Four Promises on the Final Night

James Rochford

John 14:1-17:23

On his final night with his disciples, Jesus lays out intimidating commands and predictions, but also robust promises. He promises them "another advocate"--the Holy Spirit--the words of God, prayer, and unifying fellowship. These promises stand for Christians today as they face the challenges of serving God.

Four Keys to Spiritual Progress

Gary DeLashmutt

Romans 5:3

While receiving Christ is an end to works-righteousness and alienation from God, it is the beginning of growth toward spiritual maturity. Four keys to spiritual maturity are allowing suffering to play a role, rejecting all forms of perfectionism, keep moving forward, and observing and imitating more mature Christians.

The Workman

Jim Leffel

2 Timothy 2:14-19

After comparing the mature believer to a farmer, soldier, and athlete, Paul finishes his description with a 4th metaphor: the common laborer who skillfully uses God's Word. Jim Leffel describes how we can be approved workmen today.

Mature Suffering

Ryan Lowery

James 1:1-12

James urges his readers to persevere through suffering and even consider it joy. He elaborates that we can have joy in trials because we know that God promises to use it for our growth and that suffering can bring us near to God in a way nothing else can. Principles for mature suffering are still just as applicable for Christians today and include considering it joy, knowing that God can bring good from it, asking God honest questions, and enduring in faith.

Learning to Meditate

James Rochford

Psalms 1:1-6

Psalm 1 draws a contrast between the "blessed" and the "wicked." The blessed person is the one who delights in God's Word, which brings happiness, stability, and guidance. To experience this blessing, we must learn to meditate regularly on scripture.

The Enduring Word

Ben Foust

1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Peter explains that unlike human words, the Word of God (the Bible) is unchanging and enduring, leading us to salvation and bringing about our spiritual growth. Peter urges the reader to long for God's word which, when read regularly, renews the mind, convicts the heart, and nourishes the soul.

The Body of Christ

James Rochford

Romans 12:3-5

Paul describes the church as a body, made of up many parts, all of which are vital and have a specific purpose. As God's design, Christian community is essential for spiritual growth and is, in fact, an antidote for the loneliness epidemic plaguing so many people today.

God over All--Including Our Failures

Mike Woods

Romans 12:3-5

Many important figures in the Bible experience failure and we can learn from their responses. In this teaching, different types of failure and different responses to them are discussed. Failure leads us to decide to depend on God or not. Learning God's Will helps us reconsider our definition of success.

Restoring Others to Faithful Servanthood

Liz Sweet

Romans 12:3-5

It can be difficult to know how to help fellow Christians be restored to a healthy spiritual walk when something goes wrong. Regardless of the circumstances, Liz Sweet discusses how we can help others to regain their vision for serving both by helping them walk through suffering and regain a proper perspective of who God is.