The Glory of the Cross

Dear Crosswalkers,

How does the cross of Jesus speak to a world of pain, poverty, and injustice?  One of the great books in my library is The Cross of Christ, by John Stott.  The book concludes with a chapter entitled "Suffering and glory."  In it, Stott describes the miserable conditions of millions of people who live in shanty towns of Africa and Asia, the barriadas of Latin America and the favelas of Brazil.

Then he tells a story about an imaginary poor man from the slums of Brazil who climbs 2,310 feet up the mountain to the colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer that towers above Rio de Janeiro—"The Christ of Corcovado."



After the difficult climb, the poor man finally reaches Jesus and this is what he says:

I have climbed up to meet you, Christ, from the filthy, confined quarters down there … to put before you, most respectfully, these considerations: there are 900,000 of us down there in the slums of that splendid city … And you … do you remain here at Corcovado surrounded by divine glory? Go down there to the favelas … Don't stay away from us; live among us and give us new faith in you and in the Father. Amen.

Stott asks, "What would Christ say in response to such an entreaty? Would he not say '[in the suffering of the cross] I did come down to live among you, and I live among you still'"?

He writes:

We have to learn to climb the hill called Calvary, and from that vantage-ground survey all life's tragedies. The cross does not solve the problem of suffering, but it supplies the essential perspective from which to look at it….

The Bible says:  "The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).  May God help us to know the perspective and the power of the Cross of Jesus this Easter Season!

I warmly invite all of you to our Holy Thursday Communion Service this Thursday, April, 21, at 7:00 p.m. in our worship center.  We are honored to have Jeff Millenson of Jews for Jesus come and present "Christ in the Passover."  There will be worship songs and the celebration of the Lord's Supper and a free will offering taken for the Jews for Jesus ministry. See you there!

Blessings,

Pastor John

Celebrating the Greatest Rescue Ever!

Dear Crosswalkers,

According to Time magazine, disasters like the Japanese earthquake tend to bring out the best in some people.  Recently, they reported on a wonderful story of rescue based on sacrificial love.  On March 11, when the tsunami hit his town, Hideaki Akaiwa was several miles from his home.   Akaiwa, grabbed his scuba gear and swam through the cold and murky water to find his wife.  The article says, "He swam amidst dangerous debris like shattered cars, downed electrical lines and collapsed buildings" to rescue his loved one.  Doesn’t that sound like someone else you know?  Isn’t that what Jesus did for us, on a much grander scale, during that first Easter week?  You can click here to read the rest of Akaiwa’s touching rescue story: http://healthland.time.com/2011/03/23/altruism-in-action-japanese-surfer-hero-rescues-his-wife-mother-and-others/?xid=healthland-daily

And you can participate in Crosswalk’s Easter schedule of services to hear about the greatest rescue in the history of humanity!

A Dirty Secret About Assessments

Dear Crosswalkers,

As most of you know, we are in the midst of our every 5 year church assessment.  The Bible says, "Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds"
(Proverbs 27:23).  Jesus often took time with his disciples to review the results of their mission.  Assessments are good things, they help us see our strengths and improve on the places we need to grow.

If you have not yet taken our online survey, which is a crucial part of the assessment process, please go to our website atwww.crosswalkchurch.com and click on the "Survey" button on the far right top menu.  That will take you directly to our survey.  If you do not have computer access, we have opened our school computer lab for you this afternoon from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  We have someone to help you.  Please take advantage of the time to take the survey.  God wants to speak to us and direct us as we plan for the next 3-5 years, and your insights will be of great help in the process of hearing God speak through his people!

Now for the dirty secret about assessments:  In the Bible, the Risen Lord Jesus comes to seven of his churches and gives them an uninvited assessment!  Yikes!  At least we are inviting the Lord's assessment!  Anyway, the Lord points out the strengths and the growth points, and even the serious deficiencies of each of those churches.  You can read about his assessments of each church in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.  If you will do this, you will discover sometimes the church was shocked and embarassed by the Lord's assessment of their faith and work!

I want to especially call your attention to the Lord's assessment of the church at Laodicea.  Here's a portion of what he says: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!" (Revelation 3:15-16).  We probably instinctively know that wishy washy faith and spiritual fence-sitting makes us unhappy.  Recently there was a scientific study that proves it.  A professor at the Yale School of Management led a study that surveyed over 6,000 people from all 50 states.  People on the high end of the religiously active scale reported much greater levels of well-being than the least religiously active people.  That is certainly no surprise.  But here is the shocker:  Those who are in the lukewarm middle, the semi-religiously active group, "reported lower levels of well-being than atheists and agnostics!" In other words, atheists are happier than church people who are wishy-washy in their commitment to the Lord!  Totally apart from our personal happiness is the fact that half-hearted, lukewarm commitment makes the Lord Jesus sick to his stomach.  So much so that he will spit us out!

The dirty secret of assessments is this:  We may  not like what the assessment tells us.  If we are lukewarm in our faith, we are the most miserable of people.  However, take courage!  Remember this:  The Lord is calling us to a brighter future that has no room for half-heartedness.  Here is how he ends his assessment of the Laodicean church:

"I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches" 
(Revelation 3:19-22).

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor John