How to Suffer Victoriously

Jim Leffel

Romans 6:3-4

How do we suffer in a way that does not destroy our lives? We are commanded to arm ourselves for suffering. Deep within we must understand our participation in the death of Christ. If we are dead to what this world is about, then we do not have to be driven by fear anymore. Peter gives practical instructions for suffering victoriously. Video clips from Titanic and Band of Brothers are shown.\r\n

Gospel and Postmodern Culture (Part 4)

Jim Leffel

Romans 8:28

Part four of a four-part series on the Gospel impacting postmodern culture. We are called upon by God to give an account for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect. How do we respond to questions about God being loving when we live in a world full of evil and suffering? A basic framework for understanding the problem of evil is presented to help us engage with others on this topic.\r\n

Living on a Permanent Visa

Jim Leffel

1 Peter 2:11-25

Peter gives practical instruction to ?resident aliens? on how to live in a society that is fundamentally flawed. He tackles difficult topics such as the Christian's relationship to government and slavery. As Christians we are to live for Christ's reputation rather than our own personal rights, responding to injustice as Jesus did.\r\n

Paul's Advice for Effective Leadership

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Timothy 2:1-26

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he presents six mandates for Christian leaders, mandates that we too are called to follow today. First, we are called to draw strength from Christ's grace. We must develop leaders who will go on to develop leaders and embrace the hardships of leadership. We must focus on both keeping biblical instruction central and continuing to experience personal character growth. Finally, in order to be effective leaders, we must deal with sinful opponents in a godly way.

Mary of Bethany

Jill Briscoe

Luke 10:38-42

Through beautiful stories and examples comes encouragement to not waste the pain and suffering in our lives, but allow God to use it. It is through adversity that we have a choice to deepen our faith. Mary of Bethany is a woman who through her life gave her heart, home, and hurt to Jesus. \r\n

Resident Aliens

Jim Leffel

Hebrews 11:8-10

Peter writes this letter primarily to Jews who responded to his message in Jerusalem on Pentecost and later migrated back to their home countries in mostly modern-day Turkey. He addresses them as "resident aliens" and many are experiencing persecution and rejection from their families and communities. Peter writes this letter to give very practical instruction on how to live victoriously for Christ amid suffering.\r\n

Praying When Your World is Rocked

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 4:24-30

When we pray, God will help us overcome world-rocking crises. Overcoming may not mean deliverance from circumstances, but God can allow us to victoriously do His will in the midst of tribulation. The prayer in Acts includes three key points, that God would: 1) consider the threats against them; 2) enable them to represent Jesus well; and 3) pour out the Holy Spirit in healing so people may experience God. Gary DeLashmutt expounds on how this prayer serves as an example for us today. Includes a testimony by Bev DeLashmutt on a spiritual role model of victorious suffering in her life.

A "Thorn in the Flesh"

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 6:11-17

Paul had a thorn in his flesh that God allowed to be there, this thorn was a reminder to Paul that God's grace is sufficient for him. God will allow us to suffer in order for us to see our need for him in our life. We need to choose to depend on God with our lives to experience the fullness of His love and to powerfully be used by Him.

The Ten Plagues

Lee Campbell

Exodus 7:2-6

God causes 10 plagues against the Egyptians that directly correlate with the Egyptian gods. Many view the plagues as disturbing due to the judgement on the Egyptians. However, God rescues the oppressed in order to show His character through this situation. Additionally, God persuades the oppressor to show that He alone is God. In the hardship that people face, it might require patient enduring until God finishes His persuading of the oppressor. God will ultimately stop the oppression because He is just.