Jesus vs. Legalistic Religion

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6:11-38

Most people have heard some version of the "Golden Rule" but do they really know what it says? Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and he took it a step further when he said, "Love your enemies!" According to Jesus, loving other people involves action on our part. It is not a passive thought or passing feeling. Learn more about this type of love in The Sermon on the Plain.\r\n

The Kosmos

Mike Sullivan

1 John 2:15-17

The apostle John commands his audience not to love the "kosmos" (i.e., the world system). This system includes three primary values: 1) the lust of the eyes (materialism); 2) the lust of the flesh (hedonism); and 3) the boastful pride of life (egotism). These values are authored and promoted by Satan and are designed to keep people away from God. John says believers should reject the kosmos because it stands in the way of our intimacy with God, it is temporal, and because if we do reject it, our investments in this life will last into eternity.

Simple Living in Light of Eternity

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:11

The Bible calls on Christians to live lifestyles of sacrificial love. We live in a culture that is very materialistic - hyper focused on success, money, and advancement. These things become a barrier to loving God and others. Dennis McCallum examines cultural trends, and lays out the biblical call for Christians to live simply. \r\n

Who is Satan?

Ryan Lowery

Ephesians 6:10-20

Paul explains spiritual warfare and this teaching focuses primarily on biblical teaching concerning God's adversary (Satan). Satan's goal is to get humanity to forsake God and worship ourselves. Our cultural representation of Satan is inaccurate and belittling. A clear understanding of Satan and the world system prepares us to recognize Satan's schemes.

Offering Yourself to God

Conrad Hilario

John 15:18-19

Most American Christians view worship as a part of a church service with singing and praise. Genuine worship, however, involves allowing God to transform one's mind from the patterns of the world system and giving Him every part of one's life as well, and this form of worship is pleasing to God.

Gaining Freedom from the Love of Money

Conrad Hilario

Matthew 6:19-20

The love of money is an addiction for most people in our culture, and unlike other addictions that are widely regarded as harmful, materialism is often celebrated and promoted instead. Christians, however, are not to follow the widespread cultural norms and perspective on money but should pursue an attitude of contentment. Contentment frees up Christians to enter into deep relationships, comes from a genuine sense of security in Christ, and results in true happiness and freedom.

Sex and Marriage

Conrad Hilario

Matthew 19:4-6

God values marriage and sexuality immensely, and He desires for them to be honored by all. The Biblical view of sex and marriage, however, is incredibly different from the modern perspective in its definition, norms, and preparation for marriage and sex, and yet modern research demonstrates that the Biblical perspective is the only method that brings true fulfillment. Single Christians should seek to develop the skills necessary for a good marriage, and those that are married should work hard to maintain the health of their marriages as well.

Living the Life of Faith (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 19:4-6

The author of Hebrews instructs the church to maintain the honor of marriage. Contextually, this serves as another expression of faith for the Christian believer. This instruction serves as a counter-cultural perspective leading to thriving marriages as a witness to the watching world.

Two Different Operational Motives

Gary DeLashmutt

Galatians 6:11-18

The world system is designed to distract non-Christians from ever coming to Christ and seduce Christians away from following Christ fully. Pride and fear go hand in hand; seeking the approval of men (or avoiding their disapproval) is a dangerous trap. Gary poses some questions to help us personally reflect on the ways this fear can permeate our lives and calls us to trade this fear of people's disapproval for trusting in God's approval instead.