Crossing Community Church

One of the most heartbreaking stories from Genesis is the treachery of Jacob to steal Esau's blessing from Isaac. Esau's emotion jumps off the page at you. But many, if not most of us, have experienced similar agony. Some people seem to live a life of lingering agony as they seek to fill the heartache and pain of their life with things of the world -- things that only cause more pain. Psalm 46 instructs us to "Be still" and let God be God in our live. Let Him deal with our loss and sorrow as only He can.

Genesis 25 records the birth of Isaac's sons Jacob and Esau. Their relationship is 'unique' from the beginning! It's easy to find the fault in both of them. But is it as easy to see how we can be like them as well?

Genesis 24 is the story of Abraham sending his servant on a mission to find a wife for his son, Isaac. But built into the story of a servant on a mission are two things: #1 - Abraham's servant is a great model for us as we serve Christ. We can learn alot from him. #2. Even though the servant had a job to do, God was at work every step along the way with him -- as He is with us!

Raised in a Buddhist home in South Korea, MinSoo Bossard was never taught about Jesus -- except for one time! She happened upon a man teaching children about Jesus and giving away pamphlets about Him on the street one day. Looking back MinSoo believes that is the day she first heard about the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus. It wasn't until she moved to the United States and enrolled at Penn State University that she encountered Jesus again. It was there during her studies at the university that she came to faith in Christ. Enjoy her story of transformation!

Recent news headlines have carried the headlines of church leaders who have failed in their duties to shepherd their flocks. Christians look at these leaders and are bewildered by how such moral failures could come about. As you read the stories there is one factor that continues to surface -- the lack of accountability. The lack of people that these leaders had to answer to on a regular basis for the way they lived their lives. But it's not just our leaders that need this type of accountability. ALL of us do. Who are you accountable to?

While the obvious sins of Abraham's life was only a few and not terribly obvious, the sins of his sons and grandsons where. Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Ishmael, Judah, not to mention Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. They all committed terrible sins. But for many of us, that is just real life -- that is our life. Today's message vividly points out the way our sins trickle down to our children but there is hope -- "But God!"

We are true worshipers only because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Nestled in the story of God's call to Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, is the statement in Genesis 22:5 where Abraham says that he & Isaac are going up on the mountain "to worship" and "we will return." Today in our sermon we explore how the essence of worship is sacrifice and the deep faith Abraham had learned in all the years since God's original call on his life in Genesis 12.

Do you ever wonder why God made Abraham & Sarah wait so long for Him to fulfill his promise? Do you ever wonder why you are waiting so long for something you have been praying for? It's not that God has forgotten you. It's not that he is ignoring you. It's just the opposite. Every minute, every second that Abraham and Sarah waited on God to fulfill His promise of a son was packed with eternal purpose and intent. And the same thing is true for you. Take heart, God is at work in your life even when you can't see it!