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

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

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

Colossians: Strange Bedfellows

Suffering and joy make for strange bedfellows... how does this relationship work? Paul put them together in his prayer for the Colossians.

2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10
Colossians 1:9-12
Matthew 5:11-12
James 1:12-13
Romans 5:3-4
Hebrews 12:2
1 Peter 4:13-14
2 Corinthians 6:10
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Romans 8:18
Acts 5:40-41,16:25,13:50-52
Hebrews 10:32-34
Habakkuk 3:17-19

But Paul lays a harder duty on us even in promising a great gift to us, when he puts before us an ideal of joy mingling with patience and longsuffering. The command would be an impossible one if there were not the assurance that we should be 'strengthened with all might.' We plainly need an infusion of diviner strength than our own, if that strange marriage of joy and sorrow should take place, and they should at once occupy our hearts. Yet if His strength be ours we shall be strong to submit and acquiesce, strong to look deep enough to see His will as the foundation of all and as ever busy for our good, strong to hope, strong to discern the love at work, strong to trust the Father even when He chastens. And all this will make it possible to have the paradox practically realized in our own experience, 'As sorrowful yet always rejoicing.' One has seen potassium burning underwater. Our joy may burn under waves of sorrow. Let us bring our weakness to Jesus Christ and grasp Him as did the sinking Peter. He will breathe His own grace into us, and speak to our feeble and perchance sorrowful hearts, as He had done long before Paul's words to the Colossians, 'My grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Alexander Maclaren Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Who are the strange bedfellows?
• Why do they seem so strange?
• What future realities should our joy be based on?
• What present realities?
• What practical impact should this have on our lives both now and in the future?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Colossians: The Dynamic Gospel

There is a powerful, living, transforming dynamic when the gospel comes to people with power. The Colossians experienced it and Paul thanks God for it and them.

Colossians 1:1-18,4:12,1:23,1:27
1 Corinthians 13:13
1 Thessalonians 1:3,5:8
Hebrews 11:1
1 John 2:9-11,3:10,3:14-15,4:20

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is the gospel characterized as dynamic?
• What are the three effects the gospel had on the Colossians?
• Why does faith in Christ make all the pieces fall into place?
• Why is love for the saints such an important effect of the gospel?
• What is the Christian's hope, and how does it impact his/her faith and love?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Hope

Do you have hope? A hope that can carry you joyfully through the challenges and disappointments of life? Jesus came to give us such powerful hope.

Romans 8:18-25,5:2,15:13
Acts 23:6
Mark 7:34
1 Corinthians 15:42-43
Philippians 3:20-21
Titus 2:13
Colossians 1:3-5
Ephesians 1:18,2:12

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is it hard to get modern folks to look at eternal realities?
• What is Redemptive Hope, and why is its definition different than the one people usually use?
• What are our deepest longings (groaning)?
• Why does the gospel give us hope?
• What effect does hope have on people?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Why a Church?

Why did God allow a church to be attacked? What has God revealed in His Word to help us process this tragedy?

Romans 8:28-39
Isaiah 46:9-10
Daniel 4:34-35
Ephesians 1:11
Matthew 10:29
Acts 4:27-28
1 Timothy 1:17
Genesis 50:20
1 John 4:9-10
Philippians 1:21,1:23

God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree. 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What are the three truths or attributes about God that should guide us as we seek to answer the question Why a Church?
• Explain how each one is important.
• Why does the unbeliever have no answers?
• Why should we pray for the victims?
• What should we pray for the victims?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Put to Death Your Flesh

Are you feeling like you want to love God, but can't seem to make Him the top priority in your life? This is your call for action: to walk in the Spirit you must put to death the sinful desires of the flesh. Are you ready to suffer in order to accomplish this?

Romans 8:1-17,11:20-23,6:11-12
Genesis 19:12-29
Mark 7:20-23
Galatians 5:16-23,2:20
Hebrews 7:25,12:1-2,11:1
2 Peter 2:6-10
Philippians 1:6
Ephesians 5:8,2:4-6
2 Corinthians 5:10-12
1 Peter 4:1-4
Luke 9:23-24

Sean Byham
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel in the Old Testament: The Forever King and Kingdom

If the news depresses you, and the world seems to be in a spiral of decay... there is good news — and it's found in the Old Testament — a forever Kingdom is here, is coming, and will finally win!

2 Samuel 7
Acts 13:27
Isaiah 9:6-7,11:1-6,11:10
Daniel 2:44
Matthew 1:1,12:22-30
Luke 1:31-33
Romans 8:23-25
Revelation 11:15

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is David and his kingdom such a good forerunner for the Messiah?
• Why is Jesus' Kingdom is superior to the present world kingdoms?
• When was Jesus' Kingdom inaugurated?
• How does one get into the Kingdom?
• When will it be consummated?
• Why should I be concerned to get myself in?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

A Confident Hope

Do you have Hope? Do you live in the daily joy and boldness of a confident Hope? Where can one get a sure Hope? How the world today needs the good news of the sure Hope God gives!

Matthew 27:57-28:20,12:38-40
1 Corinthians 15:1-24,15:54-59
Acts 4:10,4:19-25

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What is a hope that is built on evidence and how is that different than a vague hope?
• What are the alternatives today for a hope for the future?
• Why do they offer no hope and no evidence?
• How is Christianity so gloriously different?
• What is, or rather Who is our hope?
• What is the evidence that makes this hope so sure?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel in the Old Testament: A Justified Patriarch

Christians are justified through faith in Jesus... in the Old Testament so was Abraham... in fact he is our role model for exercising audacious faith.

Genesis 11:27-12:20,13:14-16,14:22-15:6
Galatians 3:5-9,3:15-18,3:26-29
John 8:51-59
Romans 3:21-24,4:1-5,4:13,4:16-25

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is Abraham so important?
• Why will only true children of Abraham be saved?
• What was so audacious about Abraham's faith?
• Why do we need to exercise such faith?
• Why is it hard to follow his example?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel in the Old Testament: The First Promise of a Deliverer

In the Old Testament Adam and Eve experienced terrible results from their sin... and grace, love, mercy, and a wonderful promise.

Revelation 12,20:10
Genesis 3:1-4:8,4:23-26
John 8:44
Romans 8:19-22,16:17-20
1 John 3:10-13,3:8
Colossians 2:14-15

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What were some of the horrible results of Adam's sin?
• How was God's love and grace also experienced at the same time?
• How has the enmity between the woman's and the serpent's seed worked out in history?
• Today?
• Who was the great deliverer promised, and how will He crush the serpent's head?
• What does this mean for you?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

More Concerned for Your Salvation Than You Are

Are you concerned about your salvation and your future eternal well being? There is someone who is more concerned about you than you are! And He has done some amazing things because of His concern.

John 6,5:28-29
Ephesians 1:3-6
2 Timothy 1:9

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How did God the Father show His concern for our salvation in times past?
• What was His will for His Son?
• How has the Father shown concern for your salvation in your lifetime?
• What is the Effectual Call?
• Why should all of this give you hope, joy, and a sense of security?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Proof, Hope, Reality, Power

Mark closes his book with the resurrection: which to us speaks powerfully of the truth and reality of a living Savior!

Mark 15:42-16:20,1:1,1:23-25,1:34,1:27,2:6-7,2:12,2:16,3:5-6,4:41
1 Corinthians 15:17,15:19,15:22
Acts 17:30-31,1:6
Hebrews 4:14-16
Ephesians 1:19-23,2:5-6

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the resurrection give us proof?
• In what ways does it give us hope?
• How does it provide reality?
• How is the power of the resurrection at work in my life?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Disobedience, Repentance, Promise, and Hope

The Ancient Jews had a physical temple that was the center of their hope and worship. That building was destroyed and rebuilt several times and now only a remnant of the ruins remains. Our hope is in the permanent temple living in the body of Jesus Christ.

Acts 7:44-50
John 2:16-22
Haggai 1-2
Amos 4:12-13
Hebrews 12:25-28
Revelation 21:22-27

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why was it important for the Jews to rebuild the temple?
• Where is the temple now?
• Will there be a temple when we get to Heaven?

Paul Sereda
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Loving Neighbor

We live in what many historians call The Age of Anger. We have become so divided on every issue that both sides are angry with the other. We are very envious of others for what they have compared to us. In Mark, Jesus tells and shows us the importance and the way to love our neighbor.

Luke 10:25-37
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Mark 12:28-34
Galatians 5:14
Philippians 2:4-7,3:18-19
Nehemiah 9:17
James 1:19-20
Proverbs 16:32

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What are the two most important things we are to do in life?
• What is envy?
• What is malice?
• Why do we have so little pity and mercy toward others?
• How was the Good Samaritan's attitude different that the other travelers?
• Is it easy for God to love us day by day?
• Where would we be if God was not full of mercy, slow to anger, and ready to forgive?
• Why did God give His Son?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

2 Corinthians: Start Renewing

Despite all the trials and persecutions Paul faced he still had a bubbling joy. He didn't lose heart because he knew his inner man was being renewed daily. In this short passage from 2 Corinthians Paul explains this recreating process.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA