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

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

How Should I Live: Loving Neighbor

When asked how one should live Jesus said the two biggest duties in life are: love God with all you got, and love your neighbor with the same concern you have for yourself. Ever realize how radical that actually is?

Luke 10:25-37
Matthew 22:34-40,5:43,7:12
Galatians 5:14
Romans 13:8-10
John 4:9,8:48
James 2:15-16

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
• Why is this so radical?
• Why did the priest and the Levite not do this?
• Why is the Good Samaritan such a good role model?
• Why does this require a deeper sanctification than normal?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Holiness of God: Part 4

God is Holy. Then He says... "Be holy for I am Holy". What does that mean for us? What is holiness?

1 Peter 1:13-19
Leviticus 11:44-45,19:2-3
2 Corinthians 7:1
Hebrews 12:14-17
Colossians 3:1-13
Romans 13:8
Micah 6:8
Titus 2:14

A Quick Comparison of Religion and the Gospel Tim Keller

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why does God want us to be holy?
• What does it mean to be holy?
• How do we become holy?
• Why is this NOT earning our salvation?
• Do we find holiness desireable?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Mission Impossible

To the exhausted disciples feeding the large, hungry crowd surely seemed like mission impossible, but Mark says to the exhausted Jesus it was still mission compassion, providing a glimpse into the Kingdom of God.

John 6:1-15
Mark 6:30-42
Philippians 4:19
1 Corinthians 3:9,3:6
Isaiah 25:6-9

Finally, let us mark the feelings of our Lord Jesus Christ towards the people who came together to Him. We read that He "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd." They were destitute of teachers. They had no guides but the blind Scribes and Pharisees. They had no spiritual food but man-made traditions. Thousands of immortal souls stood before our Lord, ignorant, helpless, and on the highroad to ruin. It touched the gracious heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was "moved with compassion toward them. He began to teach them many things."

Let us never forget that our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. High in heaven, at God's right hand, He still looks with compassion on the children of men. He still pities the ignorant, and them that are out of the way. His is still willing to "teach them many things." Special as His love is towards His own sheep who hear His voice, He still has a mighty general love toward all mankind-a love of real pity, a love of compassion. We must not overlook this. It is a poor theology which teaches that Christ cares for none except believers. There is warrant in Scripture for telling the chief of sinners, that Jesus pities them, and cares for their souls, that Jesus is willing to save them, and invites them to believe and be saved.

Let us ask ourselves, as we leave the passage, whether we know anything of the mind of Christ? Are we, like Him, tenderly concerned about the souls of the unconverted? Do we, like Him, feel deep compassion for all who are yet as sheep without a shepherd? Do we care about the impenitent and ungodly near our own doors? Do we use very means to spread the Gospel in the world? These are serious questions, and demand a serious reply. The man who cares nothing for the souls of other people is not like Jesus Christ. It may well be doubted whether he is converted himself, and knows the value of his own soul. J.C. Ryle

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: But Are You Willing?

Mark describes a man with leprosy who believed Jesus was powerful but wondered if He was willing to help Him. How many people find themselves in that situation?

Leviticus 13:38-46,14:1-20
Mark 1:40-45
John 14:6

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why would it have been hard for the sick man to come to Jesus?
• Why is Jesus so willing to help?
• Why did the man have no questions about Jesus' ability?
• Why do we desperately need Jesus?
• Will He treat us differently than this man?
• What would it be like to see this healing?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Appreciating Salvation: The Effects of Grace

We have been saved by Grace!!! As we appreciate our salvation, what effect should our experience of God's grace have on our relationship with God, with others, with ourselves, and as we look to the future? Answer: the effect should be deep and profound!!

Matthew 18:21-35
Ephesians 2:1-9
Nehemiah 9:17
1 John 4:10-11,4:7-8,3:10,4:20

... 'the marvelous grace of our loving Lord', who drew us from destruction's pit and raised us to heights of heavenly bliss, and did it all this at such a cost to Himself that He spared not His own Son, and in such a manner that not a single one of His attributes, not even His justice, was eclipsed. William Hendriksen New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why does God expect Grace to affect us?
• What are the effects it should have on our:
1. Relationship with God...
2. With others...
3. With ourselves...
4. As we look to the future?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

1 Peter: A Surprising People and Their Unexpected Response

Why is it so hard to follow God's commands to turn the other cheek, to not speak evil about those who do it to us or to not seek revenge? We will look at this as we continue through Peter. What is really amazing is how our response to such circumstances tells us and the world a lot about the Kingdom of God.

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Matthew 5:38-48,5:10-12
Romans 12:17-21
1 Peter 3:8-17,4:4,2:20-23,1:6-7
Proverbs 15:1
Acts 5:41
Isaiah 8:11-15

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What is your first reaction when people are mean to you or say bad things about you?
• What does the Bible tell us about how we are supposed to respond?
• What encouragements does Peter give to help us do the right thing?
• Why is our response both shocking to the world and important for them to see?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Keeping Head and Heart in Confusing Times

The world that we live in is changing so rapidly. Especially in the area of what is considered morally acceptable to society. With the increased legal status of gay marriage Christians are struggling to make sense of it all. In this sermon we shall study how God would have us to live in this new setting.

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Leviticus 18:20-29,20:13
Romans 1:18-32
1 Corinthians 6:8-11
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Luke: Compassion and Power

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Luke 7:11-17
Deuteronomy 10:17-19,24:19-22
Psalm 146:9
Isaiah 1:16-17
Jeremiah 22:3
John 5:28-29

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA