Attaining Spiritual Maturity

Dennis McCallum

Philippians 3:9-16

God has positioned us into His family as his sons and daughters and has promised us an eternity with him. Often we choose to focus on our temporary condition when God truly views us in terms of our eternal position. God fully loves us and His view of us is what really matters.

Knowing Christ

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 3:20

Not only did God pay for our sins on the cross, but he also initiated a personal relationship with each human being. All we have to do is accept God's invitation and our whole eternity is changed. Paul said he counts everything as garbage compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.

Faith, Fanaticism or Fakery?

Jim Leffel

Mark 14:3-11

What is a life lived out for Christ supposed to look like? An encounter with a woman and her perfume reveals what true fanaticism, and true fakery look like in light of dedicated faith. What should we pursue in this life? This event tells us that the answer is Christ.

Working Out What God Has Put In

Dennis McCallum

Acts 16:31

Paul calls us to work out our salvation, in other words, living out our salvation. We are called to forgive one another and move towards one another in love. We have been forgiven so much, so we should be free to forgive others.

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Paul's analogy of his suffering compared to a clay jar with a great treasure presents the principle of life out of death. This process is initiated by God as He gradually breaks us so that the aroma of Christ can be manifested in our lives more and more. God will allow the sufferings we encounter to promote a deeper dependence on Him and less dependence on ourselves. As we encounter these trials, God calls us to focus in faith on His promises and live them out as He works in our lives.

The Afterlife

Dennis McCallum

1 John 5:13

Paul said to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul thought he was going to live because he knew God still had plans to use him in the lives of others to share His gospel message. Paul was also secure that if he were to die then he would be going to heaven.

What Does Belief Look Like?

Jim Leffel

Mark 9:14-29

What is the nature of true belief? This story about a doubting father is examined comparing his statement about his faith and doubt against responses he could have given to Jesus. The father didn't say, ?I can't believe because I have my doubts.? Doubt is not a sin, and true faith is possible even in the midst of doubt. God values the willingness to engage with Him regardless of how confident we feel in our faith. Prayer is a means to access God's power in times of doubt.\r\n

Scraps from the Master's Table

Jim Leffel

Mark 7:24-30

Through Jesus' interaction with a Gentile woman from Tyre it is clear the issue with humanity is a matter of the heart. Although the woman is non-Jewish and from a nation that is hostile to Jews she approaches Jesus with humility and faith. The Pharisees and disciples respond with judgment rather than love. Having the heart of God requires having God's perspective that He sent Jesus to save all humanity and no one is better than anyone else.\r\n

Meager Faith Richly Rewarded

Jim Leffel

1 John 5:13

The miraculous healing of Jairus' son and the unclean woman demonstrate that Jesus has the power to overcome death, and his resurrection gives purpose to our lives as Christians. Both Jairus and the woman approached Jesus from a position of weakness and trusted that he would be faithful to his promises to them, and since they acted in faith before seeing God's provision, they both grew in their trust and intimacy with Him.