God's Comfort

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

The word translated "comfort" in our Bibles has a stronger meaning than we commonly use. It means to strengthen, fortify, encourage in the midst of adversity. God's comfort is an expression of His character. He is not distant nor aloof, but full of mercy and compassion. God's comfort is available for and fully adequate for all kinds of suffering. Receiving God's comfort enables us to give His comfort to others. We experience God's comfort as we patiently trust Him in our suffering. Suffering can displace self-reliance and lead to deeper confidence in God's future faithfulness.

Principles in Serving the Poor

Chris Hearty

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Paul gives Timothy principles for meeting the needs of the poor. First, believers need to take care of their own family members before seeking help from the church. The church needs to focus on those members who do not have family to help them, who are unable to help themselves and who have a good reputation. The church should be generous but also smart!

Leadership in the Church Part 2

Chris Hearty

1 Timothy 3:3-15

There are two offices of leadership described in the New Testament. The leadership positions are elder and deacon. Both positions have high character requirements, with eldership a bit more stringent. The requirement for leadership in God's church are less about talents and skills and more on character and love for His people. If you want to lead for God, learn to invest in the people He puts in your life. Be the kind of person you would want to follow. And finally, you can't lead anyone if you don't know how to be led yourself.

Loving Outrageous People

Ben Foust

Luke 19:1-10

In a culture of outrage, it's tempting to turn away from or even hate people who are on the other side of issues we care about, but the Bible calls on Christians to love "outrageous" people. In the example of Zacchaeus we see Jesus moving toward him in love, even though he was likely a corrupt man. Ultimately Jesus saw Zacchaeus differently than the crowd did, seeing his "lostness"--his inner need to be saved by God. We must see people through the same lens, asking God to enable us to see all people as His image bearers, with empathy, and with humility.

Loving Outrageous People

Ben Foust

Luke 19:1-10

When Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house, the crowd was aghast that Jesus would dine with the most hated man in their community. But Jesus saw Zacchaeus not as he was but as a lost person in need of being saved. He looked at him as an image-bearer of God, with empathy and humility. We need to see all people the way God sees them, with love.

Cultivating a Reflective Heart

Chris Hearty

1 Timothy 1:12-19

As Paul encourages Timothy in how to lead the church at Ephesus, he reflects back on his former life as a persecutor of the church before Jesus apprehended him on the road to Damascus. He breaks out in praise as he remembers how merciful God was to forgive him, the worst of sinners, and put him into His service. In light of God's incredible mercy and patience, Paul charges Timothy to fight the good fight by holding firmly to faith and a good conscience.

What Is Man?

Mike Sullivan

Psalms 8

When the Psalmist considers the question of what is man, he recognizes that the basis for understanding man is to understands who God is. God displays His might through the weak. With God, even the weakest people can do great things. In His mercy, He confers dignity on us. Humans bear the image of God. God send us into the world to rule by making us co-rulers with Him. Jesus asks us to use the great power and resources we have as co-rulers to serve others.

How Does God Help When it Hurts?

James Rochford

1 Peter 4:12-19

The Bible warns us that suffering in this world is inevitable. The question is will you suffer as the world suffers, with surprise and complaining or will you suffer with joy and gratitude that you have received mercy instead of justice? Why is gratitude the right response to suffering? Gratitude gives us a "mental break" and places suffering in the correct context. Gratitude also reminds us we are not imprisoned victims of our circumstances. The real question is do you believe God is trustworthy or not?

Body Building

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 4:8-11

Peter encourages every believer to use the spiritual gifts God has given them for the building up of the Body of Christ. Every believer has been given at least one special gift. All are gifted differently so don't compare yourself to another. Using our gifting to the best of our ability enhances community and is intensely pleasurable without negative side affects. Our gifting is also a stewardship so that the greater the gifting, the greater the expectation to use the gifting well.