WestpointChurch.org http://westpointchurch.org Westpoint Church exists to be the church together and live sent daily. More than just "going to church," being the church to the people in our various spheres of living every day. Giving ourselves away. Living beyond self. Connect with us, and find the life you were intended to live. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:38:00 +0000 http://snappages.com en love rejoices in the truth. http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/08/12/love-rejoices-in-the-truth http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/08/12/love-rejoices-in-the-truth Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:38:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/08/12/love-rejoices-in-the-truth Summer Love" series focusing on verse 6 of 1st Corinthians 13, which says:

6 [Love] doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. (the Message)

Two principles from Scripture were suggested:

1 - Love doesn't hope for wrong to [...]]]> Summer Love" series focusing on verse 6 of 1st Corinthians 13, which says:

6 [Love] doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. (the Message)

Two principles from Scripture were suggested:

1 - Love doesn't hope for wrong to come to others but rather hopes for others to find "right" even when they have done wrong.

2 - Love does not flourish in the soil of untruths but blossoms in the teachings of the One who is Truth.

While focusing on the 2nd principle, a group of thoughts was thrown up on screen. Two thoughts at a time, coupled together. The first, a lie we tend to live with. The second, the truth from the teachings of Jesus. Well, Andrew Peterson has a song that recently came out that summarizes the same principle and is worth sharing here. You should download the whole album, in my opinion, but I am a BIG Peterson fan. Nonetheless, here's the lyrics to the song "Fool with a Fancy Guitar" from Peterson's latest album, Counting Stars.

It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder
So easy to loose this old tongue like a tiger
It’s easy to let all this bitterness smolder
Just to hide it away like a cigarette lighter

It’s easy to curse and to hurt and to hinder
It’s easy to not have the heart to remember
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God

I’ve got voices that scream in my head like a siren
Fears that I feel in the night when I sleep
Stupid choices I made when I played in the mire
Like a kid in the mud on some dirty blind street

I’ve got sorrow to spare, I’ve got loneliness too
I’ve got blood on these hands that hold on to the truth
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kindgom of God

I swore on the Bible to not tell a lie
But I’ve lied and lied
And I crossed my heart and I hoped to die
And I’ve died and died

But if it’s true that you gathered my sin in your hand
And you cast it as far as the east from the west
If it’s true that you put on the flesh of a man
And you walked in my shoes through the shadow of death

If it’s true that you dwell in the halls of my heart
Then I’m not just a fool with a fancy guitar
No, I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God

Here's THE BOTTOM LINE:

The One who loves believes what the One who is love has said about His beloved. Then and only then do His beloved live out His unconditional, regardless-of-the-wrong-done, foundation-of-all-truth, always and forever love. May we love as we have been loved.

Come hang and worship with us Sunday morning if you can. We will focus in this text:

7 Puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. (1st Corinthians 13:7, the Message)

Love you guys. Thankful to be learning love with and from you.

-jason

]]> love is not easily provoked. http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/31/love-is-not-easily-provoked http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/31/love-is-not-easily-provoked Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:34:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/31/love-is-not-easily-provoked
  • Last Sunday, the “Summer Love” series continued with a focus on the section of 1st Corinthians 13 where Paul wrote that love is not selfish nor is it easily provoked. If you want to hear it, you can get the podcast by
  • Last Sunday, the “Summer Love” series continued with a focus on the section of 1st Corinthians 13 where Paul wrote that love is not selfish nor is it easily provoked. If you want to hear it, you can get the podcast by CLICKING HERE.

    • One of the illustrations that was shared came from the enewsletter that ALL PRO DAD sends out. With regard to the truth that “love is not easily provoked,” here is the intro and the top 10 list that was shared. IF YOU HAVE DAUGHTERS, YOU WILL ESPECIALLY WANT TO READ IT. However, I would suggest that the principles apply in any and all of our relationships. Hope it is helpful for you.


