Keeping it Together in a World Falling Apart (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Hebrews 4:12

Towards the end of human history, humanity will turn towards selfishness and a growing coldness towards other people. This trend will produce religion that is centered around meeting people's felt needs rather than the truth, but unfortunately this type of religion will not relieve the legitimate guilt that people feel or meet people's true relational needs. Authentic Christianity, however, features direct revelation from God through the Bible, and this revelation is both powerful and accessible. All Christians are capable of learning the truths of the Bible and becoming convinced of its validity and usefulness through personal interaction with God and study. A video testimony from Kyle Hanser is included.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Dennis McCallum

Luke 16

The Pharisees taught that the rich were favored by God, while the poor lived under His judgement, a teaching not supported by the Bible. Through a parable and through action, Jesus refutes this way of thinking, demonstrating that the rich are just as capable as the poor of going to Hell. He instructs the Pharisees to observe their scripture to find the answers of eternity, and not to seek material gain as proof that God favors them.

The Crafty Steward

Dennis McCallum

Luke 16

Jesus teaches a parable in which a corrupt servant cheats his master. Knowing that he will be fired for his corruption, the steward sets out to ensure future employment by letting those indebted to his master off the hook. We are called to be crafty and shrewd like the steward in the parable. Knowing the state that the world is in and what is to come, we should set ourselves up for success in the future and live for eternity.

The Problem of Evil

Dennis McCallum

Luke 13

Jesus is asked about those killed at a tower in Siloam, calling to attention the question of the problem of evil. This question is addressed primarily through four worldviews: Spiritualism, Naturalism, Monoism, and Biblical Christianity. The first three views don't match what we know internally, along with external evidence from science, and lead to fatalism about the cruelty people experience in the world. The biblical view shows that God is loving and has allowed suffering temporarily so that as many people could place their faith in Christ before He judges all evil in the world. This provides hope and significance to the suffering we encountert.

Praying Against Satan

Dennis McCallum

Luke 11

Jesus' time of prayer communicates how Christians can utilize prayer in spiritual warfare. Satan is looking to prevent people from knowing Christ personally and prayer is our main weapon to combat his schemes. As we attack Satan's kingdom and try and help people understand their need for Christ, we need to be sober and alert to Satan's counterattacks. Understanding God's Word is essential to combat Satan's tactics through prayer, both individual and corporately.

Sermon on the Plain (Part 2): False Teachers

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6

Jesus teaches his audience the need for spiritual discernment in light of false teachers. False teachers have teachings that don't match scripture, use their authority for selfish gain, aren't accountable to others, lie about ministry, and pursue wealth. As Christians, we should expect false teachings and learn how to discern when they are in our midst, while looking to follow those who model servant leadership like Jesus and live out his Word.

Jesus' First Sermons

Dennis McCallum

Luke 4

Jesus' first teachings centered around God's Word as he simultaneously performed miracles. These miracles were used to authenticate Jesus' message, for symbolic teachings, and to demonstrate Jesus' authority over the demonic spirits and even death itself. Jesus Christ's message was for the humble and not the self-righteous, as he showed people's need for forgiveness through him apart from any human works.

The Self-Revelation of God

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 19

In Psalm 19, David talks about how God reveals Himself. He talks about how God's awesomeness is revealed through nature, how His character is revealed through His Word, and how we can expect to find Him in His Word when we approach it with humility. Will we willingly seek God out and His will for our lives?

How is the Bible Different from Other Scriptures?

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:35

The Bible stands out from other scriptures in its accuracy of historical claims, and it's fulfilled prophecy. God chose to confirm His message to mankind through these verifiable claims. Some spiritual texts contradict history, while others make no verifiable claims.