Last summer we labeled much of what we do Passionate World Change. We’ve tried to build every meeting, every service, every mission, and every dream around Passionate World Change.
Passionate World Change is the idea that we unify (for example tonight) and passionately love our Creator God who designed the universe, gives breath, and died for us.
Passionate World Change is also the idea that we won’t stop at that gathering but will leave our homes, schools, jobs, and cities to share that passionate love with a broken world.
Many say a generation is leaving the church in America and many say culture is to blame. What if it’s not culture? What if it’s our churches and their lack of passionate world change? A generation has risen who wants passionate world change and when they see the church as the life giving, martyr shaping, gospel loving, and hill taking gift she was meant to be, they’ll be back.
I was six and dad sat down with me on the front porch one summer evening. He grabbed a small twig and asked “can you break it?” I quickly laughed and snapped the twig. He then asked “can you now break both?” I laughed but then realized that I couldn’t leverage my little hands around both sticks. He then said,
“Tony, strength against temptation is like those sticks and each time in life you give in to a particular temptation you’ll find it harder to break.”
For two thousand years the world has attacked the church. Satan has tempted. Leaders have struggled. My concern of late is that a new culture of tolerance, laxity, choice, and rights has made it’s way into church culture and leaders aren’t standing firm against it. The twigs are piling up.
Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe media born pressure of the new millenia. Maybe it’s greed and fear of losing followers. Regardless, if you’re reading this and know that your organization, church, family, or self have compromised on some values why don’t you commit today to making a change? If you don’t stand for something you stand for nothing.
Do it now before it’s too late and you can’t get your little hands around the twig.
Sneak Peek of Haunted Palace launch at Generate March 24th. Our whole team is super excited to share “your stories” with the world through this series. We’ve all been betrayed and have a past so how do we claim our future? If you’ve been hurt but overcome please send us your stories!generate@crossroadschurch.com
Last Wednesday at Generate I shared that homosexuality isn’t the life God designed for us and I’ve since received a few messages concerned with my position. I thought it best to share what we believe as it relates to the gay community as I know our dialogue on this matter will shape culture for years to come. It’s always love.
We believe the bible is accurate and always showcases Gods heart and loving desire for humanity.
The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity (along with fornication and adultery) is a sin (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). The bible also teaches that although people may grow up with a greater attraction to others of the same sex, this particular lifestyle is still a person’s choice Romans 1:24-27.
However, the bible does not say that homosexuality is a “greater” sin than any other. This is why we hold so strongly to the fact that God forgives, God loves, and God offers second chances regardless of our past.
I personally have failed greatly and disappointed God many times and my prayer for our friends in the gay community is that they understand our love for them and our desire that they embrace a lifestyle which honors God, truly satisifies the soul, and brings incredible significance while on earth.
blog
RSS FEEDS