Keyword | Dwell Community Church

What is Faith?

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 11:1-6

Biblical faith is not wishful, forceful, or emotional thinking, but is rooted in a confident assurance of the object of our faith, in this case Jesus Christ. Biblical faith is convinced of the unseen reality that God exists, is good, and is worth trusting to the point of personal action. Faith is the basis for a personal relationship with Christ, and is God's ideal for how we follow Him, as it cultivates dependence and trust in Him over self.

Keywords

{"passage": "Hebrews 11:1-6","passageabreviated": "Heb 11:1-6","passagetiny": "Heb 11:1-6","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate": "...

View

Two Indicatives and Five Imperatives

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 10:26-31

After thoroughly explaining how the cross was more than sufficient, the author now moves on in his argument to results of the cross. These results benefit humanity immensely. People can now: 1) come to God in prayer with confidence, 2) have assurance of the future, 3) think of others before themselves, 4) fellowship with one another, and 5) give and receive encouragement.

Keywords

{"passage": "Hebrews 10:26-31","passageabreviated": "Heb 10:26-31","passagetiny": "Heb 10:26-31","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDa...

View

Paul: Revolutionary of Grace

Jim Leffel

Galatians 1:10-2:10

Paul combats the Judaizers by defending the message of the Gospel of God. Paul uses his own personal testimony as direct revelation of God and evidence for the real life-transforming power of grace, which not only transformed his motivation but was also accepted by the apostles of Jesus Christ. The grace of God called Paul into a life of radical service for God and others, reflecting God's compassion and mercy towards a zealous sinner. It also cost Paul much of what he once thought was valuable, as the message of grace showed him that God's purposes were bigger. This teaching also includes a testimony by Mary Barnum highlighting the offensiveness of the gospel message.

Keywords

{"passage": "Galatians 1:10-2:10","passageabreviated": "Gal 1:10-2:10","passagetiny": "Gal 1:10-2:10","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDa...

View

Overcoming Spiritual Sloth

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 3:1-6

In Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis, he rebukes them for being spiritually asleep. They have relied on their reputation and stopped seeking to spread the message of Christ to people in need. Like this church, becoming spiritually complacent in our own life can be dangerous towards our effectiveness for Christ and personal growth. Luckily, Jesus gives a treatment plan for this struggle. He calls the church to wake up, repent, and embrace a life of faith expressing itself through love.

Keywords

{"passage": "Revelation 3:1-6","passageabreviated": "Rev 3:1-6","passagetiny": "Rev 3:1-6","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDate": "...

View

Introduction

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 1:1-2:3

An unknown author writes this letter to Jewish Christians to explain the significance of Jesus Christ. God has revealed Himself through prophecy and various ways, but in the New Testament He has been revealed through Jesus, who is the incarnation of God in human form who went to take on the penalty of humanity's sin. The superiority of Jesus gives the basis for living according to the New Testament principles as opposed to the Old Covenant prior to the cross. Continuing to live by the Old Testament is a failure to recognize the importance of Jesus' sacrifice.

Keywords

{"passage": "Hebrews 1:1-2:3","passageabreviated": "Heb 1:1-2:3","passagetiny": "Heb 1:1-2:3","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate"...

View

The Letter to Smyrna

Patrik Matthews

Revelation 2:8-11

Jesus writes to the church in Smyrna that they are going to undergo suffering due to slander, poverty, and affliction. The ultimate cause of this suffering is Satan. Jesus tells them to not give into their fear - that they can be faithful when they go through suffering because: he has experienced suffering too, he knows what is going to happen to them, and he is able to give them what is truly valuable. We too can look to Jesus' call to faithfulness and pursue what's valuable.

Keywords

{"passage": "Revelation 2:8-11","passageabreviated": "Rev 2:8-11","passagetiny": "Rev 2:8-11","teacher": "Patrik Matthews","teachingDate"...

View

Complete in Christ

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 13:9-14

Becoming complete in Christ is an ongoing process where who we are in Christ becomes more and more evident in all aspects of our lives. Living out of our new identity in Christ necessitates believing what God says about who we are, including that we are forgiven, acceptable, and redeemed. Our responsibility in this process is to take steps of faith to live out God's Word of who we are. God's love and grace are motivating factors in this process to love others and help others reach spiritual maturity. When we do this, we are strengthened to be effective in the work God has for us.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 13:9-14","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 13:9-14","passagetiny": "2Cor 13:9-14","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingD...

View

Genuine Faith

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 13:5-8

Paul challenges the Corinthians to examine the genuineness of their faith. Biblical faith is rooted in objective reality based on God's revealed truth and is also deeply personal. Faith is also a position of held belief to what is actually true, based on evidence and reason. As people invite God into their lives through Jesus Christ and begin to walk by faith, they can experience a deep sense of connection and a transformed view of others. Biblical faith is the catalyst for real character transformation and for vibrant Christian community.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 13:5-8","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 13:5-8","passagetiny": "2Cor 13:5-8","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate...

View

Two Essential Convictions

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 11:7-29

Paul demonstrates to the Corinthians the importance of living to serve others and having a mind to suffer for Christ. As we live our Christian lives looking to meet others need, we can experience great peace and seeing God work through us in others lives. Christians who develop Paul's attitude toward the suffering in their lives are capable of experiencing deep spiritual transformation as their faith is increased as God works. As we suffer, we are able to see who God really is at a more profound level.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 11:7-29","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 11:7-29","passagetiny": "2Cor 11:7-29","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingD...

View