THE CROSSING BLOG
Sunday Gathering 03.25.2018 Palm Sunday
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:
Glorious and Mighty
Abide With Me
I Stand Amazed
Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
Behold Our God
Worship through the Word:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
____
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
_____
Sermon Discussion - John 16:16-33
Here’s a few sermon discussion questions to help our church love God by applying his word to our lives. Feel free to use these questions for personal reflection, alongside your family, within a smaller discipleship/journey group, or even within the context of your Life Group. If you missed Sunday’s sermon from John 16:16-33 you can view it online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tG0ocWgmMc
TPQ - Thought Provoking Question: l shared about the triumphant story of Eric Liddell (and Chariots of Fire) where he stood firm to his biblical convictions amidst pressure from those around him. Can you think of other stories of someone overcoming adversity for a triumphant victory?
A Difficult Departure - v. 16-22
What kind of thoughts and emotions do you think the disciples are experiencing as Jesus is concluding this upper room discourse? How does Jesus use this as a teachable moment?
For those who have experienced child birth - please share your journey of the emotions before and after the child was born. (Follow up question after people share, what made the biggest difference in the change of emotion?) Drill home the point that when the resurrection occurs, Jesus' disciples will see that he's overcome the world and they will have fullness of joy.
What is joy - how would you define it? (gladness, cheerfulness - calm delight) Here is a link to the bible project video on joy.
I mentioned in the sermon that joy is an attitude - not based on subjective circumstances but on objective truth of what God has done for us in Christ. Psalm 118:24 is an example. Can you think of other bible verses/passages that highlight this idea of our emotions follow the truth of God? (Psalm 42:5; 64:9-10; John 16:33; Phil. 4:4-7)
Often times as Christians, we don't feel joy. What in your life tends to rob you of your joy? (Circumstances, relationships, material things) I mentioned that next time you notice your feelings are in the driver seat of your life and decisions, ask yourself a simple question - do you remember that question? (What is true right now? And more specifically what is true about the gospel that speaks to this situation?)
What truths of the gospel do we need to know AND believe to prevent our joy from being robbed? How can we practically apply gospel truth to situations in order to have our feelings in the right order? How can our Life Group help this process?
Direct Access to the Father - v. 23-27
Why do we pray in Jesus name? (Who's merit?)
I shared a story of God showing his love for me way before I ever loved him. (Truth preceded emotions!) - Who can you share the love of Christ with in your circle of influence? What are some steps you'd like to take in that process? (pray, introduce to community, scatter night, Easter Sunday invite)
Take Heart - Christ has overcome the world v28-33
Where right now is the world bringing tribulation in your life? Spend some time in passages like 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 and Romans 8:31-39 - How does the truth of Christ conquering on our behalf encourage you to take heart, have peace, rejoice in the face of tribulation?
Next Sunday's passage will be on John 17. Take some time to read, mediate and pray over this text. You can pray for yourself, our pastors and our church body.
Sunday Gathering 01.28.2018
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 our 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:
Grace That Is Greater
Oh My Soul Arise
Near the Cross
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Jesus I My Cross Have Taken
Worship through the Word:
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
____
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 01.21.2017
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 our 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:
Oh for a Thousand Tongues
He Will Hold Me Fast
And Can It Be
Holy, Holy, Holy
Be Thou My Vision
Worship through the Word:
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
____
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 01.07.2018
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Sunday Gathering 12.31.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Sunday Gathering - Christmas Eve at 4:30pm
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Sunday Gathering - Advent 3 - 12.17.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
O Day of Peace
Angels We Have Heard on High
What Glory Now Our Eyes Have Seen
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Sunday Gathering - Advent 2 - 12.10.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
O Day of Peace
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
All Glory Be To Christ
Sunday Gathering - Advent 1 - 12.03.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Luke 1:26-38 & Matthew 1:18-25
Worship through Singing:
What Child is This
When Love Came Down
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Sunday Gathering 11.26.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Sunday Gathering 11.19.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
The Church’s One Foundation
Abide With Me
‘Tis So Sweet
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Be Thou My Vision
Sunday Gathering 11.12.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Come Thou Fount
Grace Alone
There is a Fountain
He Will Hold Me Fast
Crown Him
Sunday Gathering 11.05.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Sunday Gathering 10.15.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Ephesians 2:1-10 – Sola Gratia
Worship through Singing:
I Will Glory In My Redeemer
Sunday Gathering 10.08.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
In Christ Alone
Sunday Gathering 09.24.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
The Church’s One Foundation
Psalm 62
‘Tis So Sweet
He Will Hold Me Fast
Jesus I My Cross Have Taken
Sunday Gathering 09.17.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing:
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
Crown Him
Rock of Ages
Be Thou My Vision
Grace That is Greater
Sunday Gathering 09.03.2017
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 our Sunday Gathering.
Here are a three simple ways you can prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family and/or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing church in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word:
Worship through Singing: