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The Reliability of Scripture

Ryan Lowery
2 Timothy 3:13-4:5

The Bible claims to be the owner's manual to the human soul, and a claim like that deserves to be scrutinized. Paul uses two different lines of reasoning to affirm this claim: 1) the Bible comes from God, and 2) it's effective when we follow it. We can be confident that the Bible comes from God because of the person of Jesus Christ. Second, we see that when we follow scripture, we realize that it makes sense; our experiences validate our confidence in the Bible as well.

Keywords

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The Gospel of Jesus

Jim Leffel
Mark 6:1-6

Jesus was a scandalous figure who subverted the expectations of people, demonstrated his power, and refused to fit their mold. As people today encounter Jesus, their expectations present unique barriers to belief.

Keywords

{"passage": "Mark 6:1-6","passageabreviated": "Mark 6:1-6","passagetiny": "Mark 6:1-6","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "03/01/2009"}

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Power of the Gospel (Part 2): Defeating Sickness and Death

Jim Leffel
Mark 5:21-53

Mark records Jesus healing two different people: the famous synagogue leader named Jairus and a bleeding woman. While Jairus was famous, esteemed, and spoke to Jesus directly, the woman was anonymous, rejected, and sneaky. In their desperation, both had the same faith in the person of Jesus. Jairus and the woman both received more healing and grace than they were expecting.

Keywords

{"passage": "Mark 5:21-53","passageabreviated": "Mark 5:21-53","passagetiny": "Mark 5:21-53","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "02/...

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The Attraction of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 1:14-28

When Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, he points to his unique authority as he calls them to a relationship and a life of purpose. Their response shows that discipleship involves surrender, that experience follows action, and that Jesus calls people as a community. Jesus' authoritative teaching and spiritual power also drew people to follow him.

Keywords

{"passage": "Mark 1:14-28","passageabreviated": "Mark 1:14-28","passagetiny": "Mark 1:14-28","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "12/...

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Elijah Gets Ready

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 6:33

God's followers are being persecuted and killed in the northern tribes of Israel. Elijah is called upon to go down to a secluded area where he meets a woman and her child. He stays with them and all three are provided for by God. Elijah is called upon to take a step in his faith greater than any other he had been through before. God demonstrates to the woman that He is the one true "living God". Elijah sees that through perseverance and faith God can do extensive work through us as well.

Keywords

{"passage": "1 Kings 16:28-17:24","passageabreviated": "1 Kgs 16:28-17:24","passagetiny": "1King 16:28-17:24","teacher": "Dennis McCallum...

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Fracture!

Dennis McCallum
1 Kings 11:26-14:26

The fracture of Israel comes from the sin of Jeroboam which is referenced again throughout Kings. Jeroboams' anxiety and doubt in God lead him to place idols in Israel to foreign gods because he didn't have faith that God could meet his needs and protect his position as King. We are not immune to this heart attitude. We too have our idols that we turn to when we think God is not sufficient enough to meet our needs. This leads to a weak church and leads to leaders who compromise their morals in order to retain their followers.

Keywords

{"passage": "1 Kings 11:26-14:26","passageabreviated": "1 Kgs 11:26-14:26","passagetiny": "1King 11:26-14:26","teacher": "Dennis McCallum...

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A Heart of Wisdom

Jim Leffel
Psalms 1:2-3

This passage is a proverb or wisdom section of Jeremiah. It asks what is the heart and what is God's vision for transforming the heart. Jeremiah begins describing and contrasting two different ways of living: the cursed way (a desert plant) and the way of the Lord (a well-watered tree). The cursed way is relying on self as well as actively turning away from the Lord and results in deprivation, purposelessness, and isolation. The other way of living is choosing to trust in the Lord. In this lifestyle, the trusting flourish like a well-watered tree and are able to endure suffering because of their hope. The human heart has a disposition towards deceit and is naturally drawn towards the self-focused way of living. The way to save our hearts is to ask God in prayer to examine us as well as seek him out by reading his Word. \r\n

Keywords

{"passage": "Jeremiah 17:5-10","passageabreviated": "Jer 17:5-10","passagetiny": "Jer 17:5-10","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "1...

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Jesus in the Old Testament (Part 5)

Gary DeLashmutt
John 7:37-39

God uses Moses to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh and to guide them to the Promised Land. While wandering in the wilderness, God provides for their needs and quenches their thirst. Moses strikes the rock with his staff which produces an abundance of flowing water. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus being stricken and quenching humanities' thirst. It also points to Jesus providing everlasting life. Jesus is God's provision to meet humanities' greatest need and he continues to be our provision as we continue to entrust our lives to him.\r\n

Keywords

{"passage": "Exodus 17:1-7","passageabreviated": "Exod 17:1-7","passagetiny": "Exo 17:1-7","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDate": "...

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What is a Family? (Part 7)

Jim Leffel
Colossians 3:22-23

This passage raises some valid questions for modern hearers, such as, "Is the bible okay with slavery?" and "Does the bible address social injustice?" Slavery in the Old Testament was quite different than slavery in the recent past, and we can interpret passages such as these by remembering who we serve and why.

Keywords

{"passage": "Colossians 3:22-23","passageabreviated": "Col 3:22-23","passagetiny": "Col 3:22-23","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": ...

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