Crossroads Christian Fellowship Media Archive

Why is it so hard to trust God? This message will explore what it means to trust God.

Sermons Archive RSS John 4:1-26 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria.5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,' 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”Matthew 15:7-9 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,And honor Me with their lips,But their heart is far from Me.9 And in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' ”Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times;His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Sermon Discussion Questions:Why did the Jews harbor animosity towards the Samaritans?What does it mean to worship in Spirit?What does it mean to worship in truth?What did Jesus mean by "I who speak to you am He."? “At last, the woman obtained an answer to one of her first questions: Are you greater than our father Jacob? When the answer came, it completely converted her soul. The very moment that this woman expressed any desire for the Messiah, He at once revealed Himself to her.” — JC Ryle

Sermons Archive RSS 1 Corinthians 2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the [a]testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of [b]human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God [c]ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But as it is written:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the [d]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Salvation is a Person and the Angels announced it as Good News to Everyone. How important is it for us to keep this focus!!

"The Word became Flesh" is what John wrote. That was a journey of infinite distance. We will explore what Jesus left and what He took on in becoming flesh. Then we will ask Why? Why would He do something so dramatic?

Sermons Archive RSS Sermon Discussion Questions:Why was Mary an unlikely choice for the mother of the messiah? (according to human standards)How did Gabriel describe Mary's soon to be baby? How did Mary respond to Gabriel's news?How did her response differ from that of Zacharias'?

A great King has a great entrance...but a not so great first response. We can learn much on how to respond to God's Good News!

Christian, can you describe your christian life as a fountain of living water pouring out of you. Do you know the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life as Jesus promised?

A needy woman is astounded at meeting the Messiah on a hot afternoon at a well!! Are you astounded when you meet with Him?

John 3:27-36 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,' but, ‘I have been sent before Him.' 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.1 John 5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

Sermons Archive RSS Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.Matthew 3:13 & 14 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”Matthew 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.Matthew 20:26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Sermon Discussion Questions:What did purification mean to the Jews as opposed to John?Why were John's disciples troubled over the news of Jesus' ministry? What reasons did John give them for not being troubled but rather for being joyful?What does it mean to bury our talents?

Sermons Archive RSS John 3:1-21 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”Luke 9:55-56 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties;24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,And lead me in the way everlasting. Sermon Discussion Questions:Why did God send His Son into the world?Who/what is the light of God ?Why do Christians love the light?Why do unbelievers hate the light?

Great love motivates great actions, as we clearly see in John 3:16.

"Jesus is Lord" is an astounding statement, with implications for everyone...literally everyone.

How can Christians rise above the anger, malice, hatred and violence that marks today's world? Praise God He has given us all we need in His Word!! This message will look at how we can "Rise Above the Fray".

Is there a more radical statement than this: You Must Be Born Again???? Born all over again? Seriously? Yes.

Is your faith the kind that will result in your salvation? Or is it dead faith, or temporary faith or worse? This sermon will explore the types of faith the Bible describes. This topic is so vital because each day we get closer to death and standing before God.

Sermons Archive RSS John 2:13-22 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.Leviticus 26:11-12 I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

This is in the John series: Why was Jesus first "sign" making wine at a wedding? How did this display His glory and lead His early disciples to believe in Him? We will explore this beautiful scene and also see how it points us to a greater wedding feast in the future!

You can read the Gospels and miss the main point (example: Jordan Peterson's "The Gospels"). The main point John wants us to know is: These things are true! They really happened!... and ...Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, Lamb of God, Savior of the World!!!

When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" , it even pointed to the "Restoration of all things"!!! We should have great hope!!!

When John the Baptist identified Jesus as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", he was revealing worlds about the person of Christ, the Father, sin and us.

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A carpenter from a small town is the Lord of All, God the Son, the Word made flesh...how do you inform the world? Send a King's Herald!!!!

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Who is God? What is He like? There are lots of opinions but only one Son of God and He is the Ultimate Revelation of God. What did He reveal? This sermon opens up these truths.

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Sermons Archive RSS Luke 1:5-25 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”Proverbs 19:21There are many plans in a man's heart,Nevertheless the Lord's counsel—that will stand.Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts.James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind ofProverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sermons Archive RSS Sermon Discussion Question:Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit is God?What does it mean to be "born of the Spirit"?What are some ways that we quench the Holy Spirit?How do we practically walk with the Holy Spirit from day to day?

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People often miss the important questions in life especially when it comes to God? What are the "Important Questions" we should be asking?

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Jesus was fully Human. At first this seems obvious and no big deal. But when the fact that He is also fully God and what the implications of this had on His substitution, sufferings and sacrifice...it's huge.

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The Bible message: "Jesus is God", is profound, revolutionary, and glorious. In this message, we will explore this amazing revelation.

The Word became flesh...and that became very evident to John as he experienced Jesus on the earth. John encourages us to experience His "grace upon grace" for ourselves!

Sermons Archive RSS 1 John 3:1A Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!Romans 8:12-17 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John speaks mysterious, startling words: "The Word Became Flesh"....this sermon asks "Why?"

Some believe in Jesus and some do not. Why do people not believe...even reject, while others believe? Why do some reject for a time (sometimes a long time) and then believe? What happens, what makes the difference?

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What does it mean that Jesus is the Light of the world?

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Sermons Archive RSS John 15:16 NKJV You did not choose Me, but I chose you Acts 17:24-27 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth . . . he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else . . . he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Paul continues, “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Isaiah 55:6 NKJV Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Psalms 14:2 NKJV The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Romans 3:10-11 NKJV As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. Genesis 28:16 NKJV “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” Psalms 63:1-4 NKJV O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:10 NKJV "I will visit you" John 3:16-17 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Psalms 27:4 NKJV One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. Psalms 105:3 NKJV Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Romans 3:23 NKJV "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Luke 5:31-32 NKJV Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” I Timothy 1:15 NKJV "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." II Corinthians 5:21 NKJV For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. I Peter 3:18 NKJV For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, Romans 4:25 NKJV who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. John 20:21 NKJV So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Revelation 3:20 NKJV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Sermon Discussion Questions:What does Zacchaeus's story teach us about faith, repentance, and transformation? What does the story say about how we can experience salvation? What are some examples of how we might "seek and save the lost" in our own lives? What are some examples of how God's grace has impacted our own lives? How does this story challenge our understanding of social status and worth?

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“The Word was Life” is a remarkable statement, which tells us so much about the Person of Jesus and the Life He brings to us!

John begins his book with an amazing sentence which tells so much truth and which is essential to understand the rest of the book

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The Resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of something absolutely glorious; the Restoration of the whole Universe!!!