Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

Scripture Used: Mark 7:1-7, 14-15, 20-23 NIV   Legalism: (a) a strict adherence to the letter of the law while missing the heart of the law… (b) a strict adherence to a code of behavior as a means to earn the approval of God…   Notes Legalism… •emphasizes behavior over heart •is connected to a condemning spirit •sets aside the commands of God We are pulled to the grace of the cross. Scriptures for...

Scripture Used: Mark 6:30-44   Notes Apprenticeship Journey Presence Prioritize Engage Leads to compassion Ownership Tasks Sacrifice Leads to serving Influence People-Oriented Invitational Leads to hospitality

Scripture used: Mark 5:21-42   Notes: Because his power is so great, no enemy is too strong. Because his power is so great, no life is too far gone. Because his power is so great, no situation is final. Because his power is so tender, no situation escapes his attention. Because his power is so tender, no person is out of reach. Because his power is so tender, no hurt is beyond his reach.  Because...

  Scripture Used: Mark 4:34, Mark 4:15, Matthew 13:19, Mark 4:5-7, Mark 4:16-19, Mark 4:8, Mark 4:20 Quote:  “Worry implies that we don't quite trust God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control...

Scripture Used: Mark 3:1-6 NLT Notes: Jesus Notices Jesus Recognizes Jesus Exposes Jesus Heals What it means for us: Call to confession Call to obedience

Scripture Used: Mark 2:12, Mark 2:4, Mark 2:14    

Scripture Used: Mark 10:42-45, Mark 1:9-18 Notes: Three Practices • Study Together • Memorize Mark 10:42-45 • Intentional Serving   Observations about the Kingdom of God •Availability •Kingdom in a war whose King has won • Kingdom with a calling

As we celebrate 20 years in our current building, we look back on all the stories of impact we've collected and who we want to continue to bless our community.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 6; Mark 9:24, Matthew 7:7-8, Hebrews 10:25, Psalm 34:8   Notes: What Faith is: Not feelings Not absence of doubt An act of the will How to live with doubt: Ask questions Stay involved in community Start where you are    

Scripture Used: Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 20:25-28, Quote: Christianity has been used throughout history as an excuse for some of the most brutal, heartless, and senseless atrocities known to man.  The historical examples are not difficult to recall: the Crusades; the Inquisitions; the witch-burnings; the Holocaust … I did not see much in Christianity that I considered to be worth the having. (Sche...

Scripture Used: Matthew 23:25-26, Mark 8:36, Romans 10:9, Psalm 51:10, Luke 9:23-25 Notes: Root cause of brokenness: sin  - destroys us personally  - destroys society as a whole  The Solution  - heart transformation   - salvation by grace

Scripture Used: Isaiah 55:8-9, John 1:18, Colossians 1:13, John 3:16, Romans 8:18   Making Sense of Suffering ∙ Evil is NOT evidence against God   ∙ Limited vision   ∙ Personal experience ∙ Christian Responses to Suffering   ∙ God suffers with   ∙ God will redeem all suffering

Scripture Used: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Quote:  An authoritative Bible is not the enemy of a personal relationship with God.  It is the precondition for it. (Keller, Reason for God, p.114) Notes: Historic Accuracy Close Proximity Hundreds of Fragments  Naming Specific People Content is Counterproductive to be a legend Jesus’ “weakness”  ii.      Disciples’ thick-headedness   iii.      Women witnesses Cu...

Scripture Used: Colossians 1:15-16 Notes: Clues for God A beginning points to a beginner Fine-tuning points to a fine-tuner Beauty points to a divine artist Moral law points to a moral law giver God makes Himself knowable Through Scripture Through Jesus

Scripture: 1Corinthians 15:1-8, 17-19 NIV, John 1:11-13 NIV  Notes: Reality of the Resurrection. Execution Early Empty Tomb Eye-Witness  

Today we celebrate not only the beginning of Holy Week when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem, but the decisions of many in our congregation to follow Jesus with baptism!

Scripture : John 15:16, John 15:5, Colossians 3:17 Notes: Characteristics of Fruitful Work No distinctions People over procedure Willingness to go the extra mile Quotes: To bear fruit and multiply… also mean[s] that we are meant to reproduce God’s goodness and blessing in our lives for the sake of the world. (Nilsen, p. 106) God regards not the greatness of work, but the love with which it is perf...

Scripture Used: Genesis 2:18, 21-25, Psalm 133 Quotes “Perhaps most importantly, strong social relationships are the leading indicator of our overall happiness, and these findings appear to hold up across countries and cultures.” (Nilsen, p.95) Relationships can only deepen over time through ordinary interactions filled with spontaneous laughter and knowing tears, conversations about ordinary even...

Scripture Used: Genesis 1:9, 20, 24-25, 28, 31 Quotes: "The natural world is a virtual classroom with the creator God as its primary teacher." (Nilsen, p.82) "We exercise dominion over the creation as Jesus exercises dominion over our lives – through servant love." (Nilsen, p.87) Essential Life Question: How can we honor God and our interconnectedness to the created world by the choices we make? P...

Scripture Used: Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:38-39 Essential Life Question: What is your image of God? God as demanding CEO/boss God as judge God of grace Spiritual Practice: Grace in / Grace out

Debilitating Distortions: Superficiality (fear of vulnerability) Seduction of More (fear of not having enough) Pace of Life (fear of missing out) Quick Fix (fear of uncertainty)   Making yourself available… Read with us Morning Prayer

Scripture Used: Esther 8-10, Romans 12:18-21   Notes: Two Considerations The Kingdom Way of Non-Vengeance The Need to Remember

Scripture Used: Esther 5-7, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:8, Isaiah 30:15-18 Things to Consider: Divine reversals His timing is perfect Salvation belongs to God Assignment: Meditate on Isaiah 30:15-18 Reflection/Confession How have you struggled with patience and trusting God’s great mercy? Where have you “rushed ahead” and even began to doubt God’s plan for good?

Scripture Used: Esther 4:1-17 Things to Consider:  The Imperfection of Heroes Purpose of blessing Being in tune with God Assignment: Recognize your blessings Be in tune with God Read Esther  

Scripture Used: Esther 3:1-15, Matthew 5:29, Psalm 139:23-24, Proverbs 12:16 Things to Consider: Unaddressed Sin Festers Danger of Stubbornness Need for Peacemakers Assignment: Practice Being Second Read Through Esther