Holding Salvation in His Arms

Jesus warned us not to rest on a shaky foundation. There are many shaky foundations that people build their religion on that utterly fail when most needed. That's why it's important to remember that Salvation is a Person. And He will never fail!!

Luke 2:21-38
Philippians 1:21,1:23,1:1,1:18,2:21,4:13
1 John 2:1-2
Hebrews 4:14-16
Acts 7:56,7:59
Matthew 25:34

The belief of the testimony, or record, concerning the Son of God, our Saviour, is the porch of the building, through which we pass into the audience-chamber and meet the Living Inhabitant, full of light, and life, and love. Andrew Bonar The Gospel Pointing to the Person of Christ

Faith is not so much a disposition of the mind toward the truth, as a disposition of the heart toward Christ, produced by means of the truth. Sievewright

The faith which is most blessed is faith which deals most fully with the Person of Jesus Christ. The truest repentance is that which weeps at the sight of His wounds and the love which is most sweet is love to the adorable Person of the Well-Beloved. I look upon the Doctrines of Grace as my Lord's garments and they smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia. I look upon His precepts as His scepter and it is a rod tipped with silver. And I delight to touch it and find comfort in its power. I look upon the Gospel ordinances as the Throne upon which He sits and I delight in that Throne of ivory overlaid with pure gold. But oh, His Person is sweeter than His garments, dearer than His scepter, more glorious than His Throne! He, Himself, is altogether lovely, and to love HIM is the very heart's core of true religion! Charles Spurgeon Number 1281

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What are some of the shaky foundations people build their religion on?
• What does it mean that Salvation is a Person?
• In what ways is having a faith in the person of Christ important in terms of sin, trials, death, and the final Day?
• How can we nurture a love for Christ?
• How does He divide?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Facing Fear

While we would face death with anxiety and fear, Jesus sees glory. Where we would be self-concerned, Jesus compassionately prepares His disciples for His departure. As we would turn in on our own mourning, Jesus turns His disciples towards a new commandment: loving one another.

John 13:31-35

Chris Bowser
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Our Final Victory

There is no denying that Jesus died. But His death was not final! It isn't the end of the story. Ultimately He has power over death. Death is dead! And we can share in celebrating this victory.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58,15:26
Genesis 2:8-9,2:15-17,3:17-19,5:1-32
Revelation 20:11-15,21:8,1:18,2:11,20:6
2 Timothy 1:10
Hebrews 2:14-15,9:27
Romans 8:38-39,6:23,6:3-10,4:25,5:10
John 11:25,19:30,5:24,8:51
Matthew 27:50
Mark 15:37
Luke 25:46,16:23-24
Jeremiah 9:21
Ecclesiastes 7:2
Ephesians 2:1-2,2:5
Acts 2:24
Psalm 116:15
Galatians 3:13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Why does the apostle Paul say in this passage that God gives us victory over death when we all will still die, just as Jesus died?
• What does Genesis 3:17-19 teach us about death?
• What are the two types of death? Describe what each one means.
• What is the second death described in Revelation 20:11-15? Who will experience it?
• What good news do 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14-15, and Romans 8:38-39 give us about death?
• Read John 11:25. How can it be that we may die, yet live?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Why We Should Think About Heaven

Do you think about eternity often? Probably not... but why not? Are you excited about going to heaven? If not really... why not? We will explore these questions and seek to anticipate Heaven!

Luke 12:13-34
Mark 8:36-37
John 14:6,3:16

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why should we think about eternity?
• Why should Christians think about Heaven?
• Why don't we think more about Heaven?
• What impact do our culture, technology, and relative wealth have on us?
• How does one get to Heaven?
• What does it mean that the way to Heaven is a Person?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
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

Jesus Rose from the Dead?... Are You Serious??... Yes!!!

How can we know... for a fact... that Jesus really did rise? And why is that great news and possibly unsettling?

Matthew 27:57-28:20
Acts 2:32-36,17:30-31
Romans 1:3-4
1 Corinthians 15:22
Psalm 130:3
1 John 2:1

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why do we believe some people when they tell us something is real or it really happened?
• Why do the facts of Jesus' resurrection and the eyewitness accounts point to the fact that He did rise?
• Why do you and I need a risen Savior?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Why Would Anyone...??

Why would anyone get baptized? There are many great reasons!!!

Acts 8:26-40,2:37-38,2:41,8:12,9:18,10:47-48,22:16
Matthew 28:18-20
1 John 1:7
Romans 10:13,6:1-6,6:11
Colossians 3:1-3
Galatians 2:20,3:26-29
1 Peter 2:9-10

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How are baptism and a wedding ring similar?
• Did Jesus command His followers to be baptized?
• Where in the Bible?
• What three things does baptism symbolize: clues (bathtub drain, grave and empty tomb, joining a gang)?

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: David's Son and Lord

Jesus quoted the Old Testament and then pointed out that David's distant relative will also be his Lord... what are the practical implications for everyone (literally everyone and everything)?

Psalm 110
Matthew 22:41-46
Acts 2:32-36,7:55-56
Romans 8:34
Ephesians 1:20-23,2:5-6
Colossians 3:1
Hebrews 1:3,1:13,8:1,10:12-13,12:2
1 Peter 3:22
Hebrews 2:8-9
Ephesians 1:10
1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What did Jesus ask about Psalm 110?
• What are the practical implications of the fact that Jesus has been exalted to head of all things?
• What is the plan that God is currently working out?
• What are the two ways this should personally impact us as outlined in the sermon?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Dying Grace

In Acts we will be studying the amazing account of Stephen... his life, his ministry, death, and his triumph. There is so much to learn from this man about living for Christ in a hostile environment, about being brave, about being loving to ones enemies, about dying grace.

Acts 7

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: 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

Mark: Utter Abandonment

As we focus on the crucifixion as described by Mark, Jesus was utterly abandoned by everyone on the cross, including His Father... so we will never be!

Psalm 22
Isaiah 53,59:2
Mark 15:16-41
Philippians 2:6-8
Matthew 16:53
Deuteronomy 21:23
Galatians 3:13
Revelation 22:14-15,22:17
Amos 8:9-10

Death by crucifixion was one of the cruelest and most degrading forms of punishment ever conceived by human perversity, even in the eyes of the pagan world.⁴⁶ Josephus described it as "the most wretched of all ways of dying", and the shudder caused by the cross as an instrument of execution is still reflected in the English word "excruciating". Yet in the Roman provinces crucifixion was one of the customary means of preserving public order, and the history of turbulent Judea is punctuated by accounts of men being crucified.


---

⁴⁶
J.Blinzler cites Cicero... "Even the mere word, cross, must remain far not only from the lips of the citizens of Rome, but also from their thoughts, their eyes, their ears." Elsewhere Cicero calls crucifixion the grossest, cruelest, or most hideous manner of execution.

William Lane The Gospel According to Mark

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What was it like for Jesus before He came to earth?
• Who were all the groups or individuals who abandoned or rejected Jesus?
• Why was He utterly abandoned?
• What are the implications of this for us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Not My Will... Yours (Part I)

As we continue in Mark, Jesus shows His humanity and His supreme love to His Father as He wrestles in Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-42
2 Corinthians 5:21
Matthew 20:28
John 15:13
Luke 12:4-5
Galatians 2:20

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the scene in Gethsemane highlight Jesus' humanity?
• Why was He so upset when others have faced death so bravely?
• What does it mean to face the wrath of God?
• Why was it so important for us, that He submitted to God's will?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: David's Son... David's Lord

In this passage from Mark, Jesus said Messiah will be David's Son and David's Lord. We greatly need Him as both and in this message we will explore why.

Psalm 110
Mark 12:35-37,11:27-28,12:14,12:18,12:28
Isaiah 11:1,9:6-7
Jeremiah 30:9,33:15
John 1:1,1:14
Romans 1:1-4
Acts 17:31

Now it is for the abundant consolation of the saints, that their own Redeemer is appointed to be their judge; that the same person who spilled His blood for them hath the determination of their state left with Him; so that they not doubt but that they shall have what He was at so much cost to procure.
What matter of joy to them will it be at the last day, to lift up their eyes, and behold the person in whom they have trusted for salvation, to whom they fled for refuge, upon whom they have built as their foundation for eternity, and whose voice they have often heard, inviting them to Himself for protection safety, coming to judge them. Jonathon Edwards The Final Judgment

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is Jesus called David's son and David's Lord?
• Why do we need Him... as the human race; as individuals?
• Why do we need Him as David's son?
• Why do we need Him as David's Lord?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

It Changes Everything

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes literally everything. It is the most significant event for humankind and its implications are more far reaching than many can even imagine!

1 Corinthians 15
Romans 1:3-4,5:12,5:19-6:10
John 17:6
Acts 2:32,2:36
Ephesians 1:19-20

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How does the Bible prove the fact of the resurrection?
• How does the resurrection change everything with respect to: secularism, other world religions, human helplessness in the face of death?
• How does the resurrection of Jesus have implications for salvation today and sanctification?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Achieving Heaven: A Bright and Glorious Future

In the world of competing worldviews... the vision for the future of Christianity is breathtaking... for the others, theirs is pathetic. A New Heavens and a New Earth speaks to our deepest longings and is true!!

2 Peter 3:10-13
Romans 8:18-23,5:9-10
Revelation 21:1-8,22:3-5
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5,26:29
John 5:28-29
Isaiah 6:17,11:6-9

Are we to spend eternity somewhere off in space, wearing white robes, plucking harps, singing songs, and flitting from cloud to cloud while doing so? On the contrary, the Bible assures us that God will create a new earth on which we shall live to God's praise in glorified, resurrected bodies. On that new earth, therefore, we hope to spend eternity, enjoying its beauties, exploring its resources, and using its treasures to the glory of God. Since God will make the new earth his dwelling place, and since where God dwells there heaven is, we shall then continue to be in heaven while we are on the new earth. For heaven and earth will then no longer be separated, as they are now, but will be one (see Revelation 21:1-3). But to leave the new earth out of consideration when we think of the final state of believers is greatly to impoverish biblical teaching about the life to come. Anthony A. Hoekema The Bible and the Future

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why is the vision of the unbelievers worldview so sad and pathetic?
• What is the Bible's vision of the future?
• Why is the New Heavens and New Earth so exciting to us as humans?
• What are some of the things you look forward to?
• Why did the Pastor so emphasize to all of us to Get There?
• What is your hope that you will get there?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Achieving Heaven: Are You Sure You Want to Go to Heaven?

Many people believe there is a third option to choosing between heaven and hell: living in the here and now as if it won't end. Let's hear from three persons who have experienced heaven and get their view on why we need to make heaven our life-long goal.

Revelation 4,2:7
2 Corinthians 12:1-6
Luke 23:43
Ezekiel 1:26-28
John 17:22-24,14:1-3,14:6

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why do people not want to go to heaven?
• Who told us what heaven is really like?
• When heaven is called paradise, what is that word supposed to bring to mind?
• What does it mean that God's presence dominates heaven?
• Explain how glory, love, and holy describe God and the atmosphere of heaven.
• Do you want to go to heaven?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Why Shouldn't I Sin?

If grace abounds then shouldn't I keep sinning so I can receive more grace? Paul might disagree.

Romans 6:1-14,5:6-10,5:20-21,6:15,6:19-23
Jude 1:4

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: Stop Fearing, Only Believe

"Stop fearing, only believe"... those are Jesus' words to a man who just lost his only daughter. How do we do this... how does our faith in Jesus alter our emotional state? These are the questions explored in this sermon from the book of Mark.

Mark 5:21-43
John 11:21
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Psalm 68:5-6
Isaiah 46:4

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why was Jairus conflicted about going to see Jesus?
• What motivated him to go?
• How does this kind of thing happen still today for people?
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Why did He want this miracle to be kept secret?
• How can we stop fearing and only believe?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA