Judge Not!

Jim Leffel

Matthew 18:15-16

Judge not so you will not be judged and "take the log out of your own eye". These are some of the most famous verses from Jesus' sermon on the mount that are still referenced today. Are you someone who is always confronting others about how they messed up? The Bible lays out a path to confront a brother or sister, not through self-righteousness, but in love and also how to restore them in grace.

Letters to the Churches Part 1

Scott Risley

Revelation 2:1-10

It's surprising how quickly good groups can falter. We look at the church of Ephesus and how they had lost their "first love" and abandoned the excitement they had for loving each other and God. The church of Smyrna is encouraged to believe that suffering is real and short and that Jesus is in control. In both cases putting hope in Christ is more powerful than our problems.

Jesus' Letters to 7 Groups (Pt. 1)

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 2:1-11

In John's vision, Jesus begins to address seven churches in Asia. The first address (or letter) is to Ephesus, and it encourages them on their work, toil, endurance, lack of tolerance for evil, and the examination of claims they hear. Christ then admonishes them for leaving their first love, which would be the love the Ephesians had for each other. Christ then prescribes solutions for this problem, reminding believers that love is the most important act.\r\n\r\nChrist's second address is to Smyrna, and he encourages them in the suffering they are enduring by promising them the crown of life for their faithfulness.

Spiritual Community

Ryan Lowery

Acts 2:42-47

The church of Acts bursts onto the scene in Jerusalem preaching the teachings of Jesus and sharing the Good News. The church was living alongside each other, steeped in prayer, and devoted to the teachings of Jesus. Gratefulness to God was the driving force in their community. God's grace is the motivating force that changes even the worst of us into loving self-giving workers for God.

Dealing with Failure

Conrad Hilario

1 Peter 5:2-4

God is the God of second chances. We see this play out in the life of Peter. As Jesus approaches Peter, after the crucifixion, He meets Peter where he is at in his failure and offers him compassionate discipline. Peter goes on to be foundational to the growth of the early church. Like Peter, God wants to use our failures to grow us into maturity and use us powerfully.

Dealing With Failure

Scott Risley

1 Peter 5:2-4

When Christians fail, it is easy to believe that God has abandoned them or will punish them for their mistakes. The example of Peter's failure, however, demonstrates that God is gracious towards us and can even use our failures for good, and those who choose to accept the second chance God gives them can become more effective servants for Him.

John's Last Story

Dennis McCallum

John 21:1-25

Peter, an outspoken, prideful man became an important figurehead in the early church because he allowed himself to be broken of his self-will. Many of us can relate to Peter: we deny Christ and do not devote ourselves wholeheartedly to God. We have a choice, however. Will we remain that way in a state of self pity, or instead will we choose to deny self and trust God?

Becoming a Spiritual Dynamo

Ryan Lowery

Acts 1:1-8

The author of Acts, Luke, is widely considered to be a historian of the highest class. We learn from his recordings of the accounts of the disciples as they were taught by Jesus after his resurrection. They are told to go to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit. Our community of Christians today is only possible due to this moment in history. The beginning of the spreading of the Gospel is about to begin.

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

John 19:1-30

The most important event in history happened when Jesus Christ went to the cross to take on God's judgment for sin Himself so that all people could have forgiveness and eternal life if they accept Jesus' payment for our sins. What Jesus underwent was not only physical torment through beatings, a crown of thorns around his head and crucifixion; but psychological and spiritual torment as well by enduring the wrath of God to pay for all human sin. Choosing to make a decision concerning Jesus' offer of forgiveness through the cross is the most important decision a person can make.