The Road to Forgiveness

Scott Risley

Genesis 42:1-45:15

Joseph has every right to be angry and bitter at his family. After all, they sold him into slavery and led him to great suffering. Now his family needs his help. Will he finally get his revenge or will he choose a different path?

Jesus Cleans House

Ryan Lowery

John 2:13-25

Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to the Temple at Passover. He found sellers of oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers doing business there. Seeing that they were misrepresenting God, Jesus made a whip, turned over the tables and drove them all out. The Jewish leaders arrive and Jesus says, "destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up". They were confused not knowing he was referring to the Temple of his body. Later, his disciples remembered that Jesus said this to them and they believed the words he said.

James 4 - A Self-Diagnostic Tool in Conflicts

Cathy Treyens

Proverbs 27:20

We all experience conflict, but we often do not correctly assess our own contributions or our role in them. Through the insight given in James 4, we can break down our conflicts, often brought on by what we demand from others and God. Our emotions acts as the tip of the iceberg, on top of what we want, and on top of what we deeply need. As we learn to diagnose ourselves, we can receive God's healing through submission and humility.

Temple Showdown

Scott Risley

Luke 19:45-20:47

Luke describes a showdown between Jesus and the religious leaders over the temple. The religious leaders attempted to arrest Jesus and continued to use the temple to make a profit while Jesus repeatedly silenced them with the truth. The religious leaders were confronted with the question "Jesus is the Son of God. What are you going to do about it?" The same question can be asked of anyone. Will you reject Jesus as the Son of God or accept Him?

Why Are You Angry?

Gary DeLashmutt

Genesis 4:1-6

The first biblical account of sinful anger is described. God asks Cain, "Why are you angry?" Sinful anger is destructive and rooted in wrong beliefs. To experience increasing freedom in this area three things are necessary: 1) receive God's forgiveness; 2) cooperate practically with God to combat your anger; 3) identify and replace wrong beliefs with faith in God's provision.

The New vs. Old Identity

Ryan Lowery

Ephesians 4:25-32

Paul continues to expound on the new self by calling on the Ephesians to be others-focused. Paul speaks to anger, bitterness, selfishness, and finally to our basis for forgiving others, Christ himself. If love is to transform us in the manner God intends, we are to respond to our emotions in a selfless way and seek peace and restoration in relationships.

Conflict Resolution in Marriage

Ryan Weingartner

Colossians 3:18-19

Within the marriage relationship conflict should be expected and can be healthy when handled properly. Basic conflict resolution principles are given with many marital examples. Initiating conflict should be a choice rather than a reaction and must be covered in prayer. By following the principles given, conflict can take a marriage to new heights.

Setting Your Mind on the Things Above

Conrad Hilario

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Now that Paul has finished arguing against false teachers, he now instructs how the Colossians can grow spiritually in Christ. Paul urges them to remember their new identity in Christ and to put off their old self that includes sexual immorality, greed, and anger. He reminds the believers that their old way of living is done away with because of the cross. Being ?in Christ? enables them to live and experience their new identity.

Overcoming Obstacles to Love Relationship: Resentfulness

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 18:21-35

Resentfulness and bitterness are real barriers to the love that we have toward other people. God has forgiven everyone for their sins, this includes you. Are you willing to forgive others like God forgave you?