Serving Love and Sexuality (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum
1 Corinthians 6:16-20

Jesus confronts the Pharisees about the issue of divorce. God's design for human sexuality is within the confines of a heterosexual monogamous relationship between man and woman. When the focus of sexuality is servant love, we understand that sex is highly intimate and thus can be highly damaging, so we want to listen to God's perspective on what will be the most fulfilling. The key to success in sexual relationships is that it is centered around God. When centered on God, sexuality is able to be freeing and highly unifying as both parties are secure in their position in Christ and can look to serve one another out from God's love, rather than needlessly taking from one another. This teaching also surveys people's thoughts about living together before marriage.

Jesus' Shepherd Heart

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 18:1-35

Jesus explains the humility needed to enter into the Kingdom of God. He expresses the severity that will fall on those who try to stumble others from entering the Kingdom. We see that Jesus is protective of his flock, as he addresses the practice of church discipline, which ultimately reflects God's love and care. Jesus also shares his forgiving nature as he teaches on the priority of forgiving others while talking with Peter. If we are trying to become more like Jesus, we must prioritize his heart of compassion, forgiveness, and humility. All three of these characteristics were personified with his work on the cross so that people could have a personal relationship with God.

Through A Mirror Dimly

Jim Leffel
1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Paul concludes his famous passage on love by unpacking the triumph and centrality of love in the Christian life. He details three dimensions of biblical spirituality: faith, hope and love (which he calls the greatest of the three). This is because now we see as "through a mirror dimly", knowing truth but not in its entirety; but one day we will be face to face with God. On that day, faith and hope will no longer be necessary. But love will endure forever, so we should pursue deepening love relationships that will last for eternity.

The Best Way Ever

Jim Leffel
1 Corinthians 13:1-8

This famous passage on love unpacks "the most excellent way", detailing what love looks like in our relationship with God and others in Christian community. Love is at the core of true spirituality and is a tell-tale indicator of spiritual health. God's love has been uniquely demonstrated through Jesus Christ and we demonstrate God's love as we believe His Word, have confident hope in His promises, and endure all things.

Man Before the Fall

Ryan Lowery
Genesis 1:26-2:25

Mankind stands out among other creatures both in capacity for good and for evil. The Bible explains this dual picture of man in a compelling way through the creation account. In our original state, we were created to be eternal, united with God, and in harmony with both our environment and with each other. But in order for us to have the capacity for love, we also must have the capacity to choose for either good or evil.

Freedom to Identify

Jim Leffel
Matthew 9:35-36

What does it mean to be ?all things to all people?? In this passage, Paul gives his own example of willingly using his freedom to cross cultural divides. Doing so removes any cultural obstacle from those considering a relationship with Christ and creates unexpected, yet sweet relationships based on the Gospel. Testimony by Carolyn Anson.

Freedom And Conscience

Jim Leffel
1 Corinthians 6:12

One aspect of God's purpose in reconciling people to Himself is to create a community to show the world what He is like. One way believers in Christ can show God's love to others is to gain biblical knowledge tempered with discerning love when interacting with other people. Under grace, believers have God-given freedom with a clear conscience, but in this passage are encouraged to use this freedom to love and serve others instead of self.

Jesus' Authority

Scott Risley
Matthew 8:1-17

Matthew's account of Jesus' first three miracles focused on outcasts. He healed a leper, a gentile servant girl and a woman, Peter's mother-in-law. These miracles authenticated him and His authority. They demonstrated his power is expressed in love.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Gary DeLashmutt
Colossians 1:5-6

Jesus tells a parable of a mustard seed and the yeast. The parable describes a small growth that eventually becomes large and widespread, something that fits in with the small, yet widespread growth in Christianity over the years. Today, Christians have the immense privilege in participating in God's work that is spreading throughout the world as we: pray for the nations to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, give our financial resources to God's work, and even go ourselves to spread the message of the gospel. As Christians comprehend the love of Jesus, we can become more and more motivated to love those who do not know Jesus and to get engaged with God's global plan.