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

The Gospel in the Old Testament: Passover

As we continue to look at the gospel through the words of the Old Testament we arrive at Passover. How scary, yet how safe, to be indoors and behind the blood during that first Passover. How wonderfully God points to the true passing over we experience through the blood of Jesus... the Lamb of God... who is also Son of God!

Exodus 11:4-12:30,3:13-15,5:1-2,9:13-17,9:27-35,10:27-29
Genesis 49:8-12
Revelation 5:5
John 1:29,19:35-36
1 Thessalonians 1:10
Galatians 2:20
1 Corinthians 5:6-8

I AM THAT I AM. — It is generally assumed that this is given to Moses as the full name of God. But perhaps it is rather a deep and mysterious statement of His nature. "I am that which I am." My nature, cannot be declared in words, cannot be conceived of by human thought. I exist in such a way that my whole inscrutable nature is implied in my existence. I exist, as nothing else does — necessarily, eternally, really. If I am to give myself a name expressive of my nature, so far as language can be, let me be called "I AM." Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Who hardened Pharaoh's heart and why?
• What would it be like to experience that first Passover night?
• What purpose did the blood have that night?
• How did this prepare the people for the coming of Jesus?
• Why is it important that God sees the blood and also that we know we are behind the blood?
• How can this make us bold for the future?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Vine and the Branches

Jesus said He is the Vine, His Father is the Vinedresser, and we are the branches. What does this say about are relationship with Him? And what does it mean to be pruned?

John 15:1-17,1:1,14:23-24,14:15,14:30-31,13:10,13:35-36,11:25
Isaiah 5:1-7
1 John 1:1-4

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Reductio ad Absurdum

Mark tells us that Jesus was faced with a pressing theological, and ultimate life, question. We will see the not only what He answers but how He based His answer... all of which is vitally important to us in many ways.

Mark 12:18-27
Acts 23:8
2 Timothy 3:16-17
John 5:39-40
Hebrews 11:13-16
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why were the Sadducees sad?
• Why did they think their question was a good one to stump Jesus?
• What was Jesus' short answer?
• What did He say their mistake was?
• What can we learn for how Jesus used the Bible?
• Why do we have a hard time grasping what the age to come will be like?
• Why should we have hope as we look to the future?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA