The Armor of God

Scott Risley

Ephesians 6:10-24

A spiritual battle rages around us that is a battle for truth with eternal consequences. We are called to stand firm not by our own strength but in the Lord's. We are to take up the full armor of God to withstand the schemes of the devil. We are to rely on God's truth, His righteousness, the peace that comes from the Gospel, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer.

The Full Armor of God

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 6:10-24

Paul warns his audience that their struggle is not against other humans but evil spiritual forces, namely Satan. We need to be prepared to fight with the Word of God's truth, relying not on our own righteousness but on Christ's righteousness. The full armor of God consists of truth, righteousness (Christ's), gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God and finally, prayer.

Spiritual Warfare

James Rochford

Ephesians 6:10-20

Satan's strategies include manipulation, exaggerating offenses and hurt feelings, fueling temptation, and nurturing suspicion. The Christian's strategy to stand against his schemes is to put on the full armor of God. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit make up the full armor of God.

Spirituality and Our Relational Lives

Gary DeLashmutt

James 3:13-4:3

The author of James describes the two kinds of wisdom, each having a relational posture which leads to two different relational results. The wisdom from below is self-centered and leads to a harvest of disorder and evil. Whereas the wisdom from above is self-giving and results in relational peace and wholeness.

The Bad News is for Everyone

Ben Foust

Romans 1:18-2:3

Paul argues that people often suppress the truth about God and forge their own way. Paul uses the example of sexual ethics to illustrate this point. As controversial today as it was then, this presents a difficult dilemma for Christians. Yet the passage resolves the dilemma by teaching that all people are in the same boat as those who need God's grace. Christians have no standing for self righteous judgement, but rather are to bring the gospel to the world with humility and love.

Are Christians Allowed to Drink?

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 5:15-20

Many churches forbid alcohol consumption but God is not opposed to drinking alcohol, just getting drunk. Instead of being controlled by mind-altering substances, the Bible says to be filled with the Spirit. God wants you to fill the emptiness you feel with the relational and spiritual side of life, not with substances. Only God's presence in your life will fill the void you feel.

Suffering In Hope

Kip Dixon

Lamentations 3:22-23

Jeremiah is known as the Weeping Prophet because he was tasked with warning Israel of its impending judgment. He suffered greatly for telling the truth to the people who did not want to hear they were under God's judgment. In spite of the terrible message Jeremiah had to deliver, he was given words of hope that a Righteous branch would come forth and forgive Israel's sins and bring the people back to God. God is faithful and eager to forgive.

The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 3:6-6:18

We, as Christians, are able to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of God by understanding and communicating the New Covenant instead of the Old Covenant. The new Covenant surpasses and replaces the Old Covenant in three ways. First, the new Covenant is the ministry of the Spirit, and the Old Covenant is the ministry of death. Second, the New Covenant is the ministry of righteousness and the Old Covenant is the ministry of condemnation. Third, the New Covenant brings about profound change in your life but the Old Covenant only brings superficial change.

Old Covenant vs. New Covenant

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 3:6-18

We, as Christians, are able to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of God by understanding and communicating the New Covenant instead of the Old Covenant. The new Covenant surpasses and replaces the Old Covenant in three ways. First, the new Covenant is the ministry of the Spirit, and the Old Covenant is the ministry of death. Second, the New Covenant is the ministry of righteousness and the Old Covenant is the ministry of condemnation. Third, the New Covenant brings about profound change in your life but the Old Covenant only brings superficial change.