Crossroads Community Baptist Church - Sermons

In Acts 13, world missions are launched with Paul and Barnabas heading overseas to share the Gospel with the Gentiles. While God worked miracles and many people came to saving faith in Jesus Christ, they were met with opposition that sought to stop the Gospel from going forward. While we may come up against opposition as carriers of the Truth, we can know that God equips us with His powerful grace to run the Gospel forward with confidence.

In Acts 12:1-25, an angel of Lord delivers Peter from prison and execution, with a miraculous escape that left the king and his guards bewildered as to how Peter escaped. Pastor Nolan reminded us that even with the pain that comes from opposition to the Gospel, the will of God to expand His Kingdom is unstoppable.

In Acts 11:1-27, Pastor Nolan revisits the story of Peter in Antioch as Jewish leaders confront and criticize Peter on his eating with Gentile men. Not only does this repetition emphasize the point that the Gospel is for all people, but he’s also emphasizing that keeping the Law is not what makes us clean - it is Jesus who makes us clean. In other words, salvation comes not because of who you are or what you’ve done, only because of who Jesus is and what He’s done. To learn more about Crossroads, please visit www.crossroadsa2.org.

In Acts 10:1-48, we look at a section within the book of Acts emphasizing the fact that the Gospel is for all people. Every nation, tribe and tongue will bow their knee to Jesus. Pastor Doug preaches and helps us to see the Gospel is not a white gospel, black gospel, an American gospel, etc., it is a Gospel for ALL people.

Pastor Nolan preaches through Acts 9:32-43, and we'll see how the Holy Spirit propels our testimony with the grace of Jesus, taking heaven to the far reaches of the world. The Holy Spirit is miraculous power, and because your testimony is the result of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, your testimony surrendered to the power of the Holy Spirit plays a significant role in other people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, testifying to the power of Jesus in your life grows the Kingdom One(s) at a time.

On this Easter Sunday, Pastor Nolan preaches through Acts 9:1-31 where we see how Saul (Apostle Paul) is transformed in such a way that he goes from being one of the loudest voices bringing the hammer of persecution against the Church, to being one of the loudest voices for the Church declaring freedom in Christ. This testimony of Pauls life encourages us to remember Jesus can transform the most unlikely people into powerful testimonies of His grace and power. In turn, we’re challenged to boldly proclaim, “Jesus changes everything!”

God’s providence allowed for Pastor Philip to encounter an Ethiopian, which led to One more added to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Ethiopian received the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Philip was at the right place and the right time, and the Gospel continues to spread amongst the Gentiles - Jesus is for everyone.Pastor NolanActs 8:26-40

One of the most provocative statements that you may hear as it pertains to dying for our faith in Jesus may be this statement from Tertullian in around 200AD - “The more you mow us down, the more we grow. The blood of Christians is seed.” In Acts 8, we see how the martyrdom of Stephen leads to the scattering of the church and the spread of the Gospel. Ultimately, what the enemy tries to destroy, the Lord used it to multiply.

In Acts 6:8 - 8:3, we look at the historical event of the martyring of Stephen, and we witness how he preached as a dying man to dying men to his very last breath. Through Stephen's preaching, we can see attributes of Jesus' preaching - to preach the Truth of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit with such confidence and conviction that you’re willing to suffer and die for the sake of the Gospel.

This week Pastor Nolan led us through Acts 6:1-7, and we’re going to see how the early church responded to rapid growth by establishing a system of leadership that allows for both serving and spreading the Gospel in the most effective way possible. Multiplication of disciples requires the multiplication of leaders, which reflects Christ’s servanthood and equips the body for every good work.

It takes bold people of God, willing to risk their entire lives for the sake of the Gospel, so that more and more people will know grace that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Acts 5:12-42, the word illustrates the experiences of the apostles as they encounter the glory and blessing of the miracles from God and the guts required to endure severe opposition from the religious authorities while preaching the Gospel. Speaker: Pastor Nolan Cocke

This morning we’re going to look at Acts 4:32-5:11, and we’re going to see how the early church benefited from Holy Spirit filled unity and generosity, and also see an extreme warning of how destructive greed can be and God’s intolerance for such behavior.

This week, Pastor Teo preached through Acts 4:1-31 where we saw how bold faith moves us to share the Gospel even in the face of opposition. Check out this week's message and hear about the Fruit, the Test and the Prayer of Bold Faith in Christ.

Pastor Doug leads us through Acts 3:1-26 where we encounter a powerful story of the miraculous work of God through the apostles and the spread of the Gospel.

As Pastor Nolan preaches through Acts 2:42-47, we'll identify 5 marks of a healthy church. The reality is that a healthy church is most effective in their mission of the Gospel, and these 5 characteristics will help us be the healthiest we can be.

In Acts 2:22-41, Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, boldly proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He calls for repentance and baptism, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises and the need for a personal response to the Gospel. This morning we'll see how bold, clear, simple proclamation of the Gospel, along with the invitation of personal transformation through repentance and faith in Jesus is what it takes to preach the Gospel.

In Acts 2, Luke describes the miraculous day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in different languages and boldly proclaim the gospel. As Pastor Nolan preaches through Acts 2:1-21, we'll see how the Holy Spirit empowers the church as a missional movement for the glory of God and the good of the world. We need the Holy Spirit, and if we are followers of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 1:12–26, the disciples gather together prayerfulness to seek God's direction for their future following Jesus' ascension. Recognizing their need for guidance in selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot, the disciples turn to God’s Word and Prayer as they seek to discern the will of God. What we see is that our response to the Gospel is to seek the Will of the Father in Gospel-centered community and Spirit-empowered prayerfulness.

This week we're starting a brand new sermon series through the book of Acts. The book of Acts recounts the beginnings of what becomes the global church of Jesus Christ, where the Gospel reaches people from every nation and tribe. In Acts 1:1-11, Pastor Teo helps us to see how we are a people commissioned by Jesus with one mission empowered by one Spirit.

On Christmas Eve, Pastor Nolan led us through Titus 2:11-14 where we see how the arrival of Jesus is the arrival of Salvation, where we’re sanctified by grace, sustained by hope, and redeemed for the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Joy is not simply momentary gladness. It’s not some fleeting feeling or emotional response. It is happiness that is deeply rooted in the promises of God. As Pastor Nolan preaches through Luke chapter 2, we’ll see how Jesus is the arrival of unspeakable joy, which encourages believers and followers of Jesus to embrace and share this joy with the world around them. In a deeply broken world - people suffering from depression, anxiety, and a number of other disorders - we need unspeakable joy, supernatural joy, Christian joy, which we find only in Christ Jesus.

In week 3 of our series, "The Arrival," Pastor Nolan preaches through 1 John 4:7-10, and we're looking at how the arrival of Jesus ushers in the arrival of love. Jesus is the arrival of a steadfast love that gives hope as an anchor through the storms (Hebrews 6:19), it’s love that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), and unconditional love amidst all kinds of brokenness (John 15:13, 1 Corinthians 13:7). You could say, "the arrival of Jesus is the exclamation point of God’s love for humanity."

This week we welcome Pastor Austin Segar, church planter and pastor of Greater Glory Church, being planted in Macomb County in the greater Detroit area. In week 2 of our series, The Arrival, Pastor Austin leads us through Isaiah 9:6-7 where we see that in a world marred by chaos, the arrival of Jesus marks the arrival of the only true and eternal peace.

The arrival of hope is found in the arrival of Jesus, who is the promised Messiah. The theme of Hope centers on the anticipation of Christ’s coming, both His birth and His promised return, offering salvation and restoration for all who call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Everybody’s looking for a little hope; find hope in God. To learn more about Crossroads, please visit www.crossroadsa2.org.

When we’re redeemed, we begin to view our work and rest as an act of faithful worship that brings honor and glory to God. Pastor Nolan will lead us through Genesis 1 and Matthew 25, and we'll see how we honor God when we work hard and faithfully as a means of serving others over ourselves. We'll also see when we rest, we demonstrate our trust of God knowing He is our provider.

The more deeply connected our identity is in Christ, the more we live and relate to other people in God-honoring ways. In this message, we look at Colossians 3, where the apostle Paul anchors us in the reality of our identity in Christ when we’re redeemed by Christ. Through Jesus, we are called to a higher standard of living that positions our relationships as reflective of His love and grace toward us. This is why having our identity in Christ deeply rooted within us is so important because it is Christ who gives us the peace and humility to live in such a way that points others to Christ, it is Christ who reconciles us to God, and it is the Spirit of Christ who empowers us to reconcile with others.

Pastor Doug continues in our series, Worship Redeemed, and he helps us to understand when we’re redeemed, it is our joy to worship God together. Worship is a whole-life response to the Gospel, which includes singing and prayer.

As we look at Matthew 6, we’ll see that Jesus is teaching about the difference between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures, and he wants his disciples to see that true wealth is found in our relationship with God rather than material possessions. In other words, Jesus is our treasure, and if we have him we truly have it all. In this message we'll see redeemed generosity links us to the heart of the Father and the Vision for His Kingdom.

We are all worshippers at heart; yet, when we are redeemed by our faith and trust in Jesus, our worship is also redeemed. Who, what, and how we worship shifts from self-centered idolatry to Christ-centered exaltation. As Christians, we’re compelled by the grace and glory of God to live all of life as an offering of worship of the one true God (Romans 12:1-2). Ultimately, Christ is the perfect living sacrifice, whose life and death transform us from the inside out. When we surrender our life to Him, we receive the grace and power to live sacrificially and to use our gifts for the glory of Jesus and good of His world. This is different living.

In this message, we look at Ephesians 4:11-16, and see how Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual gifts and the role of the body of Christ in fostering unity and growth. We each have a unique role & function that contributes to the overall maturity of the church, which encourages believers to build each other up in love and truth. In other words, the Church flourishes when each member embraces their role, unites in mission, and matures in faith.

This morning we’re looking at Romans 10:13-15, where Paul reminds us that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and He also emphasizes the necessity of preaching the Gospel. In other words, faith is not produced without hearing the message of Christ. Followers of Jesus are the conduit of salvation. Just how electricity can be harnessed and sent from one localized source to power the grid of an entire city, so it is with followers of Jesus who carry the power of the Gospel across the city and beyond.

In this new series, we’re taking a look at our mission as a church and bringing in focus three key parts: know, go, grow. This week, Pastor Nolan leads us through Philippians 3:7-11 and we’ll see how our highest calling is to know and love God more than anything else, and it is in this pursuit that we discover our passion and purpose to make Him known.

“…deliver us from evil.” Trust in the Lord is sometimes easier said than done. We can be feel crippled by fear, suffering, and loneliness, which can make it difficult trust the sovereign goodness of God. Yet, we’ve seen God’s word and we’ve seen God’s work. He is faithful to fulfill all of His promises to us, never to forsake us. This morning Pastor Nolan reminds us yielding to God in prayer bolsters our faith and reveals our deepest trust that God’s way is the best way.

Pastor Doug leads us in week 3 of our series Pray Like A Saint, and we're looking at the precious phrase, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…” Prayer gives us access to the heart of God, and we’re called to pray alongside the will of God. What does it mean to pray alongside the will of God? We can begin with the things God commands us to pray for: our enemies, missional workers, strength against temptation, for our government and leaders, relief and healing, for wisdom and discernment. We can come to the Lord with confidence, boldness, and a desperation dependent on His provision and help.

In week 2 of Pray Like A Saint, we're looking at the phrase “…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” of the Lord's Prayer and how that impacts our prayers. We are undoubtedly sinful people at times; perhaps more than we even think. Yet, we can be honest with ourselves, honest with each other, and (most importantly) honest with God. All throughout the Scriptures, especially the NT, we’re summoned to humble ourselves, repent of our sin, and trust the Lord. Repentance always begins with conviction and sorrow, turning away from sin and towards Jesus, and then we experience life and forgiveness through the grace Jesus offers.

This week Pastor Nolan begins a new sermon series on prayer, leading us through the Lord's Prayer and helping us to understand prayer as a life-giving means of connecting to the heart and will of God. In our first message, we'll look at the phrase, “Our Father in Heaven, hollowed be your name.” We were created to praise and worship God, and knowing God is holy and perfect and mighty, our worship and prayer life should be saturated in holy reverence. Even so, our praise should be extravagant (unhinged), child-like, devoted solely to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our God is worthy of us giving everything we have in order to bring him honor and glory.

Psalm 51 is a heartfelt expression of confession and repentance from a very broken King David after his grievous sin with Bathsheba, demonstrating deep sorrow for sin and a plea for God's mercy and renewal. Pastor Nolan preaches a powerful message where we’ll see true repentance leads to a renewed heart and mind. True repentance invites the transformational presence of God, which compels deeply devoted worship and evangelism.

Pastor Doug Keasal walks us through Psalm 143, where David expresses his deep anguish and search for God's guidance during a time of trouble, reflecting on his past experiences of God's faithfulness while pleading for deliverance from his adversaries and restoration of his spirit. This psalm invites us to bring our deepest fears and struggles to God, reminding us that in our moments of distress, we can seek His presence for guidance and renewal. It encourages us to maintain hope and seek God's help, even in our darkest hour, to find comfort and strength.

In week 2 of our series in Psalms, Pastor Teo Moreno preaches through Psalm 46. In this psalm, we see that God is the only one we can take shelter in and He will never let us down. So no matter what lies ahead, we can take refuge in God. We can trust in Him at all times. We can have peace in Him even when things are so chaotic around us.

Desperate for help, David seeks shelter in a cave, but turns to his shelter and fortress, the Living God. God’s faithfulness and mercy to David is our faithfulness and mercy in Christ Jesus. At the heart of the message we'll learn no matter what we face, Jesus is everything.Pastor Nolan brings a meaningful message through the preaching of Psalm 142.

In Luke 24, we witness the miraculous resurrection of Jesus, which proves Jesus does all that he says He’ll do. The disciples were deeply emboldened by the power of the resurrection that they were willing to die testifying to the Gospel and all they witnessed. That same resurrection power empowers us to live boldly for Him and share the hope of the Gospel with a hurting world. Pastor Nolan closes out our series preaching through Luke 24:1-53.

Closing out his account of the life and ministry of Jesus, Luke details the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. It captures the climax of the Gospel story where Jesus faces injustice, unimaginable suffering and death, yet points us to the profound hope and redemption that emerges from His sacrifice.

There is no other plan, no other gospel and no other hope for the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. Judas betrayed Jesus and there is no evidence of him repenting of his sin; Peter denied Jesus but he was soon to become one of the most vocal apostles of the resurrection; and the other disciples fled but after the resurrection, nothing but martyrdom could silence them and now for two thousand years, Christ Jesus has been changing lives. Pastor Doug continues in our series through Luke 22:39-71.

What constitutes winning according to the world is far different than winning according to Christ. As we continue in Luke, we’re confronted with what it looks like to be great, to be a winner, in the eyes of Christ. True greatness in God's eyes is not found in power or prestige, but in humble servanthood, and this was exemplified perfectly by Christ's sacrificial love. In other words, winning looks like Jesus - serving, giving, sacrificing Himself for the benefit of others.

In Luke 22:1-23, Jesus gathers with his disciples for their final Passover meal, which signifies the moment in history when the world was transformed forever. Jesus uses this meal to point us to the ultimate fulfillment of atonement and justification through Him! Jesus is the mediator between God and humanity, and like the Passover lamb whose blood was shed for deliverance from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus is the final and perfect Passover Lamb, whose blood delivers us from our slavery to sin and ourselves.

Correct theology should do for us what theologian Thomas Aquinas once said about theology, “Theology is taught by God, teaches of God, and leads to God.” In Luke 21:5-38, as Jesus gives us insight into the last days, we should be left with more than just knowledge. Ultimately, Jesus’ theology of last days should lead us to be vigilant and faithful in our walk with Christ, causeing in us a deep desire to live with the sense of urgency that Jesus is coming soon.

In Luke 20:27-21:4, Jesus is fielding questions about the resurrection and we'll be encouraged to we can live confident and authentic faith-filled lives because Jesus holds the authority over eternal life. Jesus is not looking for people who are checking the boxes so they can say they’re a Christian. He’s not looking for nominal Christians; people who are Christian by name only. Jesus-people are blood-bought people who live in the confidence of a resurrection.

In Luke 20:1-26, we encounter religious leaders challenging Jesus about His authority and they attempt to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. However, Jesus sees through their manipulative tactics, revealing profound truths about His identity and authority, and the nature of our obligations to God and government. Ultimately, we're called to lay aside sinful pride, and humbly place ourselves under the authority of Christ and His written word.

This week, our guest, Pastor Eli Garza, preaches through Luke 19:28-49 where Jesus enters into Jerusalem and he seeks to correct the worship of the people of God. Jesus did not come to establish a human empire as many wanted him to do, and many still want to do in our time, but rather he is the King of a spiritual kingdom with transformed people transcending human borders with a constitution of eternal truths.

If you grew up in church, you might remember the story of Zacchaeus from Sunday school - the story short guy who wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus passing by. Where there is a little more to the story, and it's a significant message about grace and faith. Ultimately, grace activates faith, which activates obedience to Christ and his call on our lives to live for the Kingdom of God. Pastor Nolan continues through the Gospel of Luke, looking at 19:1-27.