CrossView Church Podcast

Summary: Obedience is closely tied to love - we demonstrate our love for God through obedience to his commands. We often view obedience negatively, as burdensome and oppressive. But Jesus says his "yoke is easy and burden is light". Legalism and obedience are not the same. Legalism goes beyond God's commands out of pride and hypocrisy. Those who are half-hearted in following Jesus will view obedience as legalism to justify their disobedience. We shouldn't negotiate away clear commands of Scripture or twist their meaning to fit what we want. Discussion Questions: What feelings or perceptions typically come to mind when you hear the word "obedience"? Where do you think those impressions come from? Can you recall a time when obeying God disrupted your plans or desires? What made it difficult to submit in that situation? Have you ever justified ignoring a clear command from Scripture? What reasoning did you use? How can our group encourage one another in obedience while avoiding legalism? What are some practical ways we can support and strengthen each other to walk in step with Jesus, rather than straining against his lead? The questions aim to foster honesty about our tendency to view obedience negatively, explore what makes it hard to obey, and discuss ways to mutually encourage actually doing what Jesus commands rather than explaining it away.

Not A Way, But The Way Summary Jesus taught the cost of discipleship with authority as God himself - it's not negotiable or optional. Many sing about "my way" or "your way," but Jesus taught the way, singular. As deity, Jesus doesn't present one of many possible paths, but the path that leads to life. This way of Jesus has always been countercultural and narrow, requiring submission. Today's culture resists authoritative truth claims - we view Jesus' teaching as optional. But the Sermon on the Mount demands a life of obedience across the board to qualify as Jesus' disciple. When Jesus' teaching offends us, we're tempted to abandon the way or compromise. Thankfully, Jesus himself is the way of salvation - he is the gate through which we enter the path of discipleship. By grace we walk the narrow way with eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting in him when we stumble. Discussion Questions: Why do you think our culture today, including many Christians, resist authoritative truth claims like Jesus makes? In what areas have you been tempted to view Jesus' commands as optional or negotiable versus binding? When have you struggled with a "hard teaching" of Jesus and been tempted to walk away because it felt too costly? How should we understand grace in relation to the demanding ethical teachings Jesus gives? Why is it important that Jesus is himself the way, not just the teacher of the way? How does this give you hope? How can we spur each other on as a church community to stay on the narrow way of discipleship despite stumbling?

Lead with Grace Summary Jesus packs his core teachings into a very concise Sermon on the Mount - so we must pay attention to every word. He warns against hypocrisy and judgmentalism - the very things Christians are often accused of. Judging rightly is different than having a judgmental spirit. We should listen to Jesus, not get defensive. We have all been forgiven a huge debt by Christ - this should produce humility and grace toward others. A focus on personal holiness can subtly lead to self-righteous judgment of others' sin. We have to remember we are still sinners saved by grace. Jesus says we will be judged in the same way we judge others. This should make us more gracious. Leading with grace, patience, understanding should be the hallmark of Christ-followers. Since judgmental attitudesblind us, we should invite God to show us where self-righteousness lives in us. Discussion Questions: When have you sensed Christians being accused of hypocrisy or judgmental attitudes? What truth might there be in these critiques? Why do you think a rigorous pursuit of holiness can lead to self-righteousness? How can we avoid this temptation? How does remembering the grace and mercy God has given you shape your attitude towards those who are still lost or struggling with sin? Do you think Christians broadly struggle with judgmental attitudes today? What causes this? What does it look like practically to "lead with grace" toward all people, even those you strongly disagree with? What tips would you give for recognizing self-righteousness and judgmentalism in ourselves? How can we invite God's light to expose this?

Summary Entering God's family is only through adoption, which he paid for fully in Christ - we contribute nothing. But belonging to God's family as disciples costs us our very lives and allegiance to follow Jesus. Jesus redefines "neighbor" to include enemies - his kingdom operates by loving enemies, radical counter to the world. This doesn't deny God's just judgments in the OT, but Jesus ushers in a new way of overcoming evil with good. Loving enemies is the distinguishing mark of Christ-followers - it shows we belong to a radical kingdom. We fail at this - harboring anger rather than understanding for those different than us politically, etc. The Table invites all who trust Jesus despite earthly divisions - it represents the unifying grace of the gospel. Apologizing for representing the kingdom poorly is important - shining Christ attracts, religious superiority repels. Discussion Questions: Do you think Christians have done a good job of "loving enemies" and blessing opponents versus just loving "neighbors"? Why or why not? What makes it so countercultural to love across sharp political/cultural divides? What tends to happen instead? How have you wrestled with hard OT passages about destruction of enemies versus Jesus' teaching to love enemies? Why does love of enemies set Christians apart? How might this kind of radical love overcome evil? When have you seen "in house" fighting amongst Christians undermine our witness more than unbelievers? How can we have conviction but communicate it with Christlike grace and patience versus pride or condemnation?

