A Servant's Lord

Jim Leffel

1 John 3:2

Paul urges Timothy to cling to his standing and hope in God to endure the trials of life, and take real lasting meaning. The relationship we have with God offers true meaning and purpose to our lives. We can trust in God because we have seen His power and knowledge in His Word and through how he has provided for us.

How the Gospel Spreads to Others

Tom Dixon

Colossians 4:2-6

Paul gives instructions to the Colossians about how to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. The focus of Paul's instruction is that God is the one who opens up opportunities to share the gospel, as evidenced through the New Testament writings. The other focus of Paul is proclaiming the gospel clearly. We can give greater clarity through using God's Word, sharing our personal experience of coming to know Jesus Christ, and practicing with fellow Christians.

The Fiery Furnace

Jeff Gordon

Daniel 3:1-30

King Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and demanded that all bow down in worship to it or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. The Lord met them in the furnace and rescued them. This story teaches us to act now when presented with God's truth and to be unapologetic for our faith in God. As we are faithful to Him, the Lord meets us where we are and rescues us.\r\n

Kings and Teens

Jeff Gordon

Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel was among the teenage boys who were taken to Babylon as captives to train in the king's palace. They received education and training and were offered choice food and wine from the king's table. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to eat food that was sacrificed to idols. God honored their loyalty to Him by making them stronger than the other boys and by giving them wisdom and understanding. Two lessons are taught: 1) live in the culture while being aware of where to draw lines. Maintain allegiance to God while being engaged in the culture; 2) parents should be aware of what the culture is teaching kids and model how to honor God as they involved in their kids' lives and activities.\r\n

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.

The Day of the Lord

Jeff Gordon

Daniel 9:27

An explanation of three events around the end of time on earth: the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord and the Rapture, with Pre-Tribulation Rapture and Post-Tribulation Rapture scenarios discussed. In response, we are to be on guard, stay alert and protected by the armor of faith and love. Encouragement and building each other up are also vital to our spiritual health.

A Servant's Heart

Jim Leffel

Acts 17:25-26

Paul calls us to pray for other people, this is a major way we can love and serve other people through God's power. While praying for others we can also develop a deeper love and understanding of them as God shares His perspective of them with us. God has done all the work to initiate a relationship with us, and all we have to do is accept His free gift of salvation. As Christians God empowers us to share this incredibly important message.

Paul's First Journey (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Acts 14:1-28

Paul and Barnabas continue to speak out about the message of Jesus Christ, while encountering hostility from Jews in the area. Paul preaches at Lystra, sharing that God has made Himself known through external general revelation. The world around us reflects the presence of an original designer, as God has made Himself, His power, and intellect clear through construction of our present universe and the complexity of life. Internally, God has also provided people with internal general revelation, such as moral choices, freedom, creativity, and love. The internal and external evidence points to God's hand in creating and sustaining everything and His deep care for those to know Him personally through Jesus. This teaching includes an interview on the evidence for intelligent design and a movie clip about molecular design.

A Servant's Fight

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 4:13

Paul calls us to fight the good fight. We are in a spiritual war, and an ideological battle against Satan and his world system. God has given us the truth of His powerful love and offer of salvation. Our fight is to share this message in a corrupt and jaded world.