Why can’t I sit still?

Matt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:14:16 +0000

I don’t have ADD. At least, I don’t officially have it. What I do officially have is this inability to just “be.” I always have to “do.” Sunday through Tuesday I’ll be doing a bit of teaching at a Conference held at a conference center in Middle of Nowhere, TX. I’ll have a good deal of down time and so I’m bringing the girls with me. I’ll teach for about an hour or so each day and the rest of it is pretty much free; free to hang out with the girls, read a book, have a campfire, whatever. Last night Lisa looked at me and said, “Are you going to be able to do this?” “Of course. 3 days with no meetings and no interruptions?! Absolutely.”

I was lying. She knows it.

There’s something in me that is always itching to have a project, work on something, write something and that keeps me from ever feeling okay with just sitting, relaxing, and “being” and not “doing.” I feel guilty when I just sit, even though I know that I need to; even though I know those I love need me to.

It’s something I pray about. It’s something that I know is really, at it’s heart, a pride issue for me. I think that the world needs my constant effort. Likewise, my sense of self-worth is tied to my ability to obsesssively achieve. Both are bad, narcissistic and sinful. (See, I’ve read enough of the scriptures to know how jacked I am.) Thank you for Jesus.

All that said, I really am looking forward to this weekend. Really, I am.

How to Lose Your Faith, Step 2 | Don’t Pray

Matt — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:16:05 +0000

This week in “How to Lose Your Faith in 4 Easy Steps” we talked about the role of prayer in the life of a Christian. There are two primary reasons why people don’t pray. The first is simply ignorance. Many feel like they don’t know how. They wonder, “Am I saying the right things, folding the right things?” And not wanting to feel as if they’re doing it wrong, they just don’t do it at all.

The second reason is arrogance. And what I mean is that in 21st century, Western culture, we are a people that tend to pray only when we have a major crisis. You know, when disaster strikes or death is looming. And in our part of the world life is pretty comfortable, life is pretty good. And when we’re feeling successful we’re far less prone to call out for a Savior. So we don’t pray.

And yet if you were to poll 1,000 people and ask them if prayer should be a priority, I’d bet the remaining hair on my fast-balding-head that the majority would say “sure.” Below are links to some books and resources that I believe to be very helpful in cultivating a life of prayer. Some are teachings on prayer, others are devotional books that will help get your heart ready to pray and even provide you with the words to say. Enjoy.

- Pastor Matt

Prayer Resources:

Portals of Prayer | An online daily devotion. Short and to the point. Just like it’s supposed to be.
A Year with Jesus; Daily Readings and Meditations | By Eugene Peterson. An excellent book of daily devotions and prayers. Buy. It. Now.
Praying with the Psalms; A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections | By Eugene Peterson. Again, a wonderful book.
A Simple Way to Pray | Free - in pdf format. A teaching on prayer by Martin Luther. It teaches how to pray through the Lord’s Prayer, 10 Commandments and more.
Little Visits with Jesus; A Family Devotional | This family devotional is perfect for those with elementary age children and lower. It offers short family devotions and prayers.

How to Lose Your Faith, Step 1 | Don’t Read the Bible

Matt — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:20:27 +0000

This week in “How to Lose Your Faith in 4 Easy Steps” we talked about the centrality of Scripture in the life of a follower of Jesus. The truth is that many folks fail to study the Bible for one simple reason: they don’t know where to begin. Below you’ll find links and tips to making the study of Scripture a central part of your life - everything from class opportunities at here at CrossPoint to books and downloads. If you have tips, let’s share them in them in the comments section.

- Pastor Matt

First things first: Get a good Bible.

The key here is readability and accuracy. At CrossPoint we uphold two translations: the New International Version and the English Standard Version. There are other great ones, but these (especially the ESV) are the best. I highly suggest getting a “study” version of either translation as they come packed with helpful notes, maps and articles. As for recommendations I use the ESV Study Bible from Crossway. You can purchase one HERE. For a FANTASTIC Bible to read as a family with young children click HERE.

Second: Surround yourself with good people.

The Bible was never meant to be studied in solitude. Doing so generally leads to one of two things: frustration or heresy. Instead connect with a community of other Christians and study / read together and lean on one another’s collective wisdom and experience. At CrossPoint we offer a ton of Bible Studies, HomeTeams, and classes where you can encounter God’s Word with others. For a full list of classes happening right now click HERE.

Third: Get some great resources.

There an countless books and devotional guides that will assist you in studying the Bible, understanding it’s story, and then embodying it’s message in every day life. Here are several resources that I use personally and have taught to others.

Fourth: Surround yourself with great teachers.

God’s Word has power not only when it’s read or studied but primarily when it spoken and preached. I regularly listen to the sermons of several pastors as a way to keep myself immersed in the Bible and what it says. We live in a day and age of great accessibility to some of the world’s best teachers of the faith. Below are links to several men that I regularly listen to - and so should you. These are links to podcasts - if you don’t have iTunes simply Google their info and you’ll be able to access their church web-sites and download from there.

John Ortberg | Author, Pastor, Menlo Park Church - S.F. CA
Matt Carter | Pastor, Austin Stone Church - Austin
Mark Driscoll | Pastor, Mars Hill Church - Seattle
Matt Chandler | Pastor, The Village Church - Dallas
Andy Stanley | Pastor, North Point Church - Atlanta
John Piper | Pastor, Bethlehem Church - Minneapolis
Ken Klaus | Lutheran Hour Ministries

ORIGINS Wk. 6 | Faith and a furnace of fire

Matt — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:44:47 +0000

Origins - Part 6 from crosspt media on Vimeo.

ORIGINS Wk 1 | Moses & Redemption

Matt — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:57:04 +0000

Origins - Pt. 1 from crosspt media on Vimeo.

The Theology of Dad

Matt — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:11:13 +0000

Video of Sunday’s Message…

The Theology of Dad from crosspt media on Vimeo.

You Asked For It | Liberal? Conservative?

Matt — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:01:17 +0000

“You Asked for It” is a brand new Life Lesson series at CrossPoint Community Church. Hundreds of people submitted their questions the most popular are being answered on Sunday mornings. I’ve invited several of my co-workers to address the “best of the rest” right here. WARNING - your questions did not hold back - an neither will our answers.

QUESTION | How do I combat those attacking Christianity and conservatism? Can you truly be “liberal” as today’s society defines it and an obedient righteous Christian?

ANSWER | Submitted by Frank Hart

Christianity and conservatism are not the same thing. Jesus is not a Republican, and He is not a conservative. If a conservative is a person who is resistant to change, then clearly Jesus (and His followers) are not conservative. Jesus calls for a total change in anyone who would follow Him, and this is to overflow into all areas of life. They are to no longer put family, friends, nation, politics or any self-interests before Him. Following Jesus means applying His standards to all areas of life. This changes everything.

Consider, how does Jesus want us to view family? What is God’s purpose for marriage and what standards does He give us for it? When does a human life begin and how are we to protect the weak? These are all issues that God speaks about in His word with great passion and clarity. We are not to simply do what is right in our own eyes. (more…)

You Asked For It | Adultery?

Matt — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:54:43 +0000

QUESTION | What constitutes adultery? Is looking at pornography adultery?

ANSWER | Submitted by Frank Hart

Adultery is any sexual activity that takes place outside of marriage. So the real question is “what is a sexual activity?” Jesus says that lusting in your heart is the same as doing it.

Matthew 5:27
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

The heart is easy to corrupt, in fact our hearts are all born leading us to darkness and corruption. Jesus said in Mark 7:21:
“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (more…)

Yeah, this should be good…

Matt — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:58:02 +0000

So, we’re going to announce it in a few days but I’ll give you the inside scoop. The next message series at CrossPoint will be called, “You Asked for It…” And in it you’ll get to choose the topics. In the weeks leading up to the start of the series (May 17th) you’ll have a chance to offer up suggestions for each week - and anything is game. You’ll submit topics and issues on-line and each week we’ll pick the best, most provocative one and then teach on it that next Sunday. I’ll offer more details as they come to light. But it should be fun. Any initial suggestions?

Your Question | Pets in Heaven…

Matt — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:45:41 +0000

On a recent Sunday, those worshipping at CrossPoint Community Church were encouraged to text in their questions and doubts during Matt’s message. Some were answered “live.” The best of the rest will be answered here.

TEXT: Pastor Matt, will my pet make it to Heaven?

As much as I tried to avoid answering this question, I just couldn’t. Too many of you threw it my way for me to ignore it. Apparently a lot of people want to hang out in paradise with their poodle.

This is one of those topics that the Scriptures just don’t talk about in any detail. We’re left to make an educated guess based on what the Scriptures do speak clearly on. And taking it all in, my personal, Biblical insticts lead me to offer a pretty confident, “no.”

[Long pause for the pet lovers to stop cursing my name.]

Let me tell you how I get there. First, the Bible tells us that mankind - human beings - are the crown of God’s creation, the height of all that He’s made. Also, mankind carries an incredible value in the eyes of God because we are - unlike our pets or any animal - made in His image. That is, all humans reflect something of the character and power of God. For example, like God created all things, mankind - as His image bearer - can create small but still very incredible things. A dog simply can’t. (Gen. 1:27-31)
(more…)