The First Sign

Scott Risley

John 2:1-11

John organized his Gospel account around seven miraculous signs Jesus performed so his readers would believe Jesus was the Messiah. The first sign was performed at a wedding in Cana. Jesus turned six large pots of water, which were normally used for Jewish ceremonial cleansing, into wine. Jesus revealed His power and showed He was bringing a new way of relating to God--from the inside out and from ritual to a relationship. God wants our hearts!

God's Heart for the Lost

Ryan Lowery

Luke 15:1-32

Jesus tells three parables to illustrate God's response when people rebel against Him. In the parables of the lost sheep and coin, Jesus shows that each person matters to God and that He rejoices when lost people are found. The parable of the prodigal son shows that God is overjoyed when we choose to repent and come home to Him. Jesus also illustrates the evil of hypocrites who judge others by their sin.

Introducing The "Word"

Scott Risley

John 1:1-17

John the Apostle wrote this letter to persuade people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. He opens his letter by describing Jesus as the Word - the eternal, personal, creator God who has come to earth and is part of the Trinity. Some received Jesus as Messiah and many did not. How will you respond to Him?

Good News Comes to Philippi

Jim Leffel

Acts 16:11-40

During Paul's second missionary journey, he makes a stop at the city of Philippi. During their time at Philippi, they encounter many different people that all come to faith in Jesus. The first is Lydia, a wealthy and single woman selling purple fabrics that is seeking God. The second is a possessed slave girl that is liberated through the good news of God's grace and freed from her bondage. Lastly, the Philppian jailer, while initially uninterested and unmerciful, is shown mercy and comes to know Jesus after coming to the end of his self. Each of these encounters in Philippi reflect the principle that God meets us where we're at and provides us with what we need to find him.

The Word

Conrad Hilario

John 3:19-21

The importance of God's Word (the Bible), is described to two different audiences: the Greeks and the Jews, and the different reactions that the two audiences would have had. The purpose, meaning, and implications of the Word of God is described as intended by God.

First Mission to the Gentiles (Part 3) The Jerusalem Council

Jim Leffel

Galatians 2:11-16

Paul and Barnabas go up to Jerusalem to figure out the issue of salvation and how it pertains to circumcision, something the Judaizers had begun teaching to others. The issue being discussed among the Council was if circumcision was necessary across cultures, and not simply for the sect of the Jewish people. Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James all come to agreement that God saved people through grace, not by circumcision or works of the Law. They want to encourage the Gentiles to use their freedom in Christ to love others.

The False Teachers

Dennis McCallum

2 Peter 2:1-22

False teachers deny their Lord, work with a hidden motive, are arrogant, and construct their own "truth", such as fundamentally changing the idea of God's judgment. Humanity often has contempt for the idea of God judging, but only a just God can be truly loving. These false teachers have existed throughout history, and still do today.

I am the Light

Doug Patch

John 9:1-41

Jesus claims he is the light of the world, i.e., the giver of spiritual life. The blind man and the Pharisee have two different responses to Jesus' claim. The response to the light that has been given determines the effect of the light on our life. The Pharisees response resulted in increased spiritual blindness while the blind man's response resulted in increased spiritual light. The blind man knew he needed Jesus and received his gift of grace.

Being Different

Dennis McCallum

1 John 4:18

Peter urges his audience to love one another deeply from the heart. This love that believers in Christ are able to give out to others is based on what God has given through his Son. Understanding God's self-giving love allows us to be different and not conform to the world's self-serving lifestyle. \r\n