The Gospel of John: That One Conversation
Pastor Johnathan continues the church's journey through the Gospel of John, focusing on chapter four and the theme of conversations. He observes how Jesus's interactions with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman demonstrate healthy conversation—something our culture desperately lacks. The pastor notes that Satan is a divider who doesn't want healthy conversations because they bring reason, common sense, and conviction.
Drawing from Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt," Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that conversations about Jesus shouldn't be feared but encouraged. He vulnerably shares his own experience of fear when first speaking publicly about Christ, acknowledging the common thoughts that hinder evangelism: "You're not good enough. You don't know enough." Yet he urges believers to refuse these fears, stating, "Never underestimate that one conversation you can have with a person and what Jesus can do in that one conversation."
The sermon examines John 4:42 where Samaritans declare, "Now we believe not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." Pastor Johnathan uses Jesus's agricultural metaphor in John 4:35-38 to illustrate the hard work of spiritual planting—tilling the ground, preparing the soil, and nurturing the seed. He encourages perseverance in evangelism, quoting Charles Spurgeon: "You will not become a winner of souls until you are first a weeper of souls."
Pastor Johnathan then highlights the royal official in John 4:46-54 who traveled 20 miles to have one conversation with Jesus about his dying son. While the crowd wanted to see miraculous signs, the official simply believed Jesus's word: "Go. Your son lives." This resulted not only in physical healing but in his "entire household believing and confidently trusting in Jesus as Savior" (John 4:53).
The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that while we should believe in miracles, we must worship the miracle-maker rather than the miracles themselves. Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that the greatest miracle is salvation—when hearts turn to Jesus. He closes with a passionate declaration that Jesus is "the Savior of the world" who heals broken hearts, makes all things new, and delivers us from every affliction, including cancer, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Quoting Psalm 23:4, he reminds the congregation, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," because Jesus walks with us through every situation.
The Gospel of John: Our Deepest Need
In this passionate sermon from Pastor Johnathan's summer series on the Gospel of John, he delves into John 4:1-27, examining Jesus's transformative encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Pastor Johnathan begins by emphasizing the importance of the Gospel of John for new believers and how last week's message focused on John the Baptist's crucial lesson that "we must decrease and He must increase."
Moving into chapter 4, Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that Jesus's journey through Samaria was not merely a path of convenience but one of radical obedience. He boldly declares that as Christians, we must display "radical obedience to King Jesus" rather than the "radical chaos" seen in society today. This obedience, he insists, is our primary purpose as believers, referencing Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
The sermon explores the historical context of Jewish-Samaritan relations, explaining how Jews typically avoided Samaritans due to centuries of racial and religious hostility. Yet Jesus deliberately waited at Jacob's well to meet this Samaritan woman who came at noon—likely to avoid the judgment and gossip of others. Pastor Johnathan notes that she came with a deep well of heartache, rejection, and shame inside her, but Jesus was waiting to offer her something greater.
With powerful imagery, Pastor Johnathan contrasts the physical water from Jacob's well with the living water Jesus offers—water that "never loses its power, can't be polluted, and constantly refreshes and renews." He points out how Jesus didn't shy away from addressing the woman's troubled past of five failed marriages, yet did so without condemnation. Instead of seeing her for who she was, Jesus saw who she could become—transformed, healed, and "on fire for the Gospel."
The sermon reaches its climax with Jesus's Revelation: "I who speak to you am He"—the moment Jesus declares Himself as the Messiah. This transformative encounter led the woman to leave her water jar behind—symbolically abandoning her old life—to invite others to "come and see" the man who had met her at her deepest need.
Pastor Johnathan concludes by challenging his congregation to allow Jesus to meet them at their deepest needs rather than trying to fill those needs with worldly substitutes. He encourages them not to "rush the moment with Jesus" but to sit with Him and let Him transform their lives as He did for the Samaritan woman. The sermon powerfully illustrates that only Jesus can satisfy our deepest longings and give us true purpose through a lifestyle of worship in spirit and truth.
The Gospel of John: Matter of the Heart
Pastor Johnathan explores the profound conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3, emphasizing the importance of spiritual rebirth and God's love for humanity. He highlights how Jesus addresses matters of the heart, challenging listeners to examine their own faith and relationship with God beyond mere religious tradition or social status.
Medium Summary:
In this sermon, Pastor Johnathan delves into John 3, focusing on the nighttime encounter between Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee, and Jesus. He outlines four key "matters of the heart" from this passage: confusion, curiosity, conviction, and conversion.
The pastor emphasizes Jesus' teaching on being "born again" and how it confused Nicodemus, who thought in physical terms rather than spiritual. He explains that true faith goes beyond religious affiliation or good deeds, requiring a personal relationship with Jesus and spiritual transformation.
Pastor Johnathan then expounds on John 3:16, describing it as "the gospel in a nutshell." He encourages listeners to personalize this verse, understanding that God "greatly loved and dearly prized" each individual. The sermon concludes with a call for listeners to fully surrender their lives to Jesus, laying down their burdens, addictions, and worries at the altar.
The Gospel of John: Less of Me, More of You
In this sermon, Pastor Johnathan delves into John chapter 3, centering on the profound statement by John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This simple yet transformative concept is presented as the solution to many of life's problems, from marriage issues to national concerns. The pastor challenges the congregation to embrace a "less of me, more of King Jesus" mentality in all areas of life.
Pastor Johnathan contrasts the culture of humanity with the culture of heaven, urging believers to walk towards holiness - which he defines as "separation unto God." He emphasizes that being Biblically correct is far more important than being politically correct, even if it means ruffling some feathers.
The sermon explores the dangers of spiritual darkness and the importance of remaining in Jesus. Pastor Johnathan uses Colossians 1:13 to remind the audience that they have been "delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love." He warns against the destructive nature of pride and the comparison trap, encouraging listeners to find their identity in Christ and understand their role in God's plan.
The Gospel of John: Where is Your Zeal?
Pastor Jonathan's sermon on John 2:13-22 focuses on Jesus cleansing the temple and the implications for believers today. He begins by setting the context of the Passover celebration and explains why the text says Jesus went "up" to Jerusalem, despite it being geographically lower than Galilee.
The pastor vividly describes the scene Jesus encountered at the temple, with corrupt practices of selling sacrificial animals at inflated prices and exchanging money unfairly. He emphasizes that Jesus' anger was righteous and controlled, noting how Jesus took time to make a whip before acting. This cleansing is presented as Jesus reestablishing spiritual authority in God's house.
A key verse highlighted is John 2:17, "Zeal for your house will consume me." Pastor Jonathan uses this to pose the central question of the sermon: "Where's your zeal?" He challenges the congregation to have the same passion for God and His purposes that Jesus demonstrated.
The sermon then shifts to apply this concept to believers today, emphasizing that we are now the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Pastor Jonathan stresses the need for regular spiritual cleansing, stating, "There's a conversion first, then the cleaning." He identifies four specific areas often needing cleansing in our lives:
1. Unforgiveness - which can steal our joy and passion for Jesus
2. Comparison - leading to identity crisis and aligning with worldly values
3. Anger - especially deep, silent anger that can destroy relationships and one's soul
4. Worry - which leads to fear and paralysis
For each of these, the pastor provides scriptural support and personal anecdotes, encouraging listeners to "take these things away" and align themselves with Jesus instead of the world.
Pastor Jonathan uses the phrase "flip the tables" repeatedly, urging believers to take active steps in cleansing their hearts. He emphasizes that this isn't just about passive waiting for Jesus to act, but about partnering with the Holy Spirit in the cleansing process.
The sermon concludes by returning to John 2, noting Jesus' prophecy about raising the temple (His body) in three days. Pastor Jonathan uses this to reinforce the idea that Jesus knows our hearts and calls us to deeper commitment.
Finally, he leads the congregation in a prayer of invitation to the Holy Spirit, asking for cleansing and alignment with God's purposes. The message ends with an altar call, inviting those who need prayer to come forward for ministry.
