A Life of Inexpressible Joy

Conrad Hilario
1 Peter 1:1-9

Upon receiving Christ, we become chosen by God, we have an imperishable inheritance, and we have incredible security in our salvation. God desires we obey him for the long term out of love and not out of fear for the short term. I response to his incredible gifts and our security in him, we can live a life of inexpressible joy, and courage even through times of difficult trials.

Jesus and Zacchaeus

Ben Foust
Luke 19:1-10

The lesson we can learn from Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus, the tax collector, is if you are lost, Jesus is seeking you. The way Jesus initiated with the this most hated man is typical of his posture toward all people. He showed him mercy, grace, honor, and acceptance, as well as included him in the family of God. Jesus' only prerequisite is to acknowledge your "lostness." Being "found" by Jesus dramatically changes the course of people's lives just as it did with Zacchaeus, who made four-fold restitution and gave away half his possessions after being "found."

Things God has Done for Us

Dennis McCallum
1 Peter 1:1-9

Peter in 1 Peter 1 opens his first letter with a description of the things God has done for us who are in Christ. God has chosen us, set us apart. He has sprinkled us with the blood of Christ, allowing us to be spiritually reborn. We and all his promises to us are kept safe and secure by the power of God. We have the healing of our souls so damaged by sin. And finally we have the gift of suffering, which among other things, teaches us to truly depend upon God and not ourselves.

The Sermon on the Mount - Part One

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 5:1-12

God wants you to have an exceptional life. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus discusses the key to having an abundant life--a "blessed" life. This starts with an awareness of our brokenness and spiritual poverty, and developing a godly awareness and compassion for the pain of others.

Getting Closer to God

James Rochford
Philippians 2:1-11

Jesus was showing us the way to completely depend and trust in God. This is a supernatural act that cannot be done out of our natural ability. While Jesus was on earth, he kept all of his divine attributes and abilities but willingly chose not to use them. Instead he relied entirely upon God to empower him to do everything that he did. He chose not to grasp equality with God because wanted to grasp us instead.

Compassion Amidst Crisis

Conrad Hilario
Luke 5:12-15

A recent article highlights the historical tendency of people to exhibit heartless cruelty and self-preservation during epidemics. By contrast, Jesus calls his followers to rise above this self-protectiveness and cruelty found in past pandemics. In a day when most people in America associate Christianity with hypocrisy, corruption, and hatred, maybe believers' selfless response to this epidemic will change people's perception of the church and ultimately Christ.

The Rich and the Poor

Scott Risley
James 2:1-13

James writes that there should be no favoritism or preferential treatment within the Church. Racism, Sexism, Ageism, or any other form of discrimination have no place among God's people, since we all stand before God as His image bearers, all sinful and redeemed by His grace. In particular, Christians should prioritize caring for the poor and marginalized.

Being a "Doer":Inclusiveness and Compassion

Dennis McCallum
James 2:1-13

God calls us to not show personal favoritism. We are not to make distinctions between ourselves based on race or gender or wealth or any other factor. When we do not take our identity from God, we create an arbitrary identity focused on being important in some way and not on loving others. People are equal because they are created in the image of God.

Lot: The Impotence of Uncommitted Faith

Gary DeLashmutt
2 Peter 2:7-8

We can learn about having a vital faith by studying its antithesis in the tragic life of Lot. Though a true believer, he was a carnal believer and lived more like a non-believer; but the Lord was compassionate to him. An insightful explanation of the tragedy of and the hope for carnal believers is given. At any point, Lot could have decided to begin living by faith like Abraham and reaped the benefits.