Jesus' Baptism

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 3:1-17

In Mathew's gospel, John the Baptist speaks of four different kinds of baptisms, each one concerning a different truth about salvation. The first is John's water baptism of the Jews and Gentiles, which signifies that we are ALL guilty before God and need His forgiveness. The second is baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is about the gift of salvation. The third is baptism by fire, something we only experience if we do not repent before God. The last is John's baptism of Jesus, which demonstrates that it is God who provides salvation through Jesus' identification with us sinners.

From Guilt to Justification

Jim Leffel

Romans 3:21-31

The only way to resolve our moral guilt before God is through being justified by faith through Jesus Christ. God decided to pay for our moral debt by sending Jesus to pay for the sin we had before God. By receiving Christ's forgiveness, our guilt has been paid for through Jesus' death on the cross and we are redeemed from our enslavement to sin. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news in human history and allows for real humility and transformation as we understand the lengths of Christ's sacrifice.

What is Wrong with Humans?

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 2

All humans are born alienated from God because of their imperfections and live in rebellion against His loving leadership. However, God's love was demonstrated through sending Jesus Christ to pay for the sins of humanity. Through faith, all people can enter a free relationship with God through Christ on the basis of His grace, apart from anything we have to do.

Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

Gary DeLashmutt

Ephesians 2

The crucifixion of Jesus is a widely accepted historical event. Therefore instead of looking at the historical evidence, the meaning of the crucifixion is investigated. The meaning of the crucifixion is found in the statements surrounding Jesus on the cross. Jesus' death is significant in that it is intercessory, evidential, substitutionary, and complete.

Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

John Cleary

Ephesians 2

The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus is more than merely a historical event. This is evident in some of the statements surrounding Jesus on the cross. Those statements include: 1) they crucified him; 2) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?; 3) it is finished; 4) Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise. Jesus wants each individual to personally respond to this dramatic event.

Feeding a Multitude

Gary DeLashmutt

Isaiah 55:1-3

Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with one man's lunch, and he claims to be God. Jesus offers us spiritual food that will satisfy our deepest spiritual needs. Jesus made it clear that he is the savior of humanity, and that salvation comes through him.

Old Testament Ceremony

Lee Campbell

Hebrews 10:1-4

Sometimes, before we will see spiritual reality, we need to hit rock bottom. Part of the purpose of the Old Testament Law was to show the problem that people have, and to point to the solution in Christ. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the symbolism of the Old Covenant.

Jesus Stills the Sea

Jeff Gordon

Hebrews 1:1-2

Jesus performed supernatural miracles and walked on water to show his disciples that he was God. God is powerful and in control of nature, when we put our trust in Him we can be secure that He is in control.

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Gary DeLashmutt

John 20:30-31

Jesus made it clear that he was God through his actions, he healed a paralyzed man on the Sabbath. He was communicating to the Pharisees that he as God could work on the Sabbath, and that he had the power to heal broken and sinful people.