Swimming in the Deep

What is rest It is not sitting around being lazyWhat is the difference between resting and being lazy  Work is a good thing -  we are called to work It has purpose Mankind is made in the image and likeness of God. When God created humans in his image and likeness, He gave them the task of ruling the world (Genesis 1:26). In chapter 2, he also gives them specific to work the Garden of Eden and to take care of it (Genesis 2:15). As God himself works, so too must they. “He is a cosmic gardener who rules over his world and they are to be cosmic gardeners, working in it and ruling over it.Humans therefore work because God works. Work can have meaning because God gives it meaning. He creates them as workers and he sees what he has made and pronounces it ‘very good' (Genesis 1:31).As with work, rest has meaning because God gives it meaning. He creates people who need rest and who have it in their nature to rest.

This episode we have the privilege of recording in Birmingham, AL.  We are on our way back from the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.In this episode we take a look at some of the highlights of the annual meeting, with special guests.  From raising a ballot to sending 79 missionaries through the IMB.  This episode also introduces us to our Season 6, Navigating the SBC.links from the episodehttps://www.sbc.net/resource-library/52-sundays/https://www.travisagnew.org/2023/06/15/what-the-world-missed-at-the-sbc/?fbclid=IwAR3giJb_yiV2Qdd9yGqBWiIOi5nJDWpwJVIcG-39tZ9m5r8jJnUJ-R0KFZ0_aem_th_Ae4eOrmyJ4cZmOOfIcQUIm8WBfT4vgrmQSfNFD10esX_tKCUKEcBODPmSkEN38tNaNc

The implications of the fall of Roe v Wade on our church and our community.  After Indiana passes legislation (currently still being debated), what our responses as individuals and a church should be.  Who can we join with in the community to help women and families who experience crisis pregnancies?  What are we as Crosspoint uniquely positioned to do?

In this episode we try to tackle the question: How does a parent decide whether to do public school, Christian school, or home school in the context of raising children in the Lord?  What are the strengths and potential struggles with each?The short answer....Pray, Seek wisdom, Know your kids and how they learn

In this episode we look at...What is an alter call and where did it come from...why did churches stop...did this effect culture...what should be the desire...

In this episode we look at what a cult is? Are there different types?  How is that different from the church? 

In this episode we are looking at a worldview and what it is.  Everyone has a worldview and it determines more than you realize.  Some people do not understand that they live according to a worldview.

In this episode we look at the truth and encouragement that because of Christ, the believer has been saved from the penalty of sin and is being saved from the power of win.  We talk through how  God gives us what we need to overcome sin - He gives us the strength to overcome sin, He gives us people to help us through it - He gives us conviction.

This episode doesn't really answer a question, but it was a lot of fun to share how God has been at work in our lives and ministry.

In this episode we look at the impact or potential impact of personal revival effecting or resulting in the lack of church revival.  There is a lot to this question, but we have worked at answering this. 

The question for this episode comes from Hebrews 10:24 says “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”  What does that look like for believers and how do we get really good at this?

We will look at questions that we have received over this next season.  In this episode we answer the first question that we received for this upcoming season.  Dan and Josh share their testimony and their call to ministry.  

As with work, rest has meaning because God gives it meaning. He creates people who need rest and who have it in their nature to rest.In this final episode, we look at rest.  What is it? Why is it hard for us to rest?  We also will hear a little bit from Pastor Dan about the sabbatical he recently had.  

Parenting is not easy at all.  Then add in the mix of everything the world throws and it just got harder. Parenting is exhausting and overwhelming, don't go at it alone. What are some struggles in Parenting? What can we do as parents?

Today, we are going to look at the struggles we face when it comes to technology and how to be wise with it and see God's grace to help usAs we go through this episode I would like to keep in mind a definition that Tony Reinke gives in, God, Technology, and the Christian Life, he says that “technology is applied science and amplified power. It's art, method, know-how, formulas, and expertise.” he goes on to say that we, “amplify our native power through new techniques.”

Join us as we look at the struggles we face when it comes to prayer and the things that we can remember to help us as we overcome those struggles. What Are Some Of The StrugglesKnowing how to express our hearts in prayer Waiting to see the answer - waiting on God's timing Trusting God even when we feel like the answers to our prayers aren't meeting our expectations Lamenting the answers from God - the answers of wait, or the answer that we don't need what we have asked for - Tim Keller in his book “Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering” when he says “we must avoid extremes of either not asking God for things or thinking we can bend God's will to ours”

So this episode may be a little different than others, since we are going to be looking more at our own personal relationship with God and how it should shape us.  I think that there is a point in all of our lives where we find ourselves struggling to have a consistent and productive devotional life.What does that look like for you?Where do Bible reading plans fit?So Why is it  to struggle to have a quiet time with God to be filled with the Spirit vs. checking off a to do list?How do we overcome that struggle or encourage others to overcome that struggle?

As we continue to look at the struggle when church leaders fail, in this episode we look at the last 5 things from Christopher Ash's article as well as look at some things from James Carroll book, Collateral Damage.

We hear that someone, perhaps one we have known well, has fallen into financial sin (say, defrauding his church), or has been dishonest in his speaking or writing, or has committed sexual sin, or has had an outburst of aggressive and blasphemous anger. Or he has in some other way dishonored the gospel of the Lord Jesus and damaged the church. 

Historically denominations functioned not as the means of greater independence or division, but as concrete ways to protect peculiar emphases and traditions of the church in diverse places and times against government…basically serving as a voice against religious dominance.

When should you not leave....when should you leave?     Before considering leaving a church it is good to examine yourself first as well…so in light of the characteristics of a church, we as Christians also need to think about the words of Paul to the Ephesians.  In 4:1-3, there is an urging to maintain unity and in that urging Paul lists several requisite attitudes

We are going to look at the struggle of unity in the church and the question of - how am I to be united when we disagree in the churchWe know this is a struggle because… We want to be united as Christ calls for us to be united, but we are sinners who have issues and we need to acknowledge there are disagreements in the church.

As we finished our Daniel sermon series - “God's Sovereignty In A Strange Land” and seeing that we too are in a land that is not our home but God is still sovereign and He has us here for a purpose - and in that looking at how to stand up in the midst of cultural issues. Then coming into our 2022 theme as a church - which is Thrive -and the goal to Thrive in our walk and to thrive in making Kingdom impact.  And with that coming to 1 Corinthians sermon series and seeing the struggles and questions that these believers in Corinth had.  And when you combine all that together - you get our theme for this season.

Here we take a look at politics as an institution that God established.  We look at the authority that has been granted to government and also talk about the authority that has been given to the church.  As a reminder we know that even the authority those institutions have is limited, because God is still in control.  Issues we have in today's politics is because of sin...the question is when and how does the Christian get involved.

In this episode we look at human trafficking and what the church can do to fight it.  This episode contains stats that may be too much for children. We would encourage you to listen to this episode first before letting your children listen.

In this episode we look at racism and brief history of racism, but more importantly we look at what Scripture says and how the church should respond. 

In this episode we are going to look at cultures assault on biblical marriage. As we have done through this series we are looking at culture's view/definition, the view from God's Word, and what the churches response should be. We hope as you journey with us you will be encouraged to love your community, share the gospel, and make disciples.

In this episode we continue to look at culture vs. Biblical truth. This week we tackle looking at the sexual and gender revolution that has led to where we are as a culture, worldwide.  We look at our identity as image-bearers, community, and our response as the church.  

In this episode we take a look at Critical Theory and see how it is anti-gospel. We briefly look at answering the questions that all worldview answer, then we return to Scripture showing more and more the sufficiency of God's Word.  In Critical Theory any one can define the problem with society, therefore solutions can be endless, but in a Biblical worldview God defines the problem and reveals the solution.  Sin is the problem and the gospel is the answer to the sin problem.

Here in this episode we look at the topic of devaluing human life, life that is made in God's image.  Specifically by looking at Abortion and how life is treated from womb to the tomb. 

We are excited at the beginning of a new season. In this episode we introduce what this season will hold as we look at current things in culture.  We share about truth and what is truth.  We have introduced the reality that injustice does exist, but we also make sure to point out the first and greatest injustice is against God.  We are going to look at topics that in some cases cause much debate. We are going to look at these topics/issues from the reality that Scripture is True and Trustworthy. 

In this episode we look at the giving of our time, money resources, etc. We are commanded to give, but how are we to give and what are we to give? As we explore this we find that giving is something that happens from our heart. Giving should be done generously, sacrificially, and cheerfully.

In this episode we take a brief look at prayer, specifically the call to pray. We discuss ways to pray, why we pray, and who should pray. There are a few models of prayer that we look at as well.

Here is this episode we take a look at how the local church and its members serving on mission in a local context and global context. This serving on mission in the local/global context comes from the humble servant heart displayed by a love for the community.

In this episode we take a brief look at serving in the local church.  God has gifted us as believers with gifts and talents for serving in the local church and in the community. All of this serving is for His Glory. How do you discover the gifts that God has given you?

In the previous episode we looked at what a new believer should do - be baptized and begin to recover and pursue God's design and part of that is to then join a local church. We want to look closer and dive deeper into the question of why do we as a local church practice church membership. We will look at: What is biblical church membership, why do we have church membership?, and what is the goal of church membership?

This episode will be built on by the upcoming episodes. In episode 3 we take a look at what it means for the new Christian...what is a new christian suppose to do? We want to now bring it back to a local church level and we want to look closer and dive deeper into the question of what do I do as a new believer (and this can also apply for seasoned believers).

This is the 2nd episode of our 2-part series on denominations. In this episode we look specifically at the Southern Baptist Convention. What is the SBC? Where did it come from? We are missional people. The SBC has parts of its past that we are not proud of, but we are proud of the heart for missions and the cooperation of some 50,000 churches, +3,000 International Mission Board missionaries.

This is the first episode of 2-part series. In this episode we look very briefly at the denomination. What are denominations and why do we have them? There are things that separate denominations from each other and that comes from our theological convictions along with our religious liberty (Dr. R. Albert Mohler).

In this episode we are looking at God's great love for rebellious sinners and God's saving love. As we think through and look at the Need, the Offer, and the Call. We look at the faith that Israel had to have as they looked, in faith, too God for healing and as we today look with faith in Christ for salvation.

In this episode we look at God's care for the church. We start off with looking at the church.  Who and what is the church? The beauty of the global church, as well as the local church. With the beauty of God's great design of the church, we then look at how God cares for the church with the giving of the office of elder. We take a look at the duties of elders as they humbly serve.

We take a brief look..lol...at evangelism in this podcast. Looking at ways we can encourage each other to share and overcome the barriers that hinder us from sharing the gospel. In this we look at the sermon on John 9, where Jesus heals the man born blind...and Jesus comes to him. The greatest need is spiritual sight. That the world would see God for who He is, and their desperate need for Jesus.