Jesus in Gethsemane, Is There No Other Way?

If God is the great and all-powerful God of the universe then why did He make His only Son suffer and die? That wasn't very nice! Couldn't there have been an easier and better way to save us?

Matthew 26:36-46,1:27
Hebrews 4:15-16,2:17,1:3,10:4
Romans 8:7,1:18,3:24-26
1 Timothy 2:5-6
Acts 4:12
Isaiah 64:6
Colossians 2:23
1 John 4:10
John 13:31-32,6:40

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Describe Jesus' circumstances in the text.
• Explain why He would ask, Is there no other way?
• The Father said no to the Son for several reasons. What is the Bible's teaching in Hebrews 2:14-18,4:14-16 about why the Father said no?
• In His garden brokenness, what does Jesus reveal to us about the Father?
• What parties were at war in the garden of Gethsemane?
• Who brought an end to the war, and how did He accomplish it?
• Why couldn't we drink the cup of God's wrath for ourselves?
• Why could only Jesus drink it, and what did His drinking it accomplish?
• What was the cosmic contradiction that needed to be set right?
• How did God set it right?
• What is the ultimate reason the Father said no?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel in the Old Testament: As Far as the East Is from the West

We learn from the Old Testament that sin is erased through sacrifice and atonement. But the ritual must be repeated. Guilt is painful and crippling.... and in Christ alone can guilt be truly and completely taken away... literally taken away... permanently... and that is Good News!!!

Leviticus 16:1-28
John 1:29
Hebrews 9:22,9:28,13:11-12
Matthew 20:28,26:28
1 Peter 1:18-19
Psalm 103:11-12
Isaiah 43:25
Jeremiah 31:34

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why did the people of the Old Testament place their hands on their sacrifices?
• What was the scapegoat, and what was its purpose?
• How does all of the Old Testament teaching on sacrifices help us better understand Jesus and what He did for us?
• How does He help us deal properly with guilt?
• What should be said to a person who says, "I know God has forgiven me, but I cannot forgive myself."?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Who Is Jesus of Nazareth?

Who is Jesus of Nazareth and why is this important to each one of us? Mark is bold in his proclamation of who Jesus is and then he challenges us to listen to many voices in history (including a demon) to understand the greatness of Jesus.

Mark 1:1-28
John 5:17-18,3:16-17
James 2:19
Acts 17:30-31

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why is it important to remember that these are historical accounts in Mark?
• What does each of these voices say about Jesus: Mark, John the Baptist, God the Father, the demon?
• Why does the demon know so much but not believe?
• What is your relationship with Jesus?
• Why can no one say they have no relationship with Jesus?
• Why is Jesus such a great hope for sinners?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA