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

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

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

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

Appreciating Salvation: Redemption

We cannot fully appreciate salvation until we grasp the deep significance of the concept of Redemption. The rescue mission Jesus accomplished has profound implications on how we view God, ourselves, and life itself. What an amazing thing it is to be redeemed!!

Romans 3:21-26,6:23,7:14,6:16-18,8:23,8:31-35
Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:14
1 Peter 1:18-19
Hebrews 2:14-15
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Titus 2:14
Matthew 20:28

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What did the word redeemed mean to the people in the first century?
• What was the Kinsman-Redeemer?
• How has God redeemed us?
• What were we held captive to?
• What does it mean I was bought with a price?
• How should that affect us??

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Death is Gain: Our Stake in Heaven

How can you know you are going to heaven? How can you be really confident? Well, all who trust in Jesus have a stake in heaven...in fact many. In the west they used to stake a claim, which gave them legal rights to heaven. Christian, you have a claim staked in heaven as well. This message will examine many of the stakes we have in heaven.

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Revelation 19:7-9,21:27
John 3:14-18,14:2-3,17:24
Luke 10:20
Hebrews 12:22-24,10:32-35,6:17-20
Philippians 4:2-3,3:17-21
1 Peter 1:3-4
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Ephesians 2:19,2:4-6

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Death is Gain: When Do Christians Go to Heaven?

When do Christians go to heaven? Upon death or at the general resurrection from the dead? What about our bodies? How does this all work? How can I grow in confidence as I approach death that I will be with the Lord?

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2 Corinthians 4:9-5:8,1:8,12:2-4
Genesis 2:7,3:19
Matthew 10:28
James 2:26
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Luke 23:42-46
Philippians 1:19-23
Acts 7:59
Romans 8:23
Revelation 6:9-11

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

1 Corinthians: The Practical Bible

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1 Corinthians 6

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Crucified for Me

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Matthew 20:25-28
John 15:13
1 John 3:16
Galatians 2:20
1 Timothy 1:15
Romans 5:7-8

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA