Failure

Mike Woods
Matthew 26:14-75

When we encounter failure as we follow God, our response to failure is vital. Judas Iscariot and Peter are two examples of two radically different responses to failure. If we choose to despair after failure, we will encounter a loss of hope that God is committed to us. However, real repentance allows for closer fellowship with God, a deeper appreciation of His love, and an active pursuit to love others and learn from failure. God is committed to using failure in our lives for good.

Treasure in Clay Pots

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 4:6-18

Paul uses clay pots to explain how God can be manifested more and more in Christians lives. God often times has to break our selfish tendencies in order to have His light shine through our lives more radically. In the midst of hardship, Christians can have real hope as they focus on the eternal purposes of how God can be manifested through our hardships.The willingness to give up the self-focused life in favor of further dependence on God can lead us into spiritual renewal.

Overcoming Temptation

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 4:1-13

Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness; this event teaches us how we will be tempted and how to overcome temptation. Our essential weapon in overcoming temptation is knowing God's Word.

The God of All Comfort

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Christians can develop a more thorough knowledge of God as they willingly participate with how He wants to use our sufferings. As we experience sufferings, we get a greater awareness and understanding of God's comfort for us, and are empowered to give that to others as they need comfort amidst suffering. Christians who grow in their endurance amidst suffering are able to have increased hope in light of unfavorable circumstances and can view their suffering as a new way to develop further dependence on God over self.

Who is Jesus?

Dennis McCallum
Mark 1:21-2:12

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus performs many miracles. He interacts with a man with an unclean spirit, a man with leprosy, and a paralyzed man. These interactions communicate Jesus' authority over evil spirits, that he is deeply compassionate towards those who are outcasts, has the power to forgive sins, and can sense deep spiritual hunger of people who don't know him. These miracles are signs to point to Jesus' greater work seen through dying on the cross for humanity.

How to Suffer Victoriously

Jim Leffel
Romans 6:3-4

How do we suffer in a way that does not destroy our lives? We are commanded to arm ourselves for suffering. Deep within we must understand our participation in the death of Christ. If we are dead to what this world is about, then we do not have to be driven by fear anymore. Peter gives practical instructions for suffering victoriously. Video clips from Titanic and Band of Brothers are shown.\r\n

Gospel and Postmodern Culture (Part 4)

Jim Leffel
Romans 8:28

Part four of a four-part series on the Gospel impacting postmodern culture. We are called upon by God to give an account for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect. How do we respond to questions about God being loving when we live in a world full of evil and suffering? A basic framework for understanding the problem of evil is presented to help us engage with others on this topic.\r\n

Living on a Permanent Visa

Jim Leffel
1 Peter 2:11-25

Peter gives practical instruction to ?resident aliens? on how to live in a society that is fundamentally flawed. He tackles difficult topics such as the Christian's relationship to government and slavery. As Christians we are to live for Christ's reputation rather than our own personal rights, responding to injustice as Jesus did.\r\n

Paul's Advice for Effective Leadership

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Timothy 2:1-26

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he presents six mandates for Christian leaders, mandates that we too are called to follow today. First, we are called to draw strength from Christ's grace. We must develop leaders who will go on to develop leaders and embrace the hardships of leadership. We must focus on both keeping biblical instruction central and continuing to experience personal character growth. Finally, in order to be effective leaders, we must deal with sinful opponents in a godly way.