Who Do You Say I Am?

Jim Leffel

Mark 8:27-37

Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" In the ensuing discussion, Jesus teaches the implications for following him and why doing so is worth it. This involves a personal choice to let him lead our lives and to go through suffering. The investment of having a relationship with God and living for Him is worthy of our soul. This is what gives us satisfaction and the abundant life.\r\n

The Afterlife

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 1:9-10

If there is nothing after death, then this life is meaningless. God has offered us salvation from death through Jesus' death on the cross and He has been working this plan since man first sinned. God wants us to join Him in Heaven for eternity, and all we have to do is accept His free gift of salvation.

The Non-Negotiables

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:4

Paul emphasized the importance of the Gospel message to the Corinthians, that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected which demonstrates that he was God and had paid for sin. All we have to do to be made righteous in God's eyes is to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as a payment for our own sins. Nothing should be added or removed from the Gospel that Paul preached.

Beginning: John the Baptist

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 5:21

After many years of silence from God, John the Baptist comes as a messenger to announce the coming of the Messiah, a fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 40 and Malachi 3. His message was a need for repentance and forgiveness of sins, and many people came to be baptized by him. He tells the people that though he baptizes with water, the One coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit. While water baptism is only a symbolic cleansing done in recognition for the need for forgiveness, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of forgiveness provided by Christ's death.

Applying the Wisdom of God: Egocentrism

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 4:5

God's love is sacrificial and serving rather than a selfish emotional fulfillment. The things of this world are less important when we take on God's perspective and see that what truly matters is our eternal identity. When we view this world from God's perspective we are able to appraise things as they really are.

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?