Anticipating Heaven: Heaven and Beyond!

Heaven is a glorious paradise where we dwell in the presence of God, but that is not the final goal in God's plan of redemption. The final goal is a New Heavens and a New Earth where we dwell in glorified resurrected bodies! All human aspirations and dreams are wonderfully fulfilled... it's what we are hard wired for and it is forever!!

Isaiah 11:6-9,65:17,66:22-23
Revelation 21:1-8,22:1-5,5:9-10
2 Corinthians 12:1-4,5:6-8
Romans 8:17-25
Philippians 1:21,3:20-21
Luke 23:43,23:46
Acts 3:19-21
Matthew 19:28,5:5
Ephesians 1:10
1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What happens to a Christian immediately after they die?
• What is the New Heavens and New Earth?
• How is this related to the present Earth?
• What will it be like?
• What are the implications for the fact that the reign of sin will be over?
• How should all of this affect Christians right now?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Anticipating Heaven: Seeing Jesus

The believer's sheer delight and longing for heaven is because we will see Jesus!

Revelation 5,1:13-17,21:22-23
Philippians 1:21-23
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
John 17:24
Matthew 17:2

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What is the biblical evidence that the believers long to see Jesus in heaven or that Jesus longs to see His people?
• Why is being person to person so special to us?
• What will it be like to see His glory and to have Him recognize you?
• Why is He described as a slain Lamb in heaven?
• What impact will that have on all believes?
• What if this doesn't move us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Hope

Do you have hope? A hope that can carry you joyfully through the challenges and disappointments of life? Jesus came to give us such powerful hope.

Romans 8:18-25,5:2,15:13
Acts 23:6
Mark 7:34
1 Corinthians 15:42-43
Philippians 3:20-21
Titus 2:13
Colossians 1:3-5
Ephesians 1:18,2:12

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is it hard to get modern folks to look at eternal realities?
• What is Redemptive Hope, and why is its definition different than the one people usually use?
• What are our deepest longings (groaning)?
• Why does the gospel give us hope?
• What effect does hope have on people?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Gospel of the Meantime - From Suffering to Glory

How should we spend the meantime -- the time between the present age and the age to come; between the resurrection of Christ and His second coming; between the suffering and the glory? Paul describes this as a time of eagerly waiting, patiently hoping, and praying.

Romans 8:15-27,5:1-2,8:1,8:11
Matthew 5:11
Psalm 130:5
Titus 2:13
2 Corinthians 4:17

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why does creation groan?
• Why are many Christian's concept of salvation too small?
• Why do Christians groan? (3 reasons)
• How do we explain the Spirit groaning?
• How are we to wait?
• How are we to live in this present age, as we wait for salvation to be completed?
• What is the source of our hope in this age of suffering?

Scott Graubard
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA