Trusting God as a Lifestyle

It is easy in our information age to make worry and anxiety our default setting... almost a lifestyle. But God calls us to make trusting Him our lifestyle. So Psalm 37 encourages trust, delight, commit, and rest. Quite a pleasant lifestyle!

Psalm 37
1 Peter 5:7
Song of Solomon 2:15
Philippians 4:6-7
Luke 12:22-23

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What are the main themes of this Psalm concerning:
  1. The upright person?
  2. The wicked?
• What are the root meanings of trust, delight, commit, and rest in this Psalm?
• Why should we chase out the foxes?
• Why is trust the ultimate honor?
• How can we make trust a lifestyle?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Holding Salvation in His Arms

Jesus warned us not to rest on a shaky foundation. There are many shaky foundations that people build their religion on that utterly fail when most needed. That's why it's important to remember that Salvation is a Person. And He will never fail!!

Luke 2:21-38
Philippians 1:21,1:23,1:1,1:18,2:21,4:13
1 John 2:1-2
Hebrews 4:14-16
Acts 7:56,7:59
Matthew 25:34

The belief of the testimony, or record, concerning the Son of God, our Saviour, is the porch of the building, through which we pass into the audience-chamber and meet the Living Inhabitant, full of light, and life, and love. Andrew Bonar The Gospel Pointing to the Person of Christ

Faith is not so much a disposition of the mind toward the truth, as a disposition of the heart toward Christ, produced by means of the truth. Sievewright

The faith which is most blessed is faith which deals most fully with the Person of Jesus Christ. The truest repentance is that which weeps at the sight of His wounds and the love which is most sweet is love to the adorable Person of the Well-Beloved. I look upon the Doctrines of Grace as my Lord's garments and they smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia. I look upon His precepts as His scepter and it is a rod tipped with silver. And I delight to touch it and find comfort in its power. I look upon the Gospel ordinances as the Throne upon which He sits and I delight in that Throne of ivory overlaid with pure gold. But oh, His Person is sweeter than His garments, dearer than His scepter, more glorious than His Throne! He, Himself, is altogether lovely, and to love HIM is the very heart's core of true religion! Charles Spurgeon Number 1281

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What are some of the shaky foundations people build their religion on?
• What does it mean that Salvation is a Person?
• In what ways is having a faith in the person of Christ important in terms of sin, trials, death, and the final Day?
• How can we nurture a love for Christ?
• How does He divide?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The King and Hope

Jesus is King, the rightful King, the forever King and the King who restores. He will have no rivals... who is your King? Are you your King?

Matthew 2:1-19
Isaiah 9:6-7
Micah 5:2
Zechariah 9:9
Genesis 49:9-10
Daniel 7:13-14
1 John 5:19,3:8,
John 12:31
Revelation 11:15,19:11-16
Philippians 2:9-10,3:20-21
Titus 2:11-14
Romans 8:18-19,8:23
Psalm 2

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes, and lift them high:
Thou cam'st a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

O son of man, to right my lot
Nought but thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea thy sail!

My fancied ways why shouldst thou heed?
Thou com'st down thine own secret stair:
Com'st down to answer all my need,
Yea, every bygone prayer!
George MacDonald That Holy Thing

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that the Baby is a King?
• What does it mean to be a King?
• What did He come to do?
• Why is He the rightful King?
• What did He restore?
• What is the proper (the Wise Men) and the improper (Herod) response to the King?
• What is your response to Him?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Reconciled to God...or... How to Experience Angel Joy!

God reconciled His enemies through the death of His Son. This amazing response to His enemies, at such an amazing cost is seen in the Angel's joy as they announced it. Do you have Angel joy?

Luke 1:26-38,2:8-20
2 Corinthians 5:18-21,4:18
Romans 5:5-11,8:7,1:30,8:31-32,5:1,8:1,10:17
Colossians 1:21-22
Isaiah 59:2

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How do your enemies treat you?
• How do you treat them?
• Who are God's enemies?
• How does God treat His enemies?
• What is reconciliation?
• Why would God go to such great lengths to be reconciled to His enemies?
• What effect should all of this have on us?
• Do you have angel joy?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: The Substance is Christ

The devil loves religion and encourages it. If it will take us away from Christ. This is Paul's warning to the Colossians and to us today.

Colossians 1:13-19,2:6-3:5,3:12
Hebrews 10:1
Galatians 5:1,5:3

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why does the Devil love religion?
• What kinds of religions did Paul warn the Colossians about?
• What is so dangerous about those types of religion?
• Why is it so key to be rooted in Christ?
• What dangers, like these Paul warned about, do we face today?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Facing Fear

While we would face death with anxiety and fear, Jesus sees glory. Where we would be self-concerned, Jesus compassionately prepares His disciples for His departure. As we would turn in on our own mourning, Jesus turns His disciples towards a new commandment: loving one another.

John 13:31-35

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: The Paradoxical Victory of the Cross

What appears to be Christ's greatest defeat... is actually His greatest victory and our victory too!! Paul is describing the victory scene to the Colossians.

Ephesians 1:18-2:10,6:10-20
Colossians 2:9-15,1:16,1:13-14,3:9
1 John 5:18
Genesis 3
1 Peter 5:8-9
James 4:7
Romans 6:6,6:11-12,8:12-13,8:3,16:19-20
John 6:37

These powers, angry at his challenge to their sovereignty, stripped him naked, held him up to public contempt, and celebrated a triumph over him. In one of his most dramatic statements of the paradox of the cross, and one moreover which shows in what physical detail Paul could envisage the horrible death Jesus had died, he declares that, on the contrary, on the cross God was stripping them naked, was holding them to public contempt, and leading them in his own triumphal procession - in Christ, the crucified Messiah. When the 'powers' had done their worst, crucifying the lord of glory incognito on the charge of blasphemy and rebellion, they have overreached themselves. He, neither blasphemer nor rebel, was in fact their rightful sovereign. They thereby exposed themselves for what they were - usurpers of the authority which was properly his. The cross therefore becomes the source of hope for all who had been held captive under their rule, enslaved in fear and mutual suspicion. Christ breaks the last hold that the 'powers' had over his people, by dying on their behalf. N.T. Wright Colossians and Philemon

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Who are the principalities and powers?
• How do they impact the world?
• Can we break free?
• How are we delivered?
• How did God turn the tables on the principalities upon the cross?
• How was Jesus' greatest defeat His greatest victory?
• What are the implications of all of this for us today?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Paid in Full

When a debt is paid off the bill may be stamped Paid in Full, or even a mortgage may be burned. In Colossians Paul writes of a handwritten debt being nailed to the cross. A dramatic word image of what Jesus did for us.

Colossians 2,1:15-19
Proverbs 11:15,17:18
Acts 12:23
Hebrews 10:31,8:12,7:22
Psalm 103:12

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How in debt are we before God?
• How serious is that debt?
• Why is it so difficult to take on someone else's debt?
• Why is our salvation like burning a mortgage?
• What specific encouragements were we given so as to not desecrate the cross and what God has done through Christ?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

True Greatness!

We live in a Celebrity Saturated Age. We (as a culture) love celebrities, and wish we could be one. We try, on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, to get that chance to go viral. Most all of us fail to reach the allusive status. Woe are we... the losers in the celebrity lottery, never to be great. But then, Jesus comes along and so radically redefines what greatness is that He calls us to completely change the way we think. And, He gives us a true shot at greatness in the sight of God!!! What is True Greatness? This will be our study. It will be both challenging but also powerfully liberating!!!

Matthew 20

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: You Have the Upper Hand

Why does knowing that in Christ you died to the reign of sin give you an Upper Hand in your war against your personal remaining sin? Let's let Paul tell us from Colossians.

Colossians 2:11-13
Romans 5:14-6:12,8:3-4,6:16,8:8-9,8:12-13
1 Corinthians 1:14-17
2 Corinthians 5:14

...to recognize a broadly attested New Testament theological concept dubbed by James Dunn "conversion-initiation." The New Testament connects our coming to Christ (being converted and initiated into the new covenant community) to faith, to repentance, to the gift of the Spirit, and to water baptism, in various combinations. Any of these, in a kind of metonymy, could be used to connote the whole experience – implying, of course, in each instant, the presence of all of the others. Water baptism, then, as a critical New Testament rite intimately connected to our conversion experience, could be used as shorthand for the whole experience. But it is also striking that it is just in the two most important Pauline passages about our being buried "with Christ" that baptism is brought into the picture in this way (when it is not frequently referred to elsewhere in Paul in this fashion). This may indeed suggest additionally, that early Christians associated the waters of baptism with Christ's burial. Douglas J. Moo The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that the believer was crucified, buried and risen with Christ?
• When did this happen to the believer?
• How does this change our relationship with sin as a power and a reign?
• What are the practical implications of this in my battle with remaining sin?
• What am I supposed to reckon?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

United in Christ

What does it mean for us to be united in Christ? Especially as a corporate church body? Christ breaks down the barrier that separates us, no matter if the division is race, gender, wealth, power, or religion.

Ephesians 2,1:3-7,1:11
Romans 9:4-5

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: The Finish, but Not the End

As we finish our study of the book of Acts, the book concludes with Paul's ministry in Rome, but the mission continues today through God's people. Paul had hoped one day to find himself in Rome as a missionary, instead he finds himself imprisoned. This did not hinder Paul from teaching and preaching. Just as Paul was used by God to proclaim the salvation message, so we, regardless of roadblocks and detours in life, can be used mightily as His ambassadors. Nothing can stop the message of salvation from going forward!

Acts 28

Jonathan Powell
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Circumcision of the Heart

In Colossians, Paul takes up the Old Testament call for Heart Circumcision and shows it's New Covenant fulfillment; encouraging us all in our battle against remaining sin.

2 Corinthians 3
Colossians 2:16-17,2:9-11,3:1-12
Deuteronomy 10:12-11:1,30:6
Jeremiah 4:3-4
Acts 15:1,15:24
Romans 2:25-29,6:6,6:11-12,8:13
Philippians 3:2-3
Galatians 5:24,5:6,6:15
1 Corinthians 7:19
Colossians 2:11

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does circumcision of the Heart mean?
• How is this tied in with Christ as the second Adam?
• How does this impact a person's life?
• How does it make them different than someone who is not circumcised of the heart?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: A Dangerous Journey

It is not unusual when folks think (and reasonably so) they are doing God's will. Then when things get hard or don't go as they expected or unforeseen challenges arise, they despair and think that they have misunderstood God's will. They think God's will in their life will always go smoothly. For the Apostle Paul... nothing could seem further from the truth at times. In Acts we will witness a clear call from God to journey to Rome turn into what we would call a nightmare. With setbacks, trials, disasters... even a bite by a poisonous snake. Yet, Paul never questions whether he is in God's will. We have much to learn from such a man!!

Acts 27-28

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Heart Religion

As we continue with our study of Colossians, we need to lay the foundation for the next section. Christianity is Heart Religion. It involves a pervasive transformation. That begins with the salvation brought about by the Second Adam.

Romans 5:12-21
Colossians 2:6-23
2 Corinthians 5:14
1 Corinthians 15:20-22,15:44-49
Ephesians 2:3,5:22-33

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why should we not simplify the concept of salvation?
• What is Heart Religion?
• What is the alternative?
• How did the first Adam mess everything up?
• What does it mean that he was a Corporate Head?
• How can his mess be fixed?
• How did the Second/Last Adam fix it?
• How can I benefit from this?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

While Surrounded by Meanness and Ugliness, How Not to Become Mean and Ugly

In a world of such political, personal, and many other animosities, we can be surrounded by meanness and ugliness... the Bible speaks powerfully into this so that we do not become mean and ugly ourselves. But rather we are powerful agents of change and redemption.

Titus 2:11-3:11
1 Timothy 2:2
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
Matthew 5:16,6:3
2 Corinthians 10:1
Galatians 5:23
Ephesians 4:2
1 Timothy 6:11
2 Timothy 2:25
1 Peter 3:5
Matthew 5:5,11:29,21:5

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How are we surrounded by meanness and ugliness?
• How do we tend to be affected by this?
• How are we supposed to respond?
• What are the reasons the Bible gives as to why we should respond this way?
• This is really hard... what help and hope does God give?
• What were the practical suggestions made in the sermon?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Complete in Christ

Paul states it quite plainly and powerfully in Colossians: all of the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ... so when we are in Christ we have all we ever need... ever and forever!!"

Colossians 2:1-10,1:27-28,1:19
John 3:34,20:28-29,1:1,8:58,10:30-33,14:9,1:16
Romans 9:5
Titus 2:13
Ephesians 1:22-23
1 Corinthians 1:30

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus?
• What does it mean that we have complete fullness when we are in Him?
• What are some of the cheap (false) substitutes offered today?
• How does being in Christ answer these?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Knowing That What We Know is Truly True

Even if we didn't know there is a word for it, epistemology, we all have a theory about deciding what is the truth. And how do we arrive at that truth? There are several ways, depending on the circumstance. We will look at some sufficient means of knowing the truth about Jesus and some that are not.

Luke 24:13-35,24:3,6:46
John 20:11-16,21:1-7
James 2:19
Matthew 11:25-27,13:10-11,16:13-20,17:1-5,27:54
1 Corinthians 2:14,12:3
Hebrews 2:14-17
Romans 4:25,1:3-4
1 John 4:2-3

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Read Luke 24:13-35. Cleopas asks the stranger, "Do you not know these things?" What things does he mean?
• What is epistemology?
• Explain why physical senses alone are not sufficient for knowing the truth about Jesus. Give an example from Scripture that demonstrates this truth.
• Why are facts and Bible study insufficient for knowing the truth about Jesus?
• What is the one infallible way of knowing the truth about Jesus and the resurrection? Consider whether this is the basis for your epistemology.
• Why is it important for us to understand that Jesus came in the flesh?
• Despite the testimonies of Simon Peter, God the Father at Jesus' transfiguration, and the centurion at the cross, the disciples still did not grasp that Jesus is God's unique Son. What had to happen so that they could understand this truth?
• Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement: Jesus can be a person's Savior, yet not his Lord.

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Walking in Him

Paul tells the Colossians, and is ultimately telling us, to walk in Christ and explains this by being rooted, built up, established, and thankful... we will explore these two verses which are a great summary of what a Christian's life is to be about!

John 15:1-8
Colossians 1:24-2:7

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean to walk in Jesus?
• What does it mean to be rooted in Him?
• What does it mean to be built up in Him?
• What does it mean to be established in the faith?
• Why is thanksgiving a quality control?
• How can we do these things?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Christ - The Wisdom of God

The Bible in Colossians says Christ is the Wisdom of God. Knowing Him makes us rich because this wisdom answers the big questions of life.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Colossians 1:24-2:5,1:9,4:12,4:16,4:7-9,3:14
2 Corinthians 11:28-29
1 Peter 3:15

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How did Paul live out his striving for the churches?
• What is the Christians wealth in this text?
• What are the big questions and some of the answers offered today?
• How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
• How does He answer the big questions?
• How does that make us rich?
• What is our calling to those who do not have Christ?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Everyone Mature/Complete

Paul labored hard to present each believer mature and complete. In this sermon from Colossians we will be challenged to grow to full maturity in Christ by God's power.

Colossians 1:9-29
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Hebrews 5:12-14
Ephesians 1:18-20,3:16-18
Philippians 4:13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What is God's goal for every believer according to this passage?
• How did Paul go about helping the believers to get there?
• Is God's power at work in believers?
• How do we know?
• What was the challenge given to us today, and how should we go about maturing in this area?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Heaven and Beyond!

Heaven is a glorious paradise where we dwell in the presence of God, but that is not the final goal in God's plan of redemption. The final goal is a New Heavens and a New Earth where we dwell in glorified resurrected bodies! All human aspirations and dreams are wonderfully fulfilled... it's what we are hard wired for and it is forever!!

Isaiah 11:6-9,65:17,66:22-23
Revelation 21:1-8,22:1-5,5:9-10
2 Corinthians 12:1-4,5:6-8
Romans 8:17-25
Philippians 1:21,3:20-21
Luke 23:43,23:46
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5
Ephesians 1:10
1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What happens to a Christian immediately after they die?
• What is the New Heavens and New Earth?
• How is this related to the present Earth?
• What will it be like?
• What are the implications for the fact that the reign of sin will be over?
• How should all of this affect Christians right now?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Our Final Victory

There is no denying that Jesus died. But His death was not final! It isn't the end of the story. Ultimately He has power over death. Death is dead! And we can share in celebrating this victory.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58,15:26
Genesis 2:8-9,2:15-17,3:17-19,5:1-32
Revelation 20:11-15,21:8,1:18,2:11,20:6
2 Timothy 1:10
Hebrews 2:14-15,9:27
Romans 8:38-39,6:23,6:3-10,4:25,5:10
John 11:25,19:30,5:24,8:51
Matthew 27:50
Mark 15:37
Luke 25:46,16:23-24
Jeremiah 9:21
Ecclesiastes 7:2
Ephesians 2:1-2,2:5
Acts 2:24
Psalm 116:15
Galatians 3:13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Why does the apostle Paul say in this passage that God gives us victory over death when we all will still die, just as Jesus died?
• What does Genesis 3:17-19 teach us about death?
• What are the two types of death? Describe what each one means.
• What is the second death described in Revelation 20:11-15? Who will experience it?
• What good news do 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14-15, and Romans 8:38-39 give us about death?
• Read John 11:25. How can it be that we may die, yet live?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Holiness and (Is) Happiness

Heaven is a holy place; have you even considered that Holiness is Happiness and the sheer pleasure of living where there is no sin?

Isaiah 6:1-7
Psalm 11
Revelation 21:27,6:11
2 Corinthians 5:21
Philippians 3:8-9
Colossians 3:10
1 John 3:1-3
Hebrews 12:22-24
Ephesians 1:4

Perfect tranquillity and joy in heaven. — Charity, or holy and humble Christian love, is a principle of wonderful power to give ineffable quietness and tranquillity to the soul. It banishes all disturbance, and sweetly composes and brings rest to the spirit, and makes all divinely calm and sweet and happy. In that soul where divine love reigns and is in lively exercise, nothing can cause a storm, or even gather threatening clouds.

There are many principles contrary to love, that make this world like a tempestuous sea. Selfishness, and envy, and revenge, and jealousy, and kindred passions keep life on earth in a constant tumult, and make it a scene of confusion and uproar, where no quiet rest is to be enjoyed except in renouncing this world and looking to another. But oh! what rest is there in that world which the God of peace and love fills with his own gracious presence, and in which the Lamb of God lives and reigns, filling it with the brightest and sweetest beams of his love; where there is nothing to disturb or offend, and no being or object to be seen that is not surrounded with perfect amiableness and sweetness; where the saints shall find and enjoy all that they love, and so be perfectly satisfied; where there is no enemy and no enmity; but perfect love in every heart and to every being; where there is perfect harmony among all the inhabitants, no one envying another, but everyone rejoicing in the happiness of every other; where all their love is humble and holy, and perfectly Christian, without the least carnality or impurity; where love is always mutual and reciprocated to the full; where there is no hypocrisy or dissembling, but perfect simplicity and sincerity; where there is no treachery, or unfaithfulness, or inconstancy, or jealousy in any form; where there is no clog or hindrance to the exercises or expressions of love, no imprudence or indecency in expressing it, and no influence of folly or indiscretion in any word or deed; where there is no separation wall, and no misunderstanding or strangeness, but full acquaintance and perfect intimacy in all; where there is no division through different opinions or interests, but where all in that glorious and loving society shall be most nearly and divinely related, and each shall belong to every other, and all shall enjoy each other in perfect prosperity and riches, and honor, without any sickness, or grief, or persecution, or sorrow, or any enemy to molest them, or any busybody to create jealousy or misunderstanding, or mar the perfect, and holy, and blessed peace that reigns in heaven! And all this in the garden of God — in the paradise of love, where everything is filled with love, and everything conspires to promote and kindle it, and keep up its flame, and nothing ever interrupts it, but everything has been fitted by an all-wise God for its full enjoyment under the greatest advantages forever! And all, too, where the beauty of the beloved objects shall never fade, and love shall never grow weary nor decay, but the soul shall more and more rejoice in love forever!

Oh! what tranquillity will there be in such a world as this! And who can express the fullness and blessedness of this peace! What a calm is this! How sweet, and holy, and joyous! What a haven of rest to enter, after having passed through the storms and tempests of this world, in which pride, and selfishness, and envy, and malice, and scorn, and contempt, and contention, and vice, are as waves of a restless ocean, always rolling, and often dashed about in violence and fury! What a Canaan of rest to come to, after going through this waste and howling wilderness, full of snares, and pitfalls, and poisonous serpents, where no rest could be found!

And oh! what joy will there be, springing up in the hearts of the saints, after they have passed through their wearisome pilgrimage, to be brought to such a paradise as this! Here is joy unspeakable indeed, and full of glory — joy that is humble, holy, enrapturing, and divine in its perfection! Love is always a sweet principle; and especially divine love. This, even on earth, is a spring of sweetness; but in heaven it shall become a stream, a river, an ocean! All shall stand about the God of glory, who is the great fountain of love, opening, as it were, their very souls to be filled with those effusions of love that are poured forth from his fullness, just as the flowers on the earth, in the bright and joyous days of spring, open their bosoms to the sun, to be filled with his light and warmth, and to flourish in beauty and fragrancy under his cheering rays.

Every saint in heaven is as a flower in that garden of God, and holy love is the fragrance and sweet odor that they all send forth, and with which they fill the bowers of that paradise above. Every soul there, is as a note in some concert of delightful music, that sweetly harmonizes with every other note, and all together blend in the most rapturous strains in praising God and the Lamb forever. And so all help each other, to their utmost, to express the love of the whole society to its glorious Father and Head, and to pour back love into the great fountain of love whence they are supplied and filled with love, and blessedness, and glory. And thus they will love, and reign in love, and in that godlike joy that is its blessed fruit, such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath ever entered into the heart of man in this world to conceive; and thus in the full sunlight of the throne, enraptured with joys that are forever increasing, and yet forever full, they shall live and reign with God and Christ forever and ever! Jonathan Edwards Heaven, a World of Love

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is Heaven a holy place?
• How can we go there if this is true?
• How will we be changed?
• What is it like to be perfectly holy?
• How is holiness and happiness related?
• What did you feel when heaven was being described?
• Do you want to go there?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: God's Home and Ours

Heaven is going home... to God's home, which is ours as well. What will you experience in heaven?

John 13:31-4:11,17:20-26
Psalm 23:6
2 Timothy 1:9
1 John 4:8

And this renders heaven a world of love; for God is the fountain of love, as the sun is the fountain of light. And therefore the glorious presence of God in heaven, fills heaven with love, as the sun, placed in the midst of the visible heavens in a clear day, fills the world with light. The apostle tells us that “God is love;” and therefore, seeing he is an infinite being, it follows that he is an infinite fountain of love. Seeing he is an all-sufficient being, it follows that he is a full and over-flowing, and inexhaustible fountain of love. And in that he is an unchangeable and eternal being, he is an unchangeable and eternal fountain of love.

There, even in heaven, dwells the God from whom every stream of holy love, yea, every drop that is, or ever was, proceeds. There dwells God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, united as one, in infinitely dear, and incomprehensible, and mutual, and eternal love. There dwells God the Father, who is the father of mercies, and so the father of love, who so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son to die for it. There dwells Christ, the Lamb of God, the prince of peace and of love, who so loved the world that he shed his blood, and poured out his soul unto death for men. There dwells the great Mediator, through whom all the divine love is expressed toward men, and by whom the fruits of that love have been purchased, and through whom they are communicated, and through whom love is imparted to the hearts of all God’s people. There dwells Christ in both his natures, the human and the divine, sitting on the same throne with the Father. And there dwells the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of divine love, in whom the very essence of God, as it were, flows out, and is breathed forth in love, and by whose immediate influence all holy love is shed abroad in the hearts of all the saints on earth and in heaven. There, in heaven, this infinite fountain of love — this eternal Three in One — is set open without any obstacle to hinder access to it, as it flows forever. There this glorious God is manifested, and shines forth, in full glory, in beams of love. And there this glorious fountain forever flows forth in streams, yea, in rivers of love and delight, and these rivers swell, as it were, to an ocean of love, in which the souls of the ransomed may bathe with the sweetest enjoyment, and their hearts, as it were, be deluged with love! Jonathan Edwards Heaven, a World of Love

Think for a moment of how sweet and familiar the conception of heaven as the Father’s house makes it to us. There is something awful, even to the best and holiest souls, in the thought of even the glories beyond. The circumstances of death, which is its portal, our utter unacquaintance with all that lies behind the veil, the terrible silence and distance which falls upon our dearest ones as they are sucked into the cloud, all tend to make us feel that there is much that is solemn and awful even in the thought of eternal future blessedness. But how it is all softened when we say, ‘My Father’s house.’ Most of us have long since left behind us the sweet security, the sense of the absence of all responsibility, the assurance of defense and provision, which used to be ours when we lived as children in a father’s house here. But we may all look forward to the renewal, in far nobler form, of these early days, when the father’s house meant the inexpugnable fortress where no evil could befall us, the abundant home where all wants were supplied, and where the shyest and timidest child could feel at ease and secure. It is all coming again, brother, and amidst the august and unimaginable glories of that future the old feeling of being little children, nestling safe in the Father’s house, will fill our quiet hearts once more. Alexander MacLaren Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the Bible describe God's home?
• What is it like?
• What impact does God, who is Love, have on the experience of Heaven?
• What does it mean that Heaven is a renewal of our childhood?
• What else will you experience in Heaven?
• What is the pilgrim spirit as our forefathers used the phrase?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Seeing Jesus

The believer's sheer delight and longing for heaven is because we will see Jesus!

Revelation 5,1:13-17,21:22-23
Philippians 1:21-23
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
John 17:24
Matthew 17:2

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What is the biblical evidence that the believers long to see Jesus in heaven or that Jesus longs to see His people?
• Why is being person to person so special to us?
• What will it be like to see His glory and to have Him recognize you?
• Why is He described as a slain Lamb in heaven?
• What impact will that have on all believes?
• What if this doesn't move us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: It's Really Quite Special!

Do you lack a positive anticipation for Heaven? This may partly be because you just don't know enough about Heaven to look forward to it. In this message we will explore Heaven as really quite special... to say the least!!

Revelation 4,5:11
Matthew 5:16,5:45,5:48-6:1,6:9,7:11,7:21,10:32-33,14:19,3:16-17,18:10,5:12,5:34
1 Peter 3:22,1:4
Luke 23:43,1:19
Hebrews 9:23-24,10:34
Acts 7:48-49

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are folks not sure they actually want to go to heaven?
• What does it mean that heaven is a place, and God is there in a special way?
• Why are the current representations of heaven often unhelpful?
• What do we learn from the anthill and the resort?
• How about the King's throne-room?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Finding Order in Chaos

Ever been in a situation where things seem out of control? Where God doesn't seem to be in charge anymore? Where the frustrations, disappointments, delays are dismaying? Leading to questions like: Why God? Don't you love me anymore? Is following God worth it? The Apostle Paul was found in a situation in Acts where such questions could come to press in. We will look at how he responds to such a situation.

Acts 24

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Why We Should Think About Heaven

Do you think about eternity often? Probably not... but why not? Are you excited about going to heaven? If not really... why not? We will explore these questions and seek to anticipate Heaven!

Luke 12:13-34
Mark 8:36-37
John 14:6,3:16

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why should we think about eternity?
• Why should Christians think about Heaven?
• Why don't we think more about Heaven?
• What impact do our culture, technology, and relative wealth have on us?
• How does one get to Heaven?
• What does it mean that the way to Heaven is a Person?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture

All scripture is from God and carries all the weight of His authority. It is not just old writings that are obsolete. The Bible is alive, powerful, and full of promise.

2 Timothy 2:14-3:17,1:8-10,1:13,2:1,2:8,4:2
Proverbs 3:1,3:8
Hebrews 1:1-2
2 Peter 1:20-21,3:15-16
John 14:25-26,14:10
2 Chronicles 20:6
Job 42:2
Jeremiah 10:12
Micah 6:8
Matthew 4:1-11,7:28-29
Mark 1:21-22
Ephesians 2:20
1 Corinthians 2:13

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Between a Rock and Hard Place

In Acts we find Paul stuck between a rock and hard place. On the one side are the Jews angry about his association with Gentiles and on the other are the Romans who have arrested Paul for being the cause of a riot. Some Jews are conspiring to kill Paul and the Roman soldiers are embarrassed when they find out he is a Roman citizen. Yet Paul finds encouragement from the Lord; God is using Paul's enemies to get him to his goal: Rome.

Acts 23-24

Pete Keeley
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

He Is Risen

Imagine the mindset of the mourning women as they headed to the tomb that early Sunday morning. They were expecting to pay their respects to their beloved dead friend, but the angels asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead. That simple question should redirect our focus from the death on the cross to the living resurrection!

Luke 23:55-24:18,8:3,24:23
Matthew 27:60,5:17
Mark 16:3-4
John 20:1-2,10:11,10:17-18,14:1-4
Hebrews 11:17-19
1 John 3:16
Philippians 3:10-11
Acts 2:22-24
1 Peter 1:3,1:6,1:8-9

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Who asks, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" Who is seeking the living among the dead and why?
• Often in the Bible, dawn or early morning is the time God uses to make new revelations. Sunrise is when the Lord surprises His people. What were the surprises the Lord had for the seekers on the Sunday morning described in this chapter?
• Abraham, Jesus, and the apostle Paul provide examples of people living in light of the resurrection. How have other people in the Bible shown that they live in light of the resurrection? How do you show that you live in light of the resurrection?
• Why is it important for us to redirect our emotions in difficult situations to Scripture? What effect will that have on our thinking?
• What does the angels' question teach us about God's sovereign providence?
• What is the connection between the Lord's resurrection and our Joy?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

We Have Not Attained It All Yet, but We Still Pursue

Everyone is running a race through life, but many are running with different goals. Our prize will be eternal fellowship with Christ; something that cannot be fully attained in this life, but we still need to pursue that goal as we mature in Christ!

Philippians 3
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Acts 22:4-10
Hebrews 12:14,6:1
2 Timothy 2:18
Luke 9:62
1 Corinthians 9:24,3:12

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What kind of a spirituality race are you running?
• How do you press on when life gets you down?
• Has Christ laid hold of your heart?
• What are you trying to forget from your past in order to reach forward to the upward call of Christ?
• Are there sins in your life which are moving you backward in your Christian walk?
• What spiritual goals do you have?
• What is the prize you are running to obtain?

Matt Courtney
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Strange Twists

Life can seem daunting and intimidating with many strange twists. Yet, the Lord is faithful. He keeps His promises. Now in Acts we enter into Paul's life filled with many enemies and strange twists. But, we will see Christ's sovereignty and faithfulness in the midst of it all. This will be an encouragement for all of us!

Acts 22-23

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: The Plan...The Glory...Why Christians Should Be Exuberant about the Future

The world is hopeless and fearful... but God's plan in Christ is to make the Christian: hopeful, confident, and exuberant about the future and the present! This is Paul's message to the Colossians.

Ephesians 1:1-12,3:1-12
Colossians 1:15-27
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Romans 8:18
Philippians 3:20-21

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are people so hopeless today?
• What is poverty stricken about the prevailing worldview?
• Why is the Christian worldview so different?
• What is God's plan?
• How is Christ central to that plan?
• How are we included in that plan?
• Why is the future so bright for us?
• What impact should this all have on us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Big Changes

We are at a place in the book of Acts where life and circumstances are changing big time for the Apostle Paul, but there is one thing that isn't changing in his life and that should be the same for you and me. It matters not if we are male or female, young or old, a pastor, mechanic, clerk, or a student. If we are a Christian, it should never change in our lives either.

Acts 22

Dave Ruhl
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Act Like Men

God created us in His image: male and female. We will explore those distinctions and their importance in society, church, and the home.

Isaiah 3
Genesis 1:26-28
Ecclesiastes 10:16-18
Matthew 11:28-29
2 Corinthians 10:1
1 Corinthians 11:7-9
2 Samuel 10:12
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Samuel 10:12

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean the God made them in His image: male and female?
• How are they equal, different, and complementary?
• Masculinity: How could this be defined, what is it, and what is it not?
• Why are godly men needed in Society, the Church and the Home?
• How does the gospel help us recover biblical masculinity and femininity?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Led by the Spirit

How can one humble man, who just wants to tell people the Good News, cause a riot? Well, it happens. The man is Paul, the place is Jerusalem, and the riot is real and mostly deadly. Why? What are people so upset about? Well, it has to do with the liberating power of the gospel. Do we know of this power? Let us investigate this important confrontation in Acts.

Acts 21

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Realistic Expectations... or... How Not to Be Shocked

Rejoicing and suffering seem to not fit together: but Paul experienced both, as he emphatically expressed to the Colossians, as he took on the inevitable but glorious persecution all Christians must face.

John 15:18-25
Colossians 1:24-29,1:19-20,2:9-10
2 Timothy 3:12,2:8-10
Matthew 10:21-22,5:11-12
Acts 9:4-5
2 Corinthians 4:8-11,1:3-7
Philippians 3:10
1 Peter 4:12-14
Romans 8:16-18,12:21
1 Peter 3:13-14
Mark 8:36

As, therefore, Christ has suffered once in his own person, so he suffers daily in His members, and in this way there are filled up those sufferings which the Father hath appointed for his body by his decree. John Calvin John Calvin's Commentaries On St. Paul's Epistles To The Philippians

The oftener we are mowed down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed. Tertullian Apology 50.13

God hath called you to Christ's side, and the wind is now in Christ's face in this land; and seeing ye are with him, ye cannot expect the lee-side or the sunny side of the brae. Samuel Rutherford The Letters of Samuel Rutherford 1600-1661

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot The Journals of Jim Elliot

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is it assumed Christians will suffer persecution?
• What is Union with Christ and how does that fit into this topic?
• Why is it important to have realistic expectations about this suffering?
• How does rejoicing fit with suffering in this text?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

You Must Bear Fruit

Jesus probably shocked His listeners by one of His I AM statements when He said He is the True Vine. They would have understood exactly this reference to Messianic prophecy. But comfort comes from abiding in Him, thriving on the nutrients He provides, so we can bear fruit.

John 15:1-17,6:66-69,10:28-29,3:20-21,15:26
Psalm 80:8-18
1 Peter 1:22-25
Romans 16:25-27
Matthew 7:18,5:20
Mark 1:15
Galatians 6:8
2 Peter 1:2-11
James 2:20-24
Hebrews 12:14

Sean Byham
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Union with Christ

We have a choice. We can remain under the curse of Adam or we can have union with Christ. One choice will lead to separation and destruction and the other brings an eternity of oneness. Choose wisely...

John 17,15:1-6
1 Timothy 2:5
Colossians 1:19,2:9
1 Corinthians 6:17
Ephesians 5:22-33,4:11-16
Galatians 2:20

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: From the Heart

Every once in a while in Scripture we are given the rare opportunity to listen in on a very special conversation or private meeting. In Acts we will listen in as Paul pours out his deep concerns to the Elders of the Ephesian church. To hear an apostle give a sort of last will and testament to a group of Elders whom he may never see again is not only a special privilege, it is incredibly instructive. Now our church can benefit from this special teaching.

Acts 20

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: On Old Stumps and Stubborn Mules

Paul is telling the Colossians that Christians are to be grounded and steadfast to the end... no matter what... never quit! How do we get so deeply rooted?

Colossians 1:9-23,2:6-7
John 10:25-30
Romans 8:30,8:38-39
Philippians 1:6
Ephesians 1:13-14
Philippians 2:12-13
Matthew 10:22
Luke 8:13
1 John 2:19
1 Timothy 4:16
Luke 6:48
1 Corinthians 15:58

For faith is not like mere opinion, which is shaken by various movements, but has a firm steadfastness, able to withstand all the machinations of the hell. John Calvin The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What are the questions raised when the warning passages are read?
• What are some of the answers?
• What is Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, and how do these realities fit into this discussion?
• What do old stumps and stubborn mules have to do with Colossians 1:23?
• How do we get this deep, persevering faith?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Rescuers of Society

As society continues to deteriorate at a hectic speed... it is time to go back to the Word of the Living God to find out how we can recover.

Psalm 127-128
Romans 12:2
Genesis 2:24,1:27-28

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that God established the family as the foundation of society?
• In what important ways does the family form the future generations?
• What are the termites weakening the structure of the family in our day?
• What role do Moms have, and how should we view that role?
• How can we support Moms who are actively raising children today?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Enriching Your Devotions: Practical Guidelines

One of the most significant things that can impact our life for good is the practice of Daily Personal Devotions. It cannot be overstated how this can benefit a life over the years and how God has used it to mature and strengthen one's faith and walk with Him. It can be a source of struggle and frustration for many... finding time; what to do if you do find time; wandering thoughts; reading the Bible but feeling like you are not getting anything out of it. This concludes a brief series called Enriching Your Devotions. The goal behind this series is to give you the practical helps needed to have a very blessed devotional life that will bear fruit and yield years of enjoyment in fellowship with God.

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Check Out Those People... Wow!!

Paul clearly tells us in Colossians that Christ will present the believers holy, blameless, and above reproach... how can that be? How can I be there?

Colossians 1:9-23,1:2,1:4,1:26
Ephesians 5:25-27,1:3-4
Habakkuk 1:13
Romans 8:33-34
Jude 1:24-25
Philippians 2:14-15
1 Peter 1:15-16

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What are some of the amazing aspects of the fact that God wants to be reconciled with us?
• How are the saved people going to appear before God?
• Why will no one dare to question how these people can be holy, blameless and above reproach?
• What will these people feel like as they stand there?
• Will you be one of them?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

None Left Behind

Much can be learned about the relationship between the Father and the Son with Jesus' final words on the cross. God turned away as His Son willingly suffered for us. He was separated from Jesus. But He did not leave His Son behind; God reclaimed Jesus' body as a resurrected and living Lord!

Matthew 27:27-46,27:55-56
Psalm 22:1-21,27:8-9
Luke 23:45
Exodus 10:21
Amos 8:9-10
John 1:1-2
Numbers 6:24-26
2 Corinthians 5:21
1 Peter 2:24
Galatians 3:13
Habakkuk 1:13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Read Matthew 27:27-46 which describes the greatest abandonment ever to occur.
• Who was being abandoned - and by whom?
• Why was this the only abandonment with any honor and redemption?
• How do we know that judgment occurred at Calvary?
• Who was being judged?
• What different individuals and groups contributed to Jesus' social abandonment while He was on the cross?
• Read Psalm 22:1-21. From this passage, describe the emotional desertion the Son experienced on the cross.
• What was the deepest part of Jesus' suffering on the cross?
• Why was it the source of His greatest suffering?
• How do we know that Jesus ultimately was not abandoned?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

New Member Course: Leadership Structure and Member Responsibilities

This four-part course is presented to new member candidates for the purpose of demonstrating the importance and aspects of membership in a local church. This concluding session considers the role of elders and deacons and the responsibilities of members.

Ephesians 5:23,4:11-12,+2+Timothy+1:6-14
Acts 20:17,20:28
Philippians 1:1
1 Peter 5:2
1 Timothy 5:17
Hebrews 13:17
2 Timothy 1:6-14

Matt Courtney
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

What's This Race All About?

We are running a race of faith. We aren't just running to run; we are running to win the prize, the prize being fellowship with Christ. Fix your eyes on Jesus!

Hebrews 11:1-12:4,5:7-9
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Acts 20:24,26:14-18
Jeremiah 1:5-10
Matthew 11:28-30,28:20
John 14:6,10:14,10:27
Psalm 23:1-4
Colossians 1:18
Romans 8:34
1 Peter 2:21-25
Jude 1:24-25

David Ruhl
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

New Member Course: The Importance of Baptism

This four-part course is presented to new member candidates for the purpose of demonstrating the importance and aspects of membership in a local church. This session digs into the meaning and importance of baptism.

Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 8:36-38,9:17-19,10:44-48,2:38,22:16
1 Corinthians 1:14-17
Romans 6:1-5
Ephesians 4:4-6,1:7
1 Peter 3:18-22
John 15:1-8
Colossians 2:12
Galatians 3:26-27,2:20
1 John 1:7

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Why Me, Lord?

Why would anyone seek to reconcile with an enemy who hates them and wishes them harm? Why me, Lord? Paul is explaining to the Colossians God's amazing offer.

Colossians 1:19-22
Romans 5:9-10,8:7,8:31-32
2 Corinthians 5:18-21

This is the most wonderful scene that the universe will ever witness; a beseeching God, an imploring Savior, standing at the door of the sinner’s heart with eternal salvation in His hand, knocking for entrance and begging to be let in; the insulted Omnipotent Creator of the universe, beseeching a worm, whom an exercise of His will could sink in a moment to hell, and His justice be glorified in the act, to accept His pardoning mercy, and waiting year after year, in all longsuffering, for the sinner’s reconsideration of his obstinate refusals. Be astonished, O heaven, at God’s unutterable mercy, and be horribly afraid, O earth, at man’s indescribable wickedness. Here is the climax of God’s divine love, and man’s desperate depravity. John Angell James An Earnest Ministry

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How are people enemies of God?
• Why is it amazing that God even wants to be reconciled to us?
• What is so amazing about How God reconciled us to Himself?
• Why is it amazing that God pleads with us to be reconciled to Him?
• How beloved and safe are those who are reconciled?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

New Member Course: The Inspiration of Scripture and What We Believe about Salvation

This four-part course is presented to new member candidates for the purpose of demonstrating the importance and aspects of membership in a local church. This session discussed the source and infallibility of scripture and what salvation really means.

2 Timothy 3:15-17
Galatians 1:8-9,3:10,2:16
John 10:31-35,14:6,14:21-24
1 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Peter 1:19-21
Acts 15:13-17,28:23,4:12
Matthew 22:29-33
Ephesians 5:6,2:8-9,3:8-9
Romans 1:16,3:20,11:6

Paul Sereda
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: God Moves to Reconcile

Why would a God, whom we offended, seek to reconcile with us? What does this teach us about Him? Let's look to Colossians for the answers.

Colossians 1:9-21

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How is preeminence of Christ over all things shown in this passage?
• Why is this so unsavory to the world... especially today?
• Why should it not worry us that such power is in this God's hands?
• What does it mean that God is: relational, others oriented, and sacrificial?
• Why is it not the normal way reconciliation works that God chose to reconcile and to do something dramatic to bring it about?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

New Member Course: The Foundations of the Church

This four-part course is presented to new member candidates for the purpose of demonstrating the importance and aspects of membership in a local church. The first session covers the foundations of the church.

Matthew 16:18
Revelation 2-3
Romans 16:5
Ephesians 5:22-32

Dave Ruhl
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Jesus Rose from the Dead?... Are You Serious??... Yes!!!

How can we know... for a fact... that Jesus really did rise? And why is that great news and possibly unsettling?

Matthew 27:57-28:20
Acts 2:32-36,17:30-31
Romans 1:3-4
1 Corinthians 15:22
Psalm 130:3
1 John 2:1

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why do we believe some people when they tell us something is real or it really happened?
• Why do the facts of Jesus' resurrection and the eyewitness accounts point to the fact that He did rise?
• Why do you and I need a risen Savior?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Enriching Your Devotions: Prayer Time

One of the most significant things that can impact our life for good is the practice of Daily Personal Devotions. It cannot be overstated how this can benefit a life over the years and how God has used it to mature and strengthen one's faith and walk with Him. It can be a source of struggle and frustration for many... finding time; what to do if you do find time; wandering thoughts; reading the Bible but feeling like you are not getting anything out of it. This continues a brief series called Enriching Your Devotions. The goal behind this series is to give you the practical helps needed to have a very blessed devotional life that will bear fruit and yield years of enjoyment in fellowship with God.

Matthew 6

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: First Over Many, First of Many

Paul emphasizes in Colossians and several other of his epistles that Christ is the firstborn from the dead and the beginning of an astounding renovation of people, the world, and the universe!

1 Corinthians 15:35-58,15:20-23
Colossians 1:12-20,2:10,2:19
Ephesians 4:15-16,1:20-23,5:22-32
Romans 8:18-23,8:29

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• In what ways is Christ Head of the body?
• Just how significant and important is the Church?
• In what way is Christ first-born from the dead?
• How big, important, and gracious is all of this?
• How dangerous to reject?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Enriching Your Devotions: Daily Personal Devotions

One of the most significant things that can impact our life for good is the practice of Daily Personal Devotions. It cannot be overstated how this can benefit a life over the years and how God has used it to mature and strengthen one's faith and walk with Him. It can be a source of struggle and frustration for many... finding time; what to do if you do find time; wandering thoughts; reading the Bible but feeling like you are not getting anything out of it. This is the start a brief series called Enriching Your Devotions. The goal behind this series is to give you the practical helps needed to have a very blessed devotional life that will bear fruit and yield years of enjoyment in fellowship with God.

Psalm 1

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: All Things Through Him and For Him

Far from being the product of chaos, this world, the universe, and even the future and time all have their meaning and purpose in Jesus! This is Paul's powerful message to the Colossians.

Ephesians 1:1-2:7,6:11-12,3:8-12
Colossians 1:16-18
John 1:1-3
Hebrews 1:1-3

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are we uncomfortable with Grace?
• How was Creation a group project?
• What was God's master plan?
• How does Jesus factor so centrally in that plan?
• What does this amazing plan reveal about God?
• What does it offer me?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Feelings and Emotions are Real

How much in my reading and study of God's Word, whether at home or listening to a sermon at church, is really grabbing hold of my life and changing it forever? God has given us many tools and how to use them to address our need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We continue in Acts 20 with picking up one such tool and making sure we use it in our lives. Are you using this tool? Listen to see what it is!!

Acts 20

Dave Ruhl
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: Jesus, The Firstborn

In Colossians Paul calls Jesus God's Firstborn. What does that mean? Why could that be a threat to folks? Why is that actually a great blessing, especially to modern humankind today?

Genesis 48:8-22
Psalm 89:19-37
Colossians 1:13-19,2:9
John 1:1-3
Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Acts 2:36,5:30-31,7:56,17:30-31

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that Jesus is the Firstborn of God?
• What does it not mean?
• Why is the fact that Jesus is firstborn a threat to people?
• Why is this fact a blessing to people... especially to modern man today?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Gain or Loss

Paul gave an account for all the reasons why his own righteousness should have saved him, and then boasted they were all a loss compared to the righteousness of Christ!

Philippians 3,1:21
Acts 27:10
2 Peter 1:3
2 Corinthians 11:22-28

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What reasons can you give to rejoice in Christ?
• Have you had a vision of the Lord in your life?
• Have you been found in Christ; that is by Christ?
• What thing or things have you counted as loss for Christ?
• What have you counted as gain for Christ?
• Is there rubbish in your life that you should lose to gain Christ?
• Have you come to a point in your life that you want to know Christ more and more?
• Have you thought about what it might mean to fellowship in His suffering?

Matt Courtney
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Here's Why!

In the book of Acts, the Church was being established. We here at Crossroads believe that the present day church should follow the pattern of the church originally established by Christ and His appointed apostles. We will watch these Apostles in action, and we will see answers to such questions as: Why does the church meet on Sunday? Why the Lord's Table? Who are to be the church's leaders? How is the church supposed to work? These are important questions, especially in a day when there seems to be a free-for-all approach to how we are to do church! God has not left us to flounder... He has given us lots of direction. And, if we follow that direction, we will be blessed!! Isn't it always that way!!

Acts 20

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA