Back to the Future (’24 to ’25)

Opening

Good morning, Church! What a year we’ve had.

What will you remember as you think back on 2024?

Was it a great year? Was it a difficult year for you? For a lot of us our answers are both yes and yes. Did anything happen that changed your life?

I titled my message Back to the Future (‘24 to ‘25). Do any of you remember the 80’s film where Marty McFly travels back in time in a DeLorean? Maybe you even remember the ride at Universal Studios. He goes back to the 1950’s. I want to take us to the beginning of this year.

We will look back at what God has done at Centerpoint in 2024 and then look to the Future.

2024 will go down as an incredibly memorable year for me. Most of you know I came to Centerpoint as a pastor in January and I LOVE IT. I love our church. I love each of you. I have felt so welcomed here. Thank you for receiving me, affirming me, and trusting me to be part of our leadership team.

As we look back today, I am going to emphasize positive movements that I witnessed and experienced, but first I want to first take a moment to acknowledge some of the hardships we faced as a church.

Many in our church struggled financially in 2024

Many of you dealt with serious health issues. Our pastoral care team prayed with you and visited a number of you in the hospital

Many of us had difficulties in ours homes and in our relationships

And hardest of all, we said goodbye to loved ones. Pastors Josue, Scott, Jonathan and I officiated 25 funerals this year.

I don’t want to minimize any of these things, but praise God that our losses and our hardships are not the whole story.

We also celebrated several births, baby dedications, weddings and wonderful things that God has done!

I love Psalm 126, which says . . .

Psalm 126:1–3 NIV

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

2024 brought with it some challenges, but “the Lord has done great things for us.” I want to invite you on a trip back in time to help us remember what God has done at Centerpoint. My hope is that as we remember, this will set us on the best course moving into 2025.

You ready? Strap in! [Hum theme song] - sorry I’m a nerd and remember theme songs

Our first stop is March, 29, 2024 - Good Friday

If you joined us for services you may recall the beautiful scene of gold crowns at the foot of the cross.

[Picture of crowns]

Each of us were given a crown that represented our rights, our power, our talents, and even our possessions. An invitation was given for us to cast our crowns or lay them down at the foot of the cross.

The image was based on John’s vision in Revelation 4:10-11. He wrote . . .

Revelation 4:10–11 NIV

the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Here is point number 1: Remember . . .

1. The Freedom in Surrender

Good Friday 2024 was a transformative day for many in our church. Each of our crowns represented something unique to us as individuals, but what we had in common was that there was something in our lives that we were hanging on to that we had not yet handed over to God.

And as we symbolically laid down our crowns we acknowledged that God is higher and that He is in control - not us.

And let’s be honest, since then we’ve probably put on other crowns that we need to surrender.

It is difficult to lay down our pride and hand over control to Jesus because from our perspective we think our crowns will make us look like THIS [we look good, we’re strong, we got this]

When the reality is we end up like THIS [weighed down, burdened]

Thinking about our crowns, which represent our pride,In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul reminds us that we’re NOT going to find freedom when we put ourselves in the spotlight - when my spirit reigns. No! Paul says in vs 17

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

. . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

On Good Friday we had individuals in our church surrender their addictions to Jesus, others who surrendered their relationships, others who surrendered their financial burdens, others their sin, others their future, and some others surrendered their general need for control.

That was the turning point to experience freedom.

Are you wearing a crown that you need to lay down today so that you can move into the new year with freedom in Christ?

Remember the freedom in surrender.

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The next area I’d like us to revisit did not take place in a single day, rather it was four different nights in March, July, August, and November. These were our Encounter nights.

[Encounter pics]

It was at these worship services that we witnessed a majority of our 86 baptisms this year!

I loved so much about each of these evenings together, but what I want us to remember is . . .

2. The Privilege of Worship

It was beautiful being in the room with everyone singing out and lifting hands of praise to God. If you were there you might have gotten a glimpse of what is described in Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:28–29 NIV

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

God is worthy of all of our worship and it is a privilege for us to be able to worship freely!

I want to be honest with you that sometimes it seems like we fall short of that Hebrews 12 model of reverence and awe.

I realize that I’m guilty of this at times. Service days are work days for me. Sometimes I’m thinking about preaching or announcements or the administrative aspects of the church, when I should be focusing in those moments on giving God the praise He deserves.

What about you? Do you sometimes come and just go through the motions? Do you let your mind wander during worship? Do you participate in worship? Do you consistently show up late and miss half of the songs? Do you find yourself complaining about worship? I like this song but not that song and because today’s set was not my favorite I couldn’t get into it.

Sorry if that’s coming off a bit critical, but if we are doing any of these things, we are missing out on the privilege of worship!

I know our church can worship! I’ve seen it, which is why I want to bring us back to the Encounter Nights.

I know that special events are special and our mood is different and all that, but I believe that if we plan to come and worship, we prepare our hearts, every time we gather to worship . . . it can be genuine and powerful.

See how David understood the privilege of worship. Psalm 63 says

Psalm 63:1–5 NIV

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

I wish we all longed to worship God, like David did.

I was thinking about how our guitar and bass players have to tune their instruments before they worship. If they don’t tune up their instruments before they get started, it’s not going to be very good. Perhaps we need to tune our hearts in advance so we can come ready to worship.

What do I mean by that? We walk into this place prepared to come and worship. We stop and focus our minds on the reason that we are here.

Remember the privilege of worship

_________________

Now let’s travel back to June and July. Our summer of service!

We took a bit of a risk asking the church to sacrifice six Saturday's in the summer. Saturday’s that could have been beach days or Saturday mornings that could have been spent getting ready for family bbq’s. And we asked you to serve the community instead.

And you showed up!

And you were not happy about it!

No! Quite the opposite. You were filled with joy.

Remember . . .

3. The Joy of Serving

[Summer of Service Pics]

Church, you served four shifts at the San Bernardino City Mission which was such a hit that many of you asked to keep serving there and we went back four more days in the fall!

You served three weeks cleaning up a neighborhood church - First Assemblies Colton. We hauled out loads of trash, did yard work, cleaned. Why? It wasn’t our campus. We’ll never use that space. You served them because we want to bless our brothers & sisters outside these walls.

And you washed over 150 cars for free. Plus a giant motorhome in the name of Jesus

And we had fun didn’t we?

1 Peter 4:10–11 NIV

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Often times in the church we talk about certain spiritual gifts, like teaching and healing and encouragement. It’s also a gift to use our hands. We can use anything God has given us to serve others. And when we do it right, Jesus gets the glory!

How will you serve others in the new year? Where will you get involved? We have lots of opportunities for volunteers in the church and we also have a ministry called Church in Action that will be coordinating more local projects.

Remember the Joy of Serving.

_______________

As we are traveling through time, my wife Carrie gave me the idea to look back at what we studied this year. Do you remember any of these sermon series?

[Graphics from Series]

The year started with Ephesians and then each series really built off the one before.

“Extravagant Acts of Love” was based on the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume

“The Kingdom” explored how following King Jesus should impact our life - included our thoughts, our speech, our relationships, our home, and more

“Act, Walk, Love” inspired our summer of service where we were called to Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God

In “Add to your Faith” we were reminded that the Christian life does not stop when we receive Jesus. It is indeed our faith in Him that saves us, but we should add to that faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love

“What We Believe” helped us to remember our foundation - that we stand on God’s word - no matter how turbulent our culture and world may be

“The Most Excellent Way” taught us what love is, what love is not (-that ain’t love!), what it never is and what it always is. And many of you followed that up with a more intense study on healthy relationships.

Finally the “Glory of the Lord” revealed that God is glorious in every place and in every season

And though these sermons were wonderful because they were delivered by your favorite pastors . . . what I want you to remember is . . .

4. The Impact of Applying God’s Word

When we take God’s Word seriously and appropriately follow its principles - lives are changed for the better

We are transformed more into His likeness - so when we call ourself “Christian” or followers of Christ - it’s actually true because we are acting like Jesus

And when we apply God’s Word the lives around us are impacted too. His Word is powerful!

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Were any of you convicted this year by the reading or hearing of God’s Word? I was several times! I always get mad at pastor Josue because he brings in all these convicting verses.

Conviction is one thing, but have any of you made positive changes in your life because of God’s Word? I know you have. I have seen positive changes in many of you.

Do you have a plan to keep growing? Consider getting in the habit of taking notes and then reviewing them during the week so that what you’ve learned stays front of mind.

As we enter into the new year, remember the impact of applying God’s Word.

__________

As we look back on the year, I’ve observed that our most transforming moments for our church took place together,. . . NOT in isolation.

So as we drive through the year, I want you to remember . . .

5. The Importance of Meeting Together

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We need each other! We were not meant to do life alone.

We are glad that over 400 devices tune in each week. Some of those individuals are on bed rest, some are sick, some are traveling, and some watch in addition to being part of a local church. For the rest of you, I want to challenge you to come whenever possible.

You can get some good things out of watching a service, but you are missing out on meeting together - and we are missing out. We are the body of Christ and every part matters!

Pastor Josue shared an illustration with me that he heard from another pastor. He said watching church on television is like watching the yuletide log on tv.

[Image or video of the yuletide log]

Did any of you do that on Christmas while you were opening gifts? You can see the fire going, but you cannot feel the heat.

If you are watching online, we love you, we are glad you are tuning in with us and we value you, but you are not getting the full experience. I know because I’ve watched online and it’s not the same as being here.

Now it is also possible to come and make minimum connections. I want to challenge all of us to build relationships and engage others - so we may (as Hebrews 10 says) “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”

If you’re not part of a group, make it a goal to join a group in 2025. We can help you find one that’s a good fit.

Remember the importance of meeting together.

____________

Now I want to take us back one month. Can you believe Thanksgiving was just over 4 weeks ago?

In November we had a giving campaign where we asked the church to give what you could above your regular tithes and offerings to support our overseas missionaries.

Church, together we raised over $26,000. That is money is going to incredible work around the globe!

And on Christmas Eve we invited you for one day only to give toward our Community Compassion fund and you gave over $7,000.

Remember . . .

6. The Blessing of Giving Generously

God positioned you to be able to give - you did so faithfully - and out of that flowed blessings for the recipients - and hopefully you as well.

Consider 2 Corinthians 9:11-14 where Paul writes.

2 Corinthians 9:11–14 NIV

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Will you continue to give generously in the new year knowing that we rely on you? The level of your generosity factors into how far our ministry can go.

Entrepreneur and pastor, Lee Domingue, was talking about BIG givers helping the church. He said Pastors set vision, business leaders set the pace.

Unlike some other churches, Centerpoint is NOT financed by a couple of big givers. No - we rely on many givers who give what they can.

I want to amend Lee’s phrase to say “Pastor’s set the vision, our givers set the pace.”

All of us are called to give. Some of you have a spiritual gift of giving and are able to give above and beyond.

Remember the blessings of giving generously. Help set a great pace for God’s work in 2025!

________

Finally, we will look at something that started at the very beginning of the year and carried all the way through.

In January, Pastor Josue encouraged us to pray God-sized prayers this year. God-sized prayers meant asking God for things that were so big that only God could answer them and when they did get answered He would be glorified.

So we had this case displayed out in the lobby.

White ping pong balls represented these God-sized prayers. And as God started answering them, red pingpong balls represented the answered prayers.

God answered hundreds of our prayers this year!

There were over 400 red balls dropped in our case since January.

We saw God heal cancer and many other infirmities. We saw God restore relationships. We saw God provide jobs and housing and friendships. We saw people giving their lives to Jesus. And more!

Remember . . .

7. The Power of Prayer

Paul says in Colossians 4:2

Colossians 4:2 NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

If your God-sized prayers have NOT been answered, keep praying them until God gives you reason to stop.

If your God-sized prayers have been answered, praise Him and offer up more God-sized prayers

Often God is ready to move and He is just waiting for us to ask. Sometimes we need to keep asking until He answers in just the right timing.

Many of you know our brother Collin Conway. I like how he often wears a pin on his shirt that says “Prayer changes things.” - Prayer does change things. We are not just offering up thoughts to the universe - it’s not just wishful thinking. Rather we get to engage in conversation with the living God who hears us.

Remember the power of prayer!

Closing

Looking back on 2024 . . . God moved in this place! Now . . . to the future!

What does it look like when we continue to live these things out? When we go from remembering to actively applying?

It looks like the fulfillment of the third part of our mission - becoming fully devoted!

All seven of these areas matter, but maybe there is one or two that stands out for you to focus on over the next month.

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling a sense of urgency for us to be in tune with God. Our world needs Jesus and we really don’t have any time to mess around.

Are we going to sit back and let 2025 be just another normal year or are we ready to make the most of the time that God has given us?

If we act upon these things, I am excited to see what God will do in 2025.

Let’s pray.