Kingdom Crossing

How Do I Give With A Generous Heart?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:23:53 GMT

A Joyful Heart?

How do we give with Joyful hearts?

So far, in our Generosity Study, we have covered that as a follower of Christ, giving is an essential part of our faith. But how do we give with the right mindset? Surely this is something we are supposed to enjoy. That should be a blessing...right? In 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV, Paul reminds us that when we give cheerfully, we will reap blessings in return.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV

It can be easy to view giving as a burden or obligation, but God calls us to give with a joyful heart. When we give generously, and with a positive attitude, we not only bless others but also experience the joy of giving.

It's important to remember that our giving isn't just about supporting our local church or ministry. It's about supporting the kingdom of God and advancing His work on earth. Whether we're giving our time, talents, or finances, each contribution is significant and can make a difference in someone's life.

When we give with a cheerful heart, we open ourselves up to receive blessings in return. As Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

So is the secret to giving with a "joyful heart" doing so while expecting something in return? Coming to God knowing that I will get something in return for the gifts that I give? A mindset called Prosperity Gospel is sweeping the nation inside Christianity. Core to its foundation is the idea that if I'm good and give, I will be blessed primarily through good health and financial success.

This is false.

In verse 8 of our passage, Paul discusses how our blessings will abound in every good work. Our blessings and the subsequent happiness from them come not from finances or personal health but from doing good works. When we bless others, we are blessed in ways that go beyond money and straight into the realm of purpose. When we give freely, we gain something far beyond something so easy to acquire as money.

What is it worth to find and live inside what you were created to do? This is why I give. This is why everyone I know gives. Because we get the privilege and blessing to be a part of changing the world for the better, spreading the gospel, and helping those in need.

Think about this.

We live in a society that expects the church to step up and help when things go wrong. America depends on the philanthropic and evangelical work of the church to save lives and souls. Yet, less than 20% of people in America who claim to be Christians attend church weekly. So how does all this work get done, and maybe more importantly, why? Because those who are committed, those who do give, understand what it means to be blessed. They might not be the richest or most intelligent but they are the most blessed.

What if they are onto something? What if they have figured it out?

What Should I Expect When I'm Generous?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:52:16 GMT

What happens when I live a Generous life?

Luke 6:38 NIV says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This verse speaks to the importance of giving and the rewards that come from a generous spirit.

Giving is often seen as selfless, but as Luke 6:38 NIV suggests, it is also a way of receiving. When we give, we make a deposit into the bank of Heaven, so to speak. We are sowing seeds of generosity that will reap rewards in the future.

This verse also emphasizes the importance of our mindset when it comes to giving. We are called to give generously, not sparingly. We are called to give with joy, not begrudgingly. When we give with a generous spirit, we will receive a generous reward in return.

However, this verse is not a call to give with the expectation of receiving something in return. Rather, it reminds us that God sees our generosity and rewards us accordingly. When we give with a pure heart, we are storing up treasures in Heaven that cannot be taken away.

Furthermore, the rewards we receive from giving are not always material. The act of giving can bring us joy, peace, and a sense of purpose. It can also strengthen our relationships with others as we share our resources and time with those in need.

Real talk though, how do I give generously, knowing I'm giving more than I can spare without expecting something in return? This seems so paradoxical in meaning. God says, "Give Generously, and He will give to you, but don't do it expecting something." What?!?!

Let me put forth a possible obstacle to understanding this passage. We only see what is right in front of us, we might try to look forward to Heaven, but it's hard. Because we are looking at the here and now, we miss the value of the treasure that comes once we reach Heaven. There are real and tangible benefits to being generous here on earth. But, the majority of our reward will not be found on this earth. So the question becomes, what are you looking for? Are you looking for only earthly benefits, or are you seeking something greater?

My challenge for us this week is to shift our perspective.

Instead of looking at Generosity as something I HAVE to do, lets try to shift our mindset to this is something I GET to do.

Our ability to do that will be based on TRUST.

Do we trust the God we claim to serve in His promises about this subject or not?

Further, do we trust the earthy places and people we choose to be generous to?

Once we answer these questions then our path becomes significantly easier.

With Love,

Josh Tufte

What is Generosity?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:47:23 GMT

What is Generosity?

Is it simple kind deeds or extravagant gestures? Is it something we do out of responsibility or something that should flow naturally? Further, how should we practice this essential aspect of our Christian walk?

These are all great questions, so let's dive in.

The first Verse in our Generosity Study is Hebrews 13:16 and helps us clarify what Generosity is. The book of Hebrews doesn't specifically mention an audience or an author. However, the nature and purpose of the book reveal themselves quickly. Church tradition has widely accepted the apostle Paul as the author for various reasons we won't get into here.

The book is split into four general teachings to help a group of Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from their faith. These four sections rotate between instruction that reviews Israel's history and then a challenge based on those teachings. In the final chapters, the author challenges God's people to continue to live a faithful and fruitful life dedicated to Jesus. If the readers do this, they will receive an unshakable kingdom.

This particular Verse is a potent reminder that we, as Christians, should remember to do good. However, this Verse talks about Sacrificial Service, not acts of mundane and costless deeds. Paul calls us to be willing to sacrifice for one another and the Kingdom of God. A foundational yet groundbreaking charge. Here is why, kindness, as we know it in America, can be superficial. Meaning it doesn't cost anything and therefore doesn't mean anything. True Generosity comes from sacrificing your person to give to another. They don't have to be enormous sacrifices or magnificent grand gestures, but they do need to be intentional and honest.

Here is what I mean.

If I take $100 and give it to a good cause simply so that others will SEE me giving to that cause, the Biblical definition of Generosity is not met. The same person could take $10 and give it to the same cause for no other reason than to bless them and be firmly inside God's mandate. Generosity is not about the amount of time or money given but the WHY behind the gift. Are you sacrificing to help others because you care? Are you sacrificing because God called us to support one another? Or are you doing so that others will notice you?

We consistently see Paul calling Christians to sacrifice in Time, Talent, and Treasure.

Here is no different, saying clearly that God is pleased with us when we make these sacrifices. Further, when we help others, not only are we taking part in the great commission, but we are also helping ourselves. The saying it is better to give than receive is based on truth. We are generally blessed when we bless others. Please don't take my word for it, though.

Your challenge for this week is to find a simple yet powerful and sacrificial way to help those around you.

See you soon!

Josh Tufte

How Do We encounter God?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:58:35 GMT

With a God that is so powerful, why is it so hard to Encounter Him?

We serve THE Almighty, the one and only God, the way, the truth, and the life. A being with power and wisdom beyond human comprehension.

So why is it so HARD to encounter him in our daily lives?

If God is so powerful and literally exists everywhere, how come I can't see him? Where was He when I was broken and beaten? Where was He when I cried out for anything or anyone to hear me?

If we are honest, many of us have had these thoughts, and others like them. Sometimes they drive people away from God. Others feel guilty for doubting God. For many people worldwide, it is a barrier to seriously considering Christ as an option. So, before we get to the How of encountering God, let's look at why we have to seek Him in the first place.

A great divide...

We know through Genesis and other texts in the Bible that God created the world perfectly and that He regularly was in contact with humans. We had a type of fellowship that is impossible today, at least on this side of Heaven. When He created us, perhaps the greatest gift and curse He gave was "Free Will," or the ability to choose. God did this because He wanted us to love Him, true love, as God defines it, can't be coerced. So we existed for some unknown amount of time together with God in the Garden of Eden in a picture of what Heaven would be like until we changed things. By choosing through free will to disobey God, Adam and Eve brought sin and, through sin, all other imperfections into this world. Pandora's box has been opened. Death, destruction, dishonesty, depression, lying, and every other type of suffering stem from this choice. Not only did this create a physical separation from God but also a spiritual one.

Not satisfied with the state of things, God decided to save humanity from our own mistakes. Through thousands of years, He prepared the way for His son, Jesus Christ, to come into this world and save humanity once and for all. We are offered salvation through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. It's a free gift that covers our imperfections so that we can come into the presence once again of perfection, otherwise known as God.

There is still a problem though...

We have to seek Him to be saved by Him. That same gift of free will, which allows us to have true love and do unpreceded good, can also keep us from our Salvation if we choose not to accept Christ into our lives. God won't force us to receive Him. Because of this, we have to seek Him.

So how do we do that?

Further, how do we accomplish this both in the initial acceptance of Salvation and continually throughout our lives?

The first one is easy in concept but challenging in application. Here is what I mean. The Church, worldwide, talks about the FREE Gift of Salvation, and it's not wrong. It is free to accept. It is NOT FREE to live inside. When I receive His Salvation, I should be aware that I'm turning over control of my life to God forever. After I'm saved by the precious redeeming power of Jesus Christ, my life is no longer my own. I do not control my destiny, my calling, or my purpose. Everything I am, have, or will have is His. I'm now merely the steward of God's gifts here on earth. This includes my time, talents, and treasures. What I do, for how long each day should be given over to God. Each day should serve The purpose that He has given me. How I use the talents, where I use them, and for what purpose I use them also belongs to God. Further, and this one is touchy, my treasure or finances now belong to God. Where and how, and with what drive I spend, the money in my bank account should come directly from God.

We talk about the cost but not the commitment. Salvation is FREE, but you are committing to serve a king who is NOT you.

Hear me out, though. This sounds bad, but what if the king you are not serving is infinitely wiser, stronger, and generally more capable than you are? Also, what if His grace, mercy, and love far outshine anything you could ever hope to have on your own?

The idea of serving a king is only daunting when the King is unworthy of loyalty and service.

So, we come to the Father through prayer. We accept Him as our Lord and Savior, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and repent from them. Then we follow Jesus's example in Baptism and walk with God as our King.

As I said, simple in concept but challenging to do, which brings us to the second part of our earlier question.

How do I encounter God in my daily life?

This is a huge question; no matter what we say here, everyone has to answer it for themselves. Your walk with God is a relationship, not a formula. Others can give certain pieces of advice, but they will only work with some.

For example, my family and I do not participate in evening prayers together every night. We also don't have regular Bible Studies together. We have family service time at church, where we serve together not as a pastor and his family but as a Christian family serving their king. Further, we have fallen into a rather spectacular rhythm of discussions about ethics, politics, and other relevant subjects that often require us to study the Bible or rely on knowledge from our past studies. With Izzy being homeschooled, we also have a chance to do Bible Studies homework with her regularly. Then we each have our rhythms for prayer and Bible study.

Please understand this is not a template I'm advocating for you and your family. It's unique and personal to ours and works well for us.

In this same way, what works for me ultimately in my relationship with Christ will be different from what works for the following ten people.

However there are a couple common building blocks we all can use in different ways to help build this relationship.

Here are a couple of the most important and powerful ones.

First, spending time in God's word daily is so often overlooked yet cannot be overstated in importance for your Christian walk. If you want to have a relationship with God, you need to learn more about Him. The best way to do this is through reading the Bible. He created the book for us to use to know and trust Him. Daily devotions don't mean you have to spend hours studying, though. Here is what works best when trying to start this habit. Commit to 90 days of reading your Bible and Prayer for 10 minutes or less. Then download the YouVersion Bible App. Please create an account. It's free and helps you track your reading progress. Then, open the app daily and do the daily reflection on the home page. It's generally 2-8 verses from scripture followed by a 2-5 minute video and a section for 1-3 minutes of prayer time. In other words, an excellent start! Place this in a time you can do every day, and start. If you get into God's word every day for 90 days and pay attention, your life will change.

The second, which we discussed in the previous paragraph, is prayer. Talking with the creator of the universe is an unprecedented privilege! So why is it so hard for us? Well, if we are honest, it's because He doesn't say anything back, at least not the way we want many times. I remember how awkward it was praying and feeling like a fool for talking with myself. This is something to get past you are going to have to take my word for at the start. Here is the thing, God does answer prayers, just in very different ways than we expect. The number of people I've seen healed when written off by doctors, lives turned around, illnesses conquered, and so much more is undeniable. Start small and work your way up. Make a list of things and people around you, and start by thanking God for your blessings and bringing Him your worries. Once you get comfortable with that, it becomes easier and easier to move forward.

Third, spend time with God's people. We need support in life, and it becomes even more important when we want to live a life that is so different from everyone else around us. There are three super easy ways to get this going, and I highly recommend all three.

Sunday morning services are where a large group of like-minded people comes together to get things done in God's house. We worship the king, learn about the king, and serve the king all at once. This is such a powerful and essential rhythm to set for your week. It helps you set the tone for the following days, reminds you of why you are here, and ensures you are moving forward with God's people.

Find more information about Sunday Service Here

Small groups are a place where you get more intimate relationships going. You also learn and grow in your personal walk by seeing the struggles and victories of others in close proximity.

Find more information about Small Groups Here

Lastly, serving God's kingdom on a serve team can look like many different things, being a greeter, kids church leader, worship band member, or someone who helps mow the grounds. But serving God with others will give you purpose and create strong relationships.

Find more information on how to join a Serve Team Here

Remember, how you do each of these three things will differ from me, but no less critical. Also, the most crucial step of this journey is the next one you take. Don't stop. Move forward, make mistakes, and learn. Grow in your walk with God as you move forward, and you will not be disappointed.

See you soon!

Josh Tufte

Lead Pastor

The Crossing Church - Union Cross Campus

Why Should I Financially Support The Church?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 18:42:27 GMT

Have you ever listened to a sermon on tithing or giving to the church and thought...

I'm pretty excited about writing this blog. I'm also nervous.

Finances are difficult to discuss in church, especially when it comes to giving said finances to the church. So many famous pastors have done the wrong thing when it comes to finances in such a public way that many people do not trust the church. Beyond the lack of trust, there is a fundamental hurdle we must overcome in that we often do not see the value in the church. Why support someone or something with my hard-earned money who might not use it well and whose mission I'm not really bought into either?

Essentially, I don't trust the church or really believe in the church, so why support it?

In this blog, I want to deal with both of these issues in a slightly different way. I'm not going to argue against the corruption the church and, more comprehensibly, the world are facing. No one can argue that. I'm not going to try and give you a Biblical argument for why the kingdom of God (subsequently the church) should be your top priority on earth financially. We can do that in another blog.

This blog is about capturing the hearts of its readers for our mission and vision as a church. I want to capture your heart and imagination to see the possibilities we do here locally, in our nation, and ultimately the world. The call to action is for us to support that mission and vision in tangible ways that include but are not limited to finances.

Let's start by asking you this question, What is your vision for your life?

I'm not talking about your goals for the year or what you do every day for a job. When you die, I'm talking about what you want to have accomplished here on earth?

As a church, we want to change the world by introducing it to Jesus Christ in powerful and audacious ways.

We are not interested in being an average church. There is no lure in an easy path forward or meandering through the next generation of ministry. We do not care what the trends are or if people think our goals are impossible. The idea that America is no longer a Christian nation does not discourage us but instead stokes the fire inside us to push harder because the fields are ripe for harvest. The light shines brightest in the night. Why would we be saddened by the opportunity for God's word to spread faster than ever? The fact that young people are leaving the church, that attendance nationwide is down, that pastors are losing heart, and that churchgoers care less and less for morality are hurdles to overcome, not insurmountable obstacles in our way.

We believe that we have been made for such a time as this!

So here it is, our ten-year plan at the Union Cross-campus.

We want to end untreated mental health problems in the Triad! We will do this through powerful, practical, and free resources available to everyone in our community. We will partner will local and national resources to help individuals and families who struggle in various ways deal with mental health in a biblical and God-honoring way.

We want to overtake the need for good role models and help in local schools. Too many children do not have people in their lives consistently whom they can look up to. Through partnerships with other churches in the area, we will inundate the schools in the Triad with good role models to impact the next generation.

We will be a "Womb to Tomb" church dedicated to giving young women better alternatives to abortion through our actions, not just our words. This goal will be attacked in three ways. One is our partnership with The Pregnancy Network, a local non-profit that gives women free medical care and realistic alternatives to abortion. Two, We want to upend the foster care system by inundating it with Christian families who love and care for the children and introduce them to a God that will never abandon them. Three, by stepping up to adopt children and encouraging other churches and Christian families to do the same.

These goals are, quite frankly, insane for a church of our size. In fact, I would say that as we are now, we can't accomplish them. We don't have the number of people needed, the amount of talent to move forward, or the money to fund any of them fully. But we will.

The people will come, the talent will be provided, and money is no issue when God gets involved. Imagine a church of thousands gathered together to END local mental health. Imagine hundreds of people getting treatment for the first time in their lives. Imagine schools that have to create volunteer positions because of the number of people who want to be involved. Imagine your child coming home talking about their excellent friend at school who helped with homework and not the weapons that security found in backpacks. Imagine a lost mom being loved, supported, and mentored for the first time in her life and being able to give her child a life she never dreamed of herself.

This is what we want to do. This is what we will do. There is no question about it.

The question is, do you want to be involved?

The next one is, will you be involved?

If you want to, then there are three ways you can help.

The first is to give financially. That is the fastest way to help support this ministry. We can only reach people with staffing, housing, supplies, and much more. All of that costs. Everything we do as a church to help our community has a financial cost. We are not some national televangelist who makes hundreds of millions and skims money for fancy suites and private jets. We are a local church and have been serving the community for nearly four decades. We are committed to this mindset and to our community. If you want to start supporting the church, you can click below to do so.

The Second is to volunteer your time and talents. We can only do this with you, on our own, we are only a few. But together, we can change the world around us. Tens of thousands of people live in Kernersville alone. Imagine 5 thousand of them coming together to impact the larger triad area around us. There are hundreds of thousands of people within 10 miles of Kernersville. It's an audacious vision that we need your help and God's blessing to accomplish. Below this area is a button you can click to start volunteering your time.

The third is to get your one. Identify one person or family around you that you can bring with us on this journey. Maybe they are someone we are trying to reach inside these goals. Perhaps they want to reach the people we do. They may be looking for purpose and identity in their lives, and this is where they can find it. Whatever the situation, find your one and bring them with you. Once they are here, then find another one. We need an army of people to join us in this, and the best way for that to happen is if you help find them.

With Love,

Josh Tufte

The Crossing at Union Cross

If I was God Series

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:04:33 GMT

What would you do if you were god?

How would history be rewritten if you were God? What accidents would be avoided? What diseases are cured? What marriages would still be together? Would every day be 72 and sunny?

Have you ever thought about that? What would you do about all humanity's problems if you were God?

I've got to be honest. This thought has crossed my mind more than once. Sometimes for good reasons and sometimes for bad ones. I know that isn't a good thing for a pastor to admit. It's impossible to stand at the bed of a child dying of cancer and not think, "I would change this." Logic doesn't matter. The fact that I Know, without a doubt, there are reasons to be glad I'm not God doesn't matter.

I would change it. The consequences would be drastic, but I would do it.

It's easy to point to the changes we would make if we were Sovereign. What is hard is realizing the self-serving nature of those changes. How do we trust, love, and worship a God who does things differently than we would? How do we have faith that he has our best interests in mind? This is just one of the answers we are going after through this new series here at The Crossing Church.

Take advantage of this challenging new study Sundays in February.

A "REAL" Christmas

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:29:08 GMT

What is Christmas really about?

Christmas is Confusing...

Really, think about it. Inside the Church, we say that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ, but how many Christians honestly focus even remotely on Christ this season. How many churches? Nationally it's the second most significant time of growth and one of the easiest invites besides Easter. I know from experience that it's easy to get swept away in the grandeur of the season. Which is not surprising.

Historically, people get distracted from the "WHY" of their actions by the "What."

When life gets busy, we, as a people, tend to focus on getting tasks done and temporarily at least forget our reasons for why we are doing them in the first place. Church growth is good; kingdom growth is our calling and mission. But, growing just to grow and have more people or money is wrong.

Growing to save souls is arguably the highest calling of the Church.

But we must grow for the right reasons and with the right goals. Look at Christ's parting words to his disciples and through them to us.

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

While this might be the most used, it is not the only scripture reference to our purpose as God's Church.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Timothy 4:2-3

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

And these are just a few of so many.

So, is focusing on growing during this season wrong? No, as long as we do so because of Jesus Christ and to further his kingdom. Is having fun with your family and buying them presents bad? No. So long as you do so in ways that teach them about the actual reason for this season.

Toys are not the problem with Christmas as we know it. Growth is not the problem with Church as we know it. Starting with the wrong or forgetting our "Why" completely is. We have to guard our motives and driving purpose. We have to better pass them along to our children and those in the culture around us.

Think about this...

When we only share what others are doing wrong, we forget our focus is not on changing their life but on introducing them to a savior that will change their identity.

