SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO SOW -
• Hold EVERYTHING God gives you LOOSLEY
• KEY WORD: ROOT
o ROOT always determines FRUIT
o Are you yielding BAD FRUIT; Consider the ROOT
• THE RIGHTEOUS CONTINUES TO BEAR FRUIT
• (planted by the living waters!)
4. V.28 – In the PATH of the righteous there is LIFE.
• Our path should be full of adventure that breeds LIFE
• We are LIFE-GIVING people!
• QUESTION: EXAMINE THE PATH YOUR IN… Look around you; Is there LIFE AROUND?
• When People Around You Are DYING, CRYING; LYING; BE LIFE-GIVING; KEEP HOPE ALIVE IN THE MIDST
• IN HIM WAS LIFE….LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN!
• LAST SUNDAY: experienced LIFE in a beautiful way.
• My friend DANIEL… yrs ago….
• LAST SUNDAY – he was here in church!
LAST THOUGHT: The Months ahead will be challenging:
• WORD FROM THE SPIRIT: Its what you do DAILY that will matter; YESTERDAY IS HISTORY; FUTURE IS A MYSTERY; ALL WE HAVE IS TODAY!
I THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOU; YOU ARE CROSSROADS CHURCH
YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUS; YOU KEEP HOPE ALIVE IN THIS CITY
LITTLE JOHNNY:
During the Pandemic, Little Johnny’s teacher was talking about marriage and relationships.
Teacher asked LJ, “What kind of wife would you like Johnny?
Johnny: I want a wife like the moon.
Teacher: Wow! What a choice! Do you want her to be beautiful and calm and bright?
Johnny: No, I want her to arrive at NIGHT and DISAPPEAR by morning
POINT: I’m sure many have felt this way about your spouse during 2020.
BUT WE MADE IT!
This morning I want to end the LAST SERVICE of the year with a EXAM.
• NO WORRIES – You already passed! YOU’RE HERE! YOU MADE IT! SOME WORN OUT AND TIRED BUT WE MADE IT!
• We made through
o GLOBAL PANDEMIC, WILDFIRES IN THE WEST;
o HURRICANES AROUND THE WORLD; POLITICAL TENSION
o FINANCIAL TENSION, RELATIONAL STRESS
o KIDS STAYING HOME; HUSBANDS WORKING FROM HOME
o MASK WEARING; LESS TRAVELING;
• CROSSROADS CHURCH – IMO – JESUS IS PLEASED WITH YOUR FAITH!
o BECAME THE CHURCH IN ACTION
o CANCELLED EASTER but we still TOOK COMMUNION
o CANCELLED MISSION TRIP BUT STILL FED FAMILIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES
o DIDNT GATHER PHYSICALLY BUT REMAINED CONNECTED
o DURING THIS TEST & TENSION
OUR STUDENTS BECAME WORSHIPPERS
OUR CHILDREN BROUGHT PARENTS BACK TO CHURCH
OUR STAFF DIDN’T GET LAID OFF
STRIPED PARKING LOTS; ADDED BLDG STORAGES;
• BOUGHT XMAS GIFTS FOR FAMILIES
• MINISTERED TO WOMAS SHELTERS, etc……
• BAPTIZED SEVERAL OF YOU IN WATER
• DEDICATED SEVERAL OF YOUR BABIES
• CONDUCTED MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR YOUR LOVED ONES WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
o WE ACTED LIKE THE CHURCH
ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM: THANK YOU
REMINDED OF THIS SCRIPTURE
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now ... (Philippians 1:3-5, NIV)
HEAR OFTEN: I want to experience what the EARLY CHRISTIANS HAD.
HISTORY WAS REPEATED – You became like the 1st Century Church!
During a major epidemic, first century Christians acted in such a way that people outside the faith couldn’t ignore them.
It'S NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE CORRECTLY. WE MUST ACT ON WHAT WE SAY WE BELIEVE.
• It can be hard to maintain hope in the middle of chaos. But our hope isn't anchored to circumstances. Our hope is anchored to an event—BECAUSE HE LIVES…WE HAVE THIS HOPE TO OFFER OTHERS
• FAV SONGS: YOU KEEP HOPE ALIVE
o Days may be darkest, but your light is greater
You light our way, God, you light our way
When evil is rising, you're rising higher
With power to save, with power to save
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let
us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
LAST PART OF THE YEAR – A Time of REFLECTION
In My Journal: Writing about PROVERBS 12
THE RIGHTEOUS EXAM:
1. v.3 – The ROOT of the righteous CANNOT BE MOVED
• Not moved by the atrocities of life.; FIRM FOOTING
o Not led by our Emotions; Feelings;
o WE ARE THE ROCK under the oceans waves.
o Its not what happens TO YOU; It’s what you allow to happen IN YOU
Ps 121 - My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber
2. v.7 – The HOUSE of the righteous will STAND
o Your HOME may be ROCKED, but you will ENDURE;
o ENEMYS GOAL: Disgrace your home; Divide It
o MEN – TAKE THE LEAD: “As for Me and MY House; we will serve the Lord!”
3. V.12 – The ROOT of the righteous YIELDS FRUIT
o You continue to INCREASE; GROW;
o DEVELOP; YIELD SEED FOR OTHERS;
o STUDENTS: came out of their shell; smiling; laughing; lifted hands; worshippers not complainers
• ENEMY – plans to EMBITTER your ROOT but the RIGHTEOUS continue to YIELD GOOD FRUIT!
