Saul Pursues David: Waiting Upon the Lord

Dennis McCallum

Psalms 37:1-40

For fifteen years, Saul pursued David throughout the wilderness. David knew he was meant be king, and it would have been easy to take matters into his own hands. He had multiple opportunities to kill Saul and immediately take the throne. Instead, he trusted in God's promise and decided to wait for God and His timing. As followers of God, we too, are often called to wait. It is during these periods of waiting where important internal changes take place.

Why the Gospel (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Romans 2:17-23

There are three common responses to the moral guilt we have before God. The first is to reject the standard for moral guilt, resulting in hypocrisy. The second option includes self-righteousness that sees guilt as others problems, not our own. The last option is to repent and understand that our moral guilt can be solved through God's grace through Jesus Christ. Repentance through grace allows for genuine healing, true humility, and honest transparency with our shortcomings.

God's Judgment

Dennis McCallum

2 Peter 2:1-22

False teachers draw people away from God with their lies, and for that God will judge them. People often have contempt for the idea of a God that judges, but that is often a self-serving notion; God is perfectly loving and perfectly just.

Betrayal and Denial

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 27:3-4

As Jesus's death draws ever nearer, he experiences the denial of his disciple Peter, and finally the betrayal of his disciple Judas. When looked at closely, these two instances are unexpectedly similar. The difference between Judas and Peter can be found in their responses to their sin. We learn the difference between remorse and repentance. Remorse leads to spiritual death and distance from God, while repentance involves a change in mind and action, resulting in restoration and closeness with God.

Paul: Apostle and Revolutionary

Jim Leffel

Galatians 1:10-2:10

Paul combats the Judaizers by defending the message of the Gospel of God. Paul uses his own personal testimony as direct revelation of God and evidence for the real life-transforming power of grace, which not only transformed his motivation but was also accepted by the apostles of Jesus Christ. The grace of God called Paul into a life of radical service for God and others, reflecting God's compassion and mercy towards a zealous sinner. Paul's understanding of God's grace resulted in radical thanksgiving.

Discipleship Failure

Jim Leffel

Luke 22:32

Peter and Judas give us two profound examples of how to deal with failure. In Peter's life, we see a beautiful picture of repentance that leads to restoration. While in Judas' life, we see a picture of remorse leading to destruction. Audio testimony by Vicky Mascarello included.

Working Out What God Has Put In

Dennis McCallum

Acts 16:31

Paul calls us to work out our salvation, in other words, living out our salvation. We are called to forgive one another and move towards one another in love. We have been forgiven so much, so we should be free to forgive others.

Betrayal and Denial

Dennis McCallum

2 Corinthians 7:10

Jesus is betrayed by two of his followers, but in the end they have very different responses to their failure. The difference between Judas and Peter's narrative's can be understood by taking a closer look at what "godly sorrow" really is. How will we respond to our own failure?

Two Rich Guys

Dennis McCallum

Luke 19

The accounts in Luke 18 and 19 present two men in contrast. First, there is a rich man who approaches Jesus as a good teacher, thinking he has done enough good to earn salvation. He leaves grieved, however, because Jesus challenges his good deeds. The second man, Zacchaeus, eagerly goes to meet Jesus despite being known as a sinner. He repents before Christ and receives salvation in his humility. In response to this story, we are faced with several questions: will we trust that Jesus is the Messiah, not just a good teacher, liar, or lunatic? And will we walk away from Jesus sad or with joy?