Building a Life Framework that is Ready to Suffer

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 4:1

Dennis McCallum sheds light on the theological and practical sides of the unity between Christian believers, unpacking both the spiritual connection between Christians and the down-to-earth instructions for Christian community. Dennis makes the case that the highly committed, deeply connected community life prescribed in scripture is a far cry from the experience of church in modern America. Experiencing this connection with other believers is an essential factor in being prepared to suffer well.\r\n\r\n

Preventing End of Life Tragedies

Jeff Gordon

1 Peter 4:1

Dr. Jeff Gordon shares his experiences with the issue of end of life care in America. The hidden truth is that every year, Medicare spends billions of dollars in just the last few months of care for patients, which really can be argued is just a prolonging of death. Jeff discusses the probability of living after certain end of life illnesses and tragedies and the reality of what this "care" looks like. It often is more humane to let death take people naturally when the time has come instead of pouring countless dollars toward adding a few more days, weeks, or months in an uncomfortable hospital environment. As Christians, we can have hope after death and take legal actions now to prepare ourselves for the medical care we would like to or not like to receive at the end of our lives.

Leading with Limitations: How to Turn Brokenness into Blessing

Joni Eareckson Tada

1 Peter 4:1

God intends to use every sin and sabotage by Satan for the good of His ultimate plan of salvation for mankind. God allows things He does not approve of, for reasons that are specific, wise, and good, but maybe not apparent in this life. Everything that comes to people is screened by a God who controls all of it and who will never forsake them.

The Cross and the Problem of Pain

Ajith Fernando

1 Peter 4:1

Every worldview has a different explanation for the problem of pain. Many of these explanations leave people feeling hopeless, purposeless, or apathetic to life. The Cross, however, presents a much different answer that goes beyond karmic law being the source of suffering. We suffer in this world sometimes due to our own actions, but often because the world itself contains sin and evil. Under the Christian worldview, suffering does not have to be in vain, and we can actually use our sufferings to glorify Christ. We also receive comfort knowing that Jesus can truly empathize with our pain as he subjected himself to great pain for our sake.

Suffering and Spiritual Warfare

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 4:1

For healthy Christians, a significant portion of voluntary pain comes from our battle with Satan. Currently, Satan rules this world, meaning that Christians are always in a spiritual battle. Contrast having this mindset with having a peace-time mentality, and see how dangerous it is to remain indifferent.

Suffering and Joy: Challenges and Opportunities

Jim Leffel

1 Peter 1:3

Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but how we suffer matters. Suffering provides opportunity for personal transformation and exposes our actual beliefs and the extent to which we're convinced of them. As Christians, we can suffer victoriously because of the hope that we have through the resurrection of Christ.

The Relationship Between Joy and Pain

Ajith Fernando

James 1:2-3

Many people settle for what is less than joy in their lives - success, sexual experiences, comfort, the list continues. But Christians can experience true joy because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an extreme comfort and joy to know that we are immensely loved by our Creator, and it is that joy that helps us in our pain. In our sufferings, we can rejoice because we can trust in God's faithfulness to us and His ability to bring about good. Of course, that is easier said than done, and it requires that we both surrender to and embrace God.

Spiritual Power in Collision

Dennis McCallum

Acts 3:1-4:31

Peter and John heal a lame man, giving Peter an opportunity to speak to the crowds concerning God's plan of salvation, revealed through the Old Testament prophets and culminating with the revelation and message of Jesus Christ and the eternal life he offers to everyone. As a result, Peter and John encounter persecution from the Saducees as they have to defend this miraculous healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. This miracle was used by God to authenticate Jesus, along with the use of fulfilled prophecy. In light of the persecution of Peter and John, we should view persecution for the sake of Christ as good and worth pleasing God for, as we rely on the boldness from the Holy Spirit to be spokespeople for God.

The Rich and the Poor

Dennis McCallum

Proverbs 14:21

There is a vast inequality between the poor and wealthy in the world today. Looking at other countries it's easy to see how we in the United States live in a state of surplus and luxury. God calls on us to support and care for the poor of the world. How often do we simply give out change and think nothing of it a moment later? Jesus calls us to care for those in real need and to give sacrificially so our heart can shift from supplying our needs to the needs of others. \r\n