Crossroads Church Utah: Recent Episodes
Matthew Emadi, Pastor
Exodus 20:13 - The 6th Commandment: "You Shall Not Murder" (02/04/24) by Matthew Emadi, Pastor
The Heart of God in the Heart of Darkness: Lamentations 3:19–33 by Matthew Emadi, Pastor
Living in Babylon: A Call to Christian Faithfulness During 'Pride Month' by Matthew Emadi, Pastor
The book of Philemon is a one-page, often overlooked gem in our New Testament where the apostle Paul finds himself in the middle of a delicate situation. Church leader Philemon and his slave Onesimus have had a falling out, and Onesimus ran away to Rome where he found Paul in prison. Paul hopes to bring reconciliation by sending Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. In this letter to Philemon we see a beautiful depiction of the theology of the cross on display that still speaks to us in powerful way today.
When Pharaoh refused to let God's people go again, God brought darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that could be felt. Egypt was in the dark literally and spiritually. They were spiritually blind refusing to obey the one true and living God.
God expected Moses and the Israelites to tell the story of the Exodus to their children and grandchildren. As Christians, we too must teach our children the great story of God's redemption.
In our world today, marriage is viewed as unnecessary, and outdated. God shows us the importance of marriage through the pages of scripture, and that it's not only a gift to humanity, but it's also a picture of a greater marriage; the marriage of Christ and his church.
God sovereignly raised up Pharaoh so that he could display his power over Pharaoh. The glory of God's name is the goal of redemption.
The Lord afflicted the Egyptians with boils on their skin for Pharaoh's refusal to let Israel go. The plague is a reminder that God is sovereign over the human body.
In a surprising dream at Bethel, Jacob is encountered by the God who promises to be with him. As new covenant believers, we have even greater promises in Jesus who is, quite literally, God with us.
The plagues fell on Egypt, but God's grace left Israel unscathed. Only two groups exist: those who belong to the world and those who belong to God. God's people must worship Him as He has commanded them without compromising.
At his crucifixion, people mocked Jesus but they didn't realize that what they said to spite him was actually true. He is the King of Israel whose resurrection vindicates his life and teaching.
Matthew chapters 21–23 are part of one literary unit showing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David. He is the king of Jerusalem, but Jerusalem's leadership opposes him. We must not oppose Jesus, but submit to him as the Davidic King.
The plagues on Egypt continue in Exodus 8. The plagues are an act of judgment and a revelation of God's power and glory. God afflicts Egypt so that Pharaoh will understand Moses' words: "There is no one like the Lord our God."
Psalm 1 describes the blessed man. He is one who meditates on God's word, trusts God's word, and follows God's word.
Moses and Aaron perform signs to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh's servants imitate the signs through their secret arts. Pharaoh's heart remains hardened and he refuses to let Israel go.
After Pharaoh and Israel reject Moses, Moses questions whether he is really the right man for leading the Exodus. God not only recommissions Moses, but the genealogy of the Levites proves that God makes no mistakes.
Every Christian will experience suffering in this life. But as intense as suffering might be now, it cannot compare to the glory that is going to be revealed.
God answers Moses' prayer in Exodus 6 revealing himself as the Lord of the covenant and the God who will deliver his people from Egypt.
Moses and Aaron tell Pharaoh to let God's people go, but Pharaoh refuses to obey the Lord. Pharaoh is the epitome of unbelief and political and spiritual tyrant.
Moses headed back to Egypt with the blessing of Jethro. God told Moses that he would harden Pharaoh's heart and deliver Israel, His firstborn son. But on the way, God intended to kill Moses. Zipporah's quick action of circumcising their son, spared Moses life.
After all of his excuses, Moses finally pleaded with God to send someone else to Egypt. God reminded Moses that the power of the mission rests not in Moses but in God.
God tells Moses to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let his people go. Moses fears that the people will not listen to him. So God gave Moses miraculous signs to confirm the authenticity of his message.
God revealed himself to Moses as "I Am." God's name teaches us much about God's being and attributes.
After Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness, God revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush. Moses learns God's character and God's plan for the Exodus.
Isaiah's promise of a new Exodus includes many wonderful works of God. But Isaiah makes clear that the promises of the new exodus will come through a servant of the Lord who is both Israel and the redeemer of Israel.
Our world is full of people who believe they have found peace with God. But the truth is, most people have only found a false peace with a false god.
When Isaiah announced the new Exodus, he also spoke of God's promise of a coming new creation. When God redeemed his people, he would also make a new heaven and new earth. The New Testament shows us that God's work of new creation has begun in Christ.
After Israel went to Babylon, God promised a day when he would bring his people out of exile. God would make a renewed Israel consisting of Jews and Gentiles, indwelt by the Spirit, and having the law written on their hearts.
Isaiah 40–55 has become known as Isaiah's New Exodus. Isaiah anticipated a time when God would come to deliver his people not only from exile, but from sin and death. God's salvation would be like the old Exodus but better and culminate in God's reign from Jerusalem.
How does a Christian deal with suffering? How does Christian suffering look different than the world? We find those answers in Peter's first letter.
Israel’s suffering caused them to cry out in prayer for help. God heard and delivered them. In our suffering, we too should cry out to God knowing he hears us.
After Moses is delivered out of the water, he experiences his own exodus from Egypt and lives in the wilderness for 40 years. Before Moses would lead Israel's Exodus, he had to take Israel's journey for their sake.
When Moses defended his Hebrew brother against the Egyptian, he made his loyalties known. Moses chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying the passing pleasures of sin in Egypt.
God's providence is written all over the details of Moses' birth. Moses' deliverance from Pharaoh's edict not only anticipates Israel's deliverance, it reminds us that God's plan of salvation is unstoppable.
Israel enjoyed peace in Egypt for a season, but a new Pharaoh rose to power that didn't favor God's people. He oppressed them and enslaved them, but his actions lead to his own demise.
Many people are attracted to God for the gifts he can give, but in their hearts, they are far from Him. It raises important questions - why do we follow Christ? And are we just seeking after physical bread, or do we truly desire the Bread of Life?
When Jesus's parents brought him to Egypt to escape Herod, Matthew says Jesus' move was in fulfillment of Hosea 11:1? What does this teach us about the Exodus and the ministry of Jesus?
David is in the wilderness on the run from his enemies. But amid such great adversity, David's soul longs not first and foremost for deliverance, but God for Himself. David knows that nothing this life can offer is better than the steadfast love of the Lord.
At the end of Hebrews, the author pronounces a benediction reminding his readers of the great salvation God has accomplished through Christ. God's grace has saved them, and his grace will give them the strength to follow Jesus to the very end.
Elders in the local church must keep watch over the members by teaching sound doctrine and exemplifying godly character. God uses the faithful teaching ministry of the elder and their faithful lives as a means to bring his people to their final salvation.
Pastors are called to keep watch over the souls of church members because they will give an account to God for how they cared for God's church. Members should submit to their leaders and recognize the benefit they are to their spiritual well-being.
Jesus promised his followers that they would suffer for his sake. The author of Hebrews calls his readers to go outside the camp to bear the reproach Christ endured.
The poor widow who gave an offering of all she had to live on in Luke 21 is a vivid tale that all of us are familiar with. But have we understood her story correctly? Does Scripture hold up this widow as a model of sacrificial giving for us to follow or, is she a poignant example of the dangers of works-based legalism?
Psalm 51 is David's prayer of confession for his sin with Bathsheba. His prayer not only points us to God's gracious character, but it also serves as a model for our own repentance.
We are constantly being encouraged to look to technology for the answers to life's big questions. But in the book of Job, we find a chapter that tells us to look not to technology and human achievement, but to God alone for wisdom.
Our Lord Jesus is God in flesh. In his divine nature, he never changes. He remains the same in the fullness of perfection. The immutability of Christ gives us rock-solid assurance in the certainty of our salvation.
Have you lost hope for someone? In this sermon, Pastor Michael reminds us from Mark 5:1-20 that there is hope for the hopeless because of Christ and His Gospel.
Christians can learn much from imitating the faith of other godly believers. The author of Hebrews calls his readers to imitate the faith of their leaders so that they too will remain faithful until the end.
As Christians, we recognize God's providence over our lives should produce contentment in us. In a society that is always striving for more, Hebrews reminds us to be content with what we have.
Malachi’s concluding words are a timeless reminder that a day is coming when God will act to make up his treasured possession, and on that day the world will see the distinction between those who fear God and those who do not. The coming Day of the Lord will not leave us with a mixed world of good and evil. The righteousness of Jesus the Messiah will shine upon the whole earth bringing salvation to all who believe in Him.
While our nation celebrates Pride Month, we must remember that marriage is God's institution given to humanity. As his creatures, we are responsible for holding marriage in honor according to God's design.
At the beginning of Hebrews 13, the author exhorts his readers to let brotherly love remain, show hospitality, and remember those in prison.
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2 to come to Christ the living stone, who is rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious. He continues to say that in Jesus, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people for God’s own possession. These are the amazing privileges that we have in Christ the chosen and precious Son of God.
The author of Hebrews issues a final warning to his audience. They must not refuse to hear God's word. One day, God will shake heaven and earth and establish his kingdom forever. Believers must remain faithful until that coming day and offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.
The author of Hebrews reminds his readers that they did not come to the mountain of Sinai, but to the mountain of Zion in heaven. Though still on earth, believers have access to the heavenly realm and participate by faith in heavenly realities.
Amos was a Shepherd of Tekoa when called him to the prophetic ministry. The people of Israel had become materialistic, self-indulgent, prideful, and hypocritical. Injustice was pervasive throughout the land. Amos announced God's impending judgment and the hope of restoration under a Davidic king.
Churches must be diligent to watch over each other so that their members do not fall short of God's grace. Esau was associated with God's covenant people and yet he despised his birthright and did not receive the blessing. We should learn from his example and make sure that our conversion is real and that we are mortifying sinful desires.
The author of Hebrews exhorts his readers to remain faithful in their journey toward the new Zion. He encourages them to keep strive for peace with others and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
The Book of Romans has a lot to say about Christ's resurrection and what it means for the believer both now and at the end of history.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. He entered the great city as a humble king ready to lay down his life to redeem a sinful people.
God always has a purpose for the discipline that he administers to his children. He disciplines us so that we would share in his holiness and yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
What was God's original intention and how will He restore it? How is this future not only better than any other worldview but also worth staking our lives and hope on? The apostle John will answer these questions for us in the closing chapters of Scripture.
When pain and suffering come, some Christians question God's love. The author of Hebrews tells us that we should see adversity as evidence of God's love because disciplines us as a father does his children.
The author of Hebrews compares perseverance in faith to a race. Every Christian is called to run with endurance to make it to the finish line. We run with eyes fixed on Jesus knowing he blazed the trail and gives us the grace to keep running.
The author closes out Hebrews 11 with a barrage of OT examples. Through faith they triumphed and through faith they suffered well. We know that we will suffer in this life, but through faith we will obtain final victory.
God's triumph over Pharaoh and Jericho, and his salvation of a Gentile prostitute point us to the salvation we have received in Christ.
Paul instructs the Colossians to sing to God and to one another. Their corporate singing is to reflect their new identity in Christ and to build up the whole body.
Moses' faith in the invisible God kept him from giving into fear of Pharaoh and his army. But it was faith in God's provision of a blood sacrifice that spared Moses and the firstborn of Israel from a greater threat: The Judgment of God against sin.
Moses chose affliction with the people of God over the passing pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. The call of discipleship was costly for Moses; it is costly for Christians today.
Abraham believed God even when Isaac, the heir of the promise, was facing certain death. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph trusted God's promises at the end of their lives even though they had no earthly reason to do so. They all trusted the Word of God and died in faith. As Christians, we must hold fast to the Word of God believing that every good promise will be ours in a city that is to come.
God promised Abraham and his descendants a land as an inheritance. But Abraham knew that the fulfillment of the promise would come beyond his own death. He looked forward to a heavenly country, a city built by God himself. That heavenly homeland has been secured by Jesus Christ.
The OT saints in Hebrews 11 are exemplars of faith in redemptive history. But more importantly, they point us to the only man who perfectly trusted and obeyed God for us.
Before launching into examples of faithful men and women in Old Testament history, the author of Hebrews briefly defines faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. Persevering faith characterizes the people of God in every generation.
The author of Hebrews knew that pain and suffering can make God's people question God's goodness. Some might even be tempted to shrink back from trusting God. So he reminds his readers what Habakkuk discovered when faced with severe affliction: The righteous shall live by faith.
The author of Hebrews exhorts his readers to remember the suffering they endured for Christ so that they will continue to persevere in the face of opposition. These Hebrew Christians chose to embrace suffering with joy because they had the certain promise of a better life to come.
The author of Hebrews warns his readers not to forsake Christ or they can expect a certain fiery judgment. God's wrath will come one day to the unbelieving and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
At the heart of the Reformation was the question, 'How can the sinful stand justified before a holy God?' Martin Luther discovered the answer in the Bible that sinful people can only be justified by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
The author of Hebrews exhorts his readers to stir each other up to love and good works. This can only happen if they meet together to encourage one another. In a time where technology can make it convenient for Christians to stay home from church, we need to be reminded of the necessity to assemble.
The doctrine of perseverance reminds us of our need to hold fast to the gospel every day until the end. It also reminds us that the grace of Christ is the power that keeps us holding on.
Believers have every reason to draw near to God without reservation or hesitation. Our boldness to approach God's throne room comes not from our righteousness but from the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ has taken His seat in heaven because his work of purification is complete. He is waiting for the time when his enemies will be made his footstool. Until then, the church must preach the gospel with clarity so that enemies of God may be transformed into his friends.
Christians have confessed the clear teaching of Scripture for centuries: Christ will come again. When he does, he is not coming to die again. He's coming to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a story to help us understand what it looks like to be waiting for His return. And with it He warns us of the importance of being prepared, even though it seems like He is delaying His return.
God had ordained that everyone die once and after death comes judgment. The final judgment is as certain as Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Only those who hold fast to Jesus Christ by faith will be acquitted on the final day.
How we understand the nature of the new covenant significantly impacts how we understand the church. As Christians, we need to understand what a church is and what our responsibilities are as members of Christ's church.
The author of Hebrews appeals to Jeremiah's promise of the new covenant to build his argument for the superiority of Christ. Jesus mediates the new covenant which is better than the old. In the new covenant, every covenant member has the law written on the heart, knows the Lord, and has the forgiveness of sins.
The point of Hebrews is quite simple: Jesus is better. Hebrews 8 points us to the superior ministry of our new covenant priest. He ministers on our behalf in the true tabernacle, not the shadowy one.
The final three verses of Hebrews 7 drive home the author's argument for the superiority of Christ's Melchizedekian priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Jesus is a perfect priest that offered a sufficient sacrifice. He rose from the dead making him a priest forever and able to secure eternal redemption.
The Levitical priesthood was incapable of achieving perfection. Jesus' priesthood however is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him. Jesus' high priesthood has fulfilled the law of Moses and guarantees the new covenant.
In Hebrews 7, we learn about the Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ and why it is superior to the Levitical priesthood. Only through Christ's superior priesthood are we able to draw near to God with full forgiveness of sins.
After issuing a severe warning about the danger of apostasy, the author of Hebrews encourages his readers by reminding them of the certainty of God's promises. All who are patient and faithful will inherit the full realization of God's promises because God does not lie and his word does not change
One of the most difficult warning passages in the New Testament is found in Hebrews 6:1–12. Some think this text teaches that people can lose their salvation. Others think the loss is merely rewards. A closer look will reveal that the warning is a means to keep Christians persevering so that no true believer will be lost on the final day.
The author of Hebrews chastises his readers for their spiritual immaturity. They should have been teaching others the truths of the gospel, but instead needed someone to teach them the basics. As Christians, we should all aspire to progress in our understanding of the gospel, and in Christian maturity.
Jesus endured the miseries of human life with full trust in God. He embraced suffering in obedience to God and trusted that God would deliver him out of death. Because of his obedience, Jesus qualified for the office of a permanent high priesthood which he received upon his resurrection. He is therefore the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Nothing makes us want to run and hide from God more than our sin and shame. But the author of Hebrews tells sinners to come boldly to the throne of grace. Our boldness to approach the throne comes from our confidence in our Great High Priest. He deals gently with us to help us in our time of need.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus displayed compassion, love, and mercy towards sinners. But now that he is exalted in heaven, what is his disposition towards his people? Hebrews 4:15 teaches that Jesus, our high priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses, yet without sin.
The Word of God is living and active. It is a word of salvation to those who believe and a word of judgment to those who reject what God has spoken in Christ.
In Hebrews 4, the author exhorts his readers to enter God‘s rest. What exactly is God’s rest? And what does this rest have to do with the resurrection and ascension of Christ into the heavenly realm? This Easter sermon will explore these questions as we consider the meaning of rest and resurrection.
In Hebrews 3, the author warns his readers against apostasy and he gives them instructions on how to remain faithful. They must exhort one another day after day so that they do not succumb to the deceitfulness of sin. As members of Christ's church, we must cultivate meaningful relationships with other believers so that we both receive and give encouragement to remain faithful.
The author of Hebrews warned his audience not to be like the Israelites that rebelled against God and died in the wilderness. Their hearts were hard and they refused to trust God and enter the Promised Land. As we await the consummation of Christ's kingdom, we must hear God's Word, believe it, and persevere in it to the very end if we will enter our final rest in the presence of God.
Our sweetest times of prayer are often when we are also in the midst of suffering. Psalm 57 is a prayer of David at a time when David was in great distress. David's prayer is filled with praise and confidence and resolve as he knows God's steadfast love will never fail him.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 3:15 that it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom he was the foremost.
Moses was perhaps the greatest figure in Old Testament history. He was the great prophet and leader of Israel's great exodus. But even Moses cannot compare to Jesus. Moses was a servant in God's house, Jesus is over God's house as a son. Knowing Christ should cause us to hold fast our confidence and boasting in hope until the very end.
Did Jesus' death pay the penalty of sin to satisfy God's justice and wrath against sinners or did his death conquer Satan and free us from Satan's power? This sermon argues both are true, but that we must keep Christ's penal substitutionary death as the central meaning of the cross. Since Jesus suffered for us, he is also able to help us in the face of temptation.
Jesus became man in order to lead many sons to glory. His faithfulness in life and death qualified him to be the pioneer of our salvation. He leads us out of bondage and into glory. Jesus as the God-man sanctifies us and thus he is not ashamed to call us his brothers.
For who did Christ die? Did the death of Christ accomplish salvation or did it merely make salvation possible? This message explores the doctrine of definite atonement, which teaches that Christ's death and intercession effectively secures the salvation of God's elect. Jesus is not a hypothetical savior; he is the savior of his people.
God is a gracious God and has shown us grace by giving us salvation and turning us from enemies of God to heirs with Jesus. In 2 Samuel 9, we see King David invite a crippled man who should have been treated as an enemy, treated as a son. We look forward to the day that we will, like Mephibosheth, feast with the King!
God did not subject the world to come to angels; he subjected it to the man Christ Jesus. God's purpose from the very beginning was for humanity to rule the world, but Adam's rebellion brought death and chaos. The Son of God became man to restore the image of God in humankind and reign over a world where death will be no more.
The author of Hebrews exhorts his readers to pay close attention to the message God has spoken in his Son. They must hold fast to Jesus so as not to drift from the truth. There will be no escape on the last day for the one who abandons the gospel.
In Psalm 110, David prophesied of a future messianic priest-king that would rule the nations. David's expectation of a conquering king is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Christmas reminds us that Christ is presently reigning as king but he still awaits the consumption of his kingdom.
Writing to afflicted and suffering Christians, the author of Hebrews reminded his audience of the immutability of Christ by quoting Psalm 102. God never changes, and Christ is God. Because our God is immutable we can be confident that all of his good promises for us will come to pass.
Why does the author compare Jesus to angels? How could he say that Jesus became superior to angels if Jesus is God? Did the author of Hebrews use the OT appropriately? How could he say that Jesus was begotten "today"? These are some of the questions we consider as we explore the enthronement of Jesus from Hebrews 1.
In Hebrews 1, Jesus is superior to angels not only as God but as the human king who has obtained redemption. Jesus's rules from heaven with righteousness and justice. He has been enthroned over the universe because of his obedience to God.
Hebrews 1:1–4 is a breathtaking description of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author takes on a journey exploring the Son's exaltation, enthronement, divine power, divine nature, and priestly work of purification. Jesus alone has accomplished our salvation and as the God-man, he is worthy of our worship.