Two Ways of Relating to God

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 3:6-18

God's new covenant of grace and living by the Holy Spirit's power completely eradicated the Old Covenant of moral obligation and law. As opposed to trying to relate to God based on our own goodness or out of guilt, we are freed to live under the security of His unwavering love and acceptance of us through Christ. As we live under God's way of grace, more and more of who Christ is can be revealed to others as God works in our lives. This teaching includes a testimony by Travis Henderson.

Being the Greatest

Jim Leffel

Mark 9:30-35

Desiring greatness is not wrong, and God desires for us to live great lives. However, the mind of man and the mind of God define greatness differently. Jim Leffel explains the truth in what seems to be a paradox: greatness through servanthood. Jesus embodied this, and Leffel provides practical ways we can adopt Jesus' attitude to sacrificially serve others.

Feeding the 5000

Jim Leffel

John 6:27-35

When Jesus asks his disciples to feed the five thousand, he intends to teach them about God's priorities in serving. There are four lessons for Jesus' disciples in this miracle: 1) Jesus will sensitize us to others' needs as we follow him; 2) whatever we have is inadequate to meet others' needs; 3) Christ makes our meager resources adequate; and 4) serving Christ is God's way to meet our needs and effect change in our lives. A life of service is the only way to true fulfillment, purpose, and stability, and God can use people who make themselves available to Him. A video testimony from Joanne Rhodes is included.

The Exodus: Lessons in Spiritual Growth

Dennis McCallum

Deuteronomy 1:2-3

Idolatry and pride hindered the Jews led by Moses out of Egypt, and these same issues were present in the Corinthian church. Often we don't accept God's provisions in our life because we wanted something else. This shows that we trust our own hearts more than God's plans and provisions for our lives.

Two Decisions

Dennis McCallum

Luke 9

Jesus gives two decisions to his followers: die to self or live for self. Choosing to pursue Christ above everything else is the key to effective discipleship and followership as we weigh the cost in our lives. Those who decide to live spiritually mediocre lives will lose themselves, while those who have counted the cost of discipleship and are eager to sell out for God will gain true life. This decision happens after the decision to accept Jesus Christ as savior has occurred.

What Is Biblical Faith?

Dennis McCallum

Romans 4

Turning to key figures from the Old Testament who would have been very well known to the Jewish Romans, Paul uses Abraham and David to explain what faith looks like. Faith is not equivalent to works, rituals, or the Law. Instead, it is a willingness to act based on God's truth with complete dependence on Him.