    TEMPER YOUR TEMPER
    • According to the National Center for Fathering, when a group of teenage girls were asked to anonymously identify why they would not confide in their fathers, one of the primary reasons was, “He would blow up.” Other responses included: “His reaction.” “I’m scared about his response.” “He would start yelling at me.” “I’m afraid of what he will do.” “He will reject me.” “He will freak out.” In other words, daughters will not confide in their father if he has no self-control.
    • Dads – our anger is one of the biggest wedges that come between us and our kids. We’ve got to get it under control for our children’s sake.
    • Here are 10 suggestions from AllProDad.com for tempering your temper:
    • Perspective: Anger typically comes from a very narrow place; expanding your view usually dilutes the intensity. Will you go hungry tonight? Do you have a terminal illness? Remembering what is important can help check your temper.
    • Imagine yourself as a three year old – visualize yourself having a tantrum: Try not to laugh out loud when you do this. It could annoy the other person!
    • Do something incompatible with losing temper: Some guys sing a song (in their head); some make a cup of coffee; some guys read a favorite passage of Scripture or a “feel-good” wise saying; others pop in their ear-buds and listen to George Harrison sing “Hear Comes the Sun” or Louis Armstrong croon “I think to myself, it’s a wonderful world.” Bottom line, you can’t go up and down at the same time.
    • Walk away: Simplistic solution? Yes. But taking time to collect yourself is always a good thing. If you are really angry, go for a run.
    • Call your mother: Or your best friend, or your pastor, or anyone you trust. Point is, refocus and allow yourself to be re-directed.
    • Offer to get the other party a cool glass of water – then have one yourself while you’re at it: We’re talking about the application of grace. It’s tough to be over-the-top angry when you are serving the object of your wrath.
    • Pray: Religious or not, this is a great strategy! A) You’ve shifted focus B) God now has your attention C) Prayer is incompatible with losing your temper.
    • Count backwards from ten but with this twist: You’ve heard of count to ten. Now try counting backwards. It requires more concentration. Plus, imagine one alternative to blowing up for every number: Ten – “I could write a letter to his supervisor.” Nine – “I could tell him about the time I was a kid and broke a window with a baseball.” Eight – “twinkle, twinkle, little star….” Seven – “I wonder what would happen if I apologized, even though I’m in the right?”
    • Inhale slowly, hold your breath for five seconds, then completely exhale slowly and wait five seconds before repeating the inhale and exhale three times: This physiological exercise is proven to reduce pulse rate and lower blood pressure. That might be all it takes for the temper temptation to pass.
    • Write this list on an index card and put it in your wallet for immediate reference: The odds are good that you won’t have to read more than two or three suggestions before losing your temper seems a poor option, given the alternatives.


    ]]>     Thankful for the team that served during IMPACT and for our many new friends. Check out this awesome video from Josh Taylor recapping the week... http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/26/thankful-for-the-team-that-served-during-impact-and-for-our-many-new-friends-check-out-this-awesome-video-from-josh-taylor-recapping-the-week http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/26/thankful-for-the-team-that-served-during-impact-and-for-our-many-new-friends-check-out-this-awesome-video-from-josh-taylor-recapping-the-week Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:09:00 +0000 josh taylor http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/26/thankful-for-the-team-that-served-during-impact-and-for-our-many-new-friends-check-out-this-awesome-video-from-josh-taylor-recapping-the-week
    ]]>         God is HUGE!!! http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/21/god-is-huge http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/21/god-is-huge Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:47:00 +0000 jim collins http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/21/god-is-huge Love is not arrogant, or rude."
    -1 Corinthians 13:4-5

    When you look up the words 'arrogant' and 'rude,' you find something interesting, especially when you think about the Christian's walk with Christ. The root of arrogance is pride. And the root of rudeness is a lack of concern for others.

    The interesting thing, [...]]]>     Love is not arrogant, or rude."
    -1 Corinthians 13:4-5

    When you look up the words 'arrogant' and 'rude,' you find something interesting, especially when you think about the Christian's walk with Christ. The root of arrogance is pride. And the root of rudeness is a lack of concern for others.

    The interesting thing, when we think about these two terms and our walk with Christ, is that they both stem from an improper understanding of God.

    Arrogance is the sin of too much focus on myself. Rudeness is the sin of too little concern for anybody else. And at the center of both of these sins (and all other sins, too) is a misguided understanding of who God is. Which results in a misguided understanding of me and others.

    When our understanding of God malfunctions, then everything else goes haywire. Lives are wrecked. Relationships are ruined. And the abundant life that God desires us to have is nowhere to be found.

    Simply stated, the way you and I engage the world around us is a direct reflection of our understanding of God.

    So, how are we called to view God? The Bible gives us two very clear images of God. And each one challenges us in the way we live our lives. 1) God is HUGE  2) God is near.

    We will take some time here to discuss the 'hugeness" of God, and we will look at His nearness later this week.

    God is HUGE!

    God is greater than we could ever imagine. More awesome than we could ever comprehend. More wonderful than we could ever fathom.

