Do you have a favorite book or movie about treasure?

One of Pastor Chris' favorite movies is "National Treasure." There is just something about the treasure hunt, the thrill of decoding the clues, and the wittiness of this movie that he really enjoys.  But treasures aren't just for the movies. We treasure things in this life too. So, what do you treasure?

Jesus knows that what we treasure significantly impacts the choices we make and how we live.

Do you realize that Jesus wants to give you treasures that are so much better than anything this world has to offer? What are they and how can you find them?

In the parables we are going to look at this week, Jesus talks about the great joy his treasures can bring and what He considers to be of value. He not only has treasures to give. He treasures you.

We invite you to join us at CrossWalk Church on either one of our two campuses as we listen to the parables of Jesus and discover the treasures He wants to give you.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: Matthew, chapter 13, verses 44-52

Song highlight of the week: "Hymn of Heaven" by Bill Johnson, Brian Johnson, Bill Davenport, and Phil Wickham. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjB0mkj0XaM

As we talk about treasures in the Kingdom this week, and the ultimate treasure of Jesus and heaven, we're looking forward to the day all will be restored and Jesus returns and we will be in Heaven, singing with all the angels and the saints!

The sermon entitled “Treasures in the Kingdom” was done by Pastor Chris Johnson at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “The Kingdom” message series.  

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship: 

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am 

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am 

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

Have you ever planted a weed? You've probably pulled more than your fair share!

It's probably safe to say weeds drive people crazy.

Jesus can feel our pain. He uses the illustration of a field to show what his kingdom is like, and, like my lawn, his field is full of weeds!

We are continuing our message series entitled, "The Kingdom". In this series we are unlocking the parables of Jesus. This week we will see how things grow in God's kingdom.

Jesus talks about weeds in a field, something we can all relate to. But Jesus isn't just talking about weeds, he is talking about sin and unbelief and separation from God.

In our lesson, Jesus shares where sin comes from, where faith comes from, and how tiny faith in him can grow into something remarkably large.

You've invited to join us at CrossWalk Church in Phoenix at either one of our two campuses, as we listen to the parables of Jesus and start to unlock their meaning for your life.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: Matthew, chapter 13, verses 24-43

Song highlight of the week: "What He's Done" by Anna Golden, Jacob Sooter, Kristian Stanfill, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftPXcPxIG28

This song focuses on Jesus and all he has done for us, and knowing our sins are forgiven and our future is heaven - we are moved to give him all the glory.

The sermon entitled “Growth the Kingdom” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “The Kingdom” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship: 

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am 

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am 

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

A commonly accepted definition of a parable is an "earthly story with a heavenly meaning."

When hearing the word parable it is also beneficial to think of parallel lines. Parallel lines run alongside each other. They mirror each other. They are at the same time both similar and distinct.

Jesus used stories and examples of common events and activities that his audience understood. He directed them to look up to see how God works in both similar and distinct ways.

This simple story-telling approach of Jesus is a tool that he uses to unlock some very deep and profound truths of God and his kingdom.

You're invited to join us at CrossWalk Church in Phoenix on either one of our two campuses as we reveiw and listen to the parables of Jesus and start to unlock their meaning for your life.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: Matthew, chapter 13, verses 1-23

Song highlight of the week: "Your Love Awakens Me" by Chris Quilala and Phil Wickham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIMh6lS6VjE

This song highlights how we come alive only through Jesus, he breaks down the walls between us - "Your love is greater, Your love is stronger, Your love awakens me".

The sermon entitled “Reactions to the Kingdom” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “The Kingdom” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

How connected do you feel you are towards God?

A recent Poll by Gallup came to this conclusion: "Fewer Americans today than five years ago believe in God, and the percentage is down even more from the 1950s and 1960s when almost all Americans did. Still, the vast majority of Americans believe in God, whether that means they believe a higher power hears prayers and can intervene or not. And while belief in God has declined in recent years, Gallup has documented steeper drops in church attendance, church membership and confidence in organized religion, suggesting that the practice of religious faith may be changing more than basic faith in God."

