Using Freedom for Love

Ryan Lowery
1 Corinthians 9:19-24

Paul calls for believers to set aside our personal freedoms and strong opinions for the sake of the gospel and showing God's love to others.

Serving Love in Community

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

As we learn to love one another as Jesus loved us, we become a self-giving community of people who love each other under God's leadership.

A Model Church

Scott Risley
1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

The church described in 1 Thessalonians is a model church that we would do well to imitate because they were young and suffering but were happy. They were trusting God more every day and loving each other and those nearby in spite of their trials. They were clinging to their hope of eternity which gave them the ability to endure difficulties with joy.

Ten Key Elements of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

As Paul went around telling people the Good News, he made every effort to not invalidate his message by his behavior. He modeled these ten key elements of serving love. Serving love is counter-intuitive, based on the Good News, has integrity, is supremely valuable, and is also a "means of grace."

Reason-Based Faith

Dennis McCallum
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

God gave us the Bible so that we can make a reason-based decision to have faith in Jesus. He does not expect us believe based "on spiritual apprehension rather than proof." The Good News is backed by evidence, based on reasonable faith, and is free of charge.

The God Who Makes Us Wait

James Rochford
Exodus 32:1-34:35

As the Israelites grew impatient, waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain, they demanded Aaron make them a golden calf to worship. God often makes us wait to hear from Him. The pressure of waiting can lead to spiritual growth or it can lead to idolatry.

Living Stones

Ben Foust
1 Peter 2:4-10

As living stones in God's spiritual temple, we are a part of what God is doing in the world. As living stones we are different, serve together, and have purpose.

Being Different

Ben Foust
1 Peter 1:13-23

Peter gives us instructions for living well as resident aliens in this world. We are to live as obedient children of God. This means living with hope, in security, in reverential fear, and being holy. This means we will be different. We will be freed from futility and slavery to live a new way of others-centered love.

The Role of the Law

Conrad Hilario
Exodus 20:12-17

Because God demands absolute moral perfection, no one can ever be made right with God by following the Law. Even in the Old Testament, people were saved by faith and not by following the Law. Christians are not under the Law because Jesus fulfilled the Law for us, but the Law is useful for giving us a moral orientation.