Christianity at the Crossroads

Jim Leffel
Galatians 1:1-9

Paul begins his letter to the Galatians, where he emphatically argues for the truth found in the Gospel, as legalistic Judaizers were trying to distort God's message of salvation. The true Gospel says that humans are incapable of being righteous before God, but through Jesus Christ they can have eternal life by asking for God's mercy to apply to them, apart from works. The false teachers Paul was combating added obedience to the law as means to salvation and growing with God, a theological debate that has plagued Christianity. The difference between works and faith is wide-spread in areas including: 1) our approach to God; 2) our acceptability; 3) our spiritual state; 4) the real issue between us and God; and 5) the power to live.

A Model Church

Gary DeLashmutt
John 14:6

Jesus reveals in his words that he is the only way to God. The church in Philadelphia understood this truth. They were faithful to His Word and shared the gospel to the people in their city. We too can look to the opportunities that God gives us to share the gospel in our city. We can share with boldness and without fear, knowing that God gives us everything that matters.

Withstanding Falsehood

Dennis McCallum
2 Timothy 3:8-4:4

What is the main purpose of the Bible? Where did the Bible come from? Why would we believe that it is truly God-breathed? Believing in the Bible is all or nothing; disbelieving in part of it discredits the whole thing. No credible scholar argues that the Bible isn't historically true. The Bible was also recognized as scripture by the apostles, the early church, and Jesus himself. If the Bible is true, then Jesus is truly the resurrected Messiah.

The Cross

Dennis McCallum
Mark 14:32-15:34

The most important event in human history occurred when Jesus Christ went to the cross. Jesus' crucifixion was the epitome of physical torment, and included being stripped naked and flogging. Not only that, but Jesus endured spiritual torment by taking on God's wrath to pay for humanity's sin. Jesus paid the certificate of death for all humanity in the greatest demonstration of sacrificial love. As Christians, the cross is a constant reminder of God's love for us and something we should thank God for regularly. For those who aren't Christians, making a decision about Jesus' work on the cross is the most important decision to make.

Jesus' Identity & Mission

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 9:18-36

Jesus' disciples expected Jesus to establish God's kingdom; however, before establishing God's kingdom, Jesus first needed to die for our sins. Through this event, God confirms that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, and that his death fulfills God's plan. Jesus asks of us, "Will you entrust yourself to me as your Messiah, and will you give your whole life to me and to my mission?"

Parable of the Sower & Soils

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 8:1-15

During the time between the Messiah's first coming and second coming, spreading Jesus' message is top priority. Only those who respond properly to his message reap the benefit, as Jesus explains through his parable of the sower and soils; those who respond through compromise do not bear fruit.

Being Ambassadors

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Knowing God and what He did for us through Christ impacts our interactions with others. Convinced Christians see the importance of effective persuasion to help others see their personal need for Christ. This type of motivation comes from the love God and affects our view of others as we begin to understand the love God has for people. As a result, we see the urgency to play our role as trying to help people become reconciled to God through Jesus Christ as Christ's ambassadors.

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.

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.