God Speaks

Conrad Hilario

Psalms 19

David's psalm celebrates God's revelation of Himself to humanity through creation and His written Word. David celebrates God's revelation of His character through the manner of the world's design. Finally, David rejoices in God's revelation of Himself through His Word, leading people into a life within God's Will. Includes a video about the fine-tuning argument.

The Dynamics of True Heart Change

Dennis McCallum

2 Samuel 11:1-12:14

Many have withstood the trial of failure, only to fail under the trial of success. When King David became wealthy and had many wives, he hardened his heart and covered up his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah until the prophet Nathan exposed his sin and he repented. David then penned Psalms 51 and 32 describing the dynamics of true heart change. Thank God we can never out sin His immeasurable grace.\r\n

Introduction

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:10-14

Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount begins with his prescription for true happiness - the Beatitudes. He speaks with authority as God's King, and his teaching is that the key to happiness is first coming into a relationship with God and then adopting certain attitudes in line with knowing God personally. Our happiness as people is not dependent on our circumstances but rather on our cultivation of these attitudes.

Two Ways to Live

Scott Risley

Romans 3:10-12:3

An overview of Hebrew poetry (tools for understanding and interpreting), types of Psalms (wisdom, praise/thanksgiving, and lament/anger), and an explanation of what we can learn from the Psalms including: how to express our feelings to God; and reconciling our feelings/life experiences with truth found in scripture. Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm that lays out two life-paths (wicked vs. righteous), and the importance of delighting in and meditating on the Word. Ultimately, this psalm calls us to entrust our lives to God and learn to listen to His Word.

The Paradoxical Way to Happiness

Gary DeLashmutt

Isaiah 58:10-11

Human beings deeply desire personal happiness, and live in ways they believe will result in happiness. God affirms this desire to be happy, but declares that our way of seeking through a self-centered life is wrong. Instead, Jesus declares that the self-giving perspective results in true happiness. In order to live this sacrificial lifestyle, we must consistently receive God's love and then give it out to others.

Joyful Suffering (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:24-2:5

The Christian life involves activities that bring with them, at the same time, suffering and joy. One of these is the process of helping others along to spiritual maturity, which is an extremely fulfilling interpersonal process that comes with relational risk. Another is the commitment to unity in the church, which is incredibly rewarding but can grate against our selfish nature.

Joyful Suffering (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:24-2:5

If there's nothing that is worthy of our whole life, then our lives will be made up of trivialities. Advancing Christ's work will result in some suffering, and joy comes through the deep connection that forms through giving our lives for others. According to the Bible, God has revealed a great mystery set forth in the Old Testament through Christ. Knowing God is the greatest knowledge that brings us the greatest joy.

The Transformation Christ Brings

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:9-14

People come to know God through humbly receiving what He has revealed. After this, we can begin to walk in a way that is pleasing to Him. Walking with God manifests in four ways: 1) bearing fruit; 2) growing in knowledge of God; 3) being strengthened for endurance; and 4) joyful gratitude.

Features of a Transformed Community (Part 4)

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

An important feature of a healthy spiritual community is zeal: the irrepressible desire for the things of God. We are called not to quench the Spirit and to avoid a critical attitude that is insensitive to God's Word or His Spirit. Developing zeal includes searching for a word from God, joining in with the praise of others, and taking risks.