Crosswinds Weekly Messages

Jesus Christ came purposed to die for our sins and be resurrected for our salvation (Rom 4:25). It's not overly simplistic to say that the fundamental mission of Christ's time on earth was the salvation of all who will receive Him as Savior and Lord (Luke 19:10, John 1:12). His coming and offering of salvation has not only changed people's lives for eternity but ushered in a movement that has literally changed the world. Since the time of Christ, His church has been a significant source of social services like schooling and medical care and inspiration for art, culture and philosophy, politics, and world affairs. Jesus taught His followers to pray, "God's kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10). This prayer is not merely an expectant yearning for the coming of Christ in the future but also a desire to see God's kingdom broaden and become increasingly established throughout the world in the here and now. Christ's coming ignited a movement that transforms His followers, unleashing them as change agents in our culture. In our series Ignite, we look at the finished work of Christ on the cross that changes the believer and sets them ablaze as world changers.

Jesus Christ came purposed to die for our sins and be resurrected for our salvation (Rom 4:25). It's not overly simplistic to say that the fundamental mission of Christ's time on earth was the salvation of all who will receive Him as Savior and Lord (Luke 19:10, John 1:12). His coming and offering of salvation has not only changed people's lives for eternity but ushered in a movement that has literally changed the world. Since the time of Christ, His church has been a significant source of social services like schooling and medical care and inspiration for art, culture and philosophy, politics, and world affairs. Jesus taught His followers to pray, "God's kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10). This prayer is not merely an expectant yearning for the coming of Christ in the future but also a desire to see God's kingdom broaden and become increasingly established throughout the world in the here and now. Christ's coming ignited a movement that transforms His followers, unleashing them as change agents in our culture. In our series Ignite, we look at the finished work of Christ on the cross that changes the believer and sets them ablaze as world changers.

In Romans 12:2, we read: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The word “transformed” from this verse in the original language of the epistle, Greek, is the word from which we get the English word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a remodeling or a changing from one form into another and is an accurate description of the work of Spirit in the life of believers, making them more and more like Christ. In the first eight chapters of Romans, Paul speaks of Christ's finished work on the cross. He, with the precision of a lawyer, presents us with the basics of the Gospel. In Chapter eight, Paul introduces the reader to how we are to walk by the Spirit's power and leading. He teaches us what it looks like to be transformed, to participate in a spiritual metamorphosis that has a profound impact on our lives today. This is the second half of our study of the book of Romans. Part 1 is titled, "Back to Basics."

In Romans 12:2, we read: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The word “transformed” from this verse in the original language of the epistle, Greek, is the word from which we get the English word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a remodeling or a changing from one form into another and is an accurate description of the work of Spirit in the life of believers, making them more and more like Christ. In the first eight chapters of Romans, Paul speaks of Christ's finished work on the cross. He, with the precision of a lawyer, presents us with the basics of the Gospel. In Chapter eight, Paul introduces the reader to how we are to walk by the Spirit's power and leading. He teaches us what it looks like to be transformed, to participate in a spiritual metamorphosis that has a profound impact on our lives today. This is the second half of our study of the book of Romans. Part 1 is titled, "Back to Basics."

In Romans 12:2, we read: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The word “transformed” from this verse in the original language of the epistle, Greek, is the word from which we get the English word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a remodeling or a changing from one form into another and is an accurate description of the work of Spirit in the life of believers, making them more and more like Christ. In the first eight chapters of Romans, Paul speaks of Christ's finished work on the cross. He, with the precision of a lawyer, presents us with the basics of the Gospel. In Chapter eight, Paul introduces the reader to how we are to walk by the Spirit's power and leading. He teaches us what it looks like to be transformed, to participate in a spiritual metamorphosis that has a profound impact on our lives today. This is the second half of our study of the book of Romans. Part 1 is titled, "Back to Basics."