Two Essential Convictions

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 11:7-29

Paul demonstrates to the Corinthians the importance of living to serve others and having a mind to suffer for Christ. As we live our Christian lives looking to meet others need, we can experience great peace and seeing God work through us in others lives. Christians who develop Paul's attitude toward the suffering in their lives are capable of experiencing deep spiritual transformation as their faith is increased as God works. As we suffer, we are able to see who God really is at a more profound level.

Boasting

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 10:8-18

In order to defend himself against accusers, Paul must boast about himself to the Corinthians. Normally, boasting in self is offensive to God. However, boasting or praising God for who He is or what He's done is biblical and effective in pointing others towards Him. As we move away from puffing ourselves up through comparisons or trying to boost our ego, God is able to remind us that our real source of identity and significance are given by Him. This allows us to delight in the opportunities He gives us to serve.

Fanning the Flames

Dennis McCallum
2 Timothy 1:1-6

A zealous, excited response is normal for those who have encountered Christ. The un-energized Christian is a living contradiction. If our zeal for using our gifts dies down we can "fan the flames" using God-given means through practice, diligence, and urgency. We look at several keys to earnestness and how developing this trait has less to do with feelings and more to do with determination and urgency.

The Blessings of Generosity

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 9:10-15

God's generosity towards us is the basis for us being generous to others with our resources. As we agree with God's way of generous living and giving, we can store up for ourselves a spiritual harvest of reward along with being enriched in every way, according to His Word. Our generosity will result in thanksgiving to God and prove a vital witness to those who don't know God. Convinced Christians that are generous will be blessings to those around them and will store up for themselves great reward in the next life for their service to God.

Living Generously

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 8:7-21

God's grace revealed through Jesus Christ provides a basis for being generous. Some keys to be living generously include: 1) being intentional about giving generously; 2) being faithful to what you've decided to give; 3) be proportional with your giving to a sacrificial degree; and 4) be zealous. Since we are accountable to God with His resources, we should be excited to be a part of God's eternal purposes and should aim to be above reproach in our handling of His money.

Challenge of Wealth

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Paul expresses his desire for the Corinthians to give generously, giving principles about generosity and wealth. God desires a spiritual mindset concerning how we value wealth, to understand principles of stewardship and financial freedom and to understand affluence as it pertains to poverty. God-centered generosity is an extension of entrusting our lives to God.

Why this waste?

Dennis McCallum
Matthew 26:6-13

Mary's sacrifice of her expensive perfume at the expense of Jesus infuriates Jesus' disciples. Jesus highlights Mary's sacrifice isn't a waste, as they might think, but will be richly rewarded before God and remembered. The contrast between the disciples' and Jesus' viewpoint highlights the difference when we think about the temporary things to indulge rather than living for the eternal impacts that come from pursuing what God desires. Mary's faith and eternal perspective made her sacrifice not a sacrifice at all because of who she was looking to serve. This teaching also includes a testimony of a man in a law firm that realized God's eternal impact and how to live for that rather than temporary things.

Live With the End in Mind

Jim Leffel
2 Corinthians 5:1-10

The way we view and live our lives as Christians is based on the biblical hope we have from eternal life. Having eternal life as an assurance despite the troubles of this life provides Christians with courage to stand up for what God cares about. We can experience a deep satisfaction in our relationship with God as we learn to please Him in this life, knowing that we will give an account to Him in the next. Setting our minds on eternity gives us wisdom on how to live our present lives as foreigners in Christ.

The Spirit of the Gentiles

Dennis McCallum
Luke 14:9-11

James' and John's desire to be at the places of honor reflects the damaging effects of human pride and putting self at the center. Jesus tells them that true leadership is servant leadership, where you forsake self for the building up of others. Jesus perfectly demonstrated sacrificial servant leadership by going to the cross to pay for humanity's moral debt to God. Humility before God and others is a key attribute of being effective in servant leadership.