What God Really Wants From Us

Jim Leffel

Mark 7:1-19

The Pharisees question Jesus about why his followers are not following rituals as they eat. Jesus explains it is not external things that make someone impure. This comes from the inner life-the heart. Jesus exposes three problems about the Pharisees' misguided zeal: 1) hypocrites; 2) vain worship; and 3) illegitimate authority. He explains that God desires our hearts and not our external obedience. Only Jesus can fix our hearts and make us right with God. The way God's followers live impacts how others view who God is and what He wants from us.\r\n

Loving Others with our Gifts

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 10:24-25

The spiritual gifts that God has given us are meant to be used for the edification of the church. God has given some the gift of tongues which is personally edifying, and only edifying for the church when there is an interpreter. God still works powerfully in our world today, but He doesn't work miracles to help people in a quest for self promotion, His power is given to edify and embolden the Body of Christ.

Nine Principles of "Body Life"

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 12

Paul refers to the church as the Body of Christ. Each person is a part of the body and they interdependently rely on one another to build up the health of the church. We grow in love and understanding as we build authentic deep relationships in a unified group of believers.

The Body of Christ (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Romans 12:7-8

The Body of Christ has been given a number of spiritual gifts to edify and serve the people in the church and around the world. God's given people gifts of service, understanding God's Truth, and through prayer. When we serve and love people, we live out God's mission for our lives.

Replicating Home Groups (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 12:18

It is key to understand constraints and the needed elements when fostering an underground indigenous church-planting movement. The common constraints to quality growth include superficiality, impatience, inward focus, and many more. Nine important elements to growth include: a commitment to New Testament practices; a commitment to discipleship; a team approach; a commitment to organic church growth; a strong prayer ministry; a mission-oriented self concept; a willingness to fail; centralized support for equipping; and a plan. \r\n

The Body of Christ (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:15-16

Christians are called to be a part of a Christian community where they share in fellowship. Christian community (the church) is referred to as the Body of Christ, Jesus is the head of this body and people in the church are parts of the body. When we all come together in truth and love as diverse people with different strengths we are able to interdependently do God's work and experience God's love through one another.

Profile of a Healthy Church

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul commends the Thessalonians for being a model church. This church exhibits 3 characteristics of a healthy church: 1) a work of faith (they believe in God and humbly receive His gift of grace); 2) steadfastness of hope (they have spiritual confidence even in life's storms); 3) labor of love (they actively share their faith with others). God wants each of us to have these traits individually and as a group.\r\n

Living in Real Spiritual Community

Dennis McCallum

Titus 3:10-11

The Corinthian church was plagued with many moral issues, but God was able to speak powerfully in Corinth. Paul called them to unity and to focus on the Gospel.

Parables of the Kingdom

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 13

What will the Kingdom of God be like? How will God's message be spread? The answer is surprising. The Messiah came first not as a conquering king as expected, but as a humble servant. His message is spread not as a political power play, but through grass movements, gradual and quiet.