When You've Messed Up Really, Really Bad

Scott Risley

Psalms 32:3-4

A psalm of repentance to God, written after David slept with Bathsheba, who was the wife of another man. David recognizes the severity of his sin, and takes full responsibility for what he has done. At the same time, David throws himself on God's mercy, His unfailing love, His ability to forgive and redeem. Identifies six signs of true repentance: 1. have a vertical perspective, 2. take responsibility, 3. accept consequences, 4. deeply understand the problem, 5. express joy and gratitude, and 6. desire to serve God and to tell others about Him.

Confession and Repentance

Ryan Lowery

Leviticus 26:40-46

All Christians will experience periods of guilt and shame as a result of a moral failing. Five principles for confession are illustrated by the Israelites: we must acknowledge 1) God's sovereignty; 2) that His Word is true; 3) His faithfulness; 4) His righteousness; and 5) how we have been unfaithful in contrast to God's faithfulness. Ultimately, confession means recognizing that we have sinned and choosing to agree with God, while repentance means choosing to act in accordance with what is true.

Leadership in the Organic Paradigm II

Dennis McCallum

1 Timothy 3:2-13

Paul continues to describe to Timothy godly traits of a potential overseer (elder). He also describes another office of leadership within the church: a deacon. Paul outlines character qualities of deacons for both men and women. According to this passage, deacons can be either male or female.

Grace-Motivated Serving

Jim Leffel

1 Timothy 1:12-17

The grace, mercy, and love of God form the basis for serving others. Understanding these things will result in gratitude, humility, and praise that are necessary to truly love others.

Introduction

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 1:18-30

Key biblical teachings often strike us as contrary to common sense, counter-intuitive, or even foolish. This is because it is actually our thinking about major areas of life that is backward. Ultimately, at the center of the backwards wisdom of God is the cross.

The Right Use of the Law

Scott Risley

Romans 7:6

Timothy had to deal with false teachers pushing the idea that Christians need the Law to continue their spiritual growth. We learn from Paul that this is not true and he refutes it with Jesus's own teaching. The law isn't for the righteous but it is meant to lead those who need forgiveness toward God.

The Real Meaning of the Law

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 3:24-25

Paul instructs Timothy about how to approach false teachers who are inaccurately using the law. Paul reviews for Timothy the purpose of the law: to show humanity how they fall short of God's perfect standard and that they need a savior. Humans can only gain righteousness through grace, not by following the law. The law also defines what is sin.

Timothy's Challenge

Scott Risley

1 Timothy 1:1-5

We start the book of 1 Timothy with background on the author Paul the Apostle and on Timothy (who the letter is written to). Paul talks about having a "pure heart and a good conscience, and a sincere faith". How can we have a good conscience serving God in today's world of compromise?

Representing Jesus in What We Say

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 4:2-6

Three guidelines to represent Jesus well in what we say: 1) pray for open doors; 2) make the most of every opportunity; and 3) speak graciously. Each Christian has a significant role to speak in a way that attracts people to Jesus. It's important to pray for ourselves as well as each other. It's important to be sensitive to the open doors God will give to share something about Him. It's important to be good listeners and good question askers. The purpose of following Paul's instruction in this way is to be God's ambassadors to the people He's put in our lives.\r\n