Crossing Family, Are you prepared for the fight of your life? As we continue our series, Momentum, we will be looking at the next step in obtaining God’s promise in our lives. For the the people of Israel, God’s promise is not going to come easy; there is going to be a battle for this land. This weekend we will learn why a battle is imminent, why it is necessary and most importantly how to fight a winning battle. We hope that you leave encouraged this weekend and that no matter what battle you may face, you know that the Lord your God will be with you! Prayerfully, Greg & Tamara Dumas
Crossing Kids For the month of April, Crossing Kids (babies through 5th grade) will be focusing on how young kids and children can strengthen their relationship with God. Preschoolers will learn that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. For elementary age kids we will focus on prayer and teach them that when we talk to God through prayer, He is always listening.
Emerge JV/Emerge Prayer focused generation! We see a student ministry that is fervently praying. This month we will be teaching students all about prayer. They will be discovering the truths from their Life Journals and be challenged to pray fervently for their generation. We know that prayer changes everything!
Interested in Volunteering? www.crossingonline.org/serve Want to join a LifeGroup? visit a leader in the 26.2 Café Office Hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm
Scholarships Needed! We are in desperate need of scholarships for students to attend Acquire the Fire and Summer Camp. You could be a part of changing a student’s life by giving them an opportunity to encounter God through these special events! Contact Pastor Tom at tfox@crossingonline.org today!
Baby Dedications Upcoming opportunities to dedicate your child are May 8th and 9th 2010. A special Mother’s Brunch will be held May 8th to provide fellowship, encouragement and more information on what will happen during Baby Dedication. To register, please pick up a registration form from the Crossing Central or see a Crossing Kids Staff member. These forms must be turned in by April 25th. For questions or for more information, please contact Tiffany Ogborn at (813) 626-0783 ext. 151 or togborn@crossingonline.org.
TobyMac concert at The Crossing Friday, April 30th Tickets will be available this weekend at Crossing Central. We are only equipped to accept cash. There are a limited number of tickets available, so come early to get yours! Limit 5 tickets per person. Also, please consider purchasing a ticket for a student who does not yet know Christ. This will be a great, fun environment for them to hear the gospel.
Marriage Builders This six-week class is designed to equip you and your spouse with the tools to build a better, more fulfilling relationship. Marriage Builders meets on Tuesday nights, 7-9pm, April 6th thru May 18th. The registration fee is $60 per couple. Childcare is available with pre-registration only. Please register online at: http://www.crossingonline.org/marriage-builders.
20 Somethings Are you 18-29 years old? The Crossing Church is launching an amazing ministry that will impact your life and the Kingdom of God in our area. Make plans to join us at the 7pm service and to attend our Late Night Event following the service on Saturday, April 24th. Be a part of this experience and learn more about what God is doing in our midst.
Compassion Weekend Today, as you leave, stop in the lobby to check out our World Partner, Compassion International as well as our Local Mission Partner, South Tampa Health & Rehab to see how you can make a difference across the street and around the world.
The 26.2 Spiritual Race is intricately designed with you in mind! Through the different 26.2 Experiences, you can learn more about The Crossing and its leadership, become involved in a LifeGroup, and understand more about your spiritual gifts. We encourage everyone to join in the race! Register for all the 26.2 Experiences at: www.crossingonline.org. The next experience dates are: • Warm-Up: April 25, registration closes April 18 • Starting Line: May 22 or 23, registration closes May 16 • Mile One: June 26, registration closes June 20 • Momentum: April 24, registration closes April 18 • Pass it On: May 1, registration closes April 25 • The Prize: May 14th & 15th, registration Closes May 2nd
For more announcements: www.crossingonline.org/announcements
WELCOME TO THE
CROSSING CHURCH
Saturday, April 17 Sunday, April 18 Momentum:
The Proper Estimation of the Promise Land Joshua Chapters 6-12
Connect and Grow Pastor: Tim Ingram
SCRIPTURE Deuteronomy 20:1-4
OBSERVATION Battle is imminent: “When you go to war against your enemies…”
From manna to feast to battle? (Joshua 5:10-6:5)
Battle is necessary: “…and see horses, and chariots, and an army greater than yours...” Purge and purify (Deuteronomy 7:1-4, 20:18) How to Battle
The promise of “with”: “because the Lord your God…will be with you”
God is the PED (Isaiah 41:10)
Remember your testimony: “…who brought you up out of Egypt…”
This is the testimony. (II Corinthians 5:17)
APPLICATION Blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony (Revelation 12:11)
The Blood – for salvation The Testimony - for endurance
PRAYER My God and King, You have made everything possible that I might enter into the promised land of a life-giving relationship with you. Thank you, again, for the priceless blood Your Son spilled on my behalf. I claim the victory that is mine in Christ Jesus as I enter into a land full of enemies. My testimony will be, “The Lord reigns. The Lord is faithful. The Lord is mighty in battle.” Upon these words will I live obediently, fully possessing the life You promise to those who will believe in Jesus. Amen.
LIFEGROUPS Use the following as a resource for your LifeGroup to go deeper with this week’s message. We hope this helps you as you “do life together”. Opener: Do you have a God-story that impacts people? Perhaps someone else’s story has impacted you greatly. Take a few minutes and briefly share one of these God-stories. After two or three people share a story answer the following questions: What makes the stories God stories? How is God glorified in the stories? Digging Deeper: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11 Pastor Tim shared this week in his sermon about the importance of two things: The blood—for salvation; The Testimony—for endurance. The critical blow to Satan came when the Lamb, Jesus Christ shed His blood for our sins. The victory continues through the testimony of millions of Christians, who loyally serve Christ and have a testimony, either spoken or lived out, which impacts others and compels them to follow Christ. Continuing the theme from the opener but taking it deeper. Share about someone in your life whose testimony effected your decision to follow Christ or helped you in continuing to follow Him. After everyone has shared, discuss the value and importance of a testimony. Application: The Crossing has launched a ministry on our web site called “My Story.” You can go to http://www.crossingonline.org/mystory and read and be encouraged by other people’s stories. Just as importantly share your story for others to be encouraged by. Everyone take a few moments this week to visit the web site and submit a story. Next week your leader will follow up to see who all has shared their story so that everyone can go to the website and check it out. Your Christian walk is more than just about your own personal spiritual growth. It is also about sharing with others the good news of God’s redemptive work in your life! Share your story!