In our American culture it's clear that many people are feeling more and more distant from God. It's not that God has left us in the dust. Many have gradually drifted further and further away from God. It's obvious from the quote above that this is happening in the church too.  All the more reason why we want to spend time thinking about why Jesus instituted Holy Communion.

Jesus knew that we would experience disconnect from God and from each other. He knew that living a Christian life in an increasingly anti-Christian world would be tough, so He instituted Holy Communion as a way to strengthen our connection with Him and with each other.

How? Join us this weekend at CrossWalk Church and uncover all the blessings that God offers in Holy Communion. You will leave knowing that God values His relationship with you so much that He gave you yet another way to experience His love and forgiveness by giving you Holy Communion.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: Matthew, chapter 26, verses 17-29

Song highlight of the week: "Come as You Are" by Ben Glover, David Crowder, and Matt Maher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjgioXrnEME

This song encourages all of us to come to Jesus with our hurt, our burdens, our brokenness, our weariness, our hopelessness, our sorrow, our shame- he is the one who heals and restores- earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal. We are reminded of this and experience this in communion- God doesn't ask us to come clean to communion, he asks us to come as we are and be reminded of his love and forgiveness that are only found in him.

The sermon entitled “Communion Strengthens Connection” was done by Pastor Chris Johnson at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Unleashed” message series.  

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship: 

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am 

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am 

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

What is your primary love language? In his book, the 5 Love Languages, author Gary Chapman identifies 5 primary ways that people show love. Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Physical Touch, Quality Time.

As you think about your love language, have you ever considered God's? Could it be acts of service as we consider Jesus gong to the cross and paying for our sins? Would it be words of affirmation as we page through the countless promises God makes in the Bible? Would it be gifts as we count all the blessings he gives us each day? Maybe it's quality time as we remember he is always there to listen to us in prayer.

The Apostle Paul calls baptism, "the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior," (Titus 3:5-6). Would baptism be physical touch since it is a way God takes his promises and connects them to water? In baptism we are able to see what forgiveness and the love of God looks like.

We hope to connect with you this weekend as we explore the way God shows his love through Holy Baptism.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: Titus, chapter 3, verses 4-7; Matthew, chapter 28, verses 18-20; Romans, chapter 6, verses 2-4

Song highlight of the week: "Who You Say I Am" by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4

We are focusing on Baptism this week, where we become part of God's family - this song states that God says we are his, we are children of God, something to be amazed at and celebrate.

The sermon entitled “The Miracle of Baptism” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Unleashed” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship: 

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am 

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am 

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

The early Christian Church had humble beginnings. Even after Jesus' resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven, the 11 disciples realized, it's them against the world.

Two verses stand out when thinking about the power the disciples were wielding. Both verse were penned by the Apostle Paul; Romans 1, verse 16 and 2 Timothy 2, verses 8-9. Those verses demonstrate the unchained power that is at heart of our new message series entitled "Unleashed."

These days it's easy to feel powerless. The world can be a scary place. Like the disciples we can feel like it's us against the world.

God continues to use his power for our good. His unchained and unleashed Word still changes the minds and hearts of those who hear it.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: John, chapter 6, verses 60-69  Song highlight of the week: "Your Grace is Enough" by Matt Maher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ydvjcuLAmw 

This song invites us to see that God's grace is all we need, and is enough for this life and the next. (This link also has an additional ending of "Here I Am".)

The sermon entitled “God's Word Works” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Unleashed” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

The word LOVE is one of, if not the most, used and abused word in the English language. Think about it. How often do you hear things like "I love pizza", "I love my wife (or husband)", "your love is better than ice cream", "all you need is love", etc.

Part of the problem is that we don't even know a working definition of the word love. The Oxford dictionary calls love, "an intense feeling of deep affection". Really? That's the best we definition we have?

We all have that craving of being loved, and that love is an essential part of all of our lives.

