Listening WELL to the KING

God opposes the proud. King Nebuchadnezzar was proud. We often are proud. We have a good Father who always acts on our behalf. His timing and plans are perfect. But, there are times we trust in ourselves rather than in God. Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way... which no one likes.  God is faithful and wants us to trust His timing and plans. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint Church.

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego did not bow to Nebuchadnezzars idol. They trusted God for deliverance from the king whether or not they would be delivered from the furnace... but God did deliver them from the flames.  Daniel 3 is about our commitment to knowing and obeying God's Word, about trusting God's timing and plans and about God's presence being enough. Thank you Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego for showing us what is important in life. Pastor Rick shared this message to the CrossPoint Church.

God used Daniel to tell King Nebuchadnezzar his dream and what it meant. Daniel was a hero, but gave God all the credit! We can learn so much from this humble young man who walked with God, prayed and used his gifts to bring God glory. Pastor Rick shared this message with CrossPoint Church

Daniel determined in his heart to obey God and trusted God to take care of the details. Daniel did not compromise which we often have the tendency to do. Partial obedience is really compromise. Faith in a God who reigns changes the way we live. Pastor Rick taught this text at CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Rick helps us understand Daniels world and Daniels God. His life was unfair, yet he will serve as a powerful example of how a faithful person thrives while living in the midst of a hostile culture. He teaches us to live in the way of the exile… which is living with the tension of loyalty and subversion.

Jesus taught about His resurrection but the disciples didn't get it so when it happened they were bewildered and filled with fear. Eventually, they met the risen King and they believed and changed a world. Paul talked about the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians. Pastor Rick ended in John 8 when Jesus told everyone He is the Light of the World. Thank you Lord for loving us and showing us what loving others looks like.

Jesus continues to teach His disciples right up to the cross. In our Scripture, Jesus tells us that loving God changes our giving and our perspective on suffering. He gives examples of sacrificial giving and then warns about staying the course during the tough times disciples will endure before Jesus returns as King. Pastor Rick taught this lesson to CrossPoint Church.

Time is short for Jesus. He reminds the disciples and shares six truths for them to remember. Jesus wanted the disciples to focus on God's mercy, to submit to the government, to know that heaven and our heavenly bodies will be different, that they are to love God and others well and that they should practice what they preach. Jesus didn't tell them anything new... just reminded them of the important. Pastor Rick preached this message at CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake looks at Mark 11. It is hard to follow the King because we think we want to be the King. It makes all the difference to follow Jesus the King. Pastor Blake spoke this message at CrossPoint Church during a baptism celebration.

Jesus followers will think and act differently if you walk with the King. Pastor Rick shares in Mark 10 that Jesus taught His disciples that your marriage will look different, the way you treat children and the insignificant will be different, when you receive reward will be different and the way you lead will be different. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

The disciples failed badly. But God uses our failures to deepen our dependence and faith in Him. We never outgrow our need for Jesus. Failure humbly drives us to Jesus, repentance, prayer and service. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church

After spending almost three years with Jesus, Peter finally gets it. He declares Jesus King, the Messiah, Israel's anointed one. But Peter quickly falls off the pedestal by reprimanding Jesus, who had embraced God's plan for his life. Wow, disobedience means shifting our allegiance to Satan rather than to God. Then Jesus tells the crowds that His disciples must be selfless, expect suffering, and obey the King. Pastor Rick shared this message with the CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake teaches from Mark 8:11-26 where we find Jesus talking about hard and soft hearts. Hard hearts are blind to Christ. The hard hearted have their hearts set on the circumstances rather than their God. It is the folks with soft hearts who can see their faith grow and God move. Pastor Blake Peterson taught this lesson to the CrossPoint Church.

Jesus does a short term mission trip deep into Gentile territory. Jesus announced that the Kingdom had come for the Gentiles. His disciples realized that evangelism is both uncomfortable and sacrifical... but worth it. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

Moses told the Jews in Deuteronomy 10 what God is asking them to do... fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Jesus modeled for us what serving and giving up our lives for others looks like. Pastor Rick ended with Paul's promise in 1 Corinthians 15:58... that everything you do for the Lord is useful. Pastor shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

The Treasure Principle is: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, BUT YOU CAN SEND IT ON AHEAD. God changes our selfish hearts into generous ones as we spend time with our Lord. Life is short... invest in eternity. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church about the joy of giving.

Jesus addressed the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Mark 7. He basically said they were more concerned about keeping man-made religious traditions and looking good on the outside than guarding their hearts.  So, guard your heart by spending time with God so your actions are an outflow of your relationship with the Almighty.  Pastor Blake shared this message with CrossPoint Church

The disciples are thick headed... not grasping what Jesus is teaching them. Jesus sends them into a stormy sea and He goes to the hills to pray. Jesus sees their trouble, walks on the water out to them and calms the storm. They are starting to see who I AM is. They fall down and worship. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

The feeding of the 5,000 is a Big Story that teaches us a plethora of things. Pastor Rick focused on the importance of finding a quiet spot so you can hear God, growing in compassion and going to God often with your empty basket. Pastor spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Rick focuses on Mark 6 where we are alerted to fact that following Jesus has its challenges and that obedience has a cost. Mark illustrates what Jesus is teaching his disciples when he tells the story of John's beheading. Pastor Rick shared this message with CrossPoint Church.

God sent an angel to a group of shepherds to announce the Messiah's birth. The humble shepherds were the first to see the Messiah and spread the news of His arrival.  Thank you Lord for coming to a manger and a cross so we might experience life now and forever. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church on Kids Take over Sunday.

Fear is normal at times, but abnormal when you have a rich relationship with God. Mary, Joseph and Jesus all listened when God told them NOT TO BE AFRAID. Trusting their good good Father made all the difference.

After 400 years of silence, God sent Jesus, the messiah to save us from our sins. God is faithful and always at work even during times when we feel abandoned. There are times we need to listen and obey God's Word in spite of how we feel so our faith muscles grow in God's perfect timing and plans. Pastor Rick spoke this message to the flock at CrossPoint Church.

God has come to redeem creation from evil and to establish His kingdom on earth. This passage not only showcases Jesus' incomparable might, it also highlights His mercy, gentleness, sensitivity, and loving-kindness. From an esteemed synagogue official to a poor social outcast to countless others, Jesus repeatedly demonstrated that kind of genuine care for suffering people. As God in human flesh, the greatness of His creative power was equaled only by the goodness of His compassion. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church

Pastor Rick shared from Mark 5:1-20 where Jesus delivered a demonized man and then commissioned him to go back home and tell about God's mercy and show them his transformation. Rick spoke at the CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake Peterson opens up Mark 4:35-41. He shares that a strong faith cancels out the effects of fear. We learned that fear is normal, but it's impact is minimal when we realize that Jesus is in the boat.  Pastor Blake spoke this message to CrossPoint Church

Pastor Blake digs into Mark 4:21-34. He shares that the Kingdom of God emerges and grows when Jesus arrived. It starts off small and then grows and grows

Jesus said that the parable of the soils was critical to understand if you want to understand his other parables. Jesus asked his audience to listen up and pay attention to His words. Jesus challenged us to sow and be the rich soil. You will never regret listening to Jesus.

Jesus was misunderstood by the crowds, the religious and even his family. Jesus had a plan and was on mission and it still includes you and me.

Jesus was angry and sad toward the Pharisees and their legalism.  Their hard hearts kept them from a rich relationship with God. 

Jesus calls Matthew to be His disciple and then eats with Matthew's friends. Jesus knows spending time with folks who are far away from God is critical. May we recognize our mission field and all the divine appointments that God gives us each day.

After a busy day of ministry, Jesus got up early to pray. Jesus modeled for us how the Kingdom advances... prayer, preaching and ministry.  Soon after praying,  A leper and a paralytic came to Jesus after recognizing that Jesus was their only hope. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church

Christ's request was simple: Follow me. Simon, Andrew, James and John responded to Christ's invitation and it changed their lives. These four fishermen left their vocation and did life with Jesus. The invitation still remains. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint Church

Mark focused on following Jesus and recorded, in rapid-fire succession, specific events from the life and ministry of Jesus to prove to a Roman audience that He is the Christ, the Son of God, who served, suffered, died, and rose again. We can learn much from both John the Baptizer and Jesus in the first few verses of this Gospel.

Pastor Blake reminded us of the importance of community praise and Worship. He focused on John 4 and Psalm 95. He spoke his message at CrossPoint Church

Paul encourages the Ephesian Christians to stand firm, by God's strength, in God's armor, amid spiritual warfare. He wanted them to be aware of the raging battle and to be prepared for the warfare. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

CrossPoint Church Pathway is simple. Walk with God, grow in your UP, IN, OUT relationships and surprise your world. This will grow the church and make a kingdom impact. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake teaches from 2 Corinthians 3 where he talks about our identity in Christ. We are Christ's letter to our world, showing others how Christ acts and talks. God is chipping away everything that does not reflect Him well. It is only by God's grace that we have such a wonderful position and privilege. He spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

God sees the church as His body, as a family community and as His bride. Many of us have had bad experiences in the church and see its flaws. God loves the church and is His plan to get the good news out to a dying world. By the way, the T-Shirt Pastor Rick refers to in his message reads like this: If you met my family, you would understand. He shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

We gather on Sundays to be reminded how heinous sin is... all sin. Believers have power over sin. They can confess and repent of our sin in order to have our relationship with God restored. God is loving, gracious and just. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake talks about the Love of God using the book of Song of Solomon. God loves us period... this is so hard to understand, but when we do His Love changes us. Pastor Blake shared this message at CrossPoint Church.

We need to meet weekly in order to worship together and be reminded that this world is not our home. We are tenters and even in some cases, backpackers in this world. Each week we have about 72 hours to invest in this life or in the next million. Paul, John, Peter and Jesus all shared the wisdom of investing in eternity.

God reigns. God rules. God is in control. So why do we struggle so much when plans don't go as hoped or when evil seems to triumph? We gather to be reminded that: God is both our King and our Father, but we often don't understand His Ways, God is loving, wise, powerful & just… His actions are perfect, and Nothing alters God's plans… including our weaknesses. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint Church.

Faith in God is critical for the journey. Fear, complaining and an independent spirit often thwarts faith. We need to be reminded every week who God is and what God desires for his kids. Ultimately, God desires that we grow in faith so that we can experience His peace in every circumstance. Pastor Rick taught this lesson at CrossPoint Church

We need help and we need to hear from our amazing God daily for encouragement, conviction and direction. You will never regret spending time with our Lord and listening to His voice. This message was spoken at CrossPoint Church

Sundays Matter because we forget. We need to be reminded to go to God and ask for help. This was a wonderful Fathers Day message, but also a message for all of us. Pastor Rick spoke this message at CrossPoint Church

Sundays matter because we forget. We need to remember God's grace, mercy and love otherwise we have a tendency to drift back into our selfishness.  We need to gather weekly in order to recalibrate and celebrate.

Jesus said that among His followers it would be different. So, if you don't talk, think or act differently than your neighbor, you probably are not following. You are a practical atheist if you say you follow Jesus but live your life like everyone else. Jesus followers focus on the days after the tent is folded up. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church and focused on 1 Corinthians 5.

Jesus told his disciples, "But among you it will be different." Coming to faith makes you a new creation. God begins to change you from the inside out so that you think, act and talk differently than the culture around you. Jesus died so we do not have to serve ourselves but can serve Jesus and be His ambassadors. 

Hannah is a hero. She trusted God when in pain. She set up Samuel well by teaching him about God and service. She prayed passionately for him all while worshiping and honoring God. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

Paul's last reminders... last words to Timothy.  Finish the race Timothy. Pastor Rick finished this series with this message to CrossPoint Church.