Throughout the sermon, Pastor Jonathan maintains a passionate, direct speaking style, using humor and personal examples to connect with the audience while consistently pointing them back to Scripture and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
The Gospel of John: The Best for Last
Pastor Johnathan delivers a powerful message about Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana, emphasizing the importance of believing in God's supernatural power. He encourages listeners to invite Jesus into their lives, highlighting how God transforms us from the inside out and saves the best for last, just as Jesus turned water into the finest wine.
The Gospel of John: Come and See
Pastor Johnathan delivers a powerful sermon on John 1:19-51, emphasizing the supernatural nature of God and His Word. He highlights John the Baptist's humility in pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The sermon culminates in a call for listeners to "come and see" Jesus, follow Him, and experience greater things in their lives.
Against All Odds: Peter, Apostate to Apostle
Pastor Joe Simolanda delivered the main sermon focused on Peter's story from the Bible. He described Peter as an ordinary fisherman (characterized as hot-tempered, rough, using vulgar language, uneducated) who talked too much but was nonetheless chosen by Jesus. Despite having a "front row seat" to Jesus' ministry and witnessing miracles, Peter denied Jesus three times when faced with pressure.
Pastor Joe identified three key problems in Peter's behavior:
Self-sufficiency - trying to control things in his own strength rather than depending on God
Acting on partial knowledge - making judgments without understanding God's full plan
Spiritual negligence - failing to pray and stay alert spiritually
He then explained Peter's remarkable transformation into a great apostle through three factors:
Restoration - Jesus specifically sought out Peter after the resurrection (telling the disciples "including Peter") and restored him through a three-fold affirmation matching his three-fold denial
Relationship with Jesus - developing a genuine connection that transformed him
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit - receiving supernatural power at Pentecost that enabled bold ministry
Pastor Joe concluded by emphasizing that willpower alone is insufficient to live the Christian life - the Holy Spirit's help is essential.
Against All Odds: Jesus - Peace Be With You
In this Easter sermon, Pastor Johnathan celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its crucial role in Christianity. He states, "With it, game on. Without it, game over." The pastor discusses the historical evidence for the resurrection and how it sets Christianity apart from other religions.
The sermon focuses on the theme of peace, with Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Pastor Johnathan uses Luke 24:36 as the key scripture, where Jesus appears to His disciples saying, "Peace be with you." He explains that true peace comes from walking with Jesus and not from worldly sources.
Pastor Johnathan shares several lessons on walking with the Prince of Peace, including recognizing that God is always on the move, allowing Jesus to adjust our perspective, and being honest in our faith. He encourages believers to hand over their hearts to Jesus, even when they feel unworthy or dirty. The sermon concludes with a call for listeners to evaluate their lives and surrender their hearts to Jesus for true peace and transformation.
Against All Odds: Moses, Face-to-Face
In this sermon titled "Moses Face to Face," Pastor Jonathan delves into the story of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. He emphasizes that just as God spoke to Moses "face to face as one speaks to a friend" (Exodus 33:11), He desires to have a close relationship with each of us. The pastor highlights five excuses Moses made when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, relating these to common excuses we make today when facing challenges.
Pastor Jonathan encourages listeners to overcome self-doubt, fear, and reluctance by focusing on God's power rather than their own limitations. He reminds the congregation that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) and that God's "power works best in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). The sermon concludes with a powerful call to reject lies that hold us back and embrace the truth of God's love and empowerment, emphasizing that there is nothing too big for our God to overcome.
Against All Odds: Joseph-Trust the Process
In this sermon, Pastor Johnathan delves into the life of Joseph as part of the "Against All Odds" series. He focuses on the theme of trusting God's process, even when it involves difficult trials. The pastor outlines three main tests Joseph faced: the test of the pit (being sold into slavery), the test of purity (resisting Potiphar's wife), and the test of prison (maintaining a positive attitude despite unjust circumstances).
Throughout these trials, Joseph consistently chose to honor God and maintain his integrity. Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that God was always with Joseph, preparing him for a greater purpose. He draws parallels to our own lives, encouraging listeners to trust God's process, even when it's challenging. The sermon reminds us that what we perceive as punishment may actually be God's preparation, and that He can use our trials to shape us for His glory.
Key scriptures referenced include Matthew 19:26, "With God everything is possible," and Genesis 50:20, where Joseph recognizes God's greater plan in his suffering. Pastor Johnathan concludes by urging the congregation to examine their own lives, lay down their burdens, and trust in God's unfailing word and presence.
Against All Odds: Noah, A Bit Crazy!
In this sermon titled "Against All Odds," Pastor Johnathan explores how God defies the odds in our lives, using Noah's story as a central example. He begins by acknowledging that many people feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, but reminds us that we serve a God who specializes in the impossible.
The pastor delves into Noah's experience, highlighting how Noah found favor with God and obeyed His instructions to build the ark, despite facing ridicule and skepticism. He emphasizes that obedience to God often requires us to do things that seem crazy to the world, but ultimately lead to salvation and blessing.
Pastor Johnathan also stresses the importance of developing a close relationship with God through prayer, likening it to Noah's "walking with God." He explains that prayer helps us release burdens, deepen our faith, and experience God's grace. The sermon concludes by encouraging believers to trust God completely, even when circumstances seem impossible, because we serve a God who consistently defies the odds.
CrossPointe Core Values: Unity
In this sermon, Pastor Johnathan tackles the crucial topic of unity within the church. He begins by highlighting how Satan seeks to divide believers, referencing examples from Scripture such as Cain and Abel, and the early church conflicts. The pastor emphasizes that true Christian unity is spiritual warfare, quoting 1 Peter 3:8, which calls for "unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind."
Pastor Johnathan identifies two major enemies of unity: the spirit of criticism and pride. He explains how criticism can stem from self-interest, fear, or a desire for control, while pride is described as "the oldest sin in the universe." The antidote to both, he argues, is humility, exemplified by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
The sermon concludes with a practical guide for Biblical conflict resolution, based on Matthew 18:15-17. Pastor Johnathan outlines five steps: pray first, go privately to the offending party, seek help from mature believers if needed, involve church leadership if necessary, and as a last resort, release the unrepentant person. Throughout, he stresses the importance of seeking reconciliation and maintaining a spirit of unity that honors God.
CrossPointe Core Values: Service
Pastor Steve Smith delivers a sermon on the importance of service in Christianity, highlighting how Jesus exemplified servanthood. He introduces what he calls the "three dirty words of service" - surrender, submit, and sacrifice. These words are considered "dirty" because they require us to get our hands dirty in serving others and because they can be uncomfortable to hear.
The pastor explains that service starts with surrender, giving up our own desires and humbling ourselves like Christ did. He cites Philippians 2:5-7, which describes how Jesus, though God, took on the humble position of a servant. Next, submit means being obedient to God's will, even when it's difficult. Finally, sacrifice involves giving up something valuable for the sake of others, just as Jesus sacrificed His life for us.
Pastor Smith emphasizes that when we serve with the right motives, we lift up Jesus' name and give glory to God. He reminds the congregation that as the body of Christ, we are called to be the visible image of the invisible God to the world. The sermon concludes with a challenge to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance on where and how to serve, encouraging listeners to grow in their faith through service to others.
CrossPointe Core Values: Love
In this sermon, Pastor Johnathan explores the core value of love, emphasizing that God is love and His love is unchanging. He cites 1 John 4:7-8, reminding us that love comes from God and anyone who loves is a child of God. The pastor addresses misconceptions about love in our culture and warns against "falling in and out of love," calling it a lie from the devil.
Pastor Johnathan identifies three enemies of love: jealousy, pride, and fear. He explains how these can hinder our ability to experience and express God's love. Using Romans 5:6, he demonstrates the proof of God's love through Christ's sacrifice for us when we were still sinners.
The sermon concludes with a call to love one another as Christ loved us, based on John 13:34-35. Pastor Johnathan emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in truly loving others, referencing 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraging believers to let go of past hurts and allow God's love to flow through them.
CrossPointe Core Values: Joy
In this sermon on joy, Pastor Johnathan distinguishes between happiness, which is fleeting and circumstantial, and joy, which is a gift from God and a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He warns that joy can "spring a leak" due to various challenges, including legalism and closed doors. The pastor emphasizes that joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Jesus.
Using Scripture, particularly from Philippians, Pastor Johnathan illustrates how to guard and cultivate joy. He encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord always, even in difficult circumstances, citing Paul's example. The sermon stresses the importance of being in God's presence, interceding in prayer, and surrounding oneself with joyful believers. Pastor Johnathan concludes by reminding the congregation that joy is a learned behavior and a choice, urging them to pursue the complete joy found in Jesus rather than the fleeting pursuit of happiness.
CrossPointe Core Values: Freedom
In this sermon on freedom, Pastor Jonathan explores the core value of freedom at Cross Point Church. He emphasizes that true freedom is found in Christ, not in worldly pursuits. The pastor identifies self-justification as a major enemy of freedom, explaining how it leads to minimizing God's standards and rationalizing sinful behavior.
Using Romans 6:1-14 as a foundation, Pastor Jonathan explains that believers must "know" they are dead to sin, "conclude" that they are alive in Christ, and "do not" let sin control them. He stresses the importance of making a choice to submit to God's authority, asking the congregation, "Who's your daddy?" and "What team are you on?"
The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to stop "breathing life into what's supposed to die" and instead present themselves fully to God. Pastor Jonathan encourages the congregation to embrace true freedom in Christ by rejecting self-justification and allowing their old sinful nature to remain dead.
CrossPointe Core Values: Faithfulness
Pastor Jonathan discusses faithfulness as a core Christian value, emphasizing that faith is an action, not just a feeling. He contrasts fake faith (characterized by words without works) with real, dynamic faith that produces good deeds. The sermon challenges believers to live out an authentic faith that impacts the world around them.
CrossPointe Core Values EXCELLENCE
Pastor Johnathan delivers a powerful sermon on excellence as a core value for Christians, continuing a series on the church's mission to "Reach, Rescue, Restore, and Release." He begins by distinguishing excellence from perfection, emphasizing that while perfection is unattainable, excellence is a worthy pursuit that honors God.
The pastor uses several scriptures to support his message, including Philippians 4:8, which encourages believers to focus on what is excellent and praiseworthy. He also cites 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23, reminding the congregation to do everything for God's glory and as if working for the Lord.
Pastor Johnathan identifies spiritual apathy as the enemy of excellence, describing it as a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for the things of God. He warns that this apathy is not merely an attitude but a demonic spirit that seeks to undermine the church's effectiveness. Signs of spiritual apathy include refusing to lead spiritually at home, isolating oneself from the church community, and developing a victim mentality.
To combat spiritual apathy and grow in excellence, the pastor outlines three key strategies:
1. Cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord: This involves recognizing that we live for an audience of one - God Himself.
2. Learn to truly love God's people: This requires cleaning the inside of our hearts and loving others with genuine, Christ-like love.
3. Develop an excellent prayer life: Using Daniel as an example, Pastor Johnathan emphasizes the importance of consistent, devoted prayer.
The sermon culminates with a powerful message about the "keys to the kingdom" that God entrusts to those who pursue excellence. Referencing Matthew 16:18-19, Pastor Johnathan explains that these keys represent power and authority in various areas, including forgiveness, miracles, unity, and purpose.
He challenges the congregation to actively use these keys, rather than metaphorically tossing them in a "junk drawer." The pastor concludes with an altar call, inviting people to come forward and symbolically "unlock" areas of their lives where they need to apply God's excellence and authority.
Throughout the sermon, Pastor Johnathan's tone is passionate and direct, using relatable examples and occasional humor to engage the congregation. He doesn't shy away from addressing serious issues like pornography addiction in the church, demonstrating a commitment to tackling real-world problems with Biblical truth.
The overall message encourages believers to reject mediocrity and spiritual complacency and embrace a life of excellence that glorifies God and unlocks their faith's full potential.