Two Essential Lessons

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 6:2

Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and he tells us how we can wash one another's feet as well. We go through life and bring home with us the dust and grime of living in a spiritually hostile deadening world. This is when we need to go to God to have our feet cleaned and to be refreshed by Him. We are also tasked with doing something like this with each other. Washing each others feet by confessing our sins to one another and praying for one another, and bearing each other's burdens. This is vastly different to our culture's idea of going to church and refreshing each other.

Jesus Makes Two Unique Claims

Gary DeLashmutt
John 10:1-30

Using a shepherding analogy, Jesus makes two claims. He claims he is the door: the only way to be saved and the only way to experience an abundant love relationship with God. He gives us further reason to follow him by claiming to be the good shepherd: A master with a good character who knows you, loves you, and would die for you. Trusting God's Will in our life is truly the way to fulfillment, and a big part of this is obeying Jesus' call to be a good under-shepherd and work for his church. Includes excerpt from Watchman Nee's "The Normal Christian Life".

Faith In Action

Ryan Lowery
Luke 9:10-17

In the feeding of the 5000 and the sending of the 12, Jesus demonstrates several principles about being a part of God's plan: 1) God supplies the power; 2) the mission is to spread the Word; 3) we are to meet people's needs; 4) we must depend on God for resources; and 5) being faithful is being successful. When carrying out His work, God wants to use us to meet the needs of others as He provides for us.

Who Is Jesus?

Jeff Gordon
John 5:1-47

The religious leaders of Jesus' day confront him for working on the Sabbath by healing a disabled man at the Pool of Bethesda. By breaking the sabbath, Jesus claimed equality with God the Father. These leaders rejected Jesus, refused to believe his claims, and warned Jesus that Moses would accuse him. They did not accept his offer to make them well too.

Sermon On The Plain - Part 2

Ryan Lowery
Luke 6:27-49

Many believe that Christian churches are full of judgment and hypocrisy, though Jesus calls believers to love their enemies unconditionally. In addition to this, we are also called to stand up for the truth. This requires an understanding of God's moral standards and how we fall short ourselves. This humble stance gives us the ability to hear God's instruction ourselves.

Jesus and the Sabbath

Ryan Lowery
Luke 6:1-11

When Jesus violated the Sabbath, the religious leaders were extremely offended. Jesus then explains that Biblical ethics are more about principles rather than strict laws. Christians today need to avoid turning good structures into terrible burdens by remembering the purpose they serve.

Wine & Wineskins

Ryan Lowery
Luke 5:27-39

Jesus' followers were often accused of licentiousness by those with a religious mindset because they spent time with sinners and didn't fast. Jesus' response is that on one hand, this is not a time for fasting, but on the other hand, they don't need to fast because they are doing something new. As the wine of God's Truth was being revealed more fully, the methods of conveying that truth needed to change. Modern-day Christians need to be similarly flexible in their methods of conveying truth, without giving up on the core truths.

Why God Rescued Israel

Scott Risley
Exodus 17:8-19:25

On the way to Mount Sinai, the Israelites defeat the Amalekites by keeping Moses's hands held high. Jethro gives Moses good advice on delegation. The Israelites learn that God is a God of rescue and wants to use them in a special way in this world. God wants to rescue us and use us in his plan to rescue others.

Testing

Scott Risley
John 7:37-39

As the Israelites journey into the desert, they complain about a lack of water and food. Despite their complaints, God provides for them. God often allows challenging circumstances to show us something about ourselves and to help us grow spiritually. When we complain about the circumstances we are really complaining about God. When we trust God, we experience his provision and healing.