Meager Faith Richly Rewarded

Jim Leffel

1 John 5:13

The miraculous healing of Jairus' son and the unclean woman demonstrate that Jesus has the power to overcome death, and his resurrection gives purpose to our lives as Christians. Both Jairus and the woman approached Jesus from a position of weakness and trusted that he would be faithful to his promises to them, and since they acted in faith before seeing God's provision, they both grew in their trust and intimacy with Him.

The Gerasene Demoniac

Jim Leffel

1 John 2:15-17

Jesus performed miracles to verify his claims about himself and to demonstrate his teaching in action. These miracles included interactions with the supernatural, and it is clear from the Gospels that Jesus' exorcisms of demonically possessed people foretell his future victory over Satan. Furthermore, modern Christians do not live in a spiritually neutral world, and Satan is still active in modern times through waging war against Christians and promoting his system of values. Christians should seek to live in a way that is cognizant of the spiritual war around them and to follow God's eternal priorities.

The Non-Negotiables

Dennis McCallum

Romans 6:4

Paul emphasized the importance of the Gospel message to the Corinthians, that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected which demonstrates that he was God and had paid for sin. All we have to do to be made righteous in God's eyes is to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as a payment for our own sins. Nothing should be added or removed from the Gospel that Paul preached.

Conclusions of Unbelief

Jim Leffel

Mark 3:20-35

Throughout Jesus' ministry, Jesus used miracles to demonstrate his mission and authority, and he often used these signs to challenge his audience to decide who he was for themselves. The scribes believed that Jesus did his miracles by Satan's power, an argument that he subsequently dismantled through logic, and Jesus' family believed that Jesus was taking his claims too far. Jesus taught that believers should be committed to their family but that all human commitments are subordinate to God's Will, and these commitments are best practiced in the context of fellowship with other Christians.

Jesus the Healer

Jim Leffel

John 9:2-3

Throughout his ministry, Jesus makes bold claims about who he is. To back up these claims, he performs many miracles, often in the presence of hostile religious leaders or in the midst of large crowds. From these miracles, we see that Jesus has unique authority. He is able to meet not only the physical needs of people, but our deeper spiritual needs as well.

Beginning: John the Baptist

Jim Leffel

2 Corinthians 5:21

After many years of silence from God, John the Baptist comes as a messenger to announce the coming of the Messiah, a fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 40 and Malachi 3. His message was a need for repentance and forgiveness of sins, and many people came to be baptized by him. He tells the people that though he baptizes with water, the One coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit. While water baptism is only a symbolic cleansing done in recognition for the need for forgiveness, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of forgiveness provided by Christ's death.

Two Rich Guys

Dennis McCallum

Luke 19

The accounts in Luke 18 and 19 present two men in contrast. First, there is a rich man who approaches Jesus as a good teacher, thinking he has done enough good to earn salvation. He leaves grieved, however, because Jesus challenges his good deeds. The second man, Zacchaeus, eagerly goes to meet Jesus despite being known as a sinner. He repents before Christ and receives salvation in his humility. In response to this story, we are faced with several questions: will we trust that Jesus is the Messiah, not just a good teacher, liar, or lunatic? And will we walk away from Jesus sad or with joy?

Parables of the Kingdom

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 13

What will the Kingdom of God be like? How will God's message be spread? The answer is surprising. The Messiah came first not as a conquering king as expected, but as a humble servant. His message is spread not as a political power play, but through grass movements, gradual and quiet.

On the Mountaintop

Dennis McCallum

Luke 9:27-35

Peter, James and John witness Jesus's transfiguration into His heavenly, glorious form on the mountain. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, demonstrating that the Law and Prophets bear witness to Jesus though predictive prophecy and typology. Peter didn't want this amazing experience to end, but experiences aren't everything in the Christian life. Patrice McCormac gives her testimony.