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Healing at Bethesda

Conrad Hilario

John 5:1-24

On the Sabbath, by the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, Jesus seeks out a man who had been invalid for 38 years and heals him. Through this interaction, we see Jesus is exposing the flaws and hypocrisy of religious thinking. He is showing that all people are in need of God's grace and He is the way to that grace.

Keywords

{"passage": "John 5:1-24","passageabreviated": "John 5:1-24","passagetiny": "John 5:1-24","teacher": "Conrad Hilario","teachingDate": "04...

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Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Ryan Lowery

Luke 18:9-17

Many believe that religion teaches you to think that you are better than others, but Jesus teaches that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. The Pharisee of Jesus' parable thanks God that he is better than others, but fails to realize that he cannot stand before God. The tax collector, however, understands that his only option is to plead for mercy from God. We should remember the incredible grace that God showed us when we were saved.

Keywords

{"passage": "Luke 18:9-17","passageabreviated": "Luke 18:9-17","passagetiny": "Luke 18:9-17","teacher": "Ryan Lowery","teachingDate": "04...

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Who Is On Trial?

Jeff Gordon

John 18:4-19:16

As Jesus was handed over to be put on trial, he knew all that was going to happen to him. Because of this, Jesus was able to step out and not hide, yet respect their positions. Even though this was God's will for Jesus to be crucified, John portrays the hypocrisy within the religious system and their knowledge of Jesus' innocence. Living in a fallen world, we are called to live in a redemptive way with the knowledge that our true kingdom is not of this world. \r\n

Keywords

{"passage": "John 18:4-19:16","passageabreviated": "John 18:4-19:16","passagetiny": "John 18:4-19:16","teacher": "Jeff Gordon","teachingD...

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God's Heart for the Lost

Ryan Lowery

Luke 15:1-32

Jesus tells three parables to illustrate God's response when people rebel against Him. In the parables of the lost sheep and coin, Jesus shows that each person matters to God and that He rejoices when lost people are found. The parable of the prodigal son shows that God is overjoyed when we choose to repent and come home to Him. Jesus also illustrates the evil of hypocrites who judge others by their sin.

Keywords

{"passage": "Luke 15:1-32","passageabreviated": "Luke 15:1-32","passagetiny": "Luke 15:1-32","teacher": "Ryan Lowery","teachingDate": "03...

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First Mission to the Gentiles (Part 3) The Jerusalem Council

Jim Leffel

Galatians 2:11-16

Paul and Barnabas go up to Jerusalem to figure out the issue of salvation and how it pertains to circumcision, something the Judaizers had begun teaching to others. The issue being discussed among the Council was if circumcision was necessary across cultures, and not simply for the sect of the Jewish people. Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James all come to agreement that God saved people through grace, not by circumcision or works of the Law. They want to encourage the Gentiles to use their freedom in Christ to love others.

Keywords

{"passage": "Acts 15:1-21","passageabreviated": "Acts 15:1-21","passagetiny": "Acts 15:1-21","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "02/...

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The Dangers of Hypocrisy

Ryan Lowery

Luke 11:37-54

Christianity as a religion has obscured the teaching of Christ as people promote the idea that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. Jesus confronts the Pharisees at a dinner party, leveling harsh criticism against their prideful hypocrisy and the way it leads others away from God. We have the choice to either receive God's forgiveness, or fake it, and in faking it, we do more harm than good.

Keywords

{"passage": "Luke 11:37-54","passageabreviated": "Luke 11:37-54","passagetiny": "Luke 11:37-54","teacher": "Ryan Lowery","teachingDate": ...

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The Church's Greatest Challenge

Jim Leffel

Acts 5:1-11

The church faces it's first major internal threat - hypocrisy. Motivated by a desire for recognition, the believers are tempted to exchange authenticity for a fake and self-serving spirituality. God is deeply offended by hypocrisy in the church because it: 1) is a misrepresentation of who He is; 2) poisons true spiritual community; and 3) results in spiritual compromise. Rather than trying to put on a good front, we should strive to be real and show truth in our actions and not just our words. \r\n\r\n

Keywords

{"passage": "Acts 5:1-11","passageabreviated": "Acts 5:1-11","passagetiny": "Acts 5:1-11","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "10/21/...

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All Quiet in the Western Church

Craig McElvain

Matthew 9:16-17

The statistical decline of people in the Western church is alarming, and if continues at its current rate, the church is at risk of dissolving into an ineffective, forgotten task force. This decline is apparent in both attendance and church planting, though church planting is still the most effective mode of growing the church as evident by the research. The Western church may be in decline due to the church (and the believers inside of it) having often become impersonal, selfish, and hypocritical. Apart from these characteristics, there is hope if we emphasize aspects common to all church planting movements, ten of which are included in this presentation.

Keywords

{"passage": "Matthew 9:16-17","passageabreviated": "Matt 9:16-17","passagetiny": "Matt 9:16-17","teacher": "Craig McElvain","teachingDate...

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Jesus' First Signs

Jim Leffel

John 2:1-25

John explains some of Jesus' first signs. These physical signs demonstrate underlying spiritual truths. These signs point to Jesus and the life he offers. The miracle of turning water into wine symbolizes Jesus' transformation of religion into a relationship. The cleansing of the temple symbolizes the true nature of Jesus' presence in the world.

Keywords

{"passage": "John 2:1-25","passageabreviated": "John 2:1-25","passagetiny": "John 2:1-25","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "12/18/...

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