​This blog post is drawn from the Sunday morning sermon at Crossroads for January 27, 2019.  We’re still out of our building following an arson attempt on the church building thus there is no sermon audio available for this blog.

We’re looking here at one of my favourite passages in the Bible.  This passage speaks to the centrality of Jesus in all things.  I find this passage inspiring and I hope you do too!
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” (Col 1:15-23)
 
Paul, writing this letter to Colossian church, begins this passage by establishing the superiority of Jesus.  In contrast to false teaching that had become popular at Colossae, Paul ensures that the Colossians understand that Jesus is not just ‘a’ deity but he is in fact the very image of God.  In speaking of creation Paul makes the point that Christ is supreme over creation because he created it, he existed in eternity before creation and he continues to hold creation together.  Essentially what Paul is saying is that Jesus is not some backwater minor deity to be considered amongst other deities or spiritual beings.  I think if people fully grasped this little passage right here we would probably stop what we are doing and simply revel in awe over Jesus.  We know that the earth revolves around the sun, but on a broader level, the entire universe revolves around Jesus. 

Paul goes on to say that Christ is the head of the church.  In the fall at CCC we worked through a series on the church, the body of Christ.  We discovered that the body is a common metaphor that Paul uses to describe the church.  As we read it here it suggests a few features of the church.  The church is a living organism which means that the followers of Jesus are connected to each other through Jesus.  Thus, the union between Christ and the church is not just a metaphor, it is real and intimate.[1]  Jesus says in John 15:5 ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  We see that Jesus is central to the church and to his followers.  This means that Jesus knows and understands how we are feeling; he knows what we need to do in all situations.   At Crossroads as we move forward in dealing with the arson attempt on our church it’s important to trust that Jesus is central to this situation and he will provide wisdom, clarity and opportunities as people stay close to him. 

Understanding the centrality of Christ is crucial to understanding the final point we’ll look at as Paul moves on to talking about Christ’s reconciling work.  We see in this passage that without Christ there is no possibility of reconciliation.  Reconciliation ultimately refers back to salvation.  Without Christ evil and sin stand between people and God.  Jesus died on the cross to provide reconciliation between God and people. As people are reconciled to God through Christ, they are able to enter God’s presence without the barrier of sin.  As Paul says “without blemish and free from accusation.” (Col 1:22)  What a promise!  People spend a lot of time and money to remove or correct physical blemishes on their bodies, and just as there are blemishes on our physical bodies we have blemishes on our spirit caused by sin.  There is however no need for the latest miracle product, the simple solution is a relationship with Jesus.  As people are reconciled to God they are without blemish in God’s eyes and also free from accusation.  The devil would accuse people of their sin and wrong deeds in order to pile on guilt and overwhelm people with hopelessness.  However, Jesus has removed the penalty and accusation of sin from all those who put their trust in him as saviour.  Previously in this passage Paul has said “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” (Col 1:21) Now anyone who follows Christ is no longer alienated from God.  Jesus is the centre of the universe, he is at the centre of the church and he is at the centre of individual faith.

One of the greatest things about following Jesus is that there is always hope for tomorrow no matter how dark today may get. Remember that Jesus is always at the center.  Jesus is always in control.  Jesus is always reconciling people to himself.


[1] Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition page 820

​On January 11, 2019 our church was the target of an arson attempt.  After the initial shock the crisis of the fire at the church has passed and now we are left picking up the pieces.  In the midst of chaos it can feel like everything is up in the air.  Let’s look at a few scriptures from the gospel of John to see what Jesus has to say about peace.  This blog is a summary of the January 20, 2019 sermon at Crossroads Community Church.  Due to the church fire we are currently meeting at the Merritt Civic Centre and there is no sermon recording available.

The Bible reassures us that Jesus is with everyone in all situations.  Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)  This passage is very reassuring: Jesus gives us his peace.  He encourages us not to let our hearts be troubled.  Even though we may feel afraid or discouraged we do not have to live in the place of fear!  This passage goes much deeper than what we might call feelings of peace.  The peace spoken of in this passage relates to the peace that Jesus provides through salvation.  Ultimately peace means that followers of Jesus are rooted in the promise of salvation and that his presence goes with every believer.

While we don’t underestimate peace we recognize that Jesus said we would have difficulties in this world.  It’s in times of trials that our faith is tested.  Jesus says: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  We would not have expected an arson attempt on the church and it’s certainly not what we would have asked for but we are not surprised that we are experiencing a trial.  The reassurance from Jesus is that he has overcome the world. Can circumstances threaten to overwhelm people?  Absolutely.  Can the world overcome believers?  Absolutely not.  We may feel fear but we don’t live in the place of fear!  (see Romans 8:37-39)

Finally, let’s look at one more scripture from the gospel of John.  “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19-20)  At the end of the book of John we’re looking at a group of disciples that have experienced a very traumatic event.  They have just walked through the death of their friend and leader, Jesus.  If anyone had a reason to be afraid and doubtful it is this group of disciples.  Everything they believe has been shaken. Where does their faith stand?  Are they in personal danger?  In the midst of their fear and doubt Jesus walks in.  He says to the fearful disciples “peace be with you!”  Just the presence of Jesus and the words “peace be with you” are enough to reassure them.  Jesus would say to you right now, “Peace be with you.”  In the midst of your circumstances Jesus is ready to walk in.  “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thess 3:16)

Until next time,

Pastor Mike

This blog is drawn from the January 13th sermon at Crossroads Community Church.  Due to an arson attempt on our church we are running a couple weeks behind on the blog posts. We are currently meeting at the Merritt Civic Centre and do not have a sermon recording available this week.
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​At the beginning of a new year we often turn to thoughts of transformation.  What would transformation look like in my life?  This week let’s look at a man who experienced a great transformation that he did not expect and was not planning for.  This story is found in Acts 9:1-19.  Bible text here.  

Let’s get to know a guy named Saul.  Saul is a passionate persecutor of Christians.  He is so zealous to maintain the traditions of the Jewish faith that he will go to any lengths to stop Christians.  As he is on his way to attack Christians in the city of Damascus he is stopped on the road and encounters Jesus.

Saul is going about his business doing what he thinks is right.  He is a leader in the Jewish religious community; a member of the Pharisees who were learned religious leaders.  Despite his extensive knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures Saul has completely missed the promise of a saviour named Jesus.  Now at this moment on the road to Damascus he is stopped by a blinding light and is directly confronted by Jesus. Interestingly, Saul the zealous persecutor does not appear to offer any resistance to Jesus.  At the point of encountering Jesus Saul is physically blinded.  This is an illustration of a common theme in the Bible; those who think they are spiritually wise and illuminated are often actually walking in spiritual darkness.

At the moment of this encounter Saul seems to have been completely overwhelmed.  One moment Saul is blazing down the road intent on persecuting and murdering Christians.  The next moment, after encountering Jesus, Saul is passively led by the hand into Damascus.[1] It seems Jesus is already at work.

As Saul is waiting in the city a follower of Jesus named Ananias receives a supernatural vision from Jesus and is called by Jesus to go to Saul and pray for him.  Needless to say this would have been incredibly intimidating.  Saul’s reputation had certainly preceded him and Ananias had no particular death wish. Up to this point Saul has been fasting and praying in the city now for three days. Saul has also received a vision from Jesus.  In Saul’s vision he sees that a man named Ananias will come to him to restore his sight. Jesus has been preparing both men for the moment that is to come and has been front and center in everything that has happened in this story.

Ananias follows through, finds Saul and prays for him. Ananias tells Saul that the same Jesus he met on the road has sent him here.  As Ananias prays Saul’s physical sight is restored which is symbolized by something like scales falling from his eyes. Saul has now seen the light of Jesus and along with spiritual illumination his physical sight is restored. In the midst of his physical blindness Jesus has brought spiritual illumination.  Saul has encountered Jesus.  His life will never be the same.

In fact Jesus had revealed to Ananias the calling that is to be upon Saul’s life.  Saul will proclaim the gospel to both the Gentiles and the Israelites.  The tables will be turned and instead of inflicting suffering upon others, Saul himself will suffer for Jesus.  Not only has Saul found Jesus, but he has been given a calling.  “Despite what Saul has done in the past, God has future plans for him[2].”  Over time Saul the persecutor of Christians becomes Paul the Apostle, the greatest Christian missionary of all time.  He is totally transformed. 

Saul was going 100% the wrong way, yet he was stopped in his tracks and his life was completely turned around by Jesus.  How was Saul transformed?  It was simply Jesus and simply grace.  Paul certainly did not deserve Jesus yet there Jesus was.  Jesus is in the business of transformation one life and one moment at a time.  What would it look like for you to just rest in God’s grace?  Just to believe that in Jesus you can have peace?  Do you believe that Jesus can transform your life and your direction?  He can!

Until next week,

Pastor Mike


[1] Bible Knowledge Commentary page 376

[2] Life in the Spirit Commentary page 580

Our church building was the subject of an arson attempt on Friday January 11, 2019 so we have not been able to access our church building or office since that time thus the regular blog posts are a few weeks behind.  We'll attempt to get caught up as soon possible.  In the meantime please stay tuned to our Facebook page for regular updates.  This Sunday January 27th, CCC will be meeting at the Merritt Civic Centre in the West Auditorium at 10am.  This is not a situation we would have asked for but we are trusting God for positive outcomes.  We're thankful that the building did not burn down and we're thankful that God is a God of redemption.  God can and will use all situations for good and for his glory.  We are also thankful that the church is not limited to a building; the church is the people, the body of Christ and Jesus is with his church and with all people no matter where they are or where they happen to meet.

​Pastor Mike

Another new year has arrived.  We start the year with great ambitions, yet we know we’ll also probably waste a lot of time this year.  Perhaps some people think prayer is a waste of time.  It’s hard to measure the results and it’s hard work.  Is prayer a waste of time?  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)

Interestingly, the writer of these verses, the Apostle Paul assumes that followers of Jesus will be praying.  Why?  To Paul, prayer is so foundational, it’s like breathing.  It’s essential.  If this is true, a great indicator of one’s relationship with God is their prayer life.  The Gottmann Institute published a study where the researchers studied the amount of times that a couple would ask each other to come look at something during the day.[1]  They call it making a bid.   The more the couple responded to each other, the stronger their relationship generally was.  It’s much the same with Jesus.  He is often calling to people.  Have you felt Jesus calling to you?  How did you react?  The more someone responds to Jesus the closer their relationship with him gets.

How do you develop a prayer life?   Paul instructs his readers to not be anxious.  To be anxious is to be worried or afraid.  The opposite of anxiety is unafraid, unconcerned, unfearful, unworried.   This is the state Jesus calls people to.  In every situation anyone can present prayers and petitions to Jesus because he is always listening, always caring.  When people turn to Jesus in every situation through prayer, in an attitude of thankfulness, we have the antidote to anxiety. 

It’s worth asking: What would be the benefits of spending time in prayer?  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”” (Phil 4:7).  The natural result of a life of prayer is peace.  Inner peace flows from being with Jesus, communing with him and trusting him.  (read Psalm 23!)  God’s peace moves past our attempts to understand the world and places us in his hands.  In God’s hands we can weather the storm even when we feel totally out of control.  This is what Paul speaks of when he says that God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds.  So this new year, if you’re looking for peace and a great way to not waste time, make prayer a habit, it will be worth it.
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Until next week,
Pastor Michael


[1] https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/