Listening Well To The King

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego did not bow to Nebuchadnezzars idol. They trusted God for deliverance from the king whether or not they would be delivered from the furnace... but God did deliver them from the flames.  Daniel 3 is about our commitment to knowing and obeying God's Word, about trusting God's timing and plans and about God's presence being enough. Thank you Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego for showing us what is important in life. Pastor Rick shared this message to the CrossPoint Church.

God used Daniel to tell King Nebuchadnezzar his dream and what it meant. Daniel was a hero, but gave God all the credit! We can learn so much from this humble young man who walked with God, prayed and used his gifts to bring God glory. Pastor Rick shared this message with CrossPoint Church

Daniel determined in his heart to obey God and trusted God to take care of the details. Daniel did not compromise which we often have the tendency to do. Partial obedience is really compromise. Faith in a God who reigns changes the way we live. Pastor Rick taught this text at CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Rick helps us understand Daniels world and Daniels God. His life was unfair, yet he will serve as a powerful example of how a faithful person thrives while living in the midst of a hostile culture. He teaches us to live in the way of the exile… which is living with the tension of loyalty and subversion.

Jesus taught about His resurrection but the disciples didn't get it so when it happened they were bewildered and filled with fear. Eventually, they met the risen King and they believed and changed a world. Paul talked about the importance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians. Pastor Rick ended in John 8 when Jesus told everyone He is the Light of the World. Thank you Lord for loving us and showing us what loving others looks like.

Jesus continues to teach His disciples right up to the cross. In our Scripture, Jesus tells us that loving God changes our giving and our perspective on suffering. He gives examples of sacrificial giving and then warns about staying the course during the tough times disciples will endure before Jesus returns as King. Pastor Rick taught this lesson to CrossPoint Church.

Time is short for Jesus. He reminds the disciples and shares six truths for them to remember. Jesus wanted the disciples to focus on God's mercy, to submit to the government, to know that heaven and our heavenly bodies will be different, that they are to love God and others well and that they should practice what they preach. Jesus didn't tell them anything new... just reminded them of the important. Pastor Rick preached this message at CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake looks at Mark 11. It is hard to follow the King because we think we want to be the King. It makes all the difference to follow Jesus the King. Pastor Blake spoke this message at CrossPoint Church during a baptism celebration.

Jesus followers will think and act differently if you walk with the King. Pastor Rick shares in Mark 10 that Jesus taught His disciples that your marriage will look different, the way you treat children and the insignificant will be different, when you receive reward will be different and the way you lead will be different. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

The disciples failed badly. But God uses our failures to deepen our dependence and faith in Him. We never outgrow our need for Jesus. Failure humbly drives us to Jesus, repentance, prayer and service. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church

After spending almost three years with Jesus, Peter finally gets it. He declares Jesus King, the Messiah, Israel's anointed one. But Peter quickly falls off the pedestal by reprimanding Jesus, who had embraced God's plan for his life. Wow, disobedience means shifting our allegiance to Satan rather than to God. Then Jesus tells the crowds that His disciples must be selfless, expect suffering, and obey the King. Pastor Rick shared this message with the CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Blake teaches from Mark 8:11-26 where we find Jesus talking about hard and soft hearts. Hard hearts are blind to Christ. The hard hearted have their hearts set on the circumstances rather than their God. It is the folks with soft hearts who can see their faith grow and God move. Pastor Blake Peterson taught this lesson to the CrossPoint Church.

Jesus does a short term mission trip deep into Gentile territory. Jesus announced that the Kingdom had come for the Gentiles. His disciples realized that evangelism is both uncomfortable and sacrifical... but worth it. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

Moses told the Jews in Deuteronomy 10 what God is asking them to do... fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Jesus modeled for us what serving and giving up our lives for others looks like. Pastor Rick ended with Paul's promise in 1 Corinthians 15:58... that everything you do for the Lord is useful. Pastor shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

The Treasure Principle is: YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, BUT YOU CAN SEND IT ON AHEAD. God changes our selfish hearts into generous ones as we spend time with our Lord. Life is short... invest in eternity. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church about the joy of giving.

Jesus addressed the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Mark 7. He basically said they were more concerned about keeping man-made religious traditions and looking good on the outside than guarding their hearts.  So, guard your heart by spending time with God so your actions are an outflow of your relationship with the Almighty.  Pastor Blake shared this message with CrossPoint Church

The disciples are thick headed... not grasping what Jesus is teaching them. Jesus sends them into a stormy sea and He goes to the hills to pray. Jesus sees their trouble, walks on the water out to them and calms the storm. They are starting to see who I AM is. They fall down and worship. Pastor Rick shared this message to CrossPoint Church.

The feeding of the 5,000 is a Big Story that teaches us a plethora of things. Pastor Rick focused on the importance of finding a quiet spot so you can hear God, growing in compassion and going to God often with your empty basket. Pastor spoke this message to CrossPoint Church.

Pastor Rick focuses on Mark 6 where we are alerted to fact that following Jesus has its challenges and that obedience has a cost. Mark illustrates what Jesus is teaching his disciples when he tells the story of John's beheading. Pastor Rick shared this message with CrossPoint Church.

God sent an angel to a group of shepherds to announce the Messiah's birth. The humble shepherds were the first to see the Messiah and spread the news of His arrival.  Thank you Lord for coming to a manger and a cross so we might experience life now and forever. Pastor Rick spoke this message to CrossPoint Church on Kids Take over Sunday.