Sermons and Classes

Lucky God- lessons from Shiloh

If it weren’t for God…

Crossroads wouldn’t
be here.

Can we assume that since
God was with us in the past,

we can do what we
want and

He’ll just keep
acting on our behalf?

Have you heard of Shiloh?
God showed up to meet with His people HERE (Joshua 18:1)

• Ephraim hill country, religious capital 300 years before Jerusalem.
• Tabernacle built to house the Ark of the Covenant.
• Talmud (written oral tradition) –the tent sanctuary was here 369 years

People stopped showing up, but assumed He was still there

• Samuel 3- The Battle
• The Ark captured by the Philistines at Aphek
• When the “lucky-God-charm” (ark) didn’t work…
• Philistines marched on Shiloh and destroyed the shrine (1 Sam 4:4-5)

The power that didn’t work as a good luck charm, did work as a power that cursed the Philistines

• Philistines didn’t want it.  It was “bad luck”

What do we learn?

• Misused power is still power…but it will be destructive rather than constructive
• Jeremiah uses Shiloh as a lesson:  Jeremiah 7:4

SHILOH BECAME AN ICON OF THE FOOLISHNESS OF SYPATHETIC MAGIC

• Is my faith about a relationship or about a system?

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What God Is Like: Part 3

The Eternal Son of the Father

What comes into our minds as we think about God is the most important thing about us.

A.W. Tozer

I. IN HIS ESSENCE (BEING): eternal God

(Jn. 1:1-4, 14-18; 8:58; c.f. Heb. 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-18; 1 Tim. 2:5)

II. IN HIS CHARACTER & ACTIONS: just like the Father

1. Always doing what His Father does (Jn. 5:19-20)

2.  Always acting like His Father (Jn. 14:8-11; c.f. Ps. 103)

III. IN HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER: in a Unique Relationship w/ the Father

1. As the (monogenes) Son of the Father

(Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 Jn. 4:9; Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; 11:17)

2.  As the “beloved” Son

(Matt. 3:17; Jn. 3:35)

IV. IN HIS RELATIONSHIP TO US: Connecting God and Us

(1   Cor. 15:20-22; Heb. 2:12-14; Heb. 12:2; Ps. 2:7,8)

Nicene Creed re: Jesus

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father. through him all things were made

[ICET translation of original 325 Nicea w/ 381 Constantinople revisions]

What God Is Like: Part 2

A Reintroduction to Your Father

Ps. 103:1-22

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. [A.W. Tozer]

There is One God, Who has eternally existed as three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, within the One God.  All three Persons are fully God.  All are equal in power and glory.  These Three have always existed in perfect love, unity and agreement.

My view of God the Father is a result of many life experiences.  Some of these experiences have caused me to be confused about who God My Father is.  The Bible reveals His true nature to me.

Our view of God the Father (in our experience) needs to be more and more connected to who He says He is (list on the right).  What aspect of God the Father is hardest for you to believe?  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in this understanding.

Who is Jesus according to the Father?

Matthew 3, Psalm 2, Genesis 22 and Isaiah 42

Another part of the story is what the Father says about who Jesus is…

When Jesus was baptized, we learn who He is:

John tries to talk him out of it (Matthew 3:14)

And God speaks
The Father quotes scripture:

Torah (first five books of Moses-the teaching or the law)

Neviim (prophets- the historical and prophetic books)

Ketuvim (writings- Psalms, Proverbs, Job etc.)

TaNaKh =all three make up what we call the Old Testament

Jesus himself reveals he accepts TANAKH as scripture:

His three favorite books (Deuteronomy- T, Isaiah –N, and Psalms- K)

The stringing of pearls- (first sentences=the whole/like phrases= strung together)

You are my son (K-Psalm 2:7 “He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”.)

Whom I love (T-Genesis 22:2 “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about”)

With you I am well pleased….(N-Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold;  my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations –wasn’t that what John saw?)

Be assured in the trustworthiness of scripture…Jesus was!

Jesus is

• Servant-spoken of Isaiah (N)
• Son-spoken of in Genesis (T)

God took all three sections of scripture in one sentence to say that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the scripture

So who was Jesus from God’s perspective?

Merry Christmas!

*Research on this comes from (and highly recommended for a better understanding of first century Christian understanding), Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg

Who Was Jesus?

Part 2 – His Life

John 1:1-18; 35-43

Between the birth and the death of Jesus lie most of the things that people struggle with about Him.  It is normally the things He said and did during His life that get a reaction.  In many ways, Jesus can rightly be said to be the most controversial figure in history.  He divides us.  Christmas is the celebration of His birth.

1. I. WHO IS HE?
   1. a. The logos (v.1)
   2. b. The life (v.4)
   3. c. The light (v.4,5)

1. OUR MIXED RESPONSE TO HIM (zooming in – the world, His own, Us)

1. a. A NEGATIVE RESPONSE (the world, His own)
   1. i. Predicted by Isaiah’s prophecy (Is. 53:1-3)
   2. ii. Unknown to the World He created (v. 10)
   3. iii. His own did not receive Him (v. 11)
   4. iv. WHY did they (do we) reject Him?
      1. 1. Didn’t fit their paradigm, cramped their style?
      2. 2. Too high of a standard, too demanding, too exposing?
         1. Receive (lambano) – “to take, lay hold of”
         2. Believe (pisteuo) – “active trust”
         3. Follow (akoloutheo) – vv. 35-43; c.f. 1 Ki. 19:21
         4. Truth (aletheia) / light (phos) – c.f. Jn. 3:19-20

1. b. A POSITIVE RESPONSE (We, Us Disciples)
   1. i. But (contrast)
   2. ii. To as many as received, believed, followed Him
   3. iii. To them He gave the right to become children of God
   4. iv. Jesus is “full of (charis)” – c.f. 2 Pet. 3:18; Lk. 2:52; Jn. 17:23
   5. v. From His fullness we have all received

Will you and I receive Him?  What will we do with Jesus, the historical Jesus, this Christmas?

Who was Jesus SERMON OUTLINE

Intersections of Influence Prayer List:

On November 20^th, Pastor Jim shared with the congregation the sense that he and the rest of the leadership team have about our need to further define the vision of Crossroads.  If you weren’t able to attend, please listen to the sermon in the sermon archives on the website.  We continue in our commitment to being a place where the transforming work of the Holy Spirit is taking place in the lives of believers, so they can partner with God in the activities He is doing.

The vision for being a church of refuge is expanding in the sense that we are actively seeking to equip “the church” by having a training center that other churches can access for transformation opportunities.  We believe God is leading us to do that at an intersection of influence.

The details of what God is doing are being revealed as His people pray and seek His will.  Will you be a part of the answer?  We want to be praying diligently in these days: “What are you asking of us Lord, and will you give you us the faith and resources to accomplish it?”  Here are the things you can be praying about:

• That God will give wisdom to the Pastors and leaders of Crossroads
• That God will fulfill our acts that come from faith (2Thessalonians 1:11)
• That we will see God is already doing to love and transform people here in the valley, and join Him as partners
• That a solution to our need for more space will come about whether it already exists or needs to be built
• That God will grant us favor with the city and county officials as well as neighboring businesses if a relocation happens
• That God will allow others, who are not a part of Crossroads, to be a part of what He is doing so that their lives would be affected for the kingdom
• That “the church” of the valley would be one so that the world will know that Jesus is sent from God
• That new ministries that need to happen for the sake of equipping the body of Christ will develop and be established in the intersections of influence
• That Crossroads and it’s leadership would remain steadfast in their commitment to the Lord and to the vision He has given
• That when the cloud moves, we’re ready to pack our tents and move with it, trusting the One who promises peace and provision
• That God will continue to bless Refuge Counseling under the leadership of Soni Myers, A.W. Tozer Seminary under the leadership of Dr. Sarah Sumner and Vineyard Leadership Institute (VLI) and these ministries will increase in their goal of transforming people emotionally, intellectually and spiritually

Please feel free to comment on this page with your suggestions of other things you are praying about.

Intersections of Influence

A vision:

• God gave His people Israel because it was the center of the world
• His covenant with them was to bless them so they would be a blessing to the nations
• Jesus stood on Mt. Arbel and commissions his disciples to go into all “nations”

Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” MT28:18

Crossroads= Refuge, Transformation and Partnership -16 years this February and God has allowed us to partner with Him in the transformation of lives…now are we blessing    others?

The vision…

• When does a holy hunch require action?
• Area Pastors, staff, our board leadership share this vision

The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone––a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels––a plentiful harvest

of new lives.  –John 12:24

Sprouts of hope…

• What is God asking us to do?

You gotta have rhythm

Psalm 37:1-9

Psalm 37:1-9 –How to live in the power of the Spirit, even when our enemies succeed.

Galatians 5:25 reminds us that we are to “keep in step with the Spirit” or stay in cadence and rhythm with the movement of God.

1. We are to “not fear” about God not coming through or when our enemies
seem to be winning.

a.  Do not fear appears _____________ times in the Bible.

b.  “Perfect love drives out fear” I John 4:18 tells us.

c.   A lack of fear must surround our lives like the rim on a wheel

2. God must be the center or the “hub” of our lives.

3. The first spoke is Trust.

a.  Walk as if what He says is true and live assuming He’s on your side

4. The next spoke is Delight.

a.   Luxuriate…bask, revel, ease down into, rest without fear (delight requires trust)

5. The next spoke is Commit.

a.   I Peter 5:7 =throw, heave, rid oneself of, get rid of

b.  To commit = hands down to Him.

6. The next spoke in the wheel is the word Rest.

a.  If commit means “hands down” then rest means “hands off”!

7. The next spoke is Release.
a.  Refrain from anger
b.  Colossians 3:8 says “now” is the time to get rid of anger
c.  We must let God work things out His way release to Him the results

Conclusion:

PERSUADED: THAT HELPING OTHERS IS IMPORTANT BUT HELPING PEOPLE GET TO HEAVEN IS IMPERATIVE:

WEEK ONE:

• Persuaded means I’m convinced to the point that I don’t just hold these beliefs intellectually, I live out what I believe to be true in my life daily. 

WEEK TWO:

• My fidelity, integrity, virtue and consistency will be strengthened through trial.  Opposition is to be expected and welcomed as a strengthening agent.

WEEK THREE:

“Whatever I have, it’s yours Lord.  I want YOU to be Lord, not my stuff or my agenda”

WEEK FOUR:

• “Our kind heavenly Father has provided many wonderful inns for us along our journey, but he takes special care to see that we never mistake any of them for home.” –C.S. Lewis

WEEK FIVE:

• Shema (hear means listen and obey)…actually be concerned about doing what I know.

WEEK SIX:

• Showing Partiality: We need to do what Jesus did.

WEEK SEVEN:

• Pastor Andy asked if salvation was just by grace or were works important too?  The answer…Yes!

WEEK EIGHT:

• My tongue is an ambassador…of someone (either God or the devil).

WEEK NINE:

• James is concerned with leaders who are spiritually unprepared to lead and not listening to God.

WEEK TEN:

• Wanting Position out of jealousy.  God will lift us up into a standing position.

WEEK ELEVEN:

• What does a good eye have to do with wealth?  It means generosity and Jesus needs to examine our eyes.

WEEK TWELVE:

• What will the end of the world look like?  Don’t sweat the details, sweat the facts!

WEEK THIRTEEN:

• Elijah was just like us?  His intensity helped him to know God therefore he knew how to pray.  We need to pray like this.

THERE IT IS IN FOURTEEN WEEKS…And we end with James 5:19,20

Am I PERSUADED that Jesus is my source, my reason for life and who I want my friends to know?

Persuaded: Prayer is essential

James says pray.

Why?  Why do I need to hear this today?  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t…what’s the point?  What is prayer?

James instructs us to:

• Praise
• Pray for Sin sickness and Physical sickness
• Anointing with oil: 
• Ask for the miraculous

But what about prayers that aren’t answered the way we want?

• God can and will act as He sees fit.  We don’t control God by praying rightly or wrongly.

Elijah:

• Just like us?
• He had an intense commitment to obey, which in turn brought Him close to the heart of God, which then gave him insight in how to pray.  We are capable of this same thing.
• THUS, the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

Rain:

• Rain came twice= Messiah comes twice
• Second rain is just before harvest…Which Elijah will precede
• “early rain” and “latter rain” are agricultural images figuratively applied to the work of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Christian church and shortly before God’s end-time harvest (Rev. 14:14-20).

So James says…Pray

• For healing
• For His will in your life
• For help and wisdom in decisions

Persuaded: Before The Man comes around…

JAMES 5:7,8

The second coming was a common subject then…is it still now?

Jewish beliefs about resurrection at the time of Jesus:

1. 1. Pharisees accepted Tanakh (Daniel 12:2), Sadducees didn’t
   1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

2.    What about the rapture?

1. 3. When will Christ return?
   1. Matthew 24:21-22, 36-39, I Thes. 5:3 and Mark 13:14

1. 4. There are a lot of theories…what is consistent among Christians?
   1. It will be instantaneous and worldwide (Mt. 24:27)
   2. b. It will be visible to all  (Mt. 24:30)
   3. It will be audible  (Mt. 24:31)
   4. d. The resurrection of the righteous will occur  (1 Thes. 4:16)
   5. e. In one single event, the saved who are alive at Christ’s coming will be caught up together with the resurrected to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thes. 4:17)

1. 5. Okay what about Armageddon?  (Cataclysmic war) can’t we just keep getting better until we usher in God’s kingdom?
   1. War -Revelation 19:11, Zech 14:2-5
   2. Jesus coming in power – Mt 24:30, Rev 19:14,19, Isaiah 66:15-16
   3. Satan is locked in the pit Rev. 20:1-3
   4. Rev 20:7-8, Ezekiel 38
   5. “Aion” can mean age-but most times means eternal
   6. Jesus and John mention lake of fire Rev 20:11,13-15, Mt. 25:41
   7. New heaven and earth. Isa 65:17 and Rev 21:1

6.    What will the end of the world look like?

Johnny Cash, “When the Man comes around” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Comes_Around_%28song%29)

PERSUADED:  I need an eye exam!

James 4:17-5:6

Hebrew idioms were well known.

• Having a “good eye”:  Matt 6:22-23

Oh by the way…we never finished verse 17 of chapter four…

• the rope that ties this package together

• Harmatia=  eye sight is required to hit the mark

• When James is talking about greed He’s referring to having a good eye.

James is reminding them of what they already know:

What does a good eye have to do with wealth?

• From business owners to land owners:

• He denounces them for accumulation of stuff  with a disregard for the oppressed

• Weep and howl is prophetic language the day of the Lord: (Isaiah 13:6, 15:3 Hosea 7:14 and Amos 8:3)

Conclusion:

• My life’s trajectory is at stake in my small decisions
• A good eye sees wealth as responsibility and stewardship
• We don’t need new information, we just need to do what we already know
• I need an eye exam and Doctor Jesus is the only one qualified to give it

PERSUADED: We’re special…just like everyone else

James 4:13-17

James chapter four is concerned with our submission before God.  We want to stand on our own and be noticed, but James reminds us to humble ourselves and God will lift us up in His time.  In order to promote ourselves at any cost, we inevitably have to besmirch others.  James says trust God to establish you.

When I tear down your name I tear down my own family name:

Brothers=

1. Slander (accuse, speak against, malign)
2. Proverbs 10:18, I Peter 2:1 and Psalm 140:11

Oops I forgot about reality!

I’m special…just like everyone else

Here’s how to plan ahead:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body”. I Corinthians 6:19,20

Boasting and bragging is the issue:  not zeal or vision or dreaming.

Don’t stop being creative

Tomorrow is not promised…but if you’re here you have today.  Decide:

1. Thank God for loving you
2. Use your gifts, talents insights for God’s glory
3. Repent for any tearing down to build up
4. Memorize II Thessalonians 1:11

“And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.”

PERSUADED: My position before God matters

James 4:1-10

The poor and powerless scattered church is watching the rich and powerful win.  They are envious of their position and are using the world’s methods to promote themselves.   James is dealing with the lust of position, the stealing of position and the position we take with God.

Wanting Position: Verses 1-2

• CONTEXT= vying for position and jealousy

A One-Down Position:

*Desires battling within

*Strife=gossip, struggling, accusing, finger pointing, stirring up trouble and not promoting peace

A Self-Promoting Position:

A Kneeling Position: Verse 3

• You don’t get what you want because…you don’t pray
  • Prayer aligns my heart with God’s
  • Prayer reminds me of His deep affection and acceptance
  • Prayer dispels strife

A Matrimonial position: Verse 4-5

A Prostrate Position:  Verse 6-9

• Submission
• Stand against the adversary
• Come close to God
• Clean your hands
• Purify hearts
• Wail, mourn sob
• Mourn instead of laugh

God will lift us up into the standing position: Verse 10

Position=(hupsos) height, of measurement, of place, heaven, metaphorical for rank, or station

Concluding thoughts: