CrossWalk - Cross Culture Church RDU

God’s Rescue Mission - Christmas Message from Luke 2:1-20

Today we’re breaking from our series "Building on the Basics" to focus on the Christmas story.  As the song goes, the Christmas season really is "the most wonderful time of the year.” But in the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to get caught up in everything and miss the miss the true meaning of Christmas and the true reason for the season. As Pastor Clay is going to explain today, whether people realize it or not, the story of Christmas is really the story of the greatest rescue mission ever undertaken and each of us are still part of that mission today.

Building on the Basics, Week 19: Hope - Live In It (Part 7)

Have you ever been in a situation where someone said something or did something unkind toward you?  Do you remember how you reacted in that situation?  Did you react based on your hurt or your anger?  Or, did you react in a spiritual way?  Which way do you think pleases God?   As we look deeper into 1 Peter chapter 3, we’re going to find Peter showing followers of Jesus how we are to interact with all people in general, even those who mistreat us.  As Pastor Clay explains, when we allow godly characteristics to be built into us by the Holy Spirit, then what comes out of us, our conduct, is not based on our flesh, but on what God desires to see in us.

Building on the Basics, Week 18: Hope - Live In It (Part 6)

We live in a politically correct culture; it seems that we all have to be careful of what we say in order to not offend anyone. One of the most politically incorrect statements we could possibly make these days is to say something like “A wife should submit to her husband.”  In the culture in which we live, the idea of a wife’s submission to her husband is about as popular as barbecue food truck at a vegan convention. But the truth is, God never cared much about popularity or political correctness. God cares about men and women experiencing the most out of life as possible, and that requires following God’s direction and not the world’s.  So no matter what your thoughts are on a wife submitting to her husband, we hope you’ll open God’s word with us to first Peter chapter 3 as Pastor Clay walks us through God’s plan for a wife.

Building on the Basics, Week 17: Hope - Live In It (Part 5)

As we continue our series "Building on the Basics,"  Pastor Clay is picking up where we left off last week in 1 Peter chapter 2.   In the first 12 verses, Peter reminds us of how special we are in the eyes of God and how that makes all the difference in the world when it comes to living our lives.   It all comes down to Jesus Christ.

Building on the Basics, Week 16: Hope - Live In It (Part 4)

As we continue our series "Building on the Basics,"  Pastor Clay is picking up where we left off last week in 1 Peter chapter 2.   In the first 12 verses, Peter reminds us of how special we are in the eyes of God and how that makes all the difference in the world when it comes to living our lives.   It all comes down to Jesus Christ.

Building on the Basics, Week 15: Hope - Live In It (Part 3)

We're in 1 Peter chapter 2, looking at the source of our hope, Jesus Christ, as we continue our series "Building on the Basics."  Pastor Clay walks us through verses 1 through 12 today where we'll discover that it all comes down to Jesus Christ. Those who come by faith to Jesus Christ find a cornerstone in which their life can be built. But as we'll see today, for some, Jesus Christ is a stumbling block. For those of us who have given our lives to Christ however, Peter reminds us of how special we are in the eyes of God and how that makes all the difference in the world when it comes to living our lives.

Building on the Basics, Week 14: Hope - Live In It (Part 2)

Hope, how do you live in it when everything around you seems hopeless? Is it even possible? Well as Pastor Clay explained in last weeks message, there is no hope to be found in this world but that doesnt mean there isnt hope for this world. Last week in 1 Peter chapter 1, we saw three places where we could find hope and this week, we'll see three more place where hope can be found. Maybe youre in desperate need of some hope today? We pray this message gives us all a reminder of where real, lasting hope is found.

Building on the Basics, Week 13: Hope - Live In It (Part 1)

Have you ever been at a place in your life where you felt completely overwhelmed and you had lost all hope? The circumstances of life can get to us at times and even if your circumstances arent bad right now, whats going on in the world could be another reason to lose hope. Whats a person to do? This week, were moving into a new phase in our series ''Building on the Basics.'' Our second building block is hope, and as well see as we make our way through the books of first and second Peter, we are called to ''live in hope.'' As Pastor Clay is going to explain, there are plenty of reasons, in this world to lose all hope, but the Bible shows us that followers of Jesus can find hope for our lives. Join us in 1 Peter as we learn about the basic of hope and how to live in it while living in a world that offers very little.

Building on the Basics, Week 12: Faith - Act On It (Part 12)

What is prayer? And why is it so important for followers of Jesus to practice the discipline of prayer? Throughout our study in James, weve looked at the basic of faith. James has shown us again and again that faith is something that has to be acted on, IF it is real faith. Todays discussion on prayer is no different. In fact, prayer is one of the most practical ways that we can act on our faith. Whether you have a strong prayer life or like many people, you struggle to understand the importance of prayer, were sure that todays message from Pastor Clay will help all of us understand more about acting on our faith through the resource of prayer.

Building on the Basics, Week 11: Faith - Act On It (Part 11)

Pastor Clay is walking us through the General Epistles of the New Testament in our series entitled, ''Building On The Basics.'' The book of James emphasizes the subject of faith and the need for us to act on our faith. In todays message from James chapter 5, Pastor Clay is going to show us how James emphasizes the fact that a payday is coming, and what that will mean for both those who have a worldly focus and those who have a godly focus. As you might imagine, payday will be quite different for those two groups of people.

Building on the Basics, Week 10: Faith - Act On It (Part 10)

Have you ever wanted to tell someone to just mind their own business? Well, God has the same thing to say to us. Today, Pastor Clay returns to James chapter 4 where James is going to help us see that some things are Gods business and not ours. Being judgmental is not something that followers of Jesus should display. As James is going to explain theres really only one judge and Pastor Clay is going to explain what that passage means for us and what it doesnt mean.

Special: Identity Crisis by Ivey Rhodes

In what area of your life is God asking you to change? Where are your priorities and do they line up with God's expectations or are they aligned with yourself and the world. Followers of Jesus must lead a life focused on the light of an identity with Christ and today, Youth Pastor Ivey Rhodes encourages us to examine our identity and how it lines up with God's will for our lives.

Building on the Basics, Week 9: Faith - Act On It (Part 9)

This week, Pastor Clay continues with last week's message in our ''Building On The Basics'' series. We're in James chapter 4, where James points out some specific choices that we, as followers of Jesus, need to make a continual choice to stay in submission to God, and the decision to resist and defeat the devil daily. This week, James encourages us to pursue God and allow Him to cleanse us from our sins. We're picking up in James chapter 4 with verse 8. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Now here's Pastor Clay.

Building on the Basics, Week 8: Faith - Act On It (Part 8)

Today were moving in to chapter 4 of the book of James in our series ''Building On The Basics.'' James doesnt have time to beat around the bush. He is direct and confrontational on the issue of faith and what is real and what is fake. James calls it like he sees it and what he sees is people who were, as James puts it, committing spiritual adultery. Pastor Clay is going to walk us through this powerful passage today, and give us some practical steps to take once we recognize that things are not good.

Building on the Basics, Week 7: Faith - Act On It (Part 7)

Have you ever noticed how children can have mannerisms just like their parents? Speech, gestures, even the way they walk can look just like Mom or Dad. God has expectations that His children will take on His mannerisms and today , Pastor Clay is taking us to the second half of James chapter 3 where were going to find the author emphasizing what has clearly been the theme of his entire letter, that our faith must prove itself through actions or its not really faith at all.

Building on the Basics, Week 6: Faith - Act On It (Part 6)

Have you ever heard the old saying: ''to stick your foot in your mouth?'' It means that someone said something inappropriate and probably embarrassing. Weve probably all been guilty of that in the past and probably will be in the future. But as were going to hear today, God has some expectations for His children and what comes out of their mouths. Today in our series, ''Building On The Basics,'' were in James chapter 3 this week in our series, ''Building On The Basics,'' and the subject of the tongue takes center stage. Our speech says a lot about what we believe and as Pastor Clay will explain in todays message, we need to have a reality check about what our language is saying about what we believe.

Building on the Basics, Week 5: Faith - Act On It (Part 5)

Have you ever heard the phrase All bark, but no bite. In culture it came to refer to a person that talked a big game, but didnt necessarily deliver on the big talk. So, can the same thing be said about some people the say they are followers of Jesus? In James chapter 2 we find the author addressing the problem of people that say they have faith, but have no evidence of that faith in their life. The kind of faith God wants us to have is a faith that produces a changed life, or as James puts it, a faith the produces works. Pastor Clay is going to explain how this passage in James letter has been misused theologically to promote a works salvation. And, hes going to show us what saving faith actually is.

Building on the Basics, Week 4: Faith - Act On It (Part 4)

We are in James chapter 2 this week as we continue with our series, ''Building on the Basics.'' The book of James is helping us to build the basic of faith into our lives. As Pastor Clay is going to explain, one of the ways we live out our faith is in the way we treat other people. Sadly, throughout history there have been those who have gained prominence and position in the church because they had money. As were going to hear today, there is no place for partiality in the body of Christ.

Building on the Basics, Week 3: Faith - Act On It (Part 3)

Have you noticed that hardly anybody is to blame for anything anymore? It seems that if someone messes up they blame their parents, or their circumstances, or their employer, or even God. But the Bible has something very different to say about our sin. Today we continue our series ''Building On The Basics,'' and as we move into the second half of James chapter 1, we see James beginning to discuss the responsibility for our sin. It seems that some people had the idea that through their circumstances, God was tempting them to sin. As well hear, James sets that record straight in a hurry, and in the process shows us the true origin of our sin.

Building on the Basics, Week 2: Faith - Act On It (Part 2)

When we sit down in a chair, go out and start our car or order a meal from a fast-food restaurant, we exercise an element of faith. The person who sits down probably knows nothing about the chair manufacturer or the process used in constructing the chair, but proceeds to sit down, in faith, believing the chair will support them. When you start your car, you probably dont check under the hood first. You get in the car and turn the key, faithfully believing it will start. When you place your order at a fast-food restaurant, well lets face it, thats faith. Today we're continuing our series, ''Building on the Basics.'' Last week we started into the New Testament book, or letter, of James, and the topic of faith. As youll hear Pastor Clay explain today our faith has potential to give us something that we all need in life, the wisdom of God. People make decisions based on all sorts of things, but to be able to lean on the wisdom of God in our decisions is a wonderful thing.

Building on the Basics, Week 1: Faith - Act On It (Part 1)

This is the beginning of a new series entitled ''Building on the Basics.'' Over the next few months, Pastor Clay is going to take us through most of the books of the New Testament that are known as the General Epistles. ''Epistle is a word that simply means letter and these letters are called general because they werent necessarily addressed to a specific church or person. They were intended for all followers of Jesus in general. Through this series, well look at the basics of faith, hope, love, and judgment important subjects that we all need to know more about. Our prayer is that this series will help all of us build on the basics of our relationship with God.

Special: Guest Speaker - Steve Pierce

Pastor Clay is on vacation this week. Today's message is delivered by Steve Pierce.

Special: Who is Cross Culture Church

We've probably all heard of stories of a person who suffers from amnesia and forgets who they are. So, heres a question for you, is it possible for a church to forget who they are? This week, Pastor Clay is focusing specifically on our local church, Cross Culture Church. One of the ways to make sure that a church doesnt forget who they are to remind the church from time to time who they are. This week's message is aimed at who we, Cross Culture Church, are as a church, but as youll hear today, there are characteristics that all churches should share in common.

Special: Ordination of Joe Thomas to The Chaplain Ministry

Today is a special service here at Cross Culture Church as we set aside one of our members, Joe Thomas, for ordination to the chaplain ministry. An ordination service is a special time for the man being ordained, his family and his church family. As part of the service today, Pastor Clay has a charge to Joe and to the fellowship that is Cross Culture Church. Its a charge applies to every single one of us who profess to follow Jesus.

Modern Family?, Week 4: Conclusion

Today we wrap up our series entitled ''Modern Family?'' We took a necessary break from our online presentations due to copyrights on ''Irreplaceable,'' the film that we have been viewing at Cross Culture Church over the last three weeks. In the weeks leading up to the film, Pastor Clay spent time in Ephesians chapter 6 walking through the family as God designed it, and the responsibilities of each member of the family. Today, Pastor Clay has some words of wisdom to us about what this series means for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. In light of all the changes we see going on around us, and the affect it is having on the family, Pastor Clay answers the questions: What should be our response? What are we to do as followers of Jesus? (Acts 1:7-8, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Matthew 10:24-39)