Crossway Christian Church

We all make promises in this world and, hopefully, try to keep them. Yet we know that there are hundreds of factors that can keep us from upholding our word, many of which are out of our control. But this is not so with God – his promises are always kept, even if we don’t always recognize them. Today, Luke emphasizes the nature of how God keeps his promises to us, both individually and corporately...

As the World Cup continues here in America, we continually get positive reviews from the many visitors we get here in America. They are surprised at the welcome, and how much differs from the things they have been told. In a real sense, the story they were sold doesn’t match the truth. Luke writes, he tells us, to let Theophilus know that the very opposite is the truth for him. What he has learned...

Last week my family and I were down in the mountains of East Tennessee. We were reminded of the beauty and the glory of this world; the mountains are lush and rolling, beautiful demonstrations of God’s kindness. Yet, Peter reminds us this morning that, even with all that beauty, this world is not the world that God desires for us. Peter wants to assure us of the new and yet-coming Kingdom by insis...

Peter continues to exhort his people, and us, to beware false teachers within the church. Their path leads only to destruction, As Peter in the past has exhorted us to pursue the best things, here he contends that such false teachers are to be avoided at all costs. To do this, he paints a bleak picture of them: 1. False teachers are prideful (v10-12) 2. False teachers are perverse (v13-14) 3. Fals...

Jan Hus was unjustly tortured and murdered in 1414 under the authority and decision of the church. Suspected of heresy, he was given a show trial and burned at the stake. Heresy is a great problem in the church, even if the church has not handled it well at times. Peter is not concerned with telling the church precisely how to handle such heretics, but with assuring these Christians that God will...

Our God loves to work through his people. Although he is powerful to do all things on his own, and he needs no instruments, he chooses to do his work through his servants. This is true, not only with his miracles in this world, but also with his word, as he reveals himself through the writing of men. How can believers trust that this word, spoken to us, is true and good? Peter gives us two assuran...

We have all had to build and assemble something with complexity. Whether a large piece of furniture, or just a LEGO set, we have looked at the box, read the instructions, and got help when we needed it. Today, Peter asks us to do the same. What he desires that we build, however, is much more important and good than just some Swedish furniture. He wants assurance in Jesus’ people, and today he will...

Walking on two feet is an exceptionally difficult skill, but a skill that we master with ease at a young age. But running fast, with efficiency, over long distances takes a great deal of work and some wonderful genetics. Likewise, what Paul has called us to do is easy. We uphold the gospel and do good works. Yet, to do it with efficiency, with devotion and perseverance, is exceptionally difficult....

Autism, as many know, exists as a spectrum. The numerous characteristics that form the basis of that particular diagnosis can be stronger or weaker in individuals. One such characteristic is the tendency of autistic people to focus intently on certain things with varying intensity. In our text this morning, Paul has called Titus to remind the Cretan believers of the difficult task in front of them...

At Crossway, we care a lot about membership. Part of that care is shown in the detail of the process prospective members must go through, including an elder interview. In that interview, we ask numerous questions, but focus most on one: What is the gospel? Today we get to hear Paul speak about the salvation of the gospel. Let us consider three aspects of it that, while perhaps not surprising, will...

At Crossway, we strive to be consistent in our proclamation of the gospel: the good news that Jesus has died for our sin, that we might be reconciled to God only by faith in him. Many, in a desire to press the “faith only” portion of our faith, either overlook or deny the call for spiritual change and holiness. Paul doesn’t do that; here, telling Titus to stay himself on sound doctrine, to proclai...

There is an online trend called “gentle” parenting. It stresses empathizing with your child and leans heavily into explanation over demand. As with everything, how it is handled depends on the parent. As it is, “gentle” parenting might be all well and good, but there is a time when sharp rebukes must be given. Paul desires to be gentle with churches, but the church in Crete needs a stronger hand....

The idea of “firstfruits” is lost on many. An agricultural reference, it refers to the offering usually given during the first part of the harvest – but it means much more than that. The firstfruits were not just fruits, but the best of the produce of the land, given to God as an indication that all of it belonged to him, to secure his blessing on the rest of the harvest. When Paul calls Christ th...

There is a lot that can go wrong on a space shuttle. The margins of engineering are so slim that a tiny, seemingly insignificant mistake can end in tragedy. Elders, likewise, must have even the tiniest detail in their lives worked out the best they can, for many have done great damage to the gospel as the Devil pries at their failures. Thus, the qualifications that Paul lists should be of great im...

There is a separation between the formal proclamation of the word in authority behind the pulpit and the casual conversations that elders might have with people in their everyday lives. We don’t expect that these conversations, filled with jokes, opinions, observations, to imply anything official. Yet, today, we spy in on just such a conversation between Paul and his faithful child in the faith, T...

Throughout his letter, Peter’s aim was to encourage Christians to stand firm; enduring suffering and persecution by giving themselves entirely to God. The death and resurrection of Christ stand as the paradigm for the lives of believers. Just as Christ suffered and then entered into glory, so too his followers will suffer before being exalted. Today we come to the last section of the epistle. In t...

Sermon Audio from Crossway Christian Church

As a dad, I find myself repeating myself all the time. It is not that my kids are slower to learn than others, but simply that repetition is the king of teaching techniques. There is no skill to be learned that isn’t mastered without it. Language, sport, arts – all require repetition. Peter must know this – for the past month he has been banging the drum for us to understand the reality around us....

The Crusades are often disparaged as one of the pinnacles of human error and religious indecency. I think that such opinions are right, but not for the reasons that most give. As we see today, the church has always been called upon to fight and be a church “militant.” But we are never called upon to take up the sword for the faith, but rather to be willing to suffer under it. Today Peter calls upo...

The Olympics are in full swing. The beauty of them is found in that most of these athletes suffer so much for this, typically, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They sacrifice time with family, friends; they suffer physical hardships and pressures. But they do it all the same, simply for the opportunity. Peter has called us to much the same fate: sacrifice and suffering. But we do so, not simply for...

Last week, our text was one that the many Christians, living in a fallen world under fallen governments, struggle to understand and follow. This week is hardly easier. To the outside world, commanding the submission of wives in marriage is unpopular at best, bigoted and misogynistic at worst. Yet many fail to truly hear what Peter is calling for. Let us listen well to him this morning, as Peter ta...

1 Peter 2:13-25 Americans hate giving up rights, we are a nation defined by them. Patrick Henry cried “Give me liberty or give me death!” and we took it quite to heart. Yet, Peter seems to call us to a different fate. Here Peter calls us, not to stand up for our rights, even less to fight for them, but to lay them down in submission. It is a hard command, and Peter provides no softening for it. We...

Introduction Puzzles are not my thing. I know others love them, but I find them difficult and unrewarding. Yet, there are some puzzles that need putting together; some mysteries that need unravelling. Jesus was rejected by the leaders at the time, those who knew Scripture and prophecy the best. Why? Because God was building something wonderful through him: a living and working Temple, made without...

Last week we spoke about the fortuitous woman who won the lotto, and took home a nifty $423 million from it. One wonders what to do with that much money! And yet, we have been given something more: salvation and faith, sure and certain. What shall we do with that? Shall we waste it on the sin that put us in danger? Shall we go on living as we have? No, Peter insists, walk as Christ walked. Be holy...

Introduction We have much good about us. The blessing of God is real and true in Jesus, here and now. It is not simply a blessing that we await, looking forward to some blessed day in the future while God leaves us languishing here and now. We can understand that, and likewise know that there are plenty of difficulties here. It has always been that way. 1 Peter is a letter written to help Christia...