crossroads

Matthew 26:26-30 1 Corinthians 11:23-29   Jesus instituted the sacrament of Communion at the last supper during the Passover, and the church has carried on the tradition ever since.   Why do we receive Communion? It's hopeful For now. For future. Blessing and crying out. It's communal Sons and daughters. All equal. It's hospitable Given. Give. It's covenantal With Jesus. With the body It's confess...

5/31/26   John 1:35-51   Most people are not really interested in just being invited to church because they're not interested in just adopting our morality or our religion. We do a lot of things just based on instinct. We are taught to bring people to church with us, and that becomes our default response, but there's something deeper going on that we should be inviting people to. Instead of inviti...

1 Corinthians 9:19-23   For some, when we invite people to church, they hear: "believe what we believe, give up the things we gave up, spend time with only the people we spend time with, and even vote the way we vote." That's not what most people want. And yes, we do want to invite people to church, but there's some groundwork we should think about laying before the invitation. So instead of just...

Proverbs 1:8-9   We all have mothers, and there are a number of traits that some of the best mothers have which also reflect the traits of God. Like God the best mothers are masters of: Encouragement Truth Discipline Grace   Crossroads – about heaven, earth, and the journey in between. Connect with us Crossroads Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/CrossroadsFairOaks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsi...

Living the Gospel, neighbor to neighbor   Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 4:19 Romans 10:14-15   None of this matters if you don't have a burden for the lost. We talk about the things we love. Maybe we need to reconnect with our love for Jesus. We are becoming people who BOLDY GO: B e present O utside the box L ove intentionally (Mark 12:30-31) D epend on the Spirit (John 15:4-6) L isten & learn Y ou   M...

Luke 24:1-11 John 14:27 John 16:33 John 20:24-27   The peace Jesus is trying to bring us give us at least three things: Peace with God Peace with yourself Peace in a broken world   Crossroads – about heaven, earth, and the journey in between. Connect with us Crossroads Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/CrossroadsFairOaks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=29f93fab-45f2-4463-9a37-f4ad802326f8

Zechariah 9:9 1 Kings 1:32-33 Mark 11:1-3 Matthew 21:4-5 Luke 19:31-34 Matthew 21:7-8 John 12:13 Matthew 21:9b Luke 19:39-40     Riding a donkey instead of a war horse short circuits the idea of Jesus coming to Jerusalem as a conquerer and instead leads to the idea of Jesus' kingdom coming to bring peace. By laying down their cloaks and palms, the people were recognizing Jesus' authority and kings...

John 18:28-19:16   There are several things we see in this passage that provide a foundation for what we need as we journey forward in our faith. Pilate's story in particular teaches us that when we lack some of these tools, we might fall short of doing what we know is right. Some of the tools we need as we walk with Jesus are: Community Integrity Perseverance Courage   Crossroads – about heaven,...

Matthew 26:36-56   Jesus' struggle in Gethsemane demonstrates to us some things we should be aware of as we go through our own trials while following God. It teaches us what to do when we experience difficulties we believe God should remove, but he doesn't. We need to be aware of: His presence His sovereignty His love   Crossroads – about heaven, earth, and the journey in between. Connect with us...

How to Walk Numbers 26:8-10 Numbers 16:1-3   The Korahites and their heir followers didn't agree with God's way of ordering Israel's hierarchy of leadership, and they paid for their rebellion. It can be hard to walk with God because a lot of times he does things differently than how we would do them. His plans and goals don't always match up to our expectations, which is even harder when we can't...

Matthew 5:38-48   The undergirding principle of Christianity is love. Jesus modeled the idea of turning the other cheek by giving himself up on the cross. If Christ says "I am love," and we are supposed to imitate Christ, then our lives should reflect that same type of love. What dose God's love look like? God's love is sacrificial God's love is for everyone God's love is different   Crossroads –...

The story of God's relentless pursuit of us.   Genesis 2:15-22 He gave us each other so we could experience love that could touch us. We are God's "I love you!"   John 1:14 "I am with you."   Hebrews 12:2b Whatever it takes; everything it takes   John 15:26 "…and I will try… to fix you."   1 Corinthians 2:9 Heaven   Crossroads – about heaven, earth, and the journey in between. Connect with us Cros...

Revelation 7:9-10   God wants all people to be with him, and he has called all of us to that mission. Who are we trying to reach: The unbelievers The unchurched The world with love   Crossroads – about heaven, earth, and the journey in between. Connect with us Crossroads Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/CrossroadsFairOaks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=29f93fab-45f2-4463-9a37-f4ad802326f8

Matthew 7:21-27 Matthew 28:16-20   God loves us, but he doesn't always love everything we do. He disciplines us because he loves us, and by living according to his purpose, we become better for the people around us. Our goal is to fill God's kingdom, not to fill churches. So who are we trying to multiply here? • Seekers • Believers • Followers • Leaders • Churches   Crossroads – about heaven, eart...

Matthew 28:16-20   Teaching isn't just something we listen to… it's something every Christian is called to do. We may not all become pastors, or even Bible study leaders, but we can pass on what we've learned and help disciple people in the way we have been discipled. If we know God, we should be able to teach that to other. So what do we teach? Who God is What the Bible says ( and means ) How to...

Genesis 3:1-8   God created this world and decided it was very good. But man came along and essentially said, "I think I know better than you God." Now there is a disconnection, and God remedied it by sending his son to reinstate that connection. Now as a church we have a mission to help people with connection in several ways. Our church body is committed to connecting: People to God People to pur...

What is one expectation you have for yourself this year?   You are part of a body and you are important to the body around you. You are not your own. You belong to God… you belong to your spouse… and you belong to the church.   Matthew 16:13-20   Church = Ecclesia ("called out one's")   There are a few ways we use the word "church." It can be: The Building The idea A representation of the Temple T...

Luke   1:5-13 Matthew 1:24 Luke 1:38 Luke 2:15 Matthew 2:11   Christmas is a time to reflect. As Christians, God is calling us to: Change John 1:14a How will last year change you? How will this Christmas change you? How will you position yourself, going into next year, to change? How is God trying to change you? How will you join him? Five tools for change Zechariah and Elizabeth: Prayer Joseph: O...

  …Through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gun drops, and through the Lincoln Tunnel.   Luke 2:1-20   The journey: Every one of us is on a journey toward Jesus Christ.   We all have different phases and ups and downs along the way. The Characters of the Christmas story each help us understand a different aspect of our journeys. How can we relate and grow...

Matthew 2:1-12   Did the magi stop in with Herod because they thought it would be easier to find the baby than following a star?   Regardless of why they spoke with Herod, God didn't give up on them and still warned them in a dream not to go back to him.   King Herod's version of "worship" was to kill this king who had been "born." In contrast, the magi bow down before Jesus and give their gift. S...

Luke 2:8-20   When the supernatural breaks into the natural, it's terrifying because it's not our norm. Even those who think there is no such a thing as the supernatural have to find ways to heal society because there's something beyond our natural understanding which holds us back. We call that brokenness as a result of sin against God. And so God sent his son to us to heal that brokenness… a sav...

Isaiah 7:14   "Santa !!! " The exclamation points are the point. Just as Buddy the elf was excited to see Santa, we should have the same excitement with Jesus. Sometimes we miss out because we forget the incredible gift it is to meet Jesus. When we don't get excited to meet with Jesus, he doesn't meet with us.   "I know him." The purpose of Christmas is relationship. God came to be with us so we c...

The Art of Thanksgiving.   Philippians 4:4-9   Oftentimes we read passages like Philippians 4:4-9 and agree, and we use it to build ourselves up… but then we don't dig in and determine how we can actually put these commands into practice. This passage is also hard for us because it asks things that are completely counter to our culture. Gentleness is not a virtue. If we don't "feel" God, we think...

John 6:25-40   This passage points out some of questions we can ask about our own walk of faith. Vv. 25-27 - Motive: why do you come to Jesus? Vv. 28-31 - Belief: do you believe in Jesus or do you believe in the signs? Vv. 32-34 - Desire: is your desire for physical sustenance or for true bread from heaven? Vv. 35-40 - ?: What further questions does this passage draw out for us to ask?       Cross...

Ephesians 4:17-24   How do you take that next step of faith. Whether you were just baptized and you're ready to live out that new life, or whether you are wondering what it means to give your life to Christ, or whether you've been a Christian for many years, there are certain practices that lead to growth in faith. Here are four things that might be next in your life: Connection Agreement "You are...