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The Letter to Smyrna

Patrik Matthews

Revelation 2:8-11

Jesus writes to the church in Smyrna that they are going to undergo suffering due to slander, poverty, and affliction. The ultimate cause of this suffering is Satan. Jesus tells them to not give into their fear - that they can be faithful when they go through suffering because: he has experienced suffering too, he knows what is going to happen to them, and he is able to give them what is truly valuable. We too can look to Jesus' call to faithfulness and pursue what's valuable.

Keywords

{"passage": "Revelation 2:8-11","passageabreviated": "Rev 2:8-11","passagetiny": "Rev 2:8-11","teacher": "Patrik Matthews","teachingDate"...

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Cultivating a Tender Heart

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 6:12

In the Christian life and ministry there is a need for both toughness and tenderness, a paradox that we all face. We need toughness because Christian work is hard. We face attacks from Satan, failure, doubts, people walking away from God, criticism, and much more at times. In order to withstand this, we must learn how to draw near to God for strength. We do this so that we do not become hardened and self-protective, because Christian work involves exercising sacrificial love repeatedly and moving towards people. There are many consequences if we harden our heart in response, but also practical suggestions for how to cultivate this tender heart.

Keywords

{"passage": "John 2:24-25","passageabreviated": "John 2:24-25","passagetiny": "John 2:24-25","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate":...

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Strength & Weakness

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 11:30-12:10

Paul's revelations and experiences were used by God to equip Paul for greater service. To prevent pride from creeping in, God allowed a unique type of suffering in Paul's life to cultivate humility before Him. As we experience similar sufferings, we can remember that God has allowed this for His purposes, as we learn to rely less on self and more on Christ's power. God can use suffering in our lives to create a proper boasting in Him rather than our abilities, and allows for a deeper appreciation for who He is.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 11:30-12:10","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 11:30-12:10","passagetiny": "2Cor 11:30-12:10","teacher": "Jim Leffel...

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Two Essential Convictions

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 11:7-29

Paul demonstrates to the Corinthians the importance of living to serve others and having a mind to suffer for Christ. As we live our Christian lives looking to meet others need, we can experience great peace and seeing God work through us in others lives. Christians who develop Paul's attitude toward the suffering in their lives are capable of experiencing deep spiritual transformation as their faith is increased as God works. As we suffer, we are able to see who God really is at a more profound level.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 11:7-29","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 11:7-29","passagetiny": "2Cor 11:7-29","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingD...

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Failure

Mike Woods

Matthew 26:14-75

When we encounter failure as we follow God, our response to failure is vital. Judas Iscariot and Peter are two examples of two radically different responses to failure. If we choose to despair after failure, we will encounter a loss of hope that God is committed to us. However, real repentance allows for closer fellowship with God, a deeper appreciation of His love, and an active pursuit to love others and learn from failure. God is committed to using failure in our lives for good.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 7:10-11","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 7:10-11","passagetiny": "2Cor 7:10-11","teacher": "Mike Woods","teachingD...

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Treasure in Clay Pots

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 4:6-18

Paul uses clay pots to explain how God can be manifested more and more in Christians lives. God often times has to break our selfish tendencies in order to have His light shine through our lives more radically. In the midst of hardship, Christians can have real hope as they focus on the eternal purposes of how God can be manifested through our hardships.The willingness to give up the self-focused life in favor of further dependence on God can lead us into spiritual renewal.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 4:6-18","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 4:6-18","passagetiny": "2Cor 4:6-18","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate...

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Overcoming Temptation

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness; this event teaches us how we will be tempted and how to overcome temptation. Our essential weapon in overcoming temptation is knowing God's Word.

Keywords

{"passage": "Luke 4:1-13","passageabreviated": "Luke 4:1-13","passagetiny": "Luke 4:1-13","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDate": "0...

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The God of All Comfort

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Christians can develop a more thorough knowledge of God as they willingly participate with how He wants to use our sufferings. As we experience sufferings, we get a greater awareness and understanding of God's comfort for us, and are empowered to give that to others as they need comfort amidst suffering. Christians who grow in their endurance amidst suffering are able to have increased hope in light of unfavorable circumstances and can view their suffering as a new way to develop further dependence on God over self.

Keywords

{"passage": "2 Corinthians 1:1-11","passageabreviated": "2 Cor 1:1-11","passagetiny": "2Cor 1:1-11","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate...

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Who is Jesus?

Dennis McCallum

Mark 1:21-2:12

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus performs many miracles. He interacts with a man with an unclean spirit, a man with leprosy, and a paralyzed man. These interactions communicate Jesus' authority over evil spirits, that he is deeply compassionate towards those who are outcasts, has the power to forgive sins, and can sense deep spiritual hunger of people who don't know him. These miracles are signs to point to Jesus' greater work seen through dying on the cross for humanity.

Keywords

{"passage": "Mark 1:21-2:12","passageabreviated": "Mark 1:21-2:12","passagetiny": "Mark 1:21-2:12","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teaching...

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