Is This Life All There Is?

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul encourages the Thessalonians by reminding them of the hope and confidence they have in life after death. He calls on them to comfort one another with this truth. Believing in life after death has tremendous impact on how we live. Confidence, joy, freedom, and fulfillment are a few results that come from having this hope. This truth challenges us to ask ourselves if we are confident in what happens after death.\r\n

Life, Death and Joy

Jim Leffel

Philippians 1:21-30

You can't truly live until you've resolved the question of death. You can try to ignore or distract yourself from thinking about death. When you have resolved the question of death, it produces hope, joy, freedom, and a deep longing for the promised afterlife.

The Epistle of Joy

Jim Leffel

Philippians 1:1-8

What is joy and what causes it? Paul speaks to the Philippians while in jail about lasting joy amidst suffering. This joy is different than fleeting happiness. Joy is the handprint of God on your heart. Three main causes of joy he points to are: 1) partnership with other Christians, 2) confidence in the future, and 3) a deep, present connection with God.

Three Events During Jesus' Crucifixion

Gary DeLashmutt

Daniel 12:1-2

Three unique events occurred during Jesus' crucifixion. The first event was darkness falling over the land for three hours during the middle of the day. During this three hours of darkness Jesus was experiencing God's wrath and judgment for humanities sins. The second event that occurred was the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. This curtain symbolized that God is Holy and we are unable to have access to Him. God tore the Temple curtain in two after Jesus' death because we now can have access to God through Jesus' perfect and final sacrifice. The third event was a powerful earthquake that revealed empty tombs. This event showed that Jesus being God had conquered the power of death for all who put their faith in Him.\r\n

Jesus' Miracles

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 4:23-24

During his public ministry, Jesus performed many miracles. Is there any reason to believe he really performed these miracles? Why did he do them? \r\nWe have good reason to believe they happened, and examining them reveals aspects of God's kingdom.

Walking in Glory

Jim Leffel

Romans 8:29-39

Our identity in Christ guarantees a future glory that allows for us to endure the suffering we encounter. Our future glory allows us to be oriented by our faith in God rather than the fears that we face. We can endure moral failures and triumph in the security of God's love which allows for radical trust in this life.

What Does the Future Hold?

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Paul contrasts depression and the fear of death with the hope believers have in Christ's resurrection. Death for people who have put their faith in Christ will look much different than the picture many people fear. God has established clues for when the entire planet will reach an end, so believers have evidence that there is an urgency to telling other people about God.

The Logic of Grace

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The church has the choice to be involved in what God is doing. Love motivates people to do so, and joy is the result! Together, the church gets to grow in hope with each other for heaven. The logic of this grace follows a pattern: faith (putting trust in God and beginning a relationship with Christ), hope (growing an eternal perspective), and love (learning the joy of giving your life away to others).

God's Eternal Kingdom

Gary DeLashmutt

Revelation 21-22

Heaven should be every Christ follower's focus and aim, but unfortunately there are many misconceptions about it. Contrary to popular belief, the Bible describes heaven as a physical place which we will enjoy in unique physical bodies. We will have endless time to enjoy one another and accomplish meaningful work in God's perfect, restored creation! There will no longer be any evil, sadness, sin or damage. Amazingly, all of this is available to you for free if you personally receive God's forgiveness through Jesus's death for your sins!