CrossLife Church

Do You Need Jesus?

If you ask a few people, “Do you need Jesus” what would they say? You would probably hear the reply, “No, I’m good, thanks.” I suspect that people seeing their need for Jesus is at an all-time low. Few people see a need for Jesus in their life. In our increasingly secular age, people find the meaning and purpose they need in their life in the imminent domain of their immediate context and moment. 

People may be independent but people also seem increasingly needy. How do you know if you are a needy person? Needy people constantly need to be around someone. They usually look for someone who will approve of what they are doing. They need others to affirm their decisions or assure them they are right. Their needs usually seem to take center stage and they are often jealous of others with competing needs. They also need to keep moving and make sure there is always some background noise. They must avoid stillness or silence. That is the contradiction of our day as people are independent, individualistic, and needy.

In reality, we all have needs that cannot me satisfied in this world. No human can shoulder the weight of all your needs and expectations. For those whose fierce independence and self-sufficiency allows them to function with little need of others and no need for Jesus, that will one day change. 

There are two things that one can expect to eventually wrestle with, disease and death. Everyone who makes it past their early twenties begins the slow descent of physical decline (metabolism, vision, back, energy, etc..). Everyone’s health will naturally decline as the years pass by and most will have to battle with sickness and disease. Regardless of the severity of the health challenges in a person’s life, we all will experience the loss of loved ones who have died before us and all will experience death. That is precisely what it means to be mortal. 

In Luke 8:40-56, Jesus is confronted with people who have come to him in desperate need. They had exhausted all their human options and resources in battling the two mortal enemies of disease and death. They knew only Jesus could help.

Demonic Deliverance

If you asked someone today about their thoughts concerning demons and the demonic realm don’t be surprised if they think you are talking about movie genres or top forty songs. Today, demonic themes are no longer the stuff of fear. They are to be used for provocative self-expression or to sell movie tickets.

Consider the 65th GRAMMY Awards this past February. The most talked about performance of the night was the smash hit “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. The song glorifies immorality, sexual perversion, and blatant worship of the devil. Believe it or not, it was sponsored by Pfizer. The lyrics celebrate the fashion house Balenciaga which advertises and supports pedophilia. Sam Smith explained, “This song is about liberating oneself from the clutches of others’ secrets. And throwing out the rule book.” The performance included abundant red lights, fire, red spandex, devil horns, and sadomasochism.

The are also two current movies about demon possession and exorcisms. One that came out in late 2022, Prey for the Devil, tells the story of a woman who plans to be the first female exorcist. Another movie is set to be released on April 14, titled the Pope’s Exorcist, and stars Russell Crowe. Both movies do their best to provide suspense and shock for the entertainment of those who "enjoy" horror movies.  

It is interesting to note that our increasingly secular world is not becoming less spiritual. The void produced by those abandoning Christianity is being filled by new versions of paganism and an ever-increasing interest in the occult.

So, are demons real? If you know what you are looking for there is an abundance of evidence that suggests demonic forces are just as active today as they were believed to be in ancient times. 

In Luke 8:26-39, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a multitude of demons. The community he lived in had done what they could to control him but were powerless. When Jesus meets the demon-possessed man, his life is marked by disorder, social isolation, and self-destruction. Through Jesus, the man is delivered but the response of the community is not what you would expect. Dealing with sin and evil is disruptive, messy, and costly.

Are You Receptive?

Is Selective Hearing a myth or a real thing? If you have children, have been married, or have had close relationships, you have probably experienced or been guilty of selective hearing. It can be a little frustrating to talk with someone whose face appears to be listening but whose ears are not following the words coming from your mouth. They may hear you talking but they are not listening.  

There have been a number of scientific studies that have attempted to find an answer. A 2008 study established that most people can focus on differing sounds heard out of one ear versus the other. Another study from 2012 showed participants could be hearing multiple people talking but selectively focus on the words being spoken by only one. The studies prove that selective hearing is both a real thing and able to be controlled by the interest of the hearer.

According to one article, "Selective Hearing involves many factors, including your goals, vision, and brain activity patterns. Your brain chooses what to listen to based on what you’re trying to do" (Healthline.com). The article offers some tips for becoming a better listener like paying attention, summarizing, asking questions, and "minding your biases."  

Just as selective hearing affects our earthly relationships it also affects our relationship with God. For this reason, Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear let him hear." Jesus even warns, "take care how you listen."

In Luke 8:1-15, we find one of the most well-known parables of Jesus, the parable of the four soils. Jesus shockingly warns that a person may think they have heard and know God's Word and yet it never takes root or produces fruit. In our sinful and natural state, we do not want to listen to God and we struggle to be spiritually receptive to what God is saying to us.  

Love is blind! At least, that is what the romantics and poets say. There is some truth to the idea that loving others involves a willingness to overlook their inadequacies, flaws, and even failures. However, ignoring obvious issues in our lives, or the lives of others can also be unwise.   

What if seeing ourselves and others more accurately and clearly could lead to greater love? When love is blind it is also distorted and dishonest, eventually resulting in denial or distrust.

