Crossing Community Church

There are many opinions about what makes a church safe to attend as all of us move back toward meeting together as a church again. The potential for division is real. But the Lord Jesus has given us direction and guidance on how to love each other in order to avoid division. Today we look at Romans 12 for that guidance. 

Among the great enterprises man could attempt, none compare to the Great Enterprise that God has set before his church -- to give every man, woman and child the opportunity to hear the Gospel in their own language with the hope of many coming to faith in Christ. 

This week Pastor Tim explains why the Great Enterprise is so great!

James Gilardi is a high school senior that has experienced a great deal in his short life. Abandoned by his parents, living on the streets, foster care, adoption and finally a life changing experience with Jesus. Pull out the tissues and take a chair for this one. 

Paul wrote, "When I am weak, then I am strong." He is referring to the power of God at work in His people when they allow Him to use them in their weaknesses. This week Pastor Tim shared the story of Elinor Young, who survived childhood polio and grew up to serve God among the Kimyal tribe in the mountainous interior region of Irian Jaya. Her Kimyal friends gave her the name of "Bad Legs" referring to her polio-weakened legs. They believed her 'bad legs' were a sign that God loved them so much He sent her to share the Bible with them. The lesson to learn is that God will use all of us just as we are, unpolished and broken, to draw others to Himself!

Throughout the Bible we find stories of people who were going about their daily life when God used them right where they were. God is still doing that today -- even though there are restrictions on the way we live our life. But circumstances like a virus don't hinder God, instead they are a vehicle for him! 

We are not limited by the quarantine. God is creative and eager to use anyone that wants to be used. Don't waste the quarantine! There are opportunities at hand that will be gone when social distancing is a thing of the past. Ask God to use you!

As we close our study of Genesis, we can look back on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph and find life lessons in their stories. But more importantly, we can look and find God's character in their story. We are never more safe and more certain of our place in the circumstances of our world then when are depending on God and His character!

As Jacob prepares to leave Canaan and enter Egypt God appears to him in a dream and assures him that He is going before him as he leaves the land of his forefathers. In speaking to him, God makes provides for Jacob the reassurance he needed to know that he was trully following God and that God was with him. 

God makes those same provisions to you as well. Read His Word. Listen to Him and learn how he is walking with you during these uncertain days!

In our text today, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. Instead of lashing out in anger or vengence, he comforts his brothers. He tells them not to "be grieved or angry" for what they did because God used their actions for the good of all of them. 

Joseph's perspective on the wrongs done to him allowed him to not be angry or bitter for his years of suffering. He saw that all of that was used by God to provide salvation for their entire family. 

What is your perspective on the difficult circumstances you are in? God is able to bring good from bad. He is sovereign over the virus, your unemployment, your fear -- no matter your situation, God knows about it and wants to use it for good. Do you believe that?

There are lots of people who claim to "know" what the Bible says and who Jesus is. But unless you investigate those claims for yourself your eternal destiny hinges on what someone else thinks they know. You need to be sure for yourself. 

This Easter, Pastor Tim teaches from Matthew 28 and draws our attention to 3 observations from the text that should be true for all of us. 

In our ongoing series of Crossing people sharing how God has changed their lives, we are glad to have Dan Andros share his story with us. As you listen to him you'll what many who follow Christ say, "Growing in Christ, becoming mature in Him, takes time." Dan is very honest about the way Christ convicted him and brought him to pivotal places in his life of change. Enjoy his story!