Follow Through - Faithful like JesusThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week one of the sermon series “Follow Through - Faithful like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amDiscover the transformative power of faithful obedience through Jesus' example at His baptism. Learn how mission-driven purpose, genuine humility, and consistent obedience shape authentic faith. Understand why Jesus chose baptism despite being sinless, and how pride can prevent us from experiencing true spiritual growth. Explore practical ways to live out faithful obedience in daily life, overcome pride, and align with God's purpose. This message examines the contrast between Jesus' humble submission and the Pharisees' pride, offering valuable insights for modern believers. Perfect for those seeking to deepen their faith, understand biblical obedience, spiritual growth, Christian living, baptism significance, humility in faith, overcoming pride, following Jesus, discipleship journey, spiritual transformation, biblical teaching, Christian ministry, faith development, spiritual disciplines, Christian character, godly living.Important VersesMatthew 3:13-17John 13:14-15Philippians 2:6-8Romans 12:2Think about it!What does it mean to be faithful according to this sermon?Why was Jesus' baptism significant, given that He was sinless?How does pride prevent us from being faithful to God's calling?What role does humility play in living a faithful Christian life?How can we discern God's will for our lives according to the sermon?What is the connection between faithfulness and mission?Why is it important that our faithfulness be public rather than private?How does understanding Jesus' righteousness impact our own pursuit of faithfulness?Apply it!This week, identify one area where God is calling you to be faithful that requires both humility and public witness. Make a specific plan to follow through in obedience, even if it would be easier to compromise. Consider sharing this commitment with a trusted friend who can pray for you and hold you accountable.Key TakeawaysFaithfulness requires mission-driven, humble obedienceTrue humility is demonstrated through obedience to God's willOur faithfulness should be connected to God's larger mission of reaching the lostWe can only live faithfully through Christ's righteousness, not our own efforts

Good + Angry - Angry like JesusThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week five of the sermon series “Good + Angry - Angry like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amFinding Hope in Grief: Biblical Guidance for Handling Loss and Anger. Discover the powerful distinction between righteous and broken anger through the lens of Jesus' response to death and loss. Learn practical steps for processing grief, managing anger, and finding hope in difficult times. This essential message explores grief counseling, Christian perspectives on loss, biblical teaching on anger management, and spiritual healing. Perfect for anyone struggling with loss, grief counseling professionals, church leaders, and those seeking to support others through difficult times. Includes practical guidance on emotional healing, spiritual growth, and building resilience through faith. Key topics: grief recovery, Christian counseling, emotional healing, spiritual growth, biblical teaching, hope in suffering, anger management, faith and loss, Christian grief support, spiritual healing.Important VersesJohn 11:33John 11:35John 11:38Romans 8:28Philippians 2:3-4Think about it!How does Jesus' response to Lazarus' death challenge your understanding of God's love and timing?What's the difference between being angry with God and being angry at sin and its consequences?How have you experienced the connection between grief and anger in your own life?What does it mean to trust God's plan even when we can't see or understand it?How can we better support others who are grieving while processing our own grief?What role does community play in helping us process grief in a healthy way?How does Jesus' example teach us to channel our anger into serving others?In what ways can we maintain hope while acknowledging the reality of our grief?Apply it!This week, identify someone who is grieving and intentionally reach out to them. Rather than trying to fix their situation or offer solutions, simply be present with them, listen to their story, and share in their grief as Jesus did. Consider practical ways you can serve them during this difficult time.Key TakeawaysGood anger trusts God's plan rather than getting angry at GodRighteous anger is directed at sin and its consequences, not at GodJesus demonstrates how to serve others even while processing our own griefGod uses all circumstances, even painful ones, for good in the lives of believersSupporting others in grief involves presence, truth-telling, and practical service

Good + Angry - Angry like JesusThis message is from Executive Pastor Jim George in week four of the sermon series “Good + Angry - Angry like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amUnderstanding righteous anger and the dangers of religious legalism through Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees. Discover the profound difference between man-made rules and genuine faith, and learn how to break free from religious legalism that prevents authentic ministry. This powerful message explores the cycle of hardened hearts versus tender hearts, providing practical steps for authentic Christian living and effective ministry. Learn to identify and overcome self-imposed barriers to serving God and others. Topics include religious legalism, spiritual growth, church ministry, Christian leadership, Bible teaching, faith development, spiritual transformation, religious freedom, Christian service, biblical interpretation, spiritual disciplines, church community, Christian living, discipleship, and spiritual warfare.Important VersesMark 3:1-6John 13:14-15Ephesians 2:12 Corinthians 3:18Think about it!What are some modern examples of how we might create man-made rules that hinder genuine ministry?How can we tell the difference between legitimate reasons and excuses when it comes to serving or sharing our faith?What does it mean to have a 'hardened heart' and how might we recognize this in ourselves?The pastor describes Jesus being both angry and grieved at the Pharisees' hardened hearts. Why both emotions?What are some ways we might be unintentionally imitating the Pharisees in our Christian walk today?How does regular church attendance relate to using our spiritual gifts effectively?What steps can we take to move from the 'cycle of the hardened heart' to the 'cycle of the tenderhearted'?How might our excuses for not sharing our faith or serving others anger Jesus today?Apply it!This week, identify one area where you've been making excuses about serving or sharing your faith. Commit to taking one specific action step toward obedience in that area, whether it's volunteering at church, sharing your testimony with someone, or using your spiritual gift to serve others.Key TakeawaysMan-made rules and excuses can lead to hardened hearts that anger JesusRegular church attendance and service should be a priority for believersGod has given believers both spiritual gifts and the gospel message to reach othersMoving from excuses to obedience starts with prayer and reflection on God's work in our livesThe 'cycle of the tenderhearted' begins with obedience and leads to fruitful ministry

Good + Angry - Angry like JesusThis message is from Pastor Dan Painter in week three of the sermon series “Good + Angry - Angry like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amDiscover the transformative power of forgiveness and its essential role in Christian life. Explore the radical nature of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ and learn practical steps to overcome barriers to forgiving others. Understanding forgiveness, Christian forgiveness, biblical forgiveness, how to forgive others, dealing with unforgiveness, Matthew 18 parable, spiritual growth, Christian living, Bible teaching, forgiveness and reconciliation, overcoming bitterness, Christian relationships, spiritual transformation, grace and mercy, Christian discipleship, biblical principles, spiritual healing, emotional healing, relationship restoration, Christian counseling, faith journey, spiritual maturity, biblical wisdom, Christian growth, relationship advice, Christian community, biblical truth, spiritual development.Important VersesMatthew 18:21-22Matthew 18:32-33Colossians 3:12-131 John 1:92 Corinthians 5:21Think about it!How does understanding God's forgiveness of our own sins impact how we forgive others?What makes it difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply?How does the parable of the unforgiving servant challenge our view of forgiveness?What's the difference between saying we forgive someone and truly forgiving from the heart?How can holding onto unforgiveness affect our relationship with God?What does it mean to be a 'steward' of God's forgiveness?How can we practice righteous anger without falling into sinful anger?What steps can we take to cultivate a more forgiving heart?Apply it!This week, identify one person you need to forgive. Spend time meditating on God's forgiveness in your own life, then take practical steps to extend that same forgiveness to them - whether through a conversation, letter, or intentional prayer for their well-being.Key TakeawaysChristians have received radical, extravagant forgiveness from God that they could never repayGod expects us to be good stewards of His forgiveness by extending it to othersTrue forgiveness must come from the heart, not just wordsUnforgiveness can be a sign of not fully understanding or accepting God's forgiveness in our own livesRighteous anger should move us toward reconciliation and restoration

Good + Angry - Angry like JesusThis message is from Pastor Dan Painter in week two of the sermon series “Good + Angry - Angry like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amUnderstanding righteous anger and how to express it biblically. Learn the key differences between godly and ungodly anger, and discover practical ways to handle anger in relationships. Explore the biblical perspective on emotional management, conflict resolution, and spiritual growth. This teaching examines Jesus's example of righteous anger and provides practical steps for developing godly responses to challenging situations. Perfect for Christians seeking to grow in emotional maturity, relationship building, biblical counseling, spiritual development, anger management, conflict resolution, Christian living, discipleship, biblical teaching, emotional healing, Christian relationships, spiritual transformation, biblical wisdom, Christian character development, emotional intelligence, spiritual disciplines, Christian growth, biblical principles, relationship advice, Christian counseling, spiritual maturity.Important VersesEphesians 4:26James 1:19-20Matthew 21:12-161 John 4:10Think about it!What's the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger?How can we determine if we're angry about the right things?What are some common wrong ways we tend to express anger?How does Jesus' example in the temple demonstrate both strength and gentleness?What are the three wrong purposes we often pursue in our anger?How does understanding God's response to our sin help shape how we handle anger?What role does humility play in expressing righteous anger?How can we practically apply these principles in our daily relationships?Apply It!This week, when you feel anger rising, pause and ask yourself three questions: 1) Am I angry about the right thing? 2) How can I express this anger in a way that reflects God's character? 3) What is my true purpose in expressing this anger? Journal about your experiences and how these questions helped shape your response.Key TakeawaysRighteous anger must be about the right things, expressed in the right way, for the right purposeOur anger should be controlled by love and humility, just as Jesus demonstratedThe goal of righteous anger should be redemption and restoration, not revenge or reliefWe must deal with our own sin before addressing others' faults

Good + Angry - Angry like JesusThis message is from Pastor Dan Painter in week one of the sermon series “Good + Angry - Angry like Jesus” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amDiscover the profound difference between righteous and unrighteous anger through Jesus's powerful example at the temple. Learn how genuine righteous anger stems from love and concern for God's will, not personal preferences. This essential teaching explores biblical anger, temple cleansing, worship transformation, spiritual growth, Christian living, biblical truth, Jesus's teachings, spiritual development, church life, and personal faith. Understand how to examine your own anger triggers and ensure your worship focuses on God's purposes rather than personal preferences. Gain practical insights for aligning your heart with God's concerns and experiencing true spiritual transformation through authentic worship. Perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their faith, understand biblical principles, or grow in their Christian walk.Important VersesMatthew 21:12-13Ephesians 4:26Isaiah 56:7John 13:14-15Think about it!How does Jesus' anger in the temple differ from the anger of the Pharisees?What's the difference between righteous anger and selfish anger?How can we tell if our anger is aligned with God's will?Why was the temple's court of Gentiles significant, and what does it tell us about God's heart for all people?How does self-centered worship manifest in our lives today?What role should our preferences play in worship?How can we ensure our worship remains focused on God rather than ourselves?What steps can we take to develop righteous anger rather than selfish anger?Apply it!This week, when you feel anger rising, pause and ask yourself: 'Is this anger centered on God's concerns or my preferences?' Keep a journal of these moments and pray for wisdom to develop righteous anger that reflects God's heart.Key TakeawaysRighteous anger is a movement of love in response to what's wrongOur anger should align with God's Word and will, not our preferencesTrue worship is centered on God, not our personal preferences or feelingsWe become what we worship - self-centered worship leads to self-centered living

More than a Feeling - Compassion like ChristThis message is from Lead Pastor Dan Painter in week four of the sermon series “More than a Feeling - Compassion like Christ” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amDiscover the transformative power of Christ-like compassion and learn how to move beyond sympathy into meaningful action. Explore the barriers that prevent us from showing true compassion and understand Jesus's perfect model of humble service. Learn practical steps for developing genuine compassion, from recognizing our own need for mercy to building meaningful relationships with those in need. This message examines how pride affects our ability to help others and provides concrete ways to demonstrate God's love through both actions and words. Keywords: compassion, Christian living, Jesus Christ, humble service, helping others, spiritual growth, Christian ministry, love in action, servant leadership, biblical teaching, Christian compassion, spiritual development, Christian community, faith in action, practical Christianity.Important VersesMatthew 20:34Philippians 2:3-41 Peter 2:21Matthew 20:26-28Think about it!What are some ways pride can prevent us from showing compassion to others?How does understanding Jesus's compassion toward us help shape our compassion toward others?What's the difference between sympathy, empathy, and true biblical compassion?Why is it important to address both physical and spiritual needs when showing compassion?How can we better identify needs in our community that we might be overlooking?What practical steps can we take to develop more humility in our daily lives?How can we balance meeting immediate needs while also addressing deeper spiritual needs?What barriers do you face in showing compassion to others, and how can you overcome them?Apply it!This week, intentionally look for opportunities to show Christ-like compassion to others. Choose one person in your life who has a specific need (physical, emotional, or spiritual) and make a concrete plan to serve them with humility, addressing both their immediate and deeper needs.Key TakeawaysTrue compassion starts with humility and moves beyond just feeling to actual actionWe must address both physical and spiritual needs to show complete Christ-like compassionPride in various forms prevents us from showing true compassionCompassion is a powerful tool for the church to impact the world

More than a Feeling - Compassion like ChristThis message is from Pastor Jared Seeland in week three of the sermon series “More than a Feeling - Compassion like Christ” 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 in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 amFinding Opportunities in Life's Distractions: A powerful exploration of Christ-like compassion and how to embrace life's interruptions as opportunities for meaningful impact. Discover practical ways to develop genuine compassion in a world filled with distractions and competing priorities. Learn how Jesus's example of responding to interruptions can transform your approach to daily challenges and relationships. Perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their faith, improve their relationships, or find purpose in life's unexpected moments. Topics include emotional intelligence, spiritual growth, Christian living, biblical teaching, personal development, ministry, discipleship, faith journey, life purpose, and relationship building. Explore how to overcome compassion fatigue, develop emotional resilience, and make a lasting difference in others' lives through practical, actionable steps.Important VersesLuke 7:11-17John 11:35Matthew 9:36Think about it!How do you typically respond to interruptions in your daily plans?What prevents us from showing genuine compassion to others in need?How can we better recognize opportunities for ministry in our daily distractions?What does it mean that 'death is not a natural part of life' as mentioned in the sermon?How can we maintain compassion in a world filled with negative news and tragedy?What does it mean to 'interrupt hopeless processes by interjecting Jesus'?How can we balance protecting our own emotional well-being while still showing compassion to others?What practical steps can we take to expand our 'sphere of influence' for showing Christ's compassion?Now, Apply it!This week, instead of avoiding interruptions, intentionally look for opportunities to show Christ's compassion in unexpected moments. Keep a journal of these encounters and how God used these 'distractions' for His purposes.Key TakeawaysCompassion sees opportunity in every distractionJesus welcomes interruptions and moves toward brokennessTrue compassion leads to restorationWe must be willing to see people and their pain as Jesus doesOur sphere of influence is where we can make the most impact