Final Judgment

Mike Sullivan

Revelation 20:11-15

Many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, are uncomfortable with the idea of final judgment, or hell, but it is a reality. Hell is necessary because sin is a reality that must be dealt with. God loves people and sin hurts the people God loves. Because God values free will, he honors our choices. Because God is righteous and just, he must punish sin. Because he is loving, he offers an alternative to hell for anyone who chooses to receive the forgiveness Jesus offers through his death on the cross.

The Risks and Rewards of Saying Yes to God

Ryan Lowery

Luke 1:29-38

In this passage we see 3 people or groups who said "yes" to God, despite the risks. Mary agreed to bear the Messiah, Joseph maintained his relationship with Mary, and the magi defied Herod--all moves that came with great risks, but also great rewards, as they take their place in God's plan to redeem people through Jesus the Messiah. We also face the opportunity in our life to say yes to God, also facing risks but opening the door to rewards from God, the giver of good gifts.

Our Need for Freedom

James Rochford

Galatians 5:1-14

We all value freedom, but it's hard to attain. Often our desires for certain freedoms conflict with each other, leaving us torn. What is the key to maximal freedom?

Biblical Decision Making

Ryan Lowery

James 4:13-17

We learn from the book of James that God's wisdom is often different from ours, and often calls on us to be others-centered instead self-centered, our default perspective. This comes to bear as we make decisions, and James gives us insight into biblical decision making. A wise person will bring God into their decisions. In this passage in James, and in other passages in the Bible, we find practical guidance encouraging us to use prayer, scripture, mature counsel, and other elements to guide our decisions.

Esau's Choice

Mike Sullivan

Hebrews 12:16-17

As the firstborn Son, Esau stood to inherit a substantial birthright that included not only wealth and possessions, but also the covenant promise God had made to Abraham. In a moment of shortsightedness, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of soup, forfeiting his blessing. From that point on, Jacob and Esau's lives were on very different trajectories. Their story teaches us an important lesson: that our choices matter and, though our eternal salvation is secure, our decisions can have irreversible consequences for us in this life.

The Sovereign God

James Rochford

Psalms 2:1-12

The Psalmist, David, writes of the sovereignty of God over the nations and all affairs of men, all the while creating people as free moral agents. God's sovereignty means that He knows everything that will happen and either allows or causes it. This does not imply determinism or fatalism, but rather that God's sovereignty is so great that He causes His plans to prosper in spite of human free will and nothing can thwart them. This includes His plan to send his son Jesus to reconcile the world to Himself, which is predicted in this psalm.

Is the Law Sinful?

Paul Alexander

Romans 7:7-25

Paul defends the God's complete grace by posing its opponents' question, "Is the Law sinful?" Paul answers that the problem is not the Law, but how it is being used--as a remedy instead of a diagnostic tool to point us to our need for God. Paul says the Law exposes our slavery to sin, and instead of this defeating us, it can cause us to look to God in dependence for His awaiting provision--forgiveness through Christ and His empowerment to move out of enslaving sin.

Using Your Freedom to Love

Conrad Hilario

Romans 14:1-14

Paul explains that living for Christ gives us true freedom, but that we shouldn't use our freedom to satisfy our selfish desires. Rather, we should use our freedom to serve others in love, sometimes even willingly giving up our freedoms for the benefit of others, while being careful not to go beyond what God has written in His word.

Intro to Joshua

Dennis McCallum

Numbers 14:1-45

When God presents the people of Israel the chance to take the promised land, they hesitate because they see the task to attack and take the land as intimidating because of the size of their opponent. We often face a decision to trust God's promises or to base our decision on our own powers or assessment of the situation. When we take our own counsel it seems reasonable, but it becomes progressively corrosive to our faith. Despite Joshua and Caleb's call to obey God, the people ended up acting on their own strength and failed, and this will be the case for us. Decisions of unbelief may lead to permanent damage, although God always welcomes us back to Him.