In message 2, George Searight II shares with us the value of time and asks the difficult questions that challenge its very existence in our lives. He utilizes scriptures from: Mark 1:14-15, James 4:13-17, Romans 8:29-39

In our his first message of the new year, George Searight II shares with us the importance of understanding God’s expectations.

He begins his message using his marriage as an example, sharing that he & his wife attended premarital counseling before their ceremony in which they were required to write down expectations of the other in marriage. He humorously explains how little thought he had initially given the idea.

He goes on to share how God simply expects us to do his will. Utilizing Matthew 7:21 he explains the hardship of following God’s plan and how we are often waiting to hear some profound calling or statement to direct us.

He asks the question “how will we know what his will & plan is for our lives? By

• Reading his word
• Through his voice: as we pray and develop a relationship with Christ we will hear his voice & he will speak to us

He reminds us that sometimes its easy to consider relationship with God solely in our minds, forgeting that God should dwell in our hearts as well.

He then tells the story of John the Baptise and how John had misconstrued  expectations of the manifestation of Jesus’s coming.

He closes stating; God expects us to

• To be disciples: Matthew 22:18, go baptise and make disciples of all the nations and I will be with you always
• To Love: Matthew 22: 37, Love your God and love your neighbor.

Love with all your mind, heart, soul and strength.

Our leader returns with a profound word on “Being a disciple of Christ” using text from John 10:10, Luke 14:25-33, Mark 5:10-13, 10:17-21, and Matthew 15:1-9

After a word of prayer he begins his message saying, “I want to speak about Living a dedicated life to Christ” Part of the mission of Christ is to minister and serve. But it is one thing to be a believer of Christ and and another to be a disciple in which your desire is to follow him, seek him, and study his ways.

As we count up the cost we have to consider some things. Persecution will come for his sake but we must not get weary in well doing but rejoice in it. He states that we will also endure suffering(Mark 10:17) and must be willing to give up some things and some ways. He explains the suffering of others, martyrs in foreign countries and those who have trully sacrificed for the sake of their religious beliefs.

But what sometimes distracts us is possessing too many things. He states, “If you have too much you have the option notto chose God” He gives examples such as; Internet, cell phones, TV and other various games & electronics.

He then goes on to explain that “Religion” often causes us to miss the mark. The Sadducee’s and the Pharisees (two religious groups) were the ones whom Jesus had the most conflict and it was because they thought religious practices should out-way love and ministry.

What defiles and man is not what goes in but what comes out. God desires the heart of man and if you follow him and walk with him (discipleship) you may or may not get everything you want, but he will most definitely meet your needs.

In Part II of his message on ”Imitating Christ”, Isaiah explains intimacy with God. He says, “it is impossible to be an imitator of Christ without the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit allows us to me intimate with God….it is our gateway to that loving relationship.

Isaiah explains that he once had a false perception of intimacy, explaining how he thought “being a player”, and moving from one female to the next were intimate relationships.

Intimacy, he says, is defined as a relationship that provides a strong universal feeling of belonging, familiarity and a close bond. But unfortunately we as Christians sometimes allow ourselves to believe that we can have a relationship with God without these things. He states, “Its crazy how we need the love of Christ to love him back” And even when we are aware of what it takes to share in our relationship with Christ we still separate and often distinguish which characterstics we want to imitate.

Utilizing Revelations 2:2 he shares that sometimes we get so caught up in Holy & Righteous works and Godly activities we forget to spend time with the one for which we serve. Those who don’t know God need people who are Godly and have real relationship with him. All these things, he says, are encompassed in intimacy.

Isaiah then goes back to the ministry of Paul in Philippians 3:4-10 saying that Paul served God ”to death” For us, it is not a literal death but it may be: loving when you don’t want to or sacrificing when that desire is not there. We must come to the point where we love beyond loving and really know our Lord. When we speak of him, we should be able to go into detail so much that the listener is drawn in by the intensity and sincerity in your words.

We surmise through his words that it takes death to our flesh, sacrifice and a true & genuine desire for relationship and intimacy with our God in order to imitate him. Don’t miss out on the greatest love story of your life.

Join us this friday as we share in God’s glory at our first “Worship Experience” at Crossroads Theatre New Brunswick, NJ Service starts at 7pm

Visit crossroadstheatrecompany.org or follow directions below:

Route 18 Travel Advisory
New Jersey Department of Transportation has advised the theaters that a major reconstruction project is planned to improve the stretch of Route 18 between New Brunswick and the Raritan River. If Route 18 is part of your route to the Playhouse, you may wish to check for information about the progress of the project as well as travel advisories on the DOT’s website http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/roads/route18/, to determine if an alternate route into the city or leaving extra travel time is recommended.

By Train
Take New Jersey Transit’s Northeast Corridor line to the New Brunswick train station - GSP is just three blocks away (see parking map). Train fare and schedule information.

By Car
From Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Route 1, Route 18, Route 27, Route 130, Interstate 287

Follow Route 18 North to the New Street Exit (right exit).  Take the exit ramp (New Street) over Route 18 to the first light, which is Neilsen Street.

From that point you can:

• continue straight on New Street, cross over George Street (the next light) and enter the Morris Street Parking Deck (on your left);
• turn right onto Neilsen Street and continue to the Wolfson Parking Deck (which is available after 5pm);
• turn right onto Neilsen Street, go two blocks to Bayard Street.  Cross George Street and proceed to the Cultural Center Parking Lot which is located directly behind the theatre.
• turn right onto Neilsen Street and continue to Church Street.  Make a left for the entrance to the Church Street Deck.  You may also continue on Church Street, cross over George Street and proceed straight to the Ferren Parking Deck.

Please note that the exit for Route 27 South on Route 18 is scheduled for closing beginning July 2007.

For parking, from Neilson Street, you can make a right turn on Church Street, for that deck, or continue on Neilsen for the Wolfson Deck (located between Bayard and Liberty Streets - after 5pm), or turn right onto Bayard Street and cross George Street for the entrance to the Cultural Center lot, located directly behind the theater.

From the Garden State Parkway North
Take the Parkway North to exit 129 to the NJ Turnpike South to exit 9.Take Route 18 directions above.

From the Garden State Parkway South
Take the Parkway South to the NJ Turnpike South to exit 9. Take Route 18 North into New Brunswick, following the directions above.

From the New Jersey Turnpike
Take the Turnpike to exit 9. Bear right out of the toll booth onto Route 18. Take Route 18 North into New Brunswick, following the directions above.

From Route 1 North or South
Take Route 1 to Route 18 North. Take Route 18 North into New Brunswick, following the directions above.

From Route 27 South
Take Route 27 North into downtown New Brunswick and go past the intersection where the train station is located. At the next traffic light, turn right onto George Street. Proceed 4 blocks and turn right onto Livingston Avenue.

From Route 27 North
Take Route 27 South over the Raritan River Bridge. At the second traffic light turn left onto Neilson Street. Proceed 1 block to Church Street and turn right; at the intersection, turn left onto George Street. Go three more blocks and turn right onto Livingston Avenue.

From Route 130 
Take Route 130 North to Route 1 North. Proceed about 2 miles to Route 18 North. Take Route 18 North, following the directions above.

From Interstate 287 North
Take Route 287 North to Route 1 South. Take Route 18 North into New Brunswick, following the directions above.

From Interstate 287 South
Take exit 10 and bear right onto Easton Avenue (follow street signs for New Brunswick). Stay on Easton Avenue approximately 5 miles until it comes to an end in downtown New Brunswick. Turn left onto Albany Street, then make a right at the next traffic light onto George Street. Proceed 4 blocks and turn right onto Livingston Avenue.

                            Hearts were touched as Isaiah Tate delivered a very transparent message questioning Who we as believers are imitating.

Using himself as anexample, Isaiah shares with us his personal struggle with idolizing and imitating other Christian believers. He explains the dangers of following after someone else’s standard of living. He states, “Christians should not be imitating other Christians”

He says that humans are a copy cat of Christ so initially were just continuing a cyle of copying and unoriginality. We tell ourselves things like, “If he or she can do it, I can do it” This line of thinking is how we validate ourselves and our actions good or bad. He states, “the bible says deny thyself and seek ye first the kingdom of God” But how can we do these things if our Kingdom and Identity is wrapped up in and derived from someone else.

Continuing in his transparency, Isaiah explains that his actions and thoughts were like those of one who thought himself a God. He says; in his God-Like thinking he denyed the Lord complete control. “I didn’t want to let my flesh die”…”I wanted to play the Lord’s position” 

He discusses the transformation of Peter & John in Acts 4: 13, two disciples who after being with Jesus walked and talked with a boldness that was undeniable to their people. It doesn’t matter where we’re from or what our past or background is Jesus qualifies us. We only limit ourselves when we chose to be imitators of the world and/or other Christians.

Much like Isaiah in Isaiah 6 we must recognize our uncleanliness and die to our flesh so Christ can recreate us a new. We must give him complete control and make him our standard for living.

Rejoicing in Suffering, delivered by Dwayne Amos supported messages in recent weeks regarding spiritual up-liftment and recognizing who we are and why we’re set apart in Christ. 

Dwayne utilized scripture from Romans 5: 1-5 The text reads as follows:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given it unto us.

After sharing this scripture, Dwayne elaborates on the various levels of suffering, placing spechial emphasis on the differentiation of American suffering versus that of 3rd world nations.

Suffering that leads to perseverance and strength is Pain Pain is weakness leaving your body therefore, pain is suffering leaving the body thus making us stronger. He explains that while strength does come, we must understand how and from whom it is obtained. Strength is received from leaning on Christ. He gives us the will and strength to persevere beyond circumstances.

Dwayne then goes on to discuss Spiritual suffering(soreness) He explains that we are not to be fearful but rejoice for spritual suffering is a sign of growth and maturation.This process is one that we can’t go through alone and we must experience what Dwayne calls the “spiritual weight room.”  Here, God is working us out and building our strength.

On the flip-side of things, this time of processing makes us vulnerable to tricks and sceams of the enemy. Dwayne states, “When you’re weak, the enemy tries to come chill with you.”  Be aware of it.  His plan is to manipulate you into fixing a problem your self, in your own way, on your strength alone. 

But God has a bigger plan and all we need to do is have faith and  Wait on Him.

1 Corinthians 10:15 - His grace towards me IS NOT in vain.

In message 3 entitled ” The Masterpiece”-(You & God) Danny Policano began with a group exercise asking each person to state their names & majors/career goals. As each shared his or her information Danny tallied the most popular career categories on the board and separated the room having each groups members sit together. He then asked us to shout out characteristics of God or who we knew him to be. He explained that the purpose of the exercise was for us to understand how alike we are & remind us that God will use those who are equally yoked together.  

After the activity Danny then went into the word utilizing text from Genesis 1:26 and Ephesians 2:10 In these text, we learn who we are in Christ and how he created us in his likeness and image. We are his workmanship. Danny tells us that this is where our “Masterpiece” comes in. He states, “ The Masterpiece is us” and who God has called us to be. The more we know about him, the more we will know ourselves. And when we are unsure struggling with issues like; our masterpiece not the American Dream, or feeling unable to accomplish our masterpiece on our own, God reminds us through scripture (Psalms 8, 138:8, Phillipians 1:6, Genesis 1) that with him all things are possible and that from the very beginning it was “good”

After establishing who we are & reminding ourselves of God’s promise we have to remember, through contextualization, that in order for anything to be good it has to work according to the way of God. Consistently seek God’s face (through prayer) for direction and get involved and connected with those who will encourage and speak life into you. Commit to believe and obey and he will transform you into his perfect Masterpiece.

In drawing nearer to God and having the right relationship with him we will see a purpose for our lives that transcends the country and culture we live in, and we will see our desperate need for His presence to fulfill that purpose in us. We will discover that our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in church, among the lost and among the poor.”-David Platt Radical Pg 21