Sermons From The Crossroads

Perspectives on Expectations

Pastor Nathan Willowby looks to the book of Isaiah to teach about expectations, about the difference between hope and delusion.

Testing The First Commandment

In this series on the First Commandment, Nathan Willowby starts by talking about the encounter Elijah has with the prophets of Baal 1 Kings 19

You Matter

It's Memorial Day weekend, the time we remember those we have lost, and begin to contemplate summer vacation. As we look at this, we can lose perspective on ourselves. Pastor Nathan Willowby reminds us that regardless of how small we feel, how insignificant our lives seem compared to the universe. that God Cares. Who are we, that God, the creator of the universe, should be mindful of us.

Ascension Sunday

Power Of A Vision

"A Picture is worth a thousand words." You've heard that before. But is it true? Words create the pictures of what might be, what could be, what will be. Pastor Nathan Willowby explores the images conjured up by the words of the final two chapters of Revelation, and shows the power of words in creating Vision.

New Moments: Rearranging Expectations

And Who Can Stand?

Join The Chorus

Time Capsule

Easter

What's With The Palms?

Teeter Totter of Sorrow and Joy

Preparing the New Creation

Almost Persuaded

First Fruits -- How and Why?

As the first Sunday of this year's Focus40 journey, Pastor Nathan Willowby talks about what the first fruits are, and why we owe them to God. We explore the story of the text (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) as it makes the switch from "he" to "us" and finially to "I" and apply that to our own stories.

Double Down on the Promise

Abram had prospered, just as God said he would. But he was even older, and there was no sign of an heir. If God didn't deliver on that promise soon, he felt, everything he had built up would go to one of his servants. He brought his doubt to God, and God reaffirmed His promise, and while doing so made it seem even more extravagant.

What is Lent, and Why Do We Celebrate it?

What is this period of time called Lent? Is it scriptural? What are the ideas behind it? Pastor Nathan Willowby takes us through some of the discussion around Lent, the 40 days before Easter.

Why Do We Dedicate Our Children?

Rituals can help us focus on more meaningful aspects of our lives. What meanings are present for us in the ritual of child dedications we peform in our church? Pastor Nathan Willowby leads through the meaning of it.

Why Do We Pray?

Why Communion?

Pastor Nathan Willowby begins a series on basic questions with Why Do We Celebrate Communion?

Another Epiphany

Strangers Among Us

In the story of the Wise Men, we see constrasts between Kings of God, and not, and of Wise Men. We see God using people not from His traditional people to spread the word of the arrival of Jesus. We should take note, and realize what that means for all of us. Matt 2:1-12

Promises That Change The World

Some promises made to us change us. And in this nativity season Pastor Nathan Willowby reminds us of the promises made by God to the world, that change the world, and change us, if only we enter into those promises and live them. For Him. Luke 1:39-55

Promises To Be Interrupted

God not only made and kept promises for the Messiah, He has promised to interrupt the world with His business. Luke 3

Promises Fulfilled

The text from Jeremiah speaks in promises. As we journey towards the Christmas celebration, Pastor Nathan Willowby leads us through the promises made by God and fulfilled by Jesus. Jeremiah 33:14-16

Faith Promise 1 -- 11x15 and Sojourner Truth

This begins two sundays devoted to our faith Promise groups. First, Andre Brown joins us on behalf of the 11 x 15 project, to tell us about what they are doing in Milwaukee. Then Debra Fields joins us to tell us about Sojourner Peace.

What About The Widows

Jesus told the sory of the scribes who prayed loudly, and the widow who gave her all. We need to bring this lesson into our daily decisions. What could that mean? Mark 12: 38-45

What Is Important?

What is the most important aspect of Christianity? Jesus gets approached by people with loaded questions and their own agendas. Sound familiar? What is most important? Mark 12:26-34

Persistence

Jesus' encounter with Bartimeus is the exemplar for persistence, in this, the last story of Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. Mark 10:46-52

Who Wants To Be First?

James and John came to Jesus, after He had just told them for the third time He was going to be killed, and asked to sit at His right and left hands. What followed was a brief, and blunt, lesson from Jesus on just what it meant to be a leader. Mark 10:35-45