Crossroads Church - South Campus: Recent Episodes
Crossroads Church
Jesus enters Jerusalem and is greeted as a King. Only a short time later, He will be crucified as a criminal. His triumphal entry reminds us to pay attention to our fickle hearts and to be unhindered in our praise.
Money is something we all deal with and reveals a lot about what we value. Jesus tells a story that reminds us to lean into what we have been entrusted with and to use all we have for the glory of God and the good of others. He has given us good gifts to enjoy and use, not hoard and hide.
Jesus is always questioned about the company He kept. It was always a collection of people at the fringe, people who others sought to avoid. But Jesus reminds us that He is the good shepherd who has come to seek the lost, He has come to save sinners like you and me, and He rejoices over the rescue of everyone one.
Every HGTV show that remodels homes always hits a snag. Before you begin a project it is always important to count the cost. Jesus makes it clear to those who would follow Him that it would cost them all they have, but following Jesus is worth everything.
Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem, knowing what awaits Him there. As He is warned that His life is in danger, Jesus laments for those who are lost. As we listen in, what can we learn from Jesus and His lament for the lost?
What is the good way? Jesus makes it clear that many will seek it, but not all will find it. So how do walk the good way, how do walk in the way of Jesus?
Jesus heals a woman who was afflicted by pain and suffering for 18 years. Jesus enables the woman to straighten herself, and in the process, the Pharisees seek to straighten Jesus out for healing on the Sabbath. Missing the moment, their rigidity causes them to miss the reason to rejoice in front of them.
Many recognize the need for change in our lives, but we rarely have an urgency. Jesus speaks of the brevity of life while also reminding us that true change is possible in Him.
One does not have to look far to find division all around us. So why would Jesus highlight that following Him will bring division? Why does He encourage us to pay attention to the times? And why is he giving legal advice to settle up with an accuser before going before the judge? As always Jesus is looking beyond the surface symptom, to the root and what is shaping our hearts.
How we live when no one is looking matters. It reveals who we really are and what we really believe. Jesus reminds his disciples to be ready for the return of the Lord at any moment. To live each day as though the Lord may return. To live each day with our eyes fixed on Him.
How much is enough? Money, knowledge, food, time? Worry is a symptom of a greater problem that we need to take down to the root. Do we trust God? And what does it look like to trust Him even in our anxiety, our bills, our debt, or perceived lack? Jesus points us to the fields and to the flowers and reminds us of what it looks like to flourish.
Jesus is not afraid to talk about anything, including money. How we steward our resources is a good barometer of who we are. The Kingdom of God is generous, and following Jesus should shape the way we spend, give, and share our resources. What we have, we have been given, so how do we live a life that is rich toward God?
So often we live for the applause, approval, or affirmation of others. This can limit our willingness to follow Jesus with all of who we are because we are afraid of how people will respond when we do. Jesus reminds us that we live for an audience of one. When we acknowledge Him, He sees us, cares for us, and is with us.
A divided kingdom will not stand, and neither will a divided heart. As Jesus is again questioned for doing the miraculous, He reminds those around Him that the Kingdom of God is at hand. To follow Jesus is to follow Him fully, not half-heartedly.
How do you pray? The answer to this question is one that has the potential to change lives because to pray is to change. One of Jesus’ disciples approached Him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray…” What followed is one of Jesus' most famous teachings and a practice that keeps our lives centered on God.
Busy is a word often worn like a badge of honor. But often, we allow ourselves to be “busy” with things that don’t matter. When Jesus came to visit his friends, one friend spent all day distracted with a good thing but missed the greatest. Another friend spent her time at the feet of Jesus. Jesus reminded them and us that one thing is necessary.
In a quiet town, the King of Kings would come and dwell among us. For centuries, the people of God had waited for this moment. Waiting is a central theme to this season we find ourselves in. But often, in our waiting, we can become discouraged by what we see around us, by our own experiences. While Jesus has come, we await His return, holding on to the promise of a living hope, of a risen and coming King.
The story of the good Samaritan is one of the most well-known stories of Jesus. In our familiarity, we can forget just how radical this story is. We all have people we would love to walk by, but we cannot ignore the way of the Kingdom and Jesus call to love your neighbor as yourself.
The 72 return after seeing incredible things, but Jesus reminds them that the most incredible thing is that their names are written in the Book of life. God in His kindness has revealed Himself through His son, and we must never forget the wonder of the gospel and what it means for us as individuals and as a community.
Jesus sends out the 72 as the mission continues to grow. Jesus reminds them and us that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. The disciples are sent into the world, but they are not of the world, they are ambassadors of the Kingdom. They are to go where they are sent, even into hostile environments, and this is our call still today, the question is, will we answer it?
As people begin to follow Jesus, He reminds them of the cost. There is no halfway with Jesus, it is all or nothing, and what we must remember is that He alone is worth it.
The work of Jesus cannot be contained or restrained, but not all will welcome the Kingdom. Jesus reminds the disciples and us that we are to stand firm in our faith with courage, while not forgetting His loving kindness and mercy.
No one wants to be overlooked. As the disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus reset their expectations and reminded them of what true greatness requires.
Unable to heal a man’s son, the disciples watch as Jesus does what they could not. Even in this moment when all eyes are on Jesus, Jesus chooses to speak to His disciples not of the life He is bringing, but of the opposition that is coming His way.
Our days are filled with many voices vying for our attention, but which matters most? Taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray, Jesus talks with some unexpected guest all while He appears to glow in the dark. The significance of this moment pulls on threads of the Human story throughout Scripture and points to the voice we need to listen to above all others.
This week we will look at what it means that we are in and not of the world. As a church, we are not building a monument, but we are a part of a movement. We will also look at what it means that we are courageous and kind. These two ideas often seem to run contrary to each other, but we desire to be a church that is courageous in our faith and kind in how we live that out.
Continuing in our look at our 5 values, we will look at what it means that we are everyday disciples and we are intentional. Always learning as we follow Jesus, there is no division between the sacred and the mundane. We also recognize our need to say no to some things so we can say yes to the right things.
Crossroads Church exists to make much of Jesus. In all we do we aim to be Jesus-centered, Biblically rooted, and Spirit-led. These three pillars are expressed in 5 values that we will unpack over the next 3 weeks. We will begin with the value that we are family.
As questions continue to swirl as to just who Jesus is, Peter in a moment of great clarity, sees that Jesus truly is the Messiah. But on the heels of this revelation Jesus did proclaim triumph, but rather He proclaims His own death.
A crowd of hungry people had ventured out to see Jesus. When the time to eat came the disciples encouraged Jesus to send the people home, instead Jesus tells the disciples to ring the dinner bell and feed the people. With nothing but five loaves and two fish Jesus blessed the meal and every is fed in abundance. Reminding the disciples and us, that Jesus provides
As the disciples followed Jesus, they were being trained for more than just observing Jesus, they were being trained to do the things He does. Having witnessed Jesus proclaim the Kingdom with words and action, now Jesus sends the 12 disciples out to do the same.
There are people in our lives that we are tempted to give up, but with Jesus, the impossible is always possible. Encountering a man who had roamed literal graveyards possessed by a demon, Jesus set Him free. But not only did He set the man free, Jesus sent the man on a mission; to declare how much God had done for him.
Fear can be crippling, causing us to be unable to see a way forward. As Jesus and the disciples encounter a storm, they quickly forget just who Jesus is, allowing their fears to overtake them. But we also see that when our fear is greatest it is best to run to Jesus.
Everyone loves a good story. Jesus often taught in parables to help make His point. The passage we look at today tells the story of different soils and why the soil of our soul matters.
Although it is five letters, doubt can often be treated like a four-letter word. Doubt is normal and when we doubt we must learn where to direct our doubts. John the Baptist finds himself in prison and wondering if Jesus is really the “One?” So, John sends his friends to the source, Jesus himself, and they ask Jesus, “are you the one?” How Jesus responds speaks to just who He is and why that matters to us today.
In a moment of death, Jesus brings life as the people continue to be amazed. Jesus overcomes a seemingly impossible situation while displaying both his power and compassion.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom, and now He beings to show what His rule and reign look like. A man’s daughter is ill and comes to Jesus for help. While the man displays great faith, Jesus speaks healing.
Knowing the right thing and doing the right thing are two different things. Jesus calls us to not only know who He is, but build our life on the foundation of following Him. Following Jesus gives us a foundation that does not shift even when things around us do.
Have you ever had a day where nothing seemed to be going right, and then one small thing happens and you lose your mind? No matter how hard we try to mask what is going on in our hearts, it will show up. What we root ourselves in determines the fruit of our lives. Rooting ourselves in the wrong things will lead to wrong fruit.
It is hard not to compare our actions and our lives to others. We fall into this trap all the time feeling like we are never measuring up or that others are never measuring up to our standards. But this is a dangerous way to live that leads to bitterness, resentment, and judgment of others. The truth is we all live well below the standard we were meant to, and yet by the grace of God, there is another way possible.
We live in a world divided and people have drawn hard lines. You have lines, spoken or unspoken you have drawn. So how do you love those outside the lines? How do you love with no expectations? What does it look like to be merciful as God is merciful?
Many of us have found the road of life to be a little bumpier than we hoped. And for many of us, we have made things more complicated and harder than necessary because we have forgotten what is most important. Before Jesus was to burst on the scene John the Baptist was called to prepare the way. To make straight the paths that were crooked, to level the hurdles so that those of his day may better see Jesus for who He really was and is. The words of John ring true for us today, reminding us to ready our hearts to see the King.
What if everything you were running after wasn’t worth chasing? Jesus began with blessing and turns to woe. Warning us about what truly matters and warning us that we are in danger of distracting ourselves to death.
Poor, Hungry, weeping, and left out are not things most people strive for. Many today would see this as a list to avoid, and yet Jesus begins by saying blessed are the poor, the hungry, the mourning, and the excluded. As Jesus describes this upside-down way of living we are left to decide which Kingdom we will live for.
When Jesus came back from a night of prayer he chose 12 ordinary men to change the world. These 12 would be enlisted by Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God. While we might expect the Son of God to enlist the extraordinary, we should find hope in His call to the ordinary.
Rest is something we all long for but often feel we never have enough of. In Jesus’ day, the Sabbath was weekly time to rest, but for some this routine had become just that, routine and ritual. Jesus pushes on the idea of Sabbath and in so doing reminds us He offers a better rest.
With Jesus there are no “chance” encounters, their are no accidental run ins, and there are not happen stances callings. Deemed an enemy of his people, Matthew, would have been convinced that Jesus could not possibly be talking to him, and yet Jesus calls Matthew and in doing so Jesus makes it clear that the Kingdom is for everyone who changes direction to follow Him.
A group of fierce friends brought a paralyzed man before Jesus in the most unorthodox of ways. After breaking down barriers, social norms, and even a roof, these friends bring that man to Jesus. In turn Jesus brings renovation to the mans life. But as is often the case with Jesus, the results far exceed our own expectations.
Unclean. A word that would cause people to alter course quickly. The unclean were to be avoided because to assccciate with them would make you unclean. But when Jesus encountered the unclean He did not alter course He altered lives, including how we view the unclean, the outcast, the untouchable. Jesus’ humanity reminds us of the image we bear and validates our own human experience. But when the unclean encounters Jesus, it does not change Jesus, rather changes the unclean. This is good news for everyone.
After a long morning of fishing and no success, the last thing Peter wanted to do was cast out his nets again. But as Jesus got in Peter’s boats, it was clear, Peter’s plans were about to change. Because Jesus asked him to push out again, he did it. And Peter would not stop casting nets the rest of his life, although what he was aiming to catch would be very different.
As Jesus made His way throughout Galilee the report about Him began to grow and spread. He wasn’t just teaching with authority, He was living with authority. In the span of a view verses Jesus cast out a demon, heals his mother in law, and leaves town as the crowds grow. There was a purpose and intention to His actions and life the speaks to a clarity of mission that most of us miss. Rightly ordering our hearts will lead to a rightly ordered life.
As Jesus entered his hometown synagogue, expectations were rising. Reading from scripture, He Invited all those present to experience the hope of HIs Kingdom, and yet they refused to believe. Freedom was in front of them, but instead they chose the chains of what they knew. Jesus has come that we may have life, why do we continue to choose death?
In our moments of weakness, where do we find strength? When you are filled with doubts, where do you look for truth? As Jesus is led into the desert for forty days He is confronted by lies of the enemies. But in these moment He shows us how to combat lies and He begins a show a new way forward for all of Humanity.
Who are you? This a question that seems simple but can often haunt us. People are quick to tell us who we are or who we should be, but whose voice matters most. The beginning of Jesus was marked by a clear declaration of who He was and is. Luke also reminds us that this good news is not just for some, but Jesus has come for all.
We find a pair of panicked parents looking for a lost son. After 3 days of searching, they finally find him sitting among the teachers, eagerly learning, asking questions, and lingering at the temple. The boy, Jesus, just wanted to be in His Father’s house. Where do we eagerly desire to be? And how can we begin to foster and practice an intentional rhythm of being with the Father?
An old man, who lived a faithful and devout life, waiting for the comfort of his people to come. Why the days of his life were growing dim, the light he awaited grew bright. The light had come and everything would change. The man who long awaited the blessing of God on his people would now bless the savior of the world.
Far from a palace, in the quiet of the fields, shepherds were tending their flocks. When the night came alive around them. Good news of great joy for all people, a message just as much for the shepherds as it is for us today. Good news of great joy, Jesus has come!
Filled with the Spirit, Zechariah lets forth a poem of praise. His son would help prepare the way for the coming Messiah. And this messiah would bring light to those who sit in darkness. This is the good news of Jesus’ incarnation, that light has come and it shines forth even in the gloom of despair.
God is on the move and not only that He is moving into the neighborhood. This move toward humanity marks a coming shift as God’s Kingdom will not look like the Kingdom of man. But this is good news for those who feel lost or less than.
Mary was not expecting the visitor she received, nor the message that would be brought, but even in this her faith in God fueled her peace. Mary proves to be an example to us of what it means to say yes to God even when we do not fully understand.
Zechariah and Elizabeth had experience in losing hope. They had no children and assumed those days were long gone. For many in Israel, hopes of a savior seemed just as lost. God had been so quiet and yet in the midst of silence would come a rumble of unexpected hope. Luke’s account of Jesus’ life begins with the unexpected and the quiet beginnings of hope would begin to stir once again.
Esther walks us through a radical and dramatic story of God’s quiet sovereignty that provided rescue and redemption for His people. But the final lesson from Esther is a lesson of remembering joy even as exiles. The Feast of Purim was instituted to remind the Jewish people of God’s rescue. This was to be a feast of joy, a reminder that they had been doomed to death but were raised to life. The story of Esther reminds us even today of God’s providence, His provision, and His presence, something we exiles would do well to remember with Joy.
Passages of death, destruction, and violence have often been a point of contention for people. What is really happening here at this moment as we are told of thousands who are killed? Where it seemed the Jewish people were destined for destruction now we see them standing tall in triumph. What do we learn from this great reversal?
There are times when the odds seem insurmountable, the mountain in front of us too massive, the current too strong to swim against. The King had made his decree, and that decree would not be undone. So what could be done? Esther was handed the pen of the King and what happens next serves to remind us that transformed hearts transform people.
We have all heard the phrase, pride comes before the fall, and yet we are still surprised when the fall comes. When we become blind to our faults, our faults seem to find us. If we consume the wrong things, they end up consuming us. This is the lesson that Haman would learn too late. The very power he was pursuing, would end up consuming him.
All the plans were coming into place and yet one sleepless night would change everything. It can often seem as though God is absent, quiet, or just missing from the world around us, but He is always there and He is always working. On a night when King Ahasuerus could not settle his mind and sleep, Haman would be humbled.
Three days after her conversation with Mordecai, Queen Esther finds her way into the court of the King. While she had made a decision, action would still be required and this action could lead to death. Esther would eventually share a meal with the King and Haman. But we soon find that a place at the table is not enough for Haman, he wants more. Haman’s pride would be his undoing, and in his life, we have much to learn.
There are defining moments in our lives where we know the decision before us has vast ramifications. This is where we find Esther. All has been culminating to this moment. The girl with two names will have to decide who she really is and in whom she will trust. While our circumstances may not rival Esther’s, we are all faced with a defining moment to decide who we are and in whom we will trust.
History has a funny way of appearing in the present. Past actions have a way of showing up in ways we do not expect. Things that are not dealt with don’t disappear, they only tend to grow. In this section of Esther, we are introduced to Haman, a man who would seek to destroy all the Jewish people in the Persian empire. His bent toward destruction had deep roots of death that were never dealt with. A reminder to us that sin has deep roots that must be rooted out. But how do we deal with these roots and resist evil?
Compromising our standards, our values, and our faith, is not something we ever intentionally set out to do. Living a life that is uncompromising is especially hard when you seem to be swimming upstream. Mordecai and Esther were exiles raised in a foreign land, with foreign gods, and a foreign faith. To live as people of faith in exile, is to be in the world but not of the world. But how do we live like this? The call is to be a creative minority for the Kingdom.
As we enter into the story of Esther we enter into a kingdom of excess. We see a palace pursuing power, pleasure, and opulence. To push against this way of life had significant consequences but to live this way of life was to forfeit true significance. As we set the stage for all that is to come we will discover that this kingdom is not too far removed from the world we are in today.
When trouble comes, where do we turn? When our hearts ache, to whom do we look? When our thoughts betray us, where do we find peace? A divided mind often plagues us in times of distress. In this Psalm, David reminds us to unite our hearts to fear God’s name.
There is a theme throughout Scripture that reminds us that we are not home. So how do we live as sojourners? David who spent a great deal of his life uncertain of where he would sleep but certain of what God had spoken over him, sings our way forward. How do we live well in a land that is not home? How do we live well in a place where evil thrives? We live with our eyes fixed on the Lord, certain of our future in Him.
David was no stranger to enemies, false accusations, and disappointing those around him. But what enabled him to face so many trials and unite his heart to fear God? In this Psalm we see David remember who God is when he is tempted to allow his troubles to make him forget. What does it look like for us to remember God in the midst of our despair and find strength in the silence?
Often our prayer life matches our desperation. But what happens when God answers our prayers? What happens when God proves Himself faithful again? In Psalm 30 we see the habit David had formed throughout his life, in the good and in the bad to praise God, to acknowledge when our mourning is turned to dancing.
David was no stranger to sheep. He knew what it took to guide them, care for them, and keep them safe. So when he sings of the ultimate shepherd we should all take comfort. For leads us, He guides, He protects us, He corrects us, and He blesses us. Through the valley of darkness or in the presence of our enemies, we are not alone.
In a moment where David feels the weight of the world against him, and even God feels absent, David sings to the Lord. Words that would be spoken by Jesus in His own moment of darkness, this Psalm does not just speak to the bleakness of life, it reminds us that the end of all things has already been secured for all has been overcome, for our King has done it.
Jesus once said, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The order of this is so important. What we treasure shapes our hearts. It is not our heart that shapes our treasure. If you want to begin to discover what you treasure there are 3 things that can guide you. Time, talent, and treasure. How we steward our time, talent, and treasure will show us what we truly treasure.
When Jesus took a towel and began washing the feet of his disciples, he wasn’t just making a point, he was modeling what a lifestyle of service looks like. Throughout his ministry, Jesus poured out his life for others and calls us to do the same.
When the Devil was tempting Jesus, he took Jesus to a high place and said “All this I will give to you if you will fall down and worship me.” At the heart of this proposition was the question, “who are you going to worship?” A question we are still being asked to this day. We often see worship as something that takes place only in church, but we are capable of worship everywhere in everything. So, the question remains, “who are you going to worship?”
This week we look at the Lord’s prayer as we follow in the way of Jesus. The Lord’s prayer is one of the most well-known if not the most well-known, recited, and memorized prayers. For far too many the familiarity with this prayer has tamed its revolutionary nature of this prayer. We can begin to think this passage is safe, when it is anything but. We can begin to believe this lion has been tamed, but suddenly it can turn on us and show us just how wild it is, awakening us to the possibility of prayer.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness His response was steeped in Scripture. The word was written on His heart and lived in His life. But to know the Word and live the Word we need to spend time in the Word and with the Word. We need to read scripture and allow scripture to read us, not just seeking information but transformation. The question before us is what does this look like and where do we begin?
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
Paul is writing to a church that is distracted by playing in the shadows; spoken and unspoken rules, rituals, and ways of life that run contrary to the way of Jesus. A shadow points to a greater substance, Paul reminds the church and us, that Jesus is the substance and the reality.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
The letter to the Colossians makes it clear; Jesus is supreme, sufficient, preeminent, and over all things. Writing to a church that was facing distorted and false teaching, Paul seeks to set the record straight about who Jesus is, why He is sufficient over any other human philosophy, and what that means for how we should live in every aspect of our lives. Paul helps this young church discover what it means to believe in Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. What Paul was proclaiming to them is for us as well. When we understand who Jesus is, it changes every aspect of life. All things: In Him, With Him, and For Him.
Hardship, sorrow, and suffering are all a part of the human experience. As Paul is writing this letter from prison, he reminds his readers that our hope is not in ourselves but rather the good news is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Through Jesus, we are able to rejoice even in suffering and to see our sorrows used to point others to the hope we have in Him.
In the section known as the hymn of Jesus or the Song of Jesus, Paul speaks to who Jesus is. Paul also reminds us that when we have a right understanding of Jesus we better understand who we are in Him.
When a light switch is flipped, it exposes the dark and brings about new possibilities. Paul speaks to the transforming power of being transferred from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of light. His prayer is that not only would we know this, but that we would live this, experience this, and bear the fruit of this.
The story of Christmas captures our attention every Advent season. Jesus’ birth marks a glorious moment in history. But the story of Christmas is not an isolated event. The story begins at creation and points to new creation. And the beauty of Advent reminds us that from the beginning, in our failure, through our process, to new life, God has always been present with us.
The story of Christmas captures our attention every Advent season. Jesus’ birth marks a glorious moment in history. But the story of Christmas is not an isolated event. The story begins at creation and points to new creation. And the beauty of Advent reminds us that from the beginning, in our failure, through our process, to new life, God has always been present with us.
The story of Christmas captures our attention every Advent season. Jesus’ birth marks a glorious moment in history. But the story of Christmas is not an isolated event. The story begins at creation and points to new creation. And the beauty of Advent reminds us that from the beginning, in our failure, through our process, to new life, God has always been present with us.
The story of Christmas captures our attention every Advent season. Jesus’ birth marks a glorious moment in history. But the story of Christmas is not an isolated event. The story begins at creation and points to new creation. And the beauty of Advent reminds us that from the beginning, in our failure, through our process, to new life, God has always been present with us.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
The themes of doubt and despair find expression in the questions of the prophet Habakkuk. Standing as an advocate between humanity and God, Habakkuk gives voices to some of the questions that we are afraid to even whisper in the dark. But God is not afraid of these questions, He is not afraid of our past, present, or future. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace a hope that is lived in faith in Him.
Habakkuk was most likely a contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. He was alive to see the reforms of Josiah, the apostasy of Manasseh, and the growing power of Babylon. Most date this book prior to 605 B.C. (before the battle of Carchemish, where Babylon defeated Egypt). Judah was facing a time of unrest and unfaithfulness as Babylon only grew in power.
Habakkuk was most likely a contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. He was alive to see the reforms of Josiah, the apostasy of Manasseh, and the growing power of Babylon. Most date this book prior to 605 B.C. (before the battle of Carchemish, where Babylon defeated Egypt). Judah was facing a time of unrest and unfaithfulness as Babylon only grew in power.
As Paul finds himself in more and more danger wherever he goes, he heads back to Jerusalem, ready to face prison or even death. This would be the beginning of a series of trials that would mark the final steps of Paul's journey as he reaches to the end of the Earth, as he makes his way to Rome. Obstinate in the face of opposition, Paul continues to make much of Jesus whatever the cost may be.
Paul bids a tearful farewell to the Ephesian Elders, but not without exhorting them to pay careful attention to the flock. In this calling to the elders we are reminded of the importance of being alert and intentional. As we celebrate Fathers day this is an appropriate reminder for Dads to lead their homes well. To pay attention and be alert as they following in the way of Jesus and point their families to Him.
In Ephesus the gospel proves to be disruptive to the old way of life. The whole city is brought to a boiling point for fear of their economy, idolatry, and way of life coming to an end. The Gospel upends everything and confronts the idols of our hearts.
In this radical encounter we are reminded that our battle is not just against flesh and blood. As one author would say we should aim to be known in Heaven and famous in hell. The Sons of Sceva sought the power of Jesus without knowing Him, and in turn were over run by an evil spirit. This Spirt knew Jesus, and knew Paul, would the enemy have any reason to know us? Or do we live in such a way that we are not a threat.
In Ephesus, Paul has back to back encounters with people who have experienced the baptism of John, but have yet to step into the fullness of what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf. In each case the truth is made known and the Spirit of God moves. There are so many who know pieces of truth, but who have yet to embrace the fullness of all the Jesus has to offer.
As Paul continues his journey, he comes to Corinth. In Corinth he works as a tentmaker while continuing to proclaim the good news. In Corinth Paul faces much the same, acceptance, rejection, opposition. But in the midst of this he receives a word from God, a reminder that Paul is not alone, nor has never been a lone. A reminder each of us would do well to remember. Our relationship with God is not simply doing things for Him, but being with Him as well.
Pastor Lucas takes us to Acts 17 to see the Gospel at work in the city of Athens. Here we see that God is always pursuing us, even if we're not always pursuing Him. God is still pursuing people today; how can help people see the God who is real, the God who is here?
Paul reasoned with those in Thessalonica, by walking through the Scriptures. In Berea, they are met by a people eager to hear the word and to examine the scriptures. Strong faith does not have to be an unreasoned or unthoughtful faith. We are told to love the Lord with our heart, soul, strength, and mind. In a day where false information is plentiful, it is important for us to be thoughtful and reasoned in our pursuit of truth.
In life, there will always be disagreements. From the silly to the serious, we will always be working through some conflict. It's important to know what things are worth fighting for and what things we can simply agree to disagree. Pastor Lucas takes us to Acts 15 to see this discernment in action in the early church.
In Acts 14 we see how difficult it can be to live out the Great Commission. Following Jesus isn't always a pleasant walk in the park. How do we continue to share the message of salvation in the messiness of our world?
It seemed the grave had the final say, but that wasn't the end of the story. Join us to see how the historical resurrection changes our lives today!
Join us as we follow Jesus during the events of Good Friday. From the Upper Room to the Cross, we consider what six different moments mean to us.
We return to Acts 13 as Pastor Ryan challenges us to follow Jesus when it's convenient and when it's difficult. Do we let changing times impact our view of an unchanging gospel?
The early church was growing, but this growth wasn't without painful, even deadly opposition. Following Jesus in a fallen world often leads us through seasons of pain and suffering. What can we learn from the early church so that we can have the same confidence and peace we see in Acts?
Antioch is where we first see those who are following in the way of Jesus called Christians. To bear the name Christian is to be a devoted follower of Jesus above all else, and the same is just as true today as it was then. The question before us is, are we rightly ordering our lives to put Jesus above all else, or are we letting our religious, political, or vocational labels take precedence over bearing the name of Jesus?
Pastor Lucas takes us to Acts 10 to see the gospel go in unexpected directions. What does this underserved access mean for us today?
There are many things in life that seem to have the final word. Health. Closed doors for opportunity. Many things seem to be the end of the story. But there are times when God overrules those things and speaks with final authority. Our call is to hear, to trust, and to follow.
In our chapter, God calls Saul to the same thing He calls all of us to: absolute surrender. When He gives us salvation, He calls us to surrender our plans, our will, our desires, our lives. Saul will surrender to God, and his life will be changed forever. Ananias surrenders to God, and great fruit comes of it. What is the result of surrender in our lives?
Philip was a part of a great work in Samaria, and yet God had something else for him to do. As Philip was obedient, even when it didn’t make sense, God was able to do something special. Seeing his obedience is a challenge and an encouragement to us that we would faithfully obey the voice of God.
As the early church scatters, Philip finds himself in Samaria, a place where no good Jew would ever be. Philip would not hesitate to preach Christ, and as a result, great joy would come to the city. In an unexpected place with unexpected people, the power of the Lord would burst through. We see the gospel is for the World, and that the Spirit is available for all who call on God for salvation.
Living for God isn't in just the big moments, such as Stephen's death in Acts. In fact, it's the little moments of life that make a big moment possible. How do we follow God with our whole lives, regardless of the size of the moment and regardless of cost?
As the early community of believers grew, so did the needs. When there is a need, it is all too easy to assume someone else will step up to meet it. But in Acts, we see the beauty of a unified church diversified in its gifts, reaching farther together. The question for us is, how can we actively play a part in serving one another?
The Word, community, service, discipleship, prayer. The early church practiced loving God through the Word and by loving one another in community. As we look to this next year, we will continue to be a place that exists to make much of Jesus by loving God and growing in our relationship with Him through His word and time with Him, as well as loving one another in community, serving one another, and coming alongside others in discipleship to point them in the way of Jesus.
Pastor Lucas takes us to Exodus 16 to see the value and importance our daily bread, which is the Word of God.
In a year where so much seems lost, we close by holding onto a thread of hope. Much like a lifeless stump seems to have run its course, the story of Scripture reminds us that death does not always have the last word. As we hold to the thread of hope in Jesus, we trust in Him to bring new life.
Merry Christmas! Pastor Lucas looks to the birth of Jesus to show there is hope for each and every one of us. [Note: some of the audio is missing at the beginning of the study. We apologize for the slip up!]
In the book of Ezra, we encounter the Israelites in exile. They had been waiting to return home, and now the chance had come. Journeying to Israel was a group of people who had come to restore and rebuild. One of those listed among them was Zerubbabel. Listed in the lineage of Jesus, he was to take part in rebuilding the temple. Although opposition would come, he would not be moved from the task. His life helps us see hope in the face of brokenness.
A thread of hope. Our world is marked by the unknown, despair, failure, and brokenness. But that isn't the end of the story. Into this brokenness, God has woven a thread of hope. This thread winds through the Scriptures and through our lives, leading us to Jesus. Join us as we follow God's thread of hope to Jesus the Messiah!
A thread of hope. Our world is marked by the unknown, despair, failure, and brokenness. But that isn't the end of the story. Into this brokenness, God has woven a thread of hope. This thread winds through the Scriptures and through our lives, leading us to Jesus.
Join us as we follow God's thread of hope to Jesus the Messiah!
A thread of hope. Our world is marked by the unknown, despair, failure, and brokenness. But that isn't the end of the story. Into this brokenness, God has woven a thread of hope. This thread winds through the Scriptures and through our lives, leading us to Jesus.
Join us as we follow God's thread of hope to Jesus the Messiah!
When God starts a work, no man can stop it. The disciples engaged in God's work by the power of the Spirit and demonstrated there is no greater power on this earth. As we observe their lives, let's be those who fill our homes and communities with the doctrine of Jesus.
We often imagine the early church as some sort of utopia, but what we discover is something different, something more like us. The book of Acts shows people failed and struggled as we do today. The passage today challenges us to make it our aim to pursue God with a transformed heart!
This portion of Acts shows the early church prioritized prayer and prayed with boldness. What does it mean for us to be a people of bold prayer and what does this look like in practice today?
This week we'll see how Peter and John cannot help but live and speak in such a way as to make much of Jesus in all situations. Even if it should cost them their lives, it is worth the risk so that more may know Jesus. What about us? How have we been transformed?
"What I have, I give to you freely." As we look at Acts 3, we see that Peter knew what it meant to receive the mercy of God. In return, he was quick to extend that same gift to others. We should never lose our wonder of what God has done in our lives, and let us never seek to hoard His grace, mercy, and forgiveness, for He will never run out.
Acts 2:42-47 encapsulates the beauty and simplicity of the early church. They lived life together, they were united in Christ and lived for the glory of God. What can we learn from this, and what would it look like for us to engage in life together in Christ today?
Accused of drinking wine too early in the morning, Peter refutes this accusation by proclaiming what is really happening. Good news is available to all, God is on the move, Jesus is alive, forgiveness is possible, and the Spirit has come. Peter bore witness to the good news and 3,000 were added to their number. What are our lives witness’ too?
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As the disciples gathered at the day of Pentecost, no one was prepared for what came next. The Spirit was unleashed upon them and what Jesus spoke of was fulfilled. The Spirit empowered this group of believers to proclaim the good news, and the Spirit is still empowering believers today.