A Death Prolonged

Jeff Gordon

Many people needlessly suffer at the end of their life due to prolonged medical care. This can lead to suffering for the patient as well as the decision maker. Continuing to research and have better conversations about end of life care will lead to better quality of death, lower risk of complicated grief, less aggressive care, and lower cost of care.

The Resurrection

Scott Risley

Matthew 28:1-15

The historical resurrection of Jesus after His Crucifixion is an exciting story that is non-negotiable. After two thousand years, no one has been able to discredit its authenticity. If, after all these years, no one can give a natural explanation of the recorded event, then the logical conclusion is a supernatural event occurred. The New Testament accounts of His resurrection were written so that people would believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing, have eternal life in His name.

End-of-Life Care and Decisions

Jeff Gordon

Matthew 28:1-15

As a part-time medical doctor and part-time pastor, Jeff Gordon offers his unique expertise on the topic of end-of-life care. This talk is in conjunction with his book, A Death Prolonged. Using distressing statistics and anecdotes, he paints a bleak and frightening picture of the current state of end-of-life care, in which patients endure painful and ineffective treatment that most never would have chosen for themselves. After diagnosing the problem, Jeff also provides helpful tips for navigating the current system as well as suggestions for larger-scale change.\r\n

The Next Life: What If It's True?

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Paul shares his perspective that his life won't truly begin until he is with Christ in heaven. This is typically the opposite of most Americans whose cling to this life for comfort and pleasure but end up disappointed and broken. Paul's focus on the next life has brought him encouragement during persecution, imprisonment, and intense suffering. A deeper understanding of the next life transforms our hearts and our lives.

Life and Death

Scott Risley

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Paul explores life and death and how our view of death influences how we live our lives. Jesus has conquered death and provided us a sure afterlife. Video testimony by Wayne Talarzyk included.

Truly Living While You're Dying

Beth Chilcoat

Bev DeLashmutt

John 17:17

David Chilcoat, a devout Christian and the founder of the Columbus Young Life branch, experienced intense suffering as his body decayed slowly due to ALS, a devastating disease. His wife Beth and Bev DeLashmutt use his journal entries at the time of his illness to explore how to remain faithful and experience peace and joy even amidst this kind of physical and emotion pain. Three key points that emerge are: 1) the need to ask God for what we need and desire, 2) to remember God's goodness and affirm our faith, and 3) to wait for Him to fulfill His promises to us. These help us to respond to suffering in a way that allows us to persevere through it instead of crumbling under it.

Preventing End of Life Tragedies

Jeff Gordon

John 17:17

Dr. Jeff Gordon shares his experiences with the issue of end of life care in America. The hidden truth is that every year, Medicare spends billions of dollars in just the last few months of care for patients, which really can be argued is just a prolonging of death. Jeff discusses the probability of living after certain end of life illnesses and tragedies and the reality of what this "care" looks like. It often is more humane to let death take people naturally when the time has come instead of pouring countless dollars toward adding a few more days, weeks, or months in an uncomfortable hospital environment. As Christians, we can have hope after death and take legal actions now to prepare ourselves for the medical care we would like to or not like to receive at the end of our lives.

Power of the Gospel (Part 2): Defeating Sickness and Death

Jim Leffel

Mark 5:21-53

Mark records Jesus healing two different people: the famous synagogue leader named Jairus and a bleeding woman. While Jairus was famous, esteemed, and spoke to Jesus directly, the woman was anonymous, rejected, and sneaky. In their desperation, both had the same faith in the person of Jesus. Jairus and the woman both received more healing and grace than they were expecting.

I Have Fought the Good Fight

Jeff Gordon

2 Timothy 4:5-8

Paul is looking at the end of his life with a positive perspective. He has persevered in his life with the Lord with faithfulness. He now looks ahead to the rewards that God will give him in heaven. These rewards are available to anyone who has a long-term perspective that we live in eternity. There is more to life than meets the eye because the way we lives our lives have an eternal impact.