Temptation

Ryan Lowery

Luke 3:21-4:14

The Bible teaches that Satan tempted Adam into rebelling against God, which caused sin to enter the world. The logic of Satan is built on the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life. Where Adam failed to refute Satan's lies, Jesus was able to refute them with God's Word. Believers should follow the example of Jesus in refuting temptation.

Christian Sexuality

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 4:1-10

Paul describes to the Thessalonians ways in which they can live to please God. He begins with instructions about Christian sexuality. These moral guidelines are for Christians. God's design for sexuality is that it is to be enjoyed within the confines of a heterosexual, monogamous marriage and that all other sexual relations outside of this are outside of God's Will. On a positive note, Paul highlights that committing to God's stance on sexuality allows for the maximum amount of real service towards another in marriage and prevents real catastrophic damage that comes when God's way is neglected. What we think and decide to do in the area of sexuality can have a great effect on our personal relationship with Jesus.

Imparting Not Just the Gospel, but Your Life

Ben Stuart

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The church can experience great joy as God's power moves through us as a community. Paul explains that both truth and love are essential as he models it in his relationship with the Thessolonians. He loves like a nurturing mother and exhorts like a father. Both are essential to have an impact on others. He loves people where they are at but isn't content to leave them there. He lives this way because he understands it's not about him growing his own church but it's about serving God, leading people toward Him; for His glory and their good.\r\n

Faithfulness in Multiplication Ministry

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Faithfulness in multiplication ministry is accomplished through four means: 1) regular strengthening by God's Word; 2) peer friendships; 3) appreciating your ministry role as a privilege of God's grace; 4) build a biblically-informed focus on your eternal destination. These four things need prioritized or they will not happen. Multiplication is difficult work that takes a long time. Cultivating these will ensure faithfulness to God's call in our lives.\r\n

Wisdom from the Proverbs

Ryan Lowery

Proverbs 3:13-35

In our age of information overload, our culture is still starving for wisdom. God offers His wisdom to us as His children throughout the book of Proverbs. Through the Proverbs we can see things as they truly are, through God's perspective. God wants us to have a teachable heart, to value His Word, and therefore be able to reap the benefits of His wisdom. \r\n

Divine Inspiration of the New Testament

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Paul encourages the Thessalonians that they accepted the gospel not as a human message, but as the divinely inspired Word of God that works within them. The Biblical definition of inspiration is that it is God-initiated, as He reveals the content and Himself to human messengers who communicate His truth and messages without error or fault. The writers of the New Testament attested that their message was from God and their apostleship was based on God uniquely equipping them to preach His Truth. The implication of divine inspiration is that God's Word is the ultimate authority and basis for how we should live our lives.

I am the Light of the World

Jim Leffel

John 8:12-33

Jesus said the truth sets people free, yet we live in a culture that avoids the topic of truth and often prefers enslavement to addictions over freedom. Leffel contrasts worldly wisdom against godly wisdom to demonstrate the many areas in which God desires to bring healing and redemption.

The Claims & Case for Christ (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Acts 4:2

Four things must be considered when evaluating the claims Jesus made: 1) Jesus claimed to be God in human form; 2) Jesus made unique claims; 3) Jesus claimed to be the Messiah; and 4) Jesus' claims are uniquely verifiable. Jesus' claims are reliable and can be trusted. They are all backed by evidence that can be a foundation for a life of faith. There are many possibilities for why Jesus made these claims but the most reasonable explanation is that he really is the promised Savior of humanity. It is important to examine the evidence and not be neutral.\r\n

The Logic of Grace

Dennis McCallum

Deuteronomy 30:3-5

God's grace has three components: faith, hope, and love. This faith is dependent upon God's self-authentication through fulfilled prophecies like the regathering of Israel, and it is also personal in the sense that people choose individually to start a relationship with God. God also extends hope to people through the promise of eternal life in heaven, and this hope provides Christians with joy in this life. Finally, love is the motivation for sharing God's grace with people who do not know Him and serving others in the church. These three components provide a firm foundation for the Christian life and reasons to learn more about Christ for those who are investigating the Christian faith.