Serving Love in the Body of Christ, Part Two

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Dennis finishes up 1 Thessalonians 5 with the remaining imperatives of effective body life. He calls all Christians to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, not quench the Spirit, and have discernment on spiritual matters. It is not up to us to muster the ability to do these things, but for us to depend upon God to bring it to pass.

More Keys to Healthy Spiritual Community

Scott Risley
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Healthy spiritual community requires love relationships among fellow Christians as they also relate to a loving God. In these passages, the focus will be on the vertical relationship with God, us speaking to God and God speaking to us. This will involve the keys of rejoicing, praying, thanksgiving, being open to receiving input from the Holy Spirit and rejecting any form of evil.

Walking According to the Spirit

Ben Foust
Romans 8:16-39

In this section of Romans, Paul instructs us to walk in accordance to the Spirit in the context of suffering. He describes different lenses to view our suffering through, which will let God near to us and allow the Spirit to help us through our trials.

How the Spirit Helps

Ben Foust
Romans 8:12-17

This section of Romans emphasizes that spiritual growth comes from our personal relationship with God, not from a formulaic set of actions that we perform.

The Mind Set on the Spirit

Ben Foust
Romans 8:5-15

Paul describes the battle between setting our minds on the flesh versus setting our minds on the spirit.

Our Role in Ministry

Ryan Lowery
1 Corinthians 3:7-15

Paul calls the church's attention back to Jesus as the foundation for spiritual growth. Despite the good or bad work we do as humans, God is the one who causes the growth.

Understanding the Mind of God

Ryan Lowery
1 Corinthians 2:1-14

Apologetics alone is not enough to understand the mind of God; God wants to communicate to us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' Conception

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 1:26-38

The elements of the conception of Jesus mirror the steps to becoming a Christian. Just as God initiated the encounter with Mary, God also initiates a relationship with non-Christians. God offered to Mary to indwell her with the Son of God, so too does God offer the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. Mary could have refused the offer, but in faith, she accepted it. Our part is to believe God's offer of salvation and accept it.

Simeon and Anna

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 2:25-38

Simeon and Anna can give us a picture of what our lives can be like as seniors. We don't have to wait around to die or live for self, but can have a spiritually vibrant life faithfully serving God.