What Can We Do?

Dennis McCallum

2 Corinthians 8

What can we do when the face of poverty is visible all around us? There are many people who barely have enough to eat and little means to turn their lives around. Giving 5 dollars to the person with a sign on the corner is just hardening our heart to the poor so we don't have to think deeper on why they are there. Jesus encourages us to treat our neighbors as the Good Samaritan does; give from the heart and from what we have. We can also financially support the initiatives of groups trying to defeat the causes of poverty.

Fear of What People Can Do to You

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Peter 3:11-22

Paul reminds that good deeds usually promote good will but that Christians should not expect to avoid all mistreatment. He addresses fear of mistreatment by encouraging them to sanctify God as Lord in their hearts rather than fearing what people can do or say. This inevitably leads to Christians sharing their faith boldly and clearly.\r\n

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.

The Gospel of Jesus

Jim Leffel

Mark 6:1-6

Jesus was a scandalous figure who subverted the expectations of people, demonstrated his power, and refused to fit their mold. As people today encounter Jesus, their expectations present unique barriers to belief.

Representing Jesus in a Non-Christian Society

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Peter 2:11-25

Peter explains how Christians should live in a non-Christian society. One way prescribed is for Christians to resist moral assimilation with society. Another way Peter presents is to be a blessing to those who don't believe in Jesus. Peter explains this includes: 1) respecting governing authorities, 2) doing good in the community, 3) treating people with honor and respect, 4) being a hard-working employee, and 5) patiently enduring mistreatment from others.\r\n

The Power of the Tongue

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 10:20

James talks about the power of our words and how they can bring real good in the lives of others or when handled poorly can tear others down and cause discord. How often do we think of what we are going to say before we say it? When it comes speaking a timely word in a fellow Christians life, or speaking the Gospel to a friend for the first time, we should be in prayer with God so that he may direct our words. Doing this regularly and being immersed in scripture will prepare us to be ready with the Word of God at hand.

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.

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 8:26-39

In times of spiritual renewal, when God is working powerfully in and through His followers to demonstrate how real and good Jesus is, one element we can expect to see is many people converting. This conversion is not a somber commitment to a religious code, but a joyous, life-altering encounter with the living Jesus. The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrates two universal lessons about conversion: 1) God draws all kinds of people to Himself, and 2) He uses His willing followers to help those people He's already reaching out to.

Paul's View of Ministry

Dennis McCallum

Romans 15:1-33

Paul's view of ministry starts with others-centeredness. The new form of worshipping God in the New Testament is ministry. This means caring for the whole person, not just in easy ways but speaking a word of admonition when necessary as well. When it comes to evangelism or missionary work, our post-modern culture deplores these practices, viewing them as forms of imposing Christian culture on others. Instead, evangelism and missionary work is not about changing another's culture but sharing the truth of God's love with others.