Connecting Point – July 30, 2026

How would you measure success in the Christian life? Would you measure success in your Christian life by the number or frequency of worship services you’ve attended? Would you measure success in your Christian life by the amount of Bible knowledge you have or by what you haven’t done or gotten involved in? All of the above are important Christian aspects of the Christian life. But success in the Christian life really can’t be measured by what we’ve done or not done. Real success in the Christian life is measured by the Christ-likeness of our lives – by how much we’ve begun to think, talk and act like Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote about that in Romans 8:28-29, where he said “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son . . .” (Romans 8:28-29)

Most Christians know Romans 8:28, but don’t know the following verse. Romans 8:29 tells us God chose us to become members of His family so we could become like His Son Jesus. That tells us that success for the Christian is becoming like Jesus. So, what was Jesus like - and how will we know that we have become like Him?

In reading the Gospels we discover that Jesus had compassion toward others. Jesus loved and accepted all people (John 8:1-11, Matthew 5:43-48). Jesus also lived a disciplined self-controlled life (1 Peter 2:22-23). We also discover that Jesus had confidence in the Heavenly Father, and that nothing or no one could destroy that confidence (John 19:11). Also, Jesus was committed to the Heavenly Father’s will and purposes for His life. In fact, nothing or no one could distract Jesus from living out His Father’s will for His life (Mark 8:31, John 17:4). There are many other observations we could make about the character, nature and habits of Jesus. When we study the life of Jesus, the big questions for us are - what changes need to take place in our lives to make us more like Jesus, and what does God use to make us more like Him?

So, “What does God utilize in our lives to make us more like Jesus?” Regular Church attendance should help us become more like Jesus. That’s why it’s important to stay involved in attending our Church worship services. The Lord also utilizes the Scriptures to make us more like Jesus. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point.” Also the Lord utilizes the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus. Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “As the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more.” And then, the Lord even uses other Christians to make us more like Jesus. “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). That’s why it’s important for Christians to be in Life Groups or on Ministry Teams with one another. Because being involved in those activities helps us sharpen one another and equip us all to be more like Jesus.

Finally, when we read our Romans 8:28-29 text again, it becomes apparent to us that the Lord even utilizes every good and bad circumstance in our lives to make us more like Jesus. Because it says that “All things work together for the good of those who love God . . .” And “all things” means the good, bad and ugly circumstances of our lives. We need to thank God that He is able to take every circumstance that occurs in our lives and transform it into good. And we need to thank Him for utilizing everything that happens in our lives to make us more like Jesus.

Here is the bottom line. The Lord is constantly using lots of things in our lives, things we like and things we don’t like, to make us more like Jesus. And the more we become like Jesus in our attitude, ambitions, actions and relationship; the more successful and stronger we will become in our Christian lives.

This Sunday (August 2) we’re starting a new sermon series, BELIEVE, that will help us get to know more about Jesus so that we can become more like Him. In this series we’re going to be learning from some Scripture passages from John’s Gospel about Jesus’ power to change lives, clean up our “messes”, heal people’s illnesses and injuries, and much more. Plan to join us this Sunday as we kick off BELIEVE. And ask some friends to come with you this Sunday and in the coming weeks.

Speaking of inviting Friends to come with you to our Worship Services, August 9 is FRIEND SUNDAY at Celebration. This is an annual weekend at Celebration where we ask all of our members/attendees to bring 1, 2 or 3 (or more) Friends with them to our Worship Services. We all have people in our lives that we love and care for who need to experience Jesus’ transforming power in their lives, circumstances and relationships. FRIEND SUNDAY is a great time to bring those friends and family members with us to our Church services. I can assure you that on that day they will be encouraged by people and helped by God’s Word and God’s Spirit.

There are several good ways to invite friends and family members to come with us to Church services. One way is to call our friends and family members, asking them to come with you to FRIEND SUNDAY. A second way is to text them or send them a message via social media. You may want to use the following message to send to your family members and friends.

Hey, August 9 is FRIEND SUNDAY at Celebration Church. Since you’re one of my best friends, I want you to come with me. I believe you will enjoy the service, and I believe it will encourage you. It will encourage me if you come with me. Message me back and let me know if you can come with me.

The Lord wants to use you to help your friends experience the transforming power of Jesus in their lives, circumstances and relationships. So be sure to reach out to them this week in some kind of way, asking them to come with you on FRIEND SUNDAY.

We had a fun, encouraging and powerful Men’s Night this past Tuesday, as men from all of our Campuses came together to fellowship, worship and learn how to become stronger in their lives. I thank God for all of the men of Celebration Church who are becoming more like Jesus and becoming difference-makers in our world. Any men who weren’t able to attend Men’s Night can catch the service at www.celebrationchurch.org.

We love and appreciate you at Celebration Church. If you want to Learn more about Celebration’s ministries, share a Prayer Request with us, or Give to support God’s work through Celebration, you can do so by going to www.celebrationchurch.org. Lives are being changed, marriages are being reconciled, families are being restored, and people are experiencing the transforming power of Jesus here through the ministry of Celebration Church.

Gratefully yours, Pastor Dennis Watson
Lead Pastor, Celebration Church
dennisw@celebrationchurch.org
dennis.watson.96