This weekend we'll be turning to God's Word to seek an understanding and appreciation of the true love God has for us, and what it means for our lives.  Here's a few things that John (who calls himself the disciple that Jesus loved) has to say about love, "God is love.", "This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.", "We love because he first loved us"].", and "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."

We'll sort through John's words of wisdom and see how an understanding and experience of God's love can fill our need to be loved and lead us to be more loving in all of our relationships.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Follow along with your Bible: 1 John, chapter 4, verses 7-21

Song highlight of the week: "God so Loved" by We the Kingdom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jasoo3UDSwY

We love because he first loved us. This song shows how much God loved us which gives us the ability to love others.

The sermon entitled “Stronger Love” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Bright Future” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

In 1 Peter 4, Peter shares ways we get to serve one another and run counterculture. Instead of living for self, we get to live for Him who died for us and we get to serve our community.

It's a proven fact that sacrificial love changes people.

That's the kind of love that Jesus showed to our world when he gave his life on the cross to save us from sin. That's the kind of love we get to show to our world today...and you know what? Sacrificial love and service to our community still changes people.

This weekend at CrossWalk Church, we will be looking at our response to Jesus' sacrificial love and how we get to put that love into practice in the way we serve one another. Come see how living a life of service can give you and those around you a Bright Future.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=877e5805f718451a

Song highlight of the week: "Take My Life and Let it Be" by Reawaken Hymns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3gWwGDGgVA

This song directs us to think about and take action in offering our lives in service to God and others, and connects to the message for the week, Committed Service.

Follow along with your Bible: 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7-11

The sermon entitled “Committed Service” was done by Pastor Chris Johnson at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Bright Future” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

Is it "okay" to share a secret? Do you even like to keep secrets?

When you hear good news, don't you just want to share it with everyone you know?

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul shares the good news that we are reconciled to God through Jesus. He writes, "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them".

This is some pretty great news here...all people are forgiven by God. God is our ally, not our enemy. He gives us permission to go nuts and tell anyone we want because this good news applies to all people.

This weekend at CrossWalk Church, come hear some good news for a change and see how it gives you and everyone you share it with, a bright future.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=3932b53b344c4c09

Follow along with your Bible: 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verses 14-21

Song highlight of the week: "Great Things" by Phil Wickham and Jonas Myrin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4CY3nf1Mvw

This song celebrates God for who he is, what he has done and continues to do. He is the hero and brings us into relationship with him by conquering sin and death and frees us to be with him and praise him.

The sermon entitled “Shared Faith” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Bright Future” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship:

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am

Have you ever thought about wanting to start a "new life" or to get a "fresh start"?

The problem with a fresh start is that the tentacles of the old life have a way of staying wrapped around us. Whether it's because of others or of our own weaknesses and shortcomings, the optimism of a fresh start can quickly changes into the "same old thing".

This weekend as we continue our Bright Future message series, we will explore the new life that God gives us.

In Romans 6 the Apostle Paul explains the new life that God has in mind for us. First, God gets us out of our old way of life. He explains that in baptism we can bury our past and leave it behind us where it belongs.

He gives us anew identity. He welcomes us into his family through baptism. He puts his name on you and calls you his child.

Enhance your worship by listening to CrossWalk’s Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oh96lgtXm0f46YtuJHdkL?si=3932b53b344c4c09

Follow along with your Bible: Romans, chapter 6, verses 1-14

Song highlight of the week: "Redemption Song" by Joel Kanitz, on the CrossWalk Acoustics album: https://open.spotify.com/track/1eQukuMcoEb8SoNzwbZJQj?si=59534d11c955481a

As we focus on the theme, Bright Future: New Life - Jesus is the one who makes us new - "The Savior's love has made me new."

The sermon entitled “New Life” was done by Pastor Dan Solofra at CrossWalk Church, in part of the “Bright Future” message series.

CrossWalk Church - Sunday Worship: 

Online: cwlk.online.church - 9am /11am 

Laveen Campus: Cesar Chavez High School - 9am/11am 

Midtown Campus: Camelback High School - 10am