The Real Royals
Speaking The Truth in Love
December 1, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
This message is our final message in the Real Royals series. We’ll look at how God created us to proclaim him to others. As Christians, each one of us is a priest in God’s kingdom, and part of our role as priests is to share with others the truth God has taught us about himself as revealed in the Scriptures and supremely in the person of Christ. For many of us, thinking about sharing God's word with others, whether to another believer or an unbeliever, can be fearful and intimidating. This is especially the case with those closest to us, and even more so with family. That’s why, this message, we will unpack what it means for us to grow in our ability to speak God's truth in love. As we go into the season of Christmas, and celebration, and family, it’s a perfect time to ask ourselves how God would use us to be priests to one another and to those who do not yet know him. Read 1 Peter 2:9 & Romans 15:14-16 for this message.
Royalty In Training
November 24, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
For the past few weeks, we've been talking about our destiny and privilege as God's people. We've been looking at our role as royalty and priests, and how that affects everything in life. Including our money. 💰 A lot of people are uncomfortable talking about money in church, and that makes sense, but we have to remember that Jesus talked about money more than faith and prayer combined, and then times two! The way we use our money shows what we value and where we place our priorities, and as God's people in training to be more like Jesus, the Gospel affects everything, including how we think about money. This message won't be a comfortable sermon! We'll explore how God's people are to think about and handle their money! We'll take an honest look at that area of our lives that is so private and yet so revealing to what we truly value the most. Read Hebrews 13:16 and Philippians 4:18 for this message.
Created To Bless
November 17, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
For the past few weeks, we've been looking at our role in God's kingdom as prophets, priests, and royalty. This message, we'll look in-depth at our role as priests. As priests, we are created to bless God as well as bless those around us. This message, we'll look at the role and responsibility we have to encourage one another, comfort, and care, and sometimes, even confront one another. The amazing thing about God's kingdom is that all Christians are called to be priests, not just the pastors or ministry leaders. As priests, we each have the ability to care for those around us, and also receive care when we need it (which sometimes is even harder to do!) Join us the message as we unpack the role each of us has as priests in God's kingdom and see the influence and care God designed us to have for each other.
Created To Do Good
November 10, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
In our teaching series called the Real Royals, we’ve been looking at our status and privilege as part of God’s kingdom. Last message, we looked at the power of our prayers, and this message we’ll learn about how God created us to serve. God has created us to do good, and he has things planned for us to do. The Bible describes that we are his craftsmanship, and we are gifted and equipped for the service he has prepared for us. Sometimes we forget that God has wired us uniquely to be able to participate in his kingdom work. Some roles are more obvious or look more spiritual, like a pastor on a stage or even a musician singing, but in reality each of us has a part to play in the work of God’s rule and reign being established on earth. Read Hebrews 13:16 & Matthew 5:14-16
Fervent Prayer
November 3, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
What does fervent prayer look like? How does prayer work? This message we're doing a deep dive on prayer and the privilege we have as Christians. The past few weeks we've been in a teaching series called the Real Royals, where we've been looking at our status as prophets, priests, and royalty in God's kingdom. This message, as we explore the subject of prayer as taught by Jesus, you will learn the incredible way God allows and invites us to engage with him in prayer. Read Matthew 6:9-10 and Revelation 5:8 & 8:3-4 for this message.
We Are Royal Priests
October 27, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
This message, we’re going to learn how Christians are priests in God’s kingdom. As we continue our series called the Real Royals, we've covered our status as royalty, and now we will move to our role as priests. We’ll look at a moment from the Old Testament where Isaiah has a face to face encounter with God. We’ll also explore the book of Revelation, where we see a glimpse into the future of what worship in heaven looks like. In worship, we get a right perspective of who God is. And when we see God more clearly, then we can see ourselves as God sees us. Read Isaiah 6:1-8 for this message.
Created To Regin
October 20, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
Last week we started a new series called The Real Royals. We learned about our source, purpose and destiny as God's image bearers assigned to represent God on earth as his royal priests and prophets. This message we'll see how God created us to reign as royalty over his creation and how this original plan was radically altered in the aftermath of humanity's Fall in sin and the emergence of evil into God's good creation. We will see how suffering is necessary in defeating and ultimately destroying evil on earth. God made this clear from the very beginning and it was revealed fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died unjustly to provide salvation for the world. As God's royal people, serving under King Jesus, we are called to join him in suffering to overcome evil with good, not only in the world, but in ourselves! Listen to learn how God is preparing us, even through suffering, to reign with Christ over the new heavens and earth forever. Read Romans 8:16-25, Revelation 20:4-6, & 22:1-5
Seeing The Big Picture
October 13, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
In the hours before the cross, when Jesus could have been uptight, self-absorbed, and stressed out, he was still focused on loving and serving those around him. So often, when we are under stress and pressure, it is difficult to keep living like Jesus. Sometimes we can even become quite the opposite! How do we stay focused on God when life becomes challenging, even overwhelming? We're starting a new series all about learning to see the big picture. We’re going to look at our source, purpose, and destiny with God. When we can see these things clearly, we can see the big picture that allows us to live like Jesus in the everyday stuff of life. Read 1 Peter 2:9 for this message.