support the Show.
Not a Game
February 13, 2022 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBFrom childhood, most of us have learned to love games. The excitement, the cheering, even the competition create a rush of adrenalin that’s hard to find anywhere else. And on the playing field of life—even life with God—we can find excitement too. But living your life for God and with God is not a game. The stakes are high. The consequences are enormous. And the outcome is anything but trivial. No wonder God invites us to pay the price of giving up our lives so we can find real life. Suppor...
Small Group/Huge Impact
February 06, 2022 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBGrowing in Christian community is sometimes reduced to our gathering together in worship services and attending other congregational activities and events. While community growth can certainly occur in these venues, it is much more than that. Meaningful, life-changing community is also found in small groups that complement/enhance the work of the larger church body while also growing and equipping us individually to become Christ-like influencers. Support the Show.
Cross-Training
January 30, 2022 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBWe’re commanded, over and over again in the Bible, to meditate on God’s word. So it makes sense that when the “Reveal” study surveyed thousands of Christians the behavior found to be most important for growing in Christ was “reflection on scripture” or meditation. Yet for many of us, meditation on scripture is a foreign concept. Today we’ll talk about how and why meditation can help us grow, and how we can begin to do this ourselves. Support the Show.
Resistance Training
January 23, 2022 14:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBOur muscles grow stronger when we repeatedly push against a weight or force. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we can grow spiritually stronger when we encounter resistance. Today, we’ll identify the three primary forces that push against us on our path towards spiritual growth and, more importantly, how we push back. Support the Show.
Stages of Growth
January 16, 2022 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBWhile salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity involves a process. It’s one filled with twists and turns and failures and successes. And each stage of our growth requires an awareness of whether we’re a spiritual baby, a young person in the faith or a mature believer. God desires believers to grow. That requires diligent cooperation on our part to grow through all the stages of spiritual development. No matter where you are now, the goal is to grow up. Support the Show.
Time to Grow Up
January 09, 2022 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBChange is part of life. And we can change for good or change for the not-so-good. In the language of the Bible, changing for good is called growth. It’s normal for living things to grow—under one condition—if they’re nourished. In other words, growth doesn’t happen when we do nothing. Growth is the result of cooperating with God as He works in our lives. Ultimately, He makes things grow. God repeats this urgent message throughout the Bible: It’s time for us to grow up! Support the Show.
Proverbs: The Quest for Character
January 02, 2022 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBWe might define success by using external qualities like the amount of money someone accumulates or the amount of fame they achieve. However, in the Bible, we find a successful life is defined by our character – our disposition towards qualities like love and generosity. With that definition of success in mind, the book of Proverbs provides timeless wisdom on our quest to become people of character. Support the Show.
God Gave
December 26, 2021 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBWe’ve just come through a time of gift-giving and joy. Of course, the most significant gift of all was God’s gift of Jesus to the world. We find this profound truth simply stated in what might be the most famous of all Bible verses: John 3:16. Maybe this verse is so popular because it so simply explains God’s loving plan. God loved and gave! Support the Show.
Jesus, the Hope of the World (Christmas Eve)
December 24, 2021 06:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBHope. It’s so easy to lose but so generously available. We need hope. In a world where uncertainty and disillusionment are mixed into the air we breathe, we need a fresh perspective. For centuries people hoped for the coming Messiah—Jesus, the Savior of the world. He came. Hope fulfilled. But even today, hopelessness abounds. Maybe this Christmas, what you need more than anything is renewed hope about who Jesus is and what He can do in your life. Support the Show.
Cradle to Cross
December 19, 2021 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBGod’s plan for humanity is grand in scope and scale! It also seems at least mildly absurd. The all-powerful God of all creation enters the world as a helpless baby. And his final days on earth are spent in humiliation and suffering—becoming sin for a sinful human race. It’s a story that goes from cradle to cross. A story that includes both Christmas and Easter. And a story that includes you. Support the Show.
Grace in the Ordinary
December 12, 2021 14:00 - 35 minutes - 24.8 MBA right relationship with Jesus Christ manifests itself not in some extraordinary otherworldliness, but in and through our Christ-like conduct and loving human relationships in this world. It is in our conduct and relationships that we are most in need of experiencing, expressing, and exemplifying the reality of God’s grace in the ordinary, everyday interaction we have with believers and unbelievers. Support the Show.
Courageous Authenticity
December 05, 2021 14:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBWe may have several roles we play in society: as a spouse, a parent, or a co-worker, to name a few. At the same time, there are cultural standards for what it means to be “good” at the various roles we find ourselves in. But these cultural standards are sometimes in conflict with who we are in Jesus. So, how do we navigate cultural pressure to “fit-in” while remaining authentic to the person Jesus is transforming us into? Support the Show.
New Life in Jesus Christ
November 28, 2021 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBPractical Christian living is built on the foundation of theological truth. Because we know that Jesus was raised from the dead, our identification with Him becomes real. This should lead us to see things from God’s perspective and to put His priorities for us into the daily practice of putting to death our old life and living a new life in Jesus Christ. Support the Show.
Remember Who You Are
November 21, 2021 14:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBCompromise is everywhere. It’s a potential pitfall even for the most well-intentioned Christian. No wonder Paul reminds the Colossians to remember who they are in Christ. Affirming the life-changing benefits of a relationship with Jesus means we’re alert to even deceptive religious-sounding ideas—ideas and practices that constrict a believer’s freedom in Christ and replace it with legalism. Support the Show.
Look Out & Look Up
November 14, 2021 14:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBAs we survey our current surroundings, we find a wealth of perspectives on “how the world works.” Which of these ideas we embrace will determine how we act and behave. The same was true in Colossians when Paul warned against “fine-sounding arguments” or “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” These cautions, and Paul’s commands regarding them, have as much relevance for us today as they did when Paul originally wrote them. Support the Show.
Moving Toward Maturity
November 07, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBThrough Jesus, all things are reconciled to God. That doesn’t mean that all will be saved but that all are now savable. A believer who continually pursues Christ will grow and move toward maturity in Him. But some believers who ignore their need to mature will remain stagnant and immature. Paul’s passion is one we can embrace too: to see every believer presented as mature before Jesus. Support the Show.
Jesus is the Point
October 31, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBIt all points to Jesus. But for centuries Jesus has been a flashpoint for controversy. Some recognize Him for who He is while others reject Him outright. No single book of the Bible elevates and explains the person of Jesus quite like the Book of Colossians. And in this first section of the book, we’re reminded that Jesus is the point. He is our great and awesome God and the focal point of all creation. Support the Show.
Tomorrow, Today
October 24, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBEvery day we all work to control our many appetites. In fact, one could argue that our daily activities as humans are predominately about managing our appetites. Our ambition, drive, and desires all determine our daily decisions for work, rest, and play. What happens when any single appetite is left to itself without being controlled? What’s at stake if we don’t control our appetites? Today, we will take a look at what’s at stake, and to be blunt…it’s probably bigger than we think. Support ...
To the Church Called LifePoint
October 17, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBIt’s one thing for you to evaluate your own spiritual progress. It’s another thing altogether to have Jesus give His critique of how you’re doing. Sometimes the truth hurts. If Jesus were to write a letter to you about what He thinks of your devotion to Him, what would He say? And since you’re more than an individual—you’re part of a church—what would He say to you and to the rest of us? Would He praise us or express His displeasure? Or both? What would Jesus say to the church called LifePoi...
The Abundant Church
October 10, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBDespite our romanticism about the early church, they had their fair share of problems – favoritism, theological arguments, and divisions (to name a few). Yet there remained a vision of an abundant church – full of energy, unity, and life. While the church today navigates its own problems, how do we make the vision of an abundant church a reality? Support the Show.
Who Are You?
October 03, 2021 13:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBA believer's identity is in Christ. In Him we find true life, meaning, and purpose. Yet, it is common for believers to take their eyes off of Jesus and begin substituting other things in His place. We look for other ways to identify ourselves often choosing how we want to be identified: achievements, titles, politics, gender, race, addictions, disabilities, etc. Sometimes pronouncements are made to us or about us that become our identities: “You’re so beautiful...You’re so good at that...OR....
Count Me In
September 26, 2021 13:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBIt shouldn’t surprise us that through the centuries, superstitions arise and thrive even among well-meaning church people. Most of these superstitions are based on a desire for a kind of good luck charm in a life filled with uncertainty and hardship. Even the practice of baptism can be surrounded by all kinds of superstitions. If baptism doesn’t save us, what then is it for? Baptism is a way for a believer in Jesus to say, “Count me in! I want people to know that I identify with Jesus.” Mayb...
A Call to Action
September 19, 2021 13:00 - 27 minutes - 19.3 MBIt is great to gather as the church. But we are also told by Jesus to “go” as the church, sharing God’s word with others and making them disciples. Fulfilling the Great Commission is not an option or a suggestion. It is a command to each of us as believers to actively and intentionally seek opportunities to influence people to find and follow Jesus. Support the Show.
A Brand New Day
September 12, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBWhile God never changes in His nature, He does change the way He works with human beings. Jesus announced a significant change when He held up a cup and identified it with His blood that would establish a new covenant. After being raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. They waited and the Spirit came! The Church was born. That day, God began working in a brand-new way. And to this day, we are participants together with God as He works uniquely am...