CrossWords Ministry

Acts 16 continues to detail the second missionary journey by Paul and Silas. Luke and Timothy join them on this trip. Paul receives a call, not via phone or any other electronic means, but by the Holy Spirit. He understands he needs to go through the region of Macedonia. That is where Lydia is met with and baptized, as well as the Philippian Jailer and others through the area known today as Greece...

Acts 15 - How to Handle Disputes In Acts 15, we come across two disputes, a major one that is resolved for the time being and a minor one that goes unresolved for a while. We'll focus mainly on the major one. YT - https://youtu.be/IgnhY1ThXuw

Many Bible commentators feel that chapter 13 marks a distinct break in the Book of Acts. Some even go so far as to call it Volume II of Acts. The Apostle Paul has now definitely come into the place of prominence, and Antioch in Syria becomes the center from which the gospel radiates to the Gentiles. YT: https://youtu.be/vdg0-ZQ3LBY

This chapter of Acts shows God's Divine Providence in action, contrasted with His miraculous powers. We can usually identify a miracle in the bible because we know those things don't happen today. The way Peter was rescued shows God's power working miraculously. Herod's death, though caused by an angel of the Lord (Acts 12:23), did not exhibit the same visuals as Peter's escape...

Perhaps no other case of conversion in the Bible receives as much attention as Cornelius, aside from Paul's own conversion. There are many things the Spirit wants us to learn by this example in this chapter and the next. We know in chapter 2 many prophecies were fulfilled upon the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. It was a promise fulfilled. Some say that what happens to Cornelius is a second ou...

The greatest persecutor of the church at the time meets with Jesus, and his life is forever changed. He who thought himself to be mighty had to be humbled to recognize what might really is. Paul begins his journey as the 13th apostle of Jesus. YT: https://youtu.be/m9Lr5djVtak

Acts CH 8 is one of my favorite chapters. Within this chapter we put to rest the misunderstanding of the empowering vs the indwelling of the Spirit, and also why the age of miracles has been over since the first century. This chapter also features three great characters: Philip, one of The Seven, Simon the Magician, and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Our brother Bob will cover the Eunuch in Bible Class, so...

Here we will see how the church responded to a seeming problem among the members of the church, resulting in the first instance of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles to the Seven, the first expansion of the church's organization. We will also see how Stephen rises to be the first martyr of the church in the next chapter. YT: https://youtu.be/R0OngIhUxXU

A second recorded sermon by Peter reiterates the promise of God unto all those who desire to turn to Him. In this message, he emphasizes dependence on God and not on man. The pattern of man is to look for dependence on the seen and to reject the unseen. Peter reminds them God has made "seen" the signs and wonders that indicate Jesus is the Master of the Universe and the only One who can...

As the Gospels declare the glory of the 2nd person of the Godhead, The Son, Acts declares the work and glory of the third person of the Godhead, The Holy Spirit. YT: https://youtu.be/fSYoJLOij_E

Jesus appears over a period of 40 days after His resurrection. He gives many convincing proofs He is alive and appears to over 400 people!  YT: https://youtu.be/aNy4ArEPJBI?t=2345

The apostles were slow to believe, but the signs were unmistakable. The empty tomb is the greatest proof of the love of our God! The Seven Declarations of the Resurrection YT: https://youtu.be/nI4bsvcCuxs

Jesus had an anxious night, praying in the garden. Then he had a terrible beginning to Friday. This Friday would be the darkest Friday the Universe ever saw - when God's Son was humiliated, rejected, and killed. YT: https://youtu.be/HzIo5FV6jT8

This was the exclamation Pilate made somewhat in defense of Jesus when the Jews handed him over. It was one of many things we will find interesting in the account of Jesus' trials in the Gospel record.  We will do a quick review of the process of the trials, then focus on one of the meaningful conversations between Jesus and Pilate. Then we will speak about three lessons and the applications...

A scene that is common in every Mario Game I played with my boys is the contest with the boss. To get to the next level, you have to fight the boss. At the end, there is a big boss you have to defeat. Each arena is different. They get more and more grandiose as you go up the levels. More and more intense.  Think of other places where great contests take place. The arena could be a boxing ring...

Transitions - Journey to Maturity as the Body of Christ - Nomination of Elders and Deacons If you like any type of gardening or cultivating, planting is involved at one point in time or another. If you buy a small plant, eventually, you have to transition it to a bigger pot. If you buy a tree, you have to plant it somewhere in your yard. Plants are living things and need to grow. That involves tra...

How do you measure greatness? I am sure each of you strives for something you may consider greatness. Or perhaps you strive after someone else idea of greatness, which tends to affect your self-confidence. Is greatness something we can measure universally? What makes someone truly great in the eyes of others, regardless of our ideas, beliefs, or conviction?  We will explore what that means to...

Have you ever felt betrayed? It is one of the worst feelings in the world. The betrayer will also feel his betrayal sooner or later, and it will weigh upon them a whole lot more.  On which side of Jesus will you stand? On His right or on His left? Have you ever felt you betrayed Jesus? What happened? How can we end up betraying Jesus? YT: https://youtu.be/Aw2H1iHYPG4

Jesus wanted to teach his disciples about giving. It was more than the amount you give, it is about where your heart is when you give. We hear about billionaires giving millions to charity, but what kind of giving actually pleases God? YT: https://youtu.be/kHFZTjAOEL8

The Jews understood the Messiah was royalty, but Jesus wanted them to understand He was deity.  What you think of the Christ impacts the way you live. YT: https://youtu.be/pNMa2uAPkcg

We are in Jesus' final week of His life. Many things are coming up to a head this week. Think of the pressure on Jesus. He knew what was coming. He had been telling His disciples about the outcome, but they were unable to understand His predictions. YT: https://youtu.be/ZMmSzgy4XxM

There have been many throughout history: The Crossing of the Rubicon by Julius Caesar, the return of General Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines, and the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts to Earth.  Today we will be taking a look at the most iconic triumphal entry of all. In this episode we will also learn some more things about Jesus, the Christ.  YT:  https://youtu.be/Ar1vgVqjTB...

This is a funny phrase. It is an idiomatic phrase that comes from Genesis. What distracted Eve? What got a hold of her focus? What got her off-track? Of course, the proverbial apple. The fruit of the tree of good and evil was the "Apple of her eye". This phrase is mostly used as a term of endearment as well. We can call our spouse the "apple of our eye", and of course, Jesus, our King, should be t...

Jesus discusses the rewards of obedience with his disciples. I know we have all pondered upon the current blessings we enjoy as disciples of Jesus. We believe we will be in bliss in Heaven in the presence of God. Sometimes, though, I know we need to be reminded of the rewards of following Christ particularly when things may get difficult or challenging for our faith.  Another question you may...

Even though God is unlimited in His kindness, patience, and compassion, there seems to be a limit to His mercy. Jesus will touch on that in today's lesson. The reason Jesus brings it up? People were not showing fruit of repentance. YT: https://youtu.be/5we5tSOYlv4?t=2886