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Single and Divorced: Honest Talk about Sensitive Issues

Jim Leffel

Matthew 19:3-9

What does God have to say about sex as it relates to being single, married or divorced? Is it better to stay single or get married? There are unique tensions in living a single life such as: 1) sex and your identity; 2) finding the right person or becoming the right person; 3) disappointment; and 4) legalism. Difficulties resulting from a broken marriage are discussed: 1) what does God say about divorce; 2) are there legitimate reasons to end a marriage; and 3) what's after divorce? A testimony from Paco, who teaches a class called "How not to fall for a jerk" is included.

Keywords

{"passage": "1 Corinthians 7:7-11","passageabreviated": "1 Cor 7:7-11","passagetiny": "1Cor 7:7-11","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate...

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The New Heart

Jim Leffel

Luke 22:20

This passage takes a close-up look into the human heart and God's redemptive plan. These verses are vital for understanding God's Gospel plan; they are referenced in the New Testament 16 times. In Jeremiah, God introduces a new covenant that is different from the original covenant that he made with Moses and the Israelites. These two covenants are compared and contrasted. The old covenant had the external rules, a legal code that could be seen by all; the new covenant is an internal, a personal relationship with God. The old covenant was diagnostic; the new covenant is transformative. God desires regeneration, redemption, and reconciliation for the human condition.

Keywords

{"passage": "Jeremiah 31:31-34","passageabreviated": "Jer 31:31-34","passagetiny": "Jer 31:31-34","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate":...

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Increasing Your Capacity to Receive God's Love

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 4:7-21

God's will for our lives is to grow in our ability to give out sacrificial love. As our capacity of receiving God's love increases, we are able to increase our ability to give His love out to others. This process begins with understanding the lengths of God's love for us, drawing continuously from His love, and learning how to reflect and meditate on how to move towards others in love. Living out of God's love is a key feature of growing Christians.

Keywords

{"passage": "1 John 4:7-21","passageabreviated": "1 John 4:7-21","passagetiny": "1Jn 4:7-21","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDate":...

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Joy in God's Sovereignty

Jim Leffel

Philippians 1:12-20

Paul's imprisonment meant that the legal status of the church was at stake. Aside from the unique role Paul played, he was undergoing enormous personal suffering as well. Here he shares his example of how to respond to suffering with joy. Your perspective of yourself, your purpose, and God drastically alter your ability to recognize the opportunities He provides. Paul's joyful perspective in suffering resulted in: the elite Roman guard being reached with the Gospel; boldness among Roman Christians; and the books of Luke, Acts, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. There is no greater joy than to participate with God in His work.

Keywords

{"passage": "Philippians 1:12-20","passageabreviated": "Phil 1:12-20","passagetiny": "Phil 1:12-20","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate...

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Experiencing the "Fullness of God"

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2

Paul writes to combat the Gnostic teachers and their emphasis on special knowledge. He explains that we receive a new identity when we enter a relationship with God. "Being dead" involves separation from God but being "alive" is being united with God. Being united with God means we receive this new identity. Living out our identity means we become who we are in four ways: 1) having the perspective that God is at work; 2) being secure in our identity; 3) having confidence we are forgiven; and 4) staying united with God and other Christians.\r\n

Keywords

{"passage": "","passageabreviated": "","passagetiny": "","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate": "04/24/2005"}

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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.

Keywords

{"passage": "Romans 8:29-39","passageabreviated": "Rom 8:29-39","passagetiny": "Rom 8:29-39","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "12/...

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Get Your Head Together

Jim Leffel

Romans 8:1-27

Our new identity in Christ allows us to pursue spiritual growth through living according to the Holy Spirit. This happens as we set our minds habitually upon the Holy Spirit's work, leading to real life and peace. Five things that we should consider in our minds are: 1) the Holy Spirit's living presence in our lives; 2) how the Holy Spirit allows us to relate to God; 3) the transforming power of the Spirit; 4) the Spirit's ability to comfort and coach us in God's work; and 5) the Spirit's leading.

Keywords

{"passage": "Romans 8:1-27","passageabreviated": "Rom 8:1-27","passagetiny": "Rom 8:1-27","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "12/05/...

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Reasons to Change Your Life

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 5

The forgiveness we've received through Christ motivates us to lives of sacrificial love. Understanding God's grace compels us to live our lives free from damaging patterns including sexual immorality, poor use of speech, and greed. Instead, we can understand how to live as God designed us and demonstrate His truth in our lives and in our relationships. This allows for gradual movement from self-centered living to others-centered living.

Keywords

{"passage": "","passageabreviated": "","passagetiny": "","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate": "11/28/2004"}

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Discovering a New Kind of Freedom

Jim Leffel

Romans 6:12-23

The freedom we experience is correlated to how we present ourselves to God: in our old self or in the new identity He has given us. Our new identity gives us freedom to stand under God's grace and present our lives as instruments to be used by Him. As we experience freedom from the enslaving old habits that are destructive, we can develop long-term, satisfying desires in our walk with God as He causes growth in our lives.

Keywords

{"passage": "Romans 6:12-23","passageabreviated": "Rom 6:12-23","passagetiny": "Rom 6:12-23","teacher": "Jim Leffel","teachingDate": "11/...

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