The Locker Room

Neil Martin is a Pastor at Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Oxford, England. He is also the Director of B Less Oxford. He completed his DPhil in New Testament at the University of Oxford and is a member of the St. John Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He also previously served as a Pastor at our very own Crossroads Bible Church.

Preacher: Neil Martin

Passage: Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we explore the Advent narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1:5-22, focusing on the themes of faith versus religion, waiting versus instant gratification, and silence versus noise. Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite their deep religious devotion, struggle with the tension between outward faith and inward doubt, reminding us that true faith often grows in the spaces of silence and unanswered prayers. In a culture that demands immediate results, their long wait for a child challenges our desire for instant gratification, while Zechariah’s moment of divine silence—muted by God after his doubt—reveals how God’s quiet presence can be more profound than a world filled with noise and quick answers. This story invites us to reflect on how we navigate the quiet moments of our own faith journeys and the tension between our desires for immediate responses and the deeper growth that comes through patience.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Luke 1:5-23

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with Sam Sterk (vice-chair of Crossroads Elder Board) as we dive into the often difficult topic of forgiveness, Using the powerful story in Genesis 50 as our backdrop, we look at Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers and how it offers profound insights into the challenges of forgiveness and the healing power it can bring.

But we don’t stop there. We take a step back to explore the larger meta-narrative of Scripture—the overarching story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation. From the good world God intended in Genesis 1 to the brokenness brought by sin, and the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, forgiveness is at the heart of God's plan for restoring all things.

Join us as we wrestle with why forgiveness is so hard, how God models it throughout Scripture, and the transformative power it holds for both individuals and communities.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Genesis 50

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with Jason Botbyl and Jamie Bartlett as we explore the powerful themes of grief and faith found in Genesis 48 and 49. As Jacob prepares to bless his sons and share his final words, we witness a profound journey of loss, remembrance, and hope. How did Jacob confront the sorrow of his life and the painful separation from his beloved son Joseph? How did his faith sustain him through these trials? Join us as we dive into the biblical narrative to reflect on how we can process grief and trust God’s faithfulness in the midst of life’s most challenging seasons. Whether you’re navigating your own grief or simply seeking deeper spiritual insight, this episode will offer you encouragement, wisdom, and hope for the journey ahead.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: Genesis 49:1-28

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with pastor and author AJ Sherill to talk about Advent and his new book Rediscovering Christmas.

Are you tired of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and empty during the holiday season? Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, are you ready to slow down, catch your breath, and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas?
This captivating collection of readings explores the intersection where the ancient context meets the present moment. Pastor AJ Sherrill invites you into an experience designed to renew your mind, reawaken your heart, rekindle your awe, and restore your body. Rediscovering Christmas is divided into two sections: Advent, which teaches the purpose of waiting, and Christmas, which reveals the joy of receiving. Through meaningful reflections, practices, and illustrations, you’ll see the diverse characters of the first Christmas in a new light—and comprehend just how their stories intertwine with your own.

We sit down with Crossroads Staff members Stephanie Teslaa, and Jason Botbyl to dive into Genesis 45 and explore one of the most powerful moments of reconciliation in the Bible—Joseph being reunited with his brothers after years of separation. After suffering betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph’s journey comes full circle as he forgives his brothers, revealing his identity to them in a dramatic, emotion-filled encounter.

We’ll reflect on the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and God's sovereignty in the midst of our struggles. How does Joseph's response to his brothers teach us about grace, mercy, and the possibility of healing broken relationships? Join us as we unpack the depths of this chapter, and what it means to be reconciled to one another.

Preacher: Jason Botbyl

Passage: Genesis 45-46

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with longtime Crossroads member Ashlea Russ as we explore the powerful theme of repentance in Genesis 42-44. As Joseph’s brothers (more specifically Judah) face the fallout from their past actions, we watch their guilt turn into genuine remorse and a desire to make things right. From their first encounter with Joseph in Egypt to their emotional confessions, these chapters show us the messy but redemptive process of facing our mistakes and seeking forgiveness.

We’ll unpack what true repentance looks like, how God works in the midst of it, and how we can learn from their journey, as reflect on the power of turning back and finding grace.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Genesis 42-44

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with Tracy Groot and RJ Alicea (Worship Pastor) as we dive into Genesis chapters 40 and 41, exploring the themes of disappointment and unmet expectations through the lens of Joseph’s journey. Joseph, once favored and dream-filled, finds himself in a pit of despair, forgotten in prison despite his hopes for liberation. We’ll unpack how Joseph’s resilience and faith in God shape his response to adversity, and how God humbles us to exalt us and raise us up. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of patience, the importance of hope in the face of setbacks, and the ways God can work through our challenges to bring about unexpected blessings.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Genesis 40-41

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down to unpack Genesis 39 and the themes of integrity, holiness, resilience, and the complexities of temptation. We'll discuss Joseph's rise to prominence despite his circumstances, the challenges he faces from Potiphar's wife, and the lessons about faith and character. Tune in for a deep dive into how Joseph's journey resonates with our own struggles and the importance of facing temptation with humility and wisdom.

Preacher: Brian Robinson

Passage: Genesis 39

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

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We sit down with a couple of our young adults as we dive into the complex story of Judah and Tamar from Genesis 38. On the surface, it’s an account of deception, betrayal, and scandal, but beneath the surface, we uncover profound themes of justice, redemption, and God's sovereign plans working through flawed human lives. We'll explore Judah's moral failings, Tamar’s bold actions, and the surprising twists that lead to the continuation of the messianic line. We discuss how this ancient narrative speaks to our own struggles with identity, justice, and God's ability to bring good from even the most broken situations.

Preacher: Tim Bassett

Passage: Genesis 38

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: [email protected]