The Great and Small - Forgiveness

Dennis McCallum

Luke 7

Jesus' interaction with a centurion reveals the nature of what makes great faith. The centurion's faith amazed Christ and was characterized by humility, trusting in God's Word, and asking but not demanding from Jesus. Jesus challenged the Pharisees lack of forgiveness, highlighting their misguided spirituality. True spirituality is exemplified by radical love and forgiveness that comes from an understanding of God's love and forgiveness towards unworthy sinners.

Fishers of Men

Dennis McCallum

Luke 5

Jesus' calling of the 12 disciples was towards a life that was a thrilling mission orchestrated by Jesus. The disciples were willing to suffer for the sake of Christ and ultimately led the way during the early church movement. God's call on people's lives is for their good and for the good of others. For those who encounter Christ, they should be willing to get equipped and ask for his forgiveness.

The Birth Narratives

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 2:1-12

The birth narrative of Christ depicts a life characterized by rejection and exclusion from the beginning. King Herod was threatened by Christ taking his rule and sent Magi to find Jesus. The Magi were honestly seeking to know who Jesus was, an attitude that is still essential today when it comes to Jesus. The birth narrative of Jesus is ironic given Jesus' work and what he would accomplish at the cross for those who rejected him.

The Dilemma of Doubt (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

John 20:25-28

What is doubt and how should we deal with it? This is the first of a two-part series on doubt that addresses what doubt is, what it is not, and what it might look like in the life of a believer. Everyone struggles with doubt at some point in their lives. We should pursue our doubts and search out answers to the questions we have. Common issues that trigger doubt and the problem of evil in the world are also discussed.\r\n

Mary's Big Decision

Dennis McCallum

Luke 1:26-38

Mary is approached by the angel Gabriel, announcing that she will give birth to Jesus. Mary's response was one of active trust and obedience to God's Will for her life. Mary had the option to resist God's Will, but showed an availability to what God was trying to do in her life. As we make ourselves available to God's Will, we get incredible opportunities to affect the course of eternity for God.

Making the God of the Bible Your Ruler

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 16

How can we know that the Bible is the unique and powerful Word of God? One way is by looking at the testimonies of the figures in the Bible. Psalm 16 details David's reflections over how making God the ruler of his life has changed him, his perceptions of others, and how this decision will continue to impact his future. When we go against the grain and choose to put God first, we can look forward to an amazing and transformational life.

Spiritual Depression

Gary DeLashmutt

Psalms 42

The Psalmist of Psalm 42 describes spiritual depression, the common causes of it, and how to overcome it. We often experience this depression when undergoing adversity, when we experience apparent spiritual contradictions, when God seems far from us, and when people and Satan mock our faith. We can overcome this by expressing our thoughts and feelings, challenging their validity, remembering why we've trusted God in the past, and affirming His faithfulness.

How is the Bible Different from Other Scriptures?

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:35

The Bible stands out from other scriptures in its accuracy of historical claims, and it's fulfilled prophecy. God chose to confirm His message to mankind through these verifiable claims. Some spiritual texts contradict history, while others make no verifiable claims.

How Can a Loving God Allow so much Suffering?

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 1:4-5

Pain and suffering is an unavoidable part of the world that we live in. Much of the pain and suffering in this world is a result of human choices, which is a consequence of the free will that God gave us. Some pain and suffering are consequences of us living in a fallen world; there isn't always a clear reason for the suffering we endure, but we know God can use it for good and can show us things through our pain.