Christ 2r Culture Podcast

Have you ever faced a time when everything is falling apart? Corporate cutbacks leave you unemployed. An unexpected accident takes away a child you love. It feels like the world has come completely unglued. Where is God in this mess? The book of Ruth shows us that in the mess of our sin God is still at work to do undeserved good to his people in the most unexpected way. As Christians, no matter what happens, we do not lose hope.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with it? How much of it would you save? How much would you give away? How much would you spend? As Paul closes his letter to Timothy, he instructs the wealthy in Ephesus how to handle their money for God's glory. While we haven't won the lottery, like the wealthy in Ephesus, we have more than enough. We don't know how much should be enjoyed, given away or saved. Paul's final words help guide us in wisely using our wealth.

What is a good pastor? Is it his use of humor? Is it the way he programs Sunday services? As Paul closes his letter to Timothy and the church in Ephesus, he charges Timothy to pastor the church of Ephesus well. He details what it will take to him to be a good pastor. What we learn is not just what it takes to be a good pastor but what it takes for anyone in the church leading a ministry to do it well for God's honor and glory.

We live in an affluent culture where we are bombarded by pressure to by the latest and the greatest. Advertisers spend a startling amount of money endeavoring to create a need in us to buy their stuff. While having money and the resources to purchase some of the latest technology is not wrong, that burning desire within us where we try to raise our self-worth by raising our net-work can get us into deep spiritual trouble. Join us as we discover the hidden danger of materialism and loving money.

What is the best way to witness at work? Should we use tracts? How much should we talk about Jesus? The Apostle Paul teaches us that witnessing at work begins with attitude and ethic while at work.

When President Trump was running for office, he was invited on the Jimmy Fallon show. At the end of the interview, Jimmy asked if he could put his hand in candidate Trump's perfect hair and mess it up. Commentators from both sides of the aisle and later Jimmy Fallon himself regretted his actions. He showed a lack of respect for what would become one of the most powerful men in the world, the President of the United States. As Christians, we are not just to show respect to our political leaders but a congregation is to also show respect to their church leaders. Join us as we learn importance of honoring leaders in the church.

Two of the hardest times in a woman's life is when a younger woman discovers she is a single mother either through the death, desertion or divorce from her husband. For older women, one of the hardest times they face is when they are left alone after the death of their husband after their children are moved out of the house and have lives of their own. Join us as we see how to turn those two difficult challenges into positive future that brings glory to Jesus.

Do you feel lonely? Estimates say 1 in every 5 people in the United States struggle with it. Loneliness is particularly prevalent in the elderly. One study in Britain discovered that half a million people over 60 go for an entire week without seeing anyone. A million over the age of 60 only see someone once every 5 or 6 days. The research is clear. Many of us struggle with loneliness but it is rampant among the elderly. Join us as we discover God's answer to loneliness.

If you were looking for a good pastor, what would you look for? Is a good pastor just someone that makes you laugh with his jokes and amazes you with his care? In this passage, Paul shows Timothy what it looks like for him to serve as a good pastor in the church of Ephesus, in spite of his youth. In the process, we learn how to look for and find a good shepherd for our souls.

Timex surveyed Americans and found that 73 percent exercise one or more times per week. Up to 29 percent of Americans exercise between 30 to 60 minutes multiple times a week. More Americans understand the benefits of exercise and eating right. Just like physical fitness, spiritual fitness is important for our life with Christ. Join us as we look at spiritual fitness and how to develop an exercise plan to live a fruitful Christian life.

As we focus on our CrossWinds church emphasis of Generous Living, this week we take a look at the parable of the Good Samaritan and discover that generous love for other is essential if we have experienced the generous love of Jesus.

When God gives you a better car than you expected or you find yourself with a nicer home than you planned, do you feel guilty? Do you wonder if you are enjoying too much pleasure and not living with a wartime spiritual mindset like a good follower of Christ? In this study we learn why God is more glorified when we enjoy the gifts he provides rather than abstain.

People travel on weekends more frequently than in the past. With the advent of the Internet, anyone can turn into some of the best preachers and worship teams in the nation right from their smart phone. With ease of access to these successful ministries, why spend the time to get involved in a local church? What does the local church offer than podcasting and streaming can not? Join us as we discover the answer.

The early church talks about two kinds of leaders in the church. They are overseers/elders and deacons. Who are deacons? What do they do? Why are they important? Join us as we look into this important but neglected church office.

The quality of a church's leaders is seen by the quality of the church they lead. Quality church leaders don't just make a great church, but the sin of church leaders is the fastest way to sink a church. Join us as we learn the essential qualities church leaders should strive to develop and possess.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 are some of the most disagreed upon verses in the book of 1 Timothy. Paul explicitly says women are not to be in a state of authority over men in the church. What does Paul mean when he says this? Why would he say something so sexist? What does this have to do with the spread of the gospel? Join us as we learn what Paul means by his words and why they are crucial to follow.

In the church, there are way our life can bring honor to Jesus through our prayer and there are ways we can take that honor away through the way we live. Join us as we learn how to bring more honor to Jesus through our life.

Is there a time in life when we are beyond hope? Is there a time when our life is ruined beyond repair? In this study, we learn that no matter what we have done, there is always hope and a future through Jesus. When it comes to hope for the future what matters is not the size of our sin but what we do with Jesus, our savior.

What is the latest popular Christian book you read? Was it The Four Blood Moons? Was it Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo? While these types of books are engaging, they lead us toward speculation instead of Jesus. In the opening verses of Paul's letter to Timothy, he warns Timothy—and us—about the danger of becoming captivated by theological fantasies and being distracted from Jesus.

Before we jump into 1 Timothy, join us as we take some time to meet Timothy, the church he pastored and the problems he faced.