Ministering Because I Matter

Mateo Williamson

Philippians 1:9

In order to approach God's ministry from the way He wants you to, you must know who you are and why you matter. What God says about you and your identity will guide you in how to love. There are many signs and symptoms that arise when you minister from your own self effort. They are all self-focused and fear based. When you minister from your identity, you come from a place of humility and gratitude. The result is bearing fruit for God and experiencing His love.

A Fresh Way of Appropriating the Bible's Truths

Ryan Weingartner

Romans 5:2-5

Learning to appropriate biblical truth is crucial to growing with God. The three truths that are foundational to understand are: substitution, identity, and eternal. All three are needed for spiritual growth. There are many negative symptoms that come when one or more of these truths are lacking. It is wise to start off by memorizing scripture with these truths and to talk to God about them in your prayer life.

Looking Back on Life - and Ahead to Life!

Larry Crabb

Romans 7:5-6

When the anticipation of heaven is rendered insignificant in comparison to a longing for a better life now, it becomes difficult if not impossible to love others well. When making our primary goal to live a better life now, we will not be willing to sacrifice and suffer in order to love others. But when our goal becomes loving God and learning to understand the trinity deeper, we will discover the joy of abiding in Christ and having fellowship with the Father.

Your New Self

Ryan Lowery

Galatians 6:8

Paul shares with the Colossians that when you come into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, your whole identity is changed. The first step in appropriating this identity is putting spiritual things first and disciplining your thoughts to align with your new identity. This is how real character transformation occurs.

Spiritual Confidence

Jess Lowery

Galatians 6:8

Confidence can sway in two opposites: arrogance or a low and guilty view of self. The Biblical picture of confidence is rooted in knowing one's identity in Christ. The Gospel permits a steady assurance of God's truth to lead Christians' lives.

Spiritual Confidence

Jess Lowery

Galatians 6:8

Spiritual confidence is not about being confident of our own abilities (pride). Rather, spiritual confidence is rooted in who God is and is reflected in a Christian's humility that doesn't sway to being man-centered or super-spiritual. Christians can have true confidence in knowing that their all-powerful and omniscient God is in control.

Single and Divorced: Honest Talk about Sensitive Issues

Jim Leffel

Matthew 19:3-9

What does God have to say about sex as it relates to being single, married or divorced? Is it better to stay single or get married? There are unique tensions in living a single life such as: 1) sex and your identity; 2) finding the right person or becoming the right person; 3) disappointment; and 4) legalism. Difficulties resulting from a broken marriage are discussed: 1) what does God say about divorce; 2) are there legitimate reasons to end a marriage; and 3) what's after divorce? A testimony from Paco, who teaches a class called "How not to fall for a jerk" is included.

The New Heart

Jim Leffel

Luke 22:20

This passage takes a close-up look into the human heart and God's redemptive plan. These verses are vital for understanding God's Gospel plan; they are referenced in the New Testament 16 times. In Jeremiah, God introduces a new covenant that is different from the original covenant that he made with Moses and the Israelites. These two covenants are compared and contrasted. The old covenant had the external rules, a legal code that could be seen by all; the new covenant is an internal, a personal relationship with God. The old covenant was diagnostic; the new covenant is transformative. God desires regeneration, redemption, and reconciliation for the human condition.

Increasing Your Capacity to Receive God's Love

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 4:7-21

God's will for our lives is to grow in our ability to give out sacrificial love. As our capacity of receiving God's love increases, we are able to increase our ability to give His love out to others. This process begins with understanding the lengths of God's love for us, drawing continuously from His love, and learning how to reflect and meditate on how to move towards others in love. Living out of God's love is a key feature of growing Christians.