Please click the appropriate link to listen or download:

CrossView - May 6th, 2012

(entire service, including sermon)

Sermon - May 6th, 2012

(scripture reading and sermon only)

Click Here for corresponding scripture, small group connection guide, and sermon notes

Click here to view or download a copy of the Sunday bulletin for May 6th, 2012.

You will need a pdf reader (ie. adobe) to view this file.

CrossWords Prayer Guide

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life:  Grant us so perfectly to know Your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Scripture Focus:

Today – Mark 5, Psalm 53

Mon – Mark 5:1-10, Psalm 53:1

Tue – Mark 5:11-20, Psalm 53:2

Wed – Mark 5:21-29, Psalm 53:3

Thu – Mark 5:30-34, Psalm 53:4

Fri – Mark 5:35-43, Psalm 53:5-6

Sat – Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 54

Commit to read the DSF by checking item 1 on the Communication Card

Prayer List: Bo Fuller, Mack Walla, John Lewis, Carl Rider, Kirk family, Brantly family, Mayes Elementary, Sophie Phillips, Danny Blackshear, Round Up Cowboy Church, Sherrie Grems, Maybell Gilbert, Vivian Smith,  Trailblazer employees, Katelyn Shultz – mission trip to Africa, Ruth Cole, Steven Raglin, Doug Lawrence, Phil Lollar, Durward and Evelyn Amos, Mark Arnold, Landry Perkins, Trina Hall family, Yevetta Raglin, Michele Raglin, Danny Hicks, Devin Owens, Amanda Collins

CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 5:1-20

When we last left Mark, Jesus and the disciples were traveling back and forth on the Sea of Galilee and ministering to the crowds that gathered at their various stops. In Mark 4, Jesus calms a great storm on the Sea, amazing the disciples. Following this, Jesus goes ashore on the Gentile side of the lake. The “country of the Gerasenes” wasn’t conducive to crowds, nor would the inhabitants of the region be interested in a Jewish teacher. Here, Jesus could take a break from the crowds and teach His disciples. However, Mark 5 states that as soon as Jesus stepped out of the boat, He was met by a man with “unclean spirits”. This man was being controlled by supernatural forces. His behavior was seen as dangerous, and he had been cast out of society.

We must understand that in the culture of Jesus’ day, unusual behavior was very unusual! Everyone pretty much did what was expected of them. When people did the unexpected, their actions were attributed to “spirits” (Hebrew) or “demons” (Greek). The question was whether the spirits were good or evil; clean, or unclean. In this case the demons are obviously evil, causing the man much suffering. A “legion” was the largest unit of Roman soldiers, numbering about 5600. A Roman legion occupied the area, and the nearby herd of pigs would have likely been their food source. Spirits were more powerful than humans, but Jesus demonstrated clearly His authority over them by commanding them into the swine.

Setting the man free from demonic influence was only a partial healing. The man still had to be restored to his community. This was accomplished when the swine herders spread the word of what had happened, and a crowd gathered, shocked to find the local madman restored to normal behavior. This terrified them, and they begged Jesus to leave. The restored demonic wanted to become a disciple of Jesus, but Jesus instead sent him back to his own people. Earlier in Mark, Jesus had commanded those he healed to tell no one. This time, Jesus commissioned the man to tell everyone what God had done for him. Once again, Jesus got back in the boat, crossed to the other side, and was met by – lo and behold – a great crowd!

Out of the crowd, a synagogue ruler fell at Jesus’ feet. This was the posture of someone seeking a favor. This would be highly unexpected for someone of such social status, and shows his desperation. His daughter was dying. Jesus went with the man, but stopped on the way when a woman with a bleeding disorder touched Him. Women were not allowed to touch men. Rather than shame her, Jesus calls her “daughter”, again restoring someone to their place in the community. Meanwhile, Jairus’s daughter died. 60% of children born in 1st Century died by their mid-teens. The crowd mocked Jesus’ attempt to “heal” just one more dead girl, but Jesus once again astounded everyone by showing His authority over even death.

Today’s sermon will show just what Jesus does for powerless people.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. Why do you think so many people accept Jesus as their Savior in hospitals and prisons? Are these conversions real?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• The demoniac was powerless over his behavior.

• Many of us feel powerless over our actions.

• Jesus took authority over the demons.

• Jesus will take authority over your demons!

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means experiencing miraculous, transformational power. What behavior is out of your control? Begin every day this week bowed at the Savior’s feet, allowing Him to take authority over your hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Please click the appropriate link to listen or download:

CrossView - April 29th, 2012

(entire service, including sermon)

Sermon - April 29th, 2012

(scripture reading and sermon only)

Click Here for corresponding scripture, small group connection guide, and sermon notes

Click here to view or download a copy of the Sunday bulletin for April 29th, 2012.

You will need a pdf reader (ie. adobe) to view this file.

CrossWords Prayer Guide

Prayer of the Week: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of Your people; Grant that when we hear His voice we may know Him who calls us each by name, and follow where He leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Scripture Focus:

Today – I Corinthians 15:12-28, Ps 52

Mon – I Cor 14:1-25, Psalm 52:5

Tue – I Cor 14:26-40, Psalm 52:6

Wed – I Cor 15:1-34, Psalm 52:7

Thu – I Cor 15:35-58, Psalm 52:8

Fri – I Cor 16, Psalm 52:9

Sat – Mark 5, Psalm 53

Commit to read the DSF by checking item 1 on the Communication Card

Prayer List: Bo Fuller, Mack Walla, John Lewis, Carl Rider, Kirk family, Brantly family, Mayes Elementary, Sophie Phillips, Danny Blackshear, Round Up Cowboy Church, Sherrie Grems, Maybell Gilbert, Vivian Smith, Trailblazer employees, Katelyn Shultz – mission trip to Africa, Debbi and Roger Clausen, Ruth Cole, Steven Raglin, Doug Lawrence, Phil Lollar, Durward and Evelyn Amos, Mark Arnold, Landry Perkins

CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: I Corinthians 15:12-28

Paul finishes giving his answers to questions dealing with spiritual abilities in chapter 14. The Corinthians wanted to understand these supernatural gifts that were manifested among them when they came together. Paul had reminded them that these abilities were to build up the church, not tear it apart. In Chapter 14, Paul primarily deals with the two most “popular” gifts – tongues and prophesy. “Tongues” in Corinthians refers to the supernatural ability to speak another language so that unbelievers might hear and glorify God. Prophesy was direct instruction from God to believers. When only believers were gathered, obviously prophesy was more useful than tongues. All supernatural utterances should be given in an orderly manner.

The final issue Paul deals with concerns the resurrection of the dead. When Paul originally came to Corinth, he proclaimed an innovative message. The wrath of God, brought on when humanity insulted God’s holiness through sin, had been satisfied through the death of Jesus, and God’s holiness had been proved through raising Christ from the dead. Many witnesses saw this firsthand, and all who believed their testimony would not only be spared that wrath, but would be raised from the dead themselves. However, in Paul’s absence this teaching had become corrupted somehow. Corinthians believed that followers of Jesus couldn’t die! As some of their members began to die, it caused much confusion to say the least.

“Since true believers can’t die, then those who died weren’t really Christians. Therefore, there is no resurrection of the dead.” This was the logical conclusion of the misunderstanding of Paul’s message. Paul refutes this by pointing out that if there is no resurrection of the dead, how then was Christ raised? If Christ wasn’t raised, then their whole faith was meaningless. Christians would still die physically, however, for Christ was still in the process of conquering all God’s enemies. Just as death came to all through one man – Adam – life came to all through Jesus. This would not be fulfilled until the Second Coming, when all the dead in Christ would be raised and death would be abolished forever.

In the rest of chapter 15, Paul continues to point out the logical problems with denying the resurrection of the dead. Baptism for the dead was a custom in which one’s baptism was said to apply to their entire household, including those who may be deceased. Of course we would not follow this today, but in principle it was a waste of time if there was no life after death. Also, there was no reason for Paul to suffer persecution if after death came nothing. But how could broken, dead bodies live again, some Corinthians wondered? In the same way that the fruit bears no resemblance to the seed, our resurrected bodies will be entirely different from our human ones. Like the sun and stars, they will bring glory to God through their beauty.

Today’s sermon will consider the Resurrection of Christ and what it means to us today.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. How do you think our “glorified” post-resurrection bodies will differ from our current ones?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• The Corinthians were confused about the Resurrection.

• We fail to grasp the Resurrection today, too.

• Paul explained what the Resurrection meant for the Corinthians.

• We can celebrate what Resurrection means for us!

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means believing something we cannot prove – that we will live again. Do you believe it? Thank God every day this week for the promise of life after death, then live like you mean it.

Click here to view or download a copy of the Sunday bulletin for April 22nd, 2012.

You will need a pdf reader (ie. adobe) to view this file.

CrossWords Prayer Guide

Prayer of the Week: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to His disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold Him in all His redeeming work; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Scripture Focus:

Today – I Corinthians 13, Ps 52:1-5

Mon – I Cor 11:1-16, Psalm 52:1

Tue – I Cor 11:17-34, Psalm 52:2

Wed – I Cor 12:1-11, Psalm 52:3

Thu – I Cor 12:12-31, Psalm 52:4

Fri – I Cor 13, Psalm 52:5

Sat – I Corinthians 15:12-28, Ps 52:5-9

Commit to read the DSF by checking item 1 on the Communication Card

Prayer List: Bo Fuller, Mack Walla, John Lewis, Carl Rider, Jeannine Hope, Kirk family, Brantly family, Mayes Elementary, Sophie Phillips, Elsie Cobb, Danny Blackshear, Round Up Cowboy Church, Michael Grossman, David Grossman, Wanda Collins Sherrie Grems, Maybell Gilbert, Wayne Rogers and wife, Di Ann Readnour, Morris Ramsey, Raglin family, Devin and Lydia, Angelo Weda, Rick Henderson, Riley Dickson, Richard Young family, Vivian Smith, Trailblazer employees, Darrin Harper family, Katelyn Shultz – mission trip to Africa, Debbi and Roger Clausen