What if you were doing everything right—following all the rules, living a good life—and Jesus looked at you with love and said, "You lack ONE THING"?

In this powerful weekend message, Pastor Lawrence explores one of the most challenging encounters in Scripture: the rich young ruler who asked Jesus about eternal life but couldn't release his possessions to follow Him.

This teaching from Mark 10:17-23 asks us to examine what we're holding onto that keeps us from fully following Jesus. The rich young ruler had wealth, youth, power, and religious devotion—everything the world values. He came to Jesus with the ultimate question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus' response was both loving and challenging: "You lack ONE THING: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." The man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• The profound question at the heart of life: "Do you want to be something or do you want to do something?"
• Why keeping all the commandments wasn't enough for the rich young ruler
• How Jesus looked at this man with genuine love before giving him the invitation of a lifetime
• The principle that you can't shop horizontally for what can only be found vertically
• Why any invitation into deeper relationship with God almost always involves a choice
• How to identify and release the idols that grip your heart
• Jesus' promise for those who leave everything to follow Him

Key Scripture: Mark 10:17-23

Questions to Reflect On:

1. What's your ONE THING—what stands between you and deeper relationship with Jesus?
2. Are you trusting in earthly possessions or in God for your security?
3. How much do you want more of Jesus?
4. What idols grip your heart that need to be released?

Next Steps:

• Identify what idols grip your heart and cut off their supply
• Invest your resources—time, money, abilities—in lasting kingdom purposes
• Say "yes" to Jesus' Presence, whatever it costs
• Pray: "Jesus, I never want to make the same choice that the rich young ruler made—at any level of my life. I do say 'yes' to your Presence and always want to go deeper, whatever it costs."

Coming Next Week: Hear Jonathan's powerful testimony about how Compassion International transformed his life from victim of global poverty to kingdom minister. Don't miss this inspiring story of investment and multiplication in God's kingdom.

Connect with Grand Point Church:

🌐 Website: www.grandpoint.church
📱 Instagram: @grandpointchurch
👥 Facebook: /grandpointchurch
📺 YouTube: Grand Point Church

Subscribe to Weekend Messages at Grand Point Church on your favorite podcast platform: 🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

#GrandPointChurch #OneThingSermon #WeekendMessages #RichYoungRuler #MarkGospel #EternalLife #ChristianPodcast #BibleTeaching #Discipleship #SpiritualGrowth #FollowJesus #FaithPodcast #ChurchPodcast #ChristianLiving #KingdomLiving

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In this powerful message, we explore one of the most misunderstood stories in the Gospels: Mary and Martha. When Jesus visits their home in Bethany, Martha busies herself with elaborate preparations while Mary simply sits at His feet. Jesus' response to Martha's complaint reveals a stunning truth about what God truly desires from us.

Are you serving Jesus but missing Jesus? Discover why God didn't create you primarily for usefulness, but for something far more beautiful: to know Him and be enjoyed by Him.

In This Episode:

• The real reason Jesus corrected Martha's service
• Why sitting at Jesus' feet isn't passive—it's powerful
• What J.I. Packer teaches about knowing God
• How to prioritize intimacy with God in everyday life
• The ONE thing Jesus says is needed for a fulfilling spiritual life

Key Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Mentioned Resources:

• "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer
• Matthew 6:33 - "Seek first the kingdom of God"

Connect with Grand Point Church:
Website: www.grandpoint.church
Instagram: @grandpointchurch
Facebook: /grandpointchurch
YouTube: Grand Point Church

Next Steps: 📖 Read Luke 10:38-42 and journal your reflections
🙏 Set aside 15 minutes daily this week to "sit at Jesus' feet"
👥 Join a Small Group (Circles) at grandpoint.church/groups
💒 Plan to attend our next baptism on March 22, 2026

Support Global Ministry:
Our Christmas Eve offering of $62,282 will support our new partnership in Honduras and other global missional opportunities.

Weekend Messages at Grand Point Church is a weekly podcast featuring powerful biblical teaching to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Subscribe so you never miss a message!

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Join us for our powerful end-of-year online service as we celebrate what God has been doing in our church family. This special service features incredible testimonies from real people with real stories of transformation through Christ.

