Jesus' Arrest

Gary DeLashmutt

John 18:1-11

Jesus is arrested and begins the process that will end with the crucifixion. When faced with this suffering Jesus endures by fixing his mind on his future glory with God. In times of adversity, believers can fix their minds on heaven to instill hope in this life.

God Is A Patient Judge

Ryan Lowery

Luke 12:35-13:9

God's judgment is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. The pattern across the Bible is that God does judge, but only after giving tons of warnings. The Biblical explanation for why bad things happen to "good" people lies in three principles: 1) there are no good people; 2) we are subject to the choices of others; and 3) the world itself is broken. God gives everyone the opportunity to be exempt from His judgment through the free gift of salvation.

Expect Opposition

Jeff Gordon

John 15:18-16:4

At the last supper that Jesus had with his disciples, he prepares them with this warning that they are going to be hated by some. Jesus is warning them about this because he does not want his followers to abandon their faith because of the hostility they will endure. The reason they will be hated is because they hated the message that Jesus preached and who he was. In the midst of persecution he reminds his disciples that they are not alone and to continue testifying the God's truth to a lost world.

Spiritual Lifestyle in a Rugged World

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 4:7-19

What uniquely marks Christians is the way that we love one another deeply from the heart. God has individually given believers spiritual gifts to be able to serve others in love, which comes from His power and Holy Spirit. Although, believers should not be surprised when suffering and trials are brought into their lives. Peter gives several ways that we can brace our minds to be victorious sufferers in light of hardship. Includes reading from Watchman Nee's book "The Normal Christian Worker".\r\n

New Life in Christ

Scott Risley

1 Peter 3:17-4:6

Believers should be prepared to suffer. Noah suffered and sacrificed a great deal in his life. His rescue came at a significant cost; Christ's rescue of humanity came at an even greater cost. Christ's suffering is the supreme example for us and is also the reason why we can live different lives. Christ suffered so we can have new life.

Being Like Jesus

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:10-11

By believing in the finished work of Christ, Peter exhorts us to prepare our minds to suffer in the same way that Christ did. Since Christ suffered in the flesh for a purpose, as believers, we will experience this as well. In preparation for suffering, Peter reflects on the days of Noah, addresses the purpose of baptism, and the authority that Christ possesses. \r\n

Who Do You Say I Am?

Ryan Lowery

Isaiah 52:13-54:1

Jesus turns the attention of his disciples to a crucial question: who is Jesus? Christ puts himself over and above a prophet or a good teacher. Instead, Jesus fulfills many Old Testament prophecies to prove that he is the Christ. Every person has a choice to be saved, and then to entrust their lives to Jesus by becoming his disciple.\r\n\r\n

Jesus Calms The Storm

Ryan Lowery

Luke 8:22-25

When the disciples encounter a life-threatening storm while Jesus is asleep, their faith is tested. All followers of Christ will face hardship beyond their control, and must learn to trust God. There are five principles to help believers to overcome times of suffering: 1) Jesus must be with us; 2) God is sovereign and aware; 3) remember the promises of God; 4) God will bring good out of evil; and 5) God cares about our pain.

Confrontation and Persecution

Jim Leffel

Acts 7

Persecution continues in the early church. Stephen is accused of blasphemy, and is put on trial. He gives his defense before the court, reminding them of God's grace and provision throughout history. Stephen understood God's heart - what He cared for the most - do we display that same understanding? If so, we should be telling others! The same God of History that Stephen speaks of is with us too. \r\n