Church at the Cross : Sunday Messages

The Scoffer

In this sermon, Pastor JR Vassar addresses dealing with scoffers and mockers in the world. JR emphasizes the importance of recognizing and renouncing our own inner scoffer, avoiding accommodation of scoffers, and discerning when to disengage from those who persistently mock and reject the truth. Scripture encourages us to stay steadfast in the face of ridicule and follow God's wisdom, seeking favor in humility rather than being influenced by those who scorn the faith.

True Friendship

In this sermon, Casey Schutza explores the significance of true friendship and its relevance in combating the loneliness epidemic. True friendship is characterized by consistency, candor, care, and counsel. We are called to find that friend in Jesus and be freed to be that friend for others. Through Christ's ultimate act of friendship on the cross, we are reminded of the depth and power of true friendship. Sermon Notes What does True Friendship look like? True Friendship is Consistent True Frien...

Two Ways to Work

Casey Schutza explores the contrasting ways of the sluggard and the diligent in the book of Proverbs. By looking to the diligence of Jesus, embracing His love, and working for His reward, we can change our ways and find true fulfillment in knowing God and accomplishing His work. The Way of The Sluggard Detached from their Purpose Deceived in their Mind Destroy opportunities & relationships by small surrenders The Way of The Diligent Aims for Precision Elevated by Persistence Alignment with their...

The Cancer of Pride: The Proud and The Lowly

Join us as we continue to explore the contrasting characters found within the Book of Proverbs. Through their vivid stories, we are called to choose wisdom and align our lives with God’s design. Listen in as Bryan Loritts, Executive Pastor of Teaching and Development at Summit Church, shares with us how pride impacts our lives. Sermon Notes: + We Should Take Pride Seriously Because God Takes Pride Seriously + We Should Take Pride Seriously Because it Seriously Hinders our Relationship with God +...

The Simple

Proverbs 1:20-33 “Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives. As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing a...

Lady Folly & Lady Wisdom

Join us in our new sermon series as we explore the contrasting characters found within the Book of Proverbs. Through their vivid stories, we are called to choose wisdom and align our lives with God’s design. This sermon from Life Group Minister, Matt Lear, examines Lady Folly and Lady Wisdom.

Ever-Increasing Glory

In this sermon, Pastor JR continues teaching in Haggai 2 as he encourages us to remain faithful even in the small things and when progress is slow. Sermon Text: Haggai 2 Sermon Notes: Don’t despise the day of small things. • God is an ever-present help for his people • God is the God of Increase + Historical fulfillment. + Christological fulfillment + Ecclesiological fulfillment. + Eschatological Fulfillment. Expect Blessing when you put God first....

Consider Your Ways

In this sermon, Pastor JR teaches through Haggai 1 encouraging you to invest your time, passions, and values according to God's mission rather than temporary fulfillment. Sermon Text: Haggai 1 Sermon Notes: God’s Complaint We value entertainment over spiritual formation We value comfort and security over mission We value temporal over eternal God’s Correction God’s Command God’s Commitment...

Unwavering Hope

In this sermon, Casey Schutza answers the questions – what are the promises of God that bring us hope, why do these promises bring us hope, and how can everyone gain this hope in life and death? Sermon Text: Romans 4:13-25 Sermon Notes: What was The Promise? Why Does Hope matter? How Can we get in on it too?

Abraham and David

During this sermon, Pastor JR unpacks the paradox of our great worth despite our great unworthiness. The gospel says the best about us and the worst about us. We are unworthy sinners who are broken, fallen, and rebellious. The gospel also speaks to our worth. Our value is fixed because Jesus Christ paid a ransom for us on the cross. Sermon Text: Romans 4:1-12. The Essentiality of Faith The Elements of Faith Knowledge Trust Commitment The Effects of Faith Secure Standing Family status The world a...

Ramifications of Justification

This Sunday, Pastor JR talks through how the gospel practically impacts our everyday lives as Christians. Sermon Text: Romans 3:27-31 Sermon Points: Justification is a pardon and a pronouncement. The Gospel answers our insecurities and our pride . The Gospel frees us from legalism and lawlessness.

Justifying Grace

As we continue our series through Romans, Pastor JR unpacks how we are justified through faith. Without Christ clothing us in righteousness, we cannot approach God. Through Jesus’s sacrifice, we can now enjoy full communion with God. Sermon Text: Romans 3:19-26 Notes: Pardon Pronouncement Propitiation Imputation...

Saved From What?

After a short break, Pastor JR jumps back into our Romans Sermon Series as he unpacks Romans 3 - every person's natural condition in regards to their sinful nature and how Jesus saves us from ourselves. Sermon Text: Romans 3:9-24 Every person w/o exception in their natural condition is under sin (3:9). Every person w/o exception in their natural condition is under the control of sin. Every person w/o exception in their natural condition is condemned because of sin Every person w/o exception in t...

Grace-Driven Marriage

This Sunday we continue our Grace-Driven Family series by talking about Marriage. Pastor JR unpacks what a Grace-Driven Marriage can look like in the reality of a broken world - two broken people being sanctified and finding joy in their marriage as they move towards Jesus. Text: Genesis 3:1-22 Frustration “…(the) ideal of marriage as a permanent contractual union designed for the sake of mutual love, procreation, and protection is slowly giving way to a new reality of marriage as a ‘terminal se...

Grace-Driven Parenting

Guest Speaker, Kurt Bruner, gives parents practical advice on how to raise their children in a grace-driven, Jesus-centered environment.

Easter Sunday 2023

This Sunday, we celebrate Easter as Pastor JR walks through Jesus' resurrection from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Scripture: John 20:1-18. Sermon Points: Linger and Look Listen and Turn Worship and Rejoice Go and Tell

Jesus Our Savior

On Palm Sunday 2023, Pastor JR Vassar began our short sermon series, Jesus is Enough. We learned through Luke about how we as Christ-followers can choose to live a resolved life just as Jesus did on earth. Passage: Luke 9:51 Sermon Notes: Love for the Father Love for YOU

Praise from God

Notes: True Spirituality is an inside-out reality. True Spirituality is evidenced by a life centered on Jesus. True Spirituality lives for the right praise.

Inside-Out Christianity

This Sunday, JR Vassar continued our series in Romans. Pastor JR describes how our faith is not about our actions, but true spirituality is an inside-out reality. It’s not a worldview, set of morals, or list of rules. Christianity is about the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Sermon Text: Romans 2:17-29 Sermon Notes: True Spirituality is an inside-out reality He brings conviction He gives revelation He gives confidence in Jesus He indwells you He assures you...

The Day That's on the Way

Scripture : Romans 2:1-16 This Sunday, JR Vassar continued our series in Romans. This sermon closely examines how God's righteous judgment and loving kindness work together to lead us to repentance and into the fullness of life. Notes: Jesus will carry out God’s Judgment God’s Judgment will be Just God’s judgment will be irreversible Our only Hope in judgment is Grace...

Why Religious Hearts Need The Gospel

Scripture : Romans 2:1-11 This Sunday, Casey Schutza continued our series in Romans. This sermon closely examines how the religious person still needs grace and Gospel. Notes: Religious people can be falsely assured Religious people can be deeply hypocritical Religious people can be the most resistant to grace + Do I seek the higher future? + Do you seek immediate selfish gain?...

The Great Exchange

Scripture : Romans 1:18-32 This Sunday, Pastor JR Vassar continued our series in Romans. This sermon takes a closer look at idolatry and sexual sin and the different approaches of the traditionalist, revisionist, and the ways of Jesus. Notes: Revisionists: Paul was not addressing monogamous, consensual, committed same-sex relationships as we have today Revisionists: Paul is speaking about heterosexuals who commit homosexual acts contrary to their own personal nature. The WORDS of Jesus - Matthew...

The Wrath of God Revealed

Scripture : Romans 1:18-25 Notes: The Universal Condition of all People + Humanity has REJECTED GOD. + Humanity has REPLACED GOD The Universal Consequence for all People The Universal Cure for all People + Be saved + Be sane + Be sent...

Good Trouble

Scripture: Acts 4:13-31 When was the last time you got into “good” trouble? Join us as we take a break from Romans and look to the book of Acts. Casey Schutza asks the question why is it so hard to be a vocal witness for the gospel? Notes: + Spiritual formation is preparation for witness + Witnesses will attract good trouble + The trouble we face cannot silence the gospel + Way to respond to trouble...

The Righteousness of God

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17 The book of Romans answers the deepest questions we have as humans -- who do we belong to and why are we here? If we truly grasp and believe the message of Romans we will personally know God, have an assurance of heaven, and understand the gospel. This fourth sermon covers what the righteousness of God is and why it’s good news to us. Notes: + Righteousness of God: Something He is + Righteousness of God: Something He gives The righteousness of God is “God’s righteous wa...

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Scripture: Romans 1:7-17 The book of Romans answers the deepest questions we have as humans -- who do we belong to and why are we here? If we truly grasp and believe the message of Romans we will personally know God, have an assurance of heaven, and understand the gospel. This third sermon looks at the cultural shift away from Christianity and how we need a deeper faith, not a new one. Notes: The Gospel is God’s truth and power to save Christians still need the Gospel + The Gospel not only saves...

The Gospel of God

The book of Romans answers the deepest questions we have as humans -- who do we belong to and why are we here? If we truly grasp and believe the message of Romans we will personally know God, have an assurance of heaven, and understand the gospel. This second sermon looks at what the gospel is. SERMON TEXT: Romans 1:1-6 SERMON NOTES: +The Gospel has always been the plan of God + The Gospel is Jesus + The Gospel demands a response of faith fueled obedience + The Gospel is destined for all nations...

Paul - Servant, Set Apart, Sent

This Sunday, Pastor JR Vassar began our new series in Romans. The book of Romans answers the deepest questions we have as humans -- who do we belong to and why are we here? If we truly grasp and believe the message of Romans we will personally know God, have an assurance of heaven, and understand the gospel. This first sermon looks at the life and testimony of Paul, the writer of Romans. SERMON TEXT: Romans 1:1 SERMON NOTES: The most critical realities you and I need to deal with are “whose we a...

Remembering the Poor

Sermon Text: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-10, 18 + Intentionally create margin for generosity + Establish a sustained response to the poor • Sustained • Strategic • Personal

Prayers for the New Year