CrossWay Church Sermon Podcast

Matthew 5:10-12: When Blessing Looks Like Suffering (5-3-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 03 May 2026 11:32:07 +0000

What does it actually mean to be blessed? In this sermon from Matthew 5:10–12, we discover that Jesus redefines blessing in a way that turns our expectations upside down. Being blessed doesn't mean life is comfortable — it means your life is secured by something no one can take away. We look honestly at what Jesus says his followers will face: persecution and insults. We ask the hard question — is this suffering for Christ, or is it something we brought on ourselves? And then we turn to three reasons we can genuinely rejoice even in the middle of it. Whether you're facing pushback for your faith right now or preparing for the cost of following Jesus, this message is for you. In this message, we discuss:

Redefining "blessed" as spiritual wholeness rather than easy circumstances.
Why following Jesus will inevitably cost us something.
How to find reasons to rejoice when we are misunderstood or targeted for our faith.
The security we have as citizens of heaven.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:10–12 📌 Key themes: Blessing, persecution, suffering, identity, heaven, the love of God

Matthew 5:9: The Peace That Cost Everything (4-26-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:41:22 +0000

Why is it so hard to get along? Whether it’s drama at work, tension at the dinner table, or conflict in our community, most of us handle stress in one of two ways: we either run away (Peace Faking) or we charge in swinging (Peace Breaking). In this message, we explore Jesus’ call in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers." True peace isn't just the absence of an argument; it’s the presence of "Shalom"—a wholeness that only comes through Christ.

What we’ll cover:
Why "shallow peace" always fails us.
How the Cross of Christ redefines how we handle being hurt.
The "READ" method: A 4-step practical tool to manage your emotions in the heat of the moment.
How to own your part in a conflict without losing your identity.

If you’re tired of the cycle of conflict and want to learn how to build relationships that flourish, join us for this study of Matthew 5:9. These are the resources by Ken Sande that helped shape parts of this message (Reactions to conflict and READ).

Matthew 5:8: Wholehearted: Living Pure Before God (4-19-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:23:32 +0000

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says the pure in heart will see God — but what does that actually mean? In this message we explore what the Bible really means by the "heart," why purity isn't about perfection, and what it looks like to pursue a pure heart in everyday life. We also look at what Jesus promises to those who do — both now and in eternity.

Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful (4-12-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:56:42 +0000

In a world that often demands "an eye for an eye," Jesus calls His followers to a radical alternative: Mercy.

In today’s message, we dive deep into the fifth Beatitude found in Matthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." We explore what it truly means to be "blessed" (makarios) and why mercy is much more than just holding back a punch—it is the active, gracious pursuit of another person’s well-being, even when they don’t deserve it.

In this sermon, we cover:

✅ The Meaning of Blessing: Why spiritual thriving is different from material prosperity.

✅ The Anatomy of Mercy: How mercy withholds judgment and extends unexpected blessings.

✅ The Barriers to Mercy: How resentment and envy harden our hearts and how to break free.

✅ Practical Steps: How to cultivate a merciful heart by looking at the cross of Christ.

If you’ve ever struggled to forgive someone who hurt you, or if you find yourself trapped in the cycle of resentment, this message is for you.

Luke 24:13-49: When Hope Walks Beside You (4-5-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:41:05 +0000

Have you ever felt like your faith was walking in the wrong direction? In this message, we dive into one of the most beautiful and raw moments in the Gospels: the walk to Emmaus. We explore what happens when our "small" expectations of God are shattered so that a much larger, resurrection-sized hope can take their place. Whether you are currently in a season of doubt, recovering from a spiritual disappointment, or looking for the power to live out your calling, this study of Luke 24 shows us that Jesus isn't just a figure of history—He is the Sovereign Savior who pursues us even when we're walking away. In this sermon, we discuss:

Why our "shattered hopes" are often the beginning of a deeper faith.
How the Old Testament reveals the "Divine Necessity" of the Cross.
Why the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus changes everything about our future.
How to move from being a discouraged observer to an empowered witness.

Reflect & Connect: Which part of the Emmaus story resonates with you most right now? Let us know in the comments. If this message encouraged you, please consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who needs to hear that Jesus is walking with them today.

Matthew 5:6: Hungering for the right things (3-22-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:01:06 +0000

What are you truly hungry for? In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, we explore one of Jesus' most searching beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Jesus isn't describing a casual preference — He's describing a desperate, driving need. The question is whether our deepest hunger is aimed at the right thing. We'll unpack what it truly means to be blessed (makarios), what it looks like to hunger and thirst for righteousness in both its relational and moral dimensions, and how God promises to fill that hunger through justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. We'll also get practical — looking at how fasting, auditing our appetites, and practicing relational righteousness can help us grow in our hunger for God and the life He calls us to. 📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:6 🗂️ Topics covered:

What does "blessed" really mean?
The intensity of spiritual hunger and thirst
Relational and moral righteousness
Justification, sanctification, and glorification
Practical steps to grow your hunger for God

Whether you feel spiritually hungry or spiritually dry right now, this message is for you.

Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek (3-15-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:37:35 +0000

In a world that screams for us to promote ourselves, defend our rights, and "win" at any cost, Jesus offers a counter-cultural promise: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

But what does it actually mean to be meek? Is it just being a "doormat," or is it something far more powerful? In this study of the third Beatitude, we explore why meekness isn't the absence of power, but power under the control of trust in God.

The Secret of "Makarios": Why "blessed" is a joyful flourishing that grows beneath the surface of your life, even when you don't feel it.
Meekness vs. Weakness: How meekness is rooted in our "vertical" relationship with God, allowing us to let go of our egos and the need to constantly justify ourselves.
Inheriting the Earth: Why the meek are actually the ones who enjoy life now—because they aren't driven by fear, rivalry, or the need for control.
The Model of Christ: How looking at Jesus’s strength and kindness on the cross empowers us to respond to others with patience and self-restraint.

Matthew 5:4: Blessed are the brokenhearted (3-8-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:01:13 +0000

We continue our sermon series in Matthew and look at the second Beatitude. in this sermon we will learn . . . 1️⃣ What it means to be blessed Many people think blessing means good circumstances or feeling happy. But the biblical word makarios points to a deeper, God-rooted kind of flourishing. 2️⃣ What Jesus means by mourning Jesus isn’t talking about mild sadness. He’s speaking about deep, genuine brokenness—over our sin and over the pain caused by a fallen world. 3️⃣ The comfort God promises God meets us in our grief, not just after it ends. Through Jesus, we find salvation, strength, growth, and a peace that surpasses understanding. 4️⃣ What we learn about grief as disciples Grief isn’t weakness. It’s part of following Jesus, growing spiritually, and becoming people who can comfort others with the comfort we receive.

Luke 12:1-12: Fearing The One Who Says Fear Not (3-1-26) – Josh VanTil

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:12:43 +0000

Pastor Josh Van Til shares thoughts on the types of fears that we often struggle with and challenges us to think about how Jesus speaks against them.

Matthew 5:1-3: Blessed are Poor in Spirit (2-22-26)

podcast@crosswaychurchwa.com (CrossWay Church Battle Ground WA) — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:59:17 +0000

What does it really mean to be blessed? In this sermon on Matthew 5:1–3, we dive into the opening of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount and discover that the "blessed life" has nothing to do with comfort or circumstance. The Greek word makarios points to something far richer — a deep, joyful flourishing that holds steady through anything life brings. We explore what Jesus means by "poor in spirit": not self-pity or low self-esteem, but a clear-eyed awareness of our sin, our limits, and our complete dependence on God. And we look at the stunning promise attached to it — that those who come to God this way receive nothing less than life in his kingdom. Whether you're new to the Sermon on the Mount or have read it a hundred times, this message will challenge you to examine where you're placing your confidence — and what it might look like to hold your life more openly before God.