Gospel and the Last Supper

Jim Leffel
Mark 14:12-26

The last supper has an important historical and prophetic meaning as it is symbolizes the pattern of salvation. Just as the Passover lamb was a substitution and a ransom for sin, Christ gave himself as a ransom to save mankind. Today, the last supper is memorialized in communion, a time to remember the work of Christ. Applying God's grace this way in our inner lives allows us to go from bondage to freedom.

Gospel and Seeking

Jim Leffel
Mark 12:13-44

Jesus encounters three insincere questions: one intended to offend, one to incite ridicule, and one to incur moral judgment. In each of these situations, Jesus exposes the underlying complexity, assumptions, and hypocrisy. He teaches that a true seeker is a humble person who takes risks by acting.

The Most Deadly Bacillus

Dennis McCallum
Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira fall guilty of hypocrisy when they hold back money and place the rest at the apostles feet, and God strikes both of them dead. This account is particularly important concerning the damaging effects hypocrisy can have on the church if left unchecked. When not corrected, self-righteous hypocrisy can: quench the power of the Holy Spirit, inhibit spiritual growth and interpersonal closeness with others, and become more about self-improvement and quick fixes rather than telling others about Jesus. The key to avoiding hypocrisy is having a grace-oriented attitude, where we rest on God's security and are freed up to admit our faults before others.

Implications of the Gospel for Marriage

Jim Leffel
Mark 10:1-12

When religious leaders ask Jesus about divorce, Jesus interprets marriage through the lens of the gospel as rooted in promise, in intimacy, and as a work of God. Jesus does not say that there are never legitimate grounds for divorce, but he does teach that there is a difference between what the law permits and what morality requires. Grace changes every aspect of our lives, and gives a new basis for a good marriage.

What Are You Wearing?

Gary DeLashmutt
Genesis 3:7-13

God asks us questions not to learn things from us, but instead to help us learn. In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve have rebelled against God's commands, and in their shame they hide from Him with their self-made clothing. God asks them, "What are you wearing?" to expose their sin but also to offer them a solution, clothing them Himself in spite of their failure. We also try and put up a false front to God and others, hiding our sin and shame. However, God has offered us a new identity, new "clothes" to put on through our forgiveness in Christ. Will we trade in our self-made "clothing" for His?

Jephthah: Bargaining with God

Scott Risley
Judges 10-11

Jepthath's interactions with both his enemies, the Ammonites, and with God, reflect a repeated flaw in thinking during the time of the Judges: religious bargaining. By operating out of a man-made system of relating to God, Jepthath misses the point of real devotion to Yahweh and pays the consequence by having to sacrifice his daughter after a foolish vow.

Gideon

Scott Risley
Judges 6:1-32

God tasks Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites, Despite Gideon's doubts about his ability and worthiness, God commissions him into action and assures him of His power to use Gideon. God also provides an outline for Gideon to interact with Him amidst doubt: 1) gratitude; 2) public proclamation; 3) actions steps; and 4) personal encounter.

Inclusiveness of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 7:24-31

When the desperate Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus, his disciples were upset that a gentile woman would be so needy toward Christ. While Jesus gives a challenging word to her, the woman responds by admitting her need for an unmerited gift and a trust in God's mercy. Our attitude towards the gospel should line up with these two principles.

The Heart & the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 7:5-23

The Pharisees were confused about why Jesus and his followers did not follow certain ceremonial rituals that they viewed as keeping people clean and free from defilement. Jesus' critique of religious tradition demonstrates that it: replaces relationship with ritual, emphasizes feelings, and ultimately legitimizes sin. The religious approach says that you are what you do, while the secular approach says that you are basically good. In stark contrast to these, Jesus cleans people from the inside out.