Gifts for Unity

Chris Hearty

Ephesians 4:7-16

Paul writes of the spiritual gifts God has gifted us in order to equip the church. He then calls on us to reach unity and maturity in our faith. \r\n

The Regular Habits of the Christian Life

Ryan Weingartner

1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter outlines the regular habits of the Christian life in 1 Peter 4:7-11 as prayer, love, hospitality and using your gifting to serve. Even the secular world is catching on that building quality relationships is where happiness is found. The longest longitudinal study on adult health observed that the single greatest indicator of health later in life was the quality of their close relationships.

Six Ways to Serve Under Adverse Circumstances

Conrad Hilario

1 Timothy 4:1-16

God is calling you to a life filled with true meaning and purpose. It is not a mistake that God has put you where you are. If God calls you to serve in challenging circumstances, focus on the things you do have control over. Don't be surprised when some people abandon the faith. Keep the central message at the center of what you do. Lead by example. Stand on the authority and power of God's written Word. Remember that God has called, equipped, and commissioned you to carry out your task. People should not only observe what we are, but also what we are becoming.

Can We Really Find Freedom from Fear?

James Rochford

2 Timothy 1:1-7

The key to gaining freedom from fear is to get the focus off of oneself and onto others. We need a transcendent anchor for our soul in order to do this. We need security, affirmation and love from outside of ourselves. We need Jesus Christ!

Don't Give Up

Chris Hearty

2 Timothy 1:1-7

Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the spiritual gift he received from God. Perhaps fear was causing Timothy to shrink back from the mission God had entrusted to him. Paul, confident in Timothy's faith, reminds him he did not receive a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind. The sufferings of Paul and Timothy should encourage us as we see how they did not let fear stop them from accomplishing all God had for them to do.

Paul's Last Words

Dennis McCallum

2 Timothy 1:1-7

As the time that Paul has left on this earth comes to a close, his final words to Timothy focus on encouraging him to keep fanning the flames of the spiritual gift God has given him. He reminds him that God has not given him a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and sound mind. In that spirit, he has the power to love others and have confidence in God in all circumstances.

What Is Important in the End?

James Rochford

1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter warns that the end of all things is near. The unbelieving world lives without hope because they think this world is all there is. Death results in a terrifying oblivion. But believers can live a fruitful, meaningful life her and now because we know that there is a reward waiting for us when we die to this world. We can invest in that which is most important, God and other people, while we are here on earth because we know the glories awaiting us in heaven. We know that what we do here on earth has profound effect for eternity.

Friendship and the End of the World

Scott Risley

1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter teaches that since the end of all things is near, we should draw near to God in prayer. As the end nears, we will need our relationships to endure the suffering that will follow. We should draw near to others in fervent love, serving, being hospitable and using our spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

Christ-Centered Community

Conrad Hilario

1 Peter 4:7-11

Knowing that our time on earth is limited, Peter calls on believers to be in close, Christ-centered community with one another. By having a fervent love and exercising our spiritual gifts for one another in Christian community we demonstrate to a watching world that is drowning in loneliness and alienation the grace and glory of our God.