The Role of Good Works

Dennis McCallum

James 2:14-24

James' passage here can be easily misinterpreted to say that, we are justified by works and not by faith. But his usage of the word "justified" is referring to being justified, or being seen as righteous, by people - not justified by God. James is asking who should be considered righteous - one who says he believes in God? Or one who lives a life based on God? Justification before God is faith, apart from works, and justification before people is through godly works.

Joy in the Midst of Suffering

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Peter 1:1-9

Peter provides 2 insights about having joy during times of suffering. First, God will grant us a glorious inheritance in heaven as his adopted children. Second, God, like a goldsmith, is refining our faith through our sufferings.\r\n

Getting Ready to Give

Dennis McCallum

James 1:1-8

Are we willing to turn to God to seek wisdom in the midst of suffering? James talks about perseverance through trials and, with wisdom from God, to consider trials an opportunity for joy. We can turn to God who will give us the strength to make it through trials and shape us in our broken state to be used in His plans. God is going to provide for us if we are sold out for Him in our hearts and minds. When we are provided for through Him we are able to become grateful and able to give out to others who are also going through trials.

Showing the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 1:29-2:13

The actions of Jesus typically serve to either show his authority or illustrate his message. First, Jesus responds to the humble faith of the leper by healing him, which shows the priests that Jesus had the authority to make people acceptable to God. Second, he heals the paralytic man, demonstrating his authority to forgive sin. God wants offer us substantial healing as well, but the first step is to accept a relationship with Him.

God vs. Baal

Dennis McCallum

1 Kings 18:1-46

Elijah challenges the Baal prophets to demonstrate the power of their deity versus the living God. While the Baal prophets struggle and wail to provoke their deity to action, Elijah prays relationally with God. Elijah acknowledged His will and calls on Him to demonstrate His power to the people of Isreal. We can learn from this that we can not provoke God to act like the Baal prophets tried to with their deity.

Spiritual Breakdown

Dennis McCallum

Isaiah 28:21

Elijah faces hostilities from Jezebel after the victory over the followers of Baal. He retreats into the wilderness where God sustains him and leads him to a mountain where He reveals His plan for Elijah and the remaining followers of Baal. Even in the end, God extends His grace for those who never worshiped Baal and promises to save them from what is coming.

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.

Living in Exile

Jim Leffel

Jeremiah 29:4-14

Jeremiah writes to the Israelites who were placed in exile after Babylon took captive of Jerusalem. Jeremiah had been warning the people about Babylon. They realize what he has been saying all along is actually true, so now they are attentive to Jeremiah's words. The people's main inquiry is how does God want them to live as Jewish people in exile. Jeremiah warns those in exile of two items of importance; these warning can also be applied to Christians living today since the world is not their true home. Jeremiah's first warning is to not conform to Babylonian culture so that they would not forget that they are God's people. On the other hand, he also warns them to not fully retreat from the culture around them and live in isolation. He also encourages them to work for peace and to do so by treating others with compassion and dignity. Lastly, the exiled as well as the Christian today is to live in hope of God's promises and what is to come.\r\n

The Branch

Jim Leffel

Zechariah 6:12-13

Jeremiah describes Israel's future King Messiah and likens him to a branch. Jeremiah states this king will be from David's family line - wise and just. He will also be the people's righteousness, meaning that through this king people will have right-standing before God who is perfect. The king is able to be the people's righteousness because he is also their priest. The Messiah is able to extend forgiveness to all people. In this hope through Christ the Messiah, we are able to have freedom, are incorporated into his kingdom, and become spokespersons for God to tell others about this good news of grace.