Crossroads Community Church

09/01/2026

5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide

Based on "A Love That Surpasses Knowledge" -- Ephesians Week 8: Unity in Christ and Speaking Truth Bombs in Love

Day 2: The Power of Unity
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:25-26; Ephesians 4:4-6

Devotional: Paul paints a vivid picture of what the church is meant to be: one body, animated by one Spirit, anchored in one hope, submitted to one Lord, united in one faith, joined through one baptism, and belonging to one God and Father of all. Seven times the word "one" appears in just three verses. That repetition is not accidental. Paul is driving home a truth that the enemy works tirelessly to destroy: division weakens the body of Christ. The Greek word for division, schisma, means a tear, a crack, a severance. All the enemy needs is a small crack to begin his work of destruction. Consider the redwood trees of California, whose roots intertwine beneath the surface so that when fierce winds blow, they borrow strength from one another. This is the design of the church. We are not meant to stand alone. We are meant to be deeply, invisibly connected -- sharing in one another's suffering and one another's joy. When one member hurts, the whole body feels it. When one member is honored, the whole body rejoices.

Reflection Questions:

Is there a crack of division in any relationship within your church or family that needs to be addressed?

How might you actively contribute to unity rather than passively hoping it will exist on its own?

Practical Application:

Reach out today to someone in your church or community with whom you may have experienced tension or distance. You do not need to resolve everything in one conversation. Simply make contact. A brief message, a phone call, or a kind word can begin the work of closing a crack before it becomes a canyon.

This reading plan is based on the sermon "Unity in Christ and Speaking Truth Bombs in Love" by Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor of Crossroads Community Church, Red Oak, Iowa. For more information visit www.crossroadsredoak.com or call 712-357-1060.

Meets Every Sunday at 9:23am across from the old Dollar General. Please use the north alley entrance. Live stream at 10am on our Facebook.

08/31/2026

5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide

Based on "A Love That Surpasses Knowledge" -- Ephesians Week 8: Unity in Christ and Speaking Truth Bombs in Love

Day 1: Walking Worthy of Your Calling
Reading: Ephesians 4:1-3

Devotional: Every believer has received a divine calling -- not just pastors, missionaries, or ministry leaders, but every person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul, writing from a prison cell, urges us to walk worthy of that calling. Notice that he does not describe this worthy walk in terms of great achievements or public recognition. He describes it in terms of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These are quiet virtues, often unseen by the world, but deeply powerful in the kingdom of God. They are the very character traits of Christ himself. The question worth sitting with today is this: Does the way you carry yourself in ordinary moments -- at home, at work, in traffic, in conversation -- reflect the One who called you by name? Your calling is not reserved for Sunday mornings. It is lived out Monday through Saturday in the small, unremarkable moments of daily life.

Reflection Questions:

In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to walk in humility and gentleness?
What would it look like today to treat your daily responsibilities as an expression of your calling in Christ?

Practical Application: Choose one relationship today -- a family member, coworker, or friend -- and make a deliberate effort to respond to them with patience and gentleness, even if the situation does not seem to require it. At the end of the day, reflect on how that intentional choice affected the interaction.

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*This reading plan is based on the sermon "Unity in Christ and Speaking Truth Bombs in Love" by Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor of Crossroads Community Church, Red Oak, Iowa. For more information, visit www.crossroadsredoak.com or call 712-357-1060.*

Meets Every Sunday at 9:23am across from the old Dollar General. Please use the north alley entrance. Live stream at 10am on our Facebook.

08/30/2026

Subject: Week 8 Recap -- Unity in Christ and Speaking Truth in Love

Dear Crossroads Community Church Family,

What a powerful morning of worship and the Word we shared together. If you were with us on Sunday, we pray this recap serves as a reminder of what God spoke to your heart. If you missed the service, we are glad you are here, and we trust this summary will be a blessing to you.

Summary: The sermon explored the eighth week of our series "A Love That Surpasses Knowledge," a study through the book of Ephesians. Pastor Ricky walked us through Ephesians 4:1-16, unpacking two overarching themes: unity in the body of Christ and the practice of speaking the truth in love. Drawing from the writings of the Apostle Paul, we examined what it means to walk worthy of the calling we have received, how division weakens the body while unity strengthens it, and how speaking honestly with gentleness and compassion builds up individuals, families, and the church as a whole. These principles are not reserved for those in ministry -- they are a divine invitation extended to every believer, in every season of life, in every vocation.

Takeaways:

- Unity is not optional -- it is essential. Division creates tears, cracks, and gaps that the enemy uses to weaken the body of Christ. Just as every part of the physical body matters, every member of the church matters. When one member suffers, all suffer. When one member is honored, all rejoice. We are called to pursue oneness with the same urgency and intentionality that Paul urges in Ephesians 4:3, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

- Your calling is not confined to a title or a platform. Whether you are a teacher, a homemaker, a business owner, or a garbage collector, your high calling is to live with complete humility, gentleness, patience, and love in bearing with others. God has equipped every believer with gifts and grace for the building up of the body of Christ. You do not need a pulpit to fulfill your calling -- you need a surrendered heart.

- Speaking the truth in love is a way of life, not a one-time event. Truth without love wounds. Love without truth enables. But when we speak honestly and compassionately, we avoid misunderstandings, resentments, gossip, and superficial relationships, and we build trust, integrity, and Godly influence. As Pastor Ricky reminded us, Jesus spoke truth bombs often, and they were always in the loving best interest of the other person. We are called to do the same.

As we step into the week ahead, we encourage you to reflect on the words of Jesus in John 17, where he prays not only for his disciples but for all who would believe through their word -- that they all may be one. That prayer was prayed for you. Live in a way that honors it.

If you have questions about Sunday's message, would like to connect with our church, or are in need of prayer, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.

In Christ and with love,

Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr.
Founding Pastor, Crossroads Community Church
303 East Oak Street, Red Oak, Iowa
Phone: 712-357-1060
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.crossroadsredoak.com
Sunday Worship: 9:23 a.m.

Meets Every Sunday at 9:23am across from the old Dollar General. Please use the north alley entrance. Live stream at 10am on our Facebook.

08/30/2026

SERMON NOTES 8.30.206

08/30/2026

Unity in Christ

08/30/2026

We would love to see you tomorrow at church! Celebration Services kick off at 9:23 a.m., with Kids Church too. Come in through the north alley entrance. 303 East Oak Street. Enjoy the video, but seriously, what are you waiting for? This is your invitation. See you tomorrow!

08/28/2026

A Love That Surpasses Knowledge: Rooted and Established in Love

A 5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide
Based on Ephesians 3:14-21 and Supporting Scriptures

Day 5: Immeasurably More -- Living From a Rooted Love
Reading: Ephesians 3:20-21; Luke 6:38; Psalms 136:1-3

Devotional:

God does not answer prayer reluctantly. He answers wanting to give you as much of Himself as you are willing to receive by faith. The imagery Jesus uses in Luke 6:38 comes from ancient grain markets -- a measure that is filled, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. That is how God gives. That is the economy of His kingdom. When you are rooted in His love, you give generously from that love, and He returns to you in the same measure -- overflowing. A church rooted in love does not just survive; it thrives. It does not just get by; it overwhelmingly conquers. The God who created the universe will not fit inside any box you build for Him. He is immeasurably more.

Personal Reflection:

Where have you placed limits on what you expect God to do -- in your life, your family, your church, or your community? What would it look like to remove those limits and pray with the expectation that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or think?

Practical Application:

Write down one request you have been afraid to bring to God because it seemed too large or too unlikely. Bring it to Him today with specific faith. Then identify one area where you can give generously this week -- in time, finances, service, or encouragement -- trusting that God's principle of reciprocity is real and that He delights in giving good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

This reading plan is based on the sermon "Rooted and Established in Love" from the series A Love That Surpasses Knowledge, preached by Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig Sr. at Crossroads Community Church, Red Oak, Iowa. For more information, visit www.crossroadsredoak.com or call 712-357-1060.

Meets Every Sunday at 9:23am across from the old Dollar General. Please use the north alley entrance. Live stream at 10am on our Facebook.

08/27/2026

A Love That Surpasses Knowledge: Rooted and Established in Love - Pastor Ricky A. Rohrig, Founding Pastor

A 5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide
Based on Ephesians 3:14-21 and Supporting Scriptures

Day 4: The Fullness of God and the Power Within You
Reading: Ephesians 3:16-17, 19-20; Colossians 2:9-10; Galatians 5:16

Devotional:

Paul prays for believers to be strengthened in their inner being by the Holy Spirit and for Christ to dwell—literally, to be at home—in their hearts. The Greek word for dwell implies full access, not a polite visit. Christ wants access to every room, including the cluttered and hidden ones. When He is fully at home, you are complete. Colossians says that in Christ, all the fullness of God dwells bodily, and in union with Him, you are complete. You are not lacking. The vacuum that drives people toward substitutes -- achievement, approval, pleasure -- has already been filled. God is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine according to His power already at work within you.

Personal Reflection:

Are there rooms in your heart where Christ has not been given full access -- areas of shame, habit, ambition, or fear that you have kept closed? What would it mean to unlock those rooms and allow Him to be fully at home?

Practical Application:

Write down one area of your life you have kept from full surrender. It may be a relationship, a financial habit, an unresolved offense, or a secret fear. Pray a specific prayer today inviting Christ to enter that room and make Himself at home. Then take one concrete step of obedience in that area before the day ends.

08/26/2026

A Love That Surpasses Knowledge
A 5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide
Based on Ephesians 3:14-21 and Supporting Scriptures

Day 3: The Dimensions of a Love That Cannot Be Measured
Reading: Ephesians 3:18-19; Psalms 103:11; Psalms 139:8; Romans 8:38-39

Devotional:

Paul prays that believers would comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of God's love -- and then immediately acknowledges that this love surpasses knowledge. It is a love that cannot be fully reasoned through or fully articulated. It is as high as the heavens above the earth -- scientists estimate that distance at 46.5 billion light-years. It is as wide as the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross, reaching every person who has ever lived. It descends to the lowest depths of despair and failure. And it endures forever. Nothing -- not death, not spiritual powers, not past or future -- can separate you from it.

Personal Reflection:

Which dimension of God's love do you find most difficult to personally receive -- His height (greatness beyond your sin), His width (reaching even you), His depth (present in your lowest moments), or His length (enduring forever)? Why might that dimension feel distant?

Practical Application:

Spend ten minutes in silence today, not asking God for anything. Simply allow yourself to receive His love in the dimension you identified above. If you struggle with His depth, sit with Psalm 139:8. If you struggle with His length, read slowly through Psalm 136:1-3, noting that His love endures forever is repeated 26 times.

08/25/2026

A Love That Surpasses Knowledge
A 5-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional Guide
Based on Ephesians 3:14-21 and Supporting Scriptures

Day 2: Rooted and Established -- The Danger of Being Puffed Up
Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Ephesians 3:14-17

Devotional:

A bag of potato chips appears full, but it is mostly air. Knowledge, tradition, programs, doctrine, and even moral living can create the same illusion -- the appearance of spiritual fullness without the substance of love. Paul is direct: knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. He goes further in 1 Corinthians 13, insisting that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and sacrificial acts amount to nothing. The church -- and the individual believer -- must ask an honest question: Are we built up in love, or merely puffed up with the appearance of godliness?

Personal Reflection:

Which of the following might you be more rooted in than in God's love: tradition, theology, church activity, political conviction, personal morality, or the opinions of others? What would it look like for love to become the root rather than the fruit of those things?

Practical Application:

Choose one area of your spiritual life -- a habit, a conviction, a ministry involvement -- and examine whether love is its foundation. Write down one concrete way you can reorient that area around God's self-giving love rather than personal pride, comfort, or routine.