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The Narrow Gate

Jim Leffel

Matthew 7:13-23

Jesus presents the choice between the narrow gate and the wide gate. The wide gate represents itself as false prophets, spiritual deception, and misrepresenting God; all of which leads to destruction. But the narrow gate represents God's love and judgment and the gift of a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Jesus says not many will find the narrow gate, but God is continuously pursuing us to lead us to His truth.

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Matthew 7:13-23Matt 7:13-23 Matt 7:13-23By Jim Leffel Teaching Date: 01/19/2014Jesus presents the choice between the narrow gate and the ...

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Knowing the Will of God

Ryan Lowery

Acts 11:1-17

One of the most commonly asked questions is "how can I know God's will for my life?" While there are clear boundaries set forth in the Bible, often important decisions can fall in a morally neutral gray area. As Peter defends the idea that God's will is to preach to the gentiles, he suggests a variety of principles that can be used together to discern God's will.

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Acts 11:1-17Acts 11:1-17 Acts 11:1-17By Ryan Lowery Teaching Date: 01/12/2014One of the most commonly asked questions is "how can I know ...

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Saul's Conversion

Ryan Lowery

Acts 26:14

Saul was a Jewish leader who harshly persecuted Christians. In his encounter with Jesus, it is obvious that his passion to persecute the church was fueled by an emotional rebellion against the evidence. Once he saw the truth of Christ, he immediately chose to live out the implications for his life. Ananias was also willing to take a step of faith toward Saul despite his fears.

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Acts 9:1-23, Acts 26:14-14Acts 9:1-23,Acts 26:14-14 Acts 9:1-23, Acts 26:14-14By Ryan Lowery Teaching Date: 12/15/2013Saul was a Jewish l...

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Babylon the Great

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 18:1-23

In one of John's visions of the great tribulation, he sees a woman with the title "Babylon the Great," which signifies the way that this spirit of deception works politically and economically. This manifests in three ways: 1) It is the ultimate expression of human empires that defy God's rulership; 2) its materialism corrupts every political and economic system; and 3) it seduces individuals by turning good things into idols that distract and enslave. All of us live under the influence of this entity, and Jesus alone is able to break the "spell" and reconcile people with God.

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Revelation 18:1-23Rev 18:1-23 Rev 18:1-23By Gary DeLashmutt Teaching Date: 11/10/2013In one of John's visions of the great tribulation, h...

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Deadly Hypocrisy

Ryan Lowery

Acts 4:32-5:11

While the early church was extremely generous, Ananias and Sapphira were disciplined by God for holding back money. The real problem that the couple had was the spiritual posturing and deceptive practice known as hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a direct threat to the witness of the church because of how grossly it misrepresents God and because of how quickly in can spread. We can fight hypocrisy by striving to love others authentically and by being honest about failures.

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Acts 4:32-5:11Acts 4:32-5:11 Acts 4:32-5:11By Ryan Lowery Teaching Date: 11/10/2013While the early church was extremely generous, Ananias...

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The Mother of Harlots

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 17:1-6

One of John's visions concerns a woman with the title "Mother of Harlots," which describes the religious activities of this entity. Ultimately, the Mother of Harlots is the source of spiritual adultery within God's people. In the Old Testament this took the form of idolatry disguised by external formal worship of God, and in the present day this is a counterfeit and false form of Christianity. Those who feel aversive to Christianity may feel this way because of their exposure to false Christianity, and so the church has an obligation to fight spiritual deception through committed truth-based relationships.

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Revelation 17:1-6Rev 17:1-6 Rev 17:1-6By Gary DeLashmutt Teaching Date: 11/03/2013One of John's visions concerns a woman with the title "...

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Pentecost

Ryan Lowery

Acts 2:1-41

The first Christian community starts in Jerusalem with the disciples and crowds receiving the Holy Spirit. There are instances of speaking in tongues after the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. The Bible lays out very clear measures of speaking in tongues including that an interpreter must be present. We all say that we want to see a miracle but either we will be perplexed or create a cynical explanation to write it off. Peter stands up and rebukes the cynics of the crowd and gives glory to God who has revealed the second part of His plan which involves His Holy Spirit and of Jesus' fulfillment of the work on the cross.

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Acts 2:1-41Acts 2:1-41 Acts 2:1-41By Ryan Lowery Teaching Date: 10/13/2013The first Christian community starts in Jerusalem with the disc...

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It all turns out to be true!

Dennis McCallum

John 20:1-31

Three days after Jesus' death on the cross, Mary Magdalene, John and Peter discover his tomb to be empty. Regarding the empty tomb, several theories have been posed to account for the event, but the most rational explanation that also explains the effects after the cross is that Jesus physically resurrected as he had predicted. Without this being true, Jesus' claims would be completely false, his followers would be liars and the Bible would be worthless. Since there is real evidence that his resurrection happened, then Jesus is true; he is the sole authoritative spokesman for God and God accepted his sacrifice as adequate. As a result, there is a basis for an afterlife and having a new life in Christ.

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John 20:1-31John 20:1-31 John 20:1-31By Dennis McCallum Teaching Date: 09/30/2013Three days after Jesus' death on the cross, Mary Magdale...

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Testing World Views

Jim Leffel

John 20:1-31

World views, or the belief systems people hold about the world and humanity, can be vastly diverse. As believers in Christ and seekers of truth, we are called to test world views and help walk others through this process to determine views that may be illogical. The belief system should be coherent, consistent, adequate, and fruitful or "livable." As we look at some of the main belief systems of our world today, we can analyze their truth statements through this lens and assess if they make rational sense.

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