The Disciples' First Mission

Scott Risley
Matthew 9:35-38

When Jesus sent out the disciples on their first mission journey, he was teaching them important ministry principles that apply to us today as well. First, we go in the authority of Jesus. it is not under our own power that we are able to serve supernaturally. Jesus calls us to work together in teams not autonomously. We focus our effort where there is responsiveness. We must learn to trust God for our provision. And finally, our mission is very important.

Jesus on Life Motivation

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 6:19-34

Jesus teaches on what really motivates us in this life. There are two masters that people can serve, God or money. Jesus specifically speaks to living our lives for eternal things, rather than the temporary material things of this world. With a lifestyle of materialism comes heart-level issues between us and God and anxiety. Conversely, Jesus offers instruction to his audience to put God as the first priority to seek after and trust Him entirely, as His values and His guidance will give our lives true meaning and purpose that will carry on to eternity.

Why God's Word Matters

Jim Leffel
Isaiah 46:9-10

If God has not spoken, our life experience is void of meaning, a sad reality that is increasingly present in our age today. Our culture is quick to confuse facts and truth with matters of taste and opinion. Without God's Word, there is a divide between meaning and evaluative truth, cognitive meaningless (or matters of opinion), the physical word, and science. Values become feeling states, and convictions become preferences. There exists a thirst for reality, for substance, and for purpose, all of which are found in God's powerful Word. God's Word is so powerful that it has spoken creation into existence, proven itself in history, and personally created us.

Becoming Spiritual Adults (Part 3)

Jim Leffel
1 Corinthians 4:1-16

What does it look like to be a spiritually mature believer in Christ? In this third and final part of the series on spiritual maturity, principles of maturity are discussed. Topics include: trustworthiness, integrity, gratitude, sacrifice, and humility.\r\n

The Great Secret

Dennis McCallum
Philippians 4:10-20

A life of contentment consists of daily choices to trust God to meet our needs and responding to God in faith. This life is in direct opposition to a life of covetousness in which one can never be satisfied and constantly demands more from others and this world. Paul's confident assertion in Philippians that he has learned the secret of contentment is not an impossible goal for Christians, but rather a perspective that is available to anyone who knows God personally.

Jesus Reveals His Glory

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 9:28-38

At the transfiguration Jesus is physically changed, Moses and Elijah appear, and God's glory fills the mountain. This happened to show that he is the Messiah though he must be killed, that he is fulfilling God's redemptive plan, and that Jesus is God's son with a mission from Him. Several lessons may be learned from this event: 1) Jesus is God's unique savior; 2) listen to all that Jesus says, not just the parts we like; and 3) don't try to preserve special spiritual experiences instead of serving.

Darius' Dark Night of the Soul

Jim Leffel
Daniel 5:31-6:27

When Darius involuntarily takes part in a trap to kill Daniel in a lion's den, he feels immense guilty, angry, and provoked at the fact that he had condemned a man with distinguished character. Daniel refused to give up the work of prayer as an act of rebellion, trusting that God is powerful and thanking Him. When Daniel was saved by God, his provocative faith caused Darius to come to terms with God and encouraged the exiles.

Jesus Calms The Storm

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 8:22-25

Jesus taught several lessons when he calmed the storm: 1) following Jesus does not mean immunity from "storms"; 2) "storms" expose our little faith in Jesus; 3) Jesus responds to our little faith in him; and 4) Jesus challenges us to grow stronger in our faith in him. The best ways to grow our faith are to consider God's promises, ponder previous instances of God's faithfulness, and to act in faith during the storms.

A Servant's Discipline

Jim Leffel
1 Corinthians 13:12

Paul says that we are called to train for holiness like an athlete would train - that we would train with an aim or goal in mind. We should discipline ourselves to live a life that shows God's love. This means we need to depend on Him and His truth as we encounter the troubles of life.