“This man receives sinners and eats with them!”
The Pharisees had a special knack for condemning themselves by their own words; and here in Luke 15:2, they do exactly that! But,what they say here about Jesus is the heart and soul of CrossWind. It is also seen in Jesus’ final words to His followers in Acts 1:8 where He spoke of a place called Samaria – a place in which no self-respecting Jew would set foot. So, too, is it Paul’s heart-felt testimony that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” (cf. I Tim 1:15) even the biggest one of all!
CrossWind is an itinerant Christian ministry to the biker culture that also goes into local churches proclaiming the biblical truth that Christ’s love is directed toward sinners of every type. Thus, God’s people are exhorted to take the Gospel of God’s grace to all in our society. The biblical foundation for this ministry is seen in Luke 14:23 and Matthew 9:10-13, respectively:
The master said, “Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full.”
Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers, “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: “I’m after mercy, not religion.” I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
The interesting thing about the first passage is that it seems as if the most degraded have already entered the room. Yet Jesus says that there is another class of sinners that needs to be invited – a group even more despicable. Such great sin is a sickness of the soul – “a deforming, weakening, disquieting, wasting, killing” disease.
The good news is that, though grave, the illness is not incurable. Christ Jesus is the Great Physician – the Healer of the sin-sick soul! And these two passages remind us of the “exceeding love and compassion of God toward sinners. His longsuffering is inexhaustible. . .His pity for the lost is no imaginary thing. . .He is infinitely willing to save souls.”
So, CrossWind wants to invite even the “chief of sinners” to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. To do this, CrossWind seeks to prepare local congregations for the work of evangelism.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
~How does CrossWind accomplish its mission?
CrossWind goes both to the streets to actively share the love of Christ as well as to into local congregations to teach and prepare God’s people to do the same. The presentations include: a biblical study on the need to go to those in the biker culture, a series on “the core, compass, cost, and culmination of evangelism,” a story-telling time using Bible narratives, as well as other presentations such as “The Fall or Man,” “The Man of God,” “Origins,” “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ,” and “The Beatiudes” seminars.
~With so many other evangelistic ministries out there, why does CrossWind exist?
The why is simple: to fulfill the Great Commission (cf. Mt 28:19-20 and Ac 1:8). And, to respond to the initial part of the question, while many are ministeringat “Jerusalem, Judea,” and even “to the uttermost parts of the earth,” there is also a need to go to “Samaria” – such are the “disenfranchised” of our society. They may be, as the Samaritans were, great sinners; but these men and women are really just like us – they need the Lord, too! CrossWind desires that God’s people acknowledge a need to go, prepare to go, and then go!
~Where did you get the name CrossWind?
In the biker’s world, one of the worst experiences to be encountered is a strong crosswind and especially if that crosswind hits suddenly and without warning. So, too, in the world where the Gospel needs to be shared, there are those who many see as unsaveable – the “worst of sinners” who are the crosswinds in evangelism. Yet, it is to them that our Lord instructs us to go. How can the most wretched of sinners be saved? Is it not by the Cross of Christ and by the Wind of the Spirit – i.e., is it not the blood of the Savior that forgives great sinners and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that grants new life to them? Thus, there is a double meaning in our name.
~What would it cost for CrossWind to come and minister to my church or group?
CrossWind does not require a fee or even a love offering – it is without cost. God’s provision is continual and sufficient. If the congregation feels that a love offering is God’s Will and appropriate, the entire amount will be used in the ministry.
~How do I get in touch with CrossWind?
Check out the “Contact” page.
Copyright (c) 2006 CrossWind Ministry
