Afterlife?

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 12:1-2

Paul explained that our earthly bodies are temporary, but we will soon have eternal bodies. Christians will spend eternity in the new Heaven and the new Earth and it will be far better than our current lives. We should keep these truths in mind when we think about our lives here on Earth; everything here is so temporary. The afterlife is where our best life lies.

The Spiritual Mindset

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 3:1-12

What is doubt and how should we deal with it? This is the first of a two-part series on doubt that addresses what doubt is, what it is not, and what it might look like in the life of a believer. Everyone struggles with doubt at some point in their lives. We should pursue our doubts and search out answers to the questions we have. Common issues that trigger doubt and the problem of evil in the world are also discussed.\r\n

Three Events During Jesus' Crucifixion

Gary DeLashmutt

Daniel 12:1-2

Three unique events occurred during Jesus' crucifixion. The first event was darkness falling over the land for three hours during the middle of the day. During this three hours of darkness Jesus was experiencing God's wrath and judgment for humanities sins. The second event that occurred was the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. This curtain symbolized that God is Holy and we are unable to have access to Him. God tore the Temple curtain in two after Jesus' death because we now can have access to God through Jesus' perfect and final sacrifice. The third event was a powerful earthquake that revealed empty tombs. This event showed that Jesus being God had conquered the power of death for all who put their faith in Him.\r\n

Experiencing the "Fullness of God"

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2

Paul writes to combat the Gnostic teachers and their emphasis on special knowledge. He explains that we receive a new identity when we enter a relationship with God. "Being dead" involves separation from God but being "alive" is being united with God. Being united with God means we receive this new identity. Living out our identity means we become who we are in four ways: 1) having the perspective that God is at work; 2) being secure in our identity; 3) having confidence we are forgiven; and 4) staying united with God and other Christians.\r\n

What Does the Future Hold?

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Paul contrasts depression and the fear of death with the hope believers have in Christ's resurrection. Death for people who have put their faith in Christ will look much different than the picture many people fear. God has established clues for when the entire planet will reach an end, so believers have evidence that there is an urgency to telling other people about God.

Raising a Man from the Dead

Gary DeLashmutt

John 11:1-46

Jesus performs the final miracle in a series of seven recorded miracles in the Gospel of John. Jesus resurrects a man named Lazarus after he had been dead for several days. This physical resurrection points to a larger claim from Jesus, that he has the authority to defeat death and offer spiritual resurrection as well. Jesus has an emotional reaction to Lazarus' death as death is unnatural and something that God has a plan to defeat fully.

Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

Gary DeLashmutt

John 11:1-46

The crucifixion of Jesus is a widely accepted historical event. Therefore instead of looking at the historical evidence, the meaning of the crucifixion is investigated. The meaning of the crucifixion is found in the statements surrounding Jesus on the cross. Jesus' death is significant in that it is intercessory, evidential, substitutionary, and complete.

Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

Jim Leffel

John 11:1-46

Though it seems foolish to humanity, Jesus' death on the cross illustrates God's wisdom, justice, power, and authority, as well as His compassion for us. God had been planning this from the beginning. The Messiah was to be our substitute in death in order to redeem us so that we may be saved; Jesus' death is our only hope of reconciliation with God. When we accept God's forgiveness through Jesus, we become God's children and enjoy a personal relationship with Him.\r\n

Suffering with a Purpose - The Crucifixion

John Cleary

John 11:1-46

The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus is more than merely a historical event. This is evident in some of the statements surrounding Jesus on the cross. Those statements include: 1) they crucified him; 2) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?; 3) it is finished; 4) Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise. Jesus wants each individual to personally respond to this dramatic event.