🎄 What You'll Experience:

• Inspiring worship that celebrates God's faithfulness
• Three powerful testimony interviews featuring life-changing stories
• Stories from our Gathering (young adults), Regeneration (recovery), and Re-Engage (marriage) ministries
• Encouragement to share your own faith story in the coming year

📖 Featured Testimonies: Felicia's Story - From practicing witchcraft to finding freedom in Christ through our young adult ministry, The Gathering Slug's Story - Overcoming depression, anxiety, and broken relationships through Regeneration recovery ministry Brad & Heather's Story - Rebuilding their blended family marriage through Re-Engage marriage ministry

💡 Key Message Themes: ✓ Personal testimony and transformation ✓ Gospel sharing and evangelism ✓ Ministry impact stories ✓ Recovery and redemption ✓ Marriage restoration ✓ Young adult discipleship ✓ Church community and small groups ✓ Year-end reflection

🔊 Worship Songs Featured:

• "Testify" - celebrating God's faithfulness through every season
• Additional worship celebrating God's presence in our lives

📅 Looking Ahead: Preview of our upcoming "One Thing" series starting January 4th - challenging us to focus on less to accomplish more for God's kingdom.

About Grand Point Church: Grand Point Church is a multi-campus church committed to helping people find and follow Jesus Christ. We offer life-changing ministries including recovery programs, marriage enrichment, young adult communities, and more.

🌐 Connect With Us:

Website: www.grandpoint.church

Instagram: @grandpointchurch

Facebook: /grandpointchurch

YouTube: Grand Point Church

Ministries Mentioned:

• The Gathering (Young Adults) - Thursday nights at 7:00 PM
• Regeneration (Recovery Ministry) - Thursday nights at 6:30 PM
• ReEngage (Marriage Ministry) - Multiple campus locations

#ChurchOnline #ChristianTestimony #ChurchService #FaithStories #RecoveryMinistry #MarriageMinistry #YoungAdults #OnlineChurch #Evangelism #TransformationStory #JesusChangesLives #ChristianCommunity #SundayService #ChurchTestimonies #FaithJourney #GospelSharing #HopeInChrist #ChurchMinistry #Discipleship #LifeChange #RedemptionStory #MarriageRestoration #AddictionRecovery #YoungAdultMinistry #EndOfYear #YearEndService

Scripture References:

• Romans 1:16 - Not Ashamed of the Gospel
• Isaiah 41:10 - God's Presence in Struggle
• Ephesians 3:20-21 - God's Power at Work

Keywords: church service online, Christian testimonies, life transformation stories, recovery ministry, marriage counseling church, young adult ministry, end of year church service, faith stories, gospel sharing, evangelism training, church community, small groups, discipleship, addiction recovery Christian, marriage restoration, young adults and faith, online worship service, testimony service, year end reflection

If these stories encouraged you, please like, share, and subscribe to stay connected with our church family. Drop a comment below sharing how God is wor

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On this special Christmas Eve episode, Pastor Lawrence shares the powerful and often-overlooked story of Simeon—the elderly man who had waited his entire life to hold the infant Savior in his arms.

When Simeon finally embraced baby Jesus in the temple, he spoke a prayer that reveals the very heart of God: "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all the nations." He understood what so many in the Christmas story missed—that Jesus came to embrace ALL of humanity with God's love.

In this moving message, discover:

• The profound moment when promise and fulfillment meshed in the temple courts
• Why God is determined to come close to a broken world
• How Simeon's understanding of Jesus challenges our own
• What it means to embrace the world with arms of grace
• Our mission to help others experience transformation through Christ

This Christmas, you're invited to follow Simeon's example and make a resolution to embrace the world with the love of Jesus.

Message Text: Luke 2:8-20

Key Scripture: Luke 2:29-32

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Grand Point Church will not have in-person services on December 27-28. Be sure to watch for our special online service posting on December 28th at grandpoint.church!

Connect with Grand Point Church:

🌐 Website: www.grandpoint.church

📸 Instagram: @grandpointchurch

👍 Facebook: /grandpointchurch

📺 YouTube: Grand Point Church

Next Steps:

1. Visit us online at grandpoint.church to learn more about our church and mission
2. Join us for services as we continue exploring what it means to live transformed lives
3. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear about God's embracing love
4. Follow us on social media for daily encouragement and updates
5. Give to support our mission to embrace the world with God's love locally and globally

Tags:

Christmas Eve sermon, Christmas message 2025, Simeon and baby Jesus, Luke 2 sermon, Christmas hope, transformed lives, Emmanuel God with us, Christian podcast, church sermon podcast, Grand Point Church, holiday message, Christmas Eve service, Biblical Christmas, faith and family

Apple Podcasts Categories:

Religion & Spirituality > Christianity

Spotify Categories:

Religion & Spirituality

Subscribe to Weekend Messages at Grand Point Church for weekly sermons and special holiday messages that inspire, challenge, and encourage you in your faith journey.

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Before Jesus could speak or walk, He was carried by ordinary people into the heart of the city. This Advent season, discover how God still chooses everyday people like you and me to carry His Son into our communities.

In this message from our "Go Tell It" series, we explore Luke 2:22-38 and learn from Mary, Joseph, and a faithful man named Simeon about what it means to bring Jesus into the spaces we step into every single day.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Mary and Joseph carried baby Jesus into bustling Jerusalem—and what that means for us today
• Why God chooses ordinary people to carry extraordinary news into our cities
• The powerful story of Simeon, who waited his entire life for a divine appointment
• A practical DC Metro story about being obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting
• Understanding that God has already prepared people to meet His Son
• Why the outcome isn't up to us, but our obedience is
• A simple Advent challenge to carry Jesus to one person or place this week

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22-38 | Romans 6:23

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. God chooses ordinary people like you and me to carry Jesus into every space we step into. If you're a follower of Jesus, you have God's Spirit IN you—and you carry Him wherever you go. Emmanuel means "God with us." Always with us.
2. God has already prepared people to meet His Son. He goes before us. He prepares hearts. He arranges divine appointments. He orchestrates moments we could never plan. Your job is to show up and open your mouth!
3. Someone in your city is waiting. Somewhere near you, someone is discouraged and waiting for hope, lonely and waiting for connection, hurting and waiting for healing, or searching and waiting for truth. God may be planning to meet them through YOU.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Choose one person or one place to intentionally carry Jesus to this week. Grab our community blessing postcard (or choose your own location—emergency services, schools, medical offices, neighbors). Gather a few people and deliver cookies, coffee, a meal, or a simple gift.

While you're there, say: "Because of what Jesus has done in my life, I wanted to do this one small act to share Him with you." Then ask how you can pray for them.

Keep it simple. Set a date. And GO!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Who is your "Simeon"—someone God has already prepared to meet Jesus through you?
• What conversation or divine appointment might God be preparing for you this week?
• How has someone else carried Jesus to you in your life?
• What's holding you back from speaking up about Jesus in your everyday spaces?

Connect with Grand Point Church: 🌐 Website: www.grandpoint.church 📱 Instagram: @grandpointchurch 👍 Facebook: /grandpointchurch ▶️ YouTube: Grand Point Church

KEYWORDS: Advent series, Christmas messages, evangelism, sharing faith, everyday witness, carrying Jesus, community outreach, divine appointments, Luke 2, Simeon and Anna, Mary and Joseph, practical faith, holiday challenge, Christmas mission, city outreach, neighborhood witness, workplace evangelism, gospel sharing, obedience, Holy Spirit leading

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A single thing you do today can affect dozens of people, or even hundreds. This is the ripple effect, and it started with the Christmas story.

In this message from our "Go Tell It" Advent series, discover how the shepherds' response to Jesus's birth created a ripple that continues today. Through the timeless parable of the Good Samaritan, we explore what Jesus really means when He calls us to love our neighbors—and why it's about being, not just knowing.

In This Episode:

• The shepherds' unstoppable response to good news
• Why Jesus told the Good Samaritan story
• The difference between compassion and action
• Simple acts that create powerful ripples
• Why we need a Savior to love perfectly
• Christ's higher command: love as He loved

Key Scriptures: Luke 2:8-20, Luke 10:25-37, John 4:39, John 13:34

Show Notes:

The Christmas story has a ripple effect, starting with shepherds who couldn't keep the good news to themselves. After encountering Jesus, they spread the word throughout their neighborhoods. They didn't need a program or training—they just shared what they had seen and heard.

Jesus teaches us through the Good Samaritan that being a neighbor isn't about proximity or knowing who lives next door. It's about who we are and how we engage with those we encounter. The Samaritan didn't just feel compassion—he acted, investing his time, money, and energy to help someone suffering.

The ripple effect of Christmas occurs when the good news of great joy is proclaimed and when we're neighborly enough to engage with people around us instead of just driving by.

Simple Ways to Create Ripples:

• Pay someone a compliment
• Comfort someone having a rough day
• Visit a sick friend
• Call someone you haven't spoken with in a while
• Express sincere gratitude

The foundation of it all? If we could love perfectly, we would be perfect. Since we can't, we need a Savior. That's why the angel's message is such good news: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you" (Luke 2:11).

