More Keys to Healthy Spiritual Community

Scott Risley
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Healthy spiritual community requires love relationships among fellow Christians as they also relate to a loving God. In these passages, the focus will be on the vertical relationship with God, us speaking to God and God speaking to us. This will involve the keys of rejoicing, praying, thanksgiving, being open to receiving input from the Holy Spirit and rejecting any form of evil.

Living with Hope

Scott Risley
1 Thessalonians 4:9-5:11

In God's plan for humanity, we were never meant to experience death, but since Adam and Eve sinned, we all have or will experience the evil of death. But Christians do not need to fear death as Scripture is clear, when we die, we go immediately to be with Jesus. Jesus promises to someday come back to earth to gather together those who have put their faith in Him, and take us to heaven, whether we have already died or are still alive on earth. Then the Tribulation period will begin.

What Does the Future Hold?

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 5

Never before in the history of the world have the conditions for the Great Tribulation been visible as they are in our time. Almost all of the signs God has given to us in His Word regarding the preconditions for the end of days are now upon us. Israel has been regathered from the ends of the earth to their own country. The world populations has grown exponentially. We live in a time of amazing technology, moral anarchy and famine/pestilence. But those who have placed their faith in Jesus will not be destined for the wrath to come upon the whole earth. God will rescue those who are His.

A Model Church

Scott Risley
1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

The church described in 1 Thessalonians is a model church that we would do well to imitate because they were young and suffering but were happy. They were trusting God more every day and loving each other and those nearby in spite of their trials. They were clinging to their hope of eternity which gave them the ability to endure difficulties with joy.

Reason-Based Faith

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

God gave us the Bible so that we can make a reason-based decision to have faith in Jesus. He does not expect us believe based "on spiritual apprehension rather than proof." The Good News is backed by evidence, based on reasonable faith, and is free of charge.

Simeon and Anna

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 2:25-38

Simeon and Anna can give us a picture of what our lives can be like as seniors. We don't have to wait around to die or live for self, but can have a spiritually vibrant life faithfully serving God.

Daniel 9

James Rochford
Daniel 9

Why should anyone trust Jesus with their life, let alone their eternity? The Book if Daniel, Chapter 9, gives compelling evidence the Bible is a supernatural book, able to accurately predict future events to the very year they occur. Factoring in the lunar calendar and the lack of a zero year, Daniel 9 accurately predicts, four hundred years prior, the year Messiah would be killed.

Unity Out of Diversity

Scott Risley
Ephesians 4:7-16

Because Christians are united with Christ, they have unity with other Christians. This is not a unity we generate, but a unity we must strive to maintain. Just as our bodies are made up of many parts, so too is the Body of Christ made up of many different individuals who work together, each doing their unique role, to build up the Body of Christ for the work God created each of us to do.

The Mystery of Christ

Conrad Hilario
Ephesians 3:1-11

God created man with freewill which led to a dilemma for God. He is both loving and just. He loves us but His justice demands he punish us for our sins. His enemies make accusations against his character. So, God kept secret His plan to resolve His dilemma for a time. At the right time, he revealed that Jesus would be the perfect substitute to pay for man's sins. Thus, He demonstrated His great love but also satisfied his justice.