Total Help For Total Need

Gary DeLashmutt
Ephesians 2:1-10

All of humanity is in total need, but God through Jesus Christ extends total help. Humanity's total need is that we are alienated from God, we are enslaved to Satan, and we are headed for God's condemnation. God's total help reconciles us to Him, gives freedom from Satan's control, and destines us to His kindness for eternity. The total help of God is a gift that cannot be earned by good works, but is given to those through faith.

The Incomparable Christ

Jim Leffel
Colossians 1:15-23

Paul makes the argument that Christ has the authority and is sufficient to forgive sins. Christ's death on the cross gives the grace that humans cannot earn on their own. Christ is worthy of people's lives, and he is adequate to meet their needs. He is ultimately trustworthy and the only way to be made right with God.

8 Essential Attitudes (Part 5)

Dennis McCallum
Hebrews 13:8-9

One goal of effective Christian living is to represent balanced biblical truth. We are able to accomplish this as we teach what the Bible teaches and emphasize what the Bible emphasizes. Perhaps the most emphasized teaching within scripture concerns God's grace; His unmerited mercy towards us at Christ's expense. Christians who are strong in the grace of God are able to reflect His truth in a real way that separates itself from false and strange doctrines.

The Attraction of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Colossians 1:4-8

Paul describes the Good News that the Colossians know as grace, which has the power to change lives. He lists characteristics of this grace in the believers' lives as faith, love, and hope. Faith is our reality, love is our call, and hope is our future. These things attract others to Christ and make faith real.

Christian Freedom

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 5:1-15

Christians are set free from trying to gain God's approval from our works, and instead given true freedom through God's grace. Instead of using this new freedom to live for ourselves, we should use it to serve other people!

Grace Confirmed By the Old Testament

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 3:6-29

The Judaizers were so successful in leading the Galatians away from the Gospel because it appeared that the Old Testament agreed with them rather than Paul's message of grace alone. Because of this, Paul explains how people in the Old Testament gained God's acceptance through faith alone, just as in the New Testament. He also explains the purpose of the law - not as a book of rules to follow but a guide to point out sin and the need for grace.

Grace Confirmed By Experience

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 3:1-5

While Paul was arguing that acceptance by God comes through faith alone, the Judaizers were teaching the Galatians that faith was not enough. They claimed that keeping God's law was also necessary to gain God's acceptance. Paul continues his argument to keep the Galatian people from drifting from the true Gospel. His argument includes: personal experience of grace and the Holy Spirit as a mark of secure acceptance.

Two Objections to God's Grace

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 2:15-21

Paul starts his arguments against the Judaizers on the topic of grace. Paul passionately addresses their objections, believing that this is the most important topic to drive home. The two objections are: 1) grace is unjust because it makes my good works meaningless, and 2) grace is dangerous because it promotes moral laxness.

2 Indicatives, 5 Imperatives

Dennis McCallum
Hebrews 10:19-25

Since we have bold confidence and access to God and have Jesus as our high priest, we are freed to approach God sincerely, freed from a guilty conscience. We can also experience stability from God's grace as we anticipate our future inheritance with Christ. In the meantime, God calls us to play an active and loving role in others' lives, compromised of close fellowship and encouragement. These are commands that God has for our lives, which we should seriously consider.