thecrossing.church (Audio)

This special Fourth of July message explores the deeper meaning of freedom and how the words of Jesus offer a kind of freedom that goes far beyond politics or circumstances. Centered in John 8, we’re reminded that “when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed,” and that true freedom begins when we trust and surrender to Him. Through worship, stories of service, and moments of gratitude, we refl...

We live in a world filled with overwhelming headlines and personal struggles, so how do we hold on to hope when things feel hopeless? Jarrett Stevens is with us from Soul City Church in Chicago as we unpack Romans 15:13 and see that true hope doesn’t come from our circumstances, but from the unchanging character of God. As we learn to trust Him, He fills us with joy and peace so that our lives ove...

Baptism celebration weekend is one of our favorite times at The Crossing. Join us as we highlight hundreds of stories of life change through the ancient and meaningful act of baptism. From children to adults, each person stepping into the water is declaring their trust in Jesus and the freedom found in Him. Grounded in Scripture, we're reminded that salvation is a gift of grace, not something we e...

What if the most pivotal moment of your spiritual journey isn't about what you can do, but what has already been done for you? Join us as we look at how Jesus serves as the ultimate high priest, stepping behind the curtain to anchor our souls with a secure and steadfast hope. By comparing religious activity with the radical freedom of God's grace, we uncover the true meaning of the cross and the f...

Are you struggling with the hidden ache of isolation, feeling disconnected, or experiencing loneliness? Join us as we dive deep into the modern epidemic of loneliness and how tech-driven isolation impacts our mental and physical well-being. By looking at the raw, honest biblical accounts of figures like Moses, David, and Hagar, we see that feeling lonely does not mean you have been abandoned by Go...

How does the Christian faith engage wisely with artificial intelligence? Is technology a new idol or is it an advanced solution to humanity's greatest problems? Join us as we dive into the tension between fast-moving tech and our timeless faith, looking at the traps of "cognitive surrender" and modern-day tech solutionism. We'll see how the story of theTower of Babel relates to this conversation,...

Are you searching for certainty and stability in an increasingly uncertain world? Join us as we explore Jesus's famous sermon in Matthew 7 to uncover what it truly means to anchor our trust in God rather than ourselves. We discover that the battle of faith isn’t just about intellectual belief—it’s about daily surrender and putting Jesus's words into practice. Learn how shifting from independence t...

In a world filled with constant uncertainty and social media-fueled dread, many of us find ourselves struggling with anxiety and honest questions about faith. Today we explore how God provides a sure and steady anchor for the soul to keep us from drifting through life's storms. We unpack the ancient covenant ceremony in Genesis 15, we discover how God unconditionally bound Himself to His promises,...

We explore the deep biblical meaning of baptism, tracing its roots from the Jordan River crossing in Joshua to the baptism of Jesus and the early church. We see that baptism not as a ritual that saves, but a powerful public declaration of faith, forgiveness, new life, and allegiance to Jesus Christ. We unpack how baptism serves as a memorial, a witness, and a step of obedience for those who have a...

Are you feeling a sense of "homesickness" for a place you’ve never been? Join us as we wrap up our "Peak Experiences" series as we explore the final mountain described in Revelation 21 and 22. We bridge the gap between the Garden of Eden and the New Jerusalem, showing how God’s plan for humanity comes full circle. Discover a future where evil is defeated, death is destroyed, and every tear is wipe...

We unpack the powerful story of Paul at Mars Hill in Athens, where he addressed a city full of idols and introduced them to the "Unknown God". We explore how Jesus Christ, the exact representation of God's glory, provides hope for past failures and future longings. Learn how Paul engaged in meaningful spiritual conversations with philosophers without compromising the truth of the gospel. We dive i...

We explore the powerful story of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit transformed a small group of followers into a movement that changed the world. We unpack the miraculous events of Acts 2, including the sound of violent wind and tongues of fire that signaled God's indwelling presence in everyday people. Learn how the Holy Spirit acts as our ultimate advocate and champion, helping us in our weaknes...

We explore Jesus’ ascension. We see why Jesus' physical departure was actually a necessary gift that allowed the Holy Spirit to empower and guide every believer. And this mission is life changing: to serve as His witness and share the hope of God's kingdom within your unique sphere of influence. We'll learn to take small, faithful steps while depending daily on God’s presence rather than our own s...

It's Easter. Join us as we dive into the life-altering reality of Jesus’ resurrection from Matthew 28. We examine the compelling historical evidence for the empty tomb and the radical transformation of the first disciples, showing how the Good News of Jesus resurrection spread. Learn why Jesus’ claim of "all authority" provides a hope for anyone facing crises, grief, or personal isolation today. W...

This message explores the weight of our daily choices versus major DECISIONS that define our lives and eternity. We unpack the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem’s mountains, from Abraham's trial on Mt. Moriah to Jesus’ agonizing prayer in Gethsemane. We see Jesus on trial before Pilate and His sacrifice at Golgotha, and how Jesus chose to absorb the debt of human brokenness. Final...

We explore the vital relationship between a gardener, the vine, and the branches. We discover how to achieve authentic spiritual growth by learning what it truly means to abide in Jesus, the True Vine. Jesus emphasizes that apart from Him we can do nothing of lasting significance, and how His grace provides the only path for true transformation. Together, we see how God lovingly prunes and restore...

The Transfiguration of Jesus. It was one of those pivotal "everything changed" moments that revealed Jesus' divine glory. We explore the appearance of Moses and Elijah to see how Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets while preparing for His ultimate "exodus" through the cross. We see how the story unfolds to show that Jesus’ power remains constant in our most challenging seasons. Together we con...

In Matthew 15 we see Jesus healing and miraculously feeding people. We explore the honest, difficult questions about why some miracles happen while other prayers seem to go unanswered. We'll see how biblical waiting is an active reaching out for God’s strength, wrapping our lives around His unchanging character and goodness. Join us as we learn to pray big prayers and trust in the one who promises...

We continue in the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus says about prayer. We explore how to move from simple requests to a deep, trusting relationship with God, even when facing the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers. We see in Matthew 7 that we are called to never stop pursuing God’s heart. Learn practical tools like "breath prayers" and daily rhythms to help you overcome anxiety and self-rel...

The Sermon on the Mount contains some of Jesus' most famous teachings. We explore what Jesus says about trust, hope, and anxiety. We learn why Jesus commands us to "not be anxious" and how to trust in a Heavenly Father who cares deeply for us. Together, we dive deep into the "rocking chair" of worry, addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by kids and adults alike in our hyper-connect...

Temptation is part of life. But how do we navigate it well? Join us as we explore a story where Jesus is led into the wilderness to face temptation, testing, and spiritual warfare—and what happens there speaks directly to our everyday struggles. Together, we'll see how temptation is personal, persistent, and often subtle, but never beyond the power of God’s truth and presence. We'll see that Jesus...

We recap the Peak Experiences series from last fall, revisiting the ground we covered in the Old Testament before stepping into the next epic part of this series where we'll explore Jesus' earthly ministry and the peaks, hills, and mountains of the New Testament. We remember God's faithfulness, why humanity needs a savior, and why Jesus is our ultimate hope. Prayer, reflection, worship, connection...

Discover how to build a solid foundation for your faith journey through the life-changing practice of spiritual friendship. We explore how intentional relationships rooted in deep trust and mutual commitment help us persevere through life’s challenges. Learn the three essential keys to life-giving conversation—asking, affirming, and admitting—to move past surface-level interactions and into authen...

Rest isn't just a luxury, it is actually commanded by God. But what does "rest" really mean? Is it different than laziness? Should we only do it once we're tired and exhausted? Join us as we explore what it means to rest in a regular, biblical, and God-honoring way. Speaker: Ben Horseman and Judy West

Discover how to transform your spiritual life through meaningful conversations with God, as we continue exploring spiritual practices in our series Base Camp. Pastors Joel Burke and Nathan Brown share practical tools for navigating anxiety and experiencing the peace of God. Learn how engaging with the Bible just four times a week can lead to lower stress and greater resilience. Finally, we unpack...