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The Vine and the Branches

Dennis McCallum

John 15:1-13

Jesus uses an analogy of a vine and branches to describe the type of relationship between him and his followers. Jesus is the life-giving source to which believers must have dependence on in order to really bear fruit for God. This is a love-trust relationship between Jesus and his followers where his followers are dependent on Jesus and as they receive from him, they are able to give out from what they have received (self-sacrificial love towards others). It is as we continually abide in Christ that we are able to love others the way Jesus did and have real character transformation and deep satisfaction in our lives. This passage is essential for Christians to understand how to deepen their relationship with God.

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The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Mike Sullivan

Luke 10:25-37

Jesus has an interaction with an expert in the law, and uses the conversation as an opportunity to confront the blind spots of his religious thinking. Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to show that we are incapable of meeting God's perfect standard, and need God's mercy. As Christians, we should beware of our arrogance and be quick to correct the blind spots of the culture around us, so that we may better share and reflect God's love to others.

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The Upper Room

Dennis McCallum

John 13:1-17

Jesus is with his disciples before the Passover and is awaiting the hour which he will go to the Cross and take on God's judgment, causing him great agony. While the disciples among him were arguing on who was the greatest, Jesus began to wash their feet, placing himself in the position of servant to serve the needs of the disciples. Jesus did this to serve as an example of radical self-sacrificial love that he wanted his followers to emulate. Today, Christians are called to love one another in the way Jesus did, as it shows the outside world that we are his followers and will lead to real satisfaction in our lives as we look to meet the needs of others. This takes real practice and isn't simply a theoretical, but must be accompanied by action.

Keywords

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Following Jesus' Example

Ryan Lowery

Philippians 1:27-2:13

Once we have received the gospel, we are called to live lives that reflect what God has done in our life. The apostle Paul advocates this to the church of Philippi. Paul highlights three aspects of understanding God's love: 1) Placing a high value on unity with other Christians; 2) God is sovereign; and 3) God's love includes letting us suffer. Rather than shy away from, God calls us to draw close to Him and one another as we try and emulate Jesus' love and humility in our lives.

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Walking With the Holy Spirit

Jeff Gordon

Galatians 5:13-26

In the heart of every believer, there is a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The goal of the Christian is to be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit that indwells them. This is possible because in Christ our flesh has been crucified, with all of its evil passions and desires. Ultimately, the fruit of walking with the Spirit is love.

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Eros and Agape-Based Relationships

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 3:11-4:12

Agape is a Greek word that refers to the unique love of God demonstrated in Christ and practiced by His people. This often runs in contrast to eros, which refers instead to the kind of erotic love so valued by our culture. Under God's paradigm of agape love, sexual ethics exist to protect people from hurting themselves and their families. Brian Gardner spoke about his victory over sex addiction.

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The "Jesus" Test

Doug Pollock

Luke 5:29-32

In our culture today, we get tested on things all the time. But there also exists the "Jesus" test, a test in which not even all who are outspoken Christians pass. Many people think they are passing the Jesus test by obeying religious rituals and withdrawing from sinful people who may rub off on them. These people could not be more mistaken, as it is Jesus who calls us to love the sinners as he did himself. We must recognize that we are all sinners that needed saving, and embrace befriending the "sinners" of our society.

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God Space - Where Apologetics Happen Naturally

Doug Pollock

Luke 5:29-32

Christian author, Doug Pollock, illustrates helpful evangelism strategies and goals through a conversation he once had with a woman while on a flight. As he describes the story, he highlights listening to the Spirit's prompting, asking questions to show interest in a person's life, and finding common ground. As he bridges the conversation into a spiritual topic, he remains a curious listener but also speaks up to help point out to the woman what she has really revealed that she believes. Through this example, we can gain numerous helpful tools for our own evangelism.

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Two Lessons from Gaius

Gary DeLashmutt

3 John 1:1-15

3 John is a letter written by John of Zebedee, one of Jesus' disciples and author of the Gospel of John, 1 and 2 John and the book of Revelation. He is writing this letter to Gaius, a local church leader. Within the short letter, John communicates two important principles to Gaius: 1) distinguishing godly versus ungodly church leaders; and 2) the profile of a prospering soul, or what a healthy relationship with God looks like. This can happen as we adopt a lifestyle of serving others, immersing ourselves in God's Word and imitating others that already live this way.

Keywords

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