Jesus Reveals His Glory

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 9:28-38

At the transfiguration Jesus is physically changed, Moses and Elijah appear, and God's glory fills the mountain. This happened to show that he is the Messiah though he must be killed, that he is fulfilling God's redemptive plan, and that Jesus is God's son with a mission from Him. Several lessons may be learned from this event: 1) Jesus is God's unique savior; 2) listen to all that Jesus says, not just the parts we like; and 3) don't try to preserve special spiritual experiences instead of serving.

Jesus Sends His Disciples

Gary DeLashmutt
Luke 10:1-20

In Jesus' sending of the 72, he teaches important lessons on the mission, message, and motivation of following him. The mission is to go out to the people who don't know him. The message is to tell people that Jesus is the Messiah and to receive him. The motivation is based on the identity that he has given us, and not the identity we try to earn from service.

Darius' Dark Night of the Soul

Jim Leffel
Daniel 5:31-6:27

When Darius involuntarily takes part in a trap to kill Daniel in a lion's den, he feels immense guilty, angry, and provoked at the fact that he had condemned a man with distinguished character. Daniel refused to give up the work of prayer as an act of rebellion, trusting that God is powerful and thanking Him. When Daniel was saved by God, his provocative faith caused Darius to come to terms with God and encouraged the exiles.

The Writing's on the Wall

Jim Leffel
Daniel 5:1-30

King Belshazzar's hubris was able to distort reality to fit his desires even when God himself delivered a supernatural message. The writing on the wall contained three statements: 1) your days are numbered; 2) you've been found wanting; and 3) your kingdom goes to another. We should seek to avoid the hubris of Belshazzar as we live in light of eternity, seek to be made right with God, and realize that only our accomplishments for God will result in a lasting legacy.

Following Jesus

Gary DeLashmutt
John 13:1-17

Jesus lays out two different paths: the self-serving path and the self-giving path. Those who choose to serve self experience increasing disappointment, relational failure, and an unhealthy emotional life and slavery; while those who choose to give of self experience increasing contentment, relational success, a healthy emotional life, and freedom. True happiness is not something attainable as an end in itself, but a by-product of following Jesus by receiving God's love and giving it out to others.

Christians in the Workplace

Tom Dixon
Colossians 3:22-4:1

Paul gives instructions to slaves and their conduct of work, shedding light on principles for Christians in the workplace. The motivation to work hard in the workplace comes from living to please God. When we see this part of our lives as a way to please God, our work will come from sincerity of the heart, not for the approval of human beings. In addition, when we work hard to please God, we are looking forward to the reward we'll receive from God in the next life, as opposed to be anxiety ridden or frustrated attitudes towards our jobs. When we follow Christ and serve him in our workplace, we will have something to share, develop godly character, provide for ourselves and others and have an opportunity to be a light for Jesus.

A Servant's Compassion

Jim Leffel
Matthew 25:34-40

Paul called Timothy to provide for the widows of the Ephesian church, and this furthers the call for Christians to practice compassion for the needy. Serving and loving those in need is a great opportunity to share God's love with people in a broken and fallen world.

A Servant's Passion

Jim Leffel
2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paul told Timothy that God gifted him in ministry, likewise he has gifted each of us. God has given us a purpose to go out and share His message of love and salvation to this world, and He wants us to use the gifts He has given us to accomplish this purpose. God has a powerful plan for your life, and if you depend on Him, He can use you to do things that will leave an eternal impact.

Husbands and Wives

Tom Dixon
Colossians 3:18-19

Paul gives instructions to wives and husbands on how to be successful in a marriage centered around God. As Christians understand what Jesus did for them, they will be able to respond more within marriage. For wives, that means learning what it means to submit to their husband, which means learning to be: supportive, agreeable, encouraging and helpful as the husband leads the marriage towards God. For husbands, they are to extend grace towards their wives and seek ways to sacrificially serve them like Christ. Love and forgiveness from Jesus is the key component for navigating marriage difficulties.