Most people fall into one of two camps. One group fails to see the sin issues in their lives while quickly seeing sin in others. The other group lives with shame and guilt, believing if people really knew their junk they would never be loved or accepted.   

In Luke 7:36-50, we find Jesus in a difficult position. While having a meal at the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a sinful woman enters the room, washing and anointing Jesus's feet. Simon's skepticism about Jesus only grows since Jesus appears unable to SEE that an obviously sinful woman is touching his feet. 

Jesus seems unconcerned about the woman's reputation and responds with a story about two debtors. Then asks a question, that gets to the heart of the matter, "Simon, 'Do you see this woman?"

The woman, clearly aware of the greatness of her sin, had faith that Jesus was a greater Savior. What Simon saw as inappropriate, Jesus knew was actually an extravagant act of love from a sinner whose great debt had been forgiven and released. 

This message explores the most effective way to grow in our love for God.

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)

According to Luke's research into the exact account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, there were only a few present in the initial hours surrounding His birth. Their reactions and responses serve as a guide to help us examine our own hearts and asses our spiritual lives. 

In Luke 2:18-19 we read,

"And all who heard it wondered 

at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 

But Mary treasured all these things,

pondering them in her heart."   

Many were amazed at the story of the birth of Jesus and may have been moved to wonder about it. But, like three of the four soils (Luke 8) their wonder is snatched away, overwhelmed by the heat of the day's challenges, or choked out by the world's allurement. 

In contrast, we find Mary treasuring and pondering. Mary is trying to understand all that God is doing and resting in amazement as she witnesses the fulfillment of thousands of years of God's promises. We also see the shepherds worshiping as they return to their sheep, sharing the great news with all who will listen. For on that day in Bethlehem was born the lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world. 

Join us as we treasure, ponder, and worship Christmas, 2022!

One would think that Christmas would be a time that would lighten the load for many, but December is often one of the most difficult times for many. In the words of little orphan Annie, "It's a hard knock life for us!"

As I interact with leaders from around the country and around the world, there is a common sense of uncertainty and stress. Leaders thrive when they can anticipate and prepare for the challenges ahead. In unprecedented times with unprecedented change, anticipation becomes impossible. 

What we really need is some good news! The kind of news that reveals and assures us that there are days of joy ahead. 

During this Advent Season (advent= time of expectation and anticipation) we will be going back in the Gospel account of Luke to chapter 2. Luke's account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus will give us a much-needed reason to hope. 

"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." -Luke 2:10 (ESV)

In his writing Tale of Melibee, Geoffrey Chaucer was the first English writer to pen the words "familiarity breeds contempt." However, it was Publilius of Rome who first used the phrase 1300 years earlier.

What does the phrase familiarity breeds contempt mean? The closer we get to a person the more we know their flaws, quirks, and shortcomings. The more familiar we are with a person, the more casual we tend to view our relationship with them.

It can be especially difficult to know a person growing up and then reframe your perception of them as a mature adult. Imagine the difficulty of those who knew Jesus as a young boy with braces and acne while growing up in Nazareth.

In Luke 4:14-30, word had been spreading about Jesus teaching and activities throughout the region of Galilee. News about Jesus was going viral, even making its way back to Nazareth.

Luke alone records Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth. It was there, that Jesus launched his ministry with his first recorded sermon at his home synagogue (or church).

Was there a ticker-tap parade? Did the crowd roar in support? Did they throw a great feast to celebrate the hometown hero? Nope! They actually tried to kill him.

To them, Jesus was simply the son of Joseph, not the Son of God. They had put Jesus in a box. Their familiarity with Jesus led to their contempt of Jesus.
Have you grown too familiar, casual, or indifferent in your relationship with Jesus?

The Truth about Temptation

Temptation is a reality that every person is instinctively aware of and yet most of us give it little thought. When people act in ways once considered sinful, there is an excessive attempt to deny one's personal responsibility.

When society actually labels an action as wrong or sinful, how do they explain the cause? From a humanistic perspective, the problem must be their environment, education, or lack of resources. Humans are never responsible for their own bad decisions—there must be someone to blame.

Many Christians are not much better on the subject of sin and temptation. No decent Christian would deny that humans have a responsibility to avoid sin and live a life that honors God. However, that doesn’t stop us from minimizing our part in giving in to temptation.

Let me give you just three dominant myths about sin and temptation.
Myth #1- God made me this way. I didn’t ask for these desires and so it's really not my fault. If you believe this myth you are basically saying, “it’s at least partially God’s fault, not mine.”
Myth #2 - I Fell into Sin. I just minded my own business and boom I messed up. This myth says, “I took the bait but it was a trap.” I would have never taken the bait if it wasn’t there.
Myth #3 - The devil made me do it. It’s all the devil’s fault. This myth credits the devil with making you sin not just tempting you to sin.
There are many myths and misunderstandings about sin and temptation but what is the Truth about Temptation? A temptation is an enticement or invitation to fulfill a God-given desire in a God-prohibitive way.

In this message, we consider the Temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13. We all know the danger and reality of temptation but Jesus alone knows the freedom of resisting the full power of temptation.