Crossroads Go: Recent Episodes
Crossroads Church
We hope you enjoy these messages and are encouraged to live out the life and way of Jesus. Love God. Love people. It's that simple.
Seeing our neighbors through God’s eyes.
Matthew 9:1-42 NLT
Proverbs 3:28 NLT
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you,”
Jesus' compassion for his neighbors was fueled by how he saw them.
Application:
Allow Holy Spirit to help you see people and meet their needs where He leads you.
This lane is all about the parable of the Good Samaritan. The “expert in the law” wanted to justify being able to exclude seeing some people as his neighbor thus excusing himself from being neighborly toward them. Jesus uses a parable to answer the questions, who is our neighbor and how can we be a good neighbor? We are tempted to turn our neighbors into an “other” and treat them in a way that does not honor God or their sacredness.
Seeing our neighbors through God’s eyes.
Luke 10:25-37 NIV
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Being neighborly is not limited to a neighborhood.
Application:
Start off by smiling and saying hi to people as you pass by. Be thoughtful about how you could be generous and kind. Be the kind of neighbor you wish your neighbor was.
Being a good neighbor begins with seeing our neighbor as God sees them, made in the image of God.
Seeing our neighbors through God’s eyes.
Genesis 1:26-27 ESV
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
How you love your neighbor depends on who you see when you look at them.
Application:
We can all think of people we struggle to see as made in the image of God. Pray before interacting with people each day asking God to help you see them as He does.
This series is all about how to be a good neighbor, fulfill the Great Commandment, answer the question of who our neighbor is, and what it means for us to treat others as those made in the image of God.
Seeing our neighbors through God’s eyes.
Mark 12:29-33 NIV
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Love for ourselves and others flows out of our love for God.
Application:
Practice confession and repentance. Confess your love for God or confess anything to him that is getting in the way of loving God.
2 Corinthians 13:14 TLB
14 … May God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s friendship be yours.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV.
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
James 1:5 NIV
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 Corinthians 14:3 NLT.
3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
This series is all about how we are invited to live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit throughout each day. The tagline for the series is also the key verse for this message.
2 Corinthians 13:14 TLB
14 … May God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s friendship be yours.
1 Corinthians 14:3 NLT
3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
1 Corinthians 14:1-9 NLT
Tongues and Prophecy
1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.
6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?
9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.
Build your friendship with the Holy Spirit by building others up.
When moments come up this week where God would use you to speak His truth, do so with boldness. This is to build up His Kingdom here on Earth. His truth strengthens, encourages, and comforts.
This series is all about how we are invited to live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit throughout each day. The tagline for the series is also the key verse for this message.
James, the brother of Jesus, writes that if you lack wisdom then all you need to do is ask God for it. God will honor this promise by giving wisdom and discernment through His Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:14 TLB
14 … May God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s friendship be yours.
James 1:5 NIV
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Philippians 1:9-11 ESV
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
If you want it, you got it
When moments come up this week where you need wisdom and clarity and you don’t know what is next, thank the Holy Spirit for His gift and lean not on your own understanding.
This lane is specifically designed to address building our friendship with the Holy Spirit through intercessory prayer (for others' benefit) and speaking in tongues (for our benefit).
God intercedes for us and we have the privilege of being able to do for others what he so graciously does for us.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
1 Corinthians 14:4 NIV
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves…
Do unto others as the Holy Spirit does do for you.
How can we activate it this week?
Commit to five minutes of daily interceding for others in prayer. Set your alarm five minutes earlier if you need to. Set a five-minute timer if that would help. Do it with a roommate, friend, or family member. Have fun with it. Ask God to give you the gift of tongues.
This series is all about how we are invited to live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit throughout each day. The tagline for the series is also the key verse for this message.
2 Corinthians 13:14 TLB
14 … May God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s friendship be yours.
Acts 1:4-5 NIV
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Give an invitation for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration
Build your friendship with the Holy Spirit by inviting him to inspire you on your way to work or school, coffee with a friend, dinner with your family, etc.
Contemplation is the form of prayer that moves us to think about how we can apply, obey, and walk in what we’ve read. This requires a little lingering after praying, resisting the urge to rush off, and pausing very simply to enjoy God’s loving presence.
Matthew 21:28–31 ESV
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
Use contemplation to find your application.
How can we activate in-service?
Ask yourself this question: How will I be different after this message? How will I be different after this series?
How can we activate it this week?
Ask yourself after reading the Bible: How will I be different after what I read?
The Bible is meant to be prayed and lived, not just studied and understood. Every single page is God’s way of initiating a conversation.
Since the Bible consists of many different types of literature, it can lead us to many different types of prayer. The trick is very simply to take whatever you’re reading and turn it into conversation. A Psalm might move me very naturally into worship. A promise might provoke me to pray for its fulfillment in my life. Some bits might make me pray, "Lord, help me make sense of this!"
But praying the scriptures is not just a helpful prompt conversationally; it can also be a powerful detonator spiritually because we are in effect praying God’s own words back to him. Jesus says ‘“ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it”’ (John 14:14). God’s character and purpose is pre-eminently revealed in his Word! So, praying the Bible is particularly powerful.
When you hear stories of prayers being answered by miracles, you may be thinking, "I could never pray and prophesy like that," but the apostle Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to "eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." And then a little later in verse 3, he explains that ‘"he one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort." In other words, prophecy is a gift we’re all expected to desire because it's such a powerful way of encouraging others.
Psalm 19:13-14 NLT
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Matthew 6:9-13 NLT
9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Turn what you read into what you pray.
The word meditation literally just means "to ponder or concentrate." So, Christian meditation means pondering, concentrating, and focusing our thoughts fully upon Jesus. It has nothing to do with emptying our minds–but rather with filling them with the beauty of Biblical truth.
Again and again, the written Word of God describes itself less as something to be studied objectively than as something to be experienced subjectively: tasted, savored, and absorbed into our very beings.
We see this when the prophet Ezekiel is handed a scroll and told by God to consume it (Ezekiel 3:3), and then again when the prophet Jeremiah says, ‘“When your words came, I ate them”’ (Jeremiah 15:16). Similarly, the psalmist invites Israel to "Taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8). And then, of course, there’s Jesus himself who quotes Moses telling Satan that ‘“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”’ (Matthew 4:4).
On another occasion, God instructed Joshua to ‘“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night”’ (Joshua 1:8).
The Hebrew word translated "meditate" here is hagah which literally means: "to moan, ponder, or muse." There’s a sense here of "ruminating"–like a cow chewing the cud.
My sheep listen to my voice.
Psalm 143:5 NIV
5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
Psalms 34:8 NIV
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Don’t just taste it, chew on it.
How can we activate it this week?
Chew on Psalm 143:5 throughout the week.
The Bible teaches and history shows that human beings have an extraordinary, innate ability that animals don’t: a unique capacity to hear the voice of God because we are uniquely made in his image, designed to enjoy a conversational relationship with our creator. When it comes to hearing God, the Bible is the primary way in which he speaks. It is the very language of his heart. Learning to hear God’s voice begins with the Bible.
One of our problems with the Bible is that we’ve been told to read it but never taught how to pray it. We may study it like a textbook, but we don’t interact with it devotionally, relationally, and conversationally. And this is, of course, where reading slowly comes in. By approaching the text prayerfully using imagination and seeking conversation rather than information, it becomes exciting, surprising, challenging, and moving. The Bible comes to life.
This is precisely the approach Jesus himself teaches in today's Bible story. On the road to Emmaus, he explains "what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself." We read the Bible not just to study the truth about God in the past, but to encounter Jesus Christ who is the Truth, alive and well today.
It's so important to remember that the Word of God is first and foremost a person and only secondly a book. Our relationship is with the living Word of God in Jesus, through the written Word of God in the Bible, and not the other way around. This sermon is all about encouraging us to invite Jesus into our Bible reading to help us understand and apply what we are reading. We see this in Luke 24 where the disciples knew the scriptures but Jesus brought the scriptures to life for them.
Luke 24:17 NIV
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:32 NIV
32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
John 1:1 NIV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
As you read the word, listen for His words
How can we activate it this week?
As you read the Bible this week, make sure to invite Jesus in and pay attention to what He might say.
In John 10:27, Jesus says: ‘“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”’ This message is all about encouraging us to slow down to hear from God.
The primary mark of discipleship, according to Jesus in this passage, is listening—not preaching, not attending church, and not going on mission trips. First and foremost, followers of Jesus are marked out by the way they listen and obey. And this doesn’t just mean knowing lots of Bible verses because the root Greek word used here for "listen" is akoustikos (ἀκουστικός) from which we get the word acoustic. Jesus is saying that his true followers are those who recognize the acoustics, the nuance, and the intimate, personal tone of his voice.
One of the oldest, simplest, and most powerful tools for hearing God’s voice in and through the Bible is through the ancient practices of reading, meditating, prayer, and contemplation.
John 10:17 NIV
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Psalm 46:10a NLT
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
Luke 5:16 NIV
16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Be still and you will know
Many Christians have a narrow view of what evangelism is (preaching, debating, answering every question) or feel too intimidated to even try. This message is designed to encourage Christians to foster real personal relationships with those who have no faith or are of a different faith. Encourage us to cultivate our relationships with our neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and lost family and friends.
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
Mark 4:1-9 NIV
The Parable of the Sower
4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Cultivate R.I.C.H. soil in your relationships.
Be R.I.C.H.
- Relational
- Inquisitive
- Compassionate
- Humble
Don’t be R.I.C.H.
+ Religious
+ Insulated
+ Critical (combative)
+ Haughty
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
When Jesus died on the cross, He made a way for us to be one with Him again. But before He ever took that step, He taught about the vine and the branches and shared that we would be grafted into God’s family tree.
Jesus has called us once again to be fruitful and multiply, but differently than is commanded in Genesis. Here we’re told to remain in Christ so that we can bear good fruit. And we’re told to multiply by sharing the good news of Jesus so that others can be grafted into that same family tree.
Be fruitful and multiply
How can we activate it this week?
What do you need to start doing or keep doing to remain closely connected with your Creator and brothers and sisters in Christ?
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
John 3:14-17 CSB
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus is the new Tree of Life
If you’re not yet a follower of Jesus, He invites you to put your trust in Him today. If you are a follower of Jesus, then today is a chance to partake in Communion and remember His sacrifice and saving grace.
On Palm Sunday the King (Jesus) arrived in Jerusalem. He was met with a royal welcome of palm branches and cloaks as he rode into the city. The people recognized his authority and kingship.
But it was only a matter of days before the many people in the city were demanding that Jesus be crucified and his divine right to rule was met with mockery and pain. They were disappointed that Jesus was not the King that they had pictured in their minds.
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
Lay down your palm branch daily
How will you lay down a palm branch by recognizing and humbly submitting to Jesus as the ultimate authority in your life?
Look inward and think about if you have a hurt or disappointment with God, what steps can you take to address those things?
This message is about the Garden and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Discuss how Adam and Eve chose to do what was right in their own eyes and humanity has been doing that ever since. What happened then is still happening now.
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
When we do what is right in our own eyes, God does what is right.
It is the default of the human heart to pursue the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong. Where is an area of your life that you need to submit to what is right in God’s eyes instead of your own?
This is a teaching message about what God’s original plan was for his creation. He made us to be gardeners in Eden. We were to care for the Earth, have dominion over it, and cultivate it. He also made us to live in divine love with God and others.
Humans were bringing Heaven to Earth in Eden, and that remains our task as partners with Christ. What was in the Garden will be again when Christ returns.
John 15:1 NIV
1 … my Father is the gardener.
Genesis 2:15 NIV
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Image bearers have green thumbs
We were created to care for and tend to our relationship with God, others, and creation. Which of these areas need some tending to? What are some practical ways you can cultivate your relationship with God, others, and creation?
1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
God tells us to abstain from sexual immorality, but what is it that we should be doing? Well, Paul describes a life of love in 1st Corinthians 13, and that is maturity. Maturity is being kind and not demanding your own way. It always protects and does not dishonor others.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NIV
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God…
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Maturity is letting God define Love.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
So often we can find our identity in roles such as our occupation or our family role. But also, people’s identity can become very linked to their sexuality, whether this be sexual orientation or relationship status.
That’s why this message will remind us that our identities are found not in who we love, but rather who loves us.
Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Romans 8:14-17 NLT
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Maturity is finding your identity in who loves you, not in who you love.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
According to Ephesians (see supplemental verse) one of the responsibilities pastors and communicators have is to help grow us up to be “mature in the Lord.” That’s what this series and this sermon are all about. According to Matthew (see supplemental) we’re all guilty of “adultery” and have some maturing to do. Contrary to popular belief, our bodies are not our own. God bought them and knows the best way for us to steward them. Sex and our bodies are sacred temples.
1 Corinthians 6:16-20 NIV
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Matthew 5:27-28 NIV
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
You’ll never regret choosing sexual maturity.
1 Peter 3:15 TLB
Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.
Most sold. Most read. Least understood.
This message is all about letting the word of God change us by not simply being hearers of his word but doers. Applying what we’re reading is what leads to life change. Use James’ words and metaphor of a mirror to help us do something about what God’s word is revealing about our lives.
James 1:22-24 NIV
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
May we not merely have the word read, but lived.
What are you hearing or reading that you’re not doing something about?
Most sold. Most read. Least understood.
The Bible is one of the most influential and best-selling books of all time, with billions of copies sold. Our desire for this series is that each week we would share one thing that the Bible says about itself. Some wins would be an increased appetite, appreciation, and understanding of the Bible.
The author of Hebrews teaches us that the Bible is living and active. They say that it pierces your soul and judges the contents of your heart. This means that the Bible reads us just as we read the Bible. Share with listeners that the Bible is useful for self-reflection and to increase our self-awareness. If we can read it with open minds and open hearts, God will hold the Bible up to our lives as a mirror and use it to show us how to live.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
12 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.
As we read the Bible is reading us.
Ask yourself “how is the Bible reading you?” What is God growing you in? Where would you like him to grow you?
Most sold. Most read. Least understood.
The Bible is one of the most influential and best-selling books of all time, with billions of copies sold. Our desire for this series is that each week we would share one thing that the Bible says about itself. Some wins would be an increased appetite, appreciation, and understanding of the Bible.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome that the Scriptures and stories in the Bible are in there so that we can be encouraged and this encouragement would lead to hope. Use this lane to explore how the word of God does what Paul declared it to be. Explore different narratives from the Bible to help us see how God’s word gives us encouragement and hope.
Romans 15:4 NIV
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
What was written then can encourage you now.
https://www.bible.com/videos/42441-romans-15-4?orientation=PORTRAIT&utm_source=YVAPP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_content=STORY_CLIP
Most sold. Most read. Least understood.
The Bible is one of the most influential and best-selling books of all time, with billions of copies sold. Our desire for this series is that each week we would share one thing that the Bible says about itself. Some wins would be an increased appetite, appreciation, and understanding of the Bible.
Paul writes in his letter to Timothy that the Bible is valuable, stating that it can teach, correct, and train us in our faith. Use this message to help listeners understand that if they want to thrive in their walks with God, the Bible is an essential tool for that. Help them see that the Bible is relevant for Christians today as it was relevant to readers in its original context. It trains through “teaching, rebuking, and correcting.”
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…
It would be useful for us to get used to reading His word.
“The Bible shows you the path to walk on. It shows you where you got off the path. It shows you how to get back on the path. And it shows you how to stay on the path.”
- Rick Warren
Ask God which of these you need from the Bible and ask Him to give it to you. This could come in the form of teaching, correcting, rebuking, and/or training.
Most sold. Most read. Least understood.
The Bible is one of the most influential and best-selling books of all time, with billions of copies sold. Our desire for this series is that each week we would share one thing that the Bible says about itself. Some wins would be an increased appetite, appreciation, and understanding of the Bible.
The writer of Psalm 119 declares the word of God to be our guide. The metaphor he uses is that it acts like a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Use this message to explore this imagery and discuss how God’s word is our guide. It helps us when we’re lost, when we’re in darkness, when we’re unsure, and when we’re scared.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Allow the Word of God to be a lamp for your feet and a light on your path.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/what-is-bible/
https://www.bible.com/videos/42436-psalm-119-105?orientation=PORTRAIT&utm_source=YVAPP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_content=STORY_CLIP
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (God with us).
- If God is with us, then he is for us.
- If God is with us, he is not against us.
- God is with us through our new beginnings and unwanted endings.
- God is with us when we sing his praises or when we question his goodness.
- God is with us on the paths we’ve forged and the paths we’re forced to take.
- God is with us when our hearts are full and when our health is failing us.
- God is with us with us when we give him our thanks and when we give him our lament.
Christmas is meant to remind us: Jesus, is God with us.
What Jesus’ genealogy says about you, me, and Him.
As adults and children begin creating their Christmas lists to share with their loved ones, God created an important Christmas list of names for us to discover. Jesus’ genealogy includes men like David the shepherd protector, Boaz the kinsman redeemer, and Josiah the king of covenant renewal. They all foreshadowed and started what Jesus would ultimately come at Christmas to finish and fulfill. Jesus is our Shepherd, Redeemer, and King.
Matthew 4:17 NIV
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
2 Kings 22-23
Live as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.
Where is Jesus not King and Lord of your life? How can you let him in and surrender to him?
Repent and let times of refreshing into your life.
Acts 3:19 NIV
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…
What Jesus’ genealogy says about you, me, and Him.
As adults and children begin creating their Christmas lists to share with their loved ones, God created an important Christmas list of names for us to discover. Jesus’ genealogy includes men like David the shepherd protector, Boaz the kinsmen redeemer, and Josiah the king of covenant renewal. They all foreshadowed and started what Jesus would ultimately come at Christmas to finish and fulfill. Jesus is our Shepherd, Redeemer, and King.
1 Samuel 17:1-58 NIV
David and Goliath
John 10:7-18 NIV
I am the Good Shepherd
We are sheep in need of the Good Shepherd.
What area in your life are you a sheep in need of a shepherd? How can you let Jesus be your protector and defender?
What Jesus’ genealogy says about you, me, and Him.
As adults and children begin creating their Christmas lists to share with their loved ones, God created an important Christmas list of names for us to discover. Jesus’ genealogy includes men like David the shepherd protector, Boaz the kinsmen redeemer, and Josiah the king of covenant renewal. They all foreshadowed and started what Jesus would ultimately come at Christmas to finish and fulfill. Jesus is our Shepherd, Redeemer, and King.
Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus redeems us.
Have you considered asking Jesus to be your redeemer? He wants to do that for you.
What area(s) of your life needs the gift of redemption? I.e. relationships, faith, hope…
Turning odors into aromas.
This message is to call out the behaviors and attitudes that come with serving ourselves more than asking what we can give God and others. We are called to advance and build God’s kingdom not our own. A self-serving attitude builds only self-serving kingdoms.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Kings 11:1-8 NIV
Seek first your kingdom and all these things will be added to you… ______________
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you… ________
Seek to identify which kingdom you are building, God’s or your own.
Ask God how He would have you work to build His kingdom.
Turning odors into aromas.
A self-defeating attitude is driven by fear and prevents us from fulfilling our God-given calling and purpose. Discuss how fear always fuels our self-defeating attitude.
1 Kings 19 NIV
Elijah Flees to Horeb
Fear fuels our self-defeating thoughts.
- Get curious about what fears are fueling your self-defeating thoughts.
- Begin to trust God with those fears.
- And if you have a self-defeating person in your life, love them with your listening.
Turning odors into aromas.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 18:9-14 NIV
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Self-awareness kills self-righteousness.
Increase your self-awareness around your self-righteousness.
Turning odors into aromas.
In our lives, we are constantly encountering attitudes, whether it is the attitude of those around us or even our own attitude. Use this message to express the reality that our attitude and the attitudes of others have the power to empower or to be self-defeating, lift up others or yourself, share, or serve yourself.
Philippians 2:5 CSB
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus…
Ephesians 4:23 NLT
Instead let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Your mindset comes from whatever you set your mind on
Accept that you are 110% responsible for your own attitude and adopt that of Christ.
This series is all about reminding the saints that we’re in a battle and training them to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm. No piece should be missing.
What are we going to do with everything we’ve learned throughout this series? Use the story of the seven sons of Sceva to illustrate what can happen when we don’t put on the full armor of God. The seven sons were literally left naked and afraid. Without armor, we’re exposed and vulnerable too.
In this story, the townspeople burn up their scrolls used for sorcery out of their fear of the Lord. What doors to the enemy have we opened up? What might we need to burn up or give up in order to grow in godliness and freedom? Spirituality is often an invitation to evil spirits. Without the armor of God, we are naked and afraid.
Acts 19:11-20 NIV
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Galatians 5:19-20 TLB
19 But when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group—and there will be wrong doctrine,
What are you going to put on and burn up?
This series is all about reminding the saints that we’re in a battle and training them to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm. No piece should be missing.
Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV
The Armor of God
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1 Peter 4:12 NLT
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
Your victory will come at a cost.
This series is all about reminding the saints that we’re in a battle and training them to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm. No piece should be missing.
Luke 4:1-13 NLT
The Temptation of Jesus
4 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
This is how we fight our battles.
This series is all about reminding the saints that we’re in a battle and training them to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm. No piece should be missing.
As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual battle whether we acknowledge it or not. Explain to everyone that the minute we start to think the battle is with each other vs. spiritual forces we start to lose. Paul lets us know our battle is not with flesh and blood. In other words, it is not with our neighbor, our coworker, our family member, or our friend. It is not with any human being. There is a way we fight our battles that is different from the world. We don’t use the same weapons others do.
Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV
The Armor of God
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 TLB
3 It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don’t use human plans and methods to win my battles. 4 I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.
We don’t use human schemes and weapons to win our battles.
This series is all about reminding the saints that we’re in a battle and training them to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm. No piece should be missing.
The focus of this message is to highlight that spiritual warfare is real, there is an adversary that seeks to destroy us, and God has given us the armor we need to be protected against the schemes of Satan.
It’s important to understand the schemes of Satan. What does he do? What doesn’t he do? These are questions to answer in this sermon and then provide hope. The hope comes from the fact that with this armor, we are given the power to resist the devil and he will have to flee.
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Dress for battle.
By faith ________
(Anyone’s name can be added to the fill-in-the-blank.)
Every hero of the faith whose story is told in Hebrews chapter 11 is an example of what faith looks like. The Hebrews Heroes of the faith didn’t always have perfect faith. They stumbled, they doubted, and they believed. We are much like them.
By faith, Rahab defied her king and provided shelter and safety for God’s people. She put her own life and those of her family on the line by faith that she would be spared. Use the story of Rahab to share how it was by faith Rahab accomplished what God wanted to do through her.
Hebrews 11:30-31 NIV
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Hebrews 11:1-2 TLB
11 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. 2 Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith.
James 2:24-26 NLT
24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
Faith works.
By faith ________
(Anyone’s name can be added to the fill-in-the-blank.)
Every hero of the faith whose story is told in Hebrews chapter 11 is an example of what faith looks like. The Hebrews Heroes of the faith didn’t always have perfect faith. They stumbled, they doubted, and they believed. We are much like them.
By faith, Moses led God’s people out of exile and into the promised land. Use the story of Moses to share how it was by faith Moses accomplished what God wanted to do through him. Make sure to include an example of when Moses did things by fear instead of faith.
Hebrews 11:24-29 TLB
24-25 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the grandson of the king, but chose to share ill-treatment with God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought that it was better to suffer for the promised Christ than to own all the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking forward to the great reward that God would give him. 27 And it was because he trusted God that he left the land of Egypt and wasn’t afraid of the king’s anger. Moses kept right on going; it seemed as though he could see God right there with him. 28 And it was because he believed God would save his people that he commanded them to kill a lamb as God had told them to and sprinkle the blood on the doorposts of their homes so that God’s terrible Angel of Death could not touch the oldest child in those homes as he did among the Egyptians.
29 The people of Israel trusted God and went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians chasing them tried it, they all were drowned.
Hebrews 11:1-2 TLB
11 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. 2 Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith.
Living by faith requires dying to self.
By faith ________
(Anyone’s name can be added to the fill-in-the-blank.)
Every hero of the faith whose story is told in Hebrews chapter 11 is an example of what faith looks like. The Hebrews Heroes of the faith didn’t always have perfect faith. They stumbled, they doubted, and they believed. We are much like them.
By faith, Abraham left his home for the unknown and believed God would provide him a son despite decades going by without any evidence it would ever happen. Use the story of Abraham to share how it was by faith Abraham accomplished what God wanted to do through him. Make sure to include an example of when Abraham did things by fear instead of faith.
Hebrews 11:8-16 NIV
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:1-2 TLB
11 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. 2 Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith.
It’s not about how much faith you have but rather who your faith is in.
By faith ________
(Anyone’s name can be added to the fill-in-the-blank.)
Every hero of the faith whose story is told in Hebrews chapter 11 is an example of what faith looks like. The Hebrews Heroes of the faith didn’t always have perfect faith or live perfect lives. They stumbled, they doubted, and they believed. We are much like them.
By faith, Noah built the ark despite not knowing exactly what he was doing and why he was being singled out to do it. Use the story of Noah to share how it was by faith Noah accomplished what God wanted to do through him.
Hebrews 11:7 TLB7
Noah was another who trusted God. When he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah believed him even though there was then no sign of a flood, and wasting no time, he built the ark and saved his family. Noah’s belief in God was in direct contrast to the sin and disbelief of the rest of the world—which refused to obey—and because of his faith he became one of those whom God has accepted.
Hebrews 11:1-2 TLB
11 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. 2 Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith.
By faith, we move even when it seems like God isn’t.
God does impossible things every day, if we will have the eyes to see. Acts 9:36-41 NLT“ In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. Acts 12:5-17 NLT But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. 6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. 11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” 16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.Jesus desires that we believe but he is not afraid of our unbelief.
One of the greatest opportunities we have is to link arms across generations to show that Jesus is in pursuit of all ages.
Unity between generations makes Jesus go viral.
1 Timothy 4:12-16 - Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
2 Timothy 2: 1-3 - Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Challenge Now
- Have a listening conversation with someone of a different generation than you.
- What do you crave in relationships?
- What motivates you to follow Jesus?
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What qualities in someone show you they are actively pursuing a relationship?
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Do something with someone of a different generation than you.
- Find out what interests them.
- Show them something that interests you.
Spiritual maturity is always measured by application.
- The Talker
- The Half-listener
- The Interrupter
- The Finisher
- The Assumer
- The Fixer
- The Redirector
- The Relator
- The Topper
- The Pouncer
Psalm 18:6 ESV - In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 34:17 ESV - When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
1 Peter 3:12 NLT - The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.
James 1:19 NIV - My dear brothers and sisters,take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speakand slow to become angry…
Matthew 11:15 NIV - Whoever has ears, let them hear.
God, give us ears to hear!
What words have hurt the most or have helped heal you the most?
Words matter more than we could ever imagine.
You cannot please everybody.
It's not necessary to please everybody.
We ultimately live for an audience of one.
Romans 8:31 TPT
“So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever
stand against us?”
Being the church every day of the week.
In this series, we’re going to discuss how Crossroads people can be the church on Monday, and not just on Sunday. Church shoppers sometimes ask, “How is their fellowship?” An even better question to start asking is, “How is my fellowship?”
We can attend church regularly and not be in fellowship or close to one another. It’s not about being in close proximity, it’s about being close relationally for the purpose of growing each other in Jesus. A three-strand cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 TLB - 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Proverbs 27:17 NLT - 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Our goal isn’t to be next to one another but to be there for one another.
Being the church every day of the week.
In this series, we’re going to discuss how Crossroads people can be the church on Monday, and not just on Sunday.
Church shoppers and church attendees sometimes wonder, “What does the church do with their resources to be generous toward others?” An even better question to start asking is, “What am I doing with the resources God has given me to be generous toward others?”
1 Timothy 6:18-19 TLB - 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 19 By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.
We can all afford to be generous, no matter how poor we may feel.
Being the church every day of the week.
In this series, we’re going to discuss how Crossroads people can be the church on Monday, and not just on Sunday.
Church shoppers sometimes ask, “How good are their messages?” and Churchgoers sometimes ask, “How was the message today?” An even better question to start asking is, “How was my message today?”
Part 1 was about how we can live our life as an act of worship unto God. This lane is about how we can live our lives in such a way that it is a message of good news that points people to Jesus. Our lives are preaching a sermon. The question is, what message is it preaching? Paul praised the church in Colosse for their lives preaching a message of faith in the Lord and love for people. The Good News had changed their life and their lives were changing their world.
Colossians 1:-1-6 TLB - 1 From: Paul, chosen by God to be Jesus Christ’s messenger, and from Brother Timothy. 2 To: The faithful Christian brothers—God’s people—in the city of Colosse. May God our Father shower you with blessings and fill you with his great peace.
3 Whenever we pray for you, we always begin by giving thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard how much you trust the Lord, and how much you love his people. 5 And you are looking forward to the joys of heaven, and have been ever since the Gospel first was preached to you. 6 The same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world and changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard it and understood about God’s great kindness to sinners.
1 Peter 3:15 TLB - 15 Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.
Our lives preach a sermon. Is our message drawing people closer to Jesus?
Being the church every day of the week.
In this series, we’re going to discuss how Crossroads people can be the church on Monday, and not just on Sunday. Church shoppers sometimes ask, “How is their worship?” and Churchgoers sometimes ask, “How was worship today?” An even better question to start asking is, “How was my worship today?”
Our lives should be lived as an act of worship unto God. Every aspect of our life can be an act of worship to God. This certainly includes singing on a Sunday, but it most definitely includes how we sing, worship, and live on Monday at school, work, alone in our bedroom, or on vacation.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT - 12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Our worship is more about how we are living than how we are singing.
Romans 8: 1-3 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and so condemned sin in sinful men.
Matthew 27:50-51 - 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Romans 8:1-3 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and so condemned sin in sinful men.
The verdict is not less condemnation, it’s NO condemnation
Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
There is one Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit, and his spirit empowers believers to be one with one another. Jesus prayed for future believers (us) that we would be unified (one with one another). His Spirit empowers us to do that.
John 17:20-25 TLB20
“I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these. 21 My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me—the glorious unity of being one, as we are— 23 I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one—so that the world will know you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want them with me—these you’ve given me—so that they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me before the world began!
Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Jesus prayed that we would be one with one another. Will we be an answer to Jesus’ prayer?
Receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord doesn’t make us good people, it makes us more and more like Jesus the more and more we let his Spirit lead us. Once we’ve been born in his spirit we are to walk in his spirit, fully surrendered and submitted to his will, character, and promptings.
John 3:1-15 NLT
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
Since we were born in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit.
Receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
One theme in the Bible is that God can’t get close enough to his people. The Creator of the universe is also our Heavenly Father who longs to be with his children.
In the beginning, God’s spirit dwelt over the heavens and the earth. As the story unfolds God’s Spirit lowers itself from over creation to within created things, filling the Tabernacle and the Temple. His Holy Spirit then rested upon specific individuals (prophets). The Bible begins to tease that one day the Spirit of God won’t dwell in man-made temples but in mankind. God wants to be closer.
Acts 2:1-4 NIV - 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT - Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
God’s spirit doesn’t want to dwell in man-made temples but in mankind.
Follow. Believe. Obey.
Peter was asked three times by Jesus if he loved him. Peter’s love would be proven and tested by his obedience.
There is a direct connection between our love for God and our obedience to his calling and commands. As we follow and believe in Jesus our obedience will be tested. Jesus loved Peter enough to lay out for him the cost of his obedience. Jesus then asked Peter to feed his sheep (to obey). Peter’s life comes full circle (follow-believe-obey and then back to a call to follow).
John 21:15-23 NIV
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
Obedience is the evidence of our love for God.
Moses’ mom and Pharoah’s daughter were both women of faith, compassion, conviction, and defiance against earthly kingdoms bent on harming the weak and vulnerable. These traits came from their Creator. They protected even if it meant losing their own safety. Little did either know, God was going to use Moses to deliver God’s people.
Jochebed was a mother who protected the child she gave birth to, while Pharoah’s daughter other was not a mother, but who stepped in to be one to Moses.
God wants to birth in us these same qualities he birthed in these two women. God the Father has a mother’s heart and he wants us to adopt that same heart as well.
Exodus 1:15-17 NIV
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.
Exodus 2:1-10 NIV
The Birth of Moses
2 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.
7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
God the Father has a Mother’s heart, that he wants to birth in all of us.
Follow. Believe. Obey.
The difference between choosing to follow and believing is that, after you begin, there will be a time when the cost seems too great and you lose sight of the reward. This is when your belief is tested and you must choose to continue past the point where it stops making sense to your mind.
Belief comes from the Father and it enables us to continue to follow through hard teachings, difficult times, and persecution. Every time we face trials and choose to believe instead of relent, our roots grow deeper into Christ’s foundation. Belief is a prerequisite of obedience because, without that firm foundation, we would be crushed under the purpose God has for our lives.
John 6:60-71 NIV
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
When following Jesus doesn’t make sense, choose to believe instead of relent.
Follow. Believe. Obey.
In our culture, it is easy to compare following Jesus to following our favorite influencers. We may think that following Jesus is more about spectating or being entertained, but that is not what we see in the life of Jesus or His followers.
If our lives are not disrupted (if it feels safe, casual, or comfortable) by following Jesus, then we need to ask ourselves if we have counted the cost. Jesus was very honest and clear about what following Him meant.
Luke 14:25-33 NIV
The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
There’s nothing casual about the call to follow Jesus.
The minimal guarantee we must make is that we will love them—always, under every circumstance, with no exceptions. The second guarantee is that we will accept them totally, without reservation. The third thing we must guarantee people is that no matter how miserably they fail or how blatantly they sin, our unreserved forgiveness is theirs for the asking with no bitter taste left in anybody’s mouth.
John 8:1-11 NIV
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Colossians 3:13 NLT
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Help yourself forgive others by remembering all that you’ve been forgiven for.
The minimal guarantee we must make is that we will love them—always, under every circumstance, with no exceptions. The second guarantee is that we will accept them totally, without reservation. The third thing we must guarantee people is that no matter how miserably they fail or how blatantly they sin, our unreserved forgiveness is theirs for the asking with no bitter taste left in anybody’s mouth.
The story of Judas is in part the story of Jesus’ love and acceptance of him. Did Jesus agree or approve of what Judas was going to do? No. But Jesus did love and accepted him onto his team.
God accepts us too even when we aren’t faithful to him. Will we accept his acceptance and will we accept others with the same grace and patience Jesus has toward us?
Matthew 10:1-4 NIV
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Matthew 26:14-15 NIV
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:47-50 NIV
Jesus Arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Romans 15:7 NIV7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
We’ve got to be able to fail and still be loved and accepted.
If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.
God made a special day for his favorite part of creation, humanity. The sabbath was made for us. It’s a gift, but for only those who open it. It’s a day of delight! The Sabbath is a day dedicated to living differently than the other six days of the week.
Mark 2:27 NLT - 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
Genesis 2 NIV 1-3 - 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Exodus 20: 8-11 NIV - 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Sabbath is coming for you, whether as delight or discipline.
If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.
The problem with hurry is the negative toll it has on our discipleship, relationships, and emotional health. Hurry is a heavy yoke. Jesus has offered us a heavenly alternative to hurry. He invites us to take his yoke upon ourselves, but he does not force it, and it is not a burden but gives us rest.
Matthew 11:28-29 NIV - 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Psalm 23 A psalm of David. - 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Jesus is offering rest for your soul for the rest of your life. Will you take it upon yourself?
If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.
If hurry sickness isn’t a medical diagnosis it probably should be. In this message we'll discuss how busy and hurrying and saying yes to everything is harming our health and blocking us from being disciples of Jesus. Hurry is not something that happens to us, but rather it is a lifestyle that we adopt.
We all have a little Martha in us.
Luke 10:38-42 NIV - 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mark 8:36 ESV - 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Many of us are too busy to follow Jesus.
God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Therefore, God gets to define what it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like.
God’s love sounds different. Use 1 Corinthians to discuss how God’s love sounds and doesn’t sound. It certainly doesn’t sound like a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. It sounds a lot more like patience, forgiveness, humility, and selflessness.
1 Corinthians 13 NIV - 1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails…
Let God’s love resound all around you.
God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Therefore, God gets to define what it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like.
God’s love smells differently. It’s an aroma, not an odor. God’s love was meant to attract, not repulse, though we recognize not everyone is attracted to how God’s love smells.
2 Corinthians 2:15 TLB - 15 As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us.
Ephesians 5:2 ESV - 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Picture your life as a smell and seek to have a love that’s an aroma instead of an odor.
God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Therefore, God gets to define what it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like.
God’s love tastes different.
God is good. We are called to bear good-tasting fruit. When people taste us, will they taste and see that the Lord is good?
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT - 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Psalm 34:8 NLT - 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Produce the fruit of God’s Spirit, and you will taste like the goodness of God.
God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Therefore, God gets to define what it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like. God’s love feels different to his enemies.
Jesus chose his enemy, Saul to be his apostle, his messenger. God also chose a man named Ananias to minister to Saul, his enemy. Though afraid and skeptical about Paul, Ananias chose to trust and obey God and love on and pray for Paul despite his reputation.
How will our love choose to treat and be felt by those who don’t treat us well? How will our love feel for those who have hurt our feelings or faith? Will we trust and obey like Ananias? We just might be the catalyst for their calling.
Choose to believe that your enemies deserve to feel God’s love through your deeds.
God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Therefore, God gets to define what it looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like.
God’s love sees people differently. God’s love sees us and others differently. Jesus saw Peter differently than he saw himself. Jesus saw Peter as a rock. He saw him as a shepherd despite much evidence that he could not be trusted or relied upon. He was often anything but a rock, but Jesus could see what no one else could. Jesus could see what was to come, who he would become, and spoke that into existence.
Matthew 16:18 MSG - 18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Choose to see yourself and others through Jesus’ eyes.
Dealing with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
The overarching theme of this series is that we all are in need of recovery. Recovery isn’t just for addicts. We all have hurts, hang-ups, or habits that hurt us and/or others. We are all on the road to recovery.
Dealing with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
The overarching theme of this series is that we all are in need of recovery. Recovery isn’t just for addicts. We all have hurts, hang-ups, or habits that hurt us and/or others. We are all on the road to recovery.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT - 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Proverbs 12:18 GNT - 18 Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.
Forgive as you’ve been forgiven.
How can we activate in-service?
Identify who you need to forgive. It may even be yourself. Begin to pray for them. Seek to reconcile with them. Ask God and someone safe to help you do it.
How can we activate it this week?
Don’t delay. Seek to forgive that person. Take the first step.
Dealing with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
The overarching theme of this series is that we all are in need of recovery. Recovery isn’t just for addicts. We all have hurts, hang-ups, or habits that hurt us and/or others. We are all on the road to recovery.
James 5:16 TLB - “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
Psalms 32:1–2 TLB - “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.”
Proverbs 28:13 GNB - “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up, then God will show mercy to you.”
1 John 1:9 Phillips - “If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable … he forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.”
Invite someone on your road to recovery.
How can we activate in-service?
Identify someone you could confess and open up with regarding your hurt, hang-up, or habit. Get prayer. Ask for help. Open up.
How can we activate it this week?
Meet with that person this week. Don’t delay. You won’t stay on the road to recovery very long if you go it alone.
Dealing with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
The overarching theme of this series is that we all are in need of recovery. Recovery isn’t just for addicts. We all have hurts, hang-ups, or habits that hurt us and/or others. We are all on the road to recovery.
Philippians 1:6 TLB - God, who began the good work within you, will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his love is finally finished.
Revelation 3:20 NLT - 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Acts 16:31 ESV - 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Recovery doesn’t happen by chance; choose to commit.
How can we activate in-service?
Identify what keeps you from committing to your recovery.
What area of your life do you sense Jesus keeps knocking on the door of your heart?
How can we activate it this week?
How will you consciously commit to your own recovery this week? What will you do practically to assist your recovery?
Dealing with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
Romans 7:15–17 TLB
“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t! I do what I don’t want to—what I hate! I know perfectly well what I’m doing is wrong … but I can’t help myself! It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.”
Romans 7:21, 23 TLB
“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong … something else deep within me … is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me slave to the sin …”
Isaiah 57:18 GNB
“I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. I offer peace to all, near and far!”
Realize you are in need of recovery.
How can we activate in-service? Help them name their hangup.
Name your hurt, hang-up, or habit.
Overworking Overeating Alcohol/Drugs Overspending
Grief Guilt Anger/Rage Fear/Anxiety
Perfectionism Divorce Abuse Sexual addictions Codependency Insecurity Hypochondria Hurtful relationships
Gambling Lying Procrastination The need to control
How can we activate it this week?
Make an appointment this week with our Wellness Center, a therapist, or a counselor. Join a Crossroads group. Get some prayer before you leave today.
God is with us.
Our joy is in the Lord and the Lord is in our circumstances.
Joy isn’t turning that frown upside down. Joy isn’t happiness or ideal circumstances. Joy is an attitude God’s people adopt by their faith and belief in God’s goodness and his presence with us in all circumstances.
Joy is something internal and eternal; it’s something that can coexist with pain, mourning, sorrow, and suffering.
Luke 2:4-12 NIV - 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV - 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
God is with us.
Remain convinced of God’s love by reminding yourself of His promises.
Mary had a lot of circumstances that could easily cause her to question God’s love for her I.e. poverty, pregnancy, a strange visitor, etc. Despite this, Mary was so convinced of God's love and favor that she sang a song about it. Mary was so convinced of God’s love for her that she couldn’t help but sing his praises even in the midst of so many uncertainties.
Paul too declares confidently in Romans 8 that he is convinced of God’s love for him. Nothing, no person nor any circumstance could separate him from that belief.
The question for this message is, are we convinced, and what circumstances cause us to question His love for us?
Luke 1:46-55 TPT - “And Mary sang this song: “My soul is ecstatic, overflowing with praises to God! My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God! For he set his tender gaze upon me, his lowly servant girl. And from here on, everyone will know that I have been favored and blessed. The Mighty One has worked a mighty miracle for me; holy is his name! Mercy kisses all who fear him, from one generation to the next. Mighty power flows from him to scatter all those who walk in pride. Powerful princes he tears from their thrones and he lifts up the lowly to take their place. Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty. Because he can never forget to show mercy, he has helped his chosen servant, Israel, keeping his promises to Abraham and to his descendants forever.””
Romans 8:37-39 NIV - 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God is with us.
The peace that God offers is not dependent on our circumstances, it’s found in a person.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV - 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 14:27 NIV - 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Spend this week with thanksgiving and present your requests to God. Praying in confidence for the peace of God to transcend all understanding.
God is with us.
Our hope will only be as strong as whatever we place it in.
Luke 1:35-37 NIV - 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
Hebrews 6:18-19 NIV - 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…
Hebrews 13:8 NLT - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Giving out of our lack.
Many of us feel like we have a time deficit. Feeling like we're too busy and don't have enough time is a real problem. However, we can still give of our time even when we have little to give. We are to share our lives (testimonies, a meal, homes, coffee, weaknesses, etc) with one another.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV - 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Share your life with someone and watch God bring life to you.
Giving out of our lack.
Gratitude is powerful and necessary to walk with the Lord. But how do we give gratitude when we are overcome with grief?
Psalm 13 NLT - 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
Give yourself permission to grieve, and let gratitude help you through it.
Giving out of our lack.
All throughout the Bible, we see examples of God trying to instill the importance of giving in His people. He understands that money can be so distracting from the real treasure that we can receive in life following Him.
When He asks us to give, it isn’t because he needs more money or because he wants anyone to be poor, but rather the act of giving helps us to turn our focus away from ourselves and towards others.
When we give, instead of holding on with white knuckles to the things we have, our hands are open to receive the better thing that God has for us. We all feel a lack of money at one time or another, but God wants to see us trust him with what we have even in the middle of those seasons of lack.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 NLT - 1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
Partner with God in giving and he will prove himself faithful to you.
When another election cycle comes around, it is tempting to hide our light or lose our saltiness because we adopt the ways of our culture (arguing, demonizing, blaming, justifying). This series is all about maintaining our salt and light regardless if we lean left, middle, apathetic, or right.
As Christians, we have the one thing that the rest of the world does not. Jesus. Jesus is the hope in a world that is hopeless. He is the Good News when everything seems bad.
Matthew 5:13-14 NIV - 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Mark 16:15 NLT - 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
Be a Good News person in a bad news world.
When another election cycle comes around, it is tempting to hide our light or lose our saltiness because we adopt the ways of our culture (arguing, demonizing, blaming, justifying). This series is all about maintaining our salt and light regardless if we lean left, middle, apathetic, or right.
When we don't put on humility we put off others.
Matthew 5:13-14 NIV - 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Colossians 3:12 NLT - 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Micah 6:8 NIV - 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
When another election cycle comes around, it is tempting to hide our light or lose our saltiness because we adopt the ways of our culture (arguing, demonizing, blaming, justifying). This series is all about maintaining our salt and light regardless if we lean left, middle, apathetic, or right.
Matthew 5:13-14 NIV - 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
James 13:35 ESV - “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Luke 6:27-28 NIV - “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
They will know us by our ~~beliefs, politics, opinions, rightness, arguments, gamerscore, fandom, adventures, followers, PR, family pictures, grades, jokes, promotions, likes, ______~~ LOVE.
Jesus longs for us to be people who long to understand, instead of just being understood.
If we listen and pray before we speak, then our words can be a blessing to others. But if we are always speaking, then it is more of us and less of Jesus. Jesus, give us ears to hear.
When another election cycle comes around, it is tempting to hide our light or lose our saltiness because we adopt the ways of our culture (arguing, demonizing, blaming, justifying). This series is all about maintaining our salt and light regardless if we lean left, middle, apathetic, or right.
Matthew 5:13-14 NIV - 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
How to be salt and light regardless of whether we're left or right.
James 1:19-20 NIV - 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV - 2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
When another election cycle comes around, it is tempting to hide our light or lose our saltiness because we adopt the ways of our culture (arguing, demonizing, blaming, justifying). This series is all about maintaining our salt and light regardless if we lean left, middle, apathetic, or right.
Matthew 5:13-14 NIV - 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 7:1-6 NLT
1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Making eye contact with yourself is a remedy for hypocrisy.
Wake up!
“Those who have ears, let them hear.”
Revelation 1:3 NIV - 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
The church of Sardis points us to the very root of our problems in the church. We are essentially sleepwalking through our lives, including our walk with God. Comfort and ease have become the enemy of our souls.
It’s so easy to fall asleep in our faith. It’s so easy to fall asleep in spending time with God. It’s so easy to fall asleep in sharing Jesus with others.
Whenever you say no to you, you are saying yes to Him.
“Those who have ears, let them hear.”
Revelation 1:3 NIV - 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
The letters to the churches of Revelation are a direct message of prophecy from God to his followers. And in the letter of Thyatira we see that God is pleased by the faith that this church has, but they must not continue to allow a misleading spirit in their midst. The Jezebel Spirit is convincing Christians that certain sins are permissible, especially sexual sins.
1 Corinthians 6:16-20 NIV - 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
In the same way that Satan had a dwelling (throne) in the church in Pergamum, Satan has put up thrones in other churches and within the hearts of people. The easiest way for him to do this is to take sound doctrine and teaching and twist it slightly. This is a perversion of the truth! It’s what Satan did in the garden of Eden, and when he tempted Jesus in the desert, and he continues to do it today.
“Those who have ears, let them hear.”
“We have ears, let us hear.”
2 Timothy 4:3 NIV - 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Revelation 1:3 NIV - 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Fear of man leads to compromise. Fear of God leads to truth.
“Those who have ears, let them hear.”
We can often take for granted the love of our friends, family, and even God. The church of Ephesus was “doing” all the right things but they were drifting from God, their first love.
Revelation 2:1-7 TLB
1 “Write a letter to the leader of the church at Ephesus and tell him this:
“I write to inform you of a message from him who walks among the churches and holds their leaders in his right hand.
“He says to you: 2 I know how many good things you are doing. I have watched your hard work and your patience; I know you don’t tolerate sin among your members, and you have carefully examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but aren’t. You have found out how they lie. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “Yet there is one thing wrong; you don’t love me as at first! 5 Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again and work as you did before; or else I will come and remove your candlestick from its place among the churches.
6 “But there is this about you that is good: You hate the deeds of the licentious Nicolaitans, just as I do.
7 “Let this message sink into the ears of anyone who listens to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: To everyone who is victorious, I will give fruit from the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God.
Are we falling away or falling more in love?
Our mission is to Love God and Love, People.
Acts 2:42-47
[Grow] 42-43 They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together. Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked.[Minister] 44-45 All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever was in need.[Worship and Fellowship] 46 Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,[Outreach] 47 while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:24 - Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Small Group Questions
- What do you find beneficial about meeting in smaller groups of people?
- What keeps you from meeting regularly in a small group?
- What steps will you take in the next month to create consistency around meeting in a group?
- Who else can you invite to take those steps with you?
God is always saying, go!
The Great Commission
Matthew 18:18-20 NIV - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The reason we go is because of The Great Commandment.
Matthew 22:34-36 NIV - 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
God is hoping his people will respond with,
Here we are, send us!
www.crossroadsgo.org/go
Walking with Jesus is long obedience in the same direction.
What areas in your life do you need to practice long obedience in?
How can you keep from beating yourself up when you don’t?
Laughter reveals and heals.
Genesis 21:6-7 TLB 6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter! All who hear about this shall rejoice with me. 7 For who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a child in his old age!”
Laughter is a serious matter.
Because laughter is a serious matter to our mental health, well-being, and survival, we should do it regularly.
Because laughter is a serious matter we shouldn’t do it at all if it means laughing at someone or at something that God doesn’t find funny.
Enjoy hearing the powerful testimony of how God rescued pastor Alfred from a childhood of immense trauma. Psalm 41:1-4 NIV For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. 2 The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. 3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. 4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
Listen in on some of our favorite things and people.
Today after you hear Josiah’s story I pray that you recognize and believe that: Your Future is not found in your past, but in your choices.
His story is found in 2 Kings 22 & 2 Chronicles 34.
God’s nature is to invite us to partner with Him in all things. We pray for our leaders, friends, and even those we don't like as an act of humility and love in order to bring God’s kingdom here on earth. We pray for and with the heart of God for all people.
We recognize that we are in a battle. People are not our enemy but Satan and dark forces are– and our weapon is prayer. We are told to pray continuously in all kinds of ways for all things. Don’t be lulled to sleep by the comforts and distractions of this world but see it for what it really is… a war zone. Intercession is not always easy, it requires perseverance. We can expect some discomfort or resistance.
By letting other believers know what our needs are, we can be more strategic in our prayer, targeting the enemy where he is.
When we add prayer to our daily lives, we begin to see life added to our daily prayers.
This is how we fight each other’s battles.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV - 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
Ephesians 6:11-12; 18-19 NLT - 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
Recognizing God’s voice can often be a vulnerable and intimidating area for us as Jesus followers. God is the Lord of our life. He will speak to us, and even already is– He created us to be in a relationship with Him, which includes regular dialogue.
1 Samuel 3:4-11 NLT - 4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. 6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” 7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.
John 10:1-5 NLT - “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
In this message, we'll discuss what it looks like to have this kind of attitude, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."
Daily confession and repentance in our prayer life open the door for a more effective and growing prayer life. In this message, we'll discuss what confession and repentance are and the life-giving and life-changing power they can have in our daily lives.
When we add prayer to our daily lives, we begin to see life added to our daily prayers.
Psalm 51:1-13 TLB
1 Written after Nathan the prophet had come to inform David of God’s judgment against him because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, her husband.
O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. 2 Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. 3 For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. 4 It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. 5 But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.
7 Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins—erase them from your sight. 10 Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. 11 Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you.
James 5:16 NIV
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Confession creates in us a clean heart and frees us from the stains of guilt and shame.
When we add prayer to our daily lives, we begin to see life added to our daily prayers.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NIV - 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV - 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
1 Samuel 1:6-17 NIV - 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
God will always answer our prayers within the context of His good and sovereign will.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Acts 2:42-47 NLT - 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Our devotion to each other attracts others to God.
God calls us to shoulder each other’s burdens in this life. One way we do that is by creating a safe environment for everyone to lay their sin and struggle on the table. The Church family is meant to be a place where we can openly confess our faults and weaknesses, and know that our brothers and sisters will be patient with us, forgive us, and pray for us.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
James 5:16 NLT - 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
1 John 1:5-7 ESV - 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
There is no freedom in isolation.
Loving one another often means speaking the truth in love with one another. It should always be done for redemptive and protective purposes.
Yes, love is patient AND it always protects. Real love doesn’t remain silent.
Speaking the truth in love can be one of the most protective and empowering things we can do for one another.
Love always protects.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Ephesians 4:15-25 NIV - 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV - 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Nothing outside of the church can tear the church apart as long as we remain family, unified, and at peace with one another. Let’s be at peace with one another, even as the world falls to pieces. Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… John 17:22-24 NIV - 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Ephesians 4:2 TLB - 2 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Colossians 3:13 TLB - 13 Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
God has equipped His Church to build each other up through encouraging words.
God calls us to bear with each other through all that comes in life. One way we do this is by encouraging each other. It is easy to become discouraged by life’s trials. But, we have this hope that we are living for something better, something greater.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Ephesians 5:18-20 TPT - And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. 19 And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit! 20 Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Encouragement is nourishment for our souls.
When we hurt our arm we use our other hand to massage and care for it. This is a picture of how we are to be as the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the church body functioning like a human body.
Caring is sharing, and sharing is caring.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 TLB
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Truly accepting one another can be harder than you think. If we want to know how to accept one another we need to look no further than how Jesus accepts us and others.
We must understand that acceptance doesn’t mean agreement. We are not called to agree on every issue, but we are called to accept one another. Help explain the difference.
Acceptance means letting people into our hearts and our homes.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Romans 15:7 NLT - Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Galatians 3:28 NIV- 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
This series is all about the numerous ways God has called us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love is a command with a million applications.
Hebrews 10:24 ESV - 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…
Romans 16:16 NIV - 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
1 Corinthians 16:20 TLB - 20 All the friends here have asked me to say hello to you for them. And give each other a loving handshake when you meet.
When we’re willing to make ourselves uncomfortable, we can help make someone else comfortable.
The first attributes of God described for us in Exodus 34:6-7 have been at the heart of this entire series. Now it’s Easter! It is at the cross where we discover that all of these attributes of God (compassion, grace, slowness to anger, loyal love, and faithfulness) are on display through His Son.
If you want to know what God thinks about you, look at what Jesus did for you.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
2 Timothy 1:9-10 TLB - 9 It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began—to show his love and kindness to us through Christ. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, who broke the power of death and showed us the way of everlasting life through trusting him.
Romans 5:8 TLB - 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
When it’s hard to trust God because our circumstances seem to contradict the promises he has made, we can remember the history of God’s trustworthy character. God has always been faithful in the past, and he will remain true into the future. So we can join the long line of people who have put their trust in God and discovered God’s enduring faithfulness!
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 New Living Translation - 9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
God’s track record is one of trustworthiness.
When it’s hard to trust God because our circumstances seem to contradict the promises he has made, we can remember the history of God’s trustworthy character. God has always been faithful in the past, and he will remain true into the future. So we can join the long line of people who have put their trust in God and discovered God’s enduring faithfulness!
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 New Living Translation - 9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
God’s track record is one of trustworthiness.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Number 14:18-19 NIV - 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
God’s forever love is for you.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Number 14:18-19 NIV - 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
God’s forever love is for you.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
What does it mean for God to be slow to anger? The Hebrew phrase for “slow to anger” literally means “long of nose.”
God’s anger is always a revelation of something or someone He loves.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
What does it mean for God to be slow to anger? The Hebrew phrase for “slow to anger” literally means “long of nose.”
God’s anger is always a revelation of something or someone He loves.
Isaiah 30:18 The Passion Translation - 18 For this reason the Lord is still waiting to show his favor to you so he can show you his marvelous love. He waits to be gracious to you. He sits on his throne ready to show mercy to you. For Yahweh is the Lord of justice, faithful to keep his promises. Overwhelmed with bliss are all who will entwine their hearts in him, waiting for him to help them.
James 4:5-6 The Passion Translation - 5 Does the Scripture mean nothing to you that says, “The Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us”? 6 But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”
Your sin, mess, and brokenness are no match for God’s graciousness.
Isaiah 30:18 The Passion Translation - 18 For this reason the Lord is still waiting to show his favor to you so he can show you his marvelous love. He waits to be gracious to you. He sits on his throne ready to show mercy to you. For Yahweh is the Lord of justice, faithful to keep his promises. Overwhelmed with bliss are all who will entwine their hearts in him, waiting for him to help them.
James 4:5-6 The Passion Translation - 5 Does the Scripture mean nothing to you that says, “The Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us”? 6 But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”
Your sin, mess, and brokenness are no match for God’s graciousness.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Isaiah 49:13-15 Living Bible - 13 Sing for joy, O heavens; shout, O earth. Break forth with song, O mountains, for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion upon them in their sorrow. 14 Yet they say, “My Lord deserted us; he has forgotten us.” 15 “Never! Can a mother forget her little child and not have love for her own son? Yet even if that should be, I will not forget you.
God the Father, has a mother’s heart for you.
Exodus 34:6-7 is the first description of God’s attributes found in Scripture, and it’s the most referenced passage in the entire Bible.
Exodus 34:6-7 NIV - 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Isaiah 49:13-15 Living Bible - 13 Sing for joy, O heavens; shout, O earth. Break forth with song, O mountains, for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion upon them in their sorrow. 14 Yet they say, “My Lord deserted us; he has forgotten us.” 15 “Never! Can a mother forget her little child and not have love for her own son? Yet even if that should be, I will not forget you.
God the Father, has a mother’s heart for you.
Join us for testimony Sunday! Our story for His glory.
Luke 8:39
"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
1 Corinthians 12:1 TPT - 1 My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities.
The fine print, so-to-speak, for the gifts of the Spirit are the Fruit of the Spirit. Yes, we should eagerly pursue the Holy Spirit and His gifts, but we should also be open to pursuing the full fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-26 NIV - 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
The fine print for the gifts is the fruit.
Are you ready to move from open to eager?
1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV ... Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Romans 12:6-8 NLT - We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Eagerly desiring the Holy Spirit opens up the door to edifying others.
The Apostle Paul wrote...
1 Corinthians 12:1 TPT - 1 My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities.
The Holy Spirit was promised by Joel and Jesus. It was a promise for anybodies and everybodies. The promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
Joel 2:28-29 NLT - “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”
Acts 1:8 NIV - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The baptism of the Spirit empowers us to live bold lives that point people back to Jesus.
Jesus said, “If you ask you shall receive.” Have you asked God for a baptism of His Holy Spirit? If not, what are you waiting for? Ask God to fill you to overflowing so that your love can overflow into the lives of those God’s placed around you.
The Apostle Paul wrote...
1 Corinthians 12:1 TPT - 1 My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities.
The Holy Spirit was promised by Joel and Jesus. It was a promise for anybodies and everybodies. The promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
Joel 2:28-29 NLT - “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”
Acts 1:8 NIV - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The baptism of the Spirit empowers us to live bold lives that point people back to Jesus.
Jesus said, “If you ask you shall receive.” Have you asked God for a baptism of His Holy Spirit? If not, what are you waiting for? Ask God to fill you to overflowing so that your love can overflow into the lives of those God’s placed around you.
The Apostle Paul wrote...
1 Corinthians 12:1 TPT - 1 My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities.
We live in a physical world, and try to often approach all things in a physical way. The reality is that we live in a physical world that is impacted in both good and bad ways by a spiritual world.
We live in a physical world but must engage in a spiritual world.
Take a look at your life in two specific ways.
- What spiritual doors have I opened in the past that I need to make sure are shut?
- What spiritual doors am I currently opening that I need to shut now?
Take some time to pray about these areas and invite someone you trust to pray with you.
Create an accountability structure with that person in your life that will keep you from opening the spiritual doors you have identified. It may be checking in weekly, praying together, doing a study together on spiritual things.
Bible Plans
The Supernatural - https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/3141-the-supernatural
What is Spiritual Warfare - https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/19002-what-is-spiritual-warfare
The Apostle Paul wrote...
1 Corinthians 12:1 TPT - 1 My fellow believers, I don’t want you to be confused about spiritual realities.
We live in a physical world, and try to often approach all things in a physical way. The reality is that we live in a physical world that is impacted in both good and bad ways by a spiritual world.
We live in a physical world but must engage in a spiritual world.
Take a look at your life in two specific ways.
What spiritual doors have I opened in the past that I need to make sure are shut? What spiritual doors am I currently opening that I need to shut now?
Take some time to pray about these areas and invite someone you trust to pray with you.
Create an accountability structure with that person in your life that will keep you from opening the spiritual doors you have identified. It may be checking in weekly, praying together, doing a study together on spiritual things.
Bible Plans
The Supernatural - https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/3141-the-supernatural
What is Spiritual Warfare - https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/19002-what-is-spiritual-warfare
God is always saying, “Go.”
Genesis through Revelation, these words are repeated from God to a vastly diverse cast of characters from men, to women, soldiers, mothers, teenagers, shepherds, prophets, and farmers.
Noah
Genesis 7 Living Bible - 7 Finally the day came when the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I consider you alone to be righteous.
Abraham
Genesis 12:1 NIV - 1 The Lord had said… “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
Moses
Exodus 3:10 NIV - So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Jonah
Jonah 1:2 NLT - 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”
Sometimes “Go” was said in the form of a question.
Isaiah
Isaiah 6:8 NLT - 8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
Crossroads, go!
Habits - Small disciplines. Big results.
We rarely end up at the wrong place because of one bad choice. We end up in the wrong place—One step time—One day time—One bad habit at a time.
Proverbs 13:20 NIV - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
James 1:21 GNB - So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.
It’s impossible to live the right life with the wrong friends and habits.
Habits - Small disciplines. Big results.
We rarely end up at the wrong place because of one bad choice. We end up in the wrong place—One step time—One day time—One bad habit at a time.
Proverbs 13:20 NIV - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
James 1:21 GNB - So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.
It’s impossible to live the right life with the wrong friends and habits.
Habits - Small disciplines. Big results.
Our life is the sum total of all the small disciplines we choose to keep or ignore.
Change isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible, either. Your future self is a result of the decisions you make each day. Starting a few small Habits can change how you see yourself today and transform you into the person you want to be tomorrow.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 New Living Translation
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Hebrews 10:24-25 The Passion Translation
24 Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.
Healthy people do consistently what other people do occasionally.
Habits: Small disciplines. Big results.
Big changes don’t have to be big undertakings. Many times, it’s the small commitments that add up to big results, when those commitments become habits.
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Healthy people do consistently what other people do occasionally.
Habits: Small disciplines. Big results.
Big changes don’t have to be big undertakings. Many times, it’s the small commitments that add up to big results, when those commitments become habits.
Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Offer up to God whatever you have and He will use it.
John 16:33 (CSB) “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Romans 12:2 And He tells us to not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Offer up to God whatever you have and He will use it.
John 16:33 (CSB) “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Romans 12:2 And He tells us to not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
The biggest bummer about the Christmas season is that it eventually comes to an end. However, the heart of Christmas can continue on throughout the year.
Believe it. Receive it. Give it.
The Christmas story is part of your story. Share it.
Believe it. Receive it. Give it.
Some of the best Christmas gifts are one size fits all. Jesus is this kind of gift for the whole world.
The main thing: Christmas is a reminder that God has always prioritized the marginalized.
Application: If you have received the beautiful gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, thank God regularly for that gift that he gave you. Think about all the things he’s saved you from and all the ways he changed you.
God reached out to you; who can you reach out to this Christmas season? Who can you invite to Crossroads? Who could you share with how God has saved you?
Believe it. Receive it. Give it.
Some of the best Christmas gifts are one size fits all. Jesus is this kind of gift for the whole world.
Main thing: Christmas is a reminder that God has always prioritized the marginalized.
Application: If you have received the beautiful gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, thank God regularly for that gift that he gave you. Think about all the things he’s saved you from and all the ways he changed you.
God reached out to you; who can you reach out to this Christmas season? Who can you invite to Crossroads? Who could you share with how God has saved you?
Everyone knows the stress that comes from not knowing what to get someone who already has everything. With that in mind, the question becomes, “What gift should we give to God?” Mary’s gift to God was her faith and trust in him, his word, and believing he was up to something good. Simply put, Mary believed.
The main thing: Faith in God is our gift to God.
Application: A young woman named Mary said, “As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.” What do you need to accept from God that you have been resisting or avoiding? What is something God has for you that you need to believe and hold on to? How can you actively and willingly accept and participate in bringing about God’s will in your life?
Everyone knows the stress that comes from not knowing what to get someone who already has everything. With that in mind, the question becomes, “What gift should we give to God?” Mary’s gift to God was her faith and trust in him, his word, and believing he was up to something good. Simply put, Mary believed.
The main thing: Faith in God is our gift to God.
Application: A young woman named Mary said, “As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.” What do you need to accept from God that you have been resisting or avoiding? What is something God has for you that you need to believe and hold on to? How can you actively and willingly accept and participate in bringing about God’s will in your life?
The gift of Christmas: Believe it. Receive it. Give it.
God will always accomplish his way.
There’s nothing quite like the anticipation and excitement that comes from waiting all the way to Christmas day before opening and exchanging gifts!
Sometimes we wait enthusiastically and say, “I can’t wait!” and other times we say and feel “I won’t wait!” or “I’m tired of waiting!” or “What I’m waiting for is never going to happen!”
This is how Zacheriah and Elizabeth (Zach and Liz) felt about their lifetime of infertility. The Israelites also felt this way. The people of God had been waiting for hundreds of years for a promised Messiah that still hadn’t come and there were no signs that he was coming anytime soon.
Sometimes in the waiting, we grow hopeless, disappointed, or faithless, doubting that the gift will ever come or that God is up to something.
But God was up to something in both Zach and Liz’ world and in THE world. There were two babies that were to come, John and Jesus; one was a gift to Zach and Liz, and one a gift to the entire world.
Luke 1:5-45 NLT
Is there anything you’ve been waiting on God for? How are you doing in the waiting? Are you believing or doubting, contending, or growing hopeless? Begin praying that God’s will, will be done no matter what? Ask him to help you believe and actively wait.
Attitude affects everything.
This whole series is about encouraging us to get an attitude adjustment; that we would adjust our attitude to one that is pleasing to God.
Main idea: We can be grateful even when things aren’t great.
Application: If you want to adopt an attitude of thankfulness begin thinking of something you can be thankful for each day. If you are in a difficult situation or life season, choose one thing to thank God for regularly in the midst of it.
Attitude affects everything.
This whole series is about encouraging us to get an attitude adjustment; that we would adjust our attitude to one that is pleasing to God.
Main idea: We can be grateful even when things aren’t great.
Application: If you want to adopt an attitude of thankfulness begin thinking of something you can be thankful for each day. If you are in a difficult situation or life season, choose one thing to thank God for regularly in the midst of it.
Attitude is everything!
Who is someone you struggle to sacrificially serve or place their wants & needs about your own?
Need an Attitude Adjustment?
Ruth 1: 16-18 NIV - 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
John 15:13 NIV - 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Attitude is everything!
Who is someone you struggle to sacrificially serve or place their wants & needs about your own?
Need an Attitude Adjustment?
Ruth 1: 16-18 NIV - 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
John 15:13 NIV - 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Attitude affects everything.
This whole series is about encouraging us to get an attitude adjustment; that we would adjust our attitude to one that is pleasing to God. Humility is not an attitude our culture, athletes, political leaders, or even many Christians value and model, but it is the way of Jesus.
Romans 12:16 The Passion Translation - 16 Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all.
Harmony is what results when hearts are committed to humility.
Attitude affects everything.
This whole series is about encouraging us to get an attitude adjustment; that we would adjust our attitude to one that is pleasing to God.
John 6:38 Living Bible - 38 For I have come here from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to have my own way.
Accomplishing God’s will begins with a willing attitude.
Application: What are you not open to God doing in you, saying to you, or asking of you? What is something you’ve not been willing to start or stop? What is something that is hard for you to trust God with? Begin praying and surrendering this to God. Begin asking God to help you adopt an open and willing attitude.
Attitude affects everything.
This whole series is about encouraging us to get an attitude adjustment; that we would adjust our attitude to one that is pleasing to God.
John 6:38 Living Bible - 38 For I have come here from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to have my own way.
Accomplishing God’s will begins with a willing attitude.
Application: What are you not open to God doing in you, saying to you, or asking of you? What is something you’ve not been willing to start or stop? What is something that is hard for you to trust God with? Begin praying and surrendering this to God. Begin asking God to help you adopt an open and willing attitude.
Another amazing thing about trying slow is that it not only benefits us but someone else too. So many of Jesus’ ministry moments were born from him moving slow enough that it enabled him to see and meet the needs of those around him.
Sometimes our pace can rob us of opportunities to extend Christ’s love.
Application: Slow down and look around more. Be more mindful of who or what is around you. Ask God to lead you to help or serve someone around you.
Friendship with God is about knowing him and being known by him. Part of taking a Sabbath is taking the time to contemplate God and get to know Him, not just know about Him. John 15:12-15 NLT - 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. Application: Take some time this week to invest in your friendship with God. Read the Bible. Talk with and listen to him. Praise, worship, or thank him. Where are some places and things that you love to do that you could invite him to join you in? Whether a hike or a coffee shop, making it intentional makes all the difference.
Friendship with God is about knowing him and being known by him.
Part of taking a Sabbath is taking the time to contemplate God and get to know Him, not just know about Him.
John 15:12-15 NLT - 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
Application: Take some time this week to invest in your friendship with God. Read the Bible. Talk with and listen to him. Praise, worship, or thank him. Where are some places and things that you love to do that you could invite him to join you in? Whether a hike or a coffee shop, making it intentional makes all the difference.
In order for us to regularly practice the Sabbath, there is likely to be some work we need to get done ahead of time so that we can really enjoy a day of Sabbath rest.
Enjoying a day of rest will require a little bit of work.
Exodus 20:8-11 New Living Translation - 8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Hebrews 4:9-10 New International Version - 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Application: Looking ahead at your calendar, pick a day in the next week that you could practice preparing for and trying out a Sabbath.
In order to enjoy a day of rest each week, what do you need to get done ahead of time i.e. laundry, meal preparation, honey-do list, school work etc? Make a list and commit to getting it done so you can rest.
In order for us to regularly practice the Sabbath, there is likely to be some work we need to get done ahead of time so that we can really enjoy a day of Sabbath rest.
Enjoying a day of rest will require a little bit of work.
Exodus 20:8-11 New Living Translation - 8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Hebrews 4:9-10 New International Version - 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Application: Looking ahead at your calendar, pick a day in the next week that you could practice preparing for and trying out a Sabbath.
In order to enjoy a day of rest each week, what do you need to get done ahead of time i.e. laundry, meal preparation, honey-do list, school work etc? Make a list and commit to getting it done so you can rest.
The Sabbath isn't something to dread but take delight in; it's a time of refreshment & rejuvenation.
The Sabbath was designed for your delight.
Isaiah 58:13-14 The Message - 13-14 “If you watch your step on the Sabbath and don’t use my holy day for personal advantage, If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, God’s holy day as a celebration, If you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’ making money, running here and there - Then you’ll be free to enjoy God! Oh, I’ll make you ride high and soar above it all. I’ll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob.”Yes! God says so!
Psalms 37:4 NLT - “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
Mark 2:27-28 NIV - 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Application: Spend some time this week thinking about what brings you delight, what is a way you really enjoy being refreshed and connecting with God. Make a list. Take delight in those things by doing them.
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It’s often in moments of silence that we can hear God the loudest.
Jesus was a very busy man with a lot of demands on his life but he regularly took time to practice silence so he could hear from his Heavenly Father. We are called to be like Jesus in this way.
Psalm 62:1-2, 5 The Passion Translation - 1 I stand silently to listen for the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me. For God alone has become my Savior. 2 He alone is my safe place; his wraparound presence always protects me. For he is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? 5 I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me.
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Oftentimes trying slow means getting alone, getting away from people, devices, etc and just resting in God’s presence. This was something Jesus did regularly.
Getting alone will help you remember that God alone is the sustainer of our soul.
Lamentations 3:28-30 MSG - “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.”
Matthew 14:23 The Message - 22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
Luke 5:16 The Passion Translation - 16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.
While we’re waiting he’s working.
Psalm 23 Poem The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush; He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity, He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, And His guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for His presence is here, His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance, He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity, By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility. My cup of joyous energy overflows, Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours, For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house for ever Amen
Isaiah 40:31 Living Bible - 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 37:7 New Living Translation - 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
While we’re waiting he’s working.
- Psalm 23 Poem
- The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush;
- He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
- He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity,
- He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind, And His guidance is peace.
- Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for His presence is here,
- His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance, He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity, By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.
- My cup of joyous energy overflows,
- Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours, For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house for ever
- Amen
Isaiah 40:31 Living Bible - 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 37:7 New Living Translation - 7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Each and every person that you have ever met or ever will meet is made in the image of God and therefore is sacred. The question becomes, are treating them as such?
Everyone is a masterpiece, so handle them with care.
Genesis 1:27 NIV - 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Mark 12:30-31 Living Bible - 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ 31 “The second is: ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”
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Treat yourself the way you want to be treated.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Loving others naturally flows best from a Godly love of oneself. God the Father and Son said we should love others as much as we love ourselves. Jesus said to treat others the way you would want to be treated. This message is all about how we should treat ourselves the way we would want others to treat us. Sometimes we treat ourselves far worse than others.
Mark 12:30-31 TLB - 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ 31 “The second is: ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”
Luke 6:31 NLT - 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
You are a masterpiece.
Psalm 139:14 Living Bible - 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.
Mark 12:30-31 Living Bible - 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ 31 “The second is: ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”
Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation - 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Isaiah 64:8 NIV - Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
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You are a masterpiece.
Psalm 139:14 Living Bible - 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.
Mark 12:30-31 Living Bible - 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ 31 “The second is: ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.”
Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation - 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Isaiah 64:8 NIV - Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
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Love without action is no love at all.
Mark 12:30-31 NLT 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 New Living Translation 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
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Love without action is no love at all.
Mark 12:30-31 NLT 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 New Living Translation 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
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Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
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Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
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Do you want to be made well?
1 Peter 3:15 New Living Translation 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Chronicles 16:8 New Living Translation 8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
Bring God glory whenever you share your story.
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Do you want to be made well?
1 Peter 3:15 New Living Translation 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Chronicles 16:8 New Living Translation 8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
Bring God glory whenever you share your story.
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Do you want to be made well?
Wellness comes from His well.
John 5:1-6 NLT 1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
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Do you want to be made well?
John 5:1-5 NLT 1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.
Luke 5:31 NLT 31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”
The pain we refuse to recognize will keep us sick.
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Do you want to be made well?
John 5:1-5 NLT 1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.
Luke 5:31 NLT 31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”
The pain we refuse to recognize will keep us sick.
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Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Worry and anxiety are your cues that you’ve got something to start praying about.
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Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Worry and anxiety are your cues that you’ve got something to start praying about.
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You can’t control what happens to you. But you can choose how you frame it.
Philippians 1:12-14 NIV - Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
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You can’t control what happens to you. But you can choose how you frame it.
Philippians 1:12-14 NIV - Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
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The price of freedom always involves sacrifice.
John 8:36 TPT - “So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free!”
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Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 New Living Translation 8 - And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Romans 12:2 NIV - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
Fixing our minds on better things will help fix many of the unhelpful emotions and behaviors we experience.
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Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV - For as he thinks in his heart, so is he …
The life we have is a reflection of the thoughts we think.
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Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV - For as he thinks in his heart, so is he …
The life we have is a reflection of the thoughts we think.
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Matthew 9:9-13 TPT - As Jesus left Capernaum he came upon a tax-collecting station, where a Jewish man named Matthew (who becomes one of the apostles in fact he’s the author of this book that we are reading from) was collecting taxes for the Romans. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said to him. Immediately Matthew jumped up and began to follow Jesus. Jesus went to Matthew’s house and made himself at home. Many other tax collectors and outcasts of society were invited to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When those known as the Pharisees saw what was happening, they were indignant, and they kept asking Jesus’ disciples, “Why would your Master dine with such lowlifes?” When Jesus overheard this, he spoke up and said, “Healthy people don’t need to see a doctor, but the sick will go for treatment.” Then he added, “Now you should go and study the meaning of the verse: I want you to show mercy, not just offer me a sacrifice. For I have come to invite the outcasts of society and sinners, not those who think they are already on the right path.””
Love God. Love people. It's that simple.
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Address the Mess.
Key verses:
Galatians 6:2 New International Version
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Proverbs 18:24 NIV
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 TLB
And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Main thing:
Practice being the kind of friend you’re looking for.
Application:
In your friendships, take your trusted few to the next level and begin talking and opening up about the last 20%.
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Address the Mess.
Key verses - Acts 3:19 The Passion Translation - 19 And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.
1 John 1:8-9 NIV - 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 15:7 NIV - 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Main Thing - Repentance is a way of life.
Application- What are the messes you find yourself making over and over again, or what messes do others keep bringing up to you? Go to God and repent. Turn away from those things and turn to God.
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Address the Mess.
Matthew 9:13 New Living Translation - 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Everyone hurts and everyone hurts.
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Address the Mess.
Matthew 9:13 New Living Translation - 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Everyone hurts and everyone hurts.
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Address the mess.
Luke 5:1-11 NIV
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Honestly, honesty is one of the best things you can do for you and your faith family.
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Address the mess.
Luke 5:1-11 NIV
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Honestly, honesty is one of the best things you can do for you and your faith family.
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Address the Mess.
Romans 8:35-39 New International Version
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God can’t love you any more or any less than He does right now.
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It sounds good, but is it?
Luke 14:26 TPT 25 As massive crowds followed Jesus, he turned to them and said, 26 “When you follow me as my disciple, you must put aside your father, your mother, your wife, your sisters, your brothers—yes, you will even seem as though you hate your own life. This is the price you’ll pay to be considered one of my followers. 27 And anyone who comes to me must be willing to share my cross and experience it as his own, or he cannot be considered to be my disciple. 28 So don’t follow me without considering what it will cost you. For who would construct a house before first sitting down to estimate the cost to complete it? 29 Otherwise he may lay the foundation and not be able to finish. The neighbors will ridicule him, saying, 30 ‘Look at him! He started to build but couldn’t complete it!’ 31 “Have you ever heard of a commander who goes out to war without first sitting down with strategic planning to determine the strength of his army to win the war against a stronger opponent? 32 If he knows he doesn’t stand a chance of winning the war, the wise commander will send out delegates to ask for the terms of peace. 33 Likewise, unless you surrender all to me, giving up all you possess, you cannot be one of my disciples. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if salt were to lose its flavor, how could it ever be restored? 35 It will never be useful again, not even fit for the soil or the manure pile! If you have ears opened by the Spirit, then hear the meaning of what I have said and apply it to yourselves.”
Prefer Him over them.
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It sounds good, but is it?
**Luke 14:26 TPT
25 As massive crowds followed Jesus, he turned to them and said, 26 “When you follow me as my disciple, you must put aside your father, your mother, your wife, your sisters, your brothers—yes, you will even seem as though you hate your own life. This is the price you’ll pay to be considered one of my followers. 27 And anyone who comes to me must be willing to share my cross and experience it as his own, or he cannot be considered to be my disciple. 28 So don’t follow me without considering what it will cost you. For who would construct a house before first sitting down to estimate the cost to complete it? 29 Otherwise he may lay the foundation and not be able to finish. The neighbors will ridicule him, saying, 30 ‘Look at him! He started to build but couldn’t complete it!’ 31 “Have you ever heard of a commander who goes out to war without first sitting down with strategic planning to determine the strength of his army to win the war against a stronger opponent? 32 If he knows he doesn’t stand a chance of winning the war, the wise commander will send out delegates to ask for the terms of peace. 33 Likewise, unless you surrender all to me, giving up all you possess, you cannot be one of my disciples. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if salt were to lose its flavor, how could it ever be restored? 35 It will never be useful again, not even fit for the soil or the manure pile! If you have ears opened by the Spirit, then hear the meaning of what I have said and apply it to yourselves.”
Prefer Him over them.
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It sounds good, but is it?
2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 15-18 TPT
7 We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that the extraordinary overflow of power will be seen as God’s, not ours. 8Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. 9 We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. 10 We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 11 We consider living to mean that we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 12 So, then, death is at work in us but it releases life in you...
15 Yes, all things work for your enrichment so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise to God, bringing him even more glory!16 So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. 17 We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, 18 because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.
We can’t handle everything, but we can trust God in everything.
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It sounds good, but is it?
2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 15-18 TPT
7 We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that the extraordinary overflow of power will be seen as God’s, not ours. 8Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. 9 We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. 10 We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 11 We consider living to mean that we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 12 So, then, death is at work in us but it releases life in you...
15 Yes, all things work for your enrichment so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise to God, bringing him even more glory!16 So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. 17 We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, 18 because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.
We can’t handle everything, but we can trust God in everything.
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Just forget about it!
It sounds good, but is it?
Hebrews 8:12 The Passion Translation - 12 For I will demonstrate my mercy to them and will forgive their evil deeds, and never remember again their sins.”
Colossians 3:12-14 - Living Bible 12 Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. 13 Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.
We can forgive, even when we can’t forget.
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Just forget about it!
It sounds good, but is it?
Hebrews 8:12 The Passion Translation - 12 For I will demonstrate my mercy to them and will forgive their evil deeds, and never remember again their sins.”
Colossians 3:12-14 - Living Bible 12 Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. 13 Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.
We can forgive, even when we can’t forget.
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A Christian doesn’t follow their heart, but God’s heart.
Proverbs 3:5-7 The Passion Translation
5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart, rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. 6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. 7 Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.
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A Christian doesn’t follow their heart, but God’s heart.
Proverbs 3:5-7 The Passion Translation
5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart, rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. 6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. 7 Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.
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Luke 23:32-34 NLT - “Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
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God’s desire is to gift us with His Spirit of Power, The Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-20 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 1 John 5:7-8 (NIV) 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Acts 2:38 (TPT) “Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 11:13 (TPT) “If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when his children ask him.”
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God’s desire is to gift us with His Spirit of Power, The Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-20 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 1 John 5:7-8 (NIV) 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Acts 2:38 (TPT) “Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 11:13 (TPT) “If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when his children ask him.”
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God among us, God with us, God in us, God through us.
We have a friend in Him.
John 14:26 MSG 26 - The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.
2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG - “The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.”
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God among us, God with us, God in us, God through us.
We have a friend in Him.
John 14:26 MSG 26 - The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.
2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG - “The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.”
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God among us, God with us, God in us, God through us.
How we see the Holy Spirit will determine how we choose to interact with Him.
John 14:16-17 NLT - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
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God among us, God with us, God in us, God through us.
How we see the Holy Spirit will determine how we choose to interact with Him.
John 14:16-17 NLT - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
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How to avoid drifting.
Hebrews 2:1 NIV - We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Romans 10:13-15 NLT - 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
If not you, then who?
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How to avoid drifting.
Hebrews 2:1 NIV - We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Romans 10:13-15 NLT - 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
If not you, then who?
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God doesn’t need our money, but he desires to set us free from our need for more and more of it.
1 Corinthians 16:2 Living Bible - 2 On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Living Bible - 6 But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. 7 Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. 8 God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.
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This series is all about not drifting for those things that are the most important. In this message, we'll discuss how life has a way of causing us to drift from gathering regularly with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Hebrews 10:25 The Passion Translation - 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.
We don’t only gather for what we can get out of it, but also for what we can give out of it.
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This series is all about not drifting for those things that are the most important. In this message, we'll discuss how life has a way of causing us to drift from gathering regularly with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Hebrews 10:25 The Passion Translation - 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.
We don’t only gather for what we can get out of it, but also for what we can give out of it.
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A remedy against turning a get to into a have to.
Matthew 4:4 The Message - 4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Luke 5:16 The Passion Translation - 16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.
Romans 15:4 NLT - 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
A steady stream of God’s Word can prevent you from drifting downstream.
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A remedy against turning a get to into a have to.
Matthew 4:4 The Message - 4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Luke 5:16 The Passion Translation - 16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.
Romans 15:4 NLT - 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
A steady stream of God’s Word can prevent you from drifting downstream.
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How to avoid drifting.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. - Hebrews 2:1 NIV
1 John 4:19 Living Bible - 19 So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first.
Exodus 20:3 The Message - 3 No other gods, only me.
We are to love first, He who first loved us.
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In the beginning, Adam used his words to pass the buck and blame Eve. We’ve been using our words poorly ever since.
Genesis 3:11-12 NLT - 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
Matthew 16:17-19 The Message - 17-18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Warriors use their words to restore identity and change someone’s destiny.
Be a name-caller like Jesus was. Who can you begin name-calling in a way that brings them life and restores their identity in Jesus?
Ex. You are a warrior! You are a disciple. You are a masterpiece! You are salt and light! You are a child of God.
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In the beginning, Adam used his words to pass the buck and blame Eve. We’ve been using our words poorly ever since.
Genesis 3:11-12 NLT - 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
Matthew 16:17-19 The Message - 17-18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Warriors use their words to restore identity and change someone’s destiny.
Be a name-caller like Jesus was. Who can you begin name-calling in a way that brings them life and restores their identity in Jesus?
Ex. You are a warrior! You are a disciple. You are a masterpiece! You are salt and light! You are a child of God.
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Listen in as we discuss the pitfalls of comparing and how you can be set free by sharing compliments.
Galatians 6:4-5 The Message - 4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Warriors fight comparison with compliments.
Who do you compare yourself to? Begin to go out of your way to in-person, or over the phone, or via text to compliment them on something specific.
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Listen in as we discuss the pitfalls of comparing and how you can be set free by sharing compliments.
Galatians 6:4-5 The Message - 4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Warriors fight comparison with compliments.
Who do you compare yourself to? Begin to go out of your way to in-person, or over the phone, or via text to compliment them on something specific.
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In the first Garden, Adam hid. In the second garden, Jesus confessed his vulnerability and brought along his closest friends and asked them for help.
Genesis 3:8-9 NLT - 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Warriors find their strength when they share their weaknesses.
Think about someone in your life who would be safe to be vulnerable with (Family member? Friend? Pastor?) Think about what it is that you need to bring into the light and ask someone to help you with it.
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What it looks like to be a man or woman warrior of God.
Warriors settle in their minds to never settle for less than God’s best.
Luke 10:38-42 TPT - As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. 40 But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.”
41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? 42 Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”
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This series is all about what it looks like to be a man or woman warrior of God.
Warriors know that looking the other way doesn’t mean it will go away.
Genesis 3:6-12 NLT
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”
12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
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Listen in and hear what God has done in the lives of a few of our friends.
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The fourth message in the sermon series "Joy to the World." Presented on Christmas Eve by Pastor Chrystal. "There was no room in the inn, but is there room in your heart?"
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
Prepare Him room.
What part of your heart do you need to make space for God? Where have you not let him in? What have you not surrendered? Is there some part o you that is off-limits?
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You never need to wonder what someone thinks about you when they die for you.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV - 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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This joy that we have received was not meant to be kept for ourselves. Let’s be like the shepherds and be quick to repeat and reciprocate whatever we’ve received from God.
Luke 2:16-20 NIV - 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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This joy that we have received was not meant to be kept for ourselves. Let’s be like the shepherds and be quick to repeat and reciprocate whatever we’ve received from God.
Luke 2:16-20 NIV - 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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You can’t know what joy is until you know where to find it.
Mary’s story, externally, is one of extraordinarly dire circumstances. Pregnant, unmarried, and possibly facing the death penalty… she takes this incredible news in and her response is joy. This is what this message is all about. Having joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Luke 1:46-55 NIV - 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
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The biggest threat facing Christianity is not our culture; it's not our atheist friend or professor, pop stars, or our politicians. The world is not our threat, they are our mission.
Philemon 4-6 TLB - 4 I always thank God when I am praying for you, dear Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing of your love and trust in the Lord Jesus and in his people. 6 And I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus.
Luke 10:2 NLT - 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
The world is not our threat, they are our mission.
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You and I are set apart for a special purpose, which means we must be different from the world. You don’t use something sacred for something debased.
Subtraction sets us apart for sacred service.
Philippians 1:9-11 TLB - 9 My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, 10 for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns. 11 May you always be doing those good, kind things that show you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.
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Confronting the biggest threats to Christianity.
Most of us think of Jesus as the answer to our prayers. But have you ever considered that you just might be the answer to His prayer?
If we’re going to fight, let’s fight for unity.
John 17:20-22 NIV - 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
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Many Christians place their hope & put their trust in policies, politicians, parties, & presidents. But Jesus offers us an alternative, an unchanging, rock-solid foundation we can count on. Pt. 10, Our Founding Father.
Those who build their lives upon this foundation are made a part of God’s new nation.
Matthew 7:24-29 NIV - 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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Could you summarize the essence of the entire Bible in less than 10 seconds? Jesus did. Listen to what he had to say. Matthew 7:12 NIV - 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. www.CrossroadsGo.org
Why is it so easy for us to see the speck in someone else’s eye but so difficult to see the log in our own?
Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) - 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
When it comes to passing judgment, it’s better to first receive than to give.
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Citizens of God’s new kingdom are not to hoard stuff, serve stuff, or worry about stuff. We can have stuff but our stuff shouldn’t have us.
Matthew 6:19-34 NIV - 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Seek God first because many of the things we find valuable are also incredibly vulnerable.
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Our pride and our feelings often get hurt when what we do doesn’t get recognized, rewarded, noticed, or thanked. But what’s driving us? What are our motives? We can do the right thing but make it wrong because our motives are impure. Maybe we’re seeking after man’s approval more than God’s.
Although Christians are to be seen doing good works, they must not do good works to be seen.
Matthew 6:1-8 (NIV) - 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
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In this message, Jesus adds an amendment to one of God’s original commands. Citizens of God’s new kingdom don’t just love those who love them back but they even love their enemies. Jesus says we get no credit or blessing for only loving those who will love us back.
Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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God is concerned about how your thought life is governed.
Matthew 5:27-32 (NIV) - 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Citizens of Heaven allow God to govern their thought lives by taking every thought captive. What have you been thinking about and dwelling on that must be given to God? Do so this week and live freely as a Citizen of Heaven.
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The way to prevent anger from settling in your heart is by quickly settling your issues with others.
Matthew 5:25-26 (NIV) - 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
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The 1st amendment to our U.S. Constitution guarantees us freedom of religion. But did you know God sent Jesus to set us free from religion?
When God looks at us, He sees Jesus. What do your friends see?
Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV) - 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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This is His Constitution. These are His citizens. We are the people.
John 18:36 (NIV) - 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Read the sermon on the mount (5-7). Citizens of heaven ratify God’s new constitution. If you are ready to be a citizen of Heaven, then pray and ask God to help you commit to living out its ideals.
Ask God to transform you into a citizen of his kingdom.
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Seven-minute messages are an opportunity for you to hear from your Crossroads friends what they are hearing from God.
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These times will either define or refine us.
Daniel 3:1-30 (NIV)
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) - 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Pray and ask God to change you, until he’s ready to change whatever it is you’re going through.
Learn to live H.O.T. Honest. Open. Transparent.
Live honestly and transparently with someone. Confess, ask for help, and walk in the light.
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Testing and discerning are proof of maturity.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (TLB) - 21 …but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it.
Before you ingest put it to the test.
Before you share, take it to prayer.
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You can live by faith even when there’s something to fear.
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NIV) - 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
Memory verse.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) - 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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It’s a whole new strange world! Where do we go from here?
Who you are has everything to do with whose you are.
Some Christians are more a part of their political party than they are the Jesus party. Some are more American than they are Christian. Some Christians are more worldly than heavenly. Some Christians’ identity is wrapped up in what they do or what they love to do.
Philippians 3:20 NIV - But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…
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Overturn whatever earthly things you turn to.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
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2 Samuel 12:1-23
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
There’s no better time to repent of what’s been revealed than right now!
What has God revealed to you that you need to turn from, repent of, or apologize for? Do so immediately. Don’t wait to follow God into righteousness.
If you want to know who is truly blessed by God, don’t look at how much they have but how much they give away.
Proverbs 22:2,9 NLT - The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
Proverbs 19:17 NLT - If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
Proverbs 21:13 NLT - Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
Be honest with yourself. Would others consider you a generous person? When is the last time you’ve regularly given to the less fortunate? Pray and ask God to help you and show you how you can begin becoming a person who’s known for lavish generosity towards others.
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Real growth requires friends who aren’t afraid to get real.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) - 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (TLB) - 11 So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.
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A conversation about race and reconciliation.
Matthew 5:41 NIV
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
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The wise don't dwell on past hurts or gossip about what happened with others. So what do they do?
We will either be a person who finds or forgives faults.
Proverbs 17:9 (NLT) 9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Who do you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? Don’t delay. Do it this week!
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Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words may even hurt you worse. Listen in as we discuss how our words hold great power to restore or ruin our lives or someone else's.
Proverbs 19:8 (TPT) “Do yourself a favor and love wisdom. Learn all you can, then watch your life flourish and prosper!”
Proverbs 13:3 TPT - “Guard your words and you’ll guard your life, but if you don’t control your tongue, it will ruin everything.”
Proverbs 18:21 MSG - “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”
Identify if you are currently struggling more with negative self-talk, negative talk to others, or being on the receiving end of negative talk. Share your struggle with a friend and pray with one another.
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Every person is on a path. Have you ever stopped to consider which one you are on? Listen in as we discuss the idea that the best path is a person.
Matthew 7:13 (NIV)
Proverbs 4:14-15 (MSG)
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A wise person stands in awe of God and acknowledges His Lordship in their life.
Proverbs 19:8 (TPT) - “Do yourself a favor and love wisdom. Learn all you can, then watch your life flourish
and prosper!”
Love wisdom. Learn all you can. Watch your life flourish.
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) - 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 (TLB) - 7-9 How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!
Proverbs 1:7 (MSG) - 7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
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Proverbs 19:8 (TPT)
“Do yourself a favor and love wisdom. Learn all you can, then watch your life flourish
and prosper!”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (TPT)
5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. 6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
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Making sense of suffering.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow-boxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Timothy 4:7-10 (NLT) “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.”
Discipline is the path of every disciple.
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Making sense of suffering.
1 Peter 4:15 (NLT) 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.
1 Peter 3:17-18 (TLB) 17 Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!
What needs to be cut from your life to protect your future?
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Making sense of suffering.
John 16:33 (TLB) 33 I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you.
Suffering is inevitable but God’s presence is always available.
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Making sense of suffering.
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Jesus’ pain was for your gain.
Jesus' pain was for your gain.
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We are blessed to be a blessing.
Mark 12:41-44 NIV
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Being generous will cost you something, but not being generous will cost someone else something.
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We are blessed to be a blessing.
Matthew 6:24 NKJV
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Have stuff but fight to not let your stuff have you.
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We are blessed to be a blessing.
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Mark 10:17-31 (NLT)
Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler
Everything begins to fall into place when we position God in His rightful place.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
Malachai 3:6-10 (NIV)
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ in tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me (test me) now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Tithing regularly, regularly tests your faith and God’s faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV). "6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
It’s pretty simple, you will always grow what you sow.
God cares much more about our hearts than our wallets.
He desires we deal with a selfish and grieving heart; and develop a generous and grateful heart (Deut 15: 7-15)
Embracing the love of God, while embracing others with God’s love for them.
2 John 1:5-6 (TPT)
5 Dearest woman, I have a request to make of you. It is not a new commandment but a repetition of the one we have had from the beginning: that we constantly love one another. 6 This love means living in obedience to whatever God commands us. For to walk in love toward one another is the unifying commandment we’ve heard from the beginning.
We love to reveal the Father’s love.
Embracing the love of God, while embracing others with God’s love for them.
1 John 2:15
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
We love to reveal the Father’s love.
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John 17:14-15 NLT “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.”
Jesus’ followers should be in the world but not of the world.
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
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John 17:14-15 NLT “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.”
Jesus’ followers should be in the world but not of the world.
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
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1 John 4:7 NLT
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
To love one another is to act like one of His kids.
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1 John 4:7 NLT
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
To love one another is to act like one of His kids.
1 John 3:1-3 NLT
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
In God’s love, we find intimacy and identity.
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1 John 3:1
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
In God's love we find intimacy and identity.
Luke 2:8-14 NLT “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””
Your good news can lead to someone else’s great joy.
Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV) 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
His presence is the best present.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God’s peace brings the pieces of our life back together.
John 9:2-4 (NIV) 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
What you’re going through, may have nothing to do with you.
Romans 8:28 (TPT) 28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
God’s delays are not always God’s denials.
Luke 2:6-7, 16 NIV 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
God wants you to have a “Happy Holiday(s)!”
No better way to end 2019 than listening to the testimonies of three of our friends whose lives have been changed by Jesus. Enjoy and be encouraged!
Three ingredients to a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Nothing can change our attitude like gratitude.
Three ingredients to a fantastic Thanksgiving.
God gives us leftovers, so no one gets passed over.
Three ingredients for a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Jesus made himself nothing in a world of people trying to make themselves into something.