TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I look forward to this Sunday! As you know, during the recent selection of an elder for Crossroads, God impressed upon my heart the opportunity we all have to grow as spiritual leaders. This Sunday morning, during our sermon time, we’ll take a look at 2 Timothy, Paul’s last letter before his death, and see how Paul passed on the baton of spiritual leadership to Timothy.
Here’s how one pastor, Ray Stedman, describes the book of 2 Timothy:
“In AD 68, an old man sits in a filthy, rock-walled, circular cell in a Roman prison. This man, who once traveled the world telling thousands of people how to know the Creator of the universe, is now confined to a dingy space about twenty feet in diameter. From that prison cell, he writes a letter to a young man in distant Ephesus, far across the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. The subject of his letter: How to remain strong in the midst of a collapsing civilization.
“Timothy … is troubled by a weak constitution, a fearful spirit, and a timid outlook on life. Meanwhile, Paul is in prison for his faith, facing a death sentence. He knows that he will soon be with the Lord, and he wants to pass the torch to this young man. He does so in this letter, which, in fact, is the last letter we have from Paul’s pen. This is his farewell message, his legacy, his last will and testament.”
(from Adventuring Through the Bible, p. 745)
This is an exciting and pertinent section of the Bible for us! In it we’ll see the job description Paul left Timothy for being a spiritual leader.
We’ll worship the Lord this Sunday — a giving of ourselves through singing, praying, fellowshipping, serving, and offering our gifts to God. An important part of each week! Come early if you can! 10:00 at the Community Center.
Sneak Peek
Here’s a look at what are likely to be some upcoming sermons:
January 30 A Spiritual Leader’s Job Description 2 Timothy
February 6 Missional Identity — Todd Brooks preaching 1 Peter 2:4-10
To be a Christian is to be on a mission. Part of our identity as Christians and as a church comes from understanding God’s mission.
Todd will unpack this for us.
February 13 The Spiritual Leader & Worship
What place should worship have in our lives if we wish to be spiritual leaders?
February 20 How to Lead a Small Group Bible Study
A final look at spiritual leadership: some practical helps in leading others through Bible Study — something most, if not all, of us should feel comfortable doing.
February 27 Return to Genesis Genesis 25
Genesis is a book about foundations. Something foundational in Jacob’s life — even though he was a deceiver — was his interest in spiritual things, specifically the birthright his brother thought to be unimportant.
March 6 Overlooked Isaac Genesis 26
What are we to gain from Isaac’s unusual and often overlooked life? He repeats his father’s mistake of giving his wife away (!), and he finds himself involved in quarrels about wells! Abraham built altars; Isaac dug wells. Why does God bother to tell us this?
March 13 Jacob’s Deception & the Stolen Blessing Genesis 27
Here’s the third “great man” of Genesis (Abraham – Isaac – Jacob – Joseph), yet he seems somewhat unlikeable. Through a period of family struggles, God does a profound work in Jacob’s life.
March 20 Jason Burrows preaching
Jason is our friend from Midwestern Seminary who we had hoped to see at New Years but wasn’t able to come due to illness. Jason will bring God’s Word to us on this Sunday.
March 27 Jacob’s Ladder Genesis 28
God’s covenant with Abraham (a key part of the Genesis story) is renewed here with Jacob. Jesus made a reference to Jacob’s ladder in John 1:51, so it’s not just an ancient story but something that was important to Jesus.
April 3 Jacob’s Growing Family Genesis 29-30
Jacob’s years of shepherding and raising a family in the back yard of his in-laws has “dysfunction” written all over it. What lessons for us?
April 10 Jacob’s Wrestling Match Genesis 32
A.W. Tozer once said, “God cannot bless a man until He has conquered him.” Are you wrestling with God? What’s God accomplishing in that struggle?
April 17 Easter
Other Happenings at Crossroads
Please pray for those in our church family battling illness. Others have recently experienced loss. Still others have reasons to celebrate. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).
Women’s Bible Study
All women are invited to a new 5-session Bible Study starting Sunday, February 20, at 9 a.m. called “Breathe.” The study will show how the principle of Sabbath helps us move from day to day with peace, joy, and more opportunity to breathe! If you’re interested in joining this study, please let Donna Rod or Heather Hall know by the end of January. Sundays starting February 20 at the Community Center right before the worship. Thank you!
Todd Brooks visiting us next Sunday, February 6
Todd Brooks is on staff with the Central District of the Evangelical Free Church of America. I’ve known Todd for many years. He is a wise and gentle man of God who will bring a challenging and uplifting message from God’s Word. I encourage you to be present on the 6th and get to know Todd. We are blessed at Crossroads to have a great support system from men and women who serve in the EFCA Central District.
Movie Night at Nevada Assembly of God this Sunday, January 30
Nevada Assembly of God invites us to a showing of “The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis,” this Sunday at 5 pm at their church building, 2247 North Osage Blvd. The cost required by the film company is $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. The church will make no money off the showing of the film. An evening of good, clean entertainment.
Elders Training
Pastors and elders from Evangelical Free Churches in Missouri are invited to Living Hope Church in Jefferson City on Saturday,
February 19, 9 am – noon, for training and interaction on the subject of being a church elder. Mike Shields, EFCA Central District Superintendent, will facilitate the training. This will be an excellent opportunity for current and future elders to receive instruction, be encouraged, and meet others serving the Lord in the same capacity. 3011 South Ten Mile Drive, Jefferson City.
I hope to see you Sunday morning at 10:00! Sermons are posted on the Crossroads Facebook page, usually by Saturday evening. (Sometimes it takes a little longer than usual to upload, so occasionally it won’t be there until early Sunday morning!)
— Tom
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