The Beginning of the Two Humanities

Gary DeLashmutt

Genesis 4:1-16

In the story of Cain and Abel, we see man approaching God in 2 different ways, and God is pleased with one and displeased with the other. This contrast teaches us that God desires personal trust over mental assent and a reverent heart over religious formalism. God's interaction with Cain shows that while we can harden our hearts against God, God will never stop pursuing us.

Responding to Moral Failure

Conrad Hilario

Psalms 51

Paul expresses his joy that his previous letter to the Corinthians brought about their repentance--even though it was quite painful. We can look to David's words in Psalm 51 as an example of what Paul calls "Godly sorrow," and draw principles of true repentance for our lives as well.

Repentance

James Rochford

2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Paul anxiously awaits word on the Corinthian's response to his previous rebuke. Paul is relieved to hear that they chose to repent and rejoices to hear of their love and concern for him. Just as it did for the Corinthian believers, true repentance (as opposed to religious repentance) brings freedom, life, and healing to Christians.

Strife Between Brothers

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

The Corinthian group was imploding with selfishness. This was causing some major conflicts amongst the group. This teaching looks at how conflict will definitely occur in a tight-knit community, but also how to practically work through it.

God Opposes the Proud

Conrad Hilario

James 4:6

King Nebuchadnezzar arrogantly refuses to give God the glory for his accomplishments. God drives him mad for a period of time until he humbles himself and his sanity and kingdom are restored to him. His story teaches us about the emptiness of power and wealth, how pride dehumanizes us, and the joy humility offers. In chapter five, King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's successor, defies God by drinking from holy cups taken from the temple in Jerusalem. Because of his lack of humility, God allows him to be overthrown by Darius the Mede. His story warns us against rejecting abundant evidence, to consider our own mortality, and to repent before it's too late.\r\n

Spiritual Sanity

James Rochford

Daniel 4:1-5:31

Two Babylonian kings, who receive the same types of revelation from God, react differently to the call to repentance. Just as in our lives, it is humility before God that results in repentance. And from an egocentric, evil king, we learn that no one is past being able to be saved by God.

Jacob: Broken by God

James Rochford

Genesis 27:41-33:4

Jacob was manipulative and self-reliant, rather than dependent on God. After 20 years of failing to meet his own needs, Jacob finally decides to surrender to God's love and care. Through this clinging to God, Jacob is blessed and reconciled to his brother.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

Ryan Lowery

Malachi 4:5-6

John the Baptist had the role of preparing the way for Jesus. At the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, it had been 400 years since there was a prophet in Israel and an expectation was growing among the Jewish people for the next prophet to come onto the scene. John the Baptist preached that the kingdom of God was at hand; as a result the people of Israel were coming out to him to be baptized (at the time this was unusual). John the Baptist showed people: that they were sinful, that they needed forgiveness, and then he handed them to Jesus to receive his mercy.\r\n

Murderous Rage

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 4:1-5:29

When God rejected Cain's offering due to his wrong heart attitude, God gave Cain the opportunity to change his behavior and thus his attitude. Instead, Cain's anger toward God was redirected toward his brother Abel, who had the right attitude toward God. Cain led Abel into a field and killed him. God gave Cain another opportunity to admit guilt and repent, but instead, Cain lied and was not remorseful, and God allowed Cain to suffer the consequences of his sin.