Cross Point Church Podcast

Have you ever felt the tension of wanting to do what’s right… but also wanting to be accepted? In Mark 15:1–15, we see Pontius Pilate caught in that exact struggle. Faced with the truth about Jesus, Pilate chooses to please the crowd instead; releasing a guilty man and sending an innocent Savior to the cross. In week 44 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Dustin Aagaard walks through this powerful moment and exposes a question we all have to answer: will we live for the approval of people, or in surrender to Jesus? Jesus had done nothing wrong, He willingly took our place, because we could never save ourselves. His sacrifice invites us into a different way of living: one where faith is greater than fear, and obedience matters more than approval. Following Jesus doesn’t always feel easy, but it leads to a deeper peace than people-pleasing ever could. So where are you still trying to gain approval instead of trusting Him? And what would it look like to fully depend on Jesus in that area of your life? – – – If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs it. Join us at a Cross Point location across Middle Tennessee this weekend: https://crosspoint.tv/locations

Have you ever felt the sting of betrayal or the weight of loneliness? In Mark 14:43–72, we see some of the most painful moments in Jesus’ final hours. Judas betrays Him with a kiss, Peter denies even knowing Him, and the rest of the disciples scatter. Yet even in the face of betrayal, abandonment, and false accusations, Jesus responds with grace, courage, and unwavering love. In week 43 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Kevin Queen walks through this powerful passage to show how Jesus understands our deepest pain. Before He carried the weight of the world’s sin to the cross, He carried the grief of being abandoned by the people closest to Him. And still, His love never wavered. This message challenges us with an important question: What is worth suffering for? When we make Jesus our primary passion, even the pain and failure we experience can be used for God’s purpose. The same Jesus who stood alone in the garden also restored the disciples, and continues to restore hearts today. – – – – – – –  What stood out to you from this passage in Mark? Share your thoughts in the comments. Everyone’s Welcome at Cross Point – to experience our church in person, find a campus near you: crosspoint.tv/locations

When life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, what do we do with the disappointment? It’s easy to become bitter, discouraged, or even begin to question God. But what if disappointment isn’t the end of the story? In Mark 14:26–42, Pastor Dustin Aagaard walks through Jesus’ moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, where even Jesus experienced deep sorrow and disappointment. His closest friends fell asleep when He asked them to pray, and the weight of what was ahead pressed heavily on Him. Yet in that moment, Jesus models something powerful: honesty with the Father, closeness to God in the middle of pain, and radical surrender to God’s will. Disappointment doesn’t have to define you. Instead, it can become a signal that draws you closer to God. When we bring our hurt, questions, and unmet expectations to the Father, He can transform disappointment into deeper faith, stronger trust, and lasting hope.

What if one of the most common questions about Christianity is also one of the most misunderstood? In Mark 14:12–25, we step into one of the most significant nights in history; a private dinner that changed everything. What Jesus said and did in that room still shapes millions of lives today.  In this message we will discover that Baptism is not about earning salvation. It’s about obedience. We will be encouraged to build our faith on surrender, rather than technicalities and we will learn that Jesus doesn’t just forgive our sin, He gives us a brand new identity. This message tackles the tension many of us quietly wrestle with; that gap between belief and obedience. Between cultural Christianity and real surrender. Between technicalities… and transformation. Pastor Kevin Queen helps us see that this isn’t about two ancient rituals, it’s a question of whether we are building our faith on loopholes, or trust. – – – – – – To learn more about baptism or take your next step: crosspoint.tv/baptism. If this message encouraged you, let us know in the comments, share it with someone, and subscribe for more messages!  Join us at Cross Point in Middle Tennessee. Find a campus near you: crosspoint.tv/locations 

In week 40 of our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Laurel Bunker walks us through Mark 14:1–11 and the powerful story of a woman who boldly poured out her most valuable possession at the feet of Jesus. While others criticized her, Jesus honored her. What looked wasteful to some was beautiful worship to Him. How are you worshipping Jesus? Are you holding anything back or are you willing to pour it all out for Him? God is still calling His people to bold devotion. Following Jesus will not always make sense to the crowd. It may cost you comfort, reputation, or control. But when loving God, serving others, and sharing Jesus are non-negotiable; bold obedience becomes our response. – – – – – – – – If this message encouraged you, let us know in the comments, share it with someone, and subscribe for more messages!

Wars. Disasters. Politics. Cultural instability. When the world feels unpredictable, it’s easy to feel anxious, distracted, or spiritually unprepared. In Week 39 of our yearlong journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Kevin walks through Mark 13, where Jesus speaks directly into this tension. While no one knows the timing of His return, Jesus makes one thing clear: we don’t have to live in fear. We are called to stay awake, stay ready, and stay on mission. This message invites us to examine how we’re living today. Are we drifting into distraction? Are we spiritually asleep? Or are we alert, anchored, and actively participating in what God is doing in the world? When the future feels unclear, Jesus gives us clarity on how to live right now. Tune in, take notes, and lean in as we consider what it means to live faithfully in uncertain times. – – – – – – For more info and resources on this series, visit crosspoint.tv/mark. If this message encouraged you, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

In week 38 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Kevin Queen teaches from Mark 12:35–44 and invites us to reflect on a powerful question: How are we magnifying Jesus with our lives? We’re all focused on something; our worries, our pain, our success, our opinions, or our hopes for the future. And what we focus on is what we magnify. In this message, we see how Jesus calls us to lift our focus, get out of the way, and live lives that reflect Him so others can clearly see His grace, love, and truth. Through real stories and Jesus’ teaching in the temple, we’re challenged to examine what has our attention, our hearts, and our resources: and to consider whether our lives are pointing people toward Christ. – – – – – – – – –  If this message encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs it and subscribing for more messages as we continue through the Gospel of Mark.

When was the last time you audited your own heart? As we enter the Awaken season, this message invites us to pause and take stock of where we’re at. When life gets heavy, it reveals what we’re truly plugged into. What we love, trust, and run to in moments of pressure often exposes the condition of our hearts. In Mark 12:28–34, Jesus names the greatest commandment: to love God with our whole lives and to love others as ourselves. These two are inseparable. How we love God is always reflected in how we love people – even when we don’t agree with them. In week 37 of our Gospel of Mark series, Pastor Kevin Queen challenges us to examine what may be competing for our devotion.  This message isn’t about trying harder, it’s about getting honest, repenting where needed, and returning to wholehearted love for God and others. – – – – – – – For more info and resources on this series, visit crosspoint.tv/mark.If this message encouraged you, take a moment to let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe to this channel, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

We all reach moments where avoiding the question is no longer an option. In Mark 12, Jesus tells a parable that forces one unavoidable decision into the open: What are we going to do about Him? In week 35 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor James Savage breaks down the parable of the tenants and exposes a tension we all live with – the desire to control our own lives. This message challenges us to steward the gifts God has given us for His glory. It also might make us rethink all we understand about ownership and control.  Tune in, take notes, and reflect on what it looks like to live with open hands and a surrendered heart. Rejecting Jesus does not change who He is. Jesus is Lord. The only question is whether He is OUR Lord. – – – – – – – – – For more info and resources on this series, visit crosspoint.tv/mark. If this message encouraged you, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

When prayer fades, something else quietly takes its place. Over time, faith can drift, relationships can strain, and hearts can grow cluttered without us even noticing. In week 34 of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Kevin Queen walks through Mark 11:12–25 and shows how Jesus confronts spiritual entropy; both in the temple and in our own lives. This passage reveals how prayer is not a religious accessory but the way God restores intimacy, renews purpose, and realigns what has slowly drifted out of order. As Jesus teaches His disciples, un-forgiveness affects every relationship we hold – including our relationship with God. A prayerless life eventually shows up in how we live, love, and trust. But the good news is that entropy is not the end of the story. Through prayer, trust, and forgiveness, Jesus brings renewal. Tune in, take notes, and reflect as we learn how Jesus interrupts entropy and invites us back into connection with the Father. – – – – – – – – – – – –  For more info and resources on this series, visit crosspoint.tv/mark. If this message encouraged you, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.