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The Gospel, the Cup and the Ransom

Jim Leffel

Mark 10:32-45

Many feel uncomfortable about the fact that God's forgiveness requires a sacrifice. The Bible presents the reality that forgiveness always requires a volitional choice for innocents to die in the place of the guilty. Ultimately, God's love and justice meet at the cross.

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Mark 10:32-45Mark 10:32-45 Mark 10:32-45By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 07/12/2009Many feel uncomfortable about the fact that God's forgiven...

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The Gospel and the Paradox of Success

Jim Leffel

Mark 10:17-31

When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus with amazing self-confidence in his own righteousness, he asks Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus shows him how high the bar of the Law really is to God. The gospel states that no religious system can save us, but that God offers us His grace as a free and undeserved gift. God does want success for us in terms of wealth, but in a life of following Him.

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Mark 10:17-31Mark 10:17-31 Mark 10:17-31By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 07/05/2009When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus with amazing self...

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The Gospel of Christ Glorified

Jim Leffel

Mark 9:2-10

During the transfiguration, Jesus gives some of his disciples an experience to prepare them for what is to come. Jesus' glorified state proves his power and deity, while the appearance of Moses and Elijah confirm that the purpose of the Messiah is to redeem the world. Even today, God reveals Himself to all who seek Him.

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Mark 9:2-10Mark 9:2-10 Mark 9:2-10By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 05/31/2009During the transfiguration, Jesus gives some of his disciples an...

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Inclusiveness of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 7:24-31

When the desperate Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus, his disciples were upset that a gentile woman would be so needy toward Christ. While Jesus gives a challenging word to her, the woman responds by admitting her need for an unmerited gift and a trust in God's mercy. Our attitude towards the gospel should line up with these two principles.

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Mark 7:24-31Mark 7:24-31 Mark 7:24-31By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 04/05/2009When the desperate Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus, his di...

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The Heart & the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 7:5-23

The Pharisees were confused about why Jesus and his followers did not follow certain ceremonial rituals that they viewed as keeping people clean and free from defilement. Jesus' critique of religious tradition demonstrates that it: replaces relationship with ritual, emphasizes feelings, and ultimately legitimizes sin. The religious approach says that you are what you do, while the secular approach says that you are basically good. In stark contrast to these, Jesus cleans people from the inside out.

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Mark 7:5-23Mark 7:5-23 Mark 7:5-23By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 03/29/2009The Pharisees were confused about why Jesus and his followers di...

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Mission of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus sends his disciples; he instructs them to adopt his values, take initiative by moving toward people, go humbly, and to take risks without taking offense. They were to present the answer to people's root issues: to turn back to God. Ultimately, his disciples were to offer freedom and healing to a broken world.

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Mark 6:7-13Mark 6:7-13 Mark 6:7-13By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 03/08/2009Jesus sends his disciples; he instructs them to adopt his values...

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Spiritual Dynamics of Holiness

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Peter encourages believers to be holy. Holiness means living every aspect of life in the way God designed it. Peter discusses two key dynamics of holiness:1) holiness begins when we experience spiritual rebirth; and 2) holiness grows through loving community and craving God's Word.\r\n

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1 Peter 1:22-2:31 Pet 1:22-2:3 1Pet 1:22-2:3By Gary DeLashmutt Teaching Date: 02/15/2009Peter encourages believers to be holy. Holiness m...

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Responses to the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 4:1-20

Jesus taught through parables because they were strategic, and were spiritually significant in that it was up to the hearer to receive spiritual truth. In the parable of the soils, Jesus explains that there are four kinds of soil which represent four responses to the gospel. There is: 1) the hard ground, which represents those who have a hardened heart; 2) the shallow soil, which does not have a deep faith; 3) the thorny ground, whose hearts are lured by the world; and 4) the good soil, which accepts the message and bears good fruit.

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Mark 4:1-20Mark 4:1-20 Mark 4:1-20By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 02/01/2009Jesus taught through parables because they were strategic, and w...

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Offense of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 2:23-3:12

The sabbath law prescribed a weekly day of rest and celebration. The purpose of the law was for our good, and was meant to be a system of values and priorities. When Jesus gleans on the Sabbath, which was allowed by the law, the religious leaders are filled with murderous rage. This is because the kind of grace that changes lives also exposes religious impotence and sick attitudes, challenges assumptions, and threatens self-justification.

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Mark 2:23-3:12Mark 2:23-3:12 Mark 2:23-3:12By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 01/18/2009The sabbath law prescribed a weekly day of rest and cel...

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