    Psalm 19 states that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork."

    In Isaiah 55, God says this about Himself..."as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

    in Job 38, in the dialogue between God and Job, we see that there is no one like the Lord. Nobody even comes close.

    The earth, and all that it contains, are the creation of our mighty God. The entire universe brings glory to His name.

    God is HUGE!

    This matters for us, because we are reminded of where our worship is to be directed. We are reminded that grace and life and love come from God. Grace and life and love are His creation. They are not our ideas. We understand, more clearly than ever, that the God of the universe has more than enough love to give into my life and the lives of others.

    When we live in a proper understanding of God, we can then allow His magnificent presence to transform our lives. And we live out the kind of love that we are called to live out. The kind of love that is rooted in God, and that seeks others first.

    The kind of love that is not arrogant or rude.
    __________________

    Be sure to join us this Sunday, as we continue to walk through 1 Corinthians 13. 

    Take care,
    -Jim

    ]]>         the BOTTOM LINE on envy and boast http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/17/the-bottom-line-on-envy-and-boast http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/17/the-bottom-line-on-envy-and-boast Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:00:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/17/the-bottom-line-on-envy-and-boast
    THE BOTTOM LINE:
    "12 Don’t be so [...]]]>
    THE BOTTOM LINE:
    "12 Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence." [Paul, 1st Corinthians 10:12, the Message]

    Being envious and boastful almost always is an indication of insecurity. I envy because I feel I lack something, so with zeal I set out to take it. I boast because I feel I am not being praised enough for something, so I talk all the louder about myself hoping you will join in, too.

    All this thought and talk about ME disables love. I will not show love when I am envious and boastful. If I am so consumed with what I don't have, becoming zealous to take it, then how would I ever be mindful to give into the life of the one from whom I wish to take? And, if I am so caught up in telling someone about all that I have done, how could I ever be concerned about their story and seeing life abundant in them?

    Furthermore, when I do not trust what the One who made me feels about me and says about me and has clearly demonstrated for me, then I am bound to look for security in my own feelings and words and accomplishments. Thus, I will not only experience His love, I will also not give it. At that point, I break, my relationships break, and life breaks.

    May we trust the love of a jealous God and boast only in His demonstrated love for us. And may we get zealous for others to know the love of that jealous God and boast of His mighty power to save and hold us secure for life now and forever.

    PRAY_Lord, please help me to live as though you think I am worth dying for. I am secure in you. Please transform my insecurities into security in You alone.

    LIVE_boast about the jealous, everlasting, gracious, mysterious, compelling, life-changing love of our near God.
    __________________
    Hope to see you tomorrow morning as we continue in the SUMMER LOVE series – "love is not arrogant and does not act unbecomingly."

    Love y'all!
    -jason

    ]]>         love does not envy and does not boast... http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/15/love-does-not-envy-and-does-not-boast http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/15/love-does-not-envy-and-does-not-boast Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:30:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/15/love-does-not-envy-and-does-not-boast
  • This last Sunday, we took the time to process through the two assertions from 1st Corinthians 13 that "love does not envy and does not boast." Here's a summary of what we unpacked:
  • LOVE DOES NOT ENVY
  • When you take a look at the way 1st Corinthians 13:4 is translated in the various English [...]]]>
  • This last Sunday, we took the time to process through the two assertions from 1st Corinthians 13 that "love does not envy and does not boast." Here's a summary of what we unpacked:
  • LOVE DOES NOT ENVY
  • When you take a look at the way 1st Corinthians 13:4 is translated in the various English versions of the Bible, here's what you come up with:
  • "does not envy" - ESV, HCSB, NIV, NKJV, WEB
  • "is not jealous" - NASB, NCT, NLT
  • "is not envious" - NET
  • "does not want what it doesn't have" - MSG
  • Here, in my head, is the immediate question when I read this verse:
  • So if "God is love," but "love is not jealous," then how is it that God could be a jealous God?
  • The word in the Old Testament (seen in Exodus 20:5 and other passages) and the word used in the New Testament both have in their roots the idea of INTENSE HEAT. The word in the Greek, in fact, when read out loud sounds like the word "zealous." Paul uses the same word in 1st Corinthians 12:31 when he challenged the church of Corinth to keep "earnestly desiring" spiritual gifts but to even be more desiring of a "more excellent way" (love). So, if the words are not different within the phrases "God is jealous" and "love is not jealous," then the question posed still remains. It leads to a possible hypothesis:
  • Can there be a "good" jealousy?
  • Paul declares such. 2nd Corinthians 11:2–3:
  • 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
  • A "godly jealously" – what is that??? The bottom line idea here and in many other passages where regarding jealousy is really about being ZEALOUS SELFISHLY or SELFLESSLY. This is evidenced by the fact that some versions of the Bible translate the "zealous" thought as "is not envious" or "does not want what it doesn't have." The difference in a good jealousy and a bad jealousy is simply this – MY gain or YOUR gain.
  • When you love someone, you do not show them "intense heat" just because you are not getting what you want. Then you would be zealous in a selfish manner, focused only on personal gain. However, when you love someone, you do show them "intense heat" when they make a choice that causes them to miss out on exactly what would have been the most gain to them. Then you would be zealous in a selfless manner, focused on their gain.
  • God is "jealous" for us to have abundant life, so much so that He would give up everything, including His only Son, for us to have abundant life. His loss for our gain. A Godly jealousy, or zealousy, if you will.
  • THE POINT: Paul is basically saying that when I love someone, I don't exhibit SELFISH ZEALOUSY toward them in any manner of the relationship. If I do, then I would not be showing them love. And, if I don't show love, then I am not showing them God (see the post from Tuesday). When I am zealous about a cause that only affects me, the result is normally selfish action, not love. The relationship breaks down at the point when envy breaks in.
  • LOVE DOES NOT BRAG
  • When you take a look at the way 1st Corinthians 13:4 is translated in the various English versions of the Bible, here's what you come up with:
  • "does not boast" - ESV, NIV
  • "is not boastful" - HCSB, NLT
  • "does not brag" - NET, NASB, NCT, WEB
  • "does not parade itself" - NKJV
  • "doesn't strut" - MSG
  • The word used here can mean "to think too highly of oneself, to elevate oneself above others, to become haughty, or to be lifted up with pride." It is definitely a selfishness that reveals what is really going on in the heart exposed through the tongue.
  • Now, you will hear stuff like:
  • "If you done it, it ain't bragging." [Walt Whitman]
  • "You have to do a little bragging on yourself even to your relatives, for man doesn't get anywhere without advertising." [John Nance Garner]
  • "I'm not bragging, but…" [all of us at some point]
  • But think about these:
  • "Tell me what you brag about, and I'll tell what you lack." [Spanish proverb]
  • "If you claim to be humble, you're not humble." [Dad]
  • "A holy man is not aware that he is holy. As soon as we begin to talk about how holy we are, we are not holy any more." [AW Tozer]
  • "Therefore let him who thinks he stand take heed so that he does not fall." [Paul, 1st Corinthians 10:12, NASB]
  • The moment we brag is the moment we are making much of ourselves rather than making much of God and even making much of others. When we brag, others taste ME instead of Love. No one wants to hang long around someone who only talks about themselves, and everyone who does eventually feels the need to talk about themselves, too. Thus, love is absent, and the relationship breaks down.
  • PRAY_Lord, please grow in me a heart like Yours – ZEALOUS for others gain and NOT JEALOUS for my own gain. And Lord, please tame my tongue, that I might make much of You and less of me.
  • LIVE_Have the courage to speak and act with "intense heat" when you see a friend teetering on the edge of destruction about to lose all that was intended for his/her gain. And, listen more than you talk. It helps to squelch the bragging. Be more concerned about the story of someone else's life than them knowing everything about yours.
  • Tune in Saturday for THE BOTTOM LINE about jealousy and bragging. Love y'all!
  • -jason


    • ]]>     does His love have the first and last word in everything I do? http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/13/does-his-love-have-the-first-and-last-word-in-everything-i-do http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/13/does-his-love-have-the-first-and-last-word-in-everything-i-do Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:00:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/13/does-his-love-have-the-first-and-last-word-in-everything-i-do ________________

    1 - Paul is offering a contrast between what is actually present in the relationships among the church of Corinth (divisiveness, impatience, unkindness, jealousy, dishonesty, immorality) and what must be present in their relationships if they are truly concerned about the "Head of the church" and not being the "head" of the church.

    Paul didn't completely discredit everything the church of Corinth was doing. He just called them to a "more excellent way" (1st Cor 12:31). They needed to seek reconciliation with God and with one another for their non-loving actions, jockeying for importance and position among the church family, and instead embrace the love of God coming alive among them.

    2 - In this chapter 13 of 1st Corinthians, Paul is NOT offering a few how-to's for personal self-improvement, nor is he offering a pity-stick to pick up and beat ourselves up with because we aren't living these out.

    It is amazing how we as humans can take the mission and intention of God for His people and turn them into moral codes of self-actualization. It is also amazing how prone we are to taking the commands of God and the description of His ways among us and turn them into pity-sticks, beating ourselves up as failures as though we could never live these out. It is true that on our own we can't, but He didn't intend for us to go it alone. That's why He came. That's why there's love. And that's why He calls us to love one another.

    3 - What these verses ARE is the picture of God alive in our relationships. God alive in us, tasted instead of our selfish flavors, seen instead of the more common darkness and the hiddenness of our lives.

    Remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 5? Let's read it (Matthew 5:13-16, the Message):

    13 Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14 Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

    Well, John picked up on this teaching. Not only did he record the new command Jesus gave to love in John 13:34-35, but he also wrote that "God is love" in 1st John 4. There in 1st John 4, John wrote that if we are "in Him" then He will be "in us" and "through us." His love controls us. Compels us. Moves us.

    Paul picked up on the same thought, obviously, expressing it on multiple occasions. But specifically, in 2nd Corinthians 5, he wrote out the Gospel of Jesus and its implications progressively in these significant verses:

    12 We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we’re on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. 13 If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. 14 Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes.

    His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. 16 Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. 17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!

    18 All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. 19 God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. 20 We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. 21 How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

    We are moved by the love of Jesus.

    His love, given completely because of who He is not because of how lovable we were, made everything right between us and God. And now, that kind of compelling love, mysterious love, change-everything love transforms our very relationships, allowing us to see each person through the lenses of the love that we have "in us" rather than the feelings of impatience, frustration, woundedness, or bitterness that we might have toward them. His love changed us. The evidence of that fact is seen when His love changes everything else in and around us.

    Here's THE POINT: Love is central to God, and thus must be central to His followers and His mission to which He has called them. Paul is writing in 1st Corinthians 13 a very simple, focused message ­ Church of Corinth, you say you love God and have been changed by Him. If so, then He will be tasted and seen in you in place of the tastes and sights of the selfishness and personal advancement that you are currently displaying among one another and among your community.

    That hits close to home. I am asking myself this question – DOES HIS LOVE HAVE THE FIRST & LAST WORD IN EVERYTHING I DO?

    PRAY_Lord, teach us to love, help us to love, and may we be secure in Your love.

    LIVE_focus on being more concerned today about the story of someone else's life rather than just being the star of your own.

    Tune back in Thursday for a break down of "love does not envy and does not boast." Love y'all! Thankful to be the church and live sent together with you.
    -jason

    ]]>         living sent in Poland http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/12/living-sent-in-poland http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/12/living-sent-in-poland Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:14:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/12/living-sent-in-poland
    To the Westpoint church family - it is your faithfulness in giving that allowed us to send Robert a gift to help with his ministry there. If you want to watch an example of one recent ministry event Robert helped to lead, then check out the YouTube video below:



    ]]>         SUMMER LOVE_do you consider yourself patient and kind? http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/07/summer-love_do-you-consider-yourself-patient-and-kind http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/07/summer-love_do-you-consider-yourself-patient-and-kind Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:28:00 +0000 tommy novak http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/07/summer-love_do-you-consider-yourself-patient-and-kind
    When you look at Matthew Henry’s definition of "patience" (or "longsuffering"), does it change the way you answer that question ?

    “It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry [...]]]>
    When you look at Matthew Henry’s definition of "patience" (or "longsuffering"), does it change the way you answer that question ?

    “It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience that shall rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him.”

    When I understand the kind of patience God has with me, it makes me want to be more patient with other people. What kind of person would I be if I received this gift from God and turned right around and did not extend that same patience to others? In Matthew 18:21-34, Jesus gives a parable of the unmerciful servant to help us understand what He thinks about those who don’t respond in the same ways God responds to us:

    21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents[g] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.  26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.  28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.  29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'  30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.  32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

    If we are to live our lives in such a way that we imitate Christ, I believe it begins with how we are patient or model longsuffering to those we love. Today, you have an opportunity to reflect Christ to those you are closest to by modeling what Christ has already done for you.

    Name two people in your life right now that you can offer patience to, then go do it!

    ]]>         SUMMER LOVE_staying connected, the intention of the Lover http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/01/summer-love_staying-connected-the-intention-of-the-lover http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/01/summer-love_staying-connected-the-intention-of-the-lover Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:13:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/07/01/summer-love_staying-connected-the-intention-of-the-lover Are you living for God or living with HIm?

    Among AW Tozer's many quality quotes, this one captures a profound principle regarding love and mission:

    ["In an effort to get the work of the Lord done, we often lose contact with the Lord of the work."]

    It is amazing how those who call themselves [...]]]> Are you living for God or living with HIm?

    Among AW Tozer's many quality quotes, this one captures a profound principle regarding love and mission:

    ["In an effort to get the work of the Lord done, we often lose contact with the Lord of the work."]

    It is amazing how those who call themselves "Christians" can become consumed with LIVING FOR GOD rather than LIVING WITH HIM. Maybe not so surprising, though. The people of Israel did the same thing back before and during Jesus' day. There is a story of a woman's interaction with Jesus in John 8 that proves the point:

    4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" 11 "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."

    The story of “Cast the 1st Stone” demonstrates the sharp contrast between the noise of self-righteous religion and the beauty of God’s healing love. It is a powerful example of this one fact – the Jews missed the point and took the mission they were given by the living, loving God in a misguided direction. Paul commented on this very thing in Romans 10:

    1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

    14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

    Paul was challenging the church of Corinth not to miss the point, either. How could they and how could we, when the entirety of Scripture reminds us of God’s overflowing heart of love for our neighbor and for the nations. Take a few moments to grab a Bible and look up these passages of Scripture, beginning in Genesis and going through Revelation, and notice God's overflowing heart of love for the people of our world and His clear intention to take the message of His love and nearness into all the world and to all people through the love and nearness of His followers committed to living and speaking His Gospel.

    • Genesis 17:4–6
    • Exodus 14:1–4
    • Deuteronomy 28:9–10
    • 1st Chronicles 16:23–25
    • Psalm 46:10
    • Isaiah 56:1–8
    • Micah 7:15–20
    • Matthew 24:14
    • Matthew 28:19
    • John 20:21
    • Acts 1:6–8
    • Romans 15:20–21
    • 1st Corinthians 9:22–23
    • Galatians 3:8–9
    • 1st Peter 3:15
    • Revelation 5:9

    Now, take a look at a new command Jesus gave in John 13:

    34  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

    This is how the world will know that we are learning and living the ways of Jesus (being His disciple), by our love for one another.

    Have you walked away from the intention of the Lover for your life? Are you consumed with LIVING FOR GOD rather than LIVING WITH HIM? Will you love as He loves, no matter what, compelling others to drink deep of the Living Water when they taste Him in and through you?

    It is what He intended from the beginning. He did not die so that we would go to church. He died so that we would be the church.

    May it be so.

    Welcome your thoughts. Looking forward to worshiping with you Sunday morning if you can make it to worship gathering as we continue in the "Summer Love" series. Love you guys!

    -jason

    ]]>     SUMMER LOVE_anything louder than love in your life? http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/29/summer-love_anything-louder-than-love-in-your-life http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/29/summer-love_anything-louder-than-love-in-your-life Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:33:26 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/29/summer-love_anything-louder-than-love-in-your-life Is love the loudest noise in your life?

    We have all done it. Worn headphones and sung too loud or spoken too loud wile wearing them without knowing it. It's interesting that it is annoying to people, because in the car, when the radio is loud and everyone is singing as loud as they can, we all dig it. Maybe it's because we are all [...]]]>     Is love the loudest noise in your life?

    We have all done it. Worn headphones and sung too loud or spoken too loud wile wearing them without knowing it. It's interesting that it is annoying to people, because in the car, when the radio is loud and everyone is singing as loud as they can, we all dig it. Maybe it's because we are all sharing in the music in the car and not just enjoying it alone, like on the headphones.

    The church of Corinth was acting like a bunch of music-hoggers and talking as though wearing headphones, too. Loud and all about me. The loudest noise was their singing about themselves. Wanting to be considered prestigious because of who baptized them. Wanting to be considered elite because of their worship performance. Wanting to be considered important because of their gifting and resulting position within the church structure. Paul was challenging them to not be so bold about their achievements and so flippant about God's grace. And in the end of chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians, Paul called them to take a look at a "more excellent way."

    And so, this past Sunday morning we continued the series "Summer Love" by focusing in on the beginning of chapter 13, which launches with three very pointed verses:

    1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

    And what was the point? Here's is what I would suggest:

    Am I shouting “look at me” in my life louder than “I love you” as I live out my spiritual pursuit?

    If my spiritual purpose becomes a self-absorbed pursuit to fulfill all my religious desires and a self-righteous goal to be admired as the most important thing the church has ever known, then I am not in any way, shape, or form, walking in the ways of Jesus or in any way carrying out the intention that He had for His church. I have missed the point, traded in the intended mission for personal gain and the intended outcomes for personal achievement.

    Here's THE BOTTOM LINE:

    Why am I even a part of a church family? Why am I following Jesus? To make noise for God and feel important doing it? Or to make much of God' s love by loving others and living to see life in them rather than to have a spiritually fulfilled life.

    Jesus is calling His church to continue that mission of love to our neighbor and to the nations, here and around the world. He commanded His church to love as He loves, so that the world will know Love and the Lover's ways through His followers. This is the mission of the church - to love for the glory and fame of the Lover. And nothing else. He took care of our spiritual fulfillment at the cross. And He will keep filling us up with His love as we grow in loving Him and loving each other.

    May we surrender any desire to be noticed as important. May the noise of our lives be love.

    ________________________________________
    Check back in Thursday to join the conversation about how we tend to miss the intended mission of God for His followers because of self-absorbed religious pursuits. In the meantime, go love your neighbor and the nations.

    Thankful to be living sent together with you.
    -jason

    ]]>         togetherness. http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/18/togetherness http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/18/togetherness Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:57:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/06/18/togetherness
    As many of you know, we have been serving closely alongside other church families in the West Orange County area through a group known as the Church [...]]]>
    As many of you know, we have been serving closely alongside other church families in the West Orange County area through a group known as     the Church of West Orange. Well, earlier this year, one of those church families began a conversation with Westpoint leadership about the possibility of our church families actually joining together. After much prayer and conversation, we will do exactly that.

    Northland West Oaks and Westpoint Church will no longer be "us" and "them." We gather together now as one church as of Sunday, June 20th. Our Sunday gatherings will continue to be at 10:00am at Whispering Oak Elementary School. We are so very excited to be uniting together around the mission of Christ and being an answer to His prayer prayed in John 17:18-23.

    One note of thanks - Northland Church and pastor Joel Hunter and their elders have demonstrated what true Kingdom spirit is all about. The freedom they have given their satelite campus in Ocoee, FL to choose to join together with another local church here is an example of generosity for us all. Thank you Joel and the leadership of Northland for your amazing support and prayers during this transition.

    Last but not least, Tommy Novak, formerly the campus minister of Northland West Oaks, joins the Westpoint pastoral team. He and his wife Patti and their kids are such amazing additions! Please welcome Tommy as our Pastor to Families, working closely together with Josh Taylor and Michael Anderson to equip and serve the parents of our kids and students. Tommy also is a gifted pastoral counselor, and he will be focusing with Jason on Westpoint's involvement with the Church of West Orange.

    Over the next six months, please pray for our togetherness to grow as we unite around the mission to follow Jesus and live sent as letters of His love to the people we encounter every day. Please pray for us as grow doing life together in SENT groups. Please pray for profound impact and transformation in our lives and in the lives of those we serve together both locally and globally. And please pray for us as we prepare to multiply leaders and start new expressions of the local church here in Central Florida and beyond.

    Togetherness. It is not an end, but a means. The means through which Jesus said the world would know we are learning and living His ways. Let's get to it and keep living sent together.

    ]]>     three updates from Haiti http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/01/15/three-updates-from-haiti http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/01/15/three-updates-from-haiti Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:58:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2010/01/15/three-updates-from-haiti my personal blog (JasonCDukes.com). Then, join us Sunday morning for a special focus and time of prayer for the people of Haiti.

    Thankful to be the church together.
    -jason [...]]]>     my personal blog (JasonCDukes.com). Then, join us Sunday morning for a special focus and time of prayer for the people of Haiti.

    Thankful to be the church together.
    -jason

    ]]>         Celebrate with us on Christmas Eve! http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/21/celebrate-with-us-on-christmas-eve http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/21/celebrate-with-us-on-christmas-eve Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:16:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/21/celebrate-with-us-on-christmas-eve
    So, join us this coming Thursday at 5:30pm for a [...]]]>
    So, join us this coming Thursday at 5:30pm for a special Christmas Eve gathering, including carols, the Christmas story, prayer, and candlelight. It will last about an hour. Kids are welcome. Come as a family and bring a neighbor. Let's celebrate together the God who came near!

    If you are able, please bring a $10 Publix card with you to help us provide groceries for some families in need during the holidays.

    Thanks so much! Hope to see you there!!!

    In the meantime, listen to this wonderful song about Emmanuel by Josh Wilson.



    ]]>         great local newspaper article about HOUSE BLEND CAFE!!! http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/04/great-local-newspaper-article-about-house-blend-cafe http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/04/great-local-newspaper-article-about-house-blend-cafe Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:17:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/12/04/great-local-newspaper-article-about-house-blend-cafe CLICKING HERE.

    You can read more about HOUSE [...]]]>     CLICKING HERE.

    You can read more about HOUSE BLEND CAFE on the this site by clicking here. Thankful for Josh and Kelly Taylor and so many others who serve our local community so faithfully.

    ]]>         [are you living sent?] http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/10/22/are-you-living-sent http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/10/22/are-you-living-sent Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:49:00 +0000 jason c dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/10/22/are-you-living-sent
    • pray for the people you live by and work with
    • connect with them over real life (a meal, a game, an activity, working out, kids sports leagues, school etc.)
    • invite them to serve with you both locally and globally
    • learn and live the ways of Jesus together as you connect [...]]]>
      • pray for the people you live by and work with
      • connect with them over real life (a meal, a game, an activity, working out, kids sports leagues, school etc.)
      • invite them to serve with you both locally and globally
      • learn and live the ways of Jesus together as you connect and serve

      You can do these right here and right now. Will you? May I suggest two reasons why. First, because you were made for this. You were made to live beyond self. God desires for you to know Him personally and experience His love, and He desires for you to make His love known to the people you walk with and encounter everyday. Jesus said that He came to give abundant life. He also said that this is how we find life in Him - when we come to the end of self and begin to give our life away.

      Second reason is because this is a matter of life and death. This is not just about religious preference. Jesus said He came to give life, but that the "thief" (the evil one) is trying to steal that life from as many as He can. God, in His love, will not force us into relationship with Him. If He did, the relationship wouldn't mean much forced would it? So, God in His grace is giving us time to experience His creation and know His love as we relate to one another. Some choose self, and evil wreaks its havoc. Some choose to live beyond self, and love blossoms. So does life. So does God's Kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven. That's why this is a matter of life and death. We better get to it.

      Please commit to cultivating God's love and the signs of His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven by living beyond self and living sent as a letter of His love and hope into the lives of the people you live by and work with.

      Let's be living sent together. It's what we were made for.

      ]]>       why a revamped WestpointChurch.org http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/03/09/why-a-revamped-westpointchurchorg http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/03/09/why-a-revamped-westpointchurchorg Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:10:00 +0000 jason dukes http://westpointchurch.org/blog/2009/03/09/why-a-revamped-westpointchurchorg
      1 - we wanted to create something that was more interactive.

      We are in the age of Web 2.0. Websites are more than just bulletin boards now. They must be ever-changing and [...]]]>
      1 - we wanted to create something that was more interactive.

      We are in the age of Web 2.0. Websites are more than just bulletin boards now. They must be ever-changing and interactive. This site will be, and we will be adding latest news more easily, as well as video stories of the Westpoint family living sent together.

      2 - we wanted to create something that was free and reproducible.

      We collaborate with a lot of other leaders who are a part of "legacy churches" or are starting to be the church in new ways. We want everything we do to be as reproducible as possible, so that anyone who sees what God is doing in and through Westpoint could be encouraged that they could do it in their own way in their context, too. Website included. We had an award-winning, high cost website. We love the guy that created it for us BIG TIME. However, for our current emphases and purposes, we realized it was not reproducible. So, we made one that was.

      3 - we wanted to make it easy to manage and update from anywhere.

      With a Wordpress blog, we can update and manage the new site from anywhere there is access to the internet. Pretty cool.

      4 - we wanted you to contribute to its content.

      We believe that each of you as the Westpoint church family has so much to contribute and offer as encouragement to each other. So, we will be creating a TEAM OF BLOGGERS to contribute to the "teaching" element of the blog site. Are you interested? Leave a reply in the comment section below and let us know. We want you to be a part.

      So, there you go. Look around. Leave us some thoughts and feedback.

      By the way - are you dreaming about how to be the church, how to live sent? If you are, and you need a website to communicate that dream and to tell the stories of how it is being lived out, then you can create one for free...like we did. And, we'll show you how.

      Keep being the church, living sent daily.

      ]]>