When You Can't Control the Storm

Scripture References

• Acts 27
• 2 Corinthians 11
• Acts 21
• Acts 23
• John 19

Introduction

• Guest speaker Jonathan “JP” Pokluda continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” walking through Paul’s harrowing voyage in Acts 27.
• From a prisoner’s chains, Paul steadies 276 frightened people, proving that God – not weather, not authorities – holds the outcome.
• The chapter carries three big lessons: stay calm by remembering who is in charge, realize storms reveal real faith, and do your part while trusting God for everything else.

Jesus Is Enough to Change Us

Scripture References

• Colossians 2:6-15

Introduction

• Paul reminds the Colossians that growth in Christ does not come from spiritual add-ons.
• Believers deepen by returning to what they already received in Jesus: trust, dependence, surrender, fullness, forgiveness, and victory.
• The question is not whether Christ has made us complete, but whether we will live as if His finished work is true.

Living with a Christ-Aligned Conscience

Scripture References

• Acts 23
• Acts 9
• Acts 12
• Acts 13
• Romans 2
• 1 Corinthians 4
• 1 Corinthians 8:7
• Romans 12:2
• 1 Timothy 1:5
• 1 Timothy 4:1
• Titus 1:15
• Hebrews 5:14
• 1 Peter 3

Introduction

• Pastor Josh continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” by tracing Paul’s declaration before the Sanhedrin: “I have fulfilled my duty to God with a good conscience to this day.”
• The weekend also celebrates the largest baptism weekend in the church’s history, with around 700 people publicly identifying with Christ.
• The sermon defines conscience, explains why it matters, and walks through four biblical conditions of the conscience: good, defiled, seared, and weak.
• The message moves from teaching to direct response, calling listeners to examine their conscience before God and obey Jesus publicly.

Week 4 — Examination

A short set of questions to sit with for a week. One per day, Monday through Friday. Saturday to review. Sunday to name the one thing and act on it.

The questions are not designed to be skimmed. The point of the middle three is to make the answer to the last one honest.

Monday, April 27

Where in my life do I still look the same as I did a year ago?

Habits, reactions, thought patterns, relationships.

Jesus Is Enough to Unify Us

Scripture References

• Colossians 1:21-23
• Colossians 1:28
• Colossians 2:2

Introduction

• Leader opened by rearranging chairs, asking how everyone felt entering an unfamiliar room.
• Purpose: create a micro-example of the tension we carry into relationships and to explore how Jesus’ sufficiency addresses unity.
• Study continues the Colossians series “Enough–Jesus Is Enough for ___”; tonight’s blank: “to unify us.”

Meeting Needs, Sharing the Bread of Life

Scripture References

• John 6:35
• Luke 9:12-17
• John 3:16

Introduction

• Guest preacher David Nasser expresses gratitude to Lake Pointe Church and honors Pastor Josh & Jana Howerton.
• Announces focus on a single verse–John 6:35–calling it “fighting words” (Spurgeon) and “the Bible in a nutshell” (Billy Graham).
• Sets expectation to link that verse to the previous day’s event in Luke 9 (feeding of the 5,000), showing Jesus’ method before His message.

Jesus Is Enough to Sustain Us

Scripture References

• Colossians 1:15-20
• Hebrews 1:3
• John 14:9
• John 1:18
• Romans 11:36

Introduction

• Six-week series in Colossians entitled “Enough.”
• Week 1: “Jesus Is Enough to Save” – Col 1:11-14.
• Week 2 focus: Col 1:15-20 – “Jesus Is Enough to Sustain Us.”
• Purpose of Paul’s letter: counter “Jesus + something” teaching creeping into the Colossian church (matter is evil, Jesus can’t be fully human, legalism vs. license).
• Big idea: If Jesus is not pre-eminent in your life, something else is pretending to sustain you.

Displayed Faith vs. Devoted Faith

Scripture References

• Matthew 23
• Matthew 23:11-12
• Galatians 5:22-23
• Psalm 118:26

Introduction

• Pastor Chris (on staff nearly 20 years) continued the “Investigating Jesus” series.
• Previous week: End-Times message; this week: the question, “What about all the hypocrites?”
• Light-hearted open (Disney trip, humorous photo of Pastor Josh), then pivot to the seriousness of hypocrisy.
• Rooted Celebration Weekend: 2,500 graduates; invitation to text ROOTED to 20411 for next session.
• Context: Matthew 23 takes place on the Tuesday of Passion Week–Jesus’ final public confrontation with the Pharisees.

Enough - Week 1 in Colossians

Scripture References

• Colossians 1:1-12
• Hebrews 6:18-19
• Ephesians 2:10

Introduction

• Opening conversation contrasted “avoiding bad” with “becoming good.”
• Group agreed true goodness is found only through deeper relationship with Jesus, not self-effort.
• Leader distributed a five-question “heart-check” card during the week; tonight’s discussion revisited those questions.
• New 8-10-week series launched in Colossians titled “Enough–Jesus Is Enough.”

Living in the Countdown

Scripture References

• Luke 21
• Matthew 24
• Matthew 23
• Matthew 28:19
• Hosea 4:6
• Hebrews 9:22
• Galatians 3:28
• John 16
• 2 Peter 3:9
• 1 Thessalonians 5:3
• Romans 8:22
• Revelation 6
• Revelation 20
• Ezekiel 38

Introduction

• Pastor celebrates Easter weekend impact: 53,000 in-person attenders and 2,772 salvations.
• Sets expectation: this message is heavier–extensive Scripture reading and dot-connecting.
• Illustration: the ever-ticking countdown clock on stage reminds him of limited time; Jesus says human history also has a countdown.
• Core question: “When will Christ return, and what will He do then?”
• Jesus’ longest answer (Luke 21 & Matthew 24) divides history into three ages; the sermon traces them and their transitions.