Crossroads - Weekend Messages

Nothing is better than NEW. New is untouched, clean, never broken and full of promise and possibilities. Whether it's a new phone, a new car, a new job, or a new relationship, we love new. What about our life? Have you ever wanted to hit the reset button and start over? The centerpiece of this Easter season is Jesus dying and rising again to give us brand new life, and we can enjoy that newness of life, regardless of where we stand today. For our last Easter message, Pastor Bill and Pastor Daniel will help us raise the roof with joy because God has given us Brand New Life!

Try and imagine the scene. You are on the Mount of Olives and there is a huge commotion. There is a man riding a donkey and people are going nuts, singing and waving branches and laying their clothes on the ground. It is absolute pandemonium. Then the man on the donkey, a man heralded king, begins to weep. He proclaims amidst the tears, that destruction is coming on a beloved city. He then goes into the temple courts and begins to get physical with the people in there. Can you imagine that scene? This is exactly how Jesus began the last week of His earthly life and ministry. In a seemingly unrelated hodgepodge of events, we see Jesus as He really is, the brand new king. But Jesus is a king like no other king has ever been or ever will be. Jesus is equally prophet, priest and king.

God has just delivered the children of Israel from Egypt. Between the Passover event and the deliverance at the Red Sea, God moved powerfully in the lives of the children of Israel. As the narrative continues, God chooses to meet with Moses and the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Sinai is where God begins to share His heart for His people. God gives His law (i.e. the righteous requirements for living) at Sinai. In dramatic fashion, God meets with His people and explains to them what it means to live a godly life. The New Testament reveals to us that the law reveals our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Thus, the law points to our need for salvation in Jesus. What an incredible reality!

At the turn of the millennium, Creed was one of America's most popular bands. Lead singer Scott Stapps' lyrics had undeniably Christian overtones, but the band shied away from that label. Their song, With Arms Wide Open was a huge hit, topping Billboards charts, video charts and garnering a Grammy for Best Rock Song. The lyrics and imagery of this song is perfect for our last Psalm in our Top Ten series. Psalm 22 is a Messianic psalm that points to Jesus death and resurrection, and ushers us into the Easter season.

In the mid-80s, a new sound emerged from the Seattle area combining indie rock, punk, and metal music that became known as grunge music. It was relatively unknown until the early 1990s when grunge hit mainstream and the band Nirvana changed the face of music. Their debut album Nevermind soared up the charts and their second single, Come As You Are, was an instant hit. Come As You Are speaks to the complexities and contradictions of being human. And its the perfect title to our next Psalm in our Top Ten series. Do you ever get tired of trying to measure up? Real life is gritty and complicated, and sometimes we wonder if Jesus understands. Psalm 139 and shows us how God lays out a beautiful invitation for all people to come as they are. Jesus gets it. No matter how complex or challenging life is, He has created each of us, cares for us deeply, and wants to sustain us through life’s highs and lows.

God has just delivered the children of Israel from Egypt. Between the Passover event and the deliverance at the Red Sea, God moved powerfully in the lives of the children of Israel. As the narrative continues, God chooses to meet with Moses and the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Sinai is where God begins to share His heart for His people. God gives His law (i.e. the righteous requirements for living) at Sinai. In dramatic fashion, God meets with His people and explains to them what it means to live a godly life. The New Testament reveals to us that the law reveals our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Thus, the law points to our need for salvation in Jesus. What an incredible reality!

In 1966, the Beach Boys released “Good Vibrations,” a song that would climb to #1 on Billboard’s Top 100 and later be named the #6 greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Aren’t good vibes an awesome thing? Nothing feels better than being in a place you know, with the people you love. On the other hand, every time you find yourself in a place you aren’t familiar with, you don’t feel comfortable, and for sure you aren't having any “good vibrations.” Pastor Bill shares from Psalm 137 how God leads us to feel good even when things seem wonky, or the deck of life feels like it's stacked against you. We’ve all been there, and God has the answer for us.

God has just delivered the children of Israel from Egypt. Between the Passover event and the deliverance at the Red Sea, God moved powerfully in the lives of the children of Israel. As the narrative continues, God chooses to meet with Moses and the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Sinai is where God begins to share His heart for His people. God gives His law (i.e. the righteous requirements for living) at Sinai. In dramatic fashion, God meets with His people and explains to them what it means to live a godly life. The New Testament reveals to us that the law reveals our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Thus, the law points to our need for salvation in Jesus. What an incredible reality!

When you think of ‘reggae,’ one artist always comes to mind: Bob Marley. As Jann Wenner said at his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “As a songwriter, he brought the lyrical force of Bob Dylan, the personal charisma of John Lennon, and the essential vocal stylings of Smokey Robinson into one voice.” Not to mention he brought Jamaica’s unique brand of music to the mainstream. Redemption Song, the final track on Marley’s ninth album, is one of his most famous, and was voted the 66th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The chorus says, “Won't you help to sing this song of freedom, ‘cause all I ever have: redemption songs.” The theme of redemption flows in and around our next Top Ten Psalm, Psalm 103. This Sunday Pastor Daniel will show us how praise, forgiveness, redemption, renewal and covenant pop up again and again throughout this beautiful song of David.

God has just delivered the children of Israel from Egypt. Between the Passover event and the deliverance at the Red Sea, God moved powerfully in the lives of the children of Israel. As the narrative continues, God chooses to meet with Moses and the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Sinai is where God begins to share His heart for His people. God gives His law (i.e. the righteous requirements for living) at Sinai. In dramatic fashion, God meets with His people and explains to them what it means to live a godly life. The New Testament reveals to us that the law reveals our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Thus, the law points to our need for salvation in Jesus. What an incredible reality!