The Difference Only God Can Make

Presidents, prime ministers, governments and nations may appear to determine the course of history. But Revelation presents a very different picture. Behind the rise and fall of earthly powers is a King whose throne never changes, whose word cannot fail, and whose purposes cannot be defeated. His name is Jesus Christ.

The Bible calls Christians to overcome the world. But what does that mean? Does it mean defeating those who oppose us, avoiding suffering, or gaining power and influence? Jesus shows us a different kind of victory. He remained faithful to God, even when it cost Him His life. And because He overcame the world, we can face an uncertain future without fear.

Mercy. Integrity. Peace. These are qualities we admire, but they are not always easy to practice. What makes someone genuinely merciful? What does it mean to live with a pure heart? And where does real character come from? Jesus describes a kind of character that cannot simply be manufactured through self-improvement.

What actually makes someone a better person? More confidence? Greater self-belief? Looking deeper within? Jesus gives a very different answer. His opening words in the Sermon on the Mount show that real change begins when we stop looking to ourselves for the answer.  

We are quick to say that we want justice. But what happens when that same standard is applied to us? If God is just, His justice cannot stop with everyone else. None of us measures up. The gospel offers something we cannot achieve or earn for ourselves: a righteousness that God provides.

Self-love, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-care, self-discovery. We live in an age increasingly preoccupied with self. But the self cannot be both the problem and the solution. We suppress the truth about God because acknowledging God threatens our desire to be our own authority. To understand who we are, perhaps we need to start by asking a different question: Who is God?

There is no shortage of theories about what is wrong with the world. Some blame politics, others education, others bad ideas or plain ignorance. But what if we have misdiagnosed the problem and there is something deeper going on? What if we are far better at suppressing the truth than we realize? [Romans 1]

Our culture is deeply confused about gender, but Genesis is not. From the beginning, God created humanity male and female, equal in dignity and made for one another. This message traces the biblical foundations of manhood and womanhood, showing how God’s design is not oppressive, but good, purposeful, and deeply connected to His plan of redemption. Discover more resources and what’s coming next: www.atthecrux.com Partner with us in sharing truth and equipping believers. Give or support here: www.atthecrux.com/#partner   

Why hasn't God ended evil, pain and suffering already? It's the question behind nearly every objection to faith. From the first words of the Bible to the ultimate victory of Jesus, we trace why the clock is still ticking. Explore an ancient promise made right at the beginning of the Bible, the defeat of evil it points to, the problem of suffering, and God's plan to bring many people into a glorious future. Discover more resources and what’s coming next: www.atthecrux.com Partner with us in sharing truth and equipping believers. Give or support here: www.atthecrux.com/#partner   

It's easy to get lost in the details. Genesis takes us back to first principles. The world around us is not self-explanatory. It points beyond itself. This message explores why creation matters, what it reveals about reality, and why understanding the foundations of the world helps us make sense of many of the questions facing our culture today. [Genesis] Discover more resources and what’s coming next: www.atthecrux.com Partner with us in sharing truth and equipping believers. Give or support here: www.atthecrux.com/#partner