Colossians: Jesus, The Firstborn

In Colossians Paul calls Jesus God's Firstborn. What does that mean? Why could that be a threat to folks? Why is that actually a great blessing, especially to modern humankind today?

Genesis 48:8-22
Psalm 89:19-37
Colossians 1:13-19,2:9
John 1:1-3
Deuteronomy 21:15-17
Acts 2:36,5:30-31,7:56,17:30-31

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does it mean that Jesus is the Firstborn of God?
• What does it not mean?
• Why is the fact that Jesus is firstborn a threat to people?
• Why is this fact a blessing to people... especially to modern man today?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Wanted! Good Dads

Where have all the Dads gone? What role has society, selfishness, and materialism hurt us? How can we get Dads back?

Isaiah 3-4
Ephesians 5:22-6:4
1 Corinthians 16:13,11:7
2 Samuel 10:12
1 Timothy 5:8

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are Dads so important?
• Where are the Dads today... why do we seem to lack good Dads in our culture?
• What is masculinity and how is it different from machismo?
• What is the role of men in a society?
• How does this apply to Dads?
• Why is having a good Dad important to ones understanding of God?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Appreciating Salvation: Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the restoring of a broken relationship. When the Bible teaches that God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ it is saying something which has many truly amazing dimensions to it. As we study this doctrine out we come to a deeper appreciation of our rich salvation.

Romans 5:6-11
2 Corinthians 5:18-21,4:3-6
Isaiah 59:2
Colossians 1:19-22
John 6:44

This is most wonderful scene that the universe will witness -- a beseeching God, an imploring Saviour, standing at the door of the sinner's heart with eternal salvation in his hand, knocking for entrance and begging to be let in; the Omnipotent Creator of the universe, beseeching worm, whom a volition of his will could sink in moment to perdition, and whose justice would be glorified in the act, to accept his pardoning mercy, and waiting year after year, in all long suffering for the sinner's reconsideration of his obstinate refusals. Be astonished, O heavens! at God's unutterable mercy, and be horribly afraid, O earth! at man's indescribable wickedness! Here is the climax of God's divine love and man's desperate depravity. John Angell James An Earnest Ministry

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• What does reconciliation mean?
• Who is the person who is supposed to seek reconciliation in a broken relationship?
• What is amazing about God's reconciling with humanity:
1. Why is it amazing that God even wanted to reconcile with us?
2. What is so amazing about how God reconciled with us?
3. What is so amazing about the fact that God then pleads with us to be reconciled to Him?
4. Why is it amazing that God has to help us to respond to His pleadings?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA