MISSION
The Cross & Stone exists to teach the transformative message of Christ's resurrection and his return to establish God's kingdom on earth.
It is designed to build spiritual community based on a cyberchurch strategy.
VISION
Teach the New Testament model for following ChristIlluminate dynamic conversation and searching inquiry of scriptural textProvide a convenient interface for supportive fellowship
Old Treasures As Well As New
The Purpose of The Cross & Stone's
Seven-dimensional Study Method
In the second century A.D., a heresy was propagated that taught the God of the Old Testament was a different deity than the one revealed in the New. The teaching originated with a man named Marcion and it carried significant philosophical weight in some circles.
Though the Marcion heresy has generally faded from view, its underlying philosophy still holds sway over many unwary Christians. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with most of the Old Testament text itself, are viewed as not having much relevance for modern believers. In the eyes of the untrained, God is seen to have taken on a whole new character with the coming of Jesus Christ.
God, however, has born testimony of Himself, "I, the Lord, do not change."
In light of this unhealthy perspective, the present-day Christian community would greatly benefit from exploring the following two questions: How did the church thrive in the absence of virtually no New Testament writings for the better part of two decades? What would New Testament church meetings be like with no New Testament?
While Christ was resurrected in about A.D. 30, Scripture connected with the gospel of Christ did not appear until the 50s. The church today holds in its possession a matchless treasure in having the entire body of revealed truth. Ironically, it is woefully ignorant with respect to much of it. Many illiterate generations have enjoyed a fuller knowledge of the written Word than the well educated church of today.
The seven-dimensional study method takes us deep inside even the most ancient of scriptural writings. It is an invaluable teaching tool that reconciles the treasures of Old Testament revelation with those found in the New.
SCRIPTURE
SET
History:
Genesis 1-3
Biography:
Acts 16-17
Doctrine & Instruction:
1 Thessalonians 1-3
Wisdom & Poetry:
Psalm 30-32
The Prophets:
Ezekiel 34-37
The Law:
Numbers 8-10
Apocalyptic:
Revelation 19-22
Scripture Set Study Help
Cyberchurch Summary: 11-17 July 2009
Introduction
The words of encouragement, revelation and insight spoken among those gathered in the name of Jesus, exercising spiritual gifts to edify the community.
Primary themes:
Participants:
Randy Jernigan
Chad Dorsey
Lilly Rozenfeld
Jamy Gerou
Miriam Dunn
Message Summary
Why do the people of the world frantically pursue money, sex, significance, and power? The answer to this question has two levels. First, spiritually speaking they are empty wells, and therefore must indulge the cravings of the flesh whenever and however they can in order to have some semblance of satisfaction.
Second, because the whole world lies in the lap of the evil one, it is the will of the adversary that his children consume themselves with superficial and temporal activity. And once that which can be destroyed is destroyed, those who are pursuing destructible things will be carried away with it. But we have been called to inherit eternal life.
Our discussion was centered on the reality that, since Christ is 100% God, and we have received him, we are 100% complete. What more can a person receive than God himself?
Though the world is kept in the bondage of blindness by the god of this present evil age, Christ has disarmed the powers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
With this in mind, our conversation had for its foundation the fact that we are commanded to be bold and to speak with confidence. Because we have received power from the one who made a public spectacle of evil, we, likewise, do the same through the victory of our faith.
It is written, I believed, therefore I have spoken. With this same spirit of faith in what has been done on our behalf (the conquest of evil), we believe and therefore speak.
Every recipient of grace and favor through Christ---every believer---is thus called to be bold and very courageous. Has not God commanded us to do this always?
Our purpose is not to negotiate with evil. It is to defeat it. We have not been called to simply avoid temptation, but to be bold and victorious, speaking faith and favor over those who have been sealed to us in the bond of fellowship with the Father and Son.
When David was once greatly distressed, it is written that he strengthened himself in the Lord his God. David had every reason to be greatly distressed, and even to simply give up. The women and children of his army had just been taken hostage while he led the men on a campaign against the Philistines, and his own men were talking of stoning him. However, David believed, and therefore he strengthened and encouraged himself in God.
Instead of backing down or giving in, David took action. After reaching down deep into the well of the Holy Spirit, David went immediately to inquire of the Lord as to what to do next. He then boldly set out in battle, led by the Spirit of the Lord, and took back what the enemy had stolen.
We are to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit, encouraging one another tirelessly. Bearing our cross is no dry, laborious endeavor. No! It is one filled with abundant living, heart-changing encounters, and eye witness testimony to the hand of God outstretched on behalf of his precious chosen.
The Lord restored to us the spirit of adventurism and conquest. Each of us who have taken part in these dynamic meetings has been empowered to encourage ourselves and others in the faith. We are learning the secret to God gaining glory for himself---the steadfast confidence of his children in the power they have been given.
Do not yield to the spirit of timidity, but clothe yourselves with the armor of light and fight the good fight!
Email:
Connect_theCrossandStone.com
The work of a community. The seed of a movement.
