Basic Training

Scott Risley

1 Kings 15-17

Israel is led by a series of progressively evil, short-lived kings. Ahab and Jezebel take over, installing altars to Baal and an Asherah pole. This angers the Lord and he sends Elijah, the prophet, to tell Ahab there will be no rain for three years in Israel. Elijah goes into hiding, eventually meeting a widow with enough flour and oil for one last meal before starvation.

Disputing with God

Jim Leffel

1 Corinthians 10:13

Jeremiah complains and accuses God because he is suffering. God responds to Jeremiah with assurance that He will restore him and protect him if Jeremiah simply chooses to return to God. God assures Jeremiah that God is his fortress; this is reminder for Jeremiah from earlier that He will make Jeremiah strong like walls. Walls are useless until tested; Jeremiah is now being tested through suffering. Jeremiah does end up choosing to return to the Lord in grace and he was restored to God's work

Jesus in the Old Testament (Part 11)

Gary DeLashmutt

Isaiah 55:1-11

Four passages predict and describe the Messiah's ultimate reign but focus on his prior sufferings as God's Servant. These passages detail centuries in advance the specific suffering he would go through for the very people who were persecuting him. His death was the ultimate payment for humanity's sins and our response to his sacrifice on the cross impacts our lives for eternity. Because of God's great love for us, He makes eternity available through simply turning to Him and accepting His Servant's work on the cross to pay for our sins.\r\n

Jesus in the Old Testament (Part 9)

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 24:44-47

Walking According to the Spirit (Part 3)

Dennis McCallum

Romans 8:28-29

Growing in our relationship with God not only involves building up our inner spiritual person, it also requires our outer man be broken. Paul says later in chapter 8, "If by the Spirit, you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." God uses outward circumstances to crack our outer man, and as that outer man is put to death, the Spirit of God within us become more visible. In order to experience this life out of death, we have to actively cooperate with what God is doing in our lives, reject illegitimate pain reducers, and have a position-oriented perspective.

General Revelation (Part 3)

Dennis McCallum

Romans 1:18-20

Despite the existence of an all-powerful, all-good God, evil still exists in this world. Every worldview has to account for the problem of evil; it is not only a problem for Christians. Looking at atheism, pantheism, animism, and biblical theism, we see that only biblical theism has an answer.

Keys to Suffering Victoriously

Gary DeLashmutt

Romans 15:4-13

Paul was not discouraged by his sufferings while imprisoned, but instead was able to endue them victoriously. First, Paul's knowledge of God's plan for humanity gave him confidence. Knowing that God's plan would ultimately be victorious lead to stability and hope in the face of suffering. Paul also knew he was given a unique role in God's plan which gave his suffering meaning. Finally, Paul understood he had personal access to God who would give him all he needed. Personal Testimony shared by Bev DeLashmutt on how she has seen God redeem sufferings from her past to enable her to play her unique role in God's plan.

8 Essential Attitudes (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 13:3-4

Christians should remember those who are ill-treated and are undergoing suffering, as they are all a part of the body of Christ. Christians are instructed to honor marriage that is within God's design - a heterosexual, monogamous relationship. This type of relationship is increasingly rare in our society, but glorifies God and should stand distinct in our world. Those who are non-married should develop skills to be effective in marriage, and those within marriage should have a high priority on creating a God-honoring marriage.

Healthy Emotions

Jeff Gordon

Philippians 4:6-7

Stress can be debilitating, yet the Bible says we can live abundant lives in the midst of even very stressful situations. The common causes of stress in our culture are addressed as well as increased risks associated with stress, such as: premature death, compromised immune systems, memory loss, addictions, and depression. In response, he turns to scripture to offer practical suggestions and a radical perspective that fosters healthier emotions.