King's Cross Church South Bay

It is amazing to think of where we (PCCSB) began and what God has done these last two years. What might he do next? Leaders from our mother church, Pacific Crossroads (Santa Monica), and from our sister church, The Way (Pasadena), came to install our elders and commission us as a church. We focused on Jesus' commissioning of the Church in Acts 1:8.

Even though Christians in the modern West rarely celebrate it, the early Church viewed the Ascension as of equal importance with Christmas or Easter. What is it we have missed? Let's discuss why it matters that Jesus was "Lifted Up" (Acts 1:4-11).

We begin our series in the Acts of the Apostles. After our time in Ephesians considering the identity of the Church, now we get to see the Church in action, the Church on mission! As we particularize, what could be a better way to see how the Lord is calling us to enact the mission? This week, we begin where Luke began the book, considering how “The Resurrection Changed Everything” (Acts 1:1-3).

Genesis 16:1-16 is full of drama, intrigue, betrayal, irresponsibility, and ultimately restoration. We will learn about a woman (Hagar) who is deeply broken and runs away and is considered insignificant, expendable, and a lost cause. But we will see the Gospel in action - and we thank God that while we were still sinners, Christ loved us and died for us (Romans 5:8).

We are finishing our study in Ephesians, looking at the final image Paul gives to encourage the church: putting on the full armor of God. Last week we talked about the reality of evil and its artillery – especially in the forms of temptation and accusation. This week Paul shows us the considerable resources God has given to his Church to combat that. Why would Paul conclude his letter with this pa...

We’ll be talking about the reality of evil and how Scripture calls us to fight it (Ephesians 6:10-13). Some of us doubt evil truly exists, but the greater problem today seems to be the opposite - how our society identifies evil and especially how we fight it. After all, isn't that how terrorists think? Reduce your enemy to an "us-them narrative" so you can justify heinous acts against them? It see...

We come to a difficult passage that invites the question: does the Bible condone the institution of slavery? And if not, what exactly is Paul teaching us here? Whether you are an employer or employee, God has a calling for us in our work. And this passage is incredibly challenging for both. What does it mean for us to labor “In His Majesty’s Service”? Let's talk about how knowing our Master transf...

This Sunday we come to a verse that my children have memorized: "fathers, do not exasperate your children!" While I say that somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Paul is continuing his theme of applying the Gospel to all parts of our lives. As we begin Ephesians 6, Paul speaks to parent-child relationships. Since he appeals to the 5th commandment, he's not just talking about children as minors. How should th...

Last week we resumed our series in Ephesians, picking up with Paul's exhortation for submission, an offensive notion fraught with modern misconceptions and historic abuses. So, instead, we looked to Jesus to see this lived out faithfully. Yet submission is only a portion of the picture Paul paints. He talks even more about sacrifice. What is the sort of leadership to which we are called to submit?...

We are picking up in a highly practical section in Ephesians 5, yet also amid several topics that are often considered controversial. In rapid succession, Paul applies the Gospel to marriage, parenting, and work. However, some of the things he says hit the modern ear as problematic, if not outright offensive. What do we do with this? We will spend the next four weeks talking about "Modern Family."...

We're looking at a sharp exchange between Jesus and the Sadducees. They set a trap for Jesus, and he purposefully springs it. What's the use of heaven, especially right now? How is it not just pie in the sky, a crutch for people without resolve? Jesus makes it clear that heaven is not a silly, esoteric concept, but what we think about heaven matters on earth. It changes how we live right now. What...

We are looking at the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. Jesus tells this parable because "some trusted in their own goodness." The 'good' man thanks God he is not like all those 'bad' people, while the 'bad' man simply begs God to have mercy on him. In a society full of "us-them" narratives (in which we so often assure ourselves "they" are the problem, not "us"), Jesus' words could no...

We're looking at Mark 9, where a child's father pleads for help: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" How does Jesus respond to people with doubts? How about weak faith? Can we be this honest? Is weak faith enough? Even as Jesus encourages those with 'weak' faith, he challenges those with 'strong' faith. This entire event occurs precisely because his 'strong' disciples have failed. So what should...

This is a passage where Jesus picks a fight over tradition - including and especially when it comes to the Scriptures. Is tradition a good thing or a bad thing? Is Jesus conservative or progressive? As is often the case with Jesus, he does not so easily fit into our pre-existing grids. Discussion Questions Is there a church or Christian tradition that bothers you - What’s the point!? Is there a tr...

This week we consider the healing of a paralytic, whose friends lowered him through a roof to get him to Jesus. And then Jesus... forgave his sins? I can imagine his friends saying, "No, Jesus - his legs!" We often come to Jesus to have what we believe are our biggest needs met. What happens when he disagrees? Let's talk about Mark 2: "Restoring Priorities." Discussion Questions When have you felt...

We are looking at the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5. This man was demon-possessed, isolated, and wandered naked and bleeding among tombs. No one could subdue him. So... what in the world does that have to do with any of us today? Evil is real. If you set aside any horror movie imagery, does anyone in our society doubt the reality of evil right now? Evil also is not simplistic. It can be hidden and i...

This week we're looking at an admittingly strange passage. When they come to arrest Jesus, Peter tries to defend him and cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus - even as he's being arrested - heals the man and rebukes Peter. What is going on here? Love of enemies? The Church injuring people? Jesus healing enemies? Jesus healing Peter? Yes. Let's talk about Jesus “Restoring Malch...

We come to one of my (Russ) favorite passages in all of the Bible: Jesus in Simon's house (Lk.7:36-50). The irony here: I say this as a recovering Simon. Simon is a religious leader, wealthy, well-educated, reputable... and so he invites Jesus over to see if Jesus is worthy of his time and attention. Yet in Jesus' wake comes a woman who is everything Simon is not: "sinner", street walker, pariah....

Christ's compassion transformed the life of a widow through resurrection. Discussion Questions The resurrection of Jesus Christ either happened or it’s a lie. Is there a middle position that’s legitimate, or is every opposition to the historicity of the resurrection just flat-out denial? If you accept it as fact, when did you first embrace this miracle? Why are you so convinced it happened? Recent...

In Mark 4, Jesus famously shows himself to be Lord of the Storm, but this is not merely a raw display of power. There's something bigger than the storm going on with his disciples: "Teacher, don't you care?!" Are you apathetic, Jesus? Do our lives not matter? He is actively cultivating something that was lacking in his followers: awe. The storm had their awe... but did Jesus? Without deep reverenc...

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be looking at various ways that Jesus is restoring our lives with his intended joy. This week we will begin in Luke 17 with Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers, as we consider how Jesus is restoring our gratitude. Discussion Questions What are one or two of your biggest dreams? Really go for it – what do you wish would happen? Tommy John would have loved to win the Cy Youn...

As we continue in Ephesians 5, Paul talks about being filled with the Holy Spirit, and particularly how that will lead us to sing. Providentially, as we prepare to come together again in person, this is a wonderful reminder of God's goal to write His joy onto our hearts through singing. How does that work? Let's talk about why we sing. Discussion Questions What song have you played the most, becau...

Paul challenges the church to walk in the light. What's fascinating is how clearly he knows that will be a struggle for all of us. The image of walking is not a set of heroic, infrequent, Herculean tasks - but is so fundamental and constant that it becomes almost involuntary. If Paul knows we will struggle to walk in the light, but it should become so basic it is constant, how do we get there from...

We continue in our mini-series from Ephesians 4 about “Living It Out” – this week we consider our work. How does the Gospel transform our occupations, from mundane daily tasks to our overall sense of vocation? Certainly, grace means we rely on the work Christ has done, yet it does not make our work unnecessary or meaningless. So why does our work so often feel like a curse, even as we yearn for it...

We continue our mini-series in Ephesians 4: “Living it out.” Paul writes, "Be angry and sin not." In the midst of what many have labeled "culture of outrage," how is that possible? What would anger rightly ordered look like? Let's talk about how anger can lead us to our joy. Discussion Questions What is driving you nuts!? Seriously, how can you be a prisoner of your anger? Give an example. What is...