Life out of Death

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 4:15-16

During a Jewish feast, many Greeks seeking spiritual insight come to see Jesus. Jesus gives the illustration of a seed falling into the ground and dying to bear fruit; teaching the principle of life-out-of-death. He applies this principle in 3 ways: 1) out of Jesus' death we receive eternal life; 2) as we die to self and sacrifice our fleshly desires, we gain a deeper spiritual life;3) our ongoing death to self brings life to others.

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

Luke 22:39-23:38

It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of Jesus' death on the cross! Not only did Jesus endure immensely painful physical torture and humiliating psychological torment, he also bore God's judgment for all of humanity's sin and was rejected by his Father. As arrogant humanity acted out its historic contempt for God, God acted out of His humble love for us by offering us forgiveness through Jesus.

The Last Supper

Scott Risley

Exodus 12:1-14

Jesus teaches his disciples about taking Passover at the Last Supper. He shares this meal and reminds them about the foreshadowing of the Passover lamb in the Old Testament and that he is their Passover lamb that will be sacrificed for them. Both Passover lambs highlight two events: 1) the unrepeatable day God's people were saved from slavery; and 2) the time believers look back in gratitude remembering that day. As believers we can also look forward in anticipation of the first Passover we will eat with Jesus.

Sacrifice - Die First!

Clive Calver

Genesis 22

Christians are called to a life of sacrifice and dying to self. Examples abound in the persecuted church all around the world - people who have learned to die to themselves and, as a result, have seen God move through them and work in miraculous ways. It is through our willingness to hand over our lives wholly to God that He is able to work His plans through us.

Bear One Another's Burdens - A Study in Galatians 6

Scott Risley

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Galatians instructs us to bear one another's burdens but just verses later says each person should carry his own load. To understand this, we must first understand the difference between a burden and a load and be able to distinguish between the two in our own lives. Each of us was given a race marked out by God that we are responsible for, but we are also responsible to one another in times of crisis and tragedy, when things are too much for one person to handle alone.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Scott Risley

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to demonstrate what is needed to be right with God. While the Pharisee demonstrated self-righteousness in his prayer, the tax collector demonstrated humility and his need for mercy in his prayer. Righteousness before God can only be obtained by faith in Jesus' atoning sacrifice, not on the basis of our own works.

Cain and Abel

Jim Leffel

Psalms 51:14-15

A study of Cain and Abel provides a penetrating picture of the human inner life. Cain's legacy was corrupt as he sought to appease God through ritual rather than a trusting relationship. Failure and sin mastered him.

The Last Supper

Jim Leffel

Exodus 12:1-23

The narrative of the Last Supper begins with the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The original Passover narrative is recorded in Exodus 12. The Passover lamb foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus introduces Communion at this Passover feast. The purpose of the communion tradition is to remember Christ's sacrifice and to bring the Christian community together.

The Sermon on the Plain II

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6:37-45

Jesus resumes his teachings from the passage known as the Sermon on the Plain. He gives instructions for creating close, personal relationships with other believers. A key part of developing loving relationships is being able to resolve conflict in a healthy and constructive way. Jesus gives us the freedom to admit when we are at fault. In this passage he gives further instructions on what to do and what not to do after we admit our fault.\r\n