Sermon Reflections from Dazzled By the Divine | Sara Wade | September 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered if the impossible is possible? Sometimes in our moments of desperation and pain, when we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what to do... we become open to God and seeing his handiwork.  So much of what happens in our life is beyond our capacity, skill set, talents, gifts, intelligence, or strength.  There is no way that either you or I could do or handle everything alone.  We need someone to come alongside us and give us wisdom, someone to give us strength, someone to lead us and guide us, someone to help us do what seems to be impossible.  This someone happens to be God.  

Matthew 17:18-20 says it like this...
18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

The disciples of Jesus couldn't do what was asked of them.  Jesus had trained, showed, and instructed them how to cast out demons.  And yet they still couldn't do it.  And I know what your thinking... Of course, they couldn't cast out demons...that's out of this world...that's impossible.  Jesus, God, is asking humans to do only what God can do.    

And you would be right, except Jesus doesn't give them a pass.  He calls them out for their little faith. They didn't believe that God could use them to do the impossible.  They just needed an ounce of faith in God and God's plans to cast out the demons through them, but the disciples (the closest friends of Jesus) didn't even have that.  Jesus wasn't upset that they didn't cast out the demons...he was upset because they didn't believe they could. They didn't trust God or believe that God would use them.  They didn't trust that God, the creator of the universe, could cast out and destroy demons.  How is the world supposed to believe and trust in God, if Jesus' own disciples are doubting the Almighty?!? 

​Every day people are encountering situations where it seems impossible that any good could come out of the situation or that the situation could be resolved or that anything could be done.  We feel overwhelmed, hopeless, lost, broken, empty, and afraid.  But if we have even the smallest of faith.  The faith of a mustard seed then we can move mountains the scriptures says.  I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I don't have to face life alone.  That I have a God who is there by my side, leading me, guiding me, and helping me to make the impossible possible.  I can see a different path forward because of God.  My future no longer looks dark but full of light.   It doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means it's possible.  And that possibility gives me hope of a brighter future.  

May you trust God, may you be dazzled by the divine, and may you know that the impossible is possible with God. ]

Blessings,
Pastor Alex
​
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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
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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    The Altitude of Gratitude, Clicked Into Others on November 20, 2022

Pastor Alex and Pastor Damon gave us a sober reminder this Sunday from Ezekiel 33:2-7.  Did you identify with the watchman? Do you see yourself as one who is a herald for Jesus?  The passage was clear that if we know there is trouble coming and don’t take heed ourselves then the destruction is ours to bear.  If however, we see trouble coming and do not shout a warning to others of the coming destruction then their deaths are on us and God will hold us accountable. 

As a culture we like to think of ourselves as independent and the masters of our own destiny.  The truth for every believer is that we are inter-related to one another in love because of Christ’s love for us.  He loved us first as Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Christ specifically commissioned us to tell others and love them.

​John 13:34-35 ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

You many ask, what does love have to do with it?  If you know something is going to happen to a love one, then you act and try to prevent it, right?  God tells us that each and every believer is a loved one of His and we are to act in love towards them.  He also includes non-believers.  We are to act differently from the world and love them, show them grace and give them the message of salvation.

Romans 10:16-17 remind us, “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”    We have to tell them about Jesus and His love and sacrifice for all. 

Pastor Alex reminded us that refusing to open your mouth and tell others is considered by God an Act of Rebellion.  It sounds like the child that whines, why me Lord?  Why do I have to tell them?  Why do I have to warn them that “the wages of sin is death” Romans 3:23 and that “ Jesus is the way and no one comes to God except through Him”  John 14:6.  Can’t someone else tell them, I’m busy, I don’t like them, they are mean to me, they aren’t worth it….. Jesus’ answer, is NO!  It is your privilege to tell them about me because you LOVE ME and I LOVE You and I Dwell within you!  Jesus empowers us to tell others and gives us the words and love for them.

This Thanksgiving be bold and speak of the love of Jesus to those around your table.  Tell them of what Jesus has done for you and continues to do each and every day.  Let them know and see your love for Jesus.  I spoke at the memorial for my best friend earlier this year.  The line that God gave me to repeat was, “My friend Joan loved Jesus”.  It was evident in how she spoke and acted.  Words of praise and encouragement were on her lips and she loved to talk about her Savior. She loved Jesus.  What about you? What is on your lips- words of praise and thanksgiving or words of discouragement and selfishness?  If you love Jesus, it will be easy to speak about Him and what He’s done for you.  Damon exemplified this in the story he shared about the job he miraculously got at Safeway that allowed him to share his new faith and new found love for Jesus with others. 

Remember Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble”

SERMON LINK
The Altitude of Gratitude | Climbing the Relationship Mountain
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Sermon series, "The Altitude of Gratitude" Today Alex and Damon teaches from Ezekiel 33:2-7

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

October 5, 2022 following Alex Hardt’s sermon of October 2.
 
Pastor Alex spoke on a subject that is near and dear to my heart this last Sunday, God’s Word. He lead us to see that God’s Word is the greatest love story ever written as it speaks of God’s love for us and His immeasurable sacrifice of sending His one and only Son to die in our place to redeem us from sin.
My thoughts have drifted into Why did God provide us with His Word? There are a few reasons I came up with (I know there are more): guidance “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105, hope “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word”. Psalm 119:114,  joy “Your statutes are my heritage forever;  they are the joy of my heart.”  Psalm 119:111, peace “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165,  love “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:107 

• Without God’s Word, we would not be confronted with our sinful nature, Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. 
• Without God’s Word, we would not know of our need for a savior and the penalty of our sin and God’s offer of redemption, Romans 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Without God’s Word, we would not know of God’s provision of a Savior in Jesus. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  
• Without God’s Word, we would not know the way to Jesus and faith in Him.  Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Without God’s Word, we would not know how God wants us to act towards Him and how to treat others, 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.’

This list could go on and on as to the many things we know because of His Word to us.  We know about God and His character, the future He has planned for us, our home in heaven, our empowerment through His Holy Spirit in our lives, the power of His Word plain and simple to transform us. 

I remember when one particular individual gave their ‘story’. They said that they came to faith
by reading the Word of God. I believe it was their encounter in the book of John that brought them to salvation. 

God’s Word has power as it is God’s Word written which we can liken to God’s spoken Word when He spoke the
world into existence by His Word. He has the power to create in us a new character in Him.

• Take care to love and revere God’s Word
• Read His Word
• Pray His Word to align your heart to His will
• Memorize and meditate upon His Word  

So that you will be complete and equipped for every good work!
Linda

SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Can I Trust the Bible?
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Sermon series, "Can I Trust the Bible." Today Alex Hardt teaches from 2 Timothy 3:15-17

​If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.