THE CROSSING BLOG
Sermon Discussion Questions - Psalm 91
Each Sunday during the Coronavirus pandemic we '‘gather” online to sing songs, sit under God’s word and remember the Lord’s death through communion. This blog post is an aim to reflect and apply God’s word from our online gathering.
Psalm 91 - read it again!
Main thesis from Chad’s sermon:
Because God has promised and provided and salvation in Christ, we can find refuge in God amidst all our troubles.
TPQ - How have you observed different refuges in our culture over the last month? (As portrayed in the media, friends/families lives) TPQ stands for "Thought Provoking Question”
What type of genre is this Psalm (and all of them!?) Why is understanding the genre important to remember when reading the bible?
What are the 4 different names of God found in verse 2? Which name brings comfort to your soul?
Where are you finding refuge during this pandemic? How does understanding these different names of our great God cause you to repent of these false refuges and run to our great God?
Why can a Christian take hope in the spiritual promises of verses 3-13?
In Matthew 4, we see Jesus being tempted by the OG Satan. Go back and read that passage and reflect on these questions:
What does Satan offer Jesus with each temptation? How does Jesus combat that temptation?
Do you notice anything different about Satan’s quotation of Psalm 91?
By way of application - how can you take hope in Jesus passing this test temptation from Satan where Adam (and all of us) have failed? How can you follow Jesus’ model next time you are tempted?
How do you respond to the reality of angels ministering and guarding you?
In v 13 we see an offensive victory to those who are opposed to Satan - where else do we see this truth in the scriptures?
This Psalm ends with God’s promises and provisions in verses 14-16. How can we know for certain that these promises are for us? Spend some time meditating on the following promises and praising God for them.
deliverance
protection
an answer
w/ us in trouble
rescue us
honor us
satisfy
show us salvation
Optional - look up other verses for each of these promises and share them with folks in your LG. Spend time in Revelation 19-22. How can we use this season of longing for “normal life” to long for Jesus’ return?
Sermon Discussion Questions - Luke 24 Easter Sunday
Announcements:
Please continue to pray for TCDC as we serve families in our community - specifically for sustained relationships with our community and ultimately Jesus. We will be distributing from 2-4pm each Sunday afternoon.
Our dear sister, Bernie Fuller, went home to Jesus this week. We grieve with hope of the resurrection. May her legacy for Christ live on!
Discussion Questions:
What are common responses to the resurrection that you’ve heard from skeptics?
Aaron mentioned four ‘weak sauce’ explanations for the empty tomb. Can you identify them?
Do you recognize any common threads between today’s skeptics and those in Luke 24?
“We can have boldness and sure faith amidst the solid evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.” - Pastor Aaron Santini
When Jesus was on the Road to Emmaus with the two disciples, he veiled himself to them. From verses 18-24, What do you identify these two disciples putting their hope in? How does this reveal their unbelief?
Do you read Luke 24:25-26 as a harsh rebuke or a loving admonishment? Why?
Verse 27 makes clear that the entire bible is telling one overarching story that finds it’s culmination in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Do you have a favorite example from the Old Testament that points directly to Jesus? How does that example cause your “heart to burn” for the truthfulness of God’s word? (See this video for other examples)
Once they arrived at the village, Jesus breaks bread with them, opens their eyes to who he really is, and then the two disciples believed in Him. If we were to read this as a prescriptive text, what elements are necessary for true conversion? (Hint: there elements before AND after)
Verse 41 talks about the disciples having joy amidst their disbelief - as they marveled at the resurrected Jesus, and saw them with their eyes, they still had difficulty believing. Yet they were marked by joy. Take some time to marvel at the resurrection - pray to our resurrected King, re-read Luke 24, listen to the songs played again by the band.
Lastly, who can you share with what you have learned this ‘Holy Week’ season? What’s a tangible action step you can take to share the gospel, the details of Good Friday, and/or the joy of the resurrection?
Sermon Discussion Questions - Mark 11:1-11 - Palm Sunday
Announcements - Please pray for our church, specifically that we will live out our identity and vision through Love, Live, Legacy. Sign up to help with TCDC.
Aaron mentioned the idea of grief and loss in this unique season. Some things will come back but others may not and will not. How have you experienced grief in the last few weeks? How can you care for others around you who have experienced loss?
Arrival - verses 1-7
A dsitinct message takes place with Jesus riding in on a donkey, both visually and symbolically - what is that message? What are some examples of Jesus’ authority as King that led to this arrival? (examples from his earthly ministry)
Shouting - verses 8-10
Aaron mentioned the idea of the crowds laying their cloaks on the ground as symbolism for they are coming under the authority of this King. Yet in just a few days, some of these same people won’t be laying cloaks or waving palm branches but rather shouting “crucify him.” Where is an area in your life, that you have paid homage to Jesus as king with your words but your actions look more like “crucify him” (an area where you want to be your own authority)?
Each day this week we will send out a resource to help you reflect on the final week of Jesus’ life. We encourage you to take some time personally and with your family to “read, pray, and sing.” We will have a Psalm to read from Psalm 113-118 each day, have a written prayer and a song to sing.
Response - verse 11
Crown me or kill me - How do you respond to Jesus? What are some tangible ways you can crown Jesus daily? Who is someone in your life that has yet to crown Jesus as king? (pray for them, call them today, share the gospel with them)
The truth of Christianity - How is this evidenced? (not just experienced)
How can you reveal the presence of God this week? Start with Romans 12:9-21; consider picking one or two marks mentioned here to put into prayer and action.
Be on the lookout for posts on Realm each day this week to reflect on each day during holy week. They will be based on this great resource from Crossway.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:9-21
Sermon Discussion Questions - Hebrews 10:19-25
Sermon Discussion Q’s
Hebrews 10:19-25 – 03.29.2020
The following is a handful of questions to help us not just be hearers of the word but doers also (James 1:22). The questions can be used personal, in our homes, and in the context of our greater church body (Life Groups, Journey Groups, etc). If you missed Sunday’s sermon, you can watch it here.
Updates to pray for:
Drees Family – Baby Josiah
Kellam Family – Baby Jackson
Sam & Shaye Kaessner marriage
Big Picture: How we should respond from the scriptures – in this season, and all seasons.
1. As you live in isolation…take time to draw near to God
a. In Verse 22 the author shares about drawing near with a true heart – based on verses 19-22, what are the reasons we can draw near? Or more specifically, why can we have confidence that we can draw near to God?
b. The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross book
c. In your life, how have you taken for granted the reality of our access to draw near to God? Here’s a resource to help you think through your daily and weekly rhythm’s. Rhythm’s Audit
d. What are some tangible ways you want to draw near to God? Recommended Resources from our Pastors
2. In great time of uncertainty, we must hold fast to God
a. What are false sources of hope that you’ve observed in our culture over the past couple of weeks? How about false sources of hope in your own heart during this coronavirus pandemic?
b. “Our faithfulness to Christ is first and foremost rooted in his faithfulness to us.” -Richard Gardner
i. Do you believe this? What are scriptures that prove this true?
c. “The God who is sufficient until now can be trusted until the end” – CH Spurgeon
i. Do you believe this? What are scriptures that prove this true?
3. Although you are quarantined, consider how to love and encourage others
a. Verse 24 is an imperative for God’s people to consider and think carefully…what are ways you can creatively and intentionally focus on others in this season?
i. Within your home?
ii. On your street or wherever you live?
iii. With folks in your Life Group?
iv. Our greater church family?
Take some time to read through the rest of Hebrews 10. How is 10:39 an encouragement for your soul?
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. -Numbers 6:24-26
Recommended Resources during Coronavirus
Well, we certainly find ourselves in an unprecedented time. I’m confident that we will remember this season in our lives for a long time…if not for the rest of our lives. What an opportunity we have before us - an opportunity to connect with our gracious God and develop rhythms and habits that extend well beyond this global pandemic, but into eternity. This blog post has be crafted by our pastoral team in hope of seeing the break down of our daily lives as a gift to connect with our great God and Savior. We encourage you to look at how you’re spending your time, and by faith, make changes. Many of us have had our daily and weekly routines drastically changed. Rather than spending time glued to the news, social media, or the television - let us heed the imperative from the apostle Paul to the Ephesian church:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16
We have a handful of resources below and I’m confident that we will continue to add more in the days, weeks and months ahead. Last updated April 4, 2020
RHYTHMS AUDIT
First and foremost, it could be good to take some time and reflect on how you currently spend your time. We have put together this Rhythms Audit to help aid you in reflection. Print it out and share your thoughts with someone in community!
BIBLE READING
Reading Plans
Read Scripture App - in colaboration with The Bible Project
M’Cheyene Reading Plan PDF (and why it’s so beneficial from TGC)
A helpful selection of reading plans and description of them from Justin Taylor
Scripture Memory - often the most difficult discipline to cultivate yet often the most fruitful
Bible Study
Discounted course from Simeon Trust
PRAYER
7 @ 7 prayers - Pray for 7 people in our church family at 7pm.
Find our church directory on Realm under your community tab
Start with folks in your Life Group
Echo Prayer App
WORSHIP THROUGH SONG
Here’s a YouTube Playlist specifically of songs from our Sunday Gatherings
Consider singing songs around the dinner table or better yet…learn an instrument!
TGC Playlist that’s been comforting to many in this season
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS - from your pastors!
Ordinary - Michael Horton
All Things for Good - Thomas Watson
The Pilgrim’s Progress - free PDF from DesiringGod (you download for your e-reader here)
Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl - ND Wilson
God is the Gospel - John Piper
PODCASTS
These abound everyday so here’s just a few of our favorites. Search and subscribe in your podcast app
The Briefing - Albert Mohler
The White Horse Inn - Michael Horton
Sheologians - “Theology for women, no dollies aloud”
FAMILY RESOURCES
Read, Pray, Sing - super simple and many creative ways to implement.
Sermon Notes Print Out for kids!
God’s Big Story - Kids Podcast from the Village Church
Gospel Story Bible is based on our Sunday Gathering children’s curriculum
Old Story New Devotional that goes along with each bible story. (We have some of these for sale at the church building for $5 each, contact daniel@thecrossingfc.org if you’d like to purchase and pick up)
DOCUMENTARIES, VIDEOS, & MOVIES
The Riot And The Dance - Earth (think Plant Earth from a creation perspective)
American Gospel (Part 1)
The Biggest Story Animated Short Film (great for kids and adults!)
The Pilgrim’s Progress (animated version)
TGC Blog on 30 Edifying Things to Watch When Stuck at Home
RECOMMENDED BLOGS
These folks are pumping out great content in this season; each link is a specific blog post.
The Gospel Coalition - thoughtful response
Challies - FREE STUFF!
Desiring God - a letter from Pastor John
That’s all for now!
because He reigns,
-Daniel
COVID-19 Update | Sunday Gathering March 15, 2020
After much prayer and ongoing discussion, our pastoral team has decided to continue with our Sunday Gathering for this Sunday. Out of caution we have decided to forgo serving food and communion but we will have coffee. The church building has been cleaned thoroughly on Saturday. We also have a live stream of our service that will be available here: https://youtu.be/YcCjiugslqk.
We look forward to coming together and worshiping our great God and King on Sunday morning at 10am.
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
The Lord is Your Shelter (Psalm 121)
Be Still My Soul
From The Rising Of The Sun (Psalm 113)
Christ The Sure and Steady Anchor
In Christ Alone
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 3:1-7
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering March 8, 2020
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
Behold Our God
Lord I Need You
He Will Hold Me Fast
Rock of Ages
Jesus I My Cross Have Taken
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 2:18-25
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering March 1, 2020
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
10,000 Reasons
Abide With Me
The Lord Is Your Shelter
Man Sorrows
O Praise The Name
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 2:11-17
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 02.16.2020
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
The Lord is My Salvation
How Firm A Foundation
King of Kings
Yet Not I, But Through Christ In Me
Gospel Song
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 02.02.2020
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
Our Great God
Psalm 62
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
To Christ The Ransom Sinners Run
O My Soul Arise
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 01.26.2020
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
The Church’s One Foundation
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
It Is Well With My Soul
In Christ Alone
Before The Throne of God Above
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 01.12.2019
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
Come Thou Fount
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
The Lord Is Your Shelter
O Praise The Name
The Solid Rock
Worship through The Word:
1 Peter 1:1-2
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 12.29.2019
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
How Great Thou Art
Man of Sorrows
Christ is Mine Forevermore
I Need Thee Every Hour
Give us Clean Hands
Yet Not I, But Through Christ In Me
Worship through The Word:
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Christmas Eve Gathering
Join us this Tuesday evening for a time together celebrating the incarnation and reflecting on implications of the gospel! We’ll gather at 5pm to sing some songs as a church family and hear a short devotional from John 1. Here are the songs we will plan to sing:
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come O Come Emmanuel
A Christmas Alleluia
O Holy Night
Silent Night
John 1:1-5; 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Doors open at 4:30pm! See you Tuesday for our Candlelight Christmas Eve Gathering.
Sunday Gathering 12.22.2019 Advent Week 4 - Isaiah 9
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Praise For the Incarnation
All Glory Be To Christ
O Holy Night
Worship through The Word:
Isaiah 9:1-7
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 12.15.2019 | Advent Daniel 7
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
Joy To The World
While Shepherds Slept
O Come All Ye Faithful
Angels We Have Heard On High
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Worship through The Word:
Daniel 7:1-28
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
“As I looked,
thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
“As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
“Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast,
there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.
But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 12.08.2019 Advent Isaiah 7
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
The First Noel
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
What Child Is This
When Love Came Down to Earth
All Glory Be To Christ
Worship through The Word:
In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.
And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” thus says the Lord God:
“‘It shall not stand,
and it shall not come to pass.
For the head of Syria is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is Rezin.
And within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.
If you are not firm in faith,
you will not be firm at all.’”
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”
In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.
In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.
In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.
In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 12.01.2019 - Advent Micah 5
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Lord Is My Salvation
I Stand Amazed
The Valley May Be Dark
Worship through The Word:
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24
Sunday Gathering 11.24.2019 - Mark 5
The purpose of this blog post is to help The Crossing Church engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that will be preached as well as the songs we will sing during this week's Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
Listen to, sing or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together.
Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through song:
Our Great God
Abide With Me
Christ Is Mine Forevermore
In Christ Alone
Before The Throne Of God Above
Worship through The Word:
And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
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Feel free to preview these songs on YouTube or any other streaming service. We pray our Sunday Gathering is life giving to you and honoring to King Jesus. John 5:24