We are not commanded to be worried about sin but a lack of salvation in those around us. It's God's job to deal with that sin once they are part of his family. further, When we focus only on gifts and forget about the ultimate gift we have been given, we loose sight of our driving motivation to share Jesus Christ with the rest of the world.

Remember, Christmas is about the birth of the creator of the world and the author of our salvation come to save us from our sins!

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ...

Looking for more information on how to make this Christmas one worth celebrating? Join us on Sunday mornings for our "Christmas Memories" sermon series, where we search for the true meaning of Christmas at 10:30 am.

Hope Comes Alive

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:23:56 GMT

Where is your hope?

Hope.

Hope is an odd concept in our culture today.

For some people, it means everything literally! It is why they can get out of bed, why they can move through the motions of a life that has beaten them down, why they can keep going when they don't want to.

For others, Hope is for the foolish. It's for those who can't handle life, the truth, reality, or the "Real" world.

Many who had Hope have lost it. Seemingly it vanished from between their fingers while they were looking elsewhere. COVID-19, Politics, Social Injustice, and many other topics have arrested our attention and killed our Hope over the last two years.

Or have they?

If you are a Christian, your Hope is based on someone wholly not of this world. In fact, by our belief system, He only invaded this world to save His creation (us) from ourselves. This is what's so exciting and unique about the Christmas story as we celebrate it. When Jesus came to this earth, born as a baby to a virgin named Mary, He fundamentally altered our eternities.

How He appeared is unique but also WHO He appeared to is fascinating.

Logic would dictate that the birth of the Messiah would be a VIP-only invitation – the kind of thing political leaders like Caesar or Herod or religious leaders such as the High Priest and Pharisees would be invited to.

Look at this, though...

Luke 2:8-9 NIV
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."

Many historians/scholars believe that in Palestine 2000 yrs ago, Shepherds were…

- Probably very poor (with few material belongings);
- Likely uneducated (most laborers were illiterate then);
- Possibly uncultured (meaning they were excluded from cultural events);
- Conceivably uncouth (meaning they were characters);

So to announce the birth of the creator turned savior of the world, Angels of the Lord appear to... Shepherds.

Let's read the rest.

Luke 2:10-14 NIV
"10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

The angel said, "Good news that will cause great joy for all people."

In other words, Hope.

IN a season where our culture celebrates a man in a red suit and white beard, we as Christians must remember that we have Hope because of something more. Our Hope rests not in presents, in physical health, in political peace, in social justice, but in God's hands. Our Hope comes in the form of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the resurrection of our savior.

In a grave that is STILL empty more than 2,000 years later!

That is where we find our Hope. That is why we sing, that is why we worship, that is why we can smile.

And not just to the greatest among us. But to ALL The People! The outcasts, the people who don't feel like they fit in, those who are not as educated, and those outside the usual circle. To the poor and the rich, the people who fit and those who don't. All people can celebrate Hope this season because our king still reigns from heaven on His throne.

Take a look at this quick video where I talk about in simple terms where our Hope is.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Santa. Family time around Christmas is something to be treasured and enjoyed. You can even find a tremendous amount of Hope there. But remember, the foundation of our Hope comes from something outside this world, outside this life. Something and someone eternal.

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Joy that surpasses the present

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:20:03 GMT

Where is your joy found?

As I sit here contemplating the sermon for Sunday, I’m struck by how vague my understanding of Joy is.

The almighty Google defines Joy as follows.

joy

noun

A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
“tears of joy.”
Similar:
delight
great pleasure

*I only included the top five examples it gives.*

verb

LITERARY

Rejoice.
“I felt shame that I had ever joyed in his discomfiture or pain.”

In our day to day lives, joy takes on a relatively simple meaning. For example, I find joy in eating Sushi. This fact about Josh has little significance outside of the personal, temporary joy Sushi brings me. It has no impact on you, little on my future or past, and certainly nothing to do with eternity.

In contrast, the joy I find in Christ has massive implications in my life and yours as well. Sushi can’t cover over 2020. It’s a fact, 2020 stinks in many ways. So many that even my not insignificant love for good food can overcome the obstacles in our way. Here is why. Sushi only brings me joy when it satisfies my stress and hunger. Eventually, no matter how hard I try to eat more Sushi. No matter how much money I spend on getting more. Sushi will end. With it will end the joy that I receive. Sushi is a simple example that works mainly because I’m hungry right now. After this Blog, I think Sushi is calling my name. You can replace Sushi with Money, Sex, Drugs, Gossip, Lust, Work, Family, Friends, and the list goes on. Sometimes, the list items are beneficial and uplifting, and others drag us down into the gutters.

Here is what they all have in common. They are temporary. Those areas of joy will end. Your family will move away and pass away. Your friendships will end. Your job will change. Your money will run out, and your High will come back down. The sex will end, and the guilt will go forward. They all end eventually.

But joy in the context of Christ is different!

It is not affected by what you’re eating or drinking. This joy will not fade away or run low like your bank account near Christmas. It will last as long as the source does, and our God is eternal. The circumstances around us may be desperate, but the basis of our joy is bountiful. Joy in Christ looks past the temporary pain, the temporary separation, the temporary addictions and says, “I PLACE MY JOY IN SOMETHING ETERNAL!”

As we come into a season that seems equal parts Joy and Despair, I want to encourage you that your God is a wellspring of Joy and Hope. Suppose you are in pain right now. If this is the first Christmas without a loved one, a Christmas without gifts, a Christmas devoid of joy, then look past the gifts and the decorations. Look to the joy we find in Christ alone. Take a look at what Scripture has to say about it.

1 Peter 1:8

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

Take hold of it. Proclaim it.

I look so forward to seeing everyone again this Sunday!

Josh Tufte

When is the church effective?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:17:49 GMT

Really though, when is the church effective?

There is a lot of talk about the future of the Church with a capital C. Meaning the church on a national or global scale.

Is it going to survive? Can it be relevant? Is it going completely online or remote? Are we only going to have small home churches? Can church leaders keep up?

These are just a few of the questions facing the church from people both inside and outside the church body. The answers to these questions can be summed up in this statement.

“We don’t know, but God does”

How will the church look in 2000 years or in 20 years? I have no idea, but God does.

And He left us commands as to what we should focus on.

Today I put forth we should spend less time focusing on what the church will look like and more time on what has Christ commanded the Church to do.

Put more focus into determining how we effectively minister to our communities, to our body of believers, to the lost around us and the shape of the church will come about naturally. Questions like “How do I effectively minister to the poor in my community?” or “How can I make a difference in the lives of those around me” when asked from a standpoint of exploring how to do those things in relevant and effective ways will lead us to our destination.

So what makes the church effective? What has Christ commanded his people to do to minister to each other and to the rest of the world?

It’s difficult, to sum up, all the actions Christ has called us through His word, to partake of on a regular basis. Jesus does a great job of summing up the mosaic law in Matthew 22:37-40. But the idea of a successful, growing church that stays true to the calling a Christ? How do we sum that up? We do this by looking at the commands Christ gives his people and then measure if we are doing His work or…not.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The cornerstone of what our church The Crossing and our other campus First Christian Church Ministries is founded on is in these verses.

We even came up with a nifty saying to summarize them.

WIN – TRAIN – SEND

Win the lost to Christ, Train them in what He has said, Send them into the rest of the world to repeat this process by making other disciples. Everything we do is based upon and measured by this passage. Every service, every ministry, every project we do is geared to doing these things. This is the reason we minister to our communities and how well we succeed in these areas determines how healthy and effective we are as a church. Not how fancy we are, not how we dress, not how cool or big our building is but are we completing to the best of our ability the great commission God gave us. Everything else is extra, we love our campus, but it is just a tool to better minister to the people around us. We don’t care how you dress, how you talk, how you live you are welcome when you walk through our doors and in our family. You will be loved. You will also be taught life-changing truths about the creator of the world that will fundamentally impact your take on life and who you are as a person.

There is another factor to consider though and that is who is doing the work? If it’s just the pastors then they are failing to equip the body of the church to do ministry. The church body as a whole, not just the leaders, should be active in enacting this mission. This is done in so many different ways, for example here at the crossing we work with two local mission groups, serve a local elementary school, minister to the local housing communities, partake in feeding the community for free on a regular basis, and so much more. We have small groups, bible studies, and 1-2-1 discipleship times. We meet together on Sundays and have another Service on Thursday evenings that is a live stream only service.

All that is made possible by our faithful members and attenders! People who show up to volunteer, put in time planning and organizing, and give financially. All three of those people groups work together (Many times overlapping) to make ministry happen. Without our people, we would not be able to exist.

The last thing I would like to say is there is more ministry to be done and to do that ministry, we need your help!

If you measure a Church body’s success by seeing if they are Winning the lost, Training the won, and Sending believers to the world. The way to measure whether you are being effective in your personal walk with Christ is to assess whether you are engaging in those activities at your church. We NEED people to get involved with greeting others on Sunday, we NEED people to serve in the kid’s area, we NEED people to invite friends to church on Sundays. These are just a few of our needs, there are dozens in total but we are hundreds strong.

If you are wondering where to start here are the best places.

Weekly Attendance

Regular Scripture Reading & Prayer

Regular Tithing

Talk with Dom about areas that need Volunteers

One area we don’t talk about often, at least not as much as we should is Membership. Membership keeps you informed better, allows you to be eligible to teach, and eventually eligible for deaconship or eldership.

Consider starting your journey at one of these listed actions and then moving forward to include all of them. If you have already started then move to the next one on the list. If you have not taken the first step, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then we would love to talk with you and show you how to move forward and join the family.

Yours in love, Josh Tufte

Ain't No Grave

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:13:38 GMT

Did anyone ever think they would live through a time like this?

For example, this afternoon Gary and I (Josh) went to Sheetz to grab coffee for our staff meeting at the crossing campus. While we were there someone complained about people not wearing masks, someone told everyone who had masks on they were going to “Kill Us All” and a drunk man told everyone his van was stolen only to find he forgot he parked on the other side of the building. All within a 20 or so minute window.

To say we are living in times that are unprecedented is almost an understatement.

To say the church is under attack from forces both outside and inside is stating the obvious.

To say families are facing struggles we’ve not seen in our lifetimes is a simple truth.

So how do we proceed? How do we as a church get through these mountains that are presented before us? When we are faced with enemies outside and from within how do we survive? How do we find within ourselves the will to carry on as we move forward resolutely following after the example Christ left for us?

