Reactions to the Cross

Dennis McCallum

Mark 15:16-20

While there were many onlookers in the events leading up to Jesus' death on the cross, the reactions of those present for these events varied considerably. Pilate, King Herod, the thieves that hung next to Christ on the cross, and the soldiers present at the scene all had different responses to Jesus. Some were indecisive about choosing for or against Christ, some mocked Jesus, while others changed their mind and repented, coming to faith. We are called to consider how we personally will respond to the cross. \r\n

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 26:37-27:51

Matthew gives record of Jesus' crucifixion on the cross, an event that is impossible to be over-emphasized. The cross was a horrendous type of physical torment that Christ endured, but Christ also endured the pain of bearing human sin. Not only can we learn a lot from Jesus' example, but we can also gain eternal life through this sacrificial act, by asking for our own certificate of debt to be paid in full.

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Gary DeLashmutt

John 12:24

Our human desires and urges are what holds back the aroma of Christ and the Gospel, this is the earthly vessel. Paul speaks of different kinds of sufferings that can cause cracks in our vessel that let the aroma of Christ come out and uplift us and the people around us with his love and truth.

Two Ways of Relating to God

Gary DeLashmutt

Jeremiah 31:31-34

The two ways of relating to God are either: 1) through superficial rituals, and adherence to the laws of the Old Covenant; or 2) through God's intended method of a personal relationship based on Christ's death on the cross. The Old Covenant was never meant to be permanent and was never meant to bring the Jews closer to God, its' purpose was to show them how far they were from God and that they needed to be clean to come into His presence. The New Covenant was brought forward and promised by God long ago as a way to restore the broken relationship between us and God. We no longer need to clean ourselves to be able to come into His presence but can be fully restored and cleaned once and for all through Christ.

God's Triumph in Christ

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Have you ever meet someone and you wanted to listen to them and be around them more? This sort of instant connection is described by Paul as an aromatic Christian and there are a few ways we can grow in being a pleasant aroma to those around us. Speaking God's Word, our confidence in God's Word and the power of the Gospel has the power to convict people and bring them to God. Living out our transformed lives shows something different to the watching world. We can all have this kind of impact on others regardless of our limitations.

A Dangerous Misunderstanding

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

The Corinthians have taken the guidance of false teachers and are starting to mistrust Paul's teaching of the Gospel. God has made us promises in the past through the prophets that have been fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus. God wants a personal relationship with us through Christ's death. This opens us up to meet each other's needs in this life.

The Kingdom Parables

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 24:44

The parable of the wheat and the tares describes how on Judgment Day, two groups of people will be separated from one another; those who believed in Jesus and will go to heaven to be with God for eternity, and those who did not believe in Jesus and will go to hell to be apart from God for eternity. This parable teaches against the self-ghettoization of Christians and warns against counterfeit Christianity. It, like the other kingdom parables, also describes a kingdom reality that was much different than what the Jews expected. They expected a kingdom of uniformity, but pluralism was God's plan. Similarly, the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast describe a kingdom that would grow gradually from the smallest beginning, rather than the sudden and total takeover expected by the Jews. Each person should be ready for Christ's return; the first and most important step is to accept Jesus' free offer of forgiveness.

Sermon on the Mount (Part 3): Jesus and the Law

Dennis McCallum

Romans 3:19-24

Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees that their interpretation of the Law fell way short of God's. The Law wasn't meant to show people the path to righteousness, but to show people their sin and that they need God's grace. God's Law isn't something we can bend to fit our moral inclinations, but a strong moral law that shows people their moral inadequacy compared to God's perfect moral standard.

Discipleship

Dennis McCallum

2 Timothy 2:2

Jesus chose personal discipleship as his teaching methodology to pass on the message of the Christian faith. Teaching in the context of deep personal relationships allows us to pass truth down in teaching and in action. Jesus sent his disciples to go out and practice this same method of teaching the Christian message.