What Does The Future Hold?

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

For many people, the thought of death provokes fear, depression, and despair. For people who have started a personal relationship with God though, death leads to an eternity with God in heaven, and as a result life on Earth is no longer relatively or existentially meaningless. Besides the promise of eternal life, God has also given Christians various prophetic signs to indicate that the end of human history is near, and understanding these signs motivates believers to live a sober and committed life for God until that day arrives.

What's Wrong With The Human Race?

Scott Risley

Ephesians 2:1-10

Paul contrasts God's love with the plight of humanity, i.e., physical and spiritual death. He explains the bad news resulting from human depravity and also describes God's solution to it. Because of His love and mercy God intervened by providing His Son Jesus to take on the judgment humanity deserves. It is by His grace that humanity is saved, not by works. After receiving this free gift, God gives His children the opportunity and privilege to do good works by sharing His good news with others.

Life Lessons From a Dying Guy

Beth Chilcoat

Bev DeLashmutt

John 17:17

David Chilcoat, a devoted Christian and the founder of the Columbus Young Life branch, experienced intense suffering as his body decayed slowly due to ALS, a devastating disease. After his diagnosis, he began journaling about his experience, and these entries are what his wife, Beth, and Bev DeLashmutt share in order to illustrate his faithfulness during such an intense trial. Through David's journal, we see an active example of enacting three important steps amidst suffering: asking, affirming, and waiting. As we explore and act on these three principles, we can begin to respond to suffering in a way that allows us to persevere through it instead of crumbling under it.

A Death Prolonged

Jeff Gordon

John 17:17

Many people needlessly suffer at the end of their life due to prolonged medical care. This can lead to suffering for the patient as well as the decision maker. Continuing to research and have better conversations about end of life care will lead to better quality of death, lower risk of complicated grief, less aggressive care, and lower cost of care.

The Resurrection

Scott Risley

Matthew 28:1-15

The historical resurrection of Jesus after His Crucifixion is an exciting story that is non-negotiable. After two thousand years, no one has been able to discredit its authenticity. If, after all these years, no one can give a natural explanation of the recorded event, then the logical conclusion is a supernatural event occurred. The New Testament accounts of His resurrection were written so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing, have eternal life in His name.

End-of-Life Care and Decisions

Jeff Gordon

Matthew 28:1-15

As a part-time medical doctor and part-time pastor, Jeff Gordon offers his unique expertise on the topic of end-of-life care. This talk is in conjunction with his book, A Death Prolonged. Using distressing statistics and anecdotes, he paints a bleak and frightening picture of the current state of end-of-life care, in which patients endure painful and ineffective treatment that most never would have chosen for themselves. After diagnosing the problem, Jeff also provides helpful tips for navigating the current system as well as suggestions for larger-scale change.\r\n

The Next Life: What If It's True?

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Paul shares his perspective that his life won't truly begin until he is with Christ in heaven. This is typically the opposite of most Americans whose cling to this life for comfort and pleasure but end up disappointed and broken. Paul's focus on the next life has brought him encouragement during persecution, imprisonment, and intense suffering. A deeper understanding of the next life transforms our hearts and our lives.

Life and Death

Scott Risley

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Paul explores life and death and how our view of death influences how we live our lives. Jesus has conquered death and provided us a sure afterlife. Video testimony by Wayne Talarzyk included.

Truly Living While You're Dying

Beth Chilcoat

Bev DeLashmutt

John 17:17

David Chilcoat, a devout Christian and the founder of the Columbus Young Life branch, experienced intense suffering as his body decayed slowly due to ALS, a devastating disease. His wife Beth and Bev DeLashmutt use his journal entries at the time of his illness to explore how to remain faithful and experience peace and joy even amidst this kind of physical and emotion pain. Three key points that emerge are: 1) the need to ask God for what we need and desire, 2) to remember God's goodness and affirm our faith, and 3) to wait for Him to fulfill His promises to us. These help us to respond to suffering in a way that allows us to persevere through it instead of crumbling under it.