Line Upon Line

Pastor Miles introduces a new series in Deuteronomy titled "Statutes and Judgments," teaching from Deuteronomy 4:1 that life and blessing—for ancient Israel and for any society—come only through hearing and obeying the superordinate principles of God's law, which ultimately point us to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Father's Day teaching that examines the office and calling of fatherhood through three Scripture examples—God in Eden, the prodigal son, and the father of the demon-possessed boy—to show that a father's highest task is leading children to repentance and restoration in Christ, not mere obedience.

Using Moses's plea to enter the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 3, Pastor Miles teaches that God sometimes answers persistent, faithful prayer with a final "no," and that this particular "no" carries a deeper meaning: the law (Moses) cannot bring us into salvation—only Joshua, that is, Jesus, can.

This teaching works through Deuteronomy 3, where Moses recounts Israel's victories east of the Jordan and the dividing of the land among the tribes, before being told he himself would not enter the Promised Land. It calls believers to fix their hearts and minds on God's faithfulness rather than the disappointments and divisions of the world.

Tracing the Bible's redemptive storyline from Genesis through Deuteronomy 3, Pastor Miles shows how the two-and-a-half tribes who settled east of the Jordan introduced a division that bred lasting conflict in Israel—and applies that warning to our own divided nation by calling believers to be slow to speak, slow to wrath, and ruled by love.

On Pentecost Sunday 2020, Pastor Miles addresses why Cross Connection is not yet gathering in its facility, lamenting the division within the body of Christ over the issue and calling believers to the unity, humility, and like-mindedness Scripture commands. He then walks through Acts 2 to show the four things the early church remained devoted to—the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of...

On Pentecost Sunday 2020, Pastor Miles explains why Cross Connection Church is not yet gathering in person, appealing for unity in the body of Christ, and walks through Acts 2 to show that the church's true essence is devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The teaching closes with the celebration of communion.

Studying Deuteronomy 3 and Israel's defeat of Og king of Bashan, Pastor Miles addresses why God's judgment without mercy offends modern sensibilities, then redirects to the passage's greater point: God faithfully delivers victory to those who trust Him by faith. He opens by honoring the recently deceased Ravi Zacharias, John Wesley's Aldersgate experience, and calls listeners to trust Christ alone...

Pastor Miles teaches Deuteronomy 2:26-37, addressing the "genocide" passages so often used against the Bible by skeptics. He argues that before God judges, He always offers words of peace, that God is righteous in His judgments, and that all people—including us—deserve judgment and need the grace, mercy, and peace found only in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Miles addresses how Cross Connection Church will move forward amid COVID-19 restrictions, explaining why returning to a heavily restricted in-person service is undesirable and proposing instead an Acts 2 model of gathering from house to house. He frames this moment as an evangelistic opportunity in which God continues to build His church.

Drawing on Deuteronomy 2 and Hebrews 3, Pastor Miles compares ancient Israel's 38-year wilderness wandering to a quarantine imposed because of an evil heart of unbelief, and shows how God uses meandering, jealousy, witnessing others' victories, and battle to provoke His people to move into the life He has promised.

Using Israel's thirty-eight years of wandering in Deuteronomy 2, Pastor Miles teaches that the deadly contagion that quarantined a generation in the wilderness was unbelief, and that God uses aimless wandering, provoked jealousy, and the discomfort of defeat to stir His people to trust Him and possess the life He has promised.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 1, Pastor Miles teaches that God's aim is to make us dependable people who can speak order into chaos—but this is only possible as we ourselves become dependent upon Him. Using Israel's failure to enter the Promised Land out of fear and self-reliance, he calls believers to enlightened reliance upon God rather than independence.

Returning to a study in Deuteronomy 1, Pastor Miles teaches that times of crisis expose the need for leaders and experts who possess not just knowledge but wisdom, understanding, and faith in God. Using Israel's twelve spies as a case study, he warns that expert data alone—however true—must be balanced by trust in God, and invites listeners to find rest by placing their faith in Jesus.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 1, Pastor Miles teaches that in chaotic, uncertain times we are in desperate need of leaders—and citizens—marked by knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and faith. Using the twelve spies as a case study, he warns that the data of experts, while true, must be balanced by wisdom, understanding, and trust in God.

Preaching on Easter Sunday in the midst of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, Pastor Miles uses the road to Emmaus account in Luke 24 to show that the risen Jesus draws near to grieving, confused disciples whose hopes have been shattered. Just as Jesus walked with Cleopas and his companion, He is nearer than we think, aware of our burdens, and eager to give us perspective, peace, and Himself.

Pastor Miles teaches from James 1:2-4 on Palm Sunday, showing how God uses trying circumstances—including the present coronavirus crisis—as chosen tools to test, purify, and mature the believer's faith. He calls Christians to choose joy in trials because God is at work completing the believer into Christlikeness, and closes with communion and a gospel invitation.

Teaching from Philippians 1, Pastor Miles draws encouragement from Paul writing in lockdown to a house-meeting church, showing that even bound and uncertain circumstances can turn out for the furtherance of the gospel and for God's transforming work in us. He closes with a gospel invitation and the assurance that temporary trials remind Christians of eternal glory.

Speaking to his church amid the early COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Miles addresses how Christians should respond to global chaos, urging wisdom, responsiveness, and trust in God. Drawing from John 9, Isaiah 26, and especially Philippians 4:4-9, he teaches that believers can rejoice, remain steady, find peace through persistent prayer, and fix their attention on God so as to draw near to the God of pe...

Drawing from Israel's failure of nerve at Kadesh Barnea in Deuteronomy 1, Pastor Miles addresses the fear and uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis, urging believers to trust in the God who stands above all troubling circumstances. He warns that unbelief grieves God and forfeits His blessing, while faith in Christ offers peace that becomes a powerful witness to a fearful world.

Moses' instruction to Israel's judges to "judge righteously" reveals our innate, God-given capacity to make judgments and society's need for justice administered rightly, impartially, and courageously. Yet because God is the perfect Judge who sees everything, we cannot stand before His righteous judgment and need the mercy and grace provided through Jesus' New Covenant.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 1:16-18, Pastor Miles argues that a culture survives only when righteous, impartial, and courageous leaders apply justice according to an objective, divinely-given moral standard. He contends that postmodernism's rejection of a superordinate rule and a moral lawgiver destabilizes society, and that the church must serve as a prophetic voice courageously calling people back...

Drawing from Moses' charge to Israel at Kadesh Barnea in Deuteronomy 1, Pastor Miles teaches that God is always calling His people to move out of comfort and into the blessing He has prepared, recounting the church's recent history and his own decision to stay and lead rather than relocate. He urges the congregation to overcome fear and discouragement, plug in to serve, and pursue the much land th...

Drawing on Deuteronomy 1:9-15, Pastor Miles teaches that God ordered Israel as a "Democratic Republican theocracy" governed by wise, understanding, and knowledgeable leaders who rise through a competence hierarchy. He contrasts this biblical worldview with modern sociological theory that sees all hierarchy as oppressive, tracing that critical idea back to the serpent's lie in Genesis 3.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 1 and Exodus 18, Pastor Miles teaches that admitting "I'm not able" is wisdom, not weakness, and that humbly seeking, weighing, and acting upon wise counsel spares us from much pain and trouble. He walks through Moses' decision to share leadership at Jethro's counsel and offers practical guidance for identifying and emulating genuinely wise people.