New Life in Christ

Scott Risley

1 Peter 3:17-4:6

Believers should be prepared to suffer. Noah suffered and sacrificed a great deal in his life. His rescue came at a significant cost; Christ's rescue of humanity came at an even greater cost. Christ's suffering is the supreme example for us and is also the reason why we can live different lives. Christ suffered so we can have new life.

I Am the Light of the World

Jeff Gordon

Romans 5:6-11

Jesus claims he is the light of the world. He offers direction and protection in this life, the forgiveness of sins, friendship with God and evidence that he is who he says he is through his death and resurrection. According to the Bible, people have two options: 1) choose Jesus' death to pay for our sins or 2) die in our sins and be separated from God. Jesus demonstrated through the Pharisees accusation against the adulterous woman that no one is without sin.

Hope in the Face of Death

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul writes to the Thessalonians describing how the Christian life provides real hope amidst death. The promise of a personal, embodied reunion with Jesus Christ gives Christians hope to see their loved ones in Christ who have passed away. This is based on Jesus overcoming death and will occur during the Rapture, where Jesus will return and call up all Christians to meet him up in the air. The implications of these truths are that people need to entrust themselves to Jesus Christ, and for those who are believers in Jesus, they should instruct others with these words.

One More Plague

Dennis McCallum

Exodus 12:1-33

For the final plague God tells Moses to announce to Pharaoh that the first born male of Egyptians and their livestock will die. Moses instructs the Israelites in detail how God will pass over their homes if they sacrifice an animal and paint their door frames with its blood. In reflection, the substitutionary animal offering of the Israelites foreshadows the future death of Christ that pays for all of humanity's sins.

I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Jim Leffel

John 11:1-45

Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were close friends of Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus intentionally set up a drama to draw our focus to his central purpose: resolving the problem of death. Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life and the answer for death. We need to get this incredible message out to a dying world.

Living with Hope

Scott Risley

1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Paul clarifies his teaching about the afterlife since it seemed like the Thessalonians misunderstood him. He helps them see the reality of eternity and what they can look forward to. With this in view, Paul encourages them to live with purpose in this life rather than wasting time on empty pursuits.

What Does The Future Hold?

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

For many people, the thought of death provokes fear, depression, and despair. For people who have started a personal relationship with God though, death leads to an eternity with God in heaven, and as a result life on Earth is no longer relatively or existentially meaningless. Besides the promise of eternal life, God has also given Christians various prophetic signs to indicate that the end of human history is near, and understanding these signs motivates believers to live a sober and committed life for God until that day arrives.

What's Wrong With The Human Race?

Scott Risley

Ephesians 2:1-10

Paul contrasts God's love with the plight of humanity, i.e., physical and spiritual death. He explains the bad news resulting from human depravity and also describes God's solution to it. Because of His love and mercy God intervened by providing His Son Jesus to take on the judgment humanity deserves. It is by His grace that humanity is saved, not by works. After receiving this free gift, God gives His children the opportunity and privilege to do good works by sharing His good news with others.

Life Lessons From a Dying Guy

Beth Chilcoat

Bev DeLashmutt

John 17:17

David Chilcoat, a devoted Christian and the founder of the Columbus Young Life branch, experienced intense suffering as his body decayed slowly due to ALS, a devastating disease. After his diagnosis, he began journaling about his experience, and these entries are what his wife, Beth, and Bev DeLashmutt share in order to illustrate his faithfulness during such an intense trial. Through David's journal, we see an active example of enacting three important steps amidst suffering: asking, affirming, and waiting. As we explore and act on these three principles, we can begin to respond to suffering in a way that allows us to persevere through it instead of crumbling under it.