Can There Be Only One Way to God?

Gary DeLashmutt

John 14:6

Religious relativism is a self defeating view, the idea that there is no objective truth is an objective truth claim. The religions and beliefs of this world are diverse and contradictory. We should search for truth through our experience of the world around us and based on what we can know.

What Is Biblical Faith?

Dennis McCallum

Romans 4

Turning to key figures from the Old Testament who would have been very well known to the Jewish Romans, Paul uses Abraham and David to explain what faith looks like. Faith is not equivalent to works, rituals, or the Law. Instead, it is a willingness to act based on God's truth with complete dependence on Him.

Self-Examination

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Timothy 2:7

Paul takes a stance on self-examination because the Corinthians are trying to accuse him of impure motives in his work. Paul leaves the examining to God and gives us insight on an appropriate willingness to examine ourselves. With that, there is also an unhealthy way of examining yourself that will lead to anxiety, confusion, and second-guessing. If we have a tendency to over examine our actions and thoughts Paul gives us some guidance on how to give this area up to God to guide us in His discipline.

An Open Secret

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is a time where Paul needed to boast to the Corinthians in order to save them from being swayed by false preachers who boasted of themselves. We learn more about Paul's thorn in the flesh and the origins of it and why God never lifted it from him after he prayed for it to be taken away. There are also ways God uses His sovereignty to permit suffering to teach us that self-sufficiency and self-exaltation will fall flat when we boast in ourselves.

Right and Wrong Boasting

Gary DeLashmutt

Isaiah 64:6

Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians to instruct them on right and wrong boasting. There are some things about which God says boasting is forbidden. But there are other things about which it is good and important to boast. It's okay to boast as long as you "boast in the Lord". Have you forsaken all boasting in your own works, and personally put your trust only in Christ's work for you?

Spiritual Weapons for Spiritual Warfare

Gary DeLashmutt

James 1:25

Paul says our weapons against spiritual warfare are not humanely-originated, but rather divinely powerful. How do we use these weapons effectively? What does it look like to practice? If we want to be able to "take every thought captive," we will need to practice 3 things: 1) input, which is learning the biblical world-view so we are full of biblical truth; 2) control, which is monitoring our own thought life, such as identifying falsehoods and rejecting and replacing them; and 3) output, which is choosing to act existentially on truth, building our confidence in God's Word.

Jesus Vs. False Religion

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 23:1-28

Dennis McCallum defines false religion as a man-centered twisting of Christianity, in which people care more about looking good in front of other people than what is pleasing to God. God rejects the self-righteousness and hypocrisy involved with false religion and calls us to focus on what matters most to Him: justice, mercy, and faith. McCallum teaches on ways to recognize legalism and offers a healthier alternative to growing spiritually.

3 Aspects of New Life in Christ

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

The three aspects are: 1) a new motivation, 2) a new way of evaluating people, and 3) a new purpose for life. God wants to give you a new motivation to change that is based out of love. God sent Christ down as an example of His love that His son would live a perfect life, the one we should have lived, and then willingly be persecuted and die on the cross for us. God has offered us a new way where we can evaluate people on their potential in Christ. No matter how messed up you are there is always redemption in Christ who can free us to change into others-centered people Finally, we have been given a ministry of reconciliation. This is to bring people the Good News of Christ's redemption and to help others understand that there is a need for God's forgiveness because of His just nature.

Walking on Water

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 3:1-3

Jesus called Peter to walk on water towards him amidst a storm. Through Peter's experience we learn a very valuable lesson about walking victoriously in the Christian life. We must keep our eyes focused on Christ and foster an eternal perspective.