CrossTrail Community Church: Sermon Podcast

We worry a lot about the future. We attach our security to many things that we have no assurances about. But Jesus has made very firm promises about the future of his Church to all who are part of it.

While you may be tempted to think that you’re fine on your own, you are never more vulnerable than when you are alone. One of the reasons God gave us the church was to provide us with the added strength and wisdom and help that is available in community.

People sometimes minimize church, or get down on the church because of bad experiences. Yet the surprising fact is that the church is the community God has formed to house his holy presence and reveal his glory.

One reason to gather with the church is that the message of Christ proclaimed through the church is God’s chosen primary method of calling and shaping his people. Listen to this message to learn more about the value of preaching and of studying the Bible in community.

What does an obscure Old Testament story have to do with our lives and our place in the Church today? More than you might think. From David’s treatment of Jonathan’s lame son we get a touching picture of what it means to be invited to the King’s table.

Is the church optional? Supplemental? Expendable? Not if Jesus actually rose from the dead. The Resurrection tells us that building the church was a crucial part of Jesus’ mission—and that it is unstoppable.

If you’re in a battle of some sort, Palm Sunday is the celebration before the victory. From this historical event we learn the power of faith to believe for what has not yet happened. It also reminds us to celebrate the greater victory that has already been won.

When Life is difficult and problems are persisting, how do you pray? In addition to asking God to bring resolution, this next-level way to pray is catalytic to the development of your faith and capacity for great things.

When we sincerely ask God to stop us before sin takes hold, or when we’ve lost control, this message shows how God lovingly intervenes to keep us from destructive paths.

We will never take our sin seriously until we take God seriously. Rather than justifying ourselves or beating up on ourselves, seeking forgiveness brings cleansing and healing. Learn more about how to talk to God about your failures.

Few qualities will take you further in life than a teachable spirit, while disaster looms for those without one. This next-level prayer will open your heart to receive wisdom from God that will guide your steps through the maze of choices you must make.

The kind of prayers we pray go a long way towards shaping the kind of person we are becoming and the kind of relationship with God we’re building. While it is tempting to hide as a believer when we feel the pressure of an unbelieving world, praying for boldness will open the way for God to do a powerful work in and through us.

The kind of prayers we pray go a long way towards shaping the kind of person we are becoming and the kind of relationship with God we’re building. While it is tempting to hide as a believer when we feel the pressure of an unbelieving world, praying for boldness will open the way for God to do a powerful work in and through us.

In our quieter moments, we intuitively know that there must be something more and better than what we experience of life in this world. That longing is pointing us to the fact that we were made for eternity. And that means how we order our days is extremely important.

While AI is fast and efficient, human creativity is driven by meaning and the richness of human experience. But how we use our creativity is of immense importance to fulfilling our purpose.

One thing that sets humans apart from both animals and machines is our capacity to make choices between good and evil. And those choices have tremendous weight. The development of AI technology raises many real ethical concerns that we must navigate very carefully.

Nothing is more human than our need to connect in meaningful relationships with other people. Yet technologies of late, and especially the age of AI, present the real danger of leaving us more disconnected than ever.

The future of AI is advancing rapidly, but will it really be the savior its developers envision? What the world needs is for us to be whole human beings in communion with the Life-Giver.

In a world that idolizes optimization through AI, what makes humans unique and infinitely valuable is not intelligence or productivity, but that we are created in the image and likeness of God.

We should pay close attention to our internal response to God’s word, particularly on the topic of generosity. Jesus urges us to consider that his promised rewards are for those whose hearts are receptive.

Far from a burden or obligation, the biblical precedent of tithing builds our generosity muscles and positions us for an abundance of blessing.

As the Magi opened their treasures to Jesus, we have the opportunity to bring ours—and in so doing to store up treasure in Heaven in the form of rewards we will get to enjoy eternally.

The commercialized version of Christmas calls for an attitude check regarding money and possessions. Jesus challenges us to adopt his attitude of generosity and delight in being rich towards God.

Numerous misconceptions may be keeping you from sharing your faith. Learn the truth, as well as multiple practical tips to get you started.

Everyone longs for a better world. This is a great place to start in talking to someone about the Good News of Jesus. This message will guide you through how to share the gospel from a global perspective.

Good news is meant to be shared, and the gospel truly is good news! In this practical message you’ll learn two simple methods of sharing the core message of the gospel with someone you care about. You can do this!

If you know Jesus, you have a story to share. And it may help someone else come to know him. In this super practical message, you’ll learn how to think through and tell someone how God has blessed your life.

When you encounter the cross of Jesus in a deep and personal way, it changes everything. In Galatians, Paul lifts up the cross as the catalyst that makes people new and is ushering in a whole new world.

There’s a fierce battle being fought within every believer every day. The winner of that battle will shape your life and your future. Good character matters, but it develops differently than you think.

While Christ has set us free, we struggle to live free. Paul helps us understand the incredible implications of being adopted as God‘s child—no longer slaves to religious legalism or to our impulses—in his timeless letter of Galatians.

What does it mean to be a Christian? Is the gospel just another religion, or is there a significant difference? This powerful message from Galatians gives us clear answers we need to navigate this current spiritual climate.

No matter how good life with God can be, many threats remain that can spoil it. The conclusion of Joshua provides needed cautions to help us stay vigilant and protect the blessings we’ve been given.

What are you hoping for? Waiting is hard, but God’s promises are rock solid. Gain some encouragement from the story of Caleb in Josh. 14.

Our lives are full of decisions. If we fail to truly seek God’s guidance in important decisions, we may easily be deceived by our misperceptions and miss out on blessings intended for us. Yet, God is gracious and will work out his good plans even when we mess up.

It’s easy to get lulled to sleep spiritually. A sure sign is when we get sloppy and inconsistent in our obedience to God, often putting our desires above his commands. But that spells trouble, and the best and most lasting blessings can only be received through a fully surrendered heart.

If you are chasing the life you hope for and God is an afterthought, you’ve got it backwards. Start with your consecration to him and see how life falls into place.

It’s easy to get stuck in a holding pattern before you’ve reached the full expression of the life God is inviting you into. Joshua 3 illustrates how the future belongs to those who are willing to take a step forward by faith.

“Maybe I’m not enough.” If you wonder whether the life of blessing and purpose that Jesus offers is realistically meant for you—or if you are quick to write people off who don’t seem to fit the bill—Rahab’s story is eye-opening.

The path ahead into the life God wants for you isn’t easy. It will feel daunting and even overwhelming at times. To take hold of the opportunities before you will require a strong supply of courage and inner strength. You and I can find your courage the same way that Joshua did.

As we explore the essence of true worship, Pastor Chris Workman speaks from Scripture about the holistic nature of worship. From this message you’ll gain insight into how you can engage all of you in loving and honoring  God, adding even more positive impact to your worship!

Your perspective of worship will make all the difference in the world as to how you approach and experience it. In this message, learn about some of the common misconceptions surrounding worship and discover what it’s truly all about.

Everyone worships something, and what we worship shapes our lives and character far more than we realize. In this message by Al Forthman, we learn more about this pivotal reason for worshiping a loving and holy God.

The Scriptures warn us of a reality we’re uncomfortable with—that we’re the targets of unseen spiritual forces of evil. Learn more about how they come at us and the power of Jesus to break us free.

The world, though beautiful in many ways, is filled with threats of all kinds. God promises his protective love and will miraculously come to our aid if we ask him. In this message, Pastor Chris Workman discusses the nuances of what that means and shares encouraging insights that will give you courage.

Most of us know the stress of times when we worry about how we will come up with the resources we need. Yet the Scriptures reveal that our God is more than able and eager to provide. Discover the principle that may open the way for the miracle you need.

Health problems can leave us feeling hopeless and helpless. But faith in God makes the impossible possible. If you or someone you know needs a miracle of healing, this message is for you.

The lasting impact of our lives is measured in how we touch the lives of others. We will build a rich legacy, indeed, if we will only follow Jesus faithfully until God calls us home.

If you’re like many American believers, you may feel that church is supplementary to your life. But what if it’s actually something so much more? In this message, discover Jesus’ crucial plan for us to learn to follow him in community.

As we follow Jesus, he directs us into our new life’s mission. When we accept our mission and understand how to best go about it, God will do amazing things through us to change lives and, ultimately, the world.

All the decisions we make,  both large and small, add up to make us who we are. To experience the truly good life under his leadership, we must commit to follow Jesus one obedient choice at a time.