Crossway Christian Church

The idea of “firstfruits” is lost on many. An agricultural reference, it refers to the offering usually given during the first part of the harvest – but it means much more than that. The firstfruits were not just fruits, but the best of the produce of the land, given to God as an indication that all of it belonged to him, to secure his blessing on the rest of the harvest. When Paul calls Christ the “firstfruits” he has all of this in mind, and likely more. What, then, does this term add to our understanding of Jesus’ resurrection? 1. In his resurrection, Jesus is better 2. In his resurrection, Jesus is new 3. In his resurrection, Jesus is our hope

There is a lot that can go wrong on a space shuttle. The margins of engineering are so slim that a tiny, seemingly insignificant mistake can end in tragedy. Elders, likewise, must have even the tiniest detail in their lives worked out the best they can, for many have done great damage to the gospel as the Devil pries at their failures. Thus, the qualifications that Paul lists should be of great importance to us. What should an elder look like? 1. The commitment of an elder 2. The character of an elder 3. The commission of an elder

There is a separation between the formal proclamation of the word in authority behind the pulpit and the casual conversations that elders might have with people in their everyday lives. We don’t expect that these conversations, filled with jokes, opinions, observations, to imply anything official. Yet, today, we spy in on just such a conversation between Paul and his faithful child in the faith, Titus. Paul wants Titus to continue to strive to put the churches of Crete in good order. But how is he to do that? Let us consider the good order of the church by considering: 1. The agent of good order 2. The aim of good order 3. The assurance of good order

Throughout his letter, Peter’s aim was to encourage Christians to stand firm; enduring suffering and persecution by giving themselves entirely to God. The death and resurrection of Christ stand as the paradigm for the lives of believers. Just as Christ suffered and then entered into glory, so too his followers will suffer before being exalted. Today we come to the last section of the epistle. In this short list of commands Peter is calling all believers to remember the fundamentals of our faith. Peter is drawing our attention to at least four fundamental attitudes essential for growing in spiritual maturity: 1. Trust 2. Steadfastness 3. Hope 4. Fellowship

Sermon Audio from Crossway Christian Church

As a dad, I find myself repeating myself all the time. It is not that my kids are slower to learn than others, but simply that repetition is the king of teaching techniques. There is no skill to be learned that isn’t mastered without it. Language, sport, arts – all require repetition. Peter must know this – for the past month he has been banging the drum for us to understand the reality around us. We either suffer for Christ, or we suffer his judgment. Today, let us see how Peter ends his discussion on suffering, by looking at three ways we are NOT to suffer. 1. Suffer without surprised response 2. Suffer without shameful reasons 3. Suffer without sin’s reproach \

The Crusades are often disparaged as one of the pinnacles of human error and religious indecency. I think that such opinions are right, but not for the reasons that most give. As we see today, the church has always been called upon to fight and be a church “militant.” But we are never called upon to take up the sword for the faith, but rather to be willing to suffer under it. Today Peter calls upon us to be armed and ready for the true fight of the faith. 1. Be armed a. Because of time b. Because of judgment c. Because of resurrection 2. Be ready a. Be sober for prayer b. Have love, not grudges c. Be hospitable, not grumbling d. Serve others in Christ

The Olympics are in full swing. The beauty of them is found in that most of these athletes suffer so much for this, typically, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They sacrifice time with family, friends; they suffer physical hardships and pressures. But they do it all the same, simply for the opportunity. Peter has called us to much the same fate: sacrifice and suffering. But we do so, not simply for the opportunity, but for the sake of a Savior who has given us a perfect guarantee of redemption. We are called to suffer for Jesus, and Peter gives us three ways to do that this morning: 1. We suffer for Jesus by acting like Jesus 2. We suffer for Jesus by answering for Jesus 3. We suffer for Jesus by aligning with Jesus

Last week, our text was one that the many Christians, living in a fallen world under fallen governments, struggle to understand and follow. This week is hardly easier. To the outside world, commanding the submission of wives in marriage is unpopular at best, bigoted and misogynistic at worst. Yet many fail to truly hear what Peter is calling for. Let us listen well to him this morning, as Peter talks to us about submission in marriage. 1. A wife’s place 2. A wife’s purpose 3. A wife’s presentation 4. A wife’s pattern 5. A husband’s prayers

1 Peter 2:13-25 Americans hate giving up rights, we are a nation defined by them. Patrick Henry cried “Give me liberty or give me death!” and we took it quite to heart. Yet, Peter seems to call us to a different fate. Here Peter calls us, not to stand up for our rights, even less to fight for them, but to lay them down in submission. It is a hard command, and Peter provides no softening for it. We are to submit, in good and bad. What reasons could be provided for such a difficult calling? Peter provides us with three: 1. We submit for the Lord’s sake 2. We submit for the Lord’s favor 3. We submit for the Lord’s example

Introduction Puzzles are not my thing. I know others love them, but I find them difficult and unrewarding. Yet, there are some puzzles that need putting together; some mysteries that need unravelling. Jesus was rejected by the leaders at the time, those who knew Scripture and prophecy the best. Why? Because God was building something wonderful through him: a living and working Temple, made without human hands, to showcase his wonder and excellencies. Peter reminds us of the abiding and true reality of the Temple. Let us then consider today: 1. What the Temple represents 2. What the Temple really is a. We are the stones b. We are the priests c. We are the sacrifice

Last week we spoke about the fortuitous woman who won the lotto, and took home a nifty $423 million from it. One wonders what to do with that much money! And yet, we have been given something more: salvation and faith, sure and certain. What shall we do with that? Shall we waste it on the sin that put us in danger? Shall we go on living as we have? No, Peter insists, walk as Christ walked. Be holy as he is holy. And here’s how: 1. Focus on the final grace 2. Fear the Father’s wrath 3. Feast on food that’s good

Introduction We have much good about us. The blessing of God is real and true in Jesus, here and now. It is not simply a blessing that we await, looking forward to some blessed day in the future while God leaves us languishing here and now. We can understand that, and likewise know that there are plenty of difficulties here. It has always been that way. 1 Peter is a letter written to help Christians persist amidst the trials and problems of their exile here on earth. We can have assurance of God’s salvation in this world, for our security lies in God. 1. Our security is found in the will of God 2. Our security is found in the work of God 3. Our security is found in the watch of God 4. Our security is found in the word of God

We have much good about us. The blessing of God is real and true in Jesus, here and now. It is not simply a blessing that we await, looking forward to some blessed day in the future while God leaves us languishing here and now. We can understand that, and likewise know that there are plenty of difficulties here. It has always been that way. 1 Peter is a letter written to help Christians persist amidst the trials and problems of their exile here on earth. We can have assurance of God’s salvation in this world, for our security lies in God. 1. Our security is found in the will of God 2. Our security is found in the work of God 3. Our security is found in the watch of God 4. Our security is found in the word of God

There are a number of attributes of God that we routinely praise him for. He shows his people kindness, grace, and mercy; yet he does not neglect justice and righteousness. In all of this, he is always faithful and true. One of the greatest attributes God has, though, is his consistency. He never changes. He is not full of grace on Tuesday and justice on Friday. Yet, even with all his consistency, we still stand quite surprised by his choices and actions, and this is no less true with the sons of Jacob. Today we get to hear about the unexpected blessing of God; not just for Israel, but likewise for us. 1. The priority of God’s blessing is unexpected 2. The people of God’s blessing is unexpected 3. The pinnacle of God’s blessing is unexpected

We in America have learned to despise kings, and for good reason. It seems a bad idea to put all that power in one man's hands. Israel had a good King: none other than God. But they wanted one that made them "like the nations." God, however, had different plans. Plans for peace and redemption far beyond what they could imagine.

There is a great deal of irony in Christmas. There is much simply in how so many spend it. It is a time of peace, but it is full of stress. A time to remember the humble birth of our savior, but we lavish each other with expensive gifts. But the real irony is in Jesus himself. God made flesh. Creator taking on that which he has created. The sovereign Lord making himself, in a fashion, dependent upon his own creation. Yet, for all this humility in the flesh, God is still there, mighty is sovereignty. But just how sovereign is he? Our text this morning helps to show us that our God is in full control of all things, both great and small. 1. God is sovereign over the evil 2. God is sovereign over the good 3. God is sovereign over all the rest

We are not only in the advent season, we are also in testing season. For many of our students, especially those in college, the first semester of the academic year is coming to an end, and that means finals. It is a stressful time, and not one often gladly anticipated. We never fully escape being tested; in this life, and especially by virtue of our faith, we will be tested. In our text today, Jacob’s sons are tested by Joseph, and for good reason. Like them, God tests us as well. He does this, not to break us, nor to crush us, but to show us who we are. 1. The reason for the test 2. The substance of the test 3. The outcome of the test

Advent season is fully upon us. It is in this season that we remember the coming of God for our salvation. Jesus is nothing less than Emmanuel – God with us! But how precious is that truth to us? Amidst all of the pageantry and hoopla of the Christmas season, how important is God’s nearness to us? Our text today starts with Joseph as a slave, and then as a prisoner, before becoming second only to Pharaoh in all of Egypt. Yet for all that, the greatest gift he has, and we have, is the very presence of God. 1. Pursue the presence of God 2. Rest on the remembrance of God 3. Trumpet the truth of God

Generally, Christians view selfish motivation as a fountainhead of what is wrong in this world. And, for the most part, they are right. Jesus and the NT holds out that we can be rightly selfish; doing what will gain and profit us and acting in our best interest. But we rarely act that way. More often than not, we act sinfully and selfishly. Our text today highlights three men and their selfish actions. Why is selfishness so bad for us? 1. The folly of selfishness will hurt 2. A façade of selfishness will fall 3. A foundation of selfishness will blind