Becoming Who We Are (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 1

When we place our faith in Christ, God's Spirit permanently indwells us, assuring us of our spot in eternity with Him. The security that comes from knowing Christ allows for high levels of commitment to Christ and vulnerability, and is the power source behind our service to God. Our new identity also provides us with objective and subjective revelation into God's truth. When Christians grow in their understanding of their identity, it allows for deeper closeness with God, stability amidst trials, and security as we await eternity with God.

Becoming Who We Are (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 1

Paul's letter to the Ephesians begins with an emphasis on the new identity given to those who put their faith in Christ. This is a central message across Paul's letters and deeply impacts how we relate to God and others. Understanding and living out of our new identity is the key to real, lasting change in our lives. As Christians, we can rest in our adoption into God's family, the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness Jesus provided at the cross.

Becoming Who We Are (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 1:3-10

Paul's letter to the Ephesians begins with an emphasis on the new identity given to those who put their faith in Christ. This is a central message across Paul's letters and deeply impacts how we relate to God and others. Understanding and living out of our new identity is the key to real, lasting change in our lives. As Christians, we can rest in our adoption into God's family, the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness Jesus provided at the cross.

Faith in Action

Jim Leffel
Genesis 12:1-3

The author of Hebrews defines faith as counting on the fact that God is there and to trust in His goodness. Abraham illustrates what faith in action looks like in four ways: 1) his obedience to God; 2) his living as a foreigner in a hostile world; 3) in his walking in grace; and 4) in his willingness to put everything on the line.

Money Well Spent

Clive Calver
Genesis 12:1-3

World missions can be critiqued for ineffective approaches; yet there's also a compelling testimony of how God is at work in 2nd and 3rd world countries. Calver ties in witnessed accounts of faithfulness worldwide to what he calls the Andrew Principle (lessons from Andrew's response to Jesus in the New Testament): 1) in the lowest parts of the planet is where you find Jesus; 2) when you find Jesus, the first thing you do is go and get your brother; and 3) like with the example of bread and fish, God can do a lot with the little you have to give.

Working with At-Risk Youth

Scott Arnold
Luke 4:18-19

Working with at-risk teens requires hope, faith, and love. Arnold lays out why we should work with at-risk teens, what an at-risk teen is, a deficit approach, and how we can help. Understanding where these kids come from is key. God loves these kids and so should we. The things they lack are things God offers us and can change the trajectory of their future. The biggest needs are for love relationships, initiative, and grace. Only with God is change possible.\r\n

A Day in the Life for the Truly Poor

Clive Calver
Luke 4:18-19

Clive Calver teaches on how God is powerfully at work in even the most impoverished places around the world. He distinguishes between social action and social action with the saving power of Jesus. He testifies to thousands who have lost everything and still press on without fear because they have faith. Ruth Calver, his wife, shares about a visit to her Malawian friend who is blind, living in poverty, and dealing with tragedies such as losing her daughter to AIDS and caring for her granddaughter who is dying of AIDS. She instructed Ruth to tell people in America, ?Tell them what you have seen, tell them I love Jesus, and He is all I need.? Clive contends that while one person being impacted by faith may seem small, God usually starts small and reaches the nations through small victories of faithfulness.

What is Faith?

Jim Leffel
Hebrews 11:1

Many would define faith as believing in something regardless of the truth. However, the Bible defines faith as a confident assurance in our hope. Because of the strong evidence that the Bible is revelation from God, we can be sure that God has spoken. It is left for us to act on faith, in light of the things that we know but cannot see.

Elijah and Elisha: A Comparison

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Corinthians 10:12

Elijah and Elisha were both prophets appointed by God and key figures in the Old Testament. How do their lives compare and contrast? Take a look at the similarities and differences between these men. Lessons we can draw from their lives and service to God include: 1) God has fashioned each of us perfectly for unique roles in His service; and 2) success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for us. A testimony by Ish Gajary is included.\r\n