We Have Not Attained It All Yet, but We Still Pursue

Everyone is running a race through life, but many are running with different goals. Our prize will be eternal fellowship with Christ; something that cannot be fully attained in this life, but we still need to pursue that goal as we mature in Christ!

Philippians 3
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Acts 22:4-10
Hebrews 12:14,6:1
2 Timothy 2:18
Luke 9:62
1 Corinthians 9:24,3:12

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What kind of a spirituality race are you running?
• How do you press on when life gets you down?
• Has Christ laid hold of your heart?
• What are you trying to forget from your past in order to reach forward to the upward call of Christ?
• Are there sins in your life which are moving you backward in your Christian walk?
• What spiritual goals do you have?
• What is the prize you are running to obtain?

Matt Courtney
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Facing the Future Determined to Trust

Jesus exhibited a determined resolve to trust His Heavenly Father and not Himself... from Him we learn to trust!

Deuteronomy 8
Matthew 3:13-4:4,4:11
Genesis 3:1-5
2 Corinthians 9:10
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Philippians 4:19

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How is the Devil's approach to Jesus and to Eve similar... how about to us?
• Why did Jesus not make the bread?
• Why did God test Israel in the wilderness?
• What were they supposed to learn?
• How did Jesus show He learned the lesson?
• Why can we trust God?
• Why is trust an act of the will... like hanging on the rope and not the stump?
• Will you trust God for this year?

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

Mark: Preparing for the Future

As we face an uncertain future and growing hostility to Christianity, Jesus' words in Mark to His disciples soon before His death have much instruction and encouragement.

Mark 13
Matthew 24:3
Acts 9:15-16
Philippians 2:12-13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How do Jesus' words in this passage help us plan for the future?
• What are some of the things we are to watch for?
• What are our responsibilities, and what is God's part in this passage and in our lives?

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

Bring It On... I'm Ready (A New Year's Meditation)

How can a Christian look out upon this or any year with great confidence? By the rich promises and presence of God!

Psalm 44
Romans 8:26-39

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why does this passage help us look to the New Year?
• How do all things work together for good?
• Why is it important that God is for us?
• What train are we on?
• How does God even work trials and suffering for good?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Life of Daniel: Graphic Visions

Daniel has visions as God reveals to him future events. They are graphic and leave Daniel shook up. What do they refer to, and how do they speak to us today, as well? These are some of the questions we will be exploring in this Bible Study session.

Daniel 8

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

Luke: Strength in the Face of a Terrifying Future

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Luke 21:37-22:38
Acts 2:22-23,4:27-28
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Hebrews 12:2
Matthew 12:53-54
Ephesians 6:24

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

The Presence of the Future

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Luke 19:28-40
Romans 8:18-25
Psalm 2:7-8
Ephesians 1:9-10
Mark 1:15
John 12:31-32
1 Corinthians 10:11

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA