What is the Difference Between a Country Club and the Body of Christ?

Dennis McCallum

2 Thessalonians 2:15-3:18

Paul writes in his letter about discipline in the church, and how discipline is for the good of the believer and for the good of the group. Unlike judgment, discipline is looking toward the future, giving someone knowledge of and tools for what they need to change. In groups that do not have discipline, lives don't change, there is low morale, and major change by God isn't seen.

Keys to Healthy Home Group Meetings

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 2:42

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gives five keys to having a healthy home group meeting: 1) it requires people who have made a commitment to gather regularly; 2) expect Christ to be present and active in your meeting; 3) seek to edify your brothers and your sisters; 4) pray aloud and prophesy; 5) invite guests and trust that God will speak to them.

Striving to Love One Another

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Paul directs the Thessalonians to help three specific groups of people in three specific ways: 1) admonish the unruly, lazy, and rebellious; 2) encourage the fainthearted, suffering, or those facing failures; 3) help the spiritually and physically weak. Paul also calls the church to be patient and gracious with all types of people.

Serving Love and the Body of Christ (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

In the Body of Christ, Christians are called to warn, encourage, help, and extend grace to one another. All of these actions are to be done with the vital quality of patience, a quality that differs drastically from softness. When these actions are consistently practiced in a community of believers, true spiritual growth and a tangible demonstration of God's love ensues.

Serving Love and the Body of Christ (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Mark 10:42-45

Paul commands the Thessalonian believers to respect their leaders and to live peaceably with everyone. But what is biblical leadership? The Bible is clear that God calls and appoints leaders, and these leaders are then recognized by others for their proven service to God and His people. These leaders must be relatively more mature than others in the church, exhibit godly character, and have a solid foundation in God's truth. Those who have not been called into leadership yet should cultivate a healthy appreciation for their leaders and work towards becoming spiritual leaders themselves.

Close Christ-Centered Friendships

Gary DeLashmutt

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

God wants us to be able to have relationships that can go deeper than just a casual friendship. These close friendships involve regular time spent, vulnerability, and sacrificially loving one another. These relationships are often the venue for us to experience true Biblical love.

Spiritual Friendship

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Paul stresses the importance of spiritual friendships by describing his relationship with the Thessalonians. Hindrances to spiritual friendships involve 1) Satan's attack on spiritual relationships; 2) codependency; 3) being disengaged. The strengths and weaknesses of the tribal and diffuse approach to relationships are also explained.

The Dynamics of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

The Bible teaches clearly that fulfillment and happiness come from eternal relationships built around serving love. These relationships are neither codependent (clinging to others out of neediness) or disengaged (low involvement due to a lack of availability), nor are they primarily tribal or diffuse. Instead, mature serving love is deeply involved and seeks to give to others whenever possible, and this sacrificial love is learned through personal experience in the body of Christ.

Christ-Centered Friendships

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 2:42-46

God's plan for love involves real relationships. The most basic friendship God wants us to start with is having casual friendships. Casual friendships involve initiating others-centered conversations.