Truth and Integrity Summary Jesus says his followers should not swear oaths - let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. Oaths were often used as clever ways to lie in Jesus' day. He abolished the distinction between words that must be true and don't have to be. Getting rid of oaths is an easy application, but Jesus is really calling us to be fully truthful and credible in all we say. Outright lies obviously undermine credibility. But truth-telling needs to be our consistent pattern for trust to build. In an age of misinformation and "alternative facts," disciples should stand out as reliable, honest witnesses. Beyond just truth-telling, Jesus' words also point to integrity - following through and doing what we say we'll do. Our "yes" and "no" should be dependable. When we don't follow through, it takes time to rebuild trust and integrity. God himself is fully reliable, trustworthy and keeps all his promises. We can anchor to him. Discussion Questions: When have you seen oaths or swearing used in merely superficial or misleading ways? Why do you think truth and honesty matter so much to God? How have lies impacted relationships in your life? In what ways have you seen trust in leaders, institutions, etc. erode in recent years? How should this push Christ-followers towards greater integrity? What causes the gap between our good intentions and actually following through with what we say we'll do? How can our community encourage each other in keeping our word and strengthening reliability? What helps you follow through? How does God's complete faithfulness and promise-keeping inspire you to be true to your word?

Bounce The Eyes Summary Sexual temptation is not new - the psalmist asked long ago how a young man can keep his way pure. It's even more challenging today. Jesus calls us to a sexual ethic very different from the world - purity in mind and body, with no hint of sexual immorality outside of marriage. This high standard applies to both men and women, though Jesus seems to particularly address lust issues common among men. God cares deeply about sexual purity because 1) he wants what's best for us, 2) marriage illustrates Christ's relationship to the church, 3) it's a key way disciples are set apart from the world. Victory is possible through bouncing our eyes from temptation, guarding our minds, protecting our marriages, confession, accountability. Satan uses shame to keep people isolated and trapped. Men need each other for support and encouragement in the battle. God has given us power to walk in purity. It's time for men and women to live according to God's Word. Discussion Questions Why do you think sexual ethics is such a prominent theme throughout Scripture? What makes it so important to God? How have you seen the costs of sexual immorality both individually and corporately? Why is purity worth fighting for? What practical tips or accountability strategies have you found helpful in pursuing purity? How could we encourage each other more in this? Why do struggles with sexual sin often happen in secret? What makes confession and transparency so difficult but so needed? How should the gospel give us hope in our failures but also empower us to walk in freedom? What encouragement or challenges from this message seemed most significant for our church body right now? How can leadership help?

At Least I Didn't Murder Anyone Summary Jesus calls us to a higher standard than just "not murdering" - he says anger and insults make us liable to judgment. Anger and conflict are common in the world, but disciples are called to live differently. Righteous anger has its place, but we are warned not to sin in our anger. Our relationships with God and others are interconnected - we can't compartmentalize. If someone has a grievance against us, we should seek reconciliation as much as possible, even if we think we are right. In conflicts, we can either fan the flames or work to extinguish the fire. Disciples are called to reconcile. This can be difficult but relationships are worth the effort, especially in a small community where we will keep seeing people. God wants our lives to have integrity and wholeness under the Lordship of Christ. Discussion Questions Why do you think we tolerate anger and conflict more than obvious sins like murder? How should Jesus' words challenge us? When have you seen "righteous anger" become unrighteous? What warnings might this passage give for how we express anger? How have you compartmentalized your relationship with God from relationships with others in unhelpful ways? What would greater integration look like? What relationships in your life are broken or strained right now? What do you think "as much as it depends on you" might look like to seek reconciliation? What makes having difficult relational conversations intimidating? What advice would you give someone to overcome those fears or anxieties? How can we as a church do a better job modeling reconciled relationships and peacemaking rather than mirroring the conflict and anger we see in culture?

Summary: Jesus' Sermon on the Mount was intended to distinguish his disciples from the crowds and highlight the cost of discipleship. What separates Christians from non-Christians is not virtue or morality, but faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. When Jesus called his followers "salt" and "light", he was addressing their identity before addressing their behavior. "Salt" points to the preserving, anti-decay influence disciples are meant to have in the world. "Light" depicts how disciples push back darkness in decaying culture. Both salt and light must get out of isolation and into the world to fulfill their purpose. The church exists for the sake of the decaying, dark world. Discussion Questions: Do we see our core identity as resting in Jesus or in our own morality/virtue? How might this affect how we view non-Christians? What evidence do you see of moral/cultural decay that signals the need for the church's preserving "salt" influence? What examples of ethical confusion or darkness can you identify that require the light of Christ through his people? How have we neglected being "salt and light" by isolating ourselves from people who need Jesus? Practically speaking, how can we let our light shine through good deeds without calling attention to ourselves? How do we give glory to Jesus rather than ourselves? The questions aim to foster conviction, awareness, and practical application when it comes to embracing our calling as "salt and light" to the world for the glory of Christ.

Summary: Discipleship inevitably involves disruption to our lives - it requires sacrifice and obedience. Jesus was very direct in calling people to follow him - it was not an invitation open for negotiation. We're troubled by the disruption Jesus required because it means he may require the same of us. The first disciples were ordinary people who submitted to Jesus' call; we shouldn't dismiss the story as just about their great faith. Many people try to negotiate the terms of following Jesus, but disciples don't negotiate - they obey. Our lives need disrupting from selfish and destructive paths. The disruption of discipleship sets us on the path of life. Discussion Questions: What feelings come up when you imagine Jesus directly calling you to leave something behind and follow him? Can you relate to wanting to negotiate the terms of following Jesus? What "buts" would you be tempted to try adding? Has there been a time when obeying Jesus required an uncomfortable disruption in your life? What made it difficult? Is there anything Jesus may currently be calling you to "leave behind" in order to follow him? What is holding you back? How can we as a group support one another in both having the faith to obey Christ's costly call and in walking out that obedience? The questions aim to promote candid sharing about the messy reality of finding Jesus' call to discipleship disruptive and challenging. The goal is to create a safe space to process these barriers in order to work through them.

Saved and Being Saved July 28, 2023 Summary: Salvation is not just a one-time event in the past when we first accepted Christ. It is also an ongoing process in the present as we grow in our faith and relationship with God. And it will be finally completed in the future when we are fully saved from sin and death. Our salvation story doesn't end when we first get saved. That's just the beginning. The best is yet to come as we continue to be transformed and draw closer to God. We have been saved from sin's penalty through Christ's sacrifice. We are being saved from sin's power as the Holy Spirit works in us. And we will be saved from sin's presence when Christ returns. Like a marriage, our relationship with God should be dynamic, not static. We need to continually work out our salvation through spiritual disciplines and obedience. Salvation at all stages - past, present and future - is by God's grace. He initiates it, empowers it, and will complete it. Potential discussion questions: When have you experienced God's grace in your ongoing salvation and spiritual growth? What spiritual disciplines or practices help you to "work out your salvation" and draw nearer to God? How can we as a church community encourage one another in the process of being saved and becoming more like Christ? Why do you think the Bible emphasizes future salvation as much or more than past salvation? How should this change our perspective as Christians? How would you explain the multi-stage nature of salvation to a new believer? What encouragement or warnings would you give them?

Male and Female July 20, 2023 Summary: God is the Creator and has the right to define and distinguish aspects of his creation, including gender as male and female. The current cultural view seeks to dismiss God-given definitions and distinctions. Confusion results when God's design and boundaries are rejected. The biblical view of male and female is clear, though we should have compassion for those struggling with gender identity. We are called to uphold truth AND show grace and love to all people. This "middle way" is challenging but it is the way of Jesus. How should we respond when asked to use pronouns that conflict with biological sex? Avoidance, using the person's name, and showing grace are possibilities. Stereotypes about gender expression can be harmful. Biblical gender distinctives allow for diversity in expression. The church should strive to be a safe place for those wrestling with gender and sexuality, through grace, truth, and unconditional love. Questions: What stood out to you most from this sermon? What are some practical ways the church can uphold truth while also extending grace and care?

Body and Soul July 14, 2023 Summary: The Bible presents humans as both physical (body) and spiritual (made in God's image) beings. We are not one or the other, but both. Our physical bodies are not evil, sinful, or shameful. They were created by God and declared good. Our hope is not an escape from the physical realm, but the restoration and redemption of our bodies when Christ returns. We will receive resurrected, glorified bodies. Through Christ, God offers us new hearts, new spirits, and ultimately new glorified bodies free of sin's corruption. Questions: The central question seems to be: How do we receive God's offer of new hearts, new spirits, and new bodies? According to the transcript, it is by placing our hope and faith in Jesus Christ.

Gentle and Strong June 30, 2023 Summary: God calls us to live lives worthy of our calling by being completely humble and gentle, yet also strong in the Lord. Humility was seen as a derogatory term in Greek culture, yet Jesus emphasized it as a virtue. True humility comes from knowing our identity and worth in Christ. Gentleness recognizes the fragility in all people and treats them with care. It provides rest for our souls. Strength in the Lord comes from abiding in the truths of Scripture and putting on the armor of God, which is God's truth. Jesus modeled humility in his incarnation and gentleness in his ministry, yet also demonstrated strength through his resurrection. We are to have the same attitude. Questions: Do I strive for complete humility, or only humility when it's convenient? What gets in the way? How can I grow in gentleness and consideration for others this week? What does it look like for me to "put on the armor of God" and be strong in His truths? Is there an area where I need to embrace both humility and strength like Jesus did?

Summary: The gospel has power to bear fruit even in difficult cultural climates. We should have confidence that God's kingdom will advance, even if our surrounding culture grows more hostile. There is a danger of the church being "taken captive" by the principles of the world. We must guard against compromising on biblical truth. Christians are called to "be all in" - fully committed to living out their faith with integrity. Our lives should demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel. We are instructed to clothe ourselves with Christlike virtues like compassion, humility and patience. Our lives should align with our message. Prayer is crucial for engaging the culture. We should pray for open doors and clarity in communicating the gospel. When opportunities arise, we must be wise in how we respond. Let our conversations be full of grace and truth. Approach outsiders with both generosity and conviction. Discussion Questions: Where have you seen the gospel bearing fruit even in difficult circumstances? What encourages you about this? In what ways is our surrounding culture tempting the church to compromise or conform? How can we guard against this? What areas of your life and character need to align more fully with the gospel? What virtues do you need to "put on"? How can we grow in praying for open doors and wisdom to engage our community? What opportunities has God given you lately? How can we strike the right balance of grace and truth when communicating with those who don't know Christ?

God’s Sovereignty and Responsibility Part II May 21, 2023 Summary: God is completely sovereign and in control of everything that happens, AND we as humans are responsible and our actions matter. These two truths seem paradoxical but are both affirmed in Scripture. Examples were given from Exodus where God sovereignly determined to deliver the Israelites from Egypt AND chose to accomplish this through the actions of Moses. God was in charge AND Moses' actions mattered. Another example was when the Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea. God told them to stand firm and he would deliver them. Their act of faith in standing still mattered even though God was the one who parted the sea. In rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed AND posted guards, affirming both God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Believing in God's sovereignty does not excuse foolish behavior or irresponsibility on our part. We are to act wisely and responsibly, trusting God is ultimately in control. We don't need to reconcile these two truths - God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together as friends. questions to discuss: Can you think of other biblical examples that illustrate this relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility? In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's sovereignty? In what areas do you need to take more personal responsibility? How would keeping both of these truths in mind impact how you pray? How you make decisions? How you view challenges and setbacks? Why do you think some fringe groups use "God's sovereignty" as an excuse for irresponsible behavior? How can we avoid this pitfall? How might remembering that God's sovereignty and human responsibility are friends or partners change your perspective?

Sovereignty and Responsibility May 14, 2023 Summary: Salvation is by grace alone through faith. We contribute nothing to our salvation except our need for grace. Faith is a gift from God, not something we generate ourselves. God sovereignly chooses whom he will save, as seen throughout Scripture (e.g. his choosing of Abraham and Israel). God's election of individuals was decided before creation. He predestines people to salvation. Despite God's sovereignty in election, humans are still responsible for their choices. Discussion Questions: Why is it important to recognize our complete inability to save ourselves, rather than believing our faith is self-generated? How does this view affect our worship and humility before God? If faith is a gift from God, how should we present the gospel to unbelievers? Do we ask them to choose to believe, or help them see their need for God's gift? How do you respond emotionally to the idea that God chooses some but not all people for salvation? What perspectives from this sermon bring you comfort? How have you tried to resolve the tension between God's sovereignty in election and human free will/responsibility? What is your perspective on this difficult issue? How might this view of salvation impact evangelism, worship, gratitude to God, and humility in our walk with Christ?

Faith and Works May 7, 2023 Summary: There is an apparent tension between Paul's teaching that we are justified by faith alone, and James' teaching that we are justified by works. The key to reconciling this tension is recognizing that Paul and James were addressing different questions/problems. Paul was countering the view that justification comes through works of the law. His point is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, not by our own meritorious works. James was countering the view that faith is just an intellectual belief or profession. His point is that genuine saving faith will necessarily produce good works. True faith is never alone - it bears fruit. So in summary, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, but true saving faith will always be accompanied by works. Faith and works are inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. We are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone. Questions to discuss: Do you agree that this reconciliation of Paul and James is valid? Why or why not? Why do you think it's important that we correctly understand the relationship between faith and works when it comes to our justification? How would you respond to someone who claims you have to "prove" your faith is real by your works? How can we avoid the extremes of either legalism on one hand, or "easy believism" on the other?

Summary: • The words "and" and "or" have big implications in Scripture. "And" means multiple truths coexist, while "or" presents two mutually exclusive options. • In this series, we'll explore "and" statements like grace & truth, faith & works, justice & mercy - these concepts are meant to coexist. • Jesus embodied the balance of grace & truth. He lovingly confronted the Samaritan woman with the truth while also extending grace. • As followers of Christ, we are called to have both grace and truth, not just one or the other. Grace without truth is empty affirmation, truth without grace is harsh judgment. • The cross demonstrates grace and truth together - it reveals the gravity of sin deserving death and also God's abundant grace in Christ. Discussion Questions: When have you struggled to balance grace and truth in your relationships? What was the outcome? Why do you think we tend to lean towards either "grace" or "truth" as Christians? How can we grow in embracing both fully? How have you experienced God's grace and truth together in your faith journey? How has this transformed you? What other "and" statements in Scripture seem in tension to you? How might exploring them together lead to spiritual growth? How might living with the balance of grace and truth better reflect the character of Christ to those who don't know Him?

Passage: Mark 14:53-65 Speaker: Scott Stephan New to CrossView: https://wearecrossview.com/im-new/ Give Online: https://wearecrossview.com/online-giving/ The Hub: https://wearecrossview.com/hub/ iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossview-church-podcast/id1554568269 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HXTKdTBgo1p6Ipqhp7heL Website: https://wearecrossview.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecrossview

Passage: Mark 14:32-41 Speaker: Scott Stephan New to CrossView: https://wearecrossview.com/im-new/ Give Online: https://wearecrossview.com/online-giving/ The Hub: https://wearecrossview.com/hub/ iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossview-church-podcast/id1554568269 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HXTKdTBgo1p6Ipqhp7heL Website: https://wearecrossview.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecrossview

Passage: Mark 14:27-31 ; 14:66-72 ; Zechariah 13:9 0Speaker: Nate JohnsonNew to CrossView: https://wearecrossview.com/im-new/Give Online: https://wearecrossview.com/online-giving/The Hub: https://wearecrossview.com/hub/iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossview-church-podcast/id1554568269Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HXTKdTBgo1p6Ipqhp7heLWebsite: https://wearecrossview.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecrossview

Passage: Galatians 5:16-25Speaker: Pastor Scott Stephan New to CrossView: https://wearecrossview.com/im-new/Give Online: https://wearecrossview.com/online-giving/The Hub: https://wearecrossview.com/hub/ iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossview-church-podcast/id1554568269Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HXTKdTBgo1p6Ipqhp7heL Website: https://wearecrossview.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecrossview