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?

God's Strategy in Human History

Dennis McCallum

Romans 9-11

What are God's plans for humanity and the means to His ends? God communicates throughout the Old and New Testaments that righteousness before God is bestowed on those who have faith, not those who devote themselves to rules or works. All are called to specifically put their faith in the culmination of God's law, Jesus Christ. God shifts His work to spread this message beyond the Israelites, specifically to non-Jewish people; but will come back and fulfill His promises to the Jewish people.\r\n

Love Relationships Under God

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 22:36-40

The concept of love is the summary of the intent of the entire Biblical Law and Prophets. Love is found in personal relationships with others, beginning with God. The key to understanding and experiencing love is to understand and experience God. These theological ideas are explored in the first of three lessons from Romans 13. Includes quotes from "What Americans Believe" by George Barna and "True Spirituality" by Francis Schaeffer.\r\n

How is the Bible Different from Other Scriptures?

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:35

The Bible stands out from other scriptures in its accuracy of historical claims, and it's fulfilled prophecy. God chose to confirm His message to mankind through these verifiable claims. Some spiritual texts contradict history, while others make no verifiable claims.

As in Adam, So in Christ

Dennis McCallum

Romans 5-6

Paul describes how we are born under the federal headship of Adam. Thanks to this one man's decision, we are born with a sin nature and are separate from God. Yet, thanks to the righteousness of another man, Jesus Christ, we can die to our old, sin nature and gain a new identity in Christ. By accepting Christ's sacrifice for ourselves, we can be made free and grow in our relationship with God under our new identity.