CrossWinds Church Sermons

Matthew 22:1-14 Pastor Willie Behrends   Today we’ll see that God’s invitation to His Kingdom, (pictured as a wedding feast) is open to everyone; but only those who accept it and come ‘dressed’ correctly will stay!   Here are three things about this particular feast…   I – Some ___________________ the invitation! (1-7)   II – The guest list gets pretty______________! (8-10)   III – There’s a _____...

Matthew 21:33-46 Charlie Painter, Executive Director   As Jesus continues to teach against the chief priests and Pharisees in the temple, He shares a parable about a master, his vineyard, and its tenants.   I – They rejected the ________________________. (33-36)   II – They rejected the ____________________. (37-41)   III – ________________________________ rejects them. (42-46)   Today’s ‘Take-Awa...

Matthew 21:18–32 Pastor Willie Behrends We live in a culture full of talk. Everybody’s talking—online, at work, at church. We talk about what’s wrong with the world, what needs to change, what we believe, what we’ll do “one day.” But how often does all that talk actually turn into action?   I – LOOKS ALONE CAN BE DECEIVING! (18-22) II – ASKING QUESTIONS WITHOUT SURRENDER! (23-27) III – ACTIONS SPE...

Here Comes the King Matthew 21:1-17 Charlie Painter, Executive Director In this week’s passage, Jesus makes His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem, and word quickly spreads. His first order of business is setting things straight in the temple. I – Preparation for the_____________________________. (1-6) II – ____________________ takes notice. (7-11) III – Now it’s time to__________________________. (...

Matthew 20:17-34 Pastor Willie Behrends   Today Jesus teaches that true greatness doesn’t come through status or ambition, but through humility and service. The way up in God’s kingdom is always down!   Matthew gives us three ‘pictures’ of this truth…   I – The ____________ comes before the _____________! (17-19)   II – Some have_____________, but are______________! (20-28)   III – Some are ______...

Matthew 20:1-16 Charlie Painter, Executive Director   In today’s passage, Jesus continues to challenge us on our very human feeling of what is “fair”. He tells a parable of some hard working (and not so hardworking) servants, and how the Master’s method of compensation is not what we would think.   I – L______ I______ F______ O______? (1-9)   II – F______ I______ F______ O______! (10-12)   III –Th...

Matthew 19:16-30 Pastor Willie Behrends   Today we’ll see that it’s possible to be very close to Jesus and still walk away without Him. Don’t settle for “almost.” Following Jesus will cost you, but it’s always worth it!   Our passage today gives us three powerful truths…   I – Sometimes __________________ isn’t enough! (16-22)   II – Salvation can seem _________________________! (23-26)   III – __...

Ephesians 6:10-24 Pastor Willie Behrends   Today, the Apostle Paul calls us to ‘report for duty’ as soldiers of Christ. As we are empowered by His strength, we stand against the enemy, having put on the full armor of God!   What do we need to be ‘battle-ready?’   I – Our _______________________ strength! (10-11)   II – The ___________________ strategy! (12)   III – The ____________________ equipme...

Ephesians 6:1-9 Pastor Willie Behrends   Today, Paul continues with the theme of ‘submission.’ (Eph. 5:21.) When the Spirit is in charge, every relationship we have will submit to the REAL boss – Jesus Christ!   Three relationships stand out in today’s passage…   I – Kids: ______________ your new Boss! (1-3)   II – Parents: _____________, don’t _______________! (4)   III – Servants/Masters: You __...

Ephesians 5:21-33 Pastor Willie Behrends   Marriage isn’t man’s invention—it’s God’s equation! Paul shows us that true oneness in marriage is found in God’s design. When we follow His formula, everything ‘adds up!’   Today, God ‘shows His work’…   I – _____________! (21-24) II – One + ____________! (25-30)   III – One + One = ____________! (31-32)   IV – __________ + ______________ = _____________...

Ephesians 5:1-20 Pastor Willie Behrends   God calls us to live differently, shining so others see Him. Life can often feel pretty dark, but when we stay connected to the Spirit, even our small light can make a HUGE difference!   Today, Paul gives us four ways to ‘Glow in The Dark’…   I – Glow by ___________________ in love! (1-2)   II – Don’t let the______________________ dim YOU! (3-6)   III – Sh...

Eph 4:17-32 Willie Behrends I – “WE’RE NOT GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION !” II – “I’VE CHANGED …AND I CAN’T GO BACK!” III – I’VE FOUND SOMEONE BETTER !   Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself… 1. “What old MINDSET or HABIT am I holding on to?” 2. “How am I RENEWING my mind?” 3. “Who should I FORGIVE , or LOVE this week?”

Ephesians 4:1-16 Charlie Painter, Executive Director   Today Paul shifts gears as we start the second half of the book of Ephesians. In the first half we learned of who Christ is and who we are in Him. As we start the second half, Paul is going to challenge the Ephesians (and us) to live out this knowledge in unity for the growth of the Church.   I – Unity where it ______________________ ! (1-6)  ...

Guest Missionaries ---------------------------------------Jared TemplinScriptures: John 3:16 Psalm 117:1-2Websites: https://radical.net/https://pioneers.org/Books:“The Abrahamic Revolution” by Todd Ahrendhttps://a.co/d/bDYjHOS“Radical” by David Platt https://a.co/d/cqjUOEU----------------------------------------• Missions is for the whole Church, not just a few.• Everyone is called to play a role:...

Ephesians 3:14-21 Pastor Willie Behrends   This passage could also be entitled, “When You Gotta Pray, You Gotta Pray!” Through his prayer the Apostle Paul reveals that God’s love is bigger than we can imagine and closer than we think…filling us from the inside-out! In Paul’s prayer we see…   I – Paul can’t ________________ himself! (14-15)   II – You gotta ________________ somebody! (16-17a)   III...

Ephesians 3:1-13 Pastor Willie Behrends   Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a place you didn’t choose? That’s where we find Paul today: sitting in prison, yet completely focused on the mission God has given him, and us!   This morning Paul reveals three mysteries…   I – “I’m doing _____________ for a higher cause!” (1)   II – “________________ made me do it!” (2-9)   III – “Show it _______...

Ephesians 2:11-22 Pastor Willie Behrends   Last time we saw our personal past, present and future. Today, we see it again…only this time it’s the past, present and future of our group: the Church!   Paul gives us THREE specific changes in our relationships…   I – From ______________________ to siblings! (11-13)   II – From ____________________ to harmony! (14-18)   III – From _________________ to...

Ephesians 2:1-10 Pastor Willie Behrends   We live in a world full of identity confusion—social media bios, personality tests, career titles, etc. They all try to define us, but today God’s Word reveals to us who we REALLY are…   I – I was a ___________________ person walking! (1-3)   II – BUT…God _________________ through! (4-6)   III – I’m not a __________ – ____________ success! (7-9)   IV – I’m...

Ephesians 1:15-23 Charlie Painter, Executive Director   Paul writes to the Ephesians of all the blessings God has bestowed upon us believers. Living out these blessings through good works, Paul prays for the Ephesians and us… I – To Know ____________. (15-17) II – To Know ____________________ for Us. (18-19) III – To Know ___________________________. (20-23)   Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself… 1...

Ephesians 1:1-14 Pastor Willie Behrends   The Apostle Paul opens his letter like a waterfall of spiritual blessings: layer upon layer of what God has done for us in Christ. Each verse seems to say, “But wait, there’s more!”   Today, we see three main categories of blessings…   I – God ___________________ you, on purpose! (4-6)   II – Jesus _________________ it ALL! (7-12)   III – The Holy Spirit i...

Luke 15:11-32 Pastor Willie Behrends   On this Father’s Day we’re going to see what makes a great dad through Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. His father is a great example to all of us (not just fathers!)   Today, we see four ways we dads can ‘nail’ Fatherhood!   I – He ___________ _________ with love! (11-16)   II – He _________________ with hope! (17-20)   III – He _____________________ with...

No Age Limits! Matthew 19:13-15 Pastor Willie Behrends Many things in life come with an age limit, but today Matthew shares a wonderful truth with us: according to Jesus there’s NO age limit in the Kingdom of Heaven!   These three short verses contain three powerful truths…   I – What we ________________________, Jesus welcomes! (13)   II – Faith has no __________________ requirement! (14)   III –...

Matthew 19:1-12 Pastor Willie Behrends   We live in a world that has redefined relationships to fit our personal desires. If we want to be faithful followers of Christ, we have to be committed to something greater than ‘culture!’   In today’s passage Jesus challenges us in three ways…   I – Go with God’s _______________________ plan! (1-6)   II – Recognize ______________________ when you see it! (...

Matthew 18:21-35 Charlie Painter, Executive Director   Peter asks Jesus a very direct question about forgiveness. Jesus answers his question, then explains why with a story (a “parable”) of…   I – A __________________________________ Master. (21-27)   II – A ___________________________ Servant. (28-30)   III – A ___________________________ God. (31-35)     Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself… 1. “W...

Matthew 18: 1-14 Pastor Willie Behrends   On this Mother’s Day we see Jesus teaching His disciples some of the same things that many of our mothers have been saying for years! Here are three lessons a good mother teaches…   I – There’s value in ____________________! (1-4)   II – Protect those who are __________________! (5-9)   III – Go after those who are ________ ______________! (10-14)   Today’...