Continuing Under Grace

Jim Leffel

Galatians 3:1-14

Paul is aware that the Galatians are totally blinded by the self-righteousness that comes from trying to be growing with God through the Law. Instead, he urges them to remember grace-empowered living by being led by the Holy Spirit instead of human effort. He shows that even in the Old Testament, God's way always was centered around grace. Instead of trying to self-improve through moral goodness, God asks us to trust in Him over our own goodness and to respond to His leading in our lives. As we do this, we encounter more and more freedom from living under the acceptance and love that comes from His grace through Jesus Christ.

Christianity at the Crossroads

Jim Leffel

Galatians 1:1-9

Paul begins his letter to the Galatians, where he emphatically argues for the truth found in the Gospel, as legalistic Judaizers were trying to distort God's message of salvation. The true Gospel says that humans are incapable of being righteous before God, but through Jesus Christ they can have eternal life by asking for God's mercy to apply to them, apart from works. The false teachers Paul was combating added obedience to the law as means to salvation and growing with God, a theological debate that has plagued Christianity. The difference between works and faith is wide-spread in areas including: 1) our approach to God; 2) our acceptability; 3) our spiritual state; 4) the real issue between us and God; and 5) the power to live.

Melchizedek

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 7:1-25

The author of Hebrews addresses the issue of priesthood, showing through Old Testament prophecy that Jesus Christ is the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Through his argument, three implications of Jesus being a high priest are seen: 1) all priesthood is worthless because of Jesus' work; 2) Christians are no longer under law; and 3) Jesus can rescue people forever. This is a detailed argument seen through fulfilled prophecy spanning hundreds of years, all directly pointing to the finished work of Christ.

Practicing the Word

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 5:11-14

The aftermath of a hardened heart towards God is spiritual dullness. As a result, Christians in this state are not accustomed to understanding the depths of God's Word, leaving them incapable of real spiritual discernment or the ability to live out God's truth in their lives. Not being deeply rooted in God's Word is a sign of spiritual immaturity and should be a warning sign to being unresponsive to God. Those who wish to grow radically with God should orient their lives around His revealed truth.

Admonish One Another (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Ephesians 5:21

The first part of a two-part series on admonishing one another. This is perhaps the most difficult of the one another commands because it deals with a continuum of difficult conversations spanning from corrections to rebukes. The fool and the wise man are compared in their response to admonition. God wants to transform our character through our close friends who courageously speak the truth into our lives.\r\n

All Christians Competent to Counsel

Amy Moreno

Exodus 34:6

There is a common myth that the problems people face are too much for God's community to counsel. As we look in the Bible we see many examples of how God works with people as the great counselor and we can follow His lead. There are four areas all members of God's community can grow in becoming affective counselors: listening, compassion, speaking the truth, and wisdom. It is also important to navigate when a person should seek professional help.

How to Motivate People

Dennis McCallum

Exodus 34:6

Motivation is different for Christians than it is for people in the world. Christians need to be convinced and motivated by Biblical truth. To be fruitful in motivating you must instruct, persuade, and convince people of the urgency of Biblical goals. You must also be prepared to speak truth and solve problems that would hinder someone from being motivated. Once someone has committed themselves to the goals of the Bible, it is imperative to continue to nurture ongoing motivation.

Community & Commitment

Gary DeLashmutt

Romans 12:1

Radical commitment to Christ is the substance that attracts people to Him and grows people into maturity. To cultivate commitment in a group it takes creating environments for people to spiritually thrive. The most important element to cultivate commitment is maintaining passionate commitment to Christ in your own life. This is a process that at times calls for challenging conversations and radical dedication to the simplicity of devotion to Christ.

Growing Together

Jeff Gordon

Ephesians 4:1-16

As individual believers, we are God's masterpiece and are called to live a life worthy of the new calling we have received. This calling includes equipping other believers around us and speaking the truth in love. Speaking the truth in love is difficult today, because our culture disregards the reality of truth and the call for people to speak into our lives. But as God's witness and His messengers, we must work to develop churches and communities that do speak the truth in love, for which there are several practical steps.