Loving your neighbor as yourself has been elevated to an even higher command: "As I have loved you, so must you love one another" (John 13:34).

Next Steps:

• Identify one person you can be a neighbor to this week
• Perform one simple act of kindness that creates a ripple
• Share the good news of Jesus with someone in your life

Connect with Grand Point Church:

Website: www.grandpoint.church

Instagram: @grandpointchurch

Facebook: /grandpointchurch

YouTube: Grand Point Church

Connect with us at www.grandpoint.church/nextsteps
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What if the hardest person in your family this Christmas is your opportunity to be a hero? In this second week of our Advent series "Go Tell It," we explore how Joseph's incredible response to Mary reveals the supernatural power available to us for navigating the most complicated family dynamics.

Discover why Joseph—a righteous man who could have destroyed Mary under Jewish law—instead chose to protect her at great personal cost. Learn how God handpicked this carpenter from Nazareth to be the earthly father of His Son, and what that choice teaches us about mercy, grace, and family leadership today.

In This Episode:

• Joseph's impossible situation and his righteous response (Matthew 1:18-25)
• Why God's presence in you isn't meant to be entirely private
• How Christ transforms marriages when both partners are surrendered to Him
• The greatest contribution you'll ever make: who you raise
• Navigating difficult family gatherings with supernatural love
• Practical tips for spiritual conversations with family members

Key Scriptures:

• Matthew 1:18-25
• Luke 2:8-20
• Deuteronomy 22:23-24

Reflection Questions:

1. What would be different if we were as forgiving and sensitive to others as Joseph was to Mary?
2. How does Christ's presence in you shape the environment of your home?
3. Who in your extended family might benefit from your relationship with Christ this Christmas?
4. What does it mean to love someone with "supernatural ability"?

Next Steps:

→ Identify one difficult family relationship where you can be a "hero" this Christmas season

→ Pray for supernatural love and grace in your upcoming family gatherings

→ Consider having a spiritual conversation with a family member (remember: make it private, address any elephants in the room, speak graciously, pace yourself, never give up)

→ Join us next week for week 3 of "Go Tell It"

Connect with Grand Point Church:

🌐 Website: www.grandpoint.church

📱 Instagram: @grandpointchurch

👍 Facebook: /grandpointchurch

📺 YouTube: Grand Point Church

Listen & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and 46+ podcast platforms worldwide. Search "Weekend Messages at Grand Point Church"

Share This Episode: Know someone navigating difficult family dynamics this holiday season? Share this message of hope and supernatural love with them.

Connect with us at www.grandpoint.church/nextsteps
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This Advent season, we're rediscovering the power of the gospel—not just as the means to heaven, but as the driving force behind every moment of your life.

In this opening message of our Advent series, we explore one of the most profound truths of Christmas: God's good news is for ALL people. When angels announced the birth of Jesus, they appeared to shepherds—society's outcasts and the ultimate failures of first-century culture. But this wasn't an accident. It was God making a statement.

Discover why you need to understand the bad news before you can truly appreciate the GOOD news, what modern homelessness reveals about the Christmas story, and how you can move from being a receiver of God's blessing to a carrier of it.

In This Episode:

• Why negative news captures our attention (and what that means for sharing good news)
• The theological significance of shepherds as first witnesses
• A pastor's eye-opening experience living homeless on Newark streets
• How the gospel reverses every curse wherever it's found
• Why "all people" really means YOU
• The call to GO TELL IT everywhere

Scripture References: Luke 2:8-20, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:1, Matthew 2:6, Acts 13:47, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, 1 Timothy 2:5, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:8

Next Steps:

• Reflect: When have you felt invisible or forgotten? How did God reach you?
• Pray: Ask God to show you someone who needs to hear the good news
• Share: Move from being a receiver to a carrier of the blessing
• Join Us: Continue with our Advent series each week

Coming Up:

• Go Tell It to Your Family
• Go Tell It to Your Neighbors
• Go Tell It to Your City
• Go Tell It to the World

Connect with Grand Point Church:
Website: www.grandpoint.church
Instagram: @grandpointchurch
Facebook: /grandpointchurch
YouTube: Grand Point Church

Listen to Weekend Messages at Grand Point Church wherever you get your podcasts.

#GoTellIt #AdventSeries #ChristmasMessage #GospelPodcast #ChristianPodcast #BibleTeaching #GrandPointChurch #WeekendMessages #FaithJourney #ChurchPodcast

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