The Backward Wisdom of God

Dennis McCallum

Romans 12:2

God's wisdom stands opposed to the wisdom of this world; Jesus lived a life of self-sacrifice and love while our world calls us to be self-protective. God has given us the truth about this world, are we willing to accept His view of this world?

The Secret Wisdom of God

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 3:8-10

God encountered rebellion from Satan before the beginning of this world, and He set in place a plan to show His loving and gracious nature. In the Old Testament God predicted the coming of both a suffering servant and a messiah king. These two personas were pictures of Jesus sent as both a sacrifice for mankind and a conquering savior.

People Around the Cross

Dennis McCallum

John 19

While Jesus went to the cross, the people around Him responded in many ways. From top Roman officials to other prisoners, they all reacted to Jesus. How will we react to him?

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

Psalms 22

In the paramount event of all of human history, Jesus Christ is convicted and crucified. Predicted in Psalm 22 and fulfilled in the gospel accounts, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of humanity. How will we choose to respond to him?

Two Different Forms of Spirituality

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 6:1-18

Next in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to the religious elite. Addressing things commonly viewed as giving piety, and turning them upside down. Instead of doing things to gain peoples' admiration and favor, we should live for an audience of one. God wants a real relationship with us, not for us to merely go through the motions.

Two Ways To Enter God's Kingdom

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 5:17-48

Jesus turns from talking about his followers' witness to addressing his whole audience to answer how people can enter into God's kingdom. We have a choice - we can try and enter of our own effort, through doing good and following a series of laws and rules. Jesus informs his audience that there is no one good enough to get to God this way, but then shares the good news that God has already provided an alternative through Christ!

The Parable of the Soils

Dennis McCallum

Luke 8

Jesus uses a parable to describe the common responses people have towards his Word. One response to God's message is to be a forgetful hearer, who hears the message and then immediately is swept away. Others can superficially hear God's Word, but after a while fall away. Some can hear God's Word, only to get distracted by riches or worries in the world. Jesus desires the humble and honest heart of a responsive hearer, someone eager to hear his Word and live by it. This parable calls attention to the personal need for individuals to listen and decide which soil they want to be when they encounter God's message about Jesus Christ.

Jesus' First Sermons

Dennis McCallum

Luke 4

Jesus' first teachings centered around God's Word as he simultaneously performed miracles. These miracles were used to authenticate Jesus' message, for symbolic teachings, and to demonstrate Jesus' authority over the demonic spirits and even death itself. Jesus Christ's message was for the humble and not the self-righteous, as he showed people's need for forgiveness through him apart from any human works.

The View From the Cross

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 22

When Jesus cries out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me," is this him giving up his faith in God's plan? No! He is quoting a line from a Psalm of David, Psalm 22, and is actually declaring that God's plan has been fulfilled. This Psalm describes in detail the manner of Jesus' death centuries before it occurred, and the reason for his death. Jesus died so that we could have a relationship with God. Will we accept that free gift for ourselves?