Jesus Gives Us Favor With God

Galatians 5: 4 says “you who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” The people who fall from grace are not the ones who overtly sin. It’s those who try to live by the ten commandments to gain God’s favor. Anyone who starts by believing in Jesus for favor, and then tries to sustain that favor through good works is foolish. Paul told the Galatians they were foolish to try to gain God’s favor by human effort. If you're trying to gain God’s favor by daily checking off the "Big 10" or by checking off your personal list of good things, you’ve fallen from grace. Look to Jesus, and Jesus only for favor. If you’ve got Jesus, you’ve got all you need for God’s favor.

Jesus Satisfied the Ten Commandments

Grace means ‘undeserved favor and acceptance.’ Galatians 5:4 says “you who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” Paul was writing to people who had accepted Jesus as the gift of undeserved favor and acceptance from God. But they went back to trying to live by the ten commandments.

Nobody can live by the 10 commandments. That’s why God gave them: to show that we can’t do it. We need Jesus to be acceptable to God. Many people are saved by grace, then try to live by the ten commandments to satisfy God. You can’t do it! Jesus, however, did do it. He met all the requirements of the ten commandments so you don’t have to.

Did You Start In Grace But End Up Somewhere Else?

Today I’ll continue on the topic of grace. Grace is means ‘undeserved favor and acceptance.’ By accepting Jesus as Savior, you receive undeserved favor and acceptance from God the Father. Many Christians accept grace as a gift, then create a list of things to do to be acceptable to God. This to-do list becomes their new law. It becomes their new ten commandments. It’s their law of acceptability. Paul told the Galatians in Chapter 5 that such behavior was a ‘fall from grace.’ Every Christian must be careful not to fall from grace. If you’ve got a to-do list thinking each accomplishment will make you more acceptable, then you’ve fallen from grace. You may have started in grace, but you’re living in legalism.

Throw That List of Works In the Trash

This week I’ll be talking about the topic of grace. Paul the apostle opened most of his letters to the church by extending a greeting of grace to them. Grace was a difficult gift to embrace then and it’s difficult to embrace today. Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace, not by works, so that no one can brag about how great they are. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. But we quickly stray into the arena of works after accepting Jesus. We develop a long list of things we must do to keep God happy. That’s not grace! That’s works. I would imagine it frustrates God to see us receive his free gift of grace, then try to live the Christian life by works. If you’ve got a long list of God pleasing works, throw it in the trash can today! You got saved by grace, you can live by grace.

The Unconditional Love Of Jesus Is the Source of Prophecy

Prophesy builds up and encourages the believer to do and be all you can be. The Apostle Paul told the church to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy. This gift flows from the Father’s heart of love. It’s power and effectiveness is birthed in Jesus whose testimony is the ‘spirit of prophesy’. The unconditional love of Jesus is the source of all Godly prophecy. It’s not something to fear, but something to embrace as we walk life as a Christian. I encourage you today to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy. Ask the Lord for that gift. It will change your life and the life of those you influence.

Prophecy Birthed Crossfire

Prophecy is a powerful spiritual gift that declares God’s will for a specific situation in your life or in your church. Several years ago a pastor here in Denver prophesied specifically that I was going to be in the ministry in a big way. At the time only I knew that the Holy Spirit had been speaking to me about this. I did not want to make that transition. When he spoke those words it cut right to my spirit and I knew I could no longer resist what God wanted for the rest of my life. Not long after, my wife and I started our church. Had it not been for that prophecy, I may have kept God’s plan buried and hidden. Praise God for the gift of prophecy!

Pictured: Pastor Harvey in Kenya during a ministry trip.

Playing Baseball Without A Glove

This week I’ve been speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 14:1, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” As we live these end times the gift of prophecy becomes more and more necessary to walk in faith and not in fear.

Prophecy strengthens the believer in Jesus Christ. It builds you up to face spiritual opposition and causes you to look expectantly to God working mightily in your life. A believer without prophecy is like a baseball player without a glove. You can still play the game, but you're not going to be very effective. If you want to be effective and strong in reflecting Jesus in your life, you need prophecy in your life. You can desire it!! Ask the Lord today for that gift today and be blessed!

Abundant Life Includes Prophecy

This week I’ll be speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 14:1 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” Prophecy is a spiritual gift that builds up the local church. Prophecy is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God by declaring that which cannot be known by natural means. This is an awesome gift of God!!

To be able to speak forth God’s mind and counsel to a specific circumstance in someone’s life is powerful. The New Testament says more about this spiritual gift than any other listed in 1st Corinthians because the gift is designed for common use in the life of a Christian. To live a Christian life without prophecy is to live less than the abundance God desires for you. The Word says we should eagerly desire this gift. Why? Because it is vital to the life and liberty of the believer.

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."

I recently spoke a word of prophecy to a new person in our local church. God gave me a word of encouragement for her with specific information about which I had no natural knowledge. This person was greatly affected. Her faith increased. She was encouraged, strengthened and desired more in her relationship with Jesus as a result. It’s spiritual but it’s not mystical. We are used by the Holy Spirit to speak into someone’s life in a way that only God Himself can. We get to be the mouthpiece. What a deal! It is powerful and wonderful.

Crossfire Embraces Biblical Prophecy

1 Cor. 14:3 says that ‘he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.’ This gift was common in the early church at the time of Paul the Apostle. It is also common today in some churches, but only in those who are open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If you are looking for a church where you can be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by God’s gift of prophecy, try our church in Centennial, Colorado. We embrace God’s gift of prophecy and are open to the Holy Spirit’s gifts in our church. Check out this article by Cindy Munger, Crossfire's worship leader. It gives a solid overview of prophetic worship.

Pictured: The gift of prophecy being exercised within the worship service at Crossfire.

Be Eager To Prophesy

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophesy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." That sounds like a great thing for anyone of us to have and to experience. The Bible also says in 1 Cor. 14:39 "be eager to prophesy."

Are you eager to prophesy? Or do you dread the very thought of it? Prophecy is a powerful new covenant gift that you can eagerly desire to flow through you. It is a gift that God designed to build others up. If you desire to build people up, to help them, to encourage them, but you run out of natural, intellectual ways to do that, prophecy is a spiritual gift for that purpose. Ask God for that gift today!

Prophecy Reveals God's Heart

This week I’m speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1st Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." We need prophecy in our churches, our home groups, and our marketplace ministries. It is one of God’s gifts to build us up.

Prophecy is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God by declaring that which cannot be known by natural means. This is a common occurrence in our local church. In any one of our Sunday gatherings we may have one or more words of prophecy that reveal God’s heart for a specific person or for our church. It is exciting. It is filled with grace and mercy. It reflects the Father’s heart. The Bible says we should eagerly desire to prophesy! Ask God for that gift today.

Prophecy Brings Abundant Life

This week I’ll be speaking on the subject of new covenant prophecy. Prophecy is a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. 1st Cor. 14:3 says that "he who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." Prophecy under the new covenant of grace is designed to build you up, not tear you down. It is God’s gift to encourage and comfort us when circumstances do not.

I have received prophecy spoken to me and I have given prophecy to others. This is a Godly gift that should flow in every New Testament church. When prophecy flows in your church it will bring abundant life to your gatherings and, when done in an orderly way, bring the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is a good gift. Pray for it to flow in your church.

Attending And Pretending

Many people will attend church this weekend who have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They intellectually acknowledge Jesus, but have never received Him as the only way to eternal life. A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. This means over half of the people in evangelical churches are attending and pretending, never having embraced Jesus fully as savior and Lord. Maybe they have never been confronted with the great decision to accept his unconditional love and grace.

Maybe you are one of those people. I’m here to tell you Jesus is the only way! If you’re reading this today, you can accept Him as Lord right now in your car, your house, your office. Do it now! You’ll no longer be a pretender.

We're Not Dating Jesus

This week I’ve been talking about the depth of our faith in Jesus. Many people attend evangelical churches but have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They’re dating the church and they’re dating Jesus. They’re just checking it out to determine if Jesus is worth a long term relationship.

If you’re looking for a church that’s more than skin deep, a church where the people are past the dating game, Crossfire is the church for you. We’re not dating Jesus. We are in an eternal relationship with Him. We don’t attend church, we are the church. We don’t see many ways to eternal life, we see one way to life: Jesus. As we live in difficult times, we embrace a faith that is deep, solid and unshakable. We are a dynamic, small church with a world-wide impact. Check us out this weekend in Centennial, Colorado near South University Blvd. and Arapahoe Road.

Pictured: Josh N. at the sound board before worship at Crossfire.

Are You Wading In Three Inches of Religion?

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” A recent survey on religion in America found little adherence by evangelical church attenders to Biblical beliefs. When asked about the survey, Michael Lindsay, a sociologist from Rice University stated, “The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3000 miles wide and only 3 inches deep.”

I’m here to tell you Jesus is more than 3 inches deep! When you embrace Jesus as Lord, you dive into deep water. What do you believe? If you believe anything except Jesus only as the way to eternal life, then you are wading in 3 inches of religion. Take a leap of faith into the deep end today. Accept Him and Him only as Lord and Savior.

A Mile Wide And An Inch Deep

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the gate keeper of eternal life, yet a recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. Therefore, over half of the people who attend these churches do not believe that Jesus is the only way!!! That is an astounding statistic.

Perhaps church leadership has watered down the good news of Jesus to the good news of affirmation and success. Perhaps the one dimensional messages of affirmation and success have bred a church population a mile wide and an inch deep, while the good news of Jesus is a mile wide and it’s also a mile deep.

Attending Church Does Not Make You a Believer

This week I’ll be talking about the depth of our faith in Jesus. Many people attend church but have a level of faith that is only skin deep. They intellectually acknowledge Jesus, but have never received Him as the only way to eternal life. A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 57% of people attending evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life.

I was personally shocked at that until I again read the survey results. It reported on the people who attend evangelical churches, not on people who embrace evangelical beliefs. Attending an evangelical church does not make you a believer in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life. You can be transformed from an attender to a believer by receiving Jesus as Lord today.

Are You Serving In the Old Way or the New Way?

One of the awesome indicators of Christians truly living under the New Covenant is that they are not legalistic. Romans 7:6 says "we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." The ten commandments and the associated regulations were the old written code. But under the new covenant we are serving by following the Holy Spirit.

2nd Corinthians 3:6 says that believers in Jesus are "ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Unfortunately, many Christians today live under the legalism of the old covenant. Check yourself today. Do feel like the letter of the law is killing you? Or do you live by the Spirit and experience life? It’s a choice. Choose a life led by the Holy Spirit and you will experience a new way of serving God.

The Holy Spirit Is Our Seal And Guarantee

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would be coming to them. When the Holy Spirit filled them days later, they changed. They became sure and confident in their salvation. Ephesians 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit is a seal and a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. When ask for and receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we have a confidence in who we are in Christ because the Holy Spirit is a seal on that salvation and a deposit that guarantees our future.

What a deal! Just like the first believers, we too can be sure and confident of our faith after we have received the Holy Spirit. When it happened 2000 years ago, there was no doubt! They had a guarantee. If you have received the Holy Spirit like they did in the book of Acts, you’ll know it and you’ll have that sense of being sealed in your salvation. The Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees our future. That is good news!

Not A Sip, Not a Taste, But An Immersion

Jesus told his disciples in Acts Chapter 1 to “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” When that baptism happened 50 days later, their lives changed dramatically. They became confident and powerful in their declaration of the Good News of Jesus! They didn’t get a taste of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t get a sip of the Holy Spirit. They were immersed in the Holy Spirit.

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit is a significant event in the life of a believer. If you have not been immersed in the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus, you’re missing out on God’s best for you. You can have it. . . just ask and receive that Spirit baptism. God is faithful to give the gift if you’re open to receive it.