Who is Like Yahweh? The Old Testament God and New Testament Faith

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:13-20

Who is God and who are we as God's people supposed to be? To know God does not just include gathering knowledge about God, but really knowing Him in a relational and personal way. As you read through scripture in the Old Testament it is emphasized over and over that God is love. It is through His love that He reveals His glory, engages relationally, and is working through history. Learning about the heart of God is and always will be fundamental to representing Him.

Two Rich Guys

Dennis McCallum

Luke 18:18-19:10

Jesus says that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus exposes a rich young ruler's idolatry of wealth because he's unwilling to give it away to follow Jesus. By contrast, a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus, receives salvation and responds with joyful generosity.

Seeking the King and Receiving the Kingdom

Scott Risley

Luke 18:14-19:10

Luke describes different people seeking out the King: 1) children 2) the rich young ruler 3) a blind man and 4) Zacchaeus. God wants people to actively seek Him. He has gone above and beyond to seek us out. He desires all humanity to experience His kindness and joy because of what Jesus did on the cross. It is impossible for us to earn it.

Knowing Christ

Mike Sullivan

John 12:23-24

As people who have been made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, Christians are now capable of growing in their personal relationship with Him. This growth is a privilege, and even though it should be a passion for all believers, it is easy to devalue the importance and joy that comes from knowing Jesus personally. To grow in our relationship with God involves admitting that: we have not arrived at a perfect knowledge of Christ yet, sharing in Christ's sufferings, and realizing we have not yet arrived at perfect knowledge and will not do so in this life.

Renewal of Hope

Jim Leffel

Genesis 9:1-16

After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah. This covenant provides a platform for us to understand spirituality in our material world and why nature matters. Although nature cannot govern morality, it can reflect God and create in us a sense of awe.

Surprising News About the Kingdom of God

Scott Risley

Luke 13:18-34

Jesus uses the analogies of a seed, yeast, and a gate to describe the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is not what was expected: 1) It starts in a slow, gradual way; 2) not everyone will get in, and 3) Christ is saddened by our rejection of Him. God longs to gather everyone to Himself and He gives everyone that choice.

Religion Isn't Enough

Ryan Lowery

Matthew 6:9-13

Despite self-effort, religious zeal and ritual is not the same as real genuine faith in God and often draws people farther away from Him. To have a personal relationship with God, people must acknowledge their own sinfulness in light of God's perfect nature and in faith ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Once that has happened, Christians have the unique ability to tell others about how to start an authentic relationship with God.

Creation in Ancient Near East Context

Jim Leffel

Genesis 1:1-31

The creation account in the Bible offers a different perspective than most other ancient religions and mythologies. God is transcendent over nature, rather than a deity made up of nature. The creation account deals with linear history moving towards a goal, rather than cyclical mythology. Human beings are made with dignity in the image of God, rather than pawns to please the gods. And ultimately, creation is an act of God's gracious salvation.

Two Pivotal Decisions

Conrad Hilario

Mark 9:57-62

Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. Peter responds that he is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah. There are many ways people today respond to Jesus' question regarding his identity, including: 1) he was a simply a good teacher, 2) he was a liar, 3) he was a legend, 4) he was lunatic, or 5) he was indeed the Savior and Son of God. Jesus asks of everyone on earth who do you believe that I am, and all must answer. Of those who want to follow him, Jesus tells his disciples that they must deny themselves and pick up their cross daily. His followers must be willing to endure suffering for his mission.