School of Prayer

Jim Leffel

Luke 11:1-13

The habit of prayer is a window into our deepest beliefs; prayer reveals what we really think about the nature of God. Under that framework, we explore the who, what, and how of prayer.

Run the Race

Scott Risley

Hebrews 12:1-13

The Old Testament men and women of faith were able to run the race set before them because their confidence in better things to come. Running the race means living a life of faith centered on God. When running the race we need to realize: this is a marathon?not a sprint; we are running alongside others with the same purpose; and each of our races are individualized. We are to: throw off every hindrance that slows us down; we are not to focus on our sin, circumstances, trials, etc.; and we are not to compare ourselves with those around us.

Moses' Faith

Conrad Hilario

Psalms 77:16-20

Moses was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated Biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. Moses' parents valued God's approval rather than the approval of others, and Moses demonstrated the same faith by fearing God rather than Pharaoh during his time as leader of the Israelites. Moses also placed his trust in God when he led the Israelites through the Red Sea, an impossible situation to overcome if it were not for God's power.

The Patriarchs

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 37:3-45:11

Joseph was a man whose life was characterized by both immense success and intense suffering. Despite the constantly changing circumstances of his life, he maintained his faith in God and adopted a godly perspective on his trials. Joseph's story serves as an example of how God can redeem even the worst circumstances to His glory and our benefit.

The Faith of Moses

Scott Risley

Hebrews 11:23-29

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance of things we cannot see. Moses made a lot of decisions that were seemingly irrational. He rejected Pharaoh's command, he refused Pharaoh's favor, he faced Pharaoh's fury, he kept God's Passover, and he led the people to trust God. Moses made those decisions because his trust was rooted in God, who is bigger than our problems. We too can move forward in faith when our eyes are fixed on God rather than ourselves.

Profiles in Grace (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Luke 7:36-50

Jesus is invited to dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee. While Jesus is reclining at the table a sinful woman enters the house. She anoints Jesus' feet with oil and wipes them with her hair. Jesus forgives the woman of her sins and instructs Simon on the relationship between forgiveness and love. The woman's response reveals that love is rooted in humility and gratitude which results in peace.\r\n

Abraham's Faith

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 22:1-19

Abraham was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. He was called by God to leave his homeland to go to a distant country, he waited on God to fulfill His promise of a son, and he trusted in God enough to voluntarily sacrifice that same son to Him. Throughout all of these circumstances, Abraham clung to what was unseen, and his perseverance and trust in God influenced the course of human history as a result.

Abraham: Man of Faith

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 15:5-6

Hebrews explores the life of Abraham, recognizing the patriarch's example of faith. Abraham responds to God's promise and command by leaving the life where he found God to traverse in the wilderness. Abraham exemplifies a growing belief in the direct promises of the Lord, despite not seeing them fulfilled quickly. Teaching includes a testimonial from Jeff Gordon, recounting his own experience of pursuing a life of faith and how that affected his hopes and dreams.

Abraham's Faith

Scott Risley

Hebrews 11:8-19

God calls Abraham a man of faith. We learn four lessons about faith from Abraham's life and his faith in God: 1) faith leaves home; 2) faith lives as a stranger; 3) faith waits for the promise; and 4) faith holds nothing back from God. We are to ask ourselves what we will do with the blessings God has given us. Are we willing to give God our life, trusting that He is sovereign and good?