The Parable of the Dragnet

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 13:47-52

Jesus discusses the parable of the dragnet with his disciples, which communicates that at the return of the King Messiah, he will establish God's dominion world-wide and separate the "righteous" and the "wicked". The only difference between the "righteous" and the "wicked" in God's eyes is that the righteous have asked for Jesus' forgiveness and not relied on their own righteousness to get in right standing with God. In addition, this parable teaches that some who consider themselves "Christians" will be revealed at the end of the age to not have actually put their faith in Jesus Christ.

God or Money

Scott Risley

Matthew 6:19-34

Living in this modern era it is easy to believe that anxiety about money is normal, but God calls it a sin! Instead, store up treasures in heaven by investing in your own spiritual growth by focusing on following God who loves and cares for you. If your treasure is in God, your heart will follow. You can either live a life filled with anxiety or you can seek first God's Kingdom and enjoy Him for eternity.

Knowing Christ

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:3-4

There are two options to be made right with God: doing good works and hoping that they are enough to please God, or asking God for Christ's sacrifice on the cross to count for you and for his righteousness to be imputed to you. If we choose the second plan, we can experience true freedom from sin and enjoy our position in Christ instead of relying on our condition. This second plan is not free from suffering though, and Christians will experience difficulty and pain as they seek to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Joy's Greatest Enemy

Scott Risley

Philippians 3:1-9

Paul has strong words for false teachers who promote self-righteous legalism. After describing his own resume of good works, he argues that God-based righteousness is the only basis for true joy.

The Role of Good Works

Dennis McCallum

James 2:14-24

James' passage here can be easily misinterpreted to say that, we are justified by works and not by faith. But his usage of the word "justified" is referring to being justified, or being seen as righteous, by people - not justified by God. James is asking who should be considered righteous - one who says he believes in God? Or one who lives a life based on God? Justification before God is faith, apart from works, and justification before people is through godly works.

The Branch

Jim Leffel

Zechariah 6:12-13

Jeremiah describes Israel's future King Messiah and likens him to a branch. Jeremiah states this king will be from David's family line - wise and just. He will also be the people's righteousness, meaning that through this king people will have right-standing before God who is perfect. The king is able to be the people's righteousness because he is also their priest. The Messiah is able to extend forgiveness to all people. In this hope through Christ the Messiah, we are able to have freedom, are incorporated into his kingdom, and become spokespersons for God to tell others about this good news of grace.

The Good News

Dennis McCallum

Romans 1:1-17

The Good News of the Bible is that we can have a close, personal relationship with the God of the universe. We have to come to Him on His terms though, not on our own. God's terms are just that we have faith in the good news that He sent His son to die as payment for our sins on the cross. Jesus' life and death was predicted by several sources hundreds of years before he walked on the earth. The Gospel is the power of God. It's the only thing that makes us right with God and is accomplished from start to finish by faith.

Grace Confirmed By the Old Testament

Gary DeLashmutt

Galatians 3:6-29

The Judaizers were so successful in leading the Galatians away from the Gospel because it appeared that the Old Testament agreed with them rather than Paul's message of grace alone. Because of this, Paul explains how people in the Old Testament gained God's acceptance through faith alone, just as in the New Testament. He also explains the purpose of the law - not as a book of rules to follow but a guide to point out sin and the need for grace.

Conflict With Religious Leaders

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 5:33-6:11

The religious leaders attack Jesus at three different opportunities; they do not want to hear what Jesus has to say because he is a threat to their way of life. Jesus claims to be the Messiah. Following Jesus has nothing to do with being an uptight, self-righteous, falsely pious person like the religious leaders proclaimed.