Sermons From The Crossroads

Choices Made and Choices Unmade

We are a people of stories. We don't get to choose all out stories, but even when we don't choose, we choose. Joshua chapter 24

The Pull of Home and the Power of If

Catch and Release

The Red Sea parts for the children of Israel to escape bondage in Egypt. Pastor Nathan Willowby uses this as a prime example of God's program to release those who have been caught. Exodus 14:10-14

See The Race To Its End

What does it take to see the race through to its end? Guest Speaker Tim Gabrielson brings us the story of Caleb,who stayed on mission for forty years before finally seeing it through. Joshua 14:6-15

Who and What Are Christians For?

God has issues in mind when He calls us. Oh, it's wonderful to sit and bask in the blessings He bestows; fun, but it's missing the point of His calling us in the first place. Pastor Nathan Willowby uses the story of Abraham ("Exalted Father of Many") to point out to us that God's purpose in calling us isn't merely to save us, but to call us into serving others. Genesis 12:1-9

Escape Or Vocation?

God calls. Our response can be like Jonah earlier, and run away. Today's message is about Noah, who, when given the call, could have simply run to the hills in a vain attempt to save himself and his family. Or we can react like Noah, and do as God calls us, even if it doesn't really make sense to those around us.

Arise And Go

Guest Speaker Raymond Cousins talks about how we respond to the call of God. What were some of the things he went through following the path he took on his way to the ministry.

Worlds Apart

The Story of Ruth comes after Judges, and the two books show two contrasting worlds. In Judges, the community was broken, while the story of Ruth shows how a community works when the people are focused on needs apart from their own.

Above and Beyond pt2

The story of Ruth continues as she goes again above and beyond what is "normal" as she continues to serve God. Ruth, Chapter 2

Above And Beyond

The story of Ruth opens with two daughters making choices. One makes a choice that goes far above and beyond what she would ordinarily be called upon to do. Pastor Nathan Willowby uses her choice to show us how God works through those who go above and beyond. Ruth 1

A New Forever

In this last installment on Hebrews Pastor Nathan Willowby shows how the author connects Jesus into Jeremiah's message of a new covenant, and how this opens up a new forever for us all.

Avocados For Tempted Christians

Hebrews chapter 5 talks of the identity of Melchizedek, how he was a priest of God to Abram. Melchizedek was someone Abram knew that helped to tie him to God when the winds blew. What is your avocado? What it is you have that, like Melchizedek for Abram, you have that helps hold you to God?

What is Real?

Hebrews chapters 2 through 4

Interpreting Tradition

In the time of the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews interpreted Jesus through the eyes of the Old Testament. Today we have the full New testament, but the times and circumstances of those who hear our telling of the story have changed. Without changing the story itself How do we reach them?

Dallying and Desire

Most of the commandments we can fool others over, we can pretend an action. But Pastor Nathan Willowby covers the one commandment we really can't fool ourselves over: "Do Not Covet." This commandment reaches down into our thoughts. Showing us we need to train our thoughts. Desires are not always bad; it depends upon what we desire.

What Is Law For?

The second half of the Commandments apply to the way we deal with and relate to our neighbors. Pastor Nathan Willowby examines these with the question "Are these actually restrictions on our liberty, or means of ensuring a wider liberty?" What would it actually mean to inhabit a society where these are the norm, instead of a description of rarely seen idealistic behavior?

Choosing To Follow

Today's text is Deut 5:6-15 In this passage Pastor Nathan Willowby talks about the commandments that apply to how we relate to God. Special attention needs paid to the one about using God's name. We tend to water that one down and fail to follow its intent far too often. (Apologies for the microphone trouble, evident in the hum.)

The Spirit's Power: Family Traditions

A Pentecost Sunday message from Pastor Nathan Willowby. He speaks of the Holy Spirit undergirding the church, breathing fire into it. And he speaks of family traditions, the family traditions of the church family. Phillipians 4:4-7

Babies, Philosophers, and Senior Sunday

Pastor Nathan Willowby takes the opportunity of Senior Sunday to remind us that, even as the seniors leading service today have a resemblance with their families in the seats, so we are to have a family resemblance to Christ. Philipians Ch 2

The Gospel

The Gospel has a power infused in it by God. Pastor Nathan Willowby uses the first chapter of Phillipians to show us how Paul relied upon it.

I See That You Are Very Religious

The question is not whether you are religious. Everyone is religious about something. But the question is "Are you authentic?" It's the authenticity that counts.

The Fullness Of The Empty Tomb

It's is Easter. The tomb is empty. Or it is simply full to overflowing?

Jesus Is On The Loose

It's past Easter. He is Risen! Jesus is indeed on the loose. He's going through locked doors, everything He needs to do to make His presence known. Text: John 20: 19-30

To The Victor Go the What?

The Crowd gets their wish; Jesus of Nazareth is handed over for Crucifixion. Nathan Willowby talks about the significance of "King of the Jews." What kind of King? What kind of King was the crowd wanting and expecting? What kind of King is Jesus?

Where Does Your Imagination Come From?

One of Pilate's last questions to Christ was "Where are you from?" Nathan Willowby takes the final part of Jesus before Pilate (John 19:1-16) as the text today. Pilate's failure was one of imagination. What can you imagine? Where is your imagination from and where will it take you?

Choosing Truth

Pastor Nathan Willowby takes John 18:28-40 as the text today. How many of us are like Pilate? We see the right thing, we know "there is no fault in this man," but we act like we don't.

Pusillanimous Peter

Pastor Nathan Willowby takes as his text today John 18:1-27, the tale of Peter's denial. We can relate to Peter and how he responded; it's easy to run and hide. We've all wanted to do that.

Extreme Living

Pastor Nathan Willowby speaks today on Jesus washing the disciple's feet, and on how we, as the Church of God practice foot washing today as a regular part of our church year. John 13:1-17

See, Hear, and Know the Shepherd

In the aftermath of Jesus healing the man born blind came a discussion about who is blind. To clarify it, Jesus spoke of sheep who know their shepherd. Pastor Nathan Willowby talks of the blindness and sheep and what it means for us. John 9:35 - 10:18

Who Are You Following?

Sister Charlene Lovett comes today with a question from Hebrews 12:14. Who are you following? You follow someone.