How to Fight the Lion

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Peter 5:5-11

Peter describes three ways we should expect Satan to attack Christians and the resources God gives us to fend him off. 1) Satan tempts us to be prideful and God's "antidote" is humility through remembering and applying the gospel. 2) Satan tries to deceive us by killing or misdirecting your enthusiasm for God and God provides the bible and Christian community. 3) Satan tries to intimidate us and God allows us to stand firm in faith on the truth He has provided. Finally, Peter encourages Christians be watchful of Satan, but to keep their focus on Jesus.\r\n

The Reliability of Scripture

Ryan Lowery

2 Timothy 3:13-4:5

The Bible claims to be the owner's manual to the human soul, and a claim like that deserves to be scrutinized. Paul uses two different lines of reasoning to affirm this claim: 1) the Bible comes from God, and 2) it's effective when we follow it. We can be confident that the Bible comes from God because of the person of Jesus Christ. Second, we see that when we follow scripture, we realize that it makes sense; our experiences validate our confidence in the Bible as well.

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

The Attraction of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 1:14-28

When Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, he points to his unique authority as he calls them to a relationship and a life of purpose. Their response shows that discipleship involves surrender, that experience follows action, and that Jesus calls people as a community. Jesus' authoritative teaching and spiritual power also drew people to follow him.

What's Wrong with the Religious?

Jim Leffel

Jeremiah 7:1-11

Jeremiah warned against having a religious mentality. The Israelites were taking false security simply because they were near the temple. 3 ideas were discussed: 1) the temple was a symbol that represented justice and mercy and the presence of God; 2) having a religious mentality flows from a lack of compassion and leads to narcissism; 3) religious passion should come from a sincere heart and seek truth.\r\n

Communicating the Gospel without Compromise

Mark Mittelberg

Jeremiah 7:1-11

In our culture today, it can be easy to diminish the gospel when sharing our faith, not wanting to offend others or point out flaws in their belief. But there is an urgent need to help others understand the real gospel in order for people to receive Christ's forgiveness. Some people are relativistic and believe whatever feels right, others just hold their faith because they grew up with it, and others believe because an authoritative figure has placed a pressure on them to believe. We can help people see the need to look at evidence for their faith. Through evidence and refusal to compromise, we can help those around us come to a real, sincere faith in the God of the Bible.

Becoming a Community of Truth

Mike Sullivan

Ephesians 4:14-15

Community is an integral and vital part of the Christian faith, but being a community of truth is something that often gets overlooked. We are called to be open with one another, as well as with God, not living double-lives or living in darkness. We need to be accountable to one another in healthy ways and in an environment that supports sharing what is really happening in our lives. Through regularly being involved in this kind of community, we can experience true growth and deep relationships.

The Writings of Brian McLaren

Gerry Breshears

Ephesians 4:14-15

In Breshears' opinion, The Story We Find Ourselves In is THE theology of the emergent church, and exactly what it calls itself - a (fictional) story. The emergent church nobly started as a group of young leaders who wanted to "take Christianity to the streets" in opposition to postmodern spirituality and in contrast to fundamentalism. Today, the emergent church has unfortunately separated itself from the evangelical essentials and stands in stark opposition to the true Gospel of Christ. Instead of critiquing contemporary culture, it critiques the Church, and in the case of McLaren, the critique is not Biblically-based. Breshears exposes McLaren's theology as not taking into account all of Scripture, but rather only certain parts. The only real test of truth is the Word of God, the Bible.\r\n

Emergent Meets Evangelical Dialog

Dennis McCallum

Noel Britton

Jesse Schroeder

Ephesians 4:14-15

In a conversation between Dennis McCallum, Noel Britton, and Jesse Schroeder, emergent and evangelical beliefs were explored and compared. Britton and Schroeder are involved in the Emergent Cohort and were able to explain, through audience questions and pre-established categories, what the emergent movement is and what they believe about central ideas of Christianity. The two sides talked specifically about the differences in their views of truth and of Jesus' atoning work on the cross.