In this political season we are bombarded with speeches and ads touting the character, experience and abilities of various candidates running for political office. As part of their campaigns each hopeful shares in various ways their plans and their promises. This morning we begin a new series that will share the plans and intentions of CrossPointe Church.  For those who are new, this series will introduce you to who we are, and what we believe God is doing and what He is calling us to do. For those who are longer term members of our church family, it is a time to be reminded of those things we hold dear as a church: the core of who we are.

(Jeremiah 29:10-11 NIV)  This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 33
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

(Proverbs 15:22 NIV)  Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

(John 17:3-5 NIV)  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

 
Digging Deeper

1.  What is the common thread in the following passages?  Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1; Galatians 5:18; Acts 8:29.  Now what is the thread in these passages? Psalm 20:4; Proverbs 12:5; Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 21:5.  How do these two threads weave together? Is there contradiction?  Why or why not?

2.  The answer to question two is confirmed in the following verses:  James 4:15; Hebrews 6:3; 1 Corinthians 16:7.  Now consider the even more complex piece of planning, which is where our wills intersect with God’s will:  Psalm 33:10-11; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21; Acts 3:14-19.

3.  What are the principles for making Godly plans in the following verses?  2 Corinthians 1:16-20; Psalm 20:1-4; Proverbs 15:22; Matthew 6:33-34; Proverbs 16:3.

4. There are two extremes when we think about plans:  to not have any at all, or to have such an emphasis on working your plan you can’t hear God’s voice or sense His direction.  Which of these comes closest to your life?  What are your plans?  For your future? To reach your neighbors and neighborhoods? To fulfill God’s call for your life? Do you need to re-evaluate those plans? Are you willing to do so?

Played: 9 | Download | Duration: 00:36:51