Acts: Finding Order in Chaos

Ever been in a situation where things seem out of control? Where God doesn't seem to be in charge anymore? Where the frustrations, disappointments, delays are dismaying? Leading to questions like: Why God? Don't you love me anymore? Is following God worth it? The Apostle Paul was found in a situation in Acts where such questions could come to press in. We will look at how he responds to such a situation.

Acts 24

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

How Should I Live: Love in an Unloving Atmosphere

Today people are angry, short tempered, and hostile to those who disagree with them... As we ponder how we should live as Christians, how can we be loving in this atmosphere and not be just like the world?

1 Corinthians 13
Philippians 2:14-15
Romans 1:21-22,1:24,1:26

Having shown the nature and tendency of charity or Christian love, in respect to our receiving injury, and doing good to others — that it "suffers long and is kind;" and also with respect to the good possessed by others as compared with that possessed by ourselves — that charity "envieth not;" the apostle now proceeds to show, that in reference to what we ourselves may be or have, charity is not proud — that "it vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly." As, on the one hand, it prevents us from envying others what they possess, so, on the other, it keeps us from glorying in what we possess ourselves. Paul had just declared that charity was contrary to a spirit of envy, and now he declares that it is equally contrary to that spirit which specially provokes men to envy others, and which they often make a pretense or apology for envying them, viz. that they are puffed up with their honors and prosperity, and vaunt themselves on their possession of these things. When men have obtained prosperity, or are advanced, and others observe that they are puffed up and vaunt themselves in it, this tends to provoke envy, and make others uneasy at the sight of their prosperity. But if a man has prosperity or advancement, and yet does not vaunt himself or behave in an unseemly manner on account of it, this tends to reconcile others to his high circumstances, and make them satisfied that he should enjoy his elevation. As already observed, when men envy another, they are prone to excuse and justify themselves in so doing, by the pretense that he does not make a good improvement of his prosperity, but is proud of it, and puffed up on account of it. But the apostle shows how Christian love, or charity, tends to make all behave suitably to their condition, whatever it may be: if below others, not to envy them, and if above others, not to be proud or puffed up with the prosperity. Jonathan Edwards The Spirit Of Charity Is An Humble Spirit

But so soon as he had transgressed against God, these noble principles were immediately lost, and all this excellent enlargedness of man's soul was gone; and thenceforward, he himself shrank, as it were, into a little space, circumscribed and closely shut up within itself to the exclusion of all things else. Sin, like some powerful astringent, contracted his soul to the very small dimensions of selfishness: and God was forsaken, and fellow creatures forsaken, and man retired within himself, and became totally governed by narrow and selfish principles and feelings. Self-love became absolute master of his soul, and the more noble and spiritual principles of his being, took wings and flew away. Jonathan Edwards The Spirit Of Charity Is An Humble Spirit

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What in our culture causes us to be angry, irritated, short fused?
• What are some of the ways love is described in the passage?
• How can we be like this to everyone?
• Why is love so important?
• How does this teaching cause us to seek God more fervently?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Living with Joy and Peace in a Frustrating and Dangerous World: How Should a Christian Do Life?

Each day we are faced multiple times with frustrations, difficulties, and even scary situations and circumstances... and each time we must choose how we are going to respond. We will look at how one godly man in Scripture provided us a role model of how we should choose in a God honoring way.

Philippians
2 Corinthians 11:24-28,12:7
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1 Peter 5:7

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How can life be frustrating, difficult and dangerous today?
• How was Paul's life that and more?
• Why is it important to realize that we choose many times each day how we will respond to almost any circumstance we face?
• Let's talk about the eight ways Paul chose to do life.

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Living with Joy and Peace in a Frustrating and Dangerous World: When Things Don't Go As Planned

How can we have joy and peace in such a frustrating, difficult, and dangerous world? We begin by realizing how little control we have and yet how much the Sovereign God who controls all things loves us!

2 Corinthians 11:16-33,1:3-4
Acts 16:25
Psalm 115:3
Ephesians 1:11
Romans 8:28-39
1 Peter 1:6-7

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What are some of the issues we deal with when life doesn't go as we plan?
• How can we think wrongly about others... about ourselves and our abilities to control the situation... about God?
• Who is in control... what does the world say... what does the Bible proclaim?
• What are the reasons the Bible gives that should make us glad God is in control?
• How does the cross prove God's love for us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: I Believe, Help My Unbelief

Here is a man from Mark we can all relate to: one who says "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief".

Mark 9:14-29,6:7
John 11:40

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why were the apostles not able to heal this young man?
• Why is the prayer "I believe, help my unbelief" one that we all can relate to?
• What was Jesus' response to such a prayer?
• How can we nurture a strong faith and resist unbelief?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Luke: Getting Good at Faith

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Luke 9:37-42
Mark 9:14-29
Hebrews 13:5-6
1 Peter 5:7

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA