 Sermon Reflections from The Bible is An Invitation | Damon Hopkins | May 21, 2023
Damon was filled with renewed joy this Sunday as he shared from God’s Word and his life challenges. He pointed out worldly sayings that do not hold up when compared to God’s standards. For example, “God helps those who help themselves,” was one he gave us to analyze. If we could help ourselves he pointed out, we would not need God. We cannot truly help ourselves; our dependence needs to be upon Him. Damon went on to speak of God’s creation, his glory and how He meets our needs in His time. We just need to trust in Him and walk each day knowing He has us covered. Damon’s health issues were a glorious example of how God meets our needs and does it in a complete way, beyond our imagining. Pastor Alex had titled this sermon The Bible is an Invitation. He started the series with the Bible is a Love Letter from God and last week pointed us to the Bible as our Guide. As I was reflecting on God’s love letter and His guidance, I see The Bible as an invitation in written form inviting us to a life of faith in Him. This was the life Damon was describing from His experiences. The Bible points us to the good life God has in store for us. John 17:3 speaks of eternity, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. “ God wants us to know Him and to experience eternal life. 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God has given us what we need to live for Him, “ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” His Word, an invitation in written form, provides power, promises and protection from evil. That is SOME invitation to a life filled with hope and promise. Another aspect of an invitation is that, it is not a command. When we are invited to a party, the host is asking us to come but we can turn them down. God’s invitation to eternal life is just that – an invitation. It is not a command but refusing to accept His invitation brings consequences. You will not be invited to the eternal party in heaven and do not have the benefits of God’s love and care while here on earth. God loves us, John 3:16, and wants us to come to his eternal party. “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Refusing His invitation means you turn down salvation through Jesus, John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” You are choosing to live under the curse of death, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” and make your own way. Damon pointed us to many of the benefits given in God’s Word for accepting God’s invitation. James 1:17 “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God is our Father and gives good gifts to His children. He also does not change His mind about things or change His character. He is immutable, unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We also have a home in heaven to look forward to that has been prepared for us by Jesus. John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” God has also promised us every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 told us that we have God’s precious promises to live by and lean upon. Damon also quoted Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” God has plans for our lives if we join with Him and accept His invitation. His plans are to prosper and grow us, for our good and His glory. We just need to turn to Him in faith and call upon Him. He promises to listen to us, comfort and guide us. I’m sure Damon would be quick to agree with Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” When we accept God’s invitation to life, eternity with Him, hope and blessings, we need to accept in faith TRUSTING God to know the way that is best for us. Then we need to walk in FAITH believing all He has promised! Take Hebrews 11:6 into your heart and determine to seek and please God. “ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” God will reward, just as He promises. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from The Bible is A Guide | Alex Hardt | May 14, 2023
Pastor Alex started us out with Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Why is it important to be reminded that God’s Word is eternal and unchanging? First, I think it goes to the lastingness of the Bible’s Words of truth. Second, it reminds us that God does not change, He is immutable, and so is His Word. Why would we want to base our lives on truth that was not lasting and solid? God’s Word is just like God, the same yesterday, today and forever. We can count on it as we seek to build our life on something solid. If it changed from generation to generation, it would be like building our lives on sand which can shift or even be blown away. I am thankful that God’s Word is constant and that the ancient words have truth and meaning for my life today just as it did for those who came before me. In addition to God’s Word being immutable, it is also alive. Pastor Alex pointed us to 1 Peter 1:23 in addition to Hebrews 4:12 that speaks of the dynamic living Word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 “ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” Something that is alive has the ability to interact with the living and effect change. That is what the Word of God does in our lives. God’s Words are alive. His Word changes us from the inside out. Praise God for His Word that works within us! God’s Words are sharp and may have to cut deep to expose our sins. They desire to bring into the light that which is dark and causing us grief or distress. These are things that grieve God that we are allowing to have a place in our lives. He desires to see us rid of them. Hebrews 4:12-13 in the Message translation explains how piercing God’s Word can be “God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.” God wants to get our attention and often uses His Word to do just that! He desires that we have a new heart and character that is responsive to Him. Ezekiel spoke of this transformation in Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” God’s Words are sharp and pierce the deepest most secret parts of our heart. We cannot hide our true nature from God. He know our heart and desires to give us a new heart and a new spirit! Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that God’s Word will be used to judge our actions, attitudes and thoughts. Have you considered how you might be willfully going against God’s Word? Do you tell small ‘harmless’ lies? Do you treat others with callousness when you are having a bad day? Do you think unwholesome thought towards your family, friends or enemies? Hebrews 4:13 in the Message came with a warning, “. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.” I like the analogy God used for Amos to show the people His standards. Amos 7:7-8 This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. The plumb line that God gave to Israel was his Word. That was their guiding line to measure all things against to see if they were true, uplifting and honoring to God. We have that same plumb line today in the Bible. It is God’s truth to which we can compare anything and everything. I love our memory verse for this week from Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Thank goodness we have God’s Word to light our pathway so that we will not stumble and fall into darkness. God’s Word will hold us accountable, but also will give us direction and guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit. Have a great week as you consider the power of God’s Word and what place you will give Him and His Word in your life. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from The Bible is A Love Letter | Alex Hardt | May 7, 2023
Pastor Alex started this series on the Bible with a passage in Ephesians that is jam packed with lessons and truths for all of us. As I read the portion with my name inserted as Pastor Alex asked us to do, it brings warmth, love and hope to my very being. Alex’s sermon points of God’s story being personal, a love letter directly for me and one that connects us to His love is fully explained as we go through the handout questions he provided. We can see what God has done for each of us that know Jesus as our Savior. What has God done for me and you?
Thanks Pastor Alex for leading us through these soul seeking questions. We can know God and know His answers for our life through His Word. His love letter to us in complete and gives us all we need for life and godliness. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. 
Pastor Alex used the text in Acts 16:9-15 to show us how encompassing God’s love is. Last week we saw how Cornelius was let to faith in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. God meant for Gentiles to be included in His family. This week, we see Paul extending the love of Christ to Lydia, a gentile woman, who readily embraced Christ and then led her whole family to faith. Both Cornelius and Lydia wanted their loved ones to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. They wanted them to know the joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit and having a purpose greater than themselves. We see the God has not put limitations on His love and it cannot be contained. Both Cornelius and Lydia brought their families to faith. That required an open heart and a willingness to risk their lives and reputations. The desire to see their loved ones come to know Christ surpassed any fears they may have had. Is that the same with you? Are you willing to ‘risk’ it to see your family come into the family of God? Here we see that Lydia and Cornelius were willing, and through their open hearts they were able to lead generations to come into the knowledge and love of God. Pastor Alex directed us to 2 Corinthians 5:20. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God’. Lydia counted it a privilege to be Christ’s ambassador in her family and in her community. An Ambassador is a spokesperson, an official of the highest rank who is sent on a mission. The mission Lydia and Cornelius were sent on is the same one we are to embrace which, is to spread the good news of Christ, the gospel message. Do you need to hone your ambassador skills? Are you representing Jesus and speaking out for Him? I am reminded of our memory verse for this week from Romans 1:16-17. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Are you willing to proclaim the gospel without being ashamed of it? Do you truly believe it contains the revelation from God, Christ, which allows us to live within His righteousness? If so, it is the best message yet. Hope, redemption, right living with God, what could be better? If so, who do you need to tell this week? You too can have an immeasurable impact for Christ right where you live: in your family, neighborhood, town and country. Linda The ruins at Philippi which are just over the hill from the stream where Paul and Lydia worshipped. Continue reading Acts 16 for further adventures of Paul and Silas at Philippi that landed them in jail and led to the conversion of the jailer and his family coming to know Christ, too. SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.
 Sermon Reflections from The Unintended Pass | Alex Hardt | April 23, 2023
I can really identify with the title of Pastor Alex’s sermon- The Unintended Pass. From our scripture reading in Acts 10 and 11, we see that Peter was unaware of his need to change his thinking so that God could use him to pass on the gospel to the Gentiles. Prior to this vision and change of thinking, the Jewish believers felt that Gentiles that accepted Christ as their savior needed to also adopt the Jewish faith and customs. It never occurred to them that belief in Jesus would override the need to follow the feasts, sacrifices and holy days. They did not get the scope of what God had planned. Isn’t that just like us? We have such narrow vision about things sometimes that we miss how broad, deep and wide God’s plan truly is! Peter was quick to accept the change- considering he had been born and raised not eating with uncircumcised people, believers or not, and keeping himself set apart from the worldly world. By the third repeat of the vision, Peter had gotten the message. It was providential that the men immediately knocked on his door and asked him to come to Cornelius’ home. If he had had time to think about it, he might have thought he was dreaming or that the vision did not happen. But, the knock came immediately and so Peter went as instructed by the angel without a second thought. At Cornelius’ home, the vision was confirmed by what Cornelius had experienced. I love Peter’s remarks in Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Peter got the message from God that the Gentiles were to be welcomed into God’s family as equals. They were not second class believers as the Holy Spirit ushered them into God’s family by indwelling them dramatically just as he had done earlier for Peter and the disciples. Acts 10:44 “ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” Peter had it confirmed by the Holy Spirit that God’s love is wide enough for all and God is impartial. God’s love surpasses human comprehension. Peter was caught unaware of the scope of God’s love but was quick to embrace it for all believers. How about you? Do you think God shows favoritism to one group over another? Romans 2:10 “For God does not show favoritism.” James 2: 1-3 specifically reminds us of how we are to treat our brothers and sisters equally. “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” Outward appearances, difference in beliefs, etc. should not cause us to treat others differently. God’s love is wide enough for all and is beyond our human thinking. God’s blessings are not for us to judge or withhold. We are to seek to show God’s love in a non-judgmental way and to seek to bless others by loving them. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he said in Mark 12:31-32 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Pastor Alex ended his message with the truth of Romans 10:13 “ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” No matter who you are, how much you make, what you do in life, what family you come from…. All people are equal before God. Jesus is the only way, John 14:6 ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He alone brought us into His family though faith in His work on the cross. John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? So… who do you need to tell about Jesus? The door is open and Jesus has his arms open wide beckoning us to bring others to Him. Let the truth of our memory verse sink in this week as you seek to talk with others about Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” Be prepared to talk about Jesus but in a gentle and kind way- loving others into the kingdom. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Alex Hardt with Joselin April 16, 2023
Joselin was a breath of fresh air in the pulpit this Sunday. Her love for God and passion for His Word was evident from beginning to end. She spoke with confidence and hope as she reflected upon the story of Tabitha or Dorcas as related in Acts 9:36-43. The lessons and truth she gleaned from this passage reverberate throughout the gospel as she drew from passages to explain and give application to Tabitha’s life work for Christ. Tabitha was an energetic, resourceful and dedicated early Christian believer. She let her faith permeate her actions as she served and helped those around her with her gifts. They truly mourned her passing and turned to the Apostle Peter to intervene when they found out he was in the area. He came, saw where she was laid, sought to be alone in prayer and asked God to return her to life. God did and her story became a testimony to God’s power and glory in the entire area. Joselin had several key points about Tabitha’s life, work and faith that can be applied to our lives as well. First, Tabitha had first-hand knowledge of God and believed in the eternal life that God offers. John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ She believed like Mary and Martha in Jesus’ power of resurrection. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Tabitha believed and knew that through Jesus she received the righteousness of God. His death on the cross and resurrection was what gave new life and hope to all believers. We too can have knowledge of God through prayer and the reading of His Word. We know from 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Our knowledge of God is based on Christ’s work on the cross and through his death and resurrection He imputed His righteousness to us. Praise God! Having knowledge of God and His righteousness through Christ, Joselin went a step further. Just as Tabitha knew God’s righteousness in Christ, she then needed to have faith. Having knowledge is not enough. One must appropriate that knowledge and apply it in our faith. She quoted 3 verses to help us see how to apply our knowledge of God to our faith. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Our faith takes the knowledge God has given us and grows it in and with His grace! Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” This growing process is grace based in Christ and has as its goal- our maturity and unity together in Him. Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Taking on the knowledge God, using His grace to grow our faith in Christ is all good but without our true belief that God exists and wants all things for our good and His glory it will be meaningless. God is pleased when we believe in Jesus and have faith in our Heavenly Father. So what happened in Tabitha’s life when she had knowledge of God, faith in God and was growing in Him through His grace and power? She had a changed life as is expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” She was a new person in Christ, filled with the love of Jesus for all those around her. From Jesus’ teachings, she knew the truths and actions required to live as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:37-39 “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.’ Loving our neighbors is God’s way of having us show the world our love for Jesus and our commitment to Him. We do that by being light and salt in our world. We want to shine God’s light in our lives to point others to Jesus. We want to be salt to heal, preserve, and flavor our world with the love of Jesus. Tabitha did that as she willingly served those around her by sewing. What ways has God used you or is He using you to reach out to those around you? You may not be a seamstress but can you write a note of encouragement, cook a meal, or help a neighbor with a project….? The list is endless of ways we can show God’s love to those around us. As you reflect on Joselin’s words this week, pray and ask God to show you someone who needs a hand and commit to being there for them. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from A Risen Lord | Alex Hardt | April 9, 2023
Our service always includes the reading of God's Word over the passage Pastor Alex has chosen. This Sunday Sue read from Luke 23:44-24:11 and before she started she said, "There is bad news that is thankfully followed by good or great news!" We began with the cross and Jesus' crucifixion followed by his glorious resurrection. The bad news of Jesus' death and suffering is turned into glorious hope for us as we are now able to receive Jesus' sacrifice bringing restoration, redemption and hope to all who believe! Pastor Alex began his sermon by focusing on the breath, width and depth of God's love for us. Without God's supreme love for us, He would not have sent his only Son to die in our place to redeem us. John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 remind us of God's motives, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life," Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This kind of love is incomprehensible and undeniable when we consider God's actions. God is God and when we say that God is incomprehensible we are saying that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. God is infinite and eternal and knows all things. God made us in His image but we are finite and flawed by sin. In heaven, Praise God!, we will be perfect, but we will still not know all that God knows. God tells us all we need to know about Him through His Word and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. God wants us to be in fellowship with Him. For that to become a reality, Jesus had to go to the cross and be resurrected. For us to be in fellowship with Him, we need to accept Jesus as our Savior, admit our sinfulness in repentance and invite Jesus to be Lord and Savior of our lives. In that acceptance prayer, we are transformed by His Holy Spirit that comes to indwell us. The transformation is a growing process as we let go of the world and its values and turn to God and seek to glorify and serve Him with our lives. It calls for surrender on our part- will, soul and mind. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Our surrender brings about reconciliation and restoration to our bodies. We can then profess 2 Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" I love the Easter Story as it is filled with hope and newness of life. It is indeed Good News to all who hear and believe. Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people." Make sure in the wake of Easter that you are reconciled to God through your faith in Jesus. Reconciliation brings hope and joy. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 " that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." As brothers and sisters in Christ, we at Crossroads desire that you too be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus so that you can experience the joy and fullness of life that Jesus brings. SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Preparing the Way | Alex Hardt | April 2, 2023
Pastor Alex’s sermon on Palm Sunday morning began with sobering thoughts. How much are you swayed by gossip or in our modern day ‘fake news’? The Pharisee’s wanted to have Jesus GONE! He was a threat to them as he had the support of the people and called them to be accountable. They spread ‘fake news’ about Him- that He was claiming to be a King and that he wanted to start a rebellion against Rome. Neither of those were true but gathered fake witnesses to lie and condemn him. According to Jewish law at least 2 witnesses were required to convict someone of a crime, and they gathered the needed witnesses and brought them to court. We know the reasons for their actions but why did the people go along with them? Why did they listen? Perhaps it was because they were the religious leaders who had power over them and could cause great harm to them personally if they did not go along to get along. Or perhaps they agreed with them and thought Jesus was guilty. Whatever the reasons God allowed it to happen. God had a plan and in that plan to redeem us their needed to be a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was that sacrifice. Hebrews 9:20 “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Jesus was an obedient son as Philippians 2:8 attests, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Jesus knew it was the Father’s will that He go to the cross. One of our memory verses for this week puts it this way, 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus knew his death was the key to our restoration and redemption. Thank you Jesus. Just as the Pharisee’s had a way of redefining truth in their day so the world seeks to deceive us and deny the truth of Jesus and God’s Word. We need to cling to the knowledge that God’s truth frees us from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:6-8 “ For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Praise God our freedom begins when we accept Jesus as our Savior and goes into eternity with us. Christ gives us eternal freedom. He transforms us from sinner to saint through our faith in His work on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. Believers are often referred to as saints in the Old and New Testament. Psalm 34:9 “Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! Colossians 1:12-13 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” We His saints have been transformed! Thank you Jesus. Pastor Alex’s last point was about the impact and importance of the resurrection. Paul makes a case for the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” If Christ was not raised from the dead, our faith is in vain. Paul continues in verses 12-120 “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Just like Paul and the early believers, if we do not believe in the resurrection all is lost. If Christ could not be raised from the dead then neither can we. However, Christ was raised! He was seen by the disciples as they talked and ate with him. Besides the disciples, over 500 people attested to Him being alive as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7 “ and that he appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” He had indeed risen! Thank you Jesus. Come Resurrection Sunday, be ready to reply, “HE HAS RISEN INDEED!” It is true and a life changer for all who believe. See you next Sunday! Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from A Future For The Faithful | Alex Hardt | March 26, 2023
Considering our world today, Pastor Alex’s sermon topic was exactly what I needed. Our world is in turmoil and chaos following a worldwide pandemic, natural disasters, wars, famine, economic downturns, etc. It is hard to watch the news without being depressed. However, there is light for those of us who believe in Jesus, our Sovereign, and Omniscient God. As we look to the words of Isaiah the prophet again this week, we see hope and a future guaranteed by God. What can make this possible? God and God alone is able to reform and transform our lives and world. Isaiah 66:1-2a shows God’s perspective on our world. “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? 2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. God reminds us that He alone is creator and brought our world into being by His Word. I know that God did not desire the world to be filled with sin and corruption. Man brought about those things through his sinful nature and disobedience towards God. How can things be turned around? Look into God’s Word for the answer. Isaiah 66:2b shows us “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” To be transformed by God one must be willing and humble yourself before Him, have genuine sorrow for you sins and look to His Word for guidance. Jesus is the living Word of God- look to Him. The Bible is the written Word of God-open it and read for guidance and restoration. God will give us what we need if we are willing and to look to Him. Above all God desires our hearts and wants to receive us with open arms if we turn to Him. What does God see for you and me? We can’t seem to see beyond tomorrow let alone next year? God is omniscient and He knows the beginning from the end. When the Israelites were languishing in captivity in Babylon, God sent this message though Jeremiah the prophet. Jeremiah 29:10-12 “This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” His message gave them hope that their time of captivity was not unending. We can find hope in that too, as trial and tribulations are time limited. They will not go on forever! Praise God! Further, God had great plans for them, and He has great plans and a purpose for you and me. They are not plans to hurt us or bring us grief but to encourage us and bring us hope. God sees a future that we can’t envision. I am so grateful for this truth. Lastly, God ends the book of Isaiah with hope as He shares a bit of what He has planned for us. Isaiah 66:22-25 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. 24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” God promises a new place, a new heaven and new earth, which will be enduring. He also lets us see what will become of those who do not turn to Him. That is a grim sight that none of us want for our loved ones. Since God provides us with a Hope that is enduring and future that is secure, why not share that ASAP with those who do not know Him. None of us wants the alternative reality for those who do not know Him. Who can you tell today that, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 or John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Looking to the future we see the truth in the fact that our HOPE is in surrendering to the future God has envisioned for us. He knows. He sees ahead. He can and will guide us. Tell others so they can be with us too. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from A Faithful Tomorrow | Damon Hopkins | March 19, 2023
We had the privilege of hearing from Damon Hopkins again this Sunday. His text was from Isaiah Chapters 36 and 37. This is a very rich passage that has much to teach us in 2023. Damon pointed out that King Hezekiah was remembered for his faithfulness to God. What a wonderful legacy that I know each one of us would love for our lives. 2 Kings referred to King Hezekiah 18:3 “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. And 18:5 “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.” King Hezekiah chose to believe God when he was in a situation that was ‘against all odds’. He saw no physical way he could defeat the king of Assyria, Sennacherib. The Assyrian army was brutal and overpowering. They had marched through northern Israel and taken them captive. They had conquered lands and people around Judah. Sennacherib had his eyes on Judah and was marching towards Jerusalem. He sent a messenger to ‘scare’ King Hezekiah into submission. The messenger announce publically that they were doomed and that their God would not and could not save them from the mighty Assyrians. King Hezekiah sent word to the prophet Isaiah asking him to inquire of the Lord. Isaiah brought this message of hope from the Lord, Isaiah 37:6-7 “Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” I’m sure Hezekiah was encouraged by this news. Then, Sennacherib heard that Cush was going to come to Judah’s aid and join the fight. He sent a letter to King Hezekiah defaming the power and might of God. Isaiah 37:10 ““Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” When Hezekiah got the letter he made a bold choice. He went to the temple and laid the letter before God and prayed: 37:16-20 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20 So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.” What does King Hezekiah’s prayer say about Hezekiah’s faith? He knew whom to trust. He knew that Sennacherib was just a man but God was God and sovereign over all people, place, times and events. He knew that God was bigger than his greatest fears. He knew that God would defend His name. He knew where he should place his trust He prayed so that he could move forward. At present he was blocked in by Sennacherib but that was only temporary as God was greater than this earthly king and would deliver them just like Isaiah had told him. He chose to trust God when things got difficult. What about you? Do you choose to trust God to provide, rescue and deliver you day by day? Hezekiah’s hope was propelled forward though prayer. How do you face difficulties? Do you chose to go it alone or turn to God and ask Him for help? Hezekiah followed the advice James gives in James 1:5-6 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 4:2b-3 You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” King Hezekiah knew that God had the wisdom and power to save them so He asked in faith, not doubting. He also knew He needed to humble himself and ask God for help. I pray you will take some time this week and read Isaiah 36 and 37. Let King Hezekiah’s experiences speak to you as you consider how you can incorporate prayer into your life in a new and vibrant way. Prayer brings results- ask Hezekiah or someone at Crossroads. God answers prayer! Linda SERMON LINK ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | A Faithful Tomorrow Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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May 2023
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