Sermon on the Plain (Part 2): False Teachers

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6

Jesus teaches his audience the need for spiritual discernment in light of false teachers. False teachers have teachings that don't match scripture, use their authority for selfish gain, aren't accountable to others, lie about ministry, and pursue wealth. As Christians, we should expect false teachings and learn how to discern when they are in our midst, while looking to follow those who model servant leadership like Jesus and live out his Word.

How to Fall Prey to Spiritual Deception

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 11:1-21

The Corinthian Christians are being spiritually deceived, and Paul is motivated by godly jealousy to intervene. We are in the same situation today--spiritual deception is just as real, and spiritual intervention is just as important. If you want to avoid spiritual deception, pay primary attention to the objective content of the message. Those of us who are successfully avoiding spiritual deception have a responsibility to provide authentic spiritual direction for others! Be like Paul--be able to exemplify these qualities!

Principles of Christian Financial Giving (Part 1)

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

The Corinthians evidently made a generous commitment financially to the Christians in Jerusalem but started to back away from their commitment. Paul writes to motivate them to make good on their giving and reminds them of several key theological principles of Christian financial giving. Giving is a response to God's grace. Giving is an acknowledgment that we are God's stewards. Giving is an essential component of Christian spirituality. This area of our Christian life is easy to try to wall off from God and say He has no business there. But when we have been given everything through our salvation because of Christ's death, how can we tell God that our worldly resources are too sacred to part with?

Two Visions Of Leadership

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 20:17-28

This passage shows the contrast between human leadership and Jesus' leadership. Jesus' leadership involves laying down his life for others and service while human leadership involves getting power for ourselves. Two central issues are raised: 1) We should be willing to follow Christ's leadership, and 2) We should learn to imitate Jesus in our leadership roles.\r\n

Replicating Home Groups (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:12

Since the beginning of Xenos Christian Fellowship the philosophy of ministry has always been growth through home groups. The first thing you need to have a successful home group movement is leaders. Leaders are raised up through discipleship relationships creating duplication over a substantial period of time. You must make sure that your leaders are equipped in these areas: law and grace, sanctification, hermeneutics, Bible study method, theology proper, Satanology, apologetics, witnessing, ecclesiology, ministry, relational maturity, and in their understanding of the ministries of the Spirit and person of Christ.