The Word Becomes Flesh

Ryan Lowery

John 12:46

A ?Gospel? is a declaration of victory! The book of John is a historical and biographical account of the creator of the universe who came down to earth. As we learn about Jesus we can understand who God is. God is infinite, self-existent, and personal. The Word is with God, was God, created all things, and is the sustaining power of all life. Then this Word takes on a human body and lives among humanity, John confirms that he was an eye-witness to this event. Jesus came in a way that was unexpected and the world was polarized by it. All of humanity is invited to receive forgiveness from Jesus and be adopted as God's children.

Recovering From the Fall

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 3:7-19

The effects of the fall on a individual human can be substantially (but not completely) reversed through gradual spiritual growth. The theological alienation humans experience is reversed through turning back to God and beginning a relationship with Him. Psychological alienation is healed by no longer propping self up as a god but instead putting self under God's leadership. Sociological alienation is reversed by moving away from a self-centered relationship and towards a God-centered relationship. Ecological alienation is healed as humans take a stewardship perspective of God's Earth.

God's Attitude Toward Those Who Reject Him

Dennis McCallum

Luke 15:1-32

Jesus speaks to an audience of both the lowest of society's low as well as the self-righteous. Jesus addresses the self-righteous lot by telling three parables that each reflect God's character. He teaches how much God loves the humble sinner and the lengths God goes to win that person to Himself; as well as the dangers and consequences of a self-righteous person's attitude toward God.

Law School

Ryan Lowery

Galatians 5:17

Gods' Law is perfect and unchanging, it is not nullified or changed, but our relationship to the Law has changed. Before the fall of man, we had no innate desire to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge because we did not have a sin nature yet. After the Fall, the nature of man was corrupted, and our relationship to the Law became destructive. We know what sin is through the Law. In Christ, through a choice to be redeemed through his sacrifice on the cross, we can have a newness of identity and have a restored relationship to Gods' Law.

The Sermon on the Plain II

Dennis McCallum

Luke 6:37-45

Jesus resumes his teachings from the passage known as the Sermon on the Plain. He gives instructions for creating close, personal relationships with other believers. A key part of developing loving relationships is being able to resolve conflict in a healthy and constructive way. Jesus gives us the freedom to admit when we are at fault. In this passage he gives further instructions on what to do and what not to do after we admit our fault.\r\n

Peace with God

Ben Foust

1 John 4:10

What does it mean (and look like) to have peace with God? Paul describes us as utterly helpless because of our moral guilt before God, and we deserve God's condemnation. But God moved towards us and showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. The peace with God we have available to us starts with the foundation of Christ's redemption and is cultivated in our hearts as we move closer to God.

Who Told You that You Were Naked?

Gary DeLashmutt

Genesis 3:7-13

After eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve unsuccessfully seek to hide from God and themselves in the Garden of Eden. Their response to God's questioning their clothing indicates something common among all human beings: shame. This passage is the first of many to illustrate God's ability and desire to redeem all of mankind, as well as His desire to provide us with a way to approach Him that does not depend on our own righteousness. In learning how to "take off the old self and put on the new self," it is possible to be truly liberated from the real shame that influences much of our lives.

The Patriarchs

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 37:3-45:11

Joseph was a man whose life was characterized by both immense success and intense suffering. Despite the constantly changing circumstances of his life, he maintained his faith in God and adopted a godly perspective on his trials. Joseph's story serves as an example of how God can redeem even the worst circumstances to His glory and our benefit.

The "Patriarchs"

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 37:2-45:28

The story of Joseph, a beloved son of Jacob who is betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, is a story of forgiveness and redemption. Through over a decade of further betrayal, suffering, and despair God continually works and brings him into a position of power as the right hand man of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Joseph's brothers come to Egypt during a famine to buy grain and find the brother they had betrayed. Joseph forgives his brothers and is finally reunited with his father. Over and over in Joseph's life, God proves his amazing power to bring about good in spite of evil.\r\n