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.

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.

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.

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.