Remaining in the Center

Conrad Hilario

1 Timothy 1:1-5

On the outside, Timothy appeared to be weak and timid, but God was able to make him into a spiritual leader. In his letter to Timothy, Paul urges him to ensure that the central message of Christ is emphasized. False teachers were trying to emphasize esoteric teachings that have no value. A community that emphasizes the right things is able to be used powerfully by God.

The Real Meaning of the Law

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 3:24-25

Paul instructs Timothy about how to approach false teachers who are inaccurately using the law. Paul reviews for Timothy the purpose of the law: to show humanity how they fall short of God's perfect standard and that they need a savior. Humans can only gain righteousness through grace, not by following the law. The law also defines what is sin.

A Burden for Balance

Dennis McCallum

Philippians 2:19-22

In 62 AD, Paul writes to his ?true son in the faith? Timothy, whom he left in Ephesus. Paul left Timothy there to correct false teaching that was spreading throughout the church. He encourages Timothy to remain faithful to the Word out of love, a good conscience and a sincere faith. The value of the church being firmly rooted in the Word is vitally important.

Keeping your Spiritual Edge

John Cleary

Philippians 2:19-22

Keeping your spiritual edge in the spiritual war includes understanding three things: 1) the reality of the war; 2) the description of who the war is with; 3) having a personal Combat Field Manual to fight with. God's word is our weapon and it is essential to read it daily. There are many approaches in developing a personal Combat Field Manual but the important thing is to do it. To stand firm and fight this battle we need to have a mind to engage in the war.\r\n

Building Unity with Other Christians

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:12-16

Because of God's great love for us, Paul encourages us to embrace a lifestyle of loving other Christians by building relational unity. The local church cannot effectively accomplish its mission of reaching others for Christ and we cannot grow spiritually without a network of unified Christ-centered friendships. By helping each other be filled with the Word of Christ and by persevering with one another despite our messiness and sinfulness we can cultivate a lifestyle of love toward other Christians.

The Good News vs. The Elemental Principles of the World

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2:14-23

The good news of Christ is extremely counter-intuitive to the way that many think about God. All humans naturally have a certain religious way of thinking that have surprisingly negative implications towards God. Ultimately, the cross renders man-made religious principles useless and reveals the true nature of God.

Avoiding Capture

Scott Risley

Colossians 2:8-23

There are three common wrong turns Christians make when it comes to growing with God: 1) formalism, 2) mysticism, and 3) legalism. When we relate to God with a list of rules, emphasize spiritual experiences or outward service, we are prone to miss growing with God.

Christian Life & Christian Community

Jim Leffel

Colossians 3:12-17

There is a way to live in Christian community that transforms lives. The foundation for love is that we have received both motivation from being loved by God, and capacity from having a new identity. On this basis, we are able to reflect God's love in a way that is based on His Word as we let Him rule in our hearts.

Experiencing All The Fullness

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2:2-13

It is dangerous when believers venture outside of Christ's revelation in order to discover truth. The basis for change is to understand the new identity that Christians receive and to allow this truth to lead them into a new life.