What Is It About this Church?

Patrice McCormac

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul writes to the Thessalonians to express his gratitude for their radical lifestyle for Christ and their decisive response to the Gospel. He thanks God for their work of faith, their labor of love and their steadfastness of hope. He recognizes God was at work in their community and He came in power and in the Holy Spirit. He rejoices that the word of the Lord sounded forth because they received the Gospel with joy and gave it away wherever they went.

Serving Love in the Body of Christ, Part Two

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Dennis finishes up 1 Thessalonians 5 with the remaining imperatives of effective body life. He calls all Christians to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, not quench the Spirit, and have discernment on spiritual matters. It is not up to us to muster the ability to do these things, but for us to depend upon God to bring it to pass.

More Keys to Healthy Spiritual Community

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Healthy spiritual community requires love relationships among fellow Christians as they also relate to a loving God. In these passages, the focus will be on the vertical relationship with God, us speaking to God and God speaking to us. This will involve the keys of rejoicing, praying, thanksgiving, being open to receiving input from the Holy Spirit and rejecting any form of evil.

God's Not Finished with Us Yet

Kay Robinson

Philippians 1:6

No matter how old you become or disabled, God can still use you powerfully in His kingdom. God has a purpose for you regardless of your circumstances. Be a part of His plan! Use your gifts. Continue to give Him glory. There is no retirement from the work of God. We all have so much to give!

Worship

Danny Walker

John 4:23

The Father created us to be in relationship with Him and to worship Him. It is not to be a burdensome chore but an acknowledgment of the amazing glory of God. To truly worship God, we must have our eyes opened to see His unsearchable attributes, His power and sovereignty. "When we magnify His name and celebrate His glory, our own souls partake of greatness."

Walking According to the Spirit

Ben Foust

Romans 8:16-39

In this section of Romans, Paul instructs us to walk in accordance to the Spirit in the context of suffering. He describes different lenses to view our suffering through, which will let God near to us and allow the Spirit to help us through our trials.

How the Spirit Helps

Ben Foust

Romans 8:12-17

This section of Romans emphasizes that spiritual growth comes from our personal relationship with God, not from a formulaic set of actions that we perform.

The Mind Set on the Spirit

Ben Foust

Romans 8:5-15

Paul describes the battle between setting our minds on the flesh versus setting our minds on the spirit.

Our Role in Ministry

Ryan Lowery

1 Corinthians 3:7-15

Paul calls the church's attention back to Jesus as the foundation for spiritual growth. Despite the good or bad work we do as humans, God is the one who causes the growth.