Crosstowne Church - Sermons

Pastor Paul takes us into what it truly means to “own” our relationship with God by developing intentional, personal “altar time” with Him. Moving beyond tradition and theory, He highlights how biblical altars were never about physical structures but about meaningful encounters—places of worship, repentance, gratitude, and honest conversation with God. Drawing from Jesus’ example and the disciples’ request to be taught how to pray, emphasizes that real spiritual transformation comes from consistent, authentic interaction with God, not just thinking about Him. With a practical framework coined as the “6 R’s” (Rest, Re-Invite, Review, Reflect, Reaffirm, Renew), we are guided on how to build a daily rhythm of prayer that brings clarity, renewal, and deeper intimacy with the Father. Ultimately, Paul reminds us that making time for God isn’t optional—it’s essential for a thriving, transformed life.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul leads us into exploring what it truly means to “own your altar.” Moving beyond traditional ideas of altars as physical spaces or church moments, we see that the real altar is an intentional, daily interaction with God in our heart and life. Drawing from biblical examples like Noah, Abraham, and David, Paul highlights how altars were always about worship, surrender, repentance, and relationship—not the structure itself. This challenges us to take personal responsibility for meeting with God outside of Sunday services, turning everyday moments—whether in joy, stress, decision-making, or gratitude—into opportunities for connection. Ultimately, it calls us to prioritize God above all else and cultivate a consistent, authentic relationship with Him through ongoing “altar moments” in daily life.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul leads us through Philippians 2 and with the unusual story of “Shibboleth” from Judges 12. He uses the idea of a distinguishing word or “dialect” to illustrate how true faith should be clearly recognizable through our words, actions, and daily decisions. Paul emphasizes that Christian creeds are not just statements to recite on Sundays, but a lived reality that shapes how we treat others, handle challenges, and represent Christ in the world. Rejecting a watered-down, “pick-your-own” version of Christianity, we’re called to a bold, consistent confession that Jesus Christ is Lord—not just once, but as a lifelong way of living. So we’re invited to examine our lives and ask: does my life clearly reflect the “dialect” of God’s kingdom?

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul shares a concept to challenge the way we think about poverty, redefining it not as a lack of money but as any area of life that is not “as it should be.” He highlights how poverty can exist in our relationships, communication, thinking, and even our walk with God—often hidden beneath outward success. The counter to this poverty centers on the biblical concept of shalom, meaning wholeness, completeness, and flourishing as God intended. Rather than trying to fix ourselves through external solutions, we are asked to first acknowledge our own areas of brokenness and then invite the Holy Spirit—the “Spirit of shalom”—to restore and transform us from within. We’re encouraged to stop hiding our struggles, own our need for God, and begin the journey toward true peace and wholeness through Him.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul calls us as believers to move beyond simply believing in God’s promises to actively embracing and living them out. He centers on the Book of Isaiah 61, and challenges us to see ourselves as the redeemed “they” who are called to rebuild ancient ruins—restoring God’s design for marriage, family, identity, and culture. Rather than reinventing truth or living from the broken patterns of past generations, we are invited back to the “ancient paths” revealed in Scripture—truths about God, ourselves, and relationships that lead to real flourishing. Paul calls us to personal ownership through communion: to receive Christ not as ritual, but as a conscious commitment to walk in His ways, rebuild what has been devastated, and live the abundant life He offers.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul unpacks Isaiah 61 and connects it to the Beatitudes we find in the Gospel of Matthew 5, and its challenge to us as believers not to just believe God’s promises—but to own them. Paul reframes what it truly means to be “blessed,” showing how Jesus transforms our expectations in seasons of mourning, anxiety, disappointment, and hardship. Rather than living captive to negative predictions spoken by culture, family, or fear, we’re invited to embrace God’s greater promise found in the Epistle to the Romans 8:28—that He works all things together for good for those called according to His purpose. Centered on the hope secured through Christ’s sacrifice, we’re called to surrender limiting expectations, reject defeat, and “come and see” how God can redeem any situation for His glory and our good.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul unpacks the theme of “Own It” through book of Isaiah chapter 61, calling us to move beyond simply believing the gospel to fully living it. He shares this idea framed around Crosstowne’s 30th anniversary and the declaration of “the favorable year of the Lord,” and highlights God’s promise to exchange ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and shame for a double portion. Paul references Jesus’ fulfillment of Isaiah 61 (as seen in the Gospel of Luke), and challenges us to stop wearing our past failures, addiction, grief, or condemnation as identity and instead embrace forgiveness, restoration, and purpose. He gives strong warning against counterfeit gospels—especially the false messages we preach to ourselves—the core takeaway is clear: reject internal lies, preach truth to your own soul, and boldly own the abundant life God has already declared over you.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Elder Chris unpacks Jesus’ command in John 13:34–35 that believers are to be known not for achievements, status, or reputation—but for love. Chris reflects on his own life and the traits he once tried to cultivate, and shares how God redirected his focus to the greatest commandment: to love others as Christ has loved us. We explore four key truths—love is directed (commanded by Jesus), defined (modeled sacrificially by Christ), diffuse (extended to everyone, including enemies and opponents), and dominant (the highest and most powerful virtue). We’re challenged to live intentionally, reject casual Christianity, and allow Christ’s costly love to shape how we engage family, strangers, and even those we disagree with.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

In our special winter weather online service, Pastor Paul explores the powerful story of John 6:1–15—Jesus feeding the 5,000—and reveals that the miracle was about far more than bread. Through this familiar passage, Paul unpacks four transformative stages of spiritual growth: Resignation (coming to the end of ourselves), Revelation (seeing who Christ truly is), Response (stepping forward in obedience), and Realization (understanding the abundance and potential God produces through our weakness). Just as Jesus intentionally tested the disciples to reveal their limitations, we are reminded that our “insufficient bag lunches”—our marriages, parenting struggles, finances, and personal failures—are not the end of the story. We’re encouraged that when we surrender what we lack to Christ, He multiplies it beyond what we could accomplish alone. If we’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or at the end of our strength, this message encourages us: our resignation may be the very place where God begins something greater.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.

Pastor Paul weaves together Genesis 28, the story of Jesus healing the man born blind, and the modern idea of quantum entanglement to explore how heaven and earth are deeply connected. Rather than explaining suffering through simple cause-and-effect, we challenge a “Newtonian” way of thinking and are invited to see pain, hardship, and unanswered questions through the lens of meaning and purpose. Paul uses Jacob’s ladder as a central image, that emphasizes how God does not cause all suffering, but He does desire to connect every experience—especially our lowest, messiest moments—to His highest purposes. We’re encouraged that through Christ, suffering can be anchored in hope, transformed from meaningless misery into a pathway toward perseverance, character, and belonging. We’re invited to faith: to stop demanding purely causal answers and instead step into an “entanglement” with God through Jesus, where even life’s hardest moments can be filled with purpose and hope.

For more information and resources, visit https://www.crosstownechurch.com/.