It is finished: Trusting the Completed Work of Christ

Scripture References

• Luke 1:1–4
• Luke 2:21
• John 19:30
• James 1:5 (alluded to in the “ask for wisdom” discussion)

Introduction

The group mirrored Sunday’s sermon on John 19:30 (“It is finished”), asking: “If Jesus really finished the work, is my life showing that I believe it?” Big idea: “If Jesus truly finished the work, trusting Him isn’t optional; it is simply what belief looks like.”

Tetelestai It Is Finished: The Starting Line of Discipleship

Scripture References

• John 19:28-30
• Genesis 3:15
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• 1 John 4:10
• 1 John 1:5-10
• 1 John 2:1-2
• Galatians 2:16
• Romans 6:23
• Revelation 12:10

Introduction

• Pastor Josh launches a new six-week series, “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus,” designed to raise—not lower—the bar of discipleship.
• Sets a military tone with an illustration of a blunt Marine recruiter: people long for a mission worth living and dying for.
• Lake Pointe’s vision: not crowds, but disciples who “come die with Jesus.”
• 2025 ministry recap: 11 church plants (total 90), 3,854 finished Rooted, 3,131 baptisms, new Sunnyvale campus (881 at Christmas). 2026 outlook: Roy City campus, two more in process.
• Practical tools distributed: “Field Guide,” tear-off “One More” evangelism card, 2026 church-family calendar, new Lake Pointe app with Bible-reading plan and Lift Read podcast.
• Series challenge: Each person asks, “What is my next step of obedience?"—then does it.

Confronting Hubris

Scripture References

• James 4:14–15
• James 5:1–12
• Matthew 5:3–12
• Job (general allusions)

Full Texts of Every Passage Read Aloud

James 5:1–6

1. Look here, you rich people. Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.
4. Listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6. You have condemned and killed innocent people who do not resist you.

James 4:14–15

14. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
15. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

James 5:7–12

7. Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord to return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
8. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10. For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath—by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Matthew 5:3–12 (Beatitudes)

3. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Introduction

• The facilitator has spent the entire week burdened by the word “hubris,” convinced it sits at the root of fear.
• Tonight’s aim: let James 5:1-6 expose hubris in both material and spiritual “wealth,” then learn patience from 5:7-12.
• Context: Last week Mark covered James 4; the class is now in the penultimate session of the letter.

Fear Not

Introduction

• Pastor celebrates last week’s harvest (33,000 in-person; 692 salvations) and warns against treating holy moments as common.
• Begins Advent series built around the angels’ four-part proclamation: “Fear not, good news, great joy, all people.”
• Today’s focus: “Fear Not.” Acknowledges modern culture’s anxiety epidemic and media-driven fear.

Freedom from Loneliness

Introduction

• Series context: “Christmas at the Movies” — using modern films to illuminate biblical truths, mirroring Jesus’ parable method.
• Seasonal focus: the angelic proclamation that Christ’s birth brings “good news of great joy for all people.”
• Opening week emphasis: the “all people” element—God’s heart to reach every person wrestling with loneliness.
• Film illustration: Home Alone. Beneath its humor lies the universal ache of isolation heightened during Christmas.

Evidence of the Unseen Realm

Introduction

The speaker—an investigative journalist and former skeptic—opens with a humorous family story and then recounts Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6 whose eyes are opened to angelic hosts. This biblical episode frames the central question: Does a supernatural realm still break into our world today? Drawing from years of research for his new book, “Seeing the Supernatural,” the preacher promises evidence-based glimpses into angels, miracles, near-death experiences, and visions that strengthen faith.

Taming the Tongue

Introduction

• Leader opened with a real-life “home intruder” story to illustrate how one irreversible decision (pulling a trigger) parallels the permanent impact of spoken words.
• Group reflected on the gravity of life-and-death choices and transitioned to the greater spiritual issue: how words can destroy or give life.

Righteousness, Self-Control & the Judgment to Come

Introduction

• Weekend celebration: ~3,000 participants graduating from the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship experience at Lake Pointe.
• Upcoming evangelistic weekend: “Christmas at the Movies,” Nov 29–30, designed for guests far from God.
• CS Lewis’s fictional dialogue in hell: the most effective lie is “There is no hurry.”
• Transition to Acts 24: the Apostle Paul on trial before Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla—powerful, elite, yet spiritually undecided.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

Introduction

• The study opened with light conversation on New-Year resolutions, “trying” vs. “doing,” and how mere intention quickly fades.
• Tonight’s focus: James 2 : 14 - 26, presented as the “apex” of James—everything before it points forward and everything after it looks back.
• Goal: allow the passage to “penetrate marrow,” producing conviction and action rather than mere agreement.

Passing the Baton: Running the Relay of Faith

Introduction

• Pastor opens by honoring students who led worship, remembering his own first preaching opportunity.
• Announces “Christmas at the Movies” (Nov 29–30) designed for evangelism.
• Sets tone: Today’s shorter message focuses on what will matter when believers are “hugging Jesus”—handing down the faith.