It seems like nothing and no one is safe from persecution anymore.

By fully understanding and remembering the power we are given through the resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord and savior!

This Thursday evening for our service we are talking about the events and historical significance of the crucifixion and resurrection. Then Sunday we will dive into what the resurrection means and does for us as Christians. How it can fuel our daily lives and spurn us on to action that will change our families and our communities.

These lessons are going to be based upon the following passage.

John 11:20-27

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

It is so easy to get sidetracked, stressed, depressed, and downright miserable right now.

BUT we must remember the power of our God who is active and alive today at work in our lives. If you and your family have been feeling like a blanket of despair is covering you, these messages will impact your life.

Join us to be reminded about the power and protection our God has placed of us as His children!

Who's Listening?

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:11:39 GMT

I really Wonder this...

In recent weeks I have seen a massive uptick in the number of people talking with me about an already common complaint. It goes something like this.

“I get so frustrated trying to help people who just won’t listen!”

In fact, if I am honest, I’ve said this more than a few times myself. No one needs to be reminded of how unprecedented the times we are living in are. The addition of the presidential elections heating up certainly is not leading to peace, joy, and happiness either.

As Christians, we are called to be mirrors to reflect the love, peace, and grace our Lord has shown us. But sometimes you get the urge to give someone a throat punch instead of a comforting pat on the back. If we are honest.

In the midst of these frustrations and struggles, I’m reminded of a chapter in Matthew that puzzled me for the longest time.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:1-11 – NIV

This passage seems straight forward at first.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” Well, that’s clear right? Jesus goes on to talk about removing your own issues before focusing on problems other people have.

Then He hits us with a curveball.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.“

Wait, Wait? Then Jesus moves right along to assuring us that if we ask for something then God will give it to us and drawing some interesting comparisons about the giving of gifts.

The first part makes sense, the last part makes sense but the very middle…it boggled my mind. Did Jesus mean to put that there? Was I missing something?

The answer to both of those was YES!

The secret to understanding this passage lays in some cultural ideas we just do not understand.

This weekend for our service we are going to focus on these verses and unpack what it means to throw pearls to a pig. We will unpack these statements meaning by looking into some historical teaching methods used during this time and diving into some culture we westerners just don’t understand.

So, my question for you today is, are you listening?

Join us this Sunday live at 10:30 am in person or online.

See you soon!

In HIS Image

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:07:23 GMT

Upcoming “In His Image” Sermon Series

We are unique among God’s creatures. Why? Because we are made in His image, we are all image-bearers of God. Of all the other creatures and beautiful things on this planet we are unique, the only ones. Not many Christians will argue this point.

What is argued is are we equal or un-equal image-bearers.

Now, not many people would argue this point outright because of the social implications of racism and other forms of discrimination. They will say all are equal but not practice that all are equal. Actions, however, always speak louder than words. Right now, the actions of people all across the United States of America and the world are saying loud and clear that some are more or less than others.

However, when we stop looking at people as Black, White, Mexican, Republican, Democrat, Christian, Non-Christian, Lesbian, Straight, Rich, or Poor, and start looking at them as Image bearers of God something has to change in both our perspective and our actions.

We must remember our purpose as the Church is to rescue humanity not to win a crusade against it.

The purpose of this series is to show us through Biblical proofs that we are all equally blessed as image-bearers of God. Equally fallen as sons and daughters of man. And equally able to receive his love and grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We seek to educate our people on why this is important and how to apply this to our lives.

We seek to teach ourselves and others to see the value and benefits of being an image-bearer of God inherent in being a human.

By being an image-bearer, you are unique.

By being an image-bearer, you are loved.

By being an image-bearer, you have a choice.

By being an image-bearer, you can choose to have eternal life.

Join us starting this Sunday 8/2/2020 at 10:30 am online or in-person to learn what it means to be an image-bearer of God.

See you soon!

Re-Entry Plan

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:05:13 GMT

We have had literally hundreds of phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media inquiries into when and how we are re-entering the building.

The short answer is that we don’t know.

We are working with local and state governments to form a plan of action for when we re-enter the building literally every single day. And nearly every day the information changes.

Please rest assured that we are working hard to make sure that we are back as soon as possible with as much safety as possible. As soon as we get a solid date we will announce it.

As of right now our requirements for coming back as a church are as follows:

1: Seniors much be able to come back with our congregation.

2: Children must be able to come back with our congregation.

3: We must be able to meet in a substantial group (more than 50)

We want to make sure our people can come back together all at the same time, even if it’s to multiple extra services.

You Are Loved!

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:03:43 GMT

There is a lot of uncertainty right now. Is COVID-19 ever going to end? Is my job ever going to come back? Is everyone lying to me about this? In all that mess and tangle of emotions and information, we wanted to make sure one thing was absolutely clear.

YOU ARE LOVED!

Our world has been turned upside down, but if we are honest has it ever been normal? I can’t remember a time when I or someone I knew wasn’t going through some sort of hardship.

I’m certainly not trying to minimize what we are going through right now as a country. I do want to remind us that we are not unused to adversity. We are not an untried, young, and inexperienced people. We have conquered adversity literally hundreds of times before and will hundreds of times long after COVID-19.

Our finances will bounce back.

Our economy will bounce back.

Our Churches will bounce back.

Our Families will bounce back.

I nor anyone else know how that is going to happen. If someone tells you they do I would recommend going in the other direction.

What we can rely on right now are age-old pillars of Truth. Truth like you find in the Bible. Truth like you find through prayer time. Truth like you find through seeking Godly advice from people around you.

From my family to yours, I want to say, hang in there. You were created for such a time as this, lets go be the church in a time of unprecedented uncertainty.

Church Online - Live Stream

josht@generateonlinesales.com (Joshua Tufte) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 19:03:35 GMT

Church Online - Live Stream

Wow, things are changing rapidly. We are doing our best to keep up with and eventually get in front of some of these massive changes going on in our country.

One of the largest changes for us is the lack of in-person church services. It’s odd, we don’t like it, and we certainly don’t want it to continue for long. With that said we want to make sure each of our church members and attendees is as safe as possible. To adapt to this ever-changing time we are implementing our Church Online Live Stream.

Go to our live stream by click the “Live Stream” tab on the main menu.
We are offering daily Bible Studies at 7 pm during the week.
Food Truck will be at our campus every Thursday night at6 5 pm.

We are not closed!

Our building may be empty but the church has never been constrained by this before. We are not closed, ministry goes on, God doesn’t work on COVID-19’s time table.

If you have a need, question, or just want someone to talk with please make sure to reach out to us. We are here for you!

Kingdom Crossing

How Do I Give With A Generous Heart?

A Joyful Heart?

How do we give with Joyful hearts?

What if they are onto something? What if they have figured it out?

What Should I Expect When I'm Generous?

What happens when I live a Generous life?

My challenge for us this week is to shift our perspective.

What is Generosity?

What is Generosity?

Is it simple kind deeds or extravagant gestures? Is it something we do out of responsibility or something that should flow naturally? Further, how should we practice this essential aspect of our Christian walk?

How Do We encounter God?

With a God that is so powerful, why is it so hard to Encounter Him?

So why is it so HARD to encounter him in our daily lives?

A great divide...

There is still a problem though...

The idea of serving a king is only daunting when the King is unworthy of loyalty and service.

How do I encounter God in my daily life?

However there are a couple common building blocks we all can use in different ways to help build this relationship.

Why Should I Financially Support The Church?

Have you ever listened to a sermon on tithing or giving to the church and thought...

Essentially, I don't trust the church or really believe in the church, so why support it?

Let's start by asking you this question, What is your vision for your life?

So here it is, our ten-year plan at the Union Cross-campus.

These goals are, quite frankly, insane for a church of our size. In fact, I would say that as we are now, we can't accomplish them. We don't have the number of people needed, the amount of talent to move forward, or the money to fund any of them fully. But we will.

The question is, do you want to be involved?

If I was God Series

What would you do if you were god?

A "REAL" Christmas

What is Christmas really about?

Christmas is Confusing...

Historically, people get distracted from the "WHY" of their actions by the "What."

Growing to save souls is arguably the highest calling of the Church.

Matthew 28:18-20

Colossians 3:16

2 Timothy 4:2-3

John 3:16

When we only share what others are doing wrong, we forget our focus is not on changing their life but on introducing them to a savior that will change their identity.

Remember, Christmas is about the birth of the creator of the world and the author of our salvation come to save us from our sins!

Matthew 1:18-25

Hope Comes Alive

Where is your hope?

Hope.

Joy that surpasses the present

Where is your joy found?

As I sit here contemplating the sermon for Sunday, I’m struck by how vague my understanding of Joy is.

But joy in the context of Christ is different!

Take hold of it. Proclaim it.

When is the church effective?

Really though, when is the church effective?

There is a lot of talk about the future of the Church with a capital C. Meaning the church on a national or global scale.

“We don’t know, but God does”

And He left us commands as to what we should focus on.

Today I put forth we should spend less time focusing on what the church will look like and more time on what has Christ commanded the Church to do.

The Great Commission

WIN – TRAIN – SEND

Ain't No Grave

Did anyone ever think they would live through a time like this?

To say the church is under attack from forces both outside and inside is stating the obvious.

By fully understanding and remembering the power we are given through the resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord and savior!

Who's Listening?

I really Wonder this...

“I get so frustrated trying to help people who just won’t listen!”

In the midst of these frustrations and struggles, I’m reminded of a chapter in Matthew that puzzled me for the longest time.

Then He hits us with a curveball.

In HIS Image

Upcoming “In His Image” Sermon Series ﻿

What is argued is are we equal or un-equal image-bearers.

We must remember our purpose as the Church is to rescue humanity not to win a crusade against it.

By being an image-bearer, you are unique.

By being an image-bearer, you are loved.

By being an image-bearer, you have a choice.

By being an image-bearer, you can choose to have eternal life.

Re-Entry Plan

We have had literally hundreds of phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media inquiries into when and how we are re-entering the building.

The short answer is that we don’t know.

We are working with local and state governments to form a plan of action for when we re-enter the building literally every single day. And nearly every day the information changes.

Please rest assured that we are working hard to make sure that we are back as soon as possible with as much safety as possible. As soon as we get a solid date we will announce it.

﻿

As of right now our requirements for coming back as a church are as follows:

Upcoming “